Author: Dysis Nyx

Note From Author: Sorry, that this one is late, but we had one small problem. Hurricane Rita. That stupid storm made me lose power from Friday till Sunday. I feel sorry everyone who had to deal with that stupid natural disaster. Anyway, on a happier note I got a new desktop wallpaper. It is this collage picture of all Alexander and Hephaistion looks, moments, affection, etc. and then in the middle it says "Stay with me tonight,...Hephaistion." It is so pretty, then I got another devoted to the ring and all the stuff devoted to that and that one says "To me you are the sun." I love that scene because Hephaistion's eyes have that look of just stopped crying and swoon he looks sooo sexy.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Alexander characters, because if I did Hephaistion, or Jared Leto, would be my love slave...oops, did I type that out loud? evil giggle

MUST READ AUTHOR'S NOTE: I will warn you now that the next chapter may or may not carry light smut. I haven't decided yet what Alexander will do. And I need any reviewer's opinion on what, if any, punishment should be, if Alexander decides to take action, on Roxane and her mystery accomplice. I have decided these things, but I want your opinion, because I am curious.

Babylon, palace

current

There he was, Hephaistion's own god, Alexander. His own body was reacting in a way he never knew it could. The weight he carried seemed as though it wasn't there at all. Blood streamed down from his temple, but not even that was on his mind as Alexander approached.

Hephaistion opened his mouth to greet Alexander dutifully, but the great king walked on past him. He had seen him, but didn't even flinch to say a thing. Instead Hephaistion watched as Alexander allowed his warm smile to the other returned soldiers, not him. He couldn't understand why Alexander's eyes did not even glow with any happiness at the sight of him.

As if in a dream Hephaistion stood there dazed and completely bereft of any sense of reality. Suddenly, as if all the weight in the world was put on him Hephaistion felt his knees buckling underneath him. Clearly Crateros had seen his moments of weakness, because he came to his side and held him upright.

Any human contact was good enough for Hephaistion, because for some reason he felt as though he was completely alone in the world. The older man's voice broke into his world "Hephaistion, we best get the girl in a room where she can be helped. You probably will need some time to sit as well."

"Thank you, Crateros. I do feel tired and a chair seems like a good idea."

Without a word Hephaistion had left. This left Alexander feeling even more angry at his friend. He had hoped that if he ignored him, Hephaistion would do something. Anything, really! Instead, he just walked away with Crateros to help that girl.

A voice whispered in his ear "He tricked you, Alexander. He is laughing at you behind your back. All these months, years even, he has hid that girl from you. She is the daughter of one of your enemies. He has lured you into what seems to be loyalty."

"No!"

The voice of Roxane lingered in his ear, even when she wasn't there. He knew exactly what she would say and right now those words made what seemed like a false sense of truth.

Walking through the halls in silence all Hephaistion could think about was what Alexander had done and what Roxane had said.

As if reading his mind Crateros said "I have never seen Alexander so temperamental through all my years serving him. He is a great man, but perhaps there is only one person who can keep our king in line, hm?"

A silence not like before passed between.

Just before they entered their destination room Crateros stopped Hephaistion "Tell me why the girl took the sword for you. Tell me why you wouldn't let us leave her. I must say, Hephaistion, that many around here are now suspicious of your kidnapping. I have trusted you as Alexander's right-hand man for a long many years now and until now you have proved yourself."

"Would you judge Alexander on how Philip was? No! Then why judge this girl because her father is a great enemy?"

He started to go inside, but then Hephaistion got in Crateros face with his eyes blazing "And another thing, Crateros. Do not question my loyalty to Alexander!"

So he left Crateros there with a confirmed smile in his face. That was all he needed from Hephaistion if one needed to see Hephaistion's loyalty, then look into those azure eyes of his. They told just how far his loyalty went for the young king. They told the tale of something deep and something beautiful. Not many saw it since they all saw him as kind of the quiet kind, but not his eyes.

Hephaistion's eyes were something no able-minded person could turn clear away from. They screamed sensitivity and love, while at the same time they were so fierce. That same fierceness some saw as something to stay away from and others saw all the sexuality in them. Only Alexander really ever saw all that love and sexually emitted from them.

As Dianthe awoke she saw Hephaistion's face looking down at her. He may have been smiling, but something else lingered in them. A hint of despair still sauntered about in them.

Her voice found the strength to peep "I thought you would be by Alexander's side. Has something happened because of me being here?"

She could almost see a flash of something in the man's eyes as she asked him. There was something there that was amiss in his eyes. Something he was trying to conceal from her.

Finally, his strong, thick voice explained, "I do not think Alexander wishes to see me right now. I fear he thinks there might be something between the two of us. Roxane has probably gotten to him before I could even have a chance. There is a man she is working with and he too might have gotten to Alexander."

Little did the two of them know that one man waited silently outside the door listening to every word that was being said. Carefully, silently, invisibly as they talked.

"Who do you think that man is? I always saw someone with the queen, but he never removed the hood till they were alone with my father. All I can tell you is that he had dark hair.

So that left out Ptolemy in Hephaistion's mind, but still let many others linger in question. There were at least four others that stayed heavy in his nearest suspicions. But why had so many of these men hated him when there were once close friends as boys? Back in the days of boyhood they all had always strived for the future king's attention, but never Hephaistion and never had they hated him for being Alexander's favorite then.

They were all friends at one point and now they secretly plotted against him and hated the same man they claimed to love and pledge loyalty to. They didn't know what love was. They loved him as a friend, as a leader, even as a king, but never a mortal god. They could never love Alexander the way he did. To Hephaistion that man was his...that is when it struck him. Alexander was his...his...love. Hephaistion always knew Alexander was the only thing he truly cared for, but never realized that it was his one true love.

Dianthe had watched for some time and when Hephaistion looked as they the giant candlestick had just been lit above him she dared ask "What is it that keeps you silent for so long?"

"Alexander truly is my Achilles. And I only hope that it is not too late to be his Patroclus."

This was said more as a comment to himself, more than to Dianthe. She knew this, because he just got up and left without a word of parting. He left through the other door and obviously not the one that led to the outer halls. It was time she realized to greet their eavesdropper. She felt it appropriate to keep quiet and just let this intruder get what they wanted.

She spoke very calmly with the pain quivering in her voice "Did you hear anything that was of interest, Your Majesty, King Alexander? I know I speak out of tongue, but I do not think Hephaistion would have spoken so freely with the knowledge that you were listening."

Sure enough, Alexander stepped through the doorway with a look of indifference set upon his face. He clearly did not care what state of health she was in.

Seeing this girl now with the layer of angelic affliction that plagued her Alexander felt no sympathy for her. He had thought that seeing her on the brink of death could spawn some feelings of compassion, but none came. Only images of his Hephaistion and this girl entwined haunted his thoughts.

It came to the point where Alexander had to keep himself from driving her through with his sword. He had never felt such a bloodlust for anyone before. But the thought of Hephaistion lying in the same bed with her. The thought of her carrying Hephaistion's heir. Even the very thought of Hephaistion's lips upon hers bothered him like he never thought it would before.

The two men had grown up with the thought of raising their sons side by side, but now as he knew that Hephaistion loved another drove him wild. Almost forced him to the point of spilling this girl's blood onto his sword and relishing in it. Which to him seemed a proper punishment for capturing Hephaistion's love and loyalty. But obviously Alexander wasn't jealous. No, his previous thoughts were not jealousy. Why would he be jealous when it was simply Hephaistion, his Hephaistion.

How those two words warmed him to ring through his body. His Hephaistion and no one else's, but he was not jealous.

Taking a seat next to her Alexander tried to hide the bloodlust burning in his eyes. He knew they were glittering with it, but he still tried to cling to the face of indifference.

Then she spoke to him in hushed, pained tones "I need you to know that this child is not Hephaistion's I have never met him before this incident. You must believe me! I can give you the name of the man who is the father. Altair. He will come for me, I know it."

"My men say you took the sword for Hephaistion. Why would you risk your life and your child's for a man you had only known for three days?"

"It is simple. I like the current king of Asia. I would not lose him or a good man over any amount of money."

This through Alexander off of his bloodlust and into the realm of confusion. "Why do you think Asia would lose me?"

She beckoned him closer to her and for some odd reason Alexander leaned in as though he was under a spell. Her voice was just quiet enough for the two of their ears only. "I have a gift. From the first moment I cooled Hephaistion's brow the moment I met him I saw his entire past. His memories flooded my mind as though they were mine. I saw that vow you gave him the night before the battle of Galgamella. I could night let a great king follow such a superb man into the underworld. No, my king, the bond the man you call Hephaistion and I, Dianthe, share is one based on the love we hold for two different people."

"If you can see the past, the what of the future?" This question erupted from Alexander's lips before he could control it.

Her slight laugh chuckled out of her cool lips as she fell back onto the pillow "I cannot tell you right out of the gods will punish me with the seizure of my gift...or worse. I will tell you this though, do not keep Roxane around when she returns. Or Hephaistion will pay all consequences in the future. Keep my warning mind if you truly care for him as your heart claims you do."

Just as she finished she slipped into sleep again. Leaving Alexander alone in the room to look on her and think as to whether he believed her words about everything.

After a few moments Alexander got up and left in a daze. He did not know as to whether the young girl's words were true. Was Hephaistion innocent in certain acts? Could the girl really see everything about Hephaistion's past and future? If so, then was Roxane truly a threat to Hephaistion's life?

He hated to think that by his marriage to Roxane that he was sentencing Hephaistion to death. Hephaistion had never given him any chance to doubt his devotion and loyalty. Until now at least.

What mad it so hard for him to believe the man who had always been by his side now? Hephaistion hadn't changed, neither had he. Situation was pretty much the same too. Then what was it?

It was feelings. Stopping in front of his doors to his bedroom Alexander realized that his feelings for Hephaistion had been questioned. They had been put up to test to see just how strong they were. Did him not believing Hephaistion mean that this so-called love he shared for him to be a vain love?

The door pushed open effortlessly with a certain act of tediousness. He was in no mood for such idol obstacles. All Alexander was to sleep. After staying in an insomniac state for the past few nights Alexander was very much ready for sleep. Although his body still called for the warmth of another. Neither Roxane nor Bagoas had been up to task of quenching his hunger.

Alexander told himself it was the boredom and stress. He was content with that answer, but his body was not. His body had reacted more to the mere thought of Hephaistion's return than it had with either of Roxane or Bagoas's caresses. He still said it was all the stress of boredom with the two.

There sitting on his bed with his hands dug deep into those long, luxurious brown tresses was the same man who plagued his thoughts...Hephaistion. How long had he been sitting there? Probably since he left Dianthe, while Alexander himself spoke with her.

A voice peeked out of the virile, gentle hands "We must speak, Alexander. I have realized something that involves us both. A matter which can most likely hinder our fellowship these past few years."

Before Hephaistion could even go on Alexander collected himself. He brought himself back to that air of professionalism that he got when he addressed his counsel. He approached the table with parchment and pretended to write something down as he spoke. His words would have more impact if it appeared to Hephaistion that they seemed easy to say. Almost as if all Hephaistion was just another general. He had to lie to the man he trusted, or used to trust, most of all. "Tell me, Hephaistion. How long has it been since you have seen Pella?"

Without a moment's loss Hephaistion answered, "It has been the same as you,...Alexander. I have not returned since you left. I left with you and I will return with you."

"I see. Well, you will break that vow of yours, because I have decided my mother needs more of my men in Pella to help protect. I am sending you back there at once. Your injuries are not so serious as to prevent you to travel. Rest tonight, because you leave in the morning. Oh, and Hephaistion, you can take the girl with you. Tell the holy men there that you may wed her as soon as you please."

As he finished Alexander waited to hear if Hephaistion made any protests, but no sound came from the man behind him. So, there it was Hephaistion had not cared enough about what they held to even try to fight it. He was either too obedient or just didn't care.

Alexander decided before he kill the man he better get him out of there. So in the calmest, most apathetic voice he could muster he annouced, "You may go. You are dismissed. I have no other orders for you."

Then it happened. A firm hand gripped fierce, but softly at Alexander's shoulder. Again Alexander lost control of his body. It started to react unlike how he wanted it to. His blood circulated harder and faster all around the area of his shoulder. Tiny bumps shivered up and down his arms in small fits. His face tried to remain dispassionate, but his eyes closed and he began to bite his bottom lip. He even went as far as to tilt his head back.

Hephaistion forced Alexander around to look him in the face. Alexander had that soft, pleading look he got when he was having moments of uncertainty or insecurity.

The words that Hephaistion said were intimate and masculine, with that certain softness that only Hephaistion could give. His eyes only focused on Alexander's as he asked "Tell me, Alexander, what the worst possible words I could say right now are. Are they 'so long'? Or are they 'good night'?"

to be continued