Day Twenty four: Problems and jealousy.
Two years had gone by since the prince and Hephaestion's bonding, which had provoked different reactions when the news was known.
King Philip was the first to show his support to the newly-bonded couple; he had always thought that Hephaestion was the perfect man to tame his so changeable son. He also had to recognize that Hephaestion was a remarkable young human being; just at 23 he had already achieved many things, rival to any of his most experienced Generals.
Queen Olympias, on the other hand, had let his wrath unleashed and had clearly let both young men know how furious she was at the decision they had taken. Her letters exuded bitterness and venom in each of the words written in the several scrolls she had sent, first to Alexander, and then to Hephaestion. In her letters to the brunette, the mother Queen let him know that he would regret being a stone in her son's path to Niké. She also mentioned his selfishness; she wrote that if he had truly loved Alexander as much as he always said, he would have let him free to look for a good Macedonian woman to give him children. She also insisted on the early demise of such bonding; they were too young and none of them had lived long enough to know what the best was for them or what true love meant.
Alexander and Hephaestion used to read the letters together but when they turned more poisonous and disrespectful, they stopped reading them because they always left a bitter taste in their hearts. Fortunately, the queen stopped sending her letters when she realized that the young mates did not care about her opinion and she resigned to have occasional news from his son, most of them provided by the very same king.
Many of the companions took the news as a normal and logical step; they had been witnesses of their relationship and how it had been born so many years ago; how it flourished and weather very difficult and stormy moments. Many of them thought that Alexander's engagement to Megara would have been the point of no return for the brunette and it seemed like it was like that for some months but their love was much stronger and they had finally dared to risk everything to get each other back.
Alexander had been totally devastated when Hephaestion met Theron because he thought he had lost his brunette forever. The trip to Troy was the journey that brought both lovers back and from that moment onwards, they had worked hard to make their relationship work and they had been for each other since then.
However, those companions who had secretly wanted the brunette for themselves, felt totally defeated when they saw those matching gold bracelets and the more obvious exchanges of looks or subtle touches when they were in public. Their love was so big that couldn't be hidden anymore.
Cassander and Craterous were fuming when they realized they had lost the brunette and also the possibility to get a more influential position with Alexander; Philotas was furious because he had always wished to become Alexander's lover and ruled him with his naïve attitude and his good looks.
None of them had ever realized that they had lost Alexander the same moment he had set his two-coloured eyes on his Phai years ago and it seemed that only Hades would be able to set them apart.
Hephaestion continued with his training as well as the rest of the companions and they were more than ready to start the new campaign against Persia, which was King Philip's latest obsession. The one-eyed ruler wanted to bring the Persian king to his knees and with that victory and the acquisition of such a large territory; he would be the true ruler of the eastern lands.
Philip seemed to have the best chances to achieve his so much desired goal; he had a powerful and professional Army, repeatedly proved in battle and undefeated. He also had the best diplomats, being his son's mate the most trustful of all and he had Alexander's youth, courage and determination to help him with the old Macedonian dream to rule the East.
King Philip trusted Alexander with his heart and mind and so he needed his presence almost constantly and he demanded him to be by his side at all times. He was his consultant, his calm influence when Philip felt frustrated, even though the prince had a very bad temper himself; but Philip listened to him and Alexander could reason with him in order to find the best solution or result.
The more time Alexander spent with Philip, the less he spent with his mate. Hephaestion was always busy too so he did not see any of the signs that could bring their bonding to an end. However, when three nights in a row Alexander did not come back to their house, he started to worry. As soon as they were bonded, they had decided not to live in the palace but in a nearby little house so they could spend their time alone and be able to separate their "work" from their personal lives, even if it were for a few hours.
Hectic days became weeks and Hephaestion had seen Alexander so little that he had almost forgotten how his mate sounded, smelt or looked.
They had crossed paths many times but they were always in a hurry, surrounded by others or sent into different directions. Hephaestion knew that Alexander was not doing that on purpose but he was a bit disappointed because his prince and mate did not make the time to have, at least, one of their meals together.
Hephaestion started to neglect his health and when he was worried, he usually stopped eating. Everybody noticed that Hephaestion was losing too much weight; everybody except Alexander because he had not been intimate with his mate for the last month. If the prince made it to their bed at night, it was always too late and he was too tired, so they exchanged their goodnights and an awaken Hephaestion looked at his lover sleep by his side as if they were just strangers.
Long lost were the passionate kisses, the long hugs or their slow and daily lovemaking. Hephaestion realized that he might be losing Alexander and he did not know how to speak about it with Alexander without sounding needy or selfish.
Little by little, Olympias's poisonous words started to seep in his mind, fogging his confidence and creating very depressing scenarios in his mind.
Meanwhile, Alexander was totally oblivious to what was happening to his mate; he had realized that Hephaestion had been quieter than usual but he assumed that it was because he was tired; his mate was always moving from one place to another or taking extra classes on languages or diplomacy.
It also dawned on him that they had not shared a bed in the last three days and he really missed knowing that his Phai was next to him but his father's meetings had been turning into very long ones that often ended when many of them fell asleep on the table.
That morning, when he was heading towards the dining room, he eavesdropped two new pages speaking about his brunette. One of them was saying how handsome Hephaestion was and the other one agreed with him, but he also pointed out that he liked him most when he was more muscled and not so thin as he was at the moment.
Alexander looked at the pages passing by and Ptolemy, who stopped him to ask what his problem was, saw the surprised expression on his face at what he had just heard.
Alexander retold Ptolemy what he had listened and he was more surprised when Ptolemy had nodded and wondered how blind he had been that he had not noticed that himself.
Alexander looked around the room, trying to find his mate and he sighed when he saw Hephaestion entering the place. However, Hephaestion was so distracted that he did not see Alexander in the room; he had got so accustomed to his absence that he had quickly blocked his presence. But the prince had realized how much he had neglected his mate if the brunette did not realize they were both in the same room.
Alexander approached Hephaestion slowly and he snaked his arms around the slender waist, pushing the now thinner frame to his still broad one. Hephaestion turned round quickly at the sudden touch but then relaxed when the familiar scent entered his nostrils.
"I'm sorry" Alexander whispered in his ear.
"It's alright" Hephaestion answered back.
"No, it is not, I have been neglecting you and I did not realize that you were losing weight" the blonde explained.
"You are busy and your father needs you" Hephaestion tried to justify Alexander's actions.
"You are also busy and you need me too, don't you?" he asked nervously.
"I do but he needs you more. We knew that this would be difficult" Hephaestion said, a bit resigned to a not so bright future.
"What are you saying, Phai?" Alexander was truly nervous by that moment.
"That I understand you"
"You don't have to understand me, you don't have to accept everything, you must tell me off when I am like this" Alexander said, raising his voice.
"I can't do that, Alexander" Hephaestion whispered.
"Why not?"
"Because you are the prince"
"I am your mate first" and taking his hand in his, led Hephaestion to the table.
They shared their morning meal and Alexander promised to be at their house no matter how late the meetings ended. That night both men spent their time catching up and making love to each other tenderly, and after that day they did up to the impossible to spend time together every single day.
But happiness like luck are two naughty young ladies who liked to play with mere mortals. When everything between the lovers looked as if it were as it used to be, they were struck just to remind them that they were no gods.
Alexander was sent to eastern lands to see what it was like; he went disguised as a merchant so in that way he would be able to wander around, picking up information and without calling people's attention. With that information, they could plan their invasion more accurately.
Ptolemy decided that Hephaestion would not accompany Alexander because he was already known by many people and he needed him to plan the diplomatic steps they would put into action as soon as the Persian were defeated. Alexander protested quite loudly but he knew that it was his duty and he knew that Hephaestion would totally support him.
Four months later, a very changed Alexander came back to his own lands, wearing strange clothes and speaking marvels about the East, its customs, its riches and the exotic things he had learnt to enjoy. Alexander could not stop speaking about what he had seen, lived and learnt and he had also brought things back to show his father and the rest of the army. But what he had forgotten to explain was why he had two new servants, one young man with long black hair and his sister who was also dark-haired but with many and pronounced curves, all of them in all the right places.
Alexander introduced them and immediately after, he sent them to his house where Hephaestion found them when he was coming from the baths. The brunette asked who they were and they both answered that they were Alexander's lovers and servants.
Hephaestion felt his heart break in a thousand pieces but he remained silent. He asked his cook to prepare dinner for them all and to let him know when it was ready.
The brunette was finishing his last report when he heard the front door and he walked quickly towards it to greet his mate after those four long months. But when he crossed the door, he saw both slaves kissing his mate's face and lips and attending to his needs. Alexander did not say a thing against it and it seemed as if he was quite enjoying their attention. Hephaestion soon realized that his partner had been receiving the same treatment during his stay in the east.
He cleared his voice twice; Alexander was a bit distracted by his male servant's wandering hands that were boldly caressing his groin.
"Oh, joy to you Hephaestion" he said.
"Joy to you, my prince" he answered without knowing how to address that man that was standing in front of him wearing those strange clothes and stripped of his gold bonding bracelet.
"Let me introduce you to Farid and Nima, they will be living here" he said simply stating the new arrangements.
"As you wish, Sire" Hephaestion replied and that was the moment when Alexander finally spared a moment to look at his brunette.
Hephaestion had changed once again, during those four months; he was still thin but looking healthy. However, there was something in his eyes that had not been there before, they reflected resignation; unfortunately Alexander had not been able to spot that as he was still blinded by his eastern experiences.
"You don't need to be so formal, Phai" Alexander said and approached his mate.
"So, how do you want me to call you?" he asked seriously, his eyes cast down.
"As you always had" he said.
"I don't think that my former nickname for you still stands. Health to you, Alexander" and Hephaestion retreated to another room where he had never slept before.
Alexander was about to stop him to solve things between them when Nima caressed his face, making him look at her and she kissed him on the lips and Alexander lost himself in those full lips.
Hephaestion spent the two following days avoiding Alexander and his servants who had comfortably taken over the control of the house. He already knew that due to Alexander's passionate nature, he would take other lovers but he had never imagined that he would bring them to live with them. He decided not to tell him anything but he would not allow him to disrespect him in front of his friends or his eastern lovers.
Hephaestion was stronger than anybody believed and he would not suffer in vain; he knew that his stubbornness would keep him in the place he deserved and that the gods would help him to live through those hard times.
Alexander was like hypnotized by his experiences and his two lovers and he could not see that he was losing the only person that had always believed in him, no matter how fool he had been.
However, this time Hephaestion was not going to be the one to suffer. If Alexander could have lovers so could he because they were mates and they had the same rights and duties.
While Alexander continued being surrounded by his servants and his exotic adopted customs, Hephaestion had begun spending time with his brothers in arms and he had started paying attention to other people and those who had been gifted with his attention, were bragging about it.
Sooner than later, news got to Alexander and the prince was not happy at all; Hephaestion was his mate even if they had not been together since he came back. And that was when it hit him; the prince realized that, once more, he had ignored his Phai, violating his bonding vows again, but this time it had been worse because he had taken not one but two lovers and he had never thought what consequences it would bring to their own relationship.
He also realized that he could not ask Hephaestion to be faithful as he had been the first to cheat on him, even if that kind of behaviour was expected from young men, and especially from him, a man in a powerful position.
Alexander walked towards Hephaestion and he could clearly see how his brunette stiffen in his presence, but not in the funny way they used to enjoy together. He set a hand in the small of Hephaestion's back to show everyone who he belonged to, but Hephaestion would not tolerate that at all. The brunette slowly turned round and looked at Alexander in his eyes and then he let his own cold eyes drop to the hand still on his back. He then looked upwards once more and the prince let his hand fall as if Hephaestion's back were on fire.
Hephaestion continued with his conversation and Alexander remained in silence, by his side, like a kicked puppy, but after being ignored by his mate, he decided to go back to the house where two willing bodies would be happy to see him.
What Alexander did not know was that the gods were very angry with him and they were about to punish him for violating his bonding vows.
The great prince who was truly passionate and a good lover could not perform once that night; his manhood was completely flaccid and in spite of all the tricks his eastern lovers practiced on him, he could not get hard at all. The blonde prince attributed it to his bad mood and tiredness but that night he slept alone in a cold big bed. But Morpheus did not grant him the so much needed rest so he twisted and turned all night long and his anxiety grew and grew with every passing hour when he did not hear his mate coming back.
It was dawn when he realized that it would be pointless to stay in bed when he was unable to sleep so he got up and went to the kitchen for something to eat. He found that their cook was already up and working so he asked her for some milk and bread, a simple breakfast he had not had in a long time. She just nodded and he really missed her morning blabbing and chattering and he finally realized how many little things he had lost due to his selfish attitude.
"Have you seen Hephaestion, Athina?"
"Yes, sire" she answered but continued kneading the dough for the bread.
"Is he here now?" he asked again.
"No sire, he left in a scout mission" she replied.
"But he is not a scout"
"No, but he is the one who had been drawing the maps of the latest missions" she explained and Alexander realized that he no longer knew what his mate was doing those days.
"Did he leave a note for me?"
"No sire, he just told me to tell you that if you asked" she replied and her tone of voice was tense.
"Why wouldn't I ask about him being here or not?" Alexander asked seriously.
"Because you don't care about him?" Athina said boldly.
"I do care about him, I love him" the prince almost shouted.
"Well, but you do have a very strange way of showing him that" the cook stated.
"Why do you say that?"
"How would you feel if he, after a long absence, brought back not one but two lovers to live under your same roof and he shared his body with them every night, in spite of having been together for the last ten years?"
"I would understand him" he replied nervously, not even believing his own words.
"Would you? How understanding, my prince. So I was wrong, sorry for my mistake" and she left the kitchen, whispering about idiotic princes.
Alexander just nodded and he stopped eating because he felt a big lump inside his throat that was threatening to chock him.
Alexander was about to leave the house towards the palace when one of his lovers appeared, Nima rubbed her nether regions against the prince's thigh but nothing happened, it seemed as if Alexander was dead from the waist downwards.
The same happened later with his male lover Farid and with every person he had encountered that day and who used to provoke, even a slight reaction, in him.
Alexander was feeling distracted and frustrated and the images of his mate tortured him; he saw Hephaestion wherever he went and at night his mind was filled with very sexy images of his partner. But Hephaestion was never with him but with other lovers, male and female, and it seemed as if he was having a very good time while being in their arms and bed.
Alexander felt his body stiffen and he thanked the gods for recovering his sex drive but as soon as his right hand caught his hard rock cock in it, it went flaccid and hanging softly between his legs.
Seven days had gone by with the same result and his lovers were getting impatient, in fact they had subtlety let him know that they were seriously looking for another master who would be able to take care of their needs.
When Alexander realized about their selfish feelings for him, he released the servants to their own fate and prohibited them to come back to him. He immediately decided to look for a solution to his problem.
Zeus elbowed Aphrodite and smiled broadly; it seemed as if their stubborn Macedonian prince was beginning to understand what the problem was. However, they did not lift the punishment, Alexander had to learn that his fate and happiness was tied to Hephaestion's destiny and that he would suffer deeply if he dared to hurt the brunette.
Hephaestion arrived late on the eight evening, covered in dust and feeling dead on his feet. It had been a very difficult trip due to the inaccessibility of the terrain in some parts and the large quantity of wild animals, poisonous snakes and insects that were swarming around during the nighttime, that only made their rest more difficult that it normally was.
Hephaestion entered the house quietly, he did not want to wake anyone but that was unnecessary because Alexander was still up and waiting for him. Earlier in the afternoon, he had had news about his mate's return and so he had not gone to bed in order to be awake when he got home.
Hephaestion froze in the spot for thirty seconds but then he went on walking towards the kitchen table and grabbed an apple from the tray resting there. He took a big bite and munched it slowly as if he wanted to gain some time.
"How was the trip?" Alexander asked in a whisper.
"Hard" Hephaestion replied drily.
"Do you want something else to eat?" he asked again, trying to keep the conversation going.
"This is enough" the brunette said showing the apple in his hand.
"Hephaestion, I am really so.." but he was interrupted by a serious blue-eyed man.
"Don't!" he nearly shouted.
"But I want …." the prince tried again.
"Yes, it is always about what you want and need but not this time; I am tired and I have nothing to talk to you now" he said and turning round, he left the kitchen towards his room.
Alexander realized that he would have to work hard to have Hephaestion's forgiveness if he ever got it back.
The following morning, Hephaestion slept in and he had breakfast alone. He thought it was strange that none of Alexander's lovers had appeared to gloat at him but he had decided that he would not say or ask a thing about that. He was also thinking to request king Philip to let him go back to his former chamber in the palace and then he would tell Alexander that their bonding vows were void. He looked at the gold bracelet that he was still wearing and sighed; he could not deny that he was still in love with Alexander but he had to think what the best for him was.
Zeus and Aphrodite were no longer smiling, Alexander needed Hephaestion by his side to become one of the greatest rulers of all and Hephaestion needed Alexander because between them they would create something that had never been done before.
Both gods spent the whole day looking for a solution but none appeared to be the best because some of them solved a part of the problem but not the other.
In the meantime, Alexander started to get hard whenever he was near Hephaestion but it took just a single side look to any other to go soft again. The constant unresolved sexual tension was driving the prince crazy and everyone had realized that something was wrong with him but no one dared to ask.
Hephaestion informed King Philip about his findings during the scout mission and he also showed him the drafts of the maps he had drawn during the trip.
Hephaestion was more and more decided to end their bonding vows but he wanted to find the best moment to do it; however, he would start showing his decision by removing his bonding bracelet. King Philip had asked him about the lack of his bracelet and Hephaestion had answered him with the truth. Philip said nothing at first but then he asked him not to rush any permanent decision based on a temporal temper.
The second person to see the missing bracelet was the very same Alexander who immediately looked at his own left wrist and he was astonished to notice that his own was also missing, but what surprised him the most was that he could not remember when he had taken it off.
More and more people realized about the missing bracelet and many felt their hope rise with the idea of the brunette being free of that bonding and on the market again, but only a few dared to ask about its absence. However, Hephaestion did not answer at all, claiming that it was none of their business.
Alexander sat next to Hephaestion, in spite of the suffering of having his constant cock swollen, and tried to make small talk with him. Hephaestion, always being polite, answered his questions briefly but nothing else. Alexander felt more and more devastated and his frustration was reaching its highest level. He realized that he needed to make it up to Hephaestion for all his faults and he would start by courting him, as he had always deserved.
A new Olympian decided to enter the game and who better than a woman to teach these two stubborn men about true love.
The day was going smoothly when Alexander decided to take some time for himself outside the palace while the rest of the companions took a nap to avoid the hot weather. He headed to the river and he was wetting his feet on the shore when he saw a beautiful woman coming out of the water. She was not a nymph, she was not young enough to be one; she looked like more an adult woman with wisdom in her brilliant green eyes.
"Joy to you, young Alexander" she greeted and Alexander felt warmth invading and nestling in his heart.
"Joy to you, milady. Excuse have we met before?" Alexander asked shyly and he realized that he had not been turned on by her semi naked appearance.
"Of course, I was there when you were born and I also was when your mate was born some months before you" she explained while walking towards him and Alexander saw how her transparent and wet tunic turned into a dry bright green peplos.
"I'm sorry but I cannot remembered you, milady" the young man tried to apologize.
"Don't worry, I am Hera, Zeus's wife and protector of marriage" she announced gently while sitting next to him.
"My goddess, what can I do to help you?" Alexander asked humbly.
"I am here to help you, son. You are about to lose your mate and I won't let that happen" she said firmly.
"I know, I have made so many mistakes but now I don't know what to do to get him back" Alexander said, sounding quite desperate.
"First of all, you should try to get his trust back; you must make him fall in love with you again and show him real remorse because if it is not true, you will lose him forever and no one else will come to help you again. If you do things well this time, you may have a second chance" she said.
The talk between them lasted a long time and when the goddess was gone, Alexander had a clearer idea of what he had to do. He went back to their house and prepared things.
Hephaestion was still in a meeting with his king when he felt a kind of nudge inside his head, it turned so intense that king Philip could easily see that Hephaestion was getting distracted; he finally realized that he had had the young diplomat speaking for a long time and that he was clearly showing signs of exhaustion.
He made Hephaestion go home to rest but the brunette was not eager to go back at all; he knew that he would find Alexander and his lovers together and he did not know how longer he would tolerate that. To his surprise, while he was walking home, an old woman appeared form nowhere and gently asked for his help in carrying a heavy basket. Hephaestion took it in one of his arms while he gave his other arm to the old woman to hold herself better.
The old woman started to talk about her husband, his many infidelities and how much he had hurt her. Hephaestion politely asked if she was still married to him and she nodded. The brunette was puzzled with her answer and asked why she had stayed with him if he was such a bad husband. She looked at him into his eyes and replied that marriage was like farm work, you had to work hard to see its fruits; sometimes they were many, sometimes they were very few but every time they had been worth because love was the feeling that created them.
Hephaestion let her words seep into his heart and mind and things appeared to seem different when you looked at them under a different light. He realized that Alexander had been trying to get to him since his return from the scout mission but he had done it in the wrong way. Hephaestion decided that he would try to listen to his mate once more before breaking their bonding vows.
The old lady patted his cheek and a feeling of trust and clarity set in his mind. As soon as he left the old woman at the corner of her house, he felt the need to go back to his house and try to sort things out with Alexander. He turned round to thank the woman's advice once more but she had already disappeared. That was very strange because the woman had been walking too slow and he knew that she would not have been able to walk so fast. Laughter was heard in the air and his eagerness to go home was stronger.
Hephaestion entered the house and found Alexander with their cook; the prince was taking some instructions from the old cook and she was not being very polite to him. He greeted them and asked what they were doing and Alexander said that he was learning how to cook some sweet treats that happened to be Hephaestion's favourite ones. After explaining that, Hephaestion saw Alexander blush and deepened his fingers in the dough with an uncertain look in his two coloured eyes. None of his lovers were seen nearby so it had to be true that they had abandoned Alexander and moved with another master; Hephaestion felt his heart jump inside his chest and hope nestled inside it. As a sign of his good will, the brunette offered to roast some boar meat in the back while they finished in the kitchen. The poor cook looked at them and shook her head without being able to understand what was happening between her two lords.
The evening meal was over when both men had eaten big helpings of roasted meat and vegetables. Alexander brought his sweet treats to the table and Hephaestion immediately realized that they did not look at all as his cook's used to look like. Nevertheless, Hephaestion took one of them and it dawned on him that it was as hard as a rock; as Alexander's cock had been since the moment Hephaestion had crossed their front door. He cut it in halves to eat it better and took a bite. Not only were they hard but also tasteless. However, Hephaestion thanked Alexander for his effort but the prince was not convinced at all; his mate used to make some loud noises when he enjoyed something.
Alexander tried to touch Hephaestion, in fact he wanted to brush off some crumbs that were stuck on one side of the brunette's lips but the brunette moved backwards fast. Alexander could not hide the pain he felt and Hephaestion was about to apologize for his rude behaviour but thinking it better, he did not because he was still feeling frustrated and disappointed.
A sad Alexander stood up and started to gather the things; he had tried hard but nothing had been alright. Hephaestion patted Alexander's arm to call his attention and when the prince lifted his gaze, the brunette could clearly see Alexander's remorse in his two coloured eyes. Hephaestion's heart softened a bit and when Alexander tried to get away, Hephaestion engulfed him in a tender hug and Alexander broke down in tears, crying his heart out while begging for his mate's forgiveness. Hephaestion had never thought he would see Alexander like that; the prince was too proud to show weakness but he also realized that the blonde could not hide his true nature to him.
Hephaestion let him compose again and told Alexander that he would forgive him, with time, but that he would never forget what he had done to him. Alexander looked at him and whispered his thanks before going back to their room alone.
The young diplomat went back to his room and he felt his sleep invaded by sad images of Alexander and himself; in them, they were apart because Hephaestion had finally decided to end their bonding. Hephaestion felt pain in his heart and he knew he was being a bit tough and rude to his mate. The shocking images made him wake up; he decided to get up from his bed and sneaked inside his former room. As soon as he crossed the door, he heard muffled sobs coming from the fetal-shaped lump on the bed.
The brunette approached the big and cold bed and pushing the clothes aside, he slid between the sheets and took Alexander's body in his arms. The prince released a long and low sigh and snuggled against the warm body and, for the first time in the last month, he was not turned on by his mate's tempting body. Hephaestion whispered reassurance words in his ear and he held his partner tight against his broad chest. Alexander fell into a deep sleep and Hera sent him more advices to get his mate back.
Meanwhile, a presence by his side awoke Hephaestion and he could see the same goddess standing by his bedside. He was about to move but she stopped him and told him about the sincerity in his mate's feelings and explained the importance of their reconciliation. Hera told him that she would grant him a very special gift, so special that it would give birth to a remarkable and unique thing. She touched Hephaestion's chest and his lower stomach giving him peace and life. She whispered more words and then disappeared, leaving both men asleep in each other's arms.
The following morning, Alexander woke up first and he suddenly realized that he was being held against a warm and male body. He panicked, thinking that his former male lover Farid had come back and entered his bed. He turned round and found a pair of cerulean eyes looking back at him and a tiny smile was gracing a pair of tempting pinkish lips.
"Joy to you, Xander" Hephaestion greeted his mate.
"Joy to you, Hephaestion. I am sorry, I did not mean to be here … I don't even recall coming to your bed and now you …" the prince was stuttering and his nerves were all over the place.
"Look around Alexander, this is our room" Hephaestion explained carefully and slowly to let Alexander understand what was happening.
"Oh I see, Our room" he whispered and a tiny flame of hope revived in his heart.
"Are you angry that I am here?" Hephaestion asked a bit anxiously.
"No, of course not, but I thought that you did not want to have anything with me anymore and …"
The prince's babbling was interrupted by a quick peck on his lips that left him astonished.
"I want to make this work Alexander, but you have to tell me if you are ready to focus on us and our problems as we had promised each other some years ago" the brunette seriously asked.
"I am, Phai; I have realized about my many mistakes and I have already been punished by the Olympians; however the merciful Hera gave me the strength to recognize my mistakes and some very useful pieces of advice to try to get you back" Alexander explained.
"It seems that Hera had been very busy lately; she also visited me and made me see some situations that I was too blinded by my anger to understand them. So what about we take little steps and rebuild our partnership?" Hephaestion asked.
"You don't have to ask me twice" Alexander replied and feeling more relaxed, the prince sealed their promise with a chaste kiss.