The participants in the second conversation-also invisible to human eyes- were even less formal than the previous ones and the tension in their voices was in perfect tune with the sharpness of their words.
"I really don't get it Enni.! Try to explain it again 'cause there is obviously something I'm missing here. You are a master manipulator and although it has been more than three hours, whaddya know ? Total silence! That cunt is having the time of her life laughing and chatting with that washed out dish rag while Ares is drooling like a sick dog, watching her every move , and you…..what are YOU doing again? ''
''As I said…''
''I don't care what you said! I only care about results! And up to this point, the results are disappointing! You had one mission, Ennius, one! ''
''Well you'll just have to learn to wait Discord! She's not as dumb as you hoped she'd be! Plus….she has her watchdog with her …''
''Aphrodite…? Damn her to Tartarus!''
''Not exactly ….Alcibiades…''
''Dionysus' Chosen?!''
'' Surprise!''
''Ares' drinking buddy!''
''Ex drinking buddy! Since the Warrior Princess appeared in the picture, he hasn't been seen at any of the orgies Dionysus has been hosting …''
''Maybe he just got bored with Olympus and decided to change location!''
''Maybe…or maybe now that he has good quality entertainment closer to home…''
''Don't you dare finish that sentence !''
''Women….Why are you even jealous? You two have never had anything official going on, have you? It was all fun and games- that until a certain blue-eyed beauty…..''
''Do you want me to zap you ?!''
''Gods no! I've had enough of that with Poseidon lately !''
''I would have paid to see that! What did you do ?''
''Long story …''
''Is that Lysander?! ''
''Yeah, that's him all right !''
''What is he doing with Xena ?!''
''They have been sign-chatting all evening!''
''About ….?!''
''How should I know? The guy is mute ….''
''Is there anything you do know?!''
''Ouch! Hey! Why did you do that?!''
''Why do you think?! Now get your pretty ass back there and use your charm, cause some drama, break some hearts, whatever…I don't care what you do as long as you get that hoe out of my way! I want her punished and away from Ares for at least a week …''
''That sounds like serious, nasty scheming to me…..''
'' You like that don't you?''
''I like everything that has the potential of hurting that prick !''
''I knew you would. So come on, chop chop!''
''Will you be joining the party?''
''Gods and Chosen-ones only remember?!''
''Oh yeah! You're one of the minor gods. I almost forgot! OUCH! Damn it! Ouch !Shit!''
''If that doesn't teach you a lesson, I don't know what will!''
XXX
Back at the party, the official dance between Gods and their Chosen ones was about to begin. Xena had just taken a seat- sick and tired of having to put up with the attitude of the frustrated men around her- when suddenly she felt overwhelmed by an alluringly dark presence that instantly made her gasp. Two firm but at the same time incredibly gentle hands started to slowly massage her shoulders and by Chronos himself, she couldn't think of a more pleasant sensation and a better company she would have liked to be in.
''Checking up on me ?'' she whispered, tilting her head slightly to the side as the War God's skillful fingers insisted on a certain spot on her neck where he could feel a bit of tension.
''Always. Are you having fun, Sweetheart?''
'' I wouldn't precisely call it fun, but it's been definitely interesting…''
''Oh…Well please allow me to make it fun for you, then.'' he replied with a warm smile, courteously offering her a hand to help her up, and as their eyes met, for a few seconds, she could feel her pulse quicken as the primal force roaring inside him surfaced for a glimpse from the infinite depths of those liquid amber moons staring back at her. There was just something about him, something about his presence that was simply out of this world. The only word that came to her mind as she tried to look for the right one -or one that would at least partly describe him – was magnetizing and that constant, unshakable feeling that he could see right through her as if she were made out of glass- but without actually using her vulnerability into his own advantage- that only made him even more attractive.
''What are you thinking about?'' he inquired in a soft voice and his question instantly made her blush.
'' Nothing ….'' she instantly replied, trying to sound as calm as possible, much to Ares' amusement.
'' If you say so….'' he retorted, as they headed for the dance floor, where all the other Gods were already waiting with their Chosen ones for Euterpe to entertain them with some of her fabulous pieces.
Hardly had they mingled with the crowd that the stunning notes of the pan flute captivated everyone's attention, and the eleven couples began swaying to the music.
Out of everyone there, the Warrior Princess appeared to be the happiest. As the War God pulled her tighter against him, she allowed her head to rest on his chest, and as her eyes closed, for a few precious moments she felt more protected than she had ever felt in her life. With the exception of Cyrene's arms when she was little, no one had ever held her like that. It was an unmistakable sensation that no one could harm a hair on her head and strangely enough, his comforting embrace felt like home….
''Ares…?'' she tried to reach him using their connection, reluctant about having that conversation out loud.
'' Yes Darling…''
''So uh….I've been thinking a bit about …uh..'' she began, unsure about the correct way to phrase it.
''About?'' he echoed, gently caressing her hair and placing a light, encouraging kiss on top of her head.
There was a short pause before she hesitantly continued, her face still half-buried in his chest.
''I think I owe you an apology …''
''Do you, now ?'' he stated, and judging by his tonality he was a bit taken aback by the nature of their conversation. '' In regard to …?'' he demanded, the ghost of a smirk on his lips.
''Erastus ''
There was a moment of hesitation in which Ares appeared to be confused.
''E ..who ?'' he asked out loud, tilting her chin up to look her in the eyes.
''The young man from the temple ….'' she tautly explained, instinctively trying to put some distance between them as if unconsciously expecting an outburst from his behalf, one that never came of course. ''…our fight ….''she continued, cocking an eyebrow when she noticed that slight shadow of disappointment darkening his eyes.
''What about it ?''
''I do realize now why you had to kill him. I still don't agree with it but I do understand where you're coming from -and why it is vital for your followers to fear and respect you …..'' she let out in a shaky breath, silently hoping he wouldn't ask her to elaborate on the subject.
He didn't answer right away, but when he did, he sounded unnervingly casual about it.
''Perfect….That means that we're on the same page then…''he simply concluded, the tips of his fingers now caressing her jawline.
''Yes….''she murmured, unsure of what to make of his reaction.
''Ok…..I gotta ask though ….''he found himself voicing his thoughts. ''You were well aware I was still at the temple- you could feel my presence …why did you feel the need to flirt with the guy ? You could have chosen to limit your interactions to… I don't know….saying hello, maybe ?''and while asking that question, the War God could actually feel a wave of panic coursing through her body. She was dumbfounded – definitely did not expect that…
For the longest of time, the Warrior Princess tried to find the right answer, but with the exception of a half truth, nothing more practical rushed through her mind.
''I was just trying to ….spice things up a bit?'' she let out apologetically, hoping that such an explanation would somehow bring about miracles. It didn't of course.
''Spice things up…?''
''That's what I said…''
''And I did hear you loud and clear…I just don't get the WHY behind the story….''
''I uh….I was just trying to get your attention …''
''That doesn't make sense. You've always had my undivided attention. What am I missing here?'' he asked in disbelief, his eyes narrowing a bit at her.
''Nothing, really….''
''Princess, come on! Just the other day you were trembling like a leaf at the mere idea of getting undressed in front of me and now you're telling me that you were looking to spice things up by flirting with a random guy inside my own temple- right under my very nose so to speak…''
''I wouldn't really put it like that …''
''What would you put it like then ?''
''I just assumed that you wanted more from our relationship…''
''Why would you even think that? And what do you mean by more? More as in…a threesome? '' he couldn't help laughing, aware of how ridiculous that must have sounded for her at that early stage of the relationship.
It was her turn to laugh.
''Gods no! …I don't know what I was thinking, honestly ….'' she confessed, ashamed of the whole situation, shaking her head and burying it in his chest again.
''Sweetheart…look at me …,'' he commanded, cupping her face in his hands and searching for her gaze. '' I've been around for quite some time. I'm old enough to know what I want, how I want it and how to ask for it. You don't need to worry about that when it comes to our relationship. Your only concern should be your own comfort – make sure everything takes place at a pace you're comfortable with and set some boundaries if you feel the need to….That's it.… Do you understand? ''
She just nodded slightly her agreement while focusing her entire energy on one single extremely conscious action -the one of blocking the conversation she had had with Aphrodite in her room. The last thing she wanted was for him to know that the mere idea of him cheating on her or even worse-leaving her- was scaring her to death and that she was willing to do whatever it took to prevent that from happening.
''Good. '' he muttered, scanning their surroundings. ''Are you tired ?''
''No. Why ?'' she inquired, eyeing him suspiciously.
He just smiled at her.
''Are we done here? ''
