Chapter Six- First of the Season
A month past since Achilles entered the city of Troy in Odysseus' pet design. He married Briseis less than two days after arriving in Phtia. Her background, she decided, was to be hidden. She was said to be a merchant's daughter he met while going to Troy. She found out fast that the people of Phtia didn't care much for her background, only that their Prince was actually married.
Life here seemed no different from Troy, with one exception: this wasn't Troy. Her heart still ached for her fallen city, memories constantly seeping in at any given moment. The sound of the waves, the smell of the city, the floors beneath her feet: everything reminded her of where she came from. She tried hard to supress these pains when with Achilles, smiling softly, eyes wide and serene. But at night, when she could still smell the flames eating her city alive, she couldn't supress the soft sobs in her sleep. And he couldn't help but hold her until the tears stopped and sleep once again took her.
But here, for the first time in her life, she lived without inhibitions. The freedom she was granted, earned Achilles always said, let her explore new terrain as a woman. No more the blind little virgin priestess within the silent walls of a temple; a wife now with the abilities and means to find her own place. It may be a lonely road, but she was walking it.
One such lonely day, Briseis sat out on the sand, feet shifting the small grains between her toes. Her light blue dress shifted slightly in the cool breeze. It was still warm in Phtia, winter approaching slowly now. The trees rustled back in the cliffs, birds calling in them. While Achilles attended to state matters, she often walked the beaches, letting the water wash over her feet. The house needed little tending to, the servants all vets at their tasks, readily training anyone new. So her time was always free. She leaned back on her hands, tilting her head slightly to the sun. A shadow cast over her.
"You have a bad habit of being alone a lot."
"I'm not alone now am I?" she smiled. Achilles' arms wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her into his lap. She closed her eyes as his hand cupped her cheek, fingers running down over her jaw. He pressed his lips to her's, causing her to giggle lightly. He knew she spent the day alone, as usual. He wanted her to adjust at her own pace, but he worried that her loneliness would cause depression. As they pulled back, he saw that sad smile.
"We're going for a ride," he said, looking to her. She nodded with mock sadness laughing as he stood and quickly helped her to her feet. They walked back towards the stables, kicking sand lightly. He bumped into her accidentally; Briseis pushed back lightly with a smile. He push again and it built up for a few moments. She gave him a final shove and ran ahead. Achilles followed, catching up quickly.
She felt his hand on her arm and tried to pull away. But his grip tightened and she spun into his arms, laughing and holding on so she wouldn't fall. He laughed lightly, pulling her into a deep, possessive kiss. It made him smile as she submitted so willingly to him. They reached the stables, placing Briseis on the horse before climbing on himself.
She leaned back into his chest as the winds kicked up on the sand. They rode quite a distance down the beach, past the ports and into areas she only saw from the ship. He rode on the water's edge, letting the spray wash over them. He took them to the very edge of the kingdom, stopping at the cliff that divided them from the next city.
One look at the sky and both realized that they hadn't considered the looming clouds that now gathered above them.
Riding back, the clouds burst and spilled out in heavy torrents. It soaked the two of them completely through. They picked up the speed and Briseis wrapped her hands around his which grasped the reigns.
After reaching the stable, they bolted into the palace and up to their room. Achilles worried as Briseis shivered from the cold water that soaked her. He quickly pulled his clothes off, helping her to undo the tie of her dress.
Once clothing was gone, he wrapped them in a warm blanket, holding her close. Her skin was pale and icy even after being in his arms for a while. It concerned him that she wasn't warming up.
"You alright?," he asked, looking down into her face. Her brown eyes were wide and awake from the cold as she nodded.
"Just cold," she whispered. His lips met hers, arms pulling her closer. He shifted, laying over her on the bed. Their slick skin made the friction between them disappear. He groaped and touched everything, moans and small gasps escaping her lips. He felt the rain water warm and mingle with sweat on her smooth body.
He held her hips tightly, rolling into her. Her body pressed against his, her nails digging into his back from the sensation. He moved very slowly, letting it wash over them completely. Briseis felt the cold slip from her body, waves of heat and euphoria slowly stretching through out her. The loneliness of the day faded away as they continued to make love.
They laid against the bed, breathing heavy and heated. Achilles indulged in running his finger tips over the curve of her hip and the dip of her waist. Her eyes were hooded, still unable to regain composure from his touch. When she did see again, the swirl of blue within his eyes made her heart flutter all over again.
Briseis woke up abruptly. She didn't jump, but her eyes shot open for some reason. She blinked a few times, eyes adjusting to the light given off by lightening. She shifted, turning towards Achilles. He was fast asleep, breathing slowly and softly. Her hand ran through his hair lightly, running the entire line of his jaw upon return.
She saw him like this only once before. It was the night before Patroclus was killed. She couldn't get to sleep, despite being exhausted. She laid still in his arms, waiting for the even breathing and warmth that occurs when in deep sleep. Turning her head slightly, she watched him for the longest time. Here and now, he looked the same, only more beautiful.
In the pale light, he looked like a young boy. His chisled features were soft; his hair much lighter, looking almost the color of puffy clouds. It was in that moonlight on the beaches of Troy that the features of the man she now lived with were revealed.
Briseis could tell you that he was kind, caring and affection just from the way he looked in his sleep. But life had an odd way of reinforcing stereotypes, his being the persona he lived everyday for most of his life.
Achilles moved lightly, arms pulling her closer to him. She slid against him, pressing her head into his muscular chest. Whatever woke her quickly disappeared and she fell back to sleep.