Even after the feast I could see those eyes.
Hector was excited , though he was trying to remain calm. Keep himself composed and humble.
One could not miss the broad smile he wore.
Nor could I.
We returned to our chambers late , so late it was almost morning. I helped him out of the armor. Even though he needed no help.
While he set it on the stand which held every last piece. I glanced around the room.
Seeing every last shadow.
Hearing every last noise.
When he was undressed I kissed a scar on his back , between his two shoulder blades. Giving him a shove towards the bed , "Get some rest , Love. I have a feeling you'll have a eventful day tomorrow."
Hector listened , crawling into bed , "Are you coming?"
I smiled at him as I undressed.
Taking a shirt from his chest , I pulled it over my head , wearing his clothes to bed had become a habit.
"I'm coming." I snapped back , pulling the clips from my hair. Letting the rich brown hair fall around my face and shoulders.
Hector lay back in the pillows of the bed , not bothering to pull a blanket over his legs.
Taking one last look at the door before I went to bed.
Sleep didn't come to me , I lay in bed listening , watching , waiting.
When I felt myself begin to drift I would wake.
When the first lights began to show , I found myself thinking of Cassandra as a nut. Until Hector began to murmur , "Bastian , take your horse to the healer,"
I woke.
Looking over at him , she had said horses!
Damn!
I slid from the bed my heart pounding in my chest!
So loud I heard it in my ears.
Careful not to wake him. I stole across the bedroom , how long did she say? Damn! Getting to the hall I closed the door. Not wanting him to wake.
Hector could not wake.
With my body trembling I ran to the sitting room.
Absolutely terrified!
Closing the door behind me , I raced to the sofa , throwing the pillows off!
The drapes were pulled , but I could see one move! A tingling filled my throat! I felt my heart pound behind my ears! Where was the dagger!
Throwing the pillows off I saw a knife sink in the drapes! Slowly going down! Cutting a hole for someone to climb in!
Damn! Damn! Damn!
There it was!
Seeing the dagger handle I all but cried out in relief! Quickly I pulled it from it's sheath!
Then ran behind the sofa!
Watching as a man stepped through the hole he cut.
I could not wake Hector!
No matter what!
Pushing my hair over my shoulder , I suddenly wished it were short! In no more then a night shirt I found myself wishing for more clothing.
When the man stepped in with a sword on his waist.
I only felt anger.
Cassandra was right.
Someone was here to kill my husband! That angered me more then anything! Someone was going to try and take him from me!
Me!
Well , they would have to face me first!
The man glanced around the room , darkness hiding his face from me. He was a young man , smaller then my husband in size , though larger then I.
I never thought twice as I held the dagger tightly.
Watching him as he walked silently across the balcony into the sitting room.
A coldness filled me that as not fear or the night air. It had come from the anger.
As he came in the sitting room I did not move.
Just watched as he walked closer to the sofa. Where I lay in wait! Waiting till he was close enough , I quickly rose!
He was too far for me to stab , with his back to me I quickly climbed over the sofa. Jumping onto his back. I held my hand over his mouth.
Covering it as he cried out in surprise!
He reached over his head for me , grabbing my hair! I never felt the pain , instead I put the dagger to his throat.
This panicked him , he somehow threw me off! I dropped the dagger onto the floor! Damn! I watched it skitter under the sofa. Then looked up as the man looked to me.
Surprise filled his face , then he smiled , "Princess Andromache."
I glared at the man , grabbing a pillow , I threw it at him! Then quickly clambered towards the couch. He dove on top of me! Pinning me to the floor as I almost reached it! The knife was mere inches from my grip!
Then he grabbed hold of me , pulling me towards him , rolling me onto my back!
Damn!
I allowed him to do so , angrily I hit him across his face! Using a balled fist! I hardly knocked his face aside! He returned the gesture! Hitting me across the face!
Stars began to appear in the corner of my eyes. A ringing in my ears.
I never felt the pain of the blow. I spotted instead a iron door stopper.
Quickly I reached for it , ignoring the man. Who grabbed hold of my neck! His grip painful! That I felt as his grip stopped my breath!
I never once thought about my death.
Only Hector's!
Grabbing hold of the stopper , as spots began to come , the room slowly began to lighten. Taking every last bit of myself , I brought the doorstop down!
Hitting him on his temple!
I heard the clang!
Heard the man scream! Cassandra said he could not be alive when Hector answered! So as his grip tightened , I hit him again! Seeing red and orange!
My temples began to throb!
I dropped the stopper and tried to pry his hand off!
His grip to strong!
Hearing my heart in my ears!
My fingers franticly pulled at his stronger ones! Until a much stronger hand pulled them off. Allowing me to take a breath.
Gasp and cough.
Feeling the sweet air in my lungs was painful. But I could not stop gasping. My hands holding my throat as tears ran down my cheeks.
Not from fear , these were tears I could not control!
Tears of relief.
Knowing my husband was safe.
Allowing me to breath with ease as I was pulled across the room , away from the still man.