Here's the next chapter, sorry to make you wait so long!

…

I knew it was wrong. I knew it endangered their city. I knew it endangered my life.

But I couldn't stop.

People curse me and mutter, "All she had to do was say no." It wasn't that simple. I tried. I tried with everything I had in me. I suppose years of being crushed under others' wills had left me with none of my own.

It was the night before their departing feast. I vowed I would hold fast. I swore I would resist. I promised I would end it.

I suppose my promises don't mean much anymore.

…

"You shouldn't be here," I said as I heard the door open quietly.

"Oh, shouldn't I?" he teased lightly with that sweet voice of his. My skin crawled with desire as I looked at him but I forced myself to remain in my place.

"It's not right."

"Your husband sleeps with a different woman each night and your conscience is offended by this?" he said, stepping closer. Oh how I longed to feel his arms around me.

"His actions do not dictate what is right for me to do. I am Queen of Sparta and I betray my city by giving myself to you."

He was standing right in front of me now, his face only inches from my own. "But then, since when have you cared for the opinions of others?"

I could not reply as his mouth firmly met mine. Nor did I want to.

…

"Princes of Troy," Menelaus began, rising out of his seat. "On our last night together, Queen Helen and I salute you."

I stared across the table at Paris, not even hearing my husband's words. He gazed back at me, the love in his eyes invisible to all but myself.

"We've had our conflicts before, it's true. We've fought many battles, Sparta and Troy, and fought well. But I've always respected your father. Priam is a good man, and a good king. I respected him as my adversary, I respect him now as my ally." Even when the men broke out into cheers I did not let my gaze waver.

"Hector, Paris, young princes, come, stand. Drink with me."

Hector rose first and nudged Paris who finally broke eye contact with me to respond to the invitation. I smiled and averted my eyes; I would distract him no more. Our dalliance was over; he would return in the morning.

"Let us drink to peace," Menelaus said, raising his glass.

"Peace," Hector agreed. "Between Troy and Sparta."

The treaty was official. Troy and Sparta were linked together, both openly and secretly. "May the gods keep the wolves in the hills and the women in our beds!" Menelaus cried. Normally his words would have stirred no feeling in me. Tonight they drew scorn. I found it, oh beloved husband, I thought mockingly. You could not keep it from me.

It was time for me to leave. I quietly slipped from the hall, knowing I would see Paris again. You may mock me, but that time I had every intention of sending him away. It would not do for us to bed together during such a time. The danger was too great. He had given me something I would have never known otherwise. Troy had birthed a savior for a queen many knew of but none knew, and I would not endanger its safety any longer. It was the least I could do. I resolved to say no.

I sat down at my desk and began combing my hair, effectively undoing the fancy style Polydora had arranged for me. I heard the door open behind me and I locked eyes with Paris as he slipped in quietly, firmly locking the door behind him. I felt my face flush and I quickly turned away from him hoping to hide my wavering heart.

"You shouldn't be here," I said firmly in an echo of the night before. I brushed my hair furiously in order to hide my shaking hands.

"That's what you said last night," he said, confusion in his voice.

"Last night was a mistake," I announced, willing my heart to believe. But even as the words came, I smiled. It was no mistake.

"And the night before that?" he asked, his voice taking on that teasing tone. Oh, sweet Paris, you know exactly what you're doing to me.

I smiled again, knowing he could not see me. "I've made many mistakes this past week."

He was right behind me, I could feel him there, but I actually believed that if I avoided eye contact with him I could resist. After all, it was his deep brown eyes that captured my heart every single time. I thought I was immune to him. I was wrong.

His hand gently pulled my hair back, letting it fall down my back. I froze, knowing at that moment I was fighting a losing battle. His hand rested on my bare shoulder as his other came to gently caress my face. His actions held all the tenderness I had craved my whole life.

"Do you want me to go?" he asked softly. We both knew what the answer was.

I stood up and in a repeat of our first night together, unclasped my dress and let it fall to the floor. The look in his eyes was the same; it had not changed since that fateful night under the myrtle tree.

I stepped towards him and kissed him hard, relaxing as his arms wrapped themselves around me.

A drunken howl could be heard from below stairs but I did not pause. Some things just cannot be resisted.

…

"I have something for you," he said to me, climbing off the bed where I lounged easily. I sat up and waited expectantly.

"Pearls from the sea of Propontis." He held them up before me and I touched them lovingly.

"They're beautiful," I said, smiling. Then reality hit, as it always does. "But I can't wear them. Menelaus would kill us both."

"Don't be afraid of him," Paris urged me tenderly.

I smiled, my eyes filling up with tears. "I'm not afraid of dying. I'm afraid of tomorrow." I choked up and had to look down before I could continue. "Of watching you sail away and knowing you'll never come back." I looked at him with tears streaming down my face, my eyes mirroring the love that was in his own. "Before you came to Sparta, I was a ghost. I walked and I ate and I swam in the sea, but I was just a ghost." He tenderly stroked my face and I knew then he realized the deeper meaning behind those words.

"You don't have to fear tomorrow," he said simply. I looked at him, confused. "Come with me," he urged.

I stared at him for a moment quelling the sudden leap my heart had made when I'd heard his words. "Don't play with me." I looked down, breaking eye contact. "Don't play."

He spoke again, utter sincerity written on his face. "If you come, we'll never be safe," he admitted truthfully. "Men will hunt us, the gods will curse us." He looked into my eyes. "But I'll love you," he said forcefully. "Until the day they burn my body, I will love you," he swore to me.

In my life, one mistake could cost dearly. I knew that. But I still allowed myself one moment of weakness to imagine what it would be like.

And so sealed my own fate.