The next morning Alexander rode back to the royal stables, after cavalry manoeuvres with the Vanguard. He saw Hephaistion, with some of the Royal Bodyguard. They had been having sword practice and they were washing the sweat from their bodies. Alexander noted the red, angry mark between Hephaistion's ribs where the wound was still healing. The bruise was fading from his face.

Hephaistion seemed deep in thought, he dressed and fastened up his chiton, while Pausanias shouted out that they were dismissed until the evening. He picked up his sword and shield, and then turning to see the others had gone on ahead without him, he sat on a stone bench and looked lost.

Alexander rode over to him and dismounted. "How are you?" he asked Hephaistion.

Hephaistion looked up, as if he had not even noticed Alexander's arrival. He stood up as soon as he realised the prince was before him. Glancing down at the site of the wound, he replied. "It is healing."

"And Pausanias?" Alexander asked, as he knew Pausanias would be jealous of his father's latest conquest.

"How did you know?" Hephaistion asked, surprised.

Alexander laughed. "That Pausanias caused your injuries? Not until now." He studied Hephaistion. "Pausanias can be dangerous. Take care, Hephaistion. You walk a dangerous path when you choose to lie with my father."

Alexander saw the hurt register in Hephaistion's eyes. He remembered the gold cuff that Hephaistion had bought for his friend, believing that it must have been a parting gift, that Hephaistion had chosen rank over love. Hephaistion looked away. Alexander looked at the sword and shield. "I need to practice," he said. "Do you know where Callinus is?"

"He has gone to the dining hall," replied Hephaistion. "I could fight with you, I'm not so tired from this mornings practice," he offered.

Alexander shook his head. "Much as I have a dire shortage of friends, at the moment, Hephaistion, I cannot be your friend…or spend time with you. My father would not approve, and you have his demands to fulfil. I hope you are happy with what you have chosen." Alexander walked on, wishing things could have been different between them, but Hephaistion was tainted now, with his father's scent.

OOXXOO

Hephaistion watched Alexander walk away and knew he had been judged and sentenced without the chance to defend himself. He felt his heart tighten in pain, it was difficult to breathe, Alexander had been the closest he had to a friend at Pella, just a few kind words from him, none from any other.

He had hoped to return to Methone, but that hope had been crushed by Onatas' letter. His sweet Lysias, gone forever. All he could see, in his minds eye now, was Lysias running off to go to Onatas as he left. He must have known what was in the letter he carried. He knew they were saying farewell. Would Onatas wear the gold cuff? Would they laugh at him, as they lay in each others arms?

"I'm glad you are still here."

Hephaistion looked to see Pausanias coming towards him, he held his sword and shield, and Hephaistion wondered if he had ever gone far from the practice ring. "You said we were excused for the afternoon."

Pausanias smiled. "I changed my mind, where you are concerned, Hephaistion." He all but spat Hephaistion's name. "You fight like a girl. You need more practice. Take off your chiton and fight with me."

Hephaistion stood up, his eyes not leaving Pausanias as he undressed and picked up his sword and shield.

Pausanias stripped off his own chiton and led the way into the ring, sneering at Hephaistion, he pointed to Hephaistion's wound with his sword. "Did Philip question you about that?" he asked.

"None of your business," Hephaistion replied, waiting for Pausanias to attack.

"He will not make you Captain, Hephaistion. He gave me the honour. He knows he was wrong, that he should have avenged me and killed Attalus for what he did. I was made Captain but he no longer wants me in his bed, not after everyone…"

Hephaistion had been told the story by Cleon, another of the guards. Cleon had suggested the same could happen to Hephaistion and had laughed at the thought. "You still serve him…guard him," Hephaistion said, wondering why the king would trust someone who had so much hate inside.

"It's all I have ever done…I still hope to share his bed."

Pausanias suddenly lunged forward. Hephaistion turned to the side and brought up his shield to stop the blow. Pausanias swept his sword low, hoping to strike Hephaistion's legs, but Hephaistion stepped back. In the moment between Pausanias swinging his sword at Hephaistion's legs and then seeking another way to get past Hephaistion's defence, Hephaistion attacked.

He ran forward, his sword moving fast in his hand, so that Pausanias was forced to raise his shield, unable to fight back. Hephaistion's sword point broke through the defence, touched Pausanias' chest, over his heart, nicking the skin. Hephaistion stepped back, breathing hard.

Tears in his eyes, Pausanias gave a battle cry and lunged forward once more, but Hephaistion was ready for him and had the measure of the man. He met the attack, pushing Pausanias back with his shield, knocking him to the ground. Pausanias could not rise, Hephaistion's sword was at his throat.

"You caught me off guard, the other day," Hephaistion said. "It was a valuable lesson to learn. But now I know you are weak, Pausanias, and you know I can beat you. So keep away from me."

Hephaistion stepped back a couple of paces, his sword still pointed at Pausanias. But the man knew he was beaten. Turning, Hephaistion picked up his chiton and walked over to the trough. He washed himself, his body shaking, wondering what he would become. He felt as if he had changed so much in just a couple of days. There was still danger from Pausanias, he was hated by the man, and as Captain, Pausanias could see him punished. He dressed, then saw the king returning from the hunt.

Taking a deep breath, Hephaistion strode up to the king, who had just reined in his horse but had yet to dismount. Philip turned and smiled to see him.

"I am yours," Hephaistion said. He had nothing to lose anymore.

Philip 's smile broadened, he made no pretence of looking over Hephaistion like he would a prize mare. "Tonight, then," he replied.

"Tonight," agreed Hephaistion.

OOXXOO

Alexander sat with Cassander, Philotas, Hesiod and Pleistarchus. He had wandered down, from his father's table, seeking the company of men his own age. Things were not easy between them. Alexander and Cassander had never been able to find any common ground. Hesiod and Pleistarchus were new to Pella; they had no interest in warfare, but would gossip like two old women. Philotas had been present when he was reprimanded by his father and his true friends exiled, it still rankled Alexander, who believed Philotas might have been the one to tell his father of his plans to marry Pixodarus' daughter.

Pleistarchus had drunk too much wine, and his swaying and inane giggling were proving an amusement for Cassander and Hesiod. Philotas was quiet, although he had been animated and talkative before Alexander joined them.

Alexander looked up to see his father leaving the hall with Antipater, his hand on his shoulder. He had been in high spirits all night, and laughed now at some comment Antipater had made.

"We all know why he is so happy," remarked Hesiod, ignorant of the warning glances from Cassander and Philotas.

"And why would that be?" asked Alexander.

Pleistarchus giggled, forming a fist and ramming it back and forth. "He gets to fuck Hephaistion, the handsomest Royal Guard we have ever seen, have we not Hesiod?

Wish I were a king, or could have just one night with him."

"Enough," said Philotas.

Alexander looked again to see Hephaistion disappear from view. His father would constantly take boys, it was nothing new. Hephaistion was just another, soon he would have money to buy a hundred gold wrist cuffs. He came back to the conversation as Cassander spoke.

"He refused Philip, at first."

"Refused!" Hesiod sat open mouthed, his eyes showing his love for this new piece of delicious gossip."

"Cassander," Philotas warned, looking to Alexander.

Alexander shook his head. "No, it is alright. I know my father's tastes, but I have never known him refused." He was intrigued by the Cassander's comment.

"Go on, Cassander," urged Hesiod.

"My father went hunting with Philip this morning. He told him then, that Hephaistion had refused him."

"And what did he do? Philip. What did he do?" asked Hesiod, leaning forward to hear the reply.

Cassander laughed. "It appears that the letter Hephaistion carried from Methone was a request from the garrison commander, to keep Hephaistion at Pella, so he could enjoy the pleasures of another, one that Hephaistion loved."

Hesiod laughed, Pleistarchus joined in with him, although he was too far gone to follow what was being said.

Cassander held his hands up to quiet them. He had more to say. "So, when he refused Philip, the king showed his genius for battle and produced the letter and let Hephaistion read it. He planned to give him a couple of days, then resume the attack. However, early this afternoon, when Philip returned from hunting, Hephaistion came to him and pledged himself. So tonight there will be no refusal and Philip would have made another conquest."

Hesiod laughed and clapped his hands together, Pleistarchus leaned back and vomited.

"What made Hephaistion change his mind?" asked Philotas. "You have to be a brave man to refuse the king, in the first place, so why would he yield now?"

Alexander looked into his cup of wine. "If people believe you have yielded already. If you are already being judged, for what you are not," he said.

OOXXOO

As the door closed behind him, Hephaistion began to regret his rash decision. Had he meant to hurt Lysias? Did he hope Lysias would hear that he had lain with the king? That Lysias would regret offering himself to Onatas, and be jealous of him? Would he wonder what Philip had? What he could have had.

"Would you like some wine, Hephaistion?"

Hephaistion forced a smile and stepped forward. "Please."

"Maybe, you should drink it without water. You look like a frightened rabbit," smiled Philip.

"I want to be here," Hephaistion said, as much to convince himself as the king. Philip handed him a cup of wine and he drank it down, noting it was undiluted.

Philip took the cup from him and placed it on a table. He limped back to Hephaistion, and as he did the previous night, he caressed the side of Hephaistion's face, entwined his hair in his fingers.

Hephaistion stared at Philip, into the king's one remaining eye. They said he had been handsome, once, but now the face was scarred and old. "I want to be here," he whispered.

"Good," replied Philip, leaning in to claim a kiss.

Philip touched Hephaistion's lips with his own, as if to judge if Hephaistion would resist. Pulling back and smiling, he leaned forward again, this time pressing his lips to Hephaistions, his tongue seeking entry.

Hephaistion opened his lips, almost choking as the king's tongue rushed in. The taste of stale wine and spices filled his mouth as the unwelcome tongue snaked inside, exploring, tasting, claiming. The king groaned, moving his body against Hephaistion, his right hand reaching down onto Hephaistion's left buttock, squeezing it, positioning his groin to meet Hephaistion's.

Philip pulled back from the kiss, breathing hard. His left hand cupped the back of Hephaistion's head. He studied him, grinning as Hephaistion smiled at him, though he could see the fear in the boy's eyes. He moved his right hand slightly to run down the cleft between Hephaistion's buttocks, his index finger tracing where the source of pleasure lay. He pressed between the cheeks, causing Hephaistion to gasp. "You like that?" he asked.

Hephaistion nodded, knowing himself a liar. He wanted to run from the room, take the first horse and go far away from Pella. He did not know how he would clean off the stench of the king, or live with the knowledge of what he had done.

"Take off your cloak and armour, Hephaistion," Philip murmured, and stepped away to pour himself some wine.

Hephaistion looked about, and seeing a chair went over to it, unfastening his cloak and removing his sword, dagger and breastplate. Leaving them on the chair.

"Your boots as well, Hephaistion," called the king.

Hephaistion pulled off his boots, leaving them and padding barefoot back to the king.

Philip embraced him, then lifted his chin and kissed him once more, the tongue invading again, thrusting in his mouth in a hint of what was to come. Philip's hands reached up to unclip Hephaistion's chiton, running down his arms, then behind him, pulling down the chiton so it hung over his belt, then sliding back to knead and trace the outline of Hephaistion's back.

Again Philip broke the kiss, panting harshly, pulling back a little so the top of Hephaistion's chiton fell away, revealing his chest. Philip brought his right hand round to explore the muscle structure, his breath growing harder as his desire grew even more.

"I cannot take too long," he whispered, placing a kiss on Hephaistion's chest. "Eurydice expects me tonight….I did not expect to be with you." He laughed. "She will find me a poor mate tonight when I fall into bed with her and go to sleep." He took Hephaistion's hand and led him into the bedroom. "Lie on the bed," he ordered.

Hephaistion hesitated. He loved Lysias but had been too slow, too uncertain to consummate that love. Here was Philip, undressing before him, a man he had no feelings for, about to take him. He felt like a cheap whore, but it was too late for escape, there was nowhere to go.

He could not feel his legs move under him as he made his way to the bed, his heart pounding, his body shaking. He went to undo his belt and remove his chiton.

"No, Hephaistion. Leave it on," said Philip.

Hephaistion turned to see the king naked, his swollen penis swinging between his legs as he walked over to the bed. He noted the oil on the stand as he climbed onto the bed, lying on his stomach, lifting a cushion under his hips as he offered himself. He was surprised to hear Philip laugh.

"On your back, Hephaistion."

As Hephaistion turned onto his back, the king got onto the bed and lowered his body over him. Philip kissed his neck, traced the outline of his jaw, then hungrily claimed his lips. Hephaistion put his hands on Philip's shoulders, feeling as if he should do something, even in a mock show of affection. Philip groaned and grunted, thrusting against Hephaistion, his right hand reaching down to push apart, Hephaistion's thighs.

Hephaistion put his hands to the king's face. Philip stopped kissing him and looked questioningly at him, his eyes warning him not to refuse.

"I would ask one thing." Hephaistion said.

Philip pulled back. Impatient. "What?"

"Do not give me anything for this. No gifts, no money, no promotion. Nothing."

Philip had already been thinking of covering Hephaistion in gold, of moving him into quarters close to his own, of giving him a wardrobe that any prince would covet. Nobody had ever refused his gifts. "Why?" he asked.

"I would be true to myself. Anything I gain, I would gain on merit alone."

"But I could make you rich, Hephaistion."

"Promise me. Before you take me. Promise me."

Philip promised, but the boy's request had stunned him. He had wanted him, craved him so badly, but now he felt his erection waning. As Hephaistion lifted up his head to kiss his lips, as he reached down to remove his undergarments, impeded by the his body pressing against him, as all he could desire lay beneath him, offering himself, he could not take it. He could not take someone so honest, so unselfish, as Hephaistion.

There was a loud knock on the bedroom door.

"Father!"

"Alexander!" Philip rolled off Hephaistion and reached for a sheet, to cover himself with, as Alexander entered the room. "What do you want?" he blustered, getting to his feet, looking at Hephaistion who still lay on the bed.

"I would speak to you…alone."

"It could not wait until morning?" shouted Philip.

"I thought you should hear it now," replied Alexander, watching Hephaistion as he got up from the bed. "Go, Hephaistion," he whispered.

He waited while Hephaistion left, watching him leave, then turned back to face his father. He was still not sure what he was going to say, but he could only think of saving Hephaistion from his father's lust.

"Well?" shouted Philip.

"I came to apologise," said Alexander.

"Apologise? Apologise for what?" grumbled Philip, wrapping the sheet around him. He had never been impotent, he wondered if Hephaistion was protected by the gods. He did not need Alexander here, when he wanted to go to Eurydice and prove himself a man.

"For interfering in your plans for the wedding to Pixodarus' daughter."

"And you came here tonight to tell me that? Why, you already apologised when I brought Thettalus before you in chains. Why do you feel the need to apologise again?"

"Perhaps my heart is in it now, Father, whereas I might have harboured some resentment then," said Alexander, saying what his father would want to hear. "I love you," he said, speaking the truth.

Philip sighed and opened his arms. Alexander stepped into the embrace.

"You are forgiven, Alexander. Just don't ever cross me again."

"Never," Alexander vowed.