"This palace holds great beauty, doesn't it, Hephaistion?"
Hephaistion's face lighted at his lover's enthusiasm. "It is more exquisite than anything I've seen so far in my life."
"I would say." Alexander smiled, then leaned back in his chair. "In my wildest dreams Babylon was mine, but never did I imagine that the feeling would be so…" A low growl left his throat, and his smile grew to a broader one. "Ah Hephaistion, now I've conquered all this beauty, I feel like I have the power to rule the whole world! I only have to take it."
Hephaistion face dimmed slightly, knowing where those words came from. "We all feel like that at times."
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Are you doubting me?"
"It's not you I doubt. I've never doubted you."
In the silence that fell, several others at the table glanced their way. Cassander stood up. "Under your leadership, we cannot fail to conquer the world! Hail Alexander!"
"Hail Alexander!"
As they all drank, Hephaistion sighed. He knew Alexander was meant for great things like these, but that didn't mean he didn't wish it to be otherwise sometimes. He noticed Alexander staring at him, and his face warmed with a smile again. He moved his hand over Alexander's and leaned forward. "You will conquer the world if that is your wish, even if I have to see to it myself."
Alexander surprised him by withdrawing his hand and diverting his gaze to the door. "These Persians may be pretty, they lack in speed when it comes to following orders," he spoke loudly. People laughed. On that moment, rows of heavily bejewelled but scarcely clad maidens entered the dining room, carrying trays with what was undoubtedly the best food in the whole of Persia. As they began putting it down on the table, Alexander leaned towardshim and spoke softly. "I think I will do just fine on my own, thank you."
The words combined with the dark look on his face stung Hephaistion, and he frowned. "Alexander, you-"
Hephaistion's words were interrupted by one of the servants who leaned forward between him and Alexander to fill their glasses with wine. When he looked up, he saw a familiar face.
"You…" Alexander said, and Hephaistion's attention turned again to his lover and his angry gaze, now directed at Bagoas. "…will serve only me from now on. Understood?"
Bagoas stiffened for a moment. "Yes, lord," came the boy's timid reply. He bowed his head so that his hair obscured his face, and moved backwards. Hephaistion's glass was half full. Anger rose inside of him at his lover's behaviour.
"Alexander," Hephaistion started, "will you not let this boy go free? You say you respect the Persians, will you not show that by freeing them from slavery?" He knew he had made a mistake when he heard the silence stretch out in the room, with his last question hanging as poison in the air. This had not been the moment, but it was to late to take it back now.
Instead of the fury he expected, he saw how Alexander carefully wetted his lips. "Just this one, Hephaistion? So that he will come running to you and wriggle his pretty ass in your lap?" Hephaistion stared at Alexander in shock, not just because of his love thinking such a thing, but also for speaking it out aloud in front of everyone. Heat rose to his cheeks when several people laughed, including Cassander. "You fancy the eunuch, Hephaistion?" the general sneered, but all Hephaistion could see was Alexander staring at him with barely contained contempt.
"I beg your pardon?" Hephaistion breathed, trying hard to conceal the fear suddenly raging his insides.
"You heard me right, Hephaistion." Alexander spoke softly now, his face showing no emotion. "The boy is mine. You have not to question it."
They stared at each other, Hephaistion trying to find any clue on his lover's face on what just happened. When he spoke, his voice was rough. "Whatever you say, my king."