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Chapter 51 - Androkles
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2022-12-02 19:00:34It 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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I knew my grandmother enjoyed jewelry. But the reasons for her buying it were lost with her. I stood there, wishing I could see his face to see if the gift was good or bad. I tilted my head a little when he didn't know what to say. Was that a good or bad thing? Maybe this wasn't the broach that was his, only one similar. Would that be worse? But then I had my answer. I was suddenly on his lap, getting comfortable. But then his arms moved around me, and I felt him take shelter in the curve of my neck. "Andy..." I said softly. Has he ever hugged me before? In return, yes. But has he ever reached out to me? I couldn't remember right now. It didn't matter. What matters is that right now, he initiated this contact. This may be the closest and most intimate we've been, but I like it and am not about to run from it. I ran my hand through his short hair before holding my arms around him. "You're welcome, Andy," I whispered as I leaned my head into his, holding him and running my hand thro
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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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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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“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
