5

The kingdom of Argos was in eyes view now. As we were nearing it, I couldn't help but think of the small discussion Draco and I had. He had a wife. It did somewhat cause a rock to form in the pit of my stomach. The first human man I lie with… had a wife. I looked up toward the captain, staring at the back of his head for a moment. He always stood tall, almost statue like. His eyes were like steel and one look from him could strike either fear or excitement.

He moved off to the side and allowed the party to continue moving. When we were close to passing him, he stepped in front of us. I pulled back lightly on the horse's reign to stop it. He looked up at Sheikh Sulieman.

"You will stay beside the priestess's horse. When the other soldiers see you, they may be hostile and draw weapons. But they will not harm the priestess." he informed. I translated what was said and Sheikh Sulieman groaned lowly in response. I looked at Draco.

"I know you will make sure my guest is properly attended to and treated with the same level of respect that you show me." I said with mild authority. Draco arched a dark grey brow before giving half a bow. We continued the rest of our ride until we were finally at the gates of the city which were open. Numerous people were moving in and out. The soldiers shouted, "make way", "clear a path". Everyone moved for them, but mostly because of Sheikh Sulieman. He was taller than the average human so everyone gasped and whispered and pointed at him. My protector just groaned and shook his head as he made sure to stay by side.

"Priestess! Priestess Ai!" people began to shout and yell to me. What was once a sea of fear was now a wave of smiling faces as they waved at me.

"What do the gods say?"

"Will we have a good harvest!" So many other questions are spouted. The entire city looked clean and beautiful. Women and children waved while men shouted with excited to me. As we reached the familiar temple of King Cepheus, I could see the royal family at the top of the marble steps. King Cepheus looked down at me with wisdom and warm smile. His wife Queen Cassiopeia looking down, yet her nose still pointed upward. But beside them was an excited Andromeda. As the soldiers broke off, Sheikh Sulieman, helped me down of my horse of which Ixas took.

"He will be in the stable." he informed. I nodded and turned to look up at the family again only to see Andromeda lifting her white dress and moving down the step quickly. I smiled wide and moved up the stairs as well to meet her. We spread our arms out and embraced each other immediately.

"You are back!" she said happily in my ear and I smiled enjoying the heat of her embrace.

"Yes and I have missed you." I replied pulling back to stare at her glowing face.

"Priestess Ai, I hope your journey was safe and eventless." King Cepheus said moving to greet us. "But of course, I know Zeus protected your journey here."

"What is that horrid creature doing in our city?" Queen Cassiopeia gasped as she stepped beside her husband. I glanced at Sheikh Sulieman who stood at the bottom looking around at the many people who had formed a small group around the smaller band of soldiers. Draco was already walking up the steps to stand beside us. He bowed to the family.

"Forgive me, my king and queen. But it was the only way to convince the princess to return to Argos." he said. The king and queen looked at me stunned.

"You wouldn't come to Argos?" King Cepheus asked, his eyes concerned. I raised my head to him.

"The gods put me in the care of the Djinn. Their instructions by Zeus himself was that one of them accompanied me… we have been breaking that rule for a year now to make you and your people feel comfortable. But Zeus is not happy that we have been disobeying him for you. Either Sheikh Sulieman comes with me, or I can not return." I replied. The king and queen looked at each other in bewilderment before looking at me. King Cepheus nodded swiftly.

"Of course. We will have some chambers set up for your… guest next to yours." he said. I smiled and bowed my head.

"Thank you." I replied. Andromeda clasped her hand over my hands.

"I am sure the priestess is tired from her long journey and will be even more exhausted having to cater to the entire city of Argos. Let me escort you to your chambers so that you may rest." she offered. Exhausted indeed. For with my arrival there was sure to be celebration worshipping all the gods to show their love. I smiled and nodded.

"That sounds very good at this moment." I said before looking down at Sheikh Sulieman then at the king. "Who will escort my protector?" King Cepheus looked at Draco who just nodded.

"I will see him attended to." Was his only reply. The king nodded.

"Good. As usual, Draco will be in charge of making sure you are safe when outside the city, priestess." he replied. I nodded.

"That will be fine." I said, and by now Andromeda was pulling me up the stairs and into the halls of their temple.

"I am so glad you are here. Things always become to dull when you leave." she informed. I smiled, our arms remaining locked around each other.

"And here I thought the life of a princess was exciting and filled with adventure." I teased. She rolled her eyes.

"More like endless teachings and politics." she said. Her eyes suddenly sparkled with excitement. "I had a few dresses and garments made for you both when you are here and in the desert. It's bound to keep you cool." My eyes popped from her words.

"What have I done to deserve such gifts?" I asked. She smiled warmly.

"For one you have kept my home safe and my mind at ease with you ability to talk to the gods. And you have become one of my closest friends." she said. I grinned.

"Nobleman's daughters not having enough conversation to talk about?" I asked and she laughed gently.

"They are still young. They talk about men and marriage and children." she said, her eyes somewhat drifting from us as she looked ahead. She was not interested in such things.

"What are you interested in?" I asked showing interest. She inhaled some and her eyes filled with determination.

"I am interested in being a warrior. I don't want to just be a queen and have children; I want to sit in on meetings of politics and battles." she told with confidence. I nodded in thought of her words as we were approaching two doors guarded by two soldiers. The opened the doors for me and we were now inside a large chamber room with a large white bed and white blankets and white curtains that draped over the bed. The floors were polished and there were large chests with numerous dresses and clothes inside. Off to the side was my bathing room. When it was time, servants would come and fill the tub with hot water. I looked at Andromeda as we walked out to the balcony where you could see all of Argos.

"But your father will not allowed this." I assumed. She sighed and nodded leaning against the marble railing.

"He will not. Mother thinks I should focus on being beautiful. She thinks I should ask you to ask the gods to send me a husband worthy of me." she said with dread in her tone. I smiled leaning to stand beside her.

"Your parents just want you to be happy." I told.

"They want me to be happy with the traditions they've put into place for me." she corrected with annoyance. Another woman in a pink servant's dress, Thea, entered with a gold plate with two cups and a vase of what I assumed was wine. Right behind her were two new soldiers carrying a chest. Andromeda smiled and looked at me. "But let us not talk about depressing matters. Let me show you your clothes while we drink."

She took my hand and pulled me back inside where she motioned me to sit on the bed while she took the vase and filled the cups. We sat down on the soft bed and I watched as one of the soldiers opened the trunk and began to pull out different dresses. Some were flowing long with thick fabric and I could tell it was for events in the temple. Long white robes with gold jewelry to match. Others were pink and green with wraps that went all around it. The last were garments made of thin fabric for the desert. I was definitely impressed with the different designs and patterns.

"Oh Andromeda they are perfect!" I exclaimed and she smiled before clapping her hands and immediately, servants with large vases of water entered and began to move into my bathing room to fill the tub with water.

"How about we put one on after we get you cleaned up." she said. I smiled and nodded.

"Yes." I replied and got up moving to examine a dress that the Thea had pulled out. It was sleeveless and was hell together by a silver ring. I chuckled.

"You remember my love of silver." I replied gently. She nodded once.

"Of course. Most women would love to be spoiled by gold. But the priestess of the gods like silver." she replied before getting up to observe the dress as well. "I am sure if you wear this to tonight's celebration that you may catch a certain captain's eyes." I tensed now sipping the delicious wine.

"I wish to catch no man's eyes. Especially not a married man's eyes." I replied. Her eyes looked a bit serious.

"He told you he was married?" she asked. I couldn't look at her but I nodded.

"And I cannot help but feel shame and sadness for asking. I don't know why it…" I placed my hand over my chest and she gently approached me.

"Why it hurts." she responded, and I looked at her and nodded. "We women, even those forged by the gods, are emotional beings. We feel things way more than any man. And he took your maidenhood only to know that he cannot be yours, yet." I was nodding at her words when I heard her last statement. I tilted my head.

"Yet?" I asked and she nodded.

"Captain Draco's wife died many years ago from sickness. Not many know and he keeps it a secret so he has no reason to get close to anyone." she said. Her words did not make me feel better only because I saw it as a sign that he did not want to get close to me.

"We said we are not speaking on depressing matters." I reminded drinking more of my drink now. Within a few hours, Andromeda left me to my bath. I sat in the water watching the dirt and sweat float in the pool around me. Thea was assigned to me to tend to me. She remained outside the bathing room lying out my dress and the jewelry that went with in. In seconds, I let my hair down and just dipped my body in the water letting everything wash off. As I stayed submerged, I thought about the conversation I had with Ares. Will his words be what Zeus marks on my body? The priests will do what is commanded if good fortune comes their way for now giving their virgins to the gods. Even though I was no longer one, will it still be expected of me to give myself to the gods?

No, Zeus made it clear that I was not to be touched. But Zeus cannot see everything all the time.

"Priestess."

What if he comes back? Now that one mortal has denied him, the hunt is on for him.

"Priestess?"

And I have no ability to stop him. If he comes for me, the only thing I can do is make sure he does not hurt me in anyway. But my master said it himself, I did not have the ability to have children. But did that extend to a god as well?

"Ai!"

My eyes snapped opened and I realized someone was calling my name. I arose from the water with a gasp, standing far so that the upper half of my body arose from the warm water. I wiped my eyes and my hair from my face as I saw who it was.

"Draco." I said stunned. He was not in armor but golden robes. His hair was braided tighter and pinned with silver rings. Even in casual robes he looked intimidating and strong. I almost didn't want to look up at him. His eyes were focusing on my face as he cleared his throat. Behind him was Thea who stood with her head bowed. Draco just looked down at me with his usual tired glance.

"Priestess, it seems your Djinn friend is not cooperating with us." he said. I exhaled and moved from the tub. I didn't even notice the robe that Thea had, but she had it up and ready to put on me. I turned my body so she could slide it on me and I fastened it.

"What did you do to him?" I asked walking around him and out the room. He followed immediately.

"We have done nothing. He is being hostile, and we cannot understand what he says. He is scaring the nobles." he explained.

"Or maybe the nobles are scaring him." I stated as we left out of my chambers. Immediately, to my left I could see a small crowd forming outside a pair of open doors. I moved down the hall with Draco close behind me.

"Clear the halls." he demanded, and everyone did as they were commanded. I went inside to see Sheikh Sulieman pacing around the room knocking down statues and portraits and tearing down curtains. I stepped inside and attempted to close the door to give us some privacy. But Draco was not having that. Before I could close the second door, he moved right in. I glared at him, but his challenging stare beat me. I just turned and looked at the elder Djinn.

"What is the matter?" I asked. Sheikh Sulieman looked at me with a glare.

"Any chambers I stay in must be dark. My magic is at its strong when it is dark. I would have been prepared for this had I had been allowed to travel with you the year before!" he roared glaring at Draco who just stiffened.

"He doesn't seem happy with his arrangements." he guessed. I crossed my arms, the water staining the robe so much, an outline of my body could be seen. I looked at Draco.

"You guessed correctly." I said lowly. He stared down at me for a moment before looking at the Djinn who was huffing and puffing and pacing around again.

"We could put him in the largest dungeon we have." he said. At first I thought he was making light of my friend's discomfort. "It's dark and I am sure he could make it his own kind of… comfortable." The idea now did not seem so bad to me, but it was not up to me. I looked back at Sheikh Sulieman.

"They could put you in a dungeon. It's dark there." I replied and he began to point at me, but I took his hand knowing his concern of not wanting to be too far from me. "Don't worry I will be fine. You're tired and you need to rest." His inhale and exhale came out as a low growl before nodding slowly.

"Yes." he said in a scaly tone. I smiled and looked at Draco who nodded. He opened the two doors and Sheikh Sulieman followed him out. I remained in my chambers the entire day resting and napping as I definitely needed it. But tonight, we would celebrate my arrival and with that celebration was a night of music, sex, and wine. Lots of wine.