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Chapter 51 - Androkles
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2024-10-29 19:42:56It was different hosting my brother and his wife as guests in my House. All the staff could sense it. They were each a bit unnerved at first, given how much my brother looked like me, like our father. But they relaxed when they were told he wasn't Nikos.
I still don't know what Ismene-Eirene took Cassatt to do, well beyond visiting her parents, but they seemed to have bonded. Which is good as soon they will be family. Even if this will probably be the only time we see them, I'm glad we had the chance. It made me happy to see how well Ismene-Eirene got along with Cassatt and my brother.
"You seem… happier today," Ismene-Eirene commented as I walked her to her room.
"I do?" I asked, furrowing my brow.
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Honestly, I'm not sure what I'm doing. I've mostly just been following instinct. Years before I met Ismene-Eirene, I'd promptly ignored everything my father and Eugenius told me about sex and how to treat women. Oddly it was Aigialeus who gave me advice before the wedding. It seemed sound. He told me to go with the flow, pay attention to her needs, put her needs before my own, and stop if she ever said to. I trust him. I know his first marriage was arranged, and by his own words, they slowly became friends before sharing a bed. And he was genuinely broken-hearted when she died. And then, to see him with Cassatt, they have a happy marriage. So, I'll go slow. I'll let her set the pace. Easier said than done. She's driving me crazy, touching me like this. I know she's not intentionally torturing me. She's doing this to learn the layout of my body in a way she couldn't before. It is not her fault that her touch ignites something inside me that feels more primal. I groaned into her shoul
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I don't know how I managed to have this woman as my wife, but I'm happy she is. I tried to remember the few pointers I'd been given since puberty, especially since our engagement. My brother was vaguer in his suggestions, but Diokles and Hypatos were more explicit. One of their unrequested suggestions was to use my tongue. When I first heard that suggestion, I wrinkled my nose because that didn't sound very sanitary. In my defense, I was sixteen and had recently been dragged to the brothel by my father and Eugenius. So, the notion of sex in all its forms turned my stomach. But right now, as I looked at Ismene-Eirene, my wife, my love, even if I haven't told her that part yet, I understood the reasoning better. Looking at her flushed skin and slick thighs from the pleasure my fingers had brought her, I felt this urge to taste her. So, I did. I dipped my head between her thighs, licking them clean before my tongue found its true target. "Annnndy…" Ismene-Eirene exclaimed. Apparently,
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I only found relief after dinner when I finally got to spend time with Androkles. “You were gone all day." I frowned as he sat in his chair next to me in the sitting area of his office. “I know, and I’m truly sorry. I would have much preferred spending time with you or seeing to my House Ares duties." he sighed, setting something on the small table between us. Based on the sound, it was a teacup, and the smell must be mint. So many things have turned my stomach today, but this didn’t. “You brought me tea? Apology tea?" I asked. “Yes and no. I did bring you tea, but it isn’t exactly for an apology. I’ve heard from Hypatos that your stomach has been bothering you." Andy explained. “He recommended mint tea," he added. “That was very kind of him. I suppose it makes sense that your staff and mine communicate." I nodded as I carefully sipped the tea. The mint helped to settle my stomach. “That feels so much better. Or maybe it’s not the tea and that you are here." I sighed. “Well, whi
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Two weeks have never gone so fast. I knew it wouldn't take long to gather my forces. Most of the time spent waiting was for a particular individual to arrive. But now she's here, which means I can move my troops. I wasn't sure that today would be the day, but then Hypatos brought our guest to my office as I discussed troop movements with my generals. "Lord Ares." Hypatos called out, knocking with his one arm. "The individual you have been waiting on has arrived," he stated as I glanced at him from the map on my desk. I nodded. "Good. Bring her in. And find my wife." I instructed. Hypatos nodded and ducked out of the doorway, closing the door. "Generals, we will be ready to move in a matter of hours. Make sure all your troops are ready." I instructed, dismissing my generals. They all know a rebellion within our House is not suitable for our image, and if it was to spill out and affect beyond our House, it could destroy Olympus in ways the Oracles only foretold I could. As the genera
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"I'm going to miss you so much. It will not be the same to sleep alone again," she confessed."And I'll miss you. The sooner I go, the sooner I can return to you. But I do have a few hours before I do leave. And there is no one I'd rather spend that time with." I smiled as I kissed the top of her head. I smelled her hair, wanting to remember the scent while I was away. She tilted her head up, smiling. "Is that so? Is there something particular you'd like to do with our time?" she asked, her voice having that soft sexy tone that tells me she knows exactly how I want to spend our time. I smiled, glad we seemed to be on the same page. “I have a feeling you already know," I whispered as I kissed below her earlobe. She shivered with a soft sigh. “Yes, I do. But we shouldn’t… at least not here," Ismene-Eirene whispered. Her words broke slightly as I continued to trail kisses along her neck. I was about to answer her that I didn’t care when a knock interrupted us. “M’lord? Lord Zeus has a
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I don't think either of us realized we had fallen asleep till there was a knock at the door. "Lord Ares. Lady Ismene. The army is ready." Hypatos called. I sighed as we detached ourselves. I don't want to think about how this could be the last time we are together. I don't want to consider a future that doesn't include Andy. My stomach rolled at the mere thought. I shook my head, dismissing those negative thoughts. This is Androkles, Lord Ares, The Destroyer, the man I love even if I haven't dared say the words. He will return to me alive. Olympus is doomed if he doesn't, Olympus is doomed, and I don't mean because of Nikos and Eugenius. Because I will rain fire upon those responsible for taking him from me. I am still determining how I will do it. But so, help me, I will find a way. "We shall be there momentarily. You may wait at the front steps." Andy instructed. We dressed quickly, helping each other with our clothes. I love it when Andy helps dress me almost as much as when he
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Life has mostly returned to normal or perhaps a new normal now that Eugenius and Nikos are dead. Against my better judgment, I let Bion live to be sent to the Underworld with the other traitors. He had better be grateful for every breath he takes. I only spared him because Ismene-Eirene asked that no further blood be shed. And I wouldn’t refuse her, even if she wasn’t pregnant with our first child.Today we are meeting with the doctor from Apollo and a midwife from Hera to check up on the pregnancy as Ismene-Eirene has been having a migraine that seems never to end and has complained of pains in her abdomen that aren’t the baby kicking. I’m not sure what I’m doing, but I know I want to be as involved as I’m allowed. Not to mention I don’t trust most people with my wife.
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It's probably for the best that no one tried to stop us on our way to our bedroom. It’s been months since he was home. I want and need to have this time with him. And while most probably fear him more than me, I think pregnancy hormones may make me the one to fear if they did get in the way. The door had barely closed before his lips were on mine, and I felt my back pressed into the door. “Ahem…" someone cleared their throat nearby. With a groan, we both pulled back from the kiss breathlessly. “Hypatos, you better have a damn good reason to be in here,” Androkles responded, not hiding his annoyance. I blushed at the realization of finding it was Hypatos in here. If anything, I would have expected Rea or Helene. “I was trying to leave m’lord. I put some food and drinks out by the bath Rea and Helene had prepared. So, I will gladly go if you move from the door. I have better things to be doing than standing around here." Hypatos explained. Androkles took my hand and moved us away fr
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It was strange, to say the least, as we marched back into Olympia. I saw people from various Houses lining the streets, and they were… cheering. I don't think I've ever heard cheering for me. There was cheering after my arena fight against Eugenius, but I think they'd have cheered if I lost too. The mob is a fickle thing, that's for sure. I gave slight nods as we passed the crowds. As we came to a stop at the gates of House Ares. Holding up a hand, I signaled the dismissal of the army. I watched as the soldiers broke ranks to find their families in the crowd. I watched as wives, children, and mothers hugged the soldier that returned home to them. Most of the women contained tears, but some couldn't. They may have married a Spartan, but it didn't make them Spartans. I could hear crying, both in joy and sorrow. As I know, some widows or parents would not find their soldiers standing here. I'll have to make my rounds tomorrow to notify the families of those that died, but that will wait
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Androkles has been gone for nearly two months now. And I don’t know if it’s because of the pregnancy, but it feels like an eternity since he left. We received word that he had defeated Eugenius and Nikos and would be returning home. But that was weeks ago. But I understand that marching home takes time. Especially as they travel with the injured and dead, his letter advised a battalion would be taking the prisoners directly to the Underworld for judgment. Today I was outside, getting fresh air and exercising as my doctor recommended. Rea and Helene have been of great help in making sure everything is getting done and that my instructions are being obeyed. I also ensured that the main House and the grounds were being cleaned and readied for when Androkles and the army would return. We didn’t know how soon that would be, but I wanted to be prepared. Mitha is still here even though the rebellion has ended. She said she would not leave till my husband dismissed her as he was the one that
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I’ve been away from Ismene-Eirene for over a month now. It feels much longer, which is strange. I never really missed home while gone on an assignment. But then again, I never had someone I wanted to return to. I write weekly, though my letters are updates on the war’s progress. I can’t send my wife a letter saying what I want to say. I don’t know how to write in braille, and I certainly don’t want someone reading my words to her. Only she needs to know what’s in my heart or my head. And it feels somehow like a copout if I write how much I love her instead of telling her. So, I’ll have to wait until I can return to say anything I want. We’ve at least made some headway in this war. My father and Eugenius had gathered many followers. However, not all are pledged to Ares or even any house. Rather odd for unpledged Olympians to want to side with the likes of them. It seems war tends to make strange bedfellows. Speaking of war-making strange bedfellows, Hypatos split off from my main for
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“Death to….” someone started to shout, but their words turned to a cry of pain as I heard a thud. “I am sorry, but if you call for death, The House of Ares is the wrong house.” Mitha taunted as I heard bones cracking. I’m guessing she landed on my would-be attacker. Alexis growled, barking, taking a defensive stance before I heard him sink his teeth into someone who let out a cry of pain. Andy was right about Alexis. Even if the training never yielded results for him to be a reliable seeing-eye dog, he would protect me nearly as fiercely as him. “Bastard dog!” a voice shouted. “ALEXIS!” I yelled as I jumped to my feet, worried for my precious dog, as I heard him whimper in pain. “On your left, Lady Ismene!” Mitha shouted. Her warning came simultaneously when I felt the slight breeze of her wings before another thud. She must have taken down another attacker. I reacted quickly, revealing the long silver stiletto blade, and stabbed to my left. I winced as I put as much strength as
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I don't think either of us realized we had fallen asleep till there was a knock at the door. "Lord Ares. Lady Ismene. The army is ready." Hypatos called. I sighed as we detached ourselves. I don't want to think about how this could be the last time we are together. I don't want to consider a future that doesn't include Andy. My stomach rolled at the mere thought. I shook my head, dismissing those negative thoughts. This is Androkles, Lord Ares, The Destroyer, the man I love even if I haven't dared say the words. He will return to me alive. Olympus is doomed if he doesn't, Olympus is doomed, and I don't mean because of Nikos and Eugenius. Because I will rain fire upon those responsible for taking him from me. I am still determining how I will do it. But so, help me, I will find a way. "We shall be there momentarily. You may wait at the front steps." Andy instructed. We dressed quickly, helping each other with our clothes. I love it when Andy helps dress me almost as much as when he
