December 429 BC

*WARNING! There is a scene of family violence in this chapter!*

Notes: Chapter six is uncharacteristically small for one and only reason. For the emotions to settle into our minds. We need to feel them. It's a real phenomenon that happens every day in countless households. We should not close our eyes. We should not close our ears. Physical or emotional abuse is a common parenting method -behavior-, unfortunately. In some cases, it's intense, in others smoother. Still, to all the parents out there, don't make the same mistakes. I understand you may grew up in a bad toxic environment and that kind of treatment may be the only thing you are familiar with. Use it as an example and do the opposite. Be the type of parent you

needed when you were a kid. The one you may never had.

*Peace, love and support to all of you out there!*

The heat of summer is long gone. The windy rainy days of autumn have given way to chilly long nights and icy surroundings. The first snow is covered with a new thick layer. After all these months, he is back and she is out to meet him once more. She runs up to him and falls into his embrace. His arms wrap around her and then he pulls back. She doesn't actually comprehend why they meet in such secrecy, but she trusts him.

"Kassandra. I missed you so much."

"I missed you, too. My... mysterious soldier."

He chuckles and cups her cheek with his palm for a brief moment. "You can call me Hyakinthus. I would die a thousand deaths for you."

His words cause her breath to hitch in her throat. A wide smile spreads upon her flushed cheeks. His adoration seems to grow stronger and it feels so good. It feels real and genuine. Despite the paradox of not having actually seen him, she already feels connected to him. Her heart pounds loudly and matches his beat like one. She has no doubt any longer. He proved he isn't saying empty words when he approached Nikolaos.

Hyakinthus suits him. The nickname is meaningful to them both as they first met during the feast of the Hyakinthia. At the same feast two years later, they started dating. It's actually symbolic. She wonders how she hadn't thought it earlier. For months she didn't know how to call him when it was so simple. As he pointed out, even the myth itself could inspire her, considering the love and devotion of Hyakinthus toward Apollo.

She crosses her arms over her chest and turns slightly away from him. "You can start by being honest with me."

"We are close."

He places a hand on her shoulder and gives a light squeeze. Pulling her closer to him gently, he smiles. She turns at him and leans on him. His body radiates warmth and she finds comfort in his touch.

She sighs. "My father hasn't returned so far. I worry for him, Hyakinthus. We may never make it."

"Have faith." He whispers and takes her hands in his.

She is cold. Her fingers are colder than snow and he frowns with his recklessness. He unclasps the pin holding his cloak and takes it off with one hand. Bringing it over her, he wraps it around her shoulders and gently rubs her back. His touch warms her on the chilly night. She looks up, if there was more light, she could see his eyes like this. He leans down and touches her forehead with his. His warmth lights a spark in the depths of her core. Her hands reach for him. His chest first and then up at his collarbone. The heat of his skin welcomes her touch. Her fingers trail up his neck, stopping there.

His grip around her becomes stronger, as he holds her in his arms. The gap between their bodies closes in. She feels she is prompted to readjust and she does. One hand moves at his nape and the other over his arm. There, at the back of his head, it hangs, a braid. His braid. She can quite picture him with his red chiton and- no, that sounds annoyingly common and reminds her of an unpleasant man. Suddenly, she realizes that her body is pressed against his. The previous image dissolves as quickly as it came. This closeness is so comforting and unusual at the same time.

It's strange for her, completely new and she regrets in a way she hasn't experienced this beautiful feeling before. It makes her feel safe. Right at this moment, nothing seems to matter. Who she is, or who he is. Where they are. Nothing can faze her. It's like his embrace is magical and nothing matters when she is into it. Like the babies that only cease crying in their mother's arms. It cannot be explained or even be understandable. It's a sensation with a certain effect.

It brings serenity in her. Even the most frightening event seems imperceptible with him around. All her worries seem small and nothing is stronger than what she feels at this moment with him. Such as the familiar howls of the wolves up the mountain. They are far off, unable to scare her one bit. Instead, she focuses on the good things. The sweet sounds of nature at night, the distant roar of the tumid river, and the hoots of owls surround her. Everything echoes so lovely and yet, nothing feels better than him. The weight of his arms, his hot skin under her palms, the closeness of his face, they all feel so nice. At some point, she is aware of their breaths, both unreasonably heavy. His face slides down against hers slightly and her heart skips a beat. Her stomach clutches in the idea of a kiss. Imagining his lips landing softly against her, lights a fire in her. She swallows and exhales, releasing a breath she didn't know she was holding. And he leans further down, closer to her now parted lips.

If it's a mistake, she doesn't care. She wants this.

"What are you waiting for?" She questions in a hoarse voice just above a whisper.

It rings strange in her ears. Surprised with her own boldness, and her ease with him in everything, she bites her lip. He makes her feel more comfortable than anyone else. Makes her feel courageous. She can be straightforward with him and it brings a strange feeling of freedom. She hardly recognizes herself.

His reaction doesn't allow her to ponder more on her behavior.

He freezes like he has changed his mind. Like he has regained his state of mind once again. He raises his head slowly to its normal height. Before he can make it, she rushes forward. Her lips land on his chin and then his head rises higher. Stepping on her toes, she kisses him again, beneath his lower lip. She can't reach him. She waits for some kind of response, but he stands unmoving. He is a living statue, holding her as he did, yet refusing to give in. Even though she didn't intend to test him, he passes with flying colors. He doesn't seize the opportunity which he definitely would if what Alkmene said was valid in his case.

Shocked with how daring she acted all of a sudden, she wastes just one more second to listen to her heart. With a relieved smile, she tries again. Uncertain at first. Once, then twice, she brushes her lips against his skin.

She can't understand where she found the confidence to do it. His hands are wrapped around her body while his palm draws circles at her back. His reaction is more than a simple acceptance, it encourages her to continue. Her fingertips are numb, stroking the soft skin of his neck. With every kiss, she senses he holds her tighter on him. It appears he doesn't misunderstand her. He not only isn't advancing, he hardly responds.

They stand embraced. He exhales in some kind of hiss and brings his mouth to hers. Slowly at first, careful, and then more passionately. The way his mouth claims hers sends jolts all over her body. His lips are soft as they brush on hers. His breath is hot against her cheek. She gasps opening her mouth. His hands move gently at her back as their lips taste each other.

She has lost all track of time when he pulls back in what seems a hard effort.

"You had better return home. It's very late. You'll catch a cold." He mutters almost to himself.

Her heart beats fast in her chest as he steps back giving her space. Her cheeks flush with color and unfamiliar heat. She has lost her voice completely and he seems to try hard putting some distance between them.

Her brain doesn't cooperate. She wants to ask him whether she did something wrong. She fears she appeared foolish or frivolous. He doesn't give her any time to recover and find courage. With a hand at her waist, he leads her toward her house and waits at the fence as she makes her way in.

She lies down in her bed, his taste lingers on her tongue. The sense of him around her is still there. She is in no mood to change, she is warm as she is, though colder now that his body is absent. She pulls the cloak around her better and closes her eyes reliving the moments of this wonderful night. Hypnos welcomes her with beautiful serene dreams.

She is walking in a green vast field crossed by a beautiful river with clear blue flowing water. The sun is high in the sky and casts a lovely warm light all around her, making the many colorful flowers beneath her feet even more vivid. Two gorgeous butterflies with shining wings looking like rose petals circle each other playfully in a mesmerizing dance. She looks in awe as they fly ahead of her. Following them, her gaze lands on a male figure. His. He stands with his back turned on her. The braid hangs at his nape, his short brown hair spark in the sunlight. His red cloak waves behind him in the wind.

Her breath gets caught in her throat.

He is no more than a few paces away. Her feet pound faster against the fresh grass. She stretches her hand and calls him, to turn around and pick her up into his arms. She almost touches him when he starts to steer.

A yell pierces her ears.

The image freezes with her unable to move and fades to black. Her eyes flush open and see Myrrine leaning above her head. She is hissing words repeatedly. The girl rubs her eyes washing away sleep and the memory of the dream. It was an oneiro and now she woke up into a nightmare. When her senses clear enough, she hears it.

"Kassandra! By the Gods where did you find this?"

The first slap lands on her face at the lack of response and the terror in her eyes upon realizing what she's wearing. She is wearing his cloak.

"Who are you secretly seeing? Shameless girl! Like some kind of hetaera!"

The insults land like knives in her heart. She is unable to control her tears. She is ashamed of herself. She buries her face in her hands, hiding into the fur of her bed and curling her broken body as her mother hits and screams at her.

"Stupid, sly girl. You dishonor us! Where do you meet? You didn't dare to get him in here, did you?" Myrrine yells pulling her daughter by her hair forcing her to rise.

Another slap lands on Kassandra's red cheek, wet with silent tears.

She has nothing to defend herself. She can't reveal that her father in a way knows. Her mother will get even more furious and it's not fair for him either. She doesn't have his consent, he just didn't hit or yelled at her. He didn't have time to tell her his opinion. What could she say as an excuse? She decides to lie, to cover for last night's weakness. Her first misstep and this happens to her.

"We just talk scarcely. I was feeling cold and he gave it to me." She says with big round eyes, red with tears.

Myrrine doesn't buy it. Her palm lands on her daughter's face again. A few more repeated insults and she pulls the girl's hair. The woman can hardly control her rage.

"You talk? At night, huh? I didn't expect you to be such a liar."

Kassandra raises both hands in pleading. "I swear we didn't do anything improper." Despite kissing, she adds in her thoughts.

Her mother scoffs and pulls her hair again. The beating and the screams don't stop. No matter what the girl tries to say. No matter the tears. No matter the pleading sobs. It's almost dark outside when her body ceases receiving blows.

"You are grounded until your father returns. You aren't allowed to exit this house." Myrrine states and leaves the room.

. . .

Kassandra is crying in her bedroom, curled onto the furs in the corner. Her hands are circled around her legs, knees pressed against her chest as she leans her head on them. A soft voice at the other side of the door calls her name. She is in no mood to respond. She wipes her tears with the back of her hand and remains there.

The door cracks open and Alexios's head appears hesitantly before he walks inside and closes it behind him. He examines his sister who acknowledges him with a small voice. Taking in her state, he quickly turns wide horrified eyes to meet her gaze.

"Kassie. What happened? Why is mater angry with you?"

His voice is small. He is still so young. He doesn't have the stomach to actually face her. He is a boy in a taller and increasingly muscled body, but there is no soldier in training in him. No Spartan within him, yet. She wonders if she would rather be younger than Alexios, to have him protect her and look after her. He could be a sweet older brother or not. What if the harsh training changes him? She has seen it with boys her age from the neighborhood. She fears it can happen to Alexios and she decides she would never want to miss the opportunity to get close to him. Neither miss the chance to form this bond that they have. Still, right now, he is young and innocent, unable to help her in any way.

"It's complicated."

"Tell me. Let me help you. I can-"

She cuts him off, shaking her head. "You can't do anything. She thinks I did something bad."

He lowers his head and steps closer hesitantly. Avoiding to glance at her, he looks at his toes. His slender hands cross behind his back awkwardly, in a familiar pose all the men and boys over seventeen mimic to perfection. She has no soul to laugh at that or even smile. She only sighs, noting that everything around her changes fast.

"Don't you trust me? Why?"

"You are young, Al."

"I'm twelve. What is it that you cannot say?" He pauses, his nose wrinkles in thought. "Sis, you have a boyfriend? The one you hid his flower and message from me?"

"Hush, Alexios. No. Not, exactly. He is a friend."

"Mater doesn't believe you."

She nods and raises her palm open in front of her. He reaches out and grips her hand. She pulls him to walk and sit down beside her.

"No, that's why I'm grounded." She replies with a sigh and leans against her brother.

He stays quiet wrapping a hand around her in a loose embrace. She turns at him and he finally faces her. Seeing her hurt and sad affects him. The sorrow in her once joyful eyes brings him sadness and a tightness in his chest.

"Do you want me to tell him, you aren't allowed to go outside?" He asks with renewed hope and childish playfulness.

She examines him, pondering on his purpose. Is his curiosity taking the best of him and does he want to tease her, but respects her bad mood, or he really cares? He is still a child, his boyish body and behavior haven't faded so much, yet. He gets taller fast. She could swear he gains height almost every week. He struggles to hold his smile cute and not let it turn into a grin. She shakes her head sticking out her tongue.

"No, thank you, little brother." She says smiling and embraces him.

He has managed to make her smile and reminded her of an important action, at least. As soon as Alexios exits the room, she writes a letter and waits for an opportunity. When her mother goes to the agora, she rushes outside and places it at the spot in the tree he leaves his messages. She knows he will look there and find it soon.

- My mater saw your cloak. She doesn't allow me to leave the house. She'll be watching me.

I'm sorry. -

The words she wrote replay in her head constantly, as she calls into question her choice. Afraid she let too much information on that piece of paper, she keeps an eye out all day. Stealing glances out of the window to make certain no one discovers it. The next day, she gets a single flower. She guesses he is trying to be discreet and not to get her in more trouble. In spite of his good intention, she misses the gesture.