Here is the next chapter in my story, I hope that whoever is reading it likes it and will review it :) To my two reviewers so far, britni1991 and Kathalla thank you so very much for your wonderful reviews, and please keep them coming.
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After a few hours, many had heard of what had happened to Claudita and Cleitus and were offering their sympathies. Hephaistion hadn't seen his dear friend Claudita for a few days, and decided to go and see if everything was alright. He approached her chamber and gently knocked on the door. There was no answer. He then tried to open the door, which was unlocked, and quietly entered the room.
"Claudita? Are you in here, it's me," he whispered. He searched the room but could not see her. He then noticed that the balcony door was open, so he headed across the room to see if Claudita was out on the balcony. She was. She was sat on a large pile of silk cushions, her long dark hair draped languidly over her shoulders
"Clau?" he whispered. She turned around to meet his gaze slowly. She had been expecting him, as he heard him call her name faintly when he entered the room.
"Hephaistion," she said, in a shaky voice. With that one word, she was undone. His sympathetic gaze lowered to meet hers, as he sat with her on the cushions and brought her to him tightly. Hephaistion stroked her hair and gently rocked her back and forth as she let fresh tears fall onto his chest. He whispered words of comfort to her.
"Oh Clau. I wish there was something I could do for you. It tears me apart to see you like this. Do you need anything, can I get you anything?" he asked her, pulling back gently to examine her face. She shook her head and proceeded to wipe her eyes with the back of her hand. Hephaistion caught her hands in his and placed them in her lap before placing his hands on either side of her face and wiping her tears away with his thumbs. She noticed the way that he looked at her, for she had seen it from him on many occasions. He was her dearest friend, and they had a very close relationship. Hephaistion noticed how she was looking at him. Her watery eyes showing so much emotion. He was overcome with an intense urge to lean forward and kiss her. In this moment she was even more beautiful than ever. She was raw, and she was real. Claudita leant into him further, and Hephaistion found strength enough to pull away from her and hold her again.
"Claudita. I care for you so much. You and Alexander are everything to me," he told her. Claudita was somewhat confused by his quick move away from her, but then again she had been too overcome with emotion to think anything of it.
"Oh Phai, what did I do to deserve this?" she asked him, as she moved out of his embrace and stood, overlooking the balcony. He stood with her and moved to stand next to her.
"Nothing Claudita. You will make a fantastic mother. There will be more chances. You are still young, and Cleitus…," he paused, almost not wanting to finish his sentence as he looked out across Babylon, "well, he loves you. Anyone can see that," he finished, trying to hide the sadness in his voice. Claudita, however, was not fooled. She turned and held him, as he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and brought her to him.
"My Hephaistion," she whispered to him, and brought her face back from his ear to kiss his cheek tenderly. She saw him close his eyes at the touch of her lips on his face. Hephaistion was savouring the feeling, but he quickly opened his eyes.
'Yes, I am yours, Claudita," he replied. With his words, Claudita leant into him, placing her hand on his cheek. She gently licked her lips, and placed a kiss to his mouth. His lips were soft, oh so soft. She pulled back slowly to gauge his reaction and noticed that his eyes were still closed. She smiled softly at him, and traced his cheek with her thumb. Claudita leant in again, and placed another kiss to his lips. This time, Hephaistion responded, and moved his lips in time with hers as he gently brought her into him. He had always imagined being able to kiss her like this, without a care in the world. After a few more kisses, he pulled back from her and shook his head.
"I'm sorry Claudita. That was extremely inappropriate of me. I apologise," he told her, turning again to look over the balcony. Claudita did not understand. She thought he had wanted this. She thought, no, believed that he wanted her.
"I don't understand Phai," she said. In truth, she didn't understand. She looked into his eyes again, and could see them starting to glisten with unshed tears.
"We can't do this," he told her, before he left.