Chapter Seventeen- Through it all
Achilles and Briseis lay on their bed, the cool night winds coming through the balcony. They spent the entire day chasing their sons up and down the length of the beach. It was Kyte's fourth birthday and all he wanted was a picnic on the beach. It turned into an all out contest to see if the boys could get their father to the ground.
Amazingly, they succeeded.
Achilles was still awake, watching the soft features of his wife's face as she slept. It amazed him that it had already been near seven years since they met. She was more mature and absolutely beautiful. Her face retained the childlike features from their first encounter; the scared captive tied to a post who never faltered from her pride and dignity.
"You know, its hard to sleep with you staring at me all the time," she said softly, opening her eyes and smiling. He stroked a strand of hair out of her face and smiled back.
"I'm sorry."
"That's fine." She shifted into his arms, head on his shoulder and arm across his waist. "I don't mind your attention. I only seem to get it as I sleep anymore." The last part had a slight giggle to the end as he tickled her side. She made a stern face, poking him in the arm.
One thing lead to the next and soon, they were avoiding each other's hands, trying to tickle the other. Achilles, of course, had the upper hand in the situation. Before pinning her down, Briseis got in a few shots at him, finally turning to stop him as his hands gripped at her waist.
"No fair," she said through her laughter. Achilles smiled and continued his torture. He saw tears of happiness coming through her tightly shut eyes. A few times, she managed to say 'stop' or 'please', but both were having too much fun. Finally, he stopped, pinning her with his body instead of his hands.
"Do you give up?"
"Never. I'll never give up to you," she said, smiling coily.
"Alright," he whispered. Pressing his lips to her's, Achilles wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. She leaned into him, letting her one leg wrap itself around him. He pushed it off and looked into her confused face. "Not here." He took her hand and lead her out of the room.
Briseis had no idea where she was. The wind kicked up around them, making her cold even through the shaw. A shiver started up her back, but was stopped as Achilles wrapped his one arm around her and pulled her closer. The horse waved its head to avoid the sand, continuing at high speed.
When he pulled them to a stop, it was in a small cove she had never seen before. He helped her down and lead her up the side of a rock fascure. She slipped, caught in Achilles' arms. He carried her the rest of the way, placing her down when they reached the top. They were on a small plateau, high grass covering it.
"Close your eyes." Briseis eyed him suspiciously, a glint of seduction underlying his voice. He looked back, stroking the skin just below her eye brow with his thumb. She closed them slowly. He turned her around and sat her down in the high grass. She felt the warmth of the ground beneath her and the soft caress of the grass blades against her skin.
What is he doing, she thought.
"Open them." She obeyed and gasped lightly at the view. She saw the entire of the city and the sea. It glistened and glittered under the pale moon light and stars. Not a cloud in the sky, not a sound to be heard.
"Its beautiful," she said softly, wrapping her arm around his and leaning against it. The warmth of his lips pressed against her forehead. She turned her head up to be pulled into a sudden and passionate kiss. She moaned softly as his hands slid up her thighs and under her dress. She leaned back into the grass, Achilles following.
Briseis turned in her sleep, Achilles' arm still across her waist. The sheets were all that remained on their bed, the blanket kicked to the floor next to their clothes. She opened her eyes as his hand swept down her waist to rest on her stomach. She smiled from his affection even in sleep.
Her body was exhausted. From the beginning, she was always tired after they made love. But somehow, she always found the strength and stamina to do it again and again. Briseis smiled at herself. The once shy vestal virgin is contemplating keeping up with her husband during sex. It took a bit of restrant not to laugh.
She closed her eyes and focused on his hand on her skin. The callous of his skin was softening slightly from less use of the sword. He still trained with her, but not as much as before. She hoped his hands never softened; she loved the feel of the rough on her silken skin.
Night took her and she didn't open her eyes, the warm breath of her husband on her back lulling her to sleep.