Arli's POV

My hands felt a lot better after Achilles soothed them. I could not believe that I was answering my enemy's questions, but I suppose it was only fair. He could have killed, raped or tortured me by now, but he did not. Well, as Priam says, even enemies can show respect.

After Achilles had finished with my wrists, I started undoing the cloak that he had put around me at the temple. "Here, you should give this back to your friend…"I stopped mid-sentence because I could see him staring at me. "What is it?"

"Your armour, it's amazing," He replied.

I blushed and looked him in the eyes. "Thank you, it took me forever to make. The detailing was—"

"Wait, you made this yourself?" He sounded… excited?

"Yes, I made this myself," I said, taking off the breastplate and handing it to Achilles.

Achilles took the breastplate and inspected it. "It is so light."

I replied while taking off my arm and leg armour. "Do not let its lightness fool you; it is tougher than any of the heavier bronze armour. I designed it so it could take a massive amount of blows from arrows, swords and spears. What you hold in your hands right now, is the best armour in the world and I can say that with absolute certainty."

I stood up to take off the rest of my armour because it was hot. Troy was always hot and the armour made me sweat. All I had on was my long tunic and I thanked the gods that I had the loin cloth underneath. Achilles looked away from my breastplate that he was holding and turned to look at me. His eyes began to roam all over by body, looking at mainly my chest, legs and arms.

I put my hands on my hips. "Stop looking at me! I did not give you any invitation to stare."

"I am sorry my stare makes you uncomfortable, but…" he said, walking over to me, putting my breastplate down along the way.

His hand reached out for my sleeveless arm, but I stepped backwards, out of his reach. "Do not touch me!" I shouted, making my voice sound strong.

Achilles tried to step closer to me, but I took another step back. He tried again, but I took a bigger step backward, until I was up against the wall of his hut. He saw that I had nowhere to go and moved in on me.

Achilles body was only inches away from touching mine. "I do not have any intention of hurting you, believe me," he whispered, his hand reaching up to my face and softly stroking my cheek.

I turned my face away from his warm, rough hand. "Why should I believe you? You are my enemy! You have killed many of my people today and for that you will always be my enemy," I tried to say firmly, but my voice was shaky.

"I do not want to be your enemy…" he said and he leaned in close to me so his chin was on my temple, and sniffed my hair.

"What are you doing?!" I asked him, my voice seeping with anger.

When he did not answer me I placed my hands on his bare chest and pushed him away from me as far as I could. He tried to come near me again, but I punched him in the face and I followed that up with a kick to his abdomen. He swung his fist at me, but I missed it and punched him in the chest twice and I got him to the ground. I ran around him to get a sword, but he grabbed me around my ankle and I fell. He tried pulling me to him, but I kicked his arm off me and tried to get the sword once again. As I was about to pick up the sword, I felt Achilles arms grab me around my middle. He moved his left arm around my neck and held me tight.

He whispered into my ear and I could feel is hot breath on my neck. "Why did you do that? I was being nice to you, Princess."

I gasped and began to struggle violently, how could he know?! "Your scent does not lie; you are royalty," he continued while I clawed at the arm he had around my neck. "I would let you go, but you're liable to try to escape again."

This was my moment to be strong, so I stopped struggling and spoke my mind. "You are damn right I am. I will always try to escape you, however long I am here for, and you can count on that!"

I heard him growl and then he abruptly flung me over his shoulder. "Put me down!" I screamed at him as I pounded his back with my hands, but it seemed like he could not even feel them.

Achilles harshly laid me down on a bed of furs and pinned my struggling body down with his. "You must be quiet!" he whispered angrily at me, looking deep into my eyes. "Is your father Priam, Princess? Tell me now!"

"No, but my father will be the one to kill you, I promise you that!" I said, and laughed defiantly.

Achilles' eyes narrowed. "If Priam is not…" he said, and then realised what I meant. "Hector. Your father is Prince Hector. So that is why the Prince did not want you to be left here. Look at me, Arlina!" he snapped and I looked straight into his light blue eyes. "Your eyes…"

"What about them?" I demanded.

"Are glorious. You have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen," he said, quietly. What was he talking about? I did not have beautiful eyes.

He moved his head closer and I could see his lips moving closer to mine. My breathing stopped and just before his lips could touch mine, I turned my face so that his kiss would land on my cheek. His lips were a little dry, but the kiss was soft and his lips lingered on my skin for a few seconds. My breathing became fast and shallow as he lifted his head from my face and looked down at me.

"I'm sorry," he said, genuinely, and got off me and walked out of the hut.

Achilles' POV

I walked out of my hut to get away from her and the memory of only a few moments ago. I sat down in the sand and stared at the sea.

I do not know why I kissed her, I should not have. Arlina was probably traumatized from that and I betrayed her trust. I told her that I would not hurt her when I helped her with her rope burn and I did! What was it about her that made me go warm inside when I saw her?

It was her eyes, her golden eyes. Could she be my true love? No, she could not have been; she was my enemy…but I have nothing against the Trojans! When did I start caring about love? But if she was my true love, then she and I had gotten off to a bad start. Now I would be kind her and, if we fall in love, then it would be the true love that mother prophesised for me. I would try and win her.