Chapter 6

3 years had gone by, and nothing had changed. If anything, it changed for the better. Anama had been taught how to be a princess and she was becoming even more beautiful. She was catching men's eyes everywhere. She would need a guard to go with her just to the marketplace, for fear of men becoming to close. Anama didn't think it was necessary, but after being scolded by Hector and Paris, she knew it was a losing battle. These men were her family. They were always seen together. You would think they were all brothers and sisters. But they weren't. Not by blood anyway. They were very good friends. Paris and Anama could do anything together. They would often ride their horses to the ocean and sit and talk for hours on end. She felt like she could tell him anything. Hector though, had become distant. He would never follow them when they would go to the beach and he would never join in on their fun little games. Anama felt a little sad at this. Hector always used to do everything with them, but now, he just seemed distant.

One day while Anama was walking through the palace, she spotted Hector.

"Hector!" He turned to see her running towards him. "Hi. How are you? I feel like I haven't talked to you in ages. How have you been?"

"Good. And yourself?" Anama felt like she was being pushed away by the way Hector was talking to her.

"I'm good. Hector? Why do I get the feeling your pushing me away? I mean, ever since I stopped school you have become more distant than the ocean. Why do you insist on pushing me away? I miss my friend. What happened to the Hector that could do anything with us? What happened to the Hector that I used to talk to at midnight? Why won't you talk to me anymore?"

"Because I don't want to get to close when I know you'll be married off!" he shouted at her. He knew then that he had said too much.

Anama sat with a shocked expression on her face. "Married off? What do you mean married off? Who am I marrying? What do you know?"

"I can't tell you."

"Like hell you can't. I know you know something, who am I to be married to? Answer me!" she yelled.

"I can't tell you that. If you want to know, you need to ask my father." Before he could say anything else she was gone, running towards the King. Hector followed after her. She burst into the conference hall.

"King Priam!"

"Yes, my child, what is wrong, why are you yelling?"

"Am I to be married?" She saw the King look towards Hector. "Yes he told me and I'm glad he did. Who am I to be married to? Answer me!"

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to tell you for some time, but you are to be married to the Prince of Ithaca."

"Ithaca? What on earth, why would you want to marry me off?"

"My child, I am sorry, I didn't want to tell you but he is on his way as we speak to come and visit. He will see you and we will discuss the marriage."

Anama had tears flowing down her cheeks. "How could you do this? How could you marry me off to some pig?" With that she ran from the hall and towards her room. She lied down on her bed and cried. There was knock on her door and Hector walked in. He came and sat down and rubbed her back.

"How could he do this to me? Why would he marry me off to someone that is halfway across the world?"

"He is not half way across the world."

She sat up with tear stained cheeks. "O you know what I mean. Why? Why would he do that? He never mentioned to me that I had to be married off."

"Anama, you know that is what is expected of a princess."

"Yes, but, not all princesses get married. What is in Ithaca that King Priam has to have that he would marry me off for?"

"I honestly don't know. Look, it can't be that bad." Anama just gave him a look. "Look, I was in the same situation you were. Me and Andromache had an arranged marriage and we turned out fine, until she died."

"Yes. But the thing is you two fell in love. Not every marriage is like that Hector! Yes when you see a couple together, they put on a happy face, but when they are alone, it is sullen and sad." She got up and walked to the balcony. She looked over Troy and towards the ocean. "What if I don't fall in love with him? What if I am miserable my entire life? I couldn't handle that. I don't want to be unhappy my whole life Hector."

Hector just sighed and went over to her. He pulled her into a hug and let her cry. He knew that this wasn't right. He knew that they shouldn't marry her off to some man who no one has ever seen before. Tomorrow they would see him for the first time, and Hector planned on being there, right by Anama's side. He pulled Anama away and looked into her eyes.

"Listen to me. Tomorrow, when we meet your future husband, I will be right beside you the whole time alright? You won't have to do this alone. Me and Paris will be with you always. All right?" She looked into his eyes and just nodded.

They stared at each other for awhile until Hector started to lean forward. Anama didn't know what was going on until Hector brushed his lips with hers. She lost all feeling and leaned into the kiss. She wondered what it would be like to kiss Hector, and here she was, kissing him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her closer. Never had she felt anything like this before in her life. She loved the feeling she got when she was in Hectors arms. This felt right.

They finally pulled away from each other. They were breathing heavily and continued to stare at each other. Anama smiled and so did Hector.

"You have no idea how long I have wanted to do that." Replied Hector.

Anama got curious. "How long?"

"Ever since you arrived here." Anama just smiled. She pulled Hector back into a hug. He pulled back and kissed her again. They were kissing very passionately when a knock came on the door. They broke apart immediately and stepped away from each other. Hector stood on the balcony while Anama went to answer the door. It was Paris.

"Paris! Come in. What are you doing here?"

"Anama, your fiancé is here."

"Already? He isn't supposed to be here till tomorrow."

"Yes well, they thought it was so exciting, so they rushed him over here. He got here a little quicker than expected."

Anama sat down on her chair and stared at the wall. "This is it then yes?" Kia entered the room with a blue gown that was specially made for this meeting. Hector and Paris went to change also. Kia dressed Anama in the blue gown that had golden vines embroidered on the edges. Kia pinned Anama's hair to the top of her head leaving certain strands falling down throughout in little ringlets. She set the golden crown on top of her head and outlined her eyes with black kohl. When she was done, Anama took a deep breathe and stepped out of her room. She walked down to the conference hall and waited to be announced. She was extremely nervous and thought she would throw up. Finally the announcer called her, and she swallowed.

"Ladies and Gentleman, Princess Anama." The doors opened and Anama walked in. Hectors breathe got caught in his throat when he saw her. She looked absolutely beautiful. The blue gave her features a glowing look. She walked over and sat in between Hector and Paris. They sat for awhile while the food was being served. Anama looked around the table to see a young man with brown hair and piercing blue eyes staring right at her. The look he gave her made her feel like an animal. He looked as if he were thinking of every possible thing you can do with a woman in his head. She felt very uneasy about him, and so did Paris and Hector. The man winked at her and she felt Hector grab her hand from underneath the table and squeeze it. She looked over to him and gave him a small smile. Dinner was eaten and they were soon talking about the marriage plans. Anama felt uneasy about this whole thing, and she felt as if she were going to throw up. She excused herself and walked out. She leaned up against a pillar and closed her eyes. She got a cold shiver that ran through her entire being.

"You are very beautiful." She froze. She turned to see her betrothed standing not but 4 feet from her. He looked evil. There was just something about him that unnerved her. "You know, you really shouldn't be out here alone." As he said this, he slowly and sneakily walked up to her. "It's not safe." He was now standing right in front of her and he was looking her up and down and licking his lips. Anama felt very uneasy and violated.

"Excuse me, I'm not feeling very well. I am going to retire. Excuse me."

"Wait a minute!" He grabbed her wrist forcefully. She cried out. It felt like he was going to break her wrist. There would definitely be a bruise there tomorrow.

"Please, let me go. I wish to rest. Please."

"You are to be married to me so you better start getting used to following my orders. I want to get to know you better. Why don't we go back to your room and talk?"

"Please, I don't feel up to it tonight, maybe tomorrow?" she had tears down her face because of the pain from her wrist.

"Listen you little wench, when I ask you to do something, I want it to be done. Now, let us go to your room and talk."

"Please, just let me go." She tried to wrench her hand from his grasp but it wouldn't budge. It hurt and she started crying more now. She heard something crack as she tried to wrench it free. She finally got lose and went to run towards the conference hall when she was grabbed from behind. She struggled to get out of his grasp when he turned her around and smacked her. She fell to the ground and as she caught herself with her hands, she heard her wrist snap. She curled onto the floor holding her wrist and cried. Her fiancé walked away leaving her in the middle of the floor.

Hector had had enough of listening to these people talk of their marriage plans. He got up to go check on Anama. He walked around trying to find her when he heard a cry of pain. He started running towards the sound and was shocked at what he found.