Title: Royal Slave

Author: Adsagsona

Type: Romance/Drama

Rating: R

Disclaimer: Nothing about the movieverse Alexander belongs to me, I don't own a thing, sadly enough. I believe the real Alexander the Great and his companions belong to history and themselves.

Warnings: None.

Beta: None.

Pairing: Alexander/Hephaestion

Archive: Right here.

Author's Note: This is a sequel to the story 'By my side'. AU, Hephaestion has come to Philips court as a slave, but found a place as the loyal companion of Alexander.

Summary: Alexanders army stumbles upon the land of Lord Amyntor. Suddenly Hephaestion reacts strangely and reveals something about himself which had not been forseen.

Royal Slave – Chapter 23

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Alexander walked the entire end from the fortress back to camp without looking back once. He couldn't understand why Hephaestion didn't want to come with him. He had asked to give him time, that he could not stand to be with him… but it was Hephaestions father who had been the cause of this, not he. Why should the General blame him, it wasn't his fault? His thoughts overwhelmed him, he didn't know what to think of it.

In silence he wandered around the camp. Where he passed the soldiers grew quiet, because they didn't see General Hephaestion by the young Kings side. If he weren't, then there was something wrong. Just like a few days ago, when the young man had been kidnapped and Alexander had grown furious like a crazed animal, they had feared for the outcome. It seemed that right now, Hephaestion himself had taken care of this misfortune.

"Alexander."

A soft voice penetrated his thoughts and the young King looked up, finding Cassander walking beside him. They walked shoulder to shoulder, the dark haired General not saying a word. It was a bit of a comfort to the other, because this was how he used to walk with Hephaestion. All too soon he realised that this General and the other did not look one bit alike and yet… they were both the sons of very influencial men. Perhaps it had been good for Hephaestion that he was not raised at a court.. he would have turned out quite differently. Not the person Alexander loved.

"What did he say to you when you found him the other night, Cassander? Was he angry with me?" He asked with a litte distress shown in his voice. He disliked it from himself, but the General did not seem to mind.

"He was upset, yes." Cassander directed light eyes towards his King and sighed softly. He did not want Alexander to turn out like he had done a few days ago. This had been the choice of Hephaestion and there was nothing he could do about it.

"You could command him to return, Alexander, but then you would surely loose him."

"I know… he has threatened me." The young King answered with a sigh as he shrugged. It was the only choice he had and it had been taken away from him before he even had the chance to think about it.

From Cassanders view, this was his chance to get closer to Alexander. Oh, he had been envious at his King for the slave which had been with him for so many years. Jealous of Hephaestion that he, without skill or the proper education, could become a General by whoring with the King. Jealous of Alexander, that he could posess someone so beautiful as the General.

His family had taught him jealousy… and taught it well.

So when the young King entered his tent, Cassander did not stay behind like he normally did, saying goodbye and wandering off. He stepped in behind Alexander and waited for the other to turn around.

"What are you doing?"

"Hephaestion might have made his choice, Sire… but you are allowed to make your own as well. Is a warm body not convenient when it is cold at night?"

Cassander never spoke to him that way. He was the one laughing and telling jokes and in the mean time knowing damn good what the case was all about. The young man knew his warfare better than most and never shied away from a fight. He could understand that the son of Antipater was offering himself to him.

"Cassander, I…"

Quickly a finger settled upon his lips, slender and tanned, and the young man was suddenly very close to him. With only one step he had taken the entire distance and pressed against the King, a small smile playing about his lips.

"Why not take what is offered to you?"

Because it was wrong on so many levels… because he was in love with Hephaestion still and he had hurt him beyond any doubt. Alexander felt so terribly guilty and knew that what Cassander would offer him would not bring him any kind of release from that. But Hephaestion was gone now, perhaps only one mile… but it could very well have been a thousand. He was now unreachable and would stay that way for the rest of their lives… because he felt that he should stay loyal to both his people and his King.

"We shouldn't…"

The General smiled at these words and pressed soft lips to his. They were so very warm and aroused him, he could not help it. Although he could not deny his love for Hephaestion, there was something to the other that attracted his body.

"I do not love you."

"I do not love you either, Alexander… but you are my King and I would do whatever to please you. Why not make the night more comfortable? We could solve each others problem and make it pleasurable."

That was more than the young King could take. He folded his arms behind Cassander, burying his fingers in the black hair of the young man. Holding him there, he kissed him with all the passion he felt for Hephaestion, picturing the other before him now. It were all those things that he wished he had the courage for to do when he stood in front of him. Right now, he cursed himself for not doing so.

As they kissed Cassander moved the two of them to the bed. He was triumphant. He couldn't have Hephaestion perhaps, but he had his lover, the King of Macedonia and far beyond. Perhaps the young man didn't love him, but he would grant him power, all that Cassander longed for. It was worth spending the night in his arms.

There was nothing soft or tender about their mating. It was harsh and full of need, which seemed what both men felt at that moment. Alexander was not gentle with the General, but the other did not care as gentleness wasn't really preferred. They were hardened soldiers in war time, what did it matter in the end what happened to your body? It would be sore in the morning, but that was it for discomfort.

Upon his release, Alexander whispered the name of Hephaestion before holding Cassander to him and pressing a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you." He said softly, caressing the sweaty strands of the face of the General. The other smiled and just nodded, being held by the most powerful man on earth.

As Alexander slept, Cassander lay beside him dreaming of the future. There would be no more Hephaestion to stand in between him and his destiny now. It was him making the important decisions and being the ear of Alexander. Cassander finally had the power he should have been granted years ago.

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Nelia: Awww! Sorry, love!

Angstman: Hopefully an answer to your questions :)

Queendel: Perhaps another unexpected twist…

Baliansword: Their hearts will always be for each other, but they are both hurt… hence the situation.

Kitten: Hephaestion has been a slave himself, he will not handle people like merchandise and give them away.

Amanda: Thanks, love.

I Heart Wolf: At least Cassander is back ;)