*******I'm back with another update. Please enjoy! If you have any idea's or suggestions as in to where this story should go, please let me know. Slight lime not so lemony in this chapter. Thanks again and please review! *******
Merina made her way back to the entrance of the palace.
"Where did you go?" Achilles asked Merina.
"I just um." Merina began. Achilles looked down at Merina. "I'm so fascinated by the beauty of your father's home I couldn't help but look around."
"It is rather beautiful." Achilles agreed with Merina.
"You grew up here?" Merina asked Achilles.
"Yes. Partially. I grew up here, Skyros island, Mount Pelion."
"Typical rich kids' life." Merina said looking at Achilles.
"I suppose."
"If your father is this rich, why isn't your home as elaborate?" Merina wondered. Achilles chuckled.
"My home on the other side of the mountains is only one of my homes."
"Huh?"
"When you came, well right before you came, I completed an important task for King Menelaus."
"That was?"
"Fight off some barbarians who were trying to invade Sparta. I defeated them all and my reward was a lot of money. Some local contractors and I were working on building me a place of residence. I also have a place on an island south of here. I also have a place in Athens. They're very convenient when traveling."
"Convenient for housing multiple women?" Merina said touching a vine that came down one of the many white pillars.
"You're funny Mimi. My home on the opposite side of Phthia I choose not to make It as elaborate or have any servants. One day, when my father decides to step down from ruling the Myrmidons, this will be my abode and I will sadly become King." Merina's face looked concerned.
"You don't want to become king? Why?"
"I'm not fit to rule over people." Achilles replied.
"Are you serious? Patroclus says you're a great commander."
"So? I wouldn't want to rule over this land and be confined to a palace. It's not me. It's bad enough I'm a prince and a descendant of both royal blood and divinity."
"I thought you were proud of who you were though?"
"Don't get me wrong, I am but-." Achilles paused. "Sometimes it's nice to live life at the march of your own feet." Merina crinkled her eyebrows. "The reason why my father called me here isn't just for family bonding time, he called me here because he made a deal of some sorts with some king from one of the cities here in Greece. The king did a favor for my father so now, my father owes him."
"What does that have to do with you?"
"He wants me to lend this king my strength." Achilles replied.
"I see. But isn't your fathers honor important?"
"It is and that's why I am here but, fighting for people who can't handle their own isn't my style." Achilles glanced around the front entrance of the palace. He saw Erato, his mother, Neoptolemus and the servants but, where did Patroclus disappear to? "Where's Patroclus?"
"Um…" Merina held her lip. Achilles scanned the area again and noticed that one of the servants were missing.
"That dog." Achilles smirked.
"You know?"
"Patroclus is my best friend. I know everything." Merina was relieved that someone else knew.
"Who is she?" Merina was now curious.
"That's Chiara. His lover."
"Oh. Why are they sneaking around?"
"She's not royalty. She was formerly a prostitute and my father hired her as a servant. It's a class issue. If Patroclus's mother and father knew, they would look down on him for falling for a former prostitute." Merina looked down at her feet.
"So, he can't be with her? That's not fair. She's a human being."
"Remember, Patroclus has divinity running through his veins as well."
"But you sleep with all kinds of women." Achilles stared at Merina. "From what I know and heard so-."
"I'm not marrying them. When the time comes, my parents would want me to marry some princess or daughter of somebody of status."
"People should love who they want with out having to worry about social titles." Achilles leaned against a pillar and crossed his arms. He was impressed by what Merina said.
"Is that how you feel?" He asked Merina. Merina stared off into the distance. Her eyes looked sad. Achilles tapped Merina's arm. "You ok? Did I stir up some old memories?" Achilles looked concerned. She looked as if she was about to cry.
"Kind of."
"A lover?"
"No. It's hard to explain." Merina replied. Merina gulped. She thought: Maybe I should just tell him. "Achilles I- "Just when she was going to speak.
"Achilles my boy!" Merina and Achilles saw Peleus walking towards them. He was sweaty from his workout in the gymnasium.
"Father!" Achilles said happily.
"I'd hug you, but I am a sweaty mess." Peleus looked to the right of Achilles. "Ah, Merina. Pleasure seeing you again." Merina bowed.
"Likewise, sir."
"Such wonderful manners. You may rise. No need to bow. We are acquainted. How have you been dear?"
"I've been well sir and yourself?" Merina answered.
"Splendid. I've been well."
"Oh, what were you going to say Merina?" Achilles had just remembered Merina was going to tell him something.
"Oh. It's not important." Merina said as she forced a smile.
"Come you two! Come to the gathering room. There are snacks prepared before we feast. You can eat those and enjoy delicious wine while I bathe. Our guest is here and expecting to see you my son."
"Great." Achilles said not so enthusiastically as his father dragged him to the gathering room.
Merina looked at the shining marble floors. They were so clean you could see your reflection. The gathering room was beautiful. It was breathtaking. The servants knew their roles clearly and carried out their routine. Merina loved the Greek vases with lush plants inside. There was a table full of meats, cheese, fruits and vegetables. There were also pitchers of wine; both red and white. The golden trim of the chair and tables made the white walls and white marble floor pop out. Merina looked at the walls and saw sketched paintings of what seemed to be Achilles and another young girl. She had golden hair and the same eyes as Achilles. Merina looked to her left and saw another painting. There was a group of people in the painting. They seemed to be hunting. There was one thing that caught Merina's eye. It was the picture of a woman. She had a bow and arrow in hand and had cat like ears. It looked like the woman was hunting a boar.
"My old friend, here he is." Peleus said introducing his son. When Achilles saw who it was, he stopped in his tracks.
"Aye, greeting Achilles. I told you we would meet rather sooner than later." It was Agamemnon. King of Mycenae. Achilles looked at the round man looking down at his dark hair. Merina saw the look on Achilles's face. It wasn't a pleasant one.
"I see you two have met before? I mean, you guys met when Achilles was young but, it seems you two have become reacquainted." Peleus pointed out.
"Yes. We have. Just a few days ago, we bumped into each other at a local fair in route to your palace father." Achilles replied.
"He is right Peleus. I see you still have the beautiful Egyptian girl with you. Hello dear." Agamemnon greeted Merina with a wave. Achilles didn't like the fact that he called Merina 'dear'. She didn't want to be rude because she could already feel the tension in the room so, she waved back to Agamemnon.
"Hello again." Merina said.
"Splendid. I will bathe this sweat off and you can discuss business with my son. I shall return in a few moments." Peleus patted Achilles on his back.
"Is there a place where I can freshen up too, King Peleus?" Merina didn't want to be around while Achilles and Agamemnon discussed business. She knew better to excuse herself.
"Ah yes dear. Mikalous?" Peleus called out to one of the male servants.
"Yes, my king?" The man replied.
"Please show our guest, Merina, to one of the wash rooms and you might as well show Merina her sleeping corridors."
"Yes sir. Please. Follow me." Achilles and Merina made eye contact one last time before Merina departed.
"I'll be off too." Peleus said taking his leave.
The room that Peleus had assigned Merina was beautiful. There was a balcony that overlooked the beautiful Grecian mountains and the gardens of the palace. Merina dried her hair with a towel while sitting on the balcony. She was sitting in a chair watching the sun get closer to setting. Her stomach growled from hunger. Dinner had to be soon. She hoped that Achilles and Agamemnon finished their conversation. Merina walked back into the white room. She walked across the room bare foot feeling the coolness of the marble beneath her. She let her curls hang loose. It was nice and warm, so she figured she didn't need to try to dry her hair anymore. She changed into a light blue dress. She tied the golden sash underneath the bosom of her chiton. She placed her sandals on her feet and decided to take a personal tour of the palace. When she left her room, she had forgotten how to get back to the gathering room.
"Do I turn right? Or do I turn left?" Merina asked herself. She sighed. "Eeny, meeny, miny moe, Catch Anubis by his toe, if he hollers, let him go." Merina pointed to the left. "This way I shall go." Merina said as she marched down the hall.
Patroclus laid beside Chiara. He watched her sleep. The two were wrapped around silk sheets. The smell of sex was slowly fading. Patroclus's dark hair was a mess. Chiara's neat bun had been undone. Her shoulder length raven tresses covered the pillow beneath her. Patroclus inched himself closer to her and kissed her forehead multiple times with the intent to wake her. When her large brown eyes opened, Patroclus's heart fluttered. He smiled.
"Hello. Did you sleep well?" Chiara nodded.
"The best sleep I've had in a while." Patroclus smiled at her response.
"Good. I'm glad I could be of assistance." Patroclus said placing his forehead to Chiara's. Chiara laughed. She looked into Patroclus's blue eyes.
"I like this. Why does this always have to end? Why can't we be like this all of the time?" She asked.
"I know. I wish it could be Chiara." Patroclus said with sad eyes.
"I don't want to keep being your secret Pat."
"I know." Patroclus replied.
"So, let's runaway together. Somewhere. Anywhere. Let's start life together. I'm tired of this palace."
"I can't just leave Phthia hastily. You know I am apart of the army here Chiara." Chiara bit her lip.
"I know. Forgive me for speaking recklessly."
"It's ok."
"All I am saying Patroclus is; I know I probably won't be accepted into your world due to my history. But don't you love me enough to start over somewhere new? Where we can be together without judgement?"
"Of course, I do but," Patroclus paused. "My duties as a man and a Greek man at that is to my country. I must honor my father's name, Peleus's name. Chiara, when the time comes, I promise you we can be together without sneaking around. If that eventually means leaving Phthia forever, then shall be it. I would at least like to talk to my father first."
"You're really going to talk to him?" Chiara asked hopefully.
"I will. The next time I see him I promise I will." Chiara rubbed Patroclus's cheek.
"I trust you." Chiara said leaning in to kiss Patroclus. Patroclus kissed Chiara back.
"I love you Chiara." Patroclus said.
"I love you too." She said as her cheeks turned red. Patroclus kissed Chiara and placed himself on top of her using his leg to open hers. He kissed and bit her neck. Chiara giggled.
"We have maybe another hour before you have to get back to work." Patroclus said looking into Chiara's eyes. She groaned. She didn't want to go back to work. Patroclus grinned mischievously before pushing himself into Chiara. Chiara moaned slightly surprised.
"You know, you could've warned me." Chiara joked.
"Oops. It slipped." Patroclus said as he began to thrust back and forth into Chiara. Chiara placed her hands in Patroclus's hair and pulled him in for a kiss.
Merina walked down the hall. She noticed she hadn't made her way back to the gathering room. For some reason, she felt as if she was getting farther from it. There were so many doors that led to many different rooms.
"Damn it." Merina said to herself. "Maybe I should turn back around. This side of the palace is completely abandoned. There're no servants. No one. It is getting late. Maybe everyone is preparing for dinner." Merina said as she walked down the part of the hallway where she came from. As she walked down the hallway, she thought she heard a sound. Merina stopped. She looked around the hallway. She didn't hear anything.
"I must be imagining things." Merina said beginning to walk down the hallway again. She stopped. She heard it again. The sound got a little louder. It sounded like a woman. Merina was stuck in between 5 doors. She went to each door pressing her ear to each one. The first door she heard nothing, neither did she hear anything from the second, third, and fourth door. When she got to the fifth door, she heard moaning. This time she could hear both a male and a female. Her cheeks reddened. She soon heard talking.
"My. That's Patroclus and that must be his lady." Merina backed away from the door and started walking away.
"Yo, Mimi!" Merina heard a voice call out to her. She froze. She knew who it was. She turned around to face him.
"For the thousandth time Achilles, my name isn't- "Merina's mouth dropped when she saw what Achilles was doing. He was listening in on Patroclus and Chiara. "What are you doing?!" Merina yelled in a whisper.
"What does it look like?" Achilles replied.
"You're an obnoxious brute! Leave them be! Let's go!" Merina said pulling Achilles by his collar.
"Relax." Achilles said following Merina without hesitation. "So, Mimi, when will you let me make you scream like that?"
"I'd rather be fed to the crocodiles of the Nile river before I ever let you touch me." Merina said crossing her arms.
"Aw, come on, you don't mean that. That's so harsh." Achilles said throwing his hands behind his head.