My Immortal VIII

After Ares transported them to the Halls of War, Xena noticed that the drugs were starting to wear Eve down. She would need some rest before she went anywhere. Without asking Ares' permission or for directions to the sleeping quarters, Xena led her daughter down the corridor to the servants' rooms. She found one that looked empty and started making the bed ready for her daughter to get some needed sleep.

Eve stood against the doorjamb looking down the long corridor. "A lot of memories in this place," Eve muttered but Xena caught it. Eve hated how at home she felt here. She wanted to despise everything about her days as Livia but there were some memories that lingered sweetly in her soul. She had spent many days at the training grounds in the rear courtyard here and many nights in the Master's chambers with the god she'd worshipped. Acidic bile rose up into the back of her throat and she retched. Luckily, Xena grabbed the trash bucket in time and was able to position it so that most of the puke splattered against its wooden bottom. Xena wondered if it was the drugs making her daughter sick or her remaining desires for the god of war.

"You're gonna be fine, Eve. You just need a little shuteye. Come on. " Xena pulled the covers back and Eve slid in bed. Xena laid down with her and held her while Eve processed recent events.

"I'm not in love with him," Eve didn't want there to be bad blood between her mother and herself. It was clear to her that her mother was in love with him and he had already made his choice between the two of them abundantly clear.

"I know you're not. But he is intoxicating. Especially for women like us who are attracted to power. This place must remind you of how close you came to ruling the world. You're feeling both disgust at what you were and the longing to be her again. I fight those same emotions every time I'm with him.'

"Then why do you put yourself through it?"

"Because, unlike you, I am in love with him and for me it is worth it."

"What happens if the darkness overcomes you one day?" Eve sat up on one elbow and studied her mother's noble profile.

"It won't. He won't let it. He doesn't want her back. Oh, don't get me wrong, he loves to watch me kick ass but that murderous beast that I was, would not have gone to Hell for him, She would've tipped her cup to Lucifer and taken the mantle of war."

"I was tempted by it myself. Apollo even offered to make me his queen. The blackness in me even toyed with the idea for a microsecond."

"Of course it did. You'll have to learn to manage that darkness, but you will. You're strong, you're my daughter and you've been trained by the god of war. You know there was a time, I fantasized about giving him a child, a child of war, an invincible child that we could overthrow Olympus with and rule as KIng and Queen of the gods, Earth, and all of Creation."

"And now?"

"I could be satisfied with just spending the rest of my mortal life in his arms."

"Sounds dull."

"Like I said, I am in love with him, I can't imagine a better use of my golden years."

"Really?" Gabrielle asked as she entered from where she had been eavesdropping in the hallway. She hadn't meant to spy, she was only going to check on Eve and Xena. But when she heard them talking about Ares, she became frozen, glued to the spot. Xena rarely opened up to her about her feelings for the god of war. Gabrielle knew deep down that Xena had a soft spot for him. She figured that the reason Xena didn't talk about him in that regard was because of her own dislike of the war god. Xena may be able to forgive him his many trespasses but Gabrielle would always distrust him.

Xena's eyes went wide. The cards were all on the table. She was busted. "Gabrielle!"

"Sorry, didn't mean to overhear but. . ."

"It's okay, really, it's fine. I was gonna tell you anyway. I am going to be with him. We've already made love and I am staying here."

"So, what? You're going back to being his Warrior Princess?" Gabrielle sat on the edge of the bed.

"I was always his Warrior Princess, I've just decided to quit denying it."

"Xena. . ."

"Wait, you misunderstand. I am not going to lead his army. He's got that under control. I am staying as his partner, his lover."

"His wife?" Gabrielle had to ask.

"Well, he hasn't officially asked me to marry him. Well, not recently anyway."

"But you would say yes?" The bard clarified.

"Maybe," Xena answered coyly. "Look, Eve needs to rest. Why don't you and I take this into the kitchen.'

"I could use a bite to eat," Gabrielle agreed. They both kissed Eve on the forehead and left her to sleep.

But Eve was too wound, she couldn't nod off right away. She got down on her knees and began praying to Eli.

Her lips moved silently over her steepled hands when suddenly she felt a warm presence. A soft hand rested gently on her shoulder. She chanced a look behind her and found Eli's apparition there, comforting her.

"You're not his, Eve. You're mine. My messenger."

"Why do I still harbor these feelings of jealousy and rage? Why do I want to punish him for hurting me, for choosing her?"

"Because you are human, you haven't fully given yourself to Love.'

"That Way is so difficult to walk."

"It is. But I chose your mother to carry you because of her strength. I needed you to have a strong resolve. It's much easier to give into the violence and the power. Did you know that I also once sought power, wealth, and prestige?"

"I know a little, Gabrielle told me about how you met."

Eli smiled. "I was misguided but I saw the Light, the Truth. I want to share it with you. I want to heal you from the demons that have plagued you.'

"I've already been baptized, Eli, maybe I am not as strong as you've hoped."

"I don't believe that." Eli moved behind her and placed his hands tenderly on either side of her head. He let his power wash over her. The power of purity, the power of Love. Finally, Eve found respite from her pain. Eli gently laid her back in the bed and watched her sleep a minute before he headed back to Heaven.

AXAXAXAXAXAX

Ares found Xena and Gabrielle in the kitchen. It was one of the many rooms at the Halls of War that he rarely visited. It was only there to serve the needs of the mortals that served him. The old plump cook, Bilka was ladling mutton stew into heavy wooden bowls and laughing.

"Oh, Xena, how we've missed you," Bilka said but then quickly curtsied as the god of war entered her domain.

"Yes, we have," Ares agreed and waved to Bilka to resume her previous posture.

"I am surprised that so many of you are still here from the old days." Xena commented.

"Good help is hard to find, when you happen upon that certain someone who has just the right stuff, it's hard to let them go."

Xena knew they weren't talking about the staff anymore.

"If you plan on staying long, I can have Hargel prepare rooms for you," Bilka offered.

"Well, I can't speak for Gabrielle and Eve but I will be staying in the Master's suite."

"Really, you're really coming home?" Bilka asked with a twinkle in her eye.

Ares couldn't believe his ears. When he'd told the other gods to go suck it, he wasn't sure that he wasn't dooming himself to a lifetime of loneliness. Sure, Xena had made love to him and told him that she loved him but no promises of a future together had been made.

"If he'll have me," Xena answered and slurped up a spoonful of soup.

Bilka didn't even wait for her god to respond. She knew what the answer would be. "That's wonderful! We'll have a feast. A feast in your honor. Philus get in here," Bilka yelled at the top of her ample lungs.

A young servant, about fourteen bolted into the kitchen, "Ma'am?"

'Go slaughter a heifer, our mistress has returned! Tonight we dine like king and queens!"

The boy hurried off to do the cook's bidding.

Hargel had run in when he heard Bilka scream for the boy. He turned to Xena, a warm smile brightened his tired, old eyes. "Is it true, milady?"

"Yes, Hargel, I am home to stay." It pained her to see Bilka and Hargel so bent with age. When she had last seen them, they were both in the prime of their lives. It was amazing what only thirty years could do. She had brought Blika back from the near east as a slave. Bilka has spent the first year cooking for Xena's army. The lady had grown on the Warrior Princess and so when Xena had killed the Halls of War cook Petrias for serving dates instead of figs, Xena offered Bilka the position. She'd been there ever since. Hargel was a manservant that Draco had gifted Ares with after his successful campaign in Scythia. He was a kind man and always doted on Ares. Xena always thought that Ares held more affection for the man that he did Zeus.

"I've prayed for such a day, His temper is much better when you are here. Shall I prepare a room for your companion?" Hargel asked.

"What do you say, Gabrielle? You wanna put your feet up for a spell?"

Gabrielle didn't know what to say. It was strange to see Xena so at home in this place of death and darkness. She'd always known that Xena had had a history with Ares but she never expected such a warm and welcoming homecoming. She felt out of place. She supposed that was how Xena had felt the times that she had asked her to stay with her and the Amazons.

The bard turned to the warrior. "Xena, I understand if this is something you need to do, but I can't stay here."

"I understand," Xenn nodded. "But please, at least stay for the feast."

Ares' heart soared! Not only was Xena staying but Gabrielle was not even trying to talk her out of it. And they were having a celebration feast. Fuck Olympus! He didn't need Olympus. He had everything he needed right here.

AXAXAXAXAXAX

Eve awoke feeling refreshed. The sound of a lute playing softly from somewhere down the corridor surprised her. In the few years she had spent as Ares' favorite, she could never recall him having musicians in the Halls of War. She wondered what could have warranted Ares hiring a band, he certainly didn't keep a lute player on staff. Her curiosity peaked, she found her sandals beside the bed, slipped them on, then followed the lilting notes to the main throne room. A banquet table dominated the main hall. It was loaded with all manner of dishes from savory meats to decadent desserts. Xena, clearly the guest of honor, was seated at the head of the table. Ares sat to her left and Gabrielle to her right. A few of the gods who had agreed to banish Apollo but who had not been too keen on making Ares choose Xena or Olympus were also seated around the table. Eve noticed, Cupid, Psyche, and Aphrodite. Even Death herself had come. Celesta sat at the opposite end of the table from Xena. The mortal servants avoided her at all costs.

When Xena noticed Eve she gestured to an empty seat next to Gabrielle. "We saved you a spot."

"What's the occasion?" She looked from her mother, to the bard, and then to Ares.

"Your mother has decided to stay here. With Ares," Gabrielle emphasized the last part.

Xena shot Gabrielle a warning glare.

"I see. Are you staying too?" She asked Gabrielle.

"No." Gabrielle answered quickly and speared another olive.

"Where will you go?"

"I thought about traveling to the land of the northern Amazons, try to find what might be left of the tribe."

"Hmmm," Eve gave it some thought. "Would you mind some company?"

"Not at all, Eve. I would love to have you join me. You have my right of caste, you know."

Eve smiled, "Yes, I know. It will be nice to meet my sisters," she said as she sat next to the bard and began to pile food on her plate.

"You feeling better?" Xena asked as she noted with delight the amount of food her daughter was shoveling onto the golden dish. A hearty appetite was a good sign.

"I am, I found some answers."

"Good," Xena responded. She was glad that Eve seemed at peace with her decision to be with Ares. Not that Eve's disapproval would have stopped her but she didn't want to alienate the people she loved.

Xena looked around the table. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Great food. lively music, and friendly conversations abounded. Xena took Ares' hand and held it under the table. It felt so good, so right to be home. Why had she waited so long?

Ares downed his cup of nectar. He was still marvelling at the feeling of having Xena back in his life. He wanted to ask her to marry him but he feared it was too early. Plus, Xena didn't really like being put on the spot. He couldn't do that to her, not here in front of all their family and friends. No, not tonight. He'd just be thankful that he had her here, at all. He squeezed her hand and reached over and kissed her lovingly on the cheek.

He whispered in her ear, "I never thought that the day they finally booted me from Olympus would be the happiest day of my life."

She could smell the sweet honeyed nectar on his breath. It held promises of happier days to come. "I am happy too," she replied and brought her hand up to caress his bearded jaw line.

Cupid stood and walked to Xena's chair. "Mistress of War, would you do me the esteemed honor of granting me a dance?"

Mistress of War? Huh, Xena thought, I like the sound of that.

She placed her hand in Cupid's and her led her to the makeshift dance floor. He nodded to the lyre player to join in with the lutist. They played a jovial melody and soon the other dinner guests joined the two on the dance floor. Ares bowed before Gabrielle and asked her to accompany him. She acquiesced and let Ares wrap his hand around her waist and walk her to where the others were stepping in time. As they began to sway with the music, Gabrielle became keenly aware of just what Xena saw in him. He was devilishly handsome and knew how to move. She knew Xena would kill her if she ever found out but she was actually going moist between her thighs. Ares' heightened god senses could smell her arousal.

"Why you naughty imp," he teased.

"What?" Gabrielle knew she was busted but played like she had no idea what he was talking about.

"Puh-lease," Ares raised an agitated eyebrow.

"Like I'd ever!" Gabrielle spat.

"Like you'd ever have the chance!" Ares retorted.

Ares thanked his lucky stars when Cupid cut in and the god of war found himself dancing with the woman he loved.

"She's hot for you, huh?" Xena also smelled the bard's signature scent.

"I didn't do anything." Ares claimed innocently.

"You didn't have to," Xena wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head against his chest as the band started playing a slower tune.

Xena allowed herself to get lost in the moment. She blocked out everything but Ares, the feel of his body and the rhythm of the music. He turned her so that her back was flush against his chest. He still kept his hand firmly at her hip. She allowed her ass to brush against his stiffening cock as they moved back and forth. He suckled gently at her neck as his free hand roamed up her waist. He barely brushed the side of her breast before caressing her soft cheek with the back of his hand. He turned her abruptly and kissed her. He entertained the thought of whisking her off to the bedroom. But he didn't want his guest thinking he treated her like some tawdry whore. Or that he couldn't control himself any better than a teenage boy. He felt her bring her knee up to tease his groin. By the gods, if she didn't stop doing that he was going to lose his control regardless or their company.

"Xena," he warned.

'Sorry, just need you," she growled.

"We can . . .um. . .we can call it an early night, if you want." He had to put some distance between them, so he twirled her.

"I'd like that," she whispered as she skated back into his arms.

AXAXAXAXAXAX

As their guests filtered out, Xena went to Bilka and asked her to make sure that she and Ares weren't disturbed for the rest of the evening.

Bilka's knowing eyes twinkled. "You can count on me, Xena.'

"I know I can. I can't tell you how glad I am that you are here. That you've been here with him this whole time."

"He's a pain in the arse sometimes but I love him, almost like he's a son. I never had any of my own, you know."

"No, I didn't know. Can I ask a question?"

"Anything, Ma'am."

"What did you guys do when he was mortal?"

"What?"

"When Ares gave up his godhood to save me. He was mortal for over a year. How did you keep this place running?"

"He was mortal?"

"You didn't know?"

"No, not at all. He gave up his godhood for you? But. . ."

"Yes, I got it back for him. But you didn't notice his absence?"

"Oh, yes, we noticed he was gone, but you know him and his great sulks, especially over you. Hades when you supposedly died, he didn't come here for years. Then when he did come back he moped around the halls pining over you. I swear to Zeus, he sat for one whole month in that throne never taking his eyes off of a tapestry of you."

"Oh."

"And then one day, about sixteen years after you died, he showed up with that one," Bilka motioned to Eve. "He was so excited about training her. That's when he had all the paintings, statues, and any remembrances of you taken down."

"I see," Xena studied Eve as she talked to Gabrielle. She must have made quite the impression on the god of war. A young woman with the same killer instinct whose crystal eyes bore such a striking resemblance to the woman he mourned. Really, Xena couldn't blame him. He had no idea it was Eve.

"He ordered everything taken and locked away. Out of sight. But I would catch him some nights down there, in the old dungeon, talking to that painting of you. Crying his eyes out, it broke my heart. I was overjoyed to find out that you hadn't really died, Xena."

"So when he disappeared you thought. . ."

"We assumed he was off trying to get you back, of course."

"Of course.'

"So me, Hargel and the guys, we just kept things going here. so you guys would have a place to come home to."

"I appreciate that Bilka, I really do."

"So no interruptions tonight, right?" Bilka waggled her eyebrows.

"No, not tonight, nor in the morning either. I know where the kitchen is when I am ready for breakfast, okay?"

Bilka gave Xena a playful punch on the bicep. Bilka might have never had little ones of her own but she was hoping some grandbabies were in her near future!

Ares found Xena as Bilka was bounding off toward the kitchen.

"You ready my love?" he came up behind her and wrapped his arms about her waist.

"Almost, I need to say goodbye to Eve and Gabrielle."

"Do you want me to wait for you here?"

"No," she shook her head. "I'd rather you get the bed ready and the fire going."

"Oh baby! My fire is already going."

"You know what I mean," Xena raised her eyebrows and shook her head but couldn't hide her grin.

Ares was smiling ear to ear when he dematerialized into silver light.