Chapter 11:

I watched his retreating form; feeling like my entire world that had been heaven for those few moments now was a living hell. "No. No way I am just going to let him barge into my life and than waltz right out of it." So off I went as fast as my legs could take me. He had disappeared into the palace, but I ran the short cut to where my bedroom, the royal quarters, had been. Hoping that he would be there. I turned the corner running at top speed I smacked firmly into Achilles with enough force to knock both of us down. Quickly reacting he maneuvered in order break my fall with his body.

"What is wrong with you?" I nearly shouted at him.

"I cannot be in love with you." He said looking up at me.

"You just said that you were, and now after I confessed my feelings towards you, you take it back?"

"You shouldn't love me either."

"The hell I shouldn't."

"Briseis..." he said in a very tired voice, "for starters how about you get off of me."

"What?" I didn't notice that was straddling him, and if anyone was to see us like this well...you get the picture. "Oh!" I exclaimed jumping up.

"Secondly I'm a Greek prince and you are a Trojan slave."

"Why should that matter? Besides I used to be a Queen." I stated painfully aware I was trying to make myself appeal to him, while defending myself.

"Finally, I am Achilleus, The Destroyer of Nations and born to end lives."

"So I know who you are and I don't care because that is just one side of you."

"Yeah, but that one side of me has enemies - lots and lots of enemies. I can't allow you to take that risk."

"What risk?"

"Enemies used loved ones."

"So."

"I cannot allow you to get hurt because I was foolish enough to go ahead and fall in love you."

"What if you denied your feelings?"

"I could live that. I couldn't live with the fact that I am putting you in harms way, so please forget this evening. Think about Diomedeas." He said once again trying to leave.

"I'm willing to risk it." I said firmly, that stopped him.

"Briseis..." this time I stopped him with a kiss pouring my heart and soul into it willing him to understanding, willing him to know that I wasn't afraid of his enemies, willing him to understand that I trusted him with my life and a life without him in it now seemed impossible.

Pulling away I looked up at him again hoping that he would allow himself to openly love me. "Are you sure?" he asked in a doubting voicing.

"Yes." I said firmly.

"I wasn't able to protect Diomedeas when she need me, and I did not love her like I love you."

"That was in the past."

"I still have enemies, Briseis. I'll try to protect you but..." He stopped looking down unsure of the burden that was before him. He wanted to protect me from the world that he had made himself so famous in, yet his drive for that fame and glory was now his weak point. It exposed those he loved and cared for to a cold world which was unknown to me.

"I trust you. I love you, that is what matters. I don't care what happens. I want to be near you."

"Thank you for your trust."

Kissing him softly I continued to say, "It is my choice, and I choose to love you."

"If you are sure."

"More sure than anything in my life."

He was speechless; he stood there looking at me in disbelief with that small lopsided smile that showed he was impressed.

Than I took another chance, drawing in a breath I gently said, "Yes."

He didn't respond but tilted his heading wondering what I meant by that.

"Yes, if you would still like, I'll stay with you tonight." I said more firmly.

"You sure?"

"I normally don't say things I'm not sure about."

"I didn't want to rush you earlier."

"I love you."

"Ditto." He said.

Together hand in hand we walked back to the room; both of us surrendering to love.