Warning: Incest. Yes, you read correctly =^^=

 

CHAPTER 178

 

What was Hephaistion thinking when he took his brother to his room? He had no idea, but it would be more accurate to say he was not thinking at all, he was following his instincts, for once, paying more attention to what he wanted to do instead of what he should, letting that little voice inside his heart to guide him, silencing all the rest. This was what? Right? Wrong? Crazy? For a glorious moment he did not care for labels, the only important thing was to keep feeling… 

 

The hipparch had not lie, he was not jealous, but he was upset and did not want to spend that night alone; he wanted to have someone pampering him, to feel someone sleeping at his side, to wake up accompanied. He was fed up of never ending days full of bad news and problems: the take of the fortress, the wine with the aphrodisiac herbs, Cyrus’ revolt, Achilles’ sadness and now Alexander’s wedding. He needed, desperately, a break. 

 

And, is this a break? –thought Hephaistion during a brief moment of clarity, in the midst of that whirlwind of emotions.

 

Nikandros said nothing, what could he? He had never been good with words and was unable not understand Hephaistion’s feelings that night. Why was his brother so upset? Why was he doing this? Too many questions, and he had never being the patient type, hungry for answers, always looking the true. He like simple things and would take this opportunity without complaining. There were simply many things he would never understand about his brother starting with the fact that the hipparch over thought every single detail of what happened in his life. They were so different in this, but that did not matter…Nikandros would do whatever it took to make his brother happy and, if Hephaistion felt better with him there, he was not going anywhere.   

 

The hipparch thought over and over again the same thing, repeating like a mantra that he had not planned this. That night, when the banquet began, he never imagined he would end in the same bed with his brother, his weight deliciously crushing him, feeling Nikandros kisses; soft, tender, loving and very chaste kisses compared to what they used to do when he had no memory. Hephaistion stopped thinking, stopped questioning everything and closed his eyes, feeling the lochagos’ fingers running through his cheeks and neck almost as if he were dreaming, as if this were nothing else than a very sweet dream.

 

After their adventure with Tomyris, Hephaistion thought they would never be in this situation again but…

 

It is so hard to stay away from a person that, not only loves you almost as you love him, but that makes you feel so good, so needed, so comfortable… –thought the hipparch, moaning softly, surrounding his brother’s neck with his arms, relaxing completely under his touch.

 

Nikandros caressed his face with his lips and nose, feeling Hephaistion’s long fingers brushing his hair, playing with a lock, curling it in his finger, and sliding his free hand up and down his nape, sending soft tickles through his body. He did his best to restrain his hands from covering the hipparch’s body from head to toe, understanding that this was not what his brother was looking for; he was happy savoring this intimate moment of soft caresses that the lochagos thought he would never enjoy again. 

 

…until they both fell asleep…

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion was starting to seriously consider the fact hat he was cursed and was really paying for something he had done in his previous life. First, he loses his memory and ends having a threesome with his lover and his brother…not that he complained much about that, it had not been that terrible, in fact it had been so hot that the sole memory of that night had caused him a very serious moral crisis. And now, now he was driving to the hotel where, just an hour ago, Alexander’s band had been celebrating until the blond decided it was a good idea to kill his bass player.

 

He knew it was a bad idea to drive in his state, at the edge of a nervous breakdown and very close to be completely hysterical, but he had not thought things with calm, after hanging the phone he moved like an automat and his guidelines took him directly to his car. Now, watching his hands trembling so badly, he realized it would have been a better idea to call Nikandros or take a cab. Too late now.

 

When Hephaistion arrived to the hotel, he was welcomed by several ambulances, police cars and reporters, and embraced himself waiting for the worst. Later, he was unable to recall clearly what had happened in those chaotic moments but, when he was conscious of his surroundings again, he was standing in front of Julius. The Roman was so calm that he looked out of place. How he managed to do that? The Macedonian had always wondered that, but the manager was a living enigma, impossible to know what was he thinking. 

 

— Where is Alex? –asked Hephaistion with a voice he hardly recognized as his own.

 

Julius did not answer. As if nothing especial were happening he took the Macedonian’s arm and walked with him far from the turmoil of paramedics, police officers, curious people, employers and others who had nothing better to do than to meddle in other people’s business.

 

— Alexander is with the paramedics, and before you ask he is as fine as one would be in his place –he added when he saw the Macedonian’s expression of absolute concern— And a little in shock too. 

 

— What happened? –that was the question that had been eating Hephaistion since he heard the news.

 

— Well –the Roman looked at the reporters at the other side of the hallway, pondering how to explain this without alarming the Macedonian— I imagine you know Alexander was planning to kick Kleitos out of the band, and since you know him better than I, I won’t bore you with details. They argued, very violently, and your lover pushed Kleitos from the balcony of the 13th floor –his voice became only a whispered when he reached the last part and Hephaistion’s eyes doubled their sized— I was the first one who arrived. Alexander was pretty shaken for what had happened and cried uncontrollably, he was at one step of jumping too, saying that he could not live with that shame.

 

Hephaistion went pale.

 

— Oh dear God –he hid his face in his hands— Is he going to jail? –he lifted his head, ready for the worst. 

 

— No, my version, that is of course the official one, is that Kleitos was so drunk that he stumbled and fell from the balcony –said Julius for Hephaistion’s absolute astonishment, relief and admiration.

 

— And the police believed that? –the Macedonian exclaimed, never rising his voice.

 

Julius looked at him as if he had asked if the sky was blue.

 

— Of course they did. I could make a cow believe she is donkey –and for the Roman’s utterly surprise Hephaistion embraced him.

 

— Thank you.

 

XXX

 

It took them months until Alexander overcame the fact that Kleitos had died because of him…months, nightmares, an overwhelming doses of drama, many discussions and a threat of his mother to go in person to take care of him, but now the blond could say he was fine. In fact, at the end, not everything turned out to be that bad, after such a tragedy 2 good things had happened: one, the relationship between Alexander and Hephaistion was stronger than ever and two, Hephaistion did not hate Julius anymore.

 

The Roman had saved his lover from jail thanks to his great oratorical skills and that amazing ability of his to have people doing what he wanted while making them believe the Roman was actually making them a favor. After 10 minutes with the press no one doubted Julius’ version that Kleitos’ death had been an accident and for Hephaistion this had no price. He had decided that the Roman was not that bad after all.

 

And, as a bonus to their happiness, Hephaistion’s new book was an overwhelming success; he even had a contract for a movie, which had him with a permanent smile of his handsome face. A kid who had just heard that Santa Claus was coming every night would not have looked as happy as the Macedonian. Everything was improving and the blond’s band even had a new bass player. 

 

— I don’t like your new bass player –said Hephaistion one morning during breakfast, making his lover laugh.

 

— First you don’t like my manager, who lately has become your new best friend, and now, you don’t like my bass player? Why? What has Seleucus done to you? –asked the blond, devouring his breakfast. Those days when he had to take care of his diet thanks to his high cholesterol levels were gone and, he could eat again everything he wanted without having a can-can dancing chicken plaguing his dreams every night.

 

— Nothing, it’s just…I don’t like how he looks at Aki –said Hephaistion, leaving his fork and knife aside.

 

Alexander stopped chewing and frowned.

 

— Why? –his beloved shook his head.

 

— I don’t know how to explain it but… —Hephaistion puffed his cheeks out— I think Seleucus likes Aki.

 

— Phai, Aki is 12. Are you sure about this? –his beloved shook his head.

 

— No, I am not sure –Hephaistion continued eating— Don’t mind me. 

 

— Phai –Alexander, leaned to the front, softening his voice— If you think Seleucus could do something to Aki…

 

— I did not say that –the last thing his beloved wanted was to cause problems to his lover just when they found a new member for the band after surviving to the media and the scandal of Kleitos’ death.

 

— Fine, but either way, if this makes you feel better I will try to avoid having them together very often –said the blond and Hephaistion relaxed.

 

— Thank you –Alexander nodded.

 

— Now, tell me how is everything going with your movie –the blond smiled like a kid on his birthday party and Hephaistion could not avoid smiling back. To have his lover’s support with this project was something that truly had no price.

 

— Great! Everything is just perfect –he answered barely containing his excitement— This is something I still can’t believe.

 

— Why not?

 

— Maybe because I never thought I could be as famous as you are –his beloved admitted— I’m use to see you succeeding and achieving great things, but I have always being just there, and now –he made a pause, taking Alexander’s hand— Now, this is my work and… I am the one who is going to have his own movie –he said in a singsong tone making the blond laugh.

 

— I am very happy for you, my love –Alexander closed the distance between them, kissing his slowly, taking his time to enjoy those lips he loved so much and making Hephaistion moaned softly.

 

— Gross! Get a room for God’s sake! –Achilles complained. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, his bag hanging from his shoulder when he opened the fridge looking for something to eat.

 

They stopped kissing and Alexander rolled his eyes. First they did not kiss in front of the boy because he was too small, and when he stopped being too small he became a teenager, which turned out to be a nightmare. The worst thing that could happen to them was their son’s puberty; it had truly made them reconsider the love they felt for him.

 

— Are you having breakfast? –asked Hephaistion but Achilles shook his head, taking a milk box with all the intensions of drinking from it when— Don’t you dare to do that! –exclaimed his father— How many times do I have to tell you? Don’t drink from the box.

 

— Why not?

 

— Because that is gross.

 

— Fine –Achilles sighed and looked for a glass.

 

— At what time are you coming back? –asked Alexander, leaning his weight back against the chair.

 

— Afternoon.

 

— Achilles –said the blond with all gravity, making the boy turn to face him— You may be taking classes at the university but you are still 12 years old, and I want you here for lunch, is that clear?

 

A not very happy Achilles nodded.

 

— Yes.

 

The boy put the empty glass on the table and left while his fathers’ eyes followed him.

 

— What the hell is wrong with him? –asked the blond, as soon as their heard the door closing.

 

— He is almost a teenager now –answered Hephaistion with all calm, picking up the dishes and frowning when he took the boy’s glass. When was Achilles going to learn to wash his dishes?

 

— You mean… he will get worst? –Alexander asked as if his son had some kind of fatal disease.

 

— Oh, yeah.

 

The blond’s expression of absolute misery was almost comical.

 

— Can’t we lock him in his room until he is 20? –his beloved laughed.

 

XXX

 

— Aki! Aki! –that night Alexander went to his son’s room finding him face up on his bed, with his headphones while reading a book about International Policy— Achilles! –he raised his voice, taking the headphones away.

 

— What? –asked the boy taken aback, sitting on his bed.

 

— I have been calling you for hours –the blond complained. 

 

— I didn’t hear you.

 

— So I noticed –Alexander threw the headphones over the desk— We need to talk.

 

— Fine –the boy crossed his legs in mediating position and put the book aside— I just want to say in my defense that Sophia, may be my cousin, but she agreed with everything that happened between us.

 

— What are you talking about? –the blond frowned, sitting at his side.

 

— Er…nothing –lied Achilles. Alexander knew he was hiding something, but he would find out later, right now he had other things in mind.

 

— You will be staying with your grandmother this weekend –said the blond without preamble.

 

— Which grandmother? –the boy asked with caution.

 

— My mother –Achilles pouted, he did not like to be with Olympias even if his grandmother, for reasons unknown to him, adored having him around.

 

— Why?

 

— Because I want to spend the weekend alone with your father –the blond explained.

 

— So, you 2 are having wild sex and I have to pay for that? –the boy complained.

 

— Achilles! —Alexander scolded him. Yes, he definitely was not sure he would survive through his son’s adolescence.

 

— Why can’t I stay with Nanny?

 

— Because Antigone is on vacations.

 

— Aunt Eni?

 

— So you can be with Sophia? –Achilles had the decency to blush— Your uncle Nick would never baby-sit you, you already know that, and last time Lys was left in charge of you he burned the house.

 

— That is an exaggeration, he only burned the kitchen –the boy pointed out— I can stay with my aunt Thessa. 

 

— You can’t, this weekend Thessa is going out with her friends to celebrate her engagement –said a very unhappy Alexander. 

 

— Is she getting marry? With whom? –Achilles had no idea.

 

— With a good for nothing excuse of a man –said the blond, through clenched teeth. 

 

— Who?

 

— Cassander.

 

— Antipater’s son? Why? I thought Thessa was crazy for daddy –said the boy.

 

— She is but, its not like she can marry Phai, don’t you agree? –Achilles had to admit he had a point— I don’t like Cassander but I can’t forbid Thessa to do as she likes. 

 

— Wow! –exclaimed the boy and they fell silent. There was another one who could have Achilles that weekend but neither was going to mention Cleopatra. Since his sister had tried to have her son back Alexander talk to her only the barely necessary; Hephaistion for his part was civil to Cleopatra and once they had agreed that Achilles would spend time with her but… But the boy did not like to be with his mother.

 

— Aki, I know you don’t like to be with my mother but you need a place to crash this weekend and she was more than happy to have you –the blond insisted.

 

— Fine –sighed Achilles, as happy as someone expecting a session of electroshocks.

 

Alexander ruffled his hair affectingly.

 

— I will make it up for you, I promise –he said, making the boy smile. 

 

— Ok.

 

XXX

 

At last everything was ready for that weekend. Alexander wanted this to be perfect so, he not only sent Achilles to Olympias’ house, he also called all his friends, and his beloved’s editor, to let them know that, if they ruined this weekend in any possible way, he would kill them, called back their spirits and torment them for all eternity. The worst thing was that, as impossible as this threat may sound, everyone believed him to be capable of doing it, even if it was only by pure stubbornness, so all their friends, and Hephaistion’s siblings, promised not to call or interrupt their sacrosanct time.

 

His beloved could not stop smiling when he saw what had his lover planned, but the greatest surprise of all was during Saturday’s dinner.

 

— You cooked this? –asked Hephaistion in utterly astonishment, sitting at the small table, romantically set in the garden with candles and everything.

 

— Yes I did –answered a very proud Alexander— Not alone of course… I have a lot of help actually, but the point is I made most of the dinner.

 

— I’m impressed, what are we celebrating? Is not my birthday, or yours, and our anniversary was last month –the blond served the wine. 

 

— We are celebrating your movie contract –Hephaistion laughed.

 

— I like it.

 

As things turned out the dinner was indeed delicious, whoever had helped the blond to cook was a genius and, even if Hephaistion was sure his lover had done nothing more than to wash vegetables or cut the bread, he appreciated the effort the same as if Alexander had baked the cake all by himself.

 

— Alex, I never asked, what happened with that scandal of your fans prostrating in front of you? –his beloved asked with curiosity and the blond grumbled something.

 

— I don’t get the media sometimes –Alexander answered— I never asked my fans to prostrate in front of me, that was their idea, and now it’s my fault.

 

— Yes, but when they did that you laugh –Hephaistion reminded him. It had happened after a very big concert, the band was going to sign autographs when the fans had the idea of prostrating as if the blond were a King...or a God. At the moment it had been very amusing but next day the media attacked Alexander brutally, especially the most conservative who accused him of overwhelming arrogance considering himself a God.

 

— Phai, they were joking, or are you going to tell me that now you also think I believe I am a God.

 

— No, I’m just saying that maybe you did not react in the best way, but forget about that –his beloved smiled— Why don’t you tell me about your fan from hell –he laughed when he saw Alexander’s expression of utterly dismay.

 

— Julius said I can get a restrain order, and trust me, I will –said the blond. 

 

— Is he so bad? –Hephaistion teased him.

 

— Phai, Bagoas is crazy –said Alexander— I don’t know how he does it but he is always…there! If I have an interview he is right there, if I’m signing autographs he is there, if I have a concert he is at the first row. I swear it, Bagoas knows my agenda better than Julius –he puffed his cheeks out angry— I never told you what was the last thing he did, did I? 

 

— No –Hephaistion shook his head.

 

— I have no idea how, but he got my cell phone number –his beloved looked at him through big round eyes.

 

— You are kidding me!

 

— I wish I were –Alexander shook his head— You should have seen the photos Bagoas sent me –he shuddered as if he had seen the ghost of his dead father.

 

Hephaistion laughed.

 

— Well –he stood up, walking slowly to his lover, sitting on his lap with a grace that many cats would have envied— That is what you get for being so damn hot –he purred before kissing the blond, feeling his hands on his thighs and his thumbs making circles over the fabric of his jeans. 

 

— You have no idea of how much I needed this –whispered Alexander among smacking kisses— Between your book and my new tour around India…Mmm…we don’t have enough time for…us…—he stopped talking when Hephaistion rocked his hips over him.

 

— Do you like this? –purred his beloved, biting the blond’s lower lip.

 

— Mm…you have no idea…Nn…—Alexander took him by waist and when Hephaistion bent over to kiss his neck the chair fell backwards with both of them.

 

The blond took the worst part, hitting his head against the grass, his beloved’s weight crushing him; and that was the end of a wild night of passion. They laughed so much and so hard, that it was almost as if an invisible hand were tickling them...

 

XXX

 

The sun had not risen yet but Alexander was already up. He had spent the night with his Queen, as was expected from him; it had not being a bad experience but no different from his nights with the royal concubines at Persepolis, in short nothing special. Roxanne was not only beautiful she also knew how to make a man feel loved, but if the young conqueror whose experience with women and pillow affairs was close to zero had been as cunning as Nikandros, he would have known that this was not the first time the now Queen had been alone with a man, despite the fact that she was virgin.

 

Regardless of the hour, Alexander was ready for breakfast and to look for his beloved whom he had missed terribly since yesterday’s banquet began. He made his way through the corridors of that inexpugnable fortress, while his mind wandering through last night events trying to recall if he had seen Hephaistion when he left the banquet. Could it be that his beloved had left early? Was he fine? Was he upset? One thing Alexander feared was that his relationship with the hipparch could change after this, not because he wanted, but because he knew his beloved and Hephaistion, who had always taken care of never damaging his King’s reputation, would stand aside to not intrude between him and the Queen.

 

Alexander went to his hipparch’s room and entered without knocking. He was sure his beloved would be still sleeping and the last thing he wanted was to wake him up, maybe they could cuddle for a while and eat breakfast later. That idea made him smile. It was still dark but not dark enough for him to not know that Hephaistion was not only accompanied but that it was Nikandros the one sleeping at his side and, in that moment, when his uneven eyes settled on the brothers, the King’s heart skipped a beat. He froze on his spot and, for a fraction of second, he felt the silly urge to scream and start running in circles.

 

What the hell happened here? –he thought, all his hormones screaming like fan-girls.

 

Alexander tried to swallow but found his mouth suddenly dry. What should he do? Should he leave? Stay? Wake them up and demand an explanation? A very detail explanation? At the end his morbid curiosity was stronger than the rational part of his brain and he sat at Hephaistion’s side, shaking him softly by the shoulder.

 

— Mm…—the hipparch moaned, rolling to rest face up among the rustle of the sheets. He was still deeply asleep after that strange dream and, even if he wanted to open his eyes and see who was attempting against his precious hours of sleep, he could not do it.

 

— Phai, it’s me –whispered Alexander and his beloved opened one eye with the same difficulty of someone trying to lift a war chariot.

 

— Alex?… —he asked sleepily.

 

— Yes.

 

— What are you doing here? –Hephaistion rubbed his eyes with infinite laziness— Is it morning already?

 

— No, it’s dawn.

 

— Get out! –exclaimed the hipparch, rolling to rest on his side again.

 

— Phai, don’t sleep –the King shook him again.

 

— Why are you here? –Hephaistion rolled again to face him— You should be with your wife –it was not proper to leave the Queen on her wedding night and least of all to be with him. What were the men going to say? That he was truly the King’s wife, that is what they were going to say, but more importantly, they could start to question his lover’s manliness and he could not allow it.

 

— It’s all right, she is sleeping –said Alexander like a child making excuses and this time his beloved looked at him, fully awake.

 

— Alex…

 

— I know what you are going to say –the King interrupted him— But I don’t care about what the men think; if that were the case, I would have never married Roxanne in the first place.

 

— That’s different, it was politically correct this is…

 

— Love –said Alexander successfully leaving him without words— This, my necessity of being at your side, it’s called love. And I really don’t care of what people say as long as you are at my side.

 

Hephaistion blushed, feeling like the silliest luckiest person on the face of the earth. What had he done to deserve such a wonderful lover? He smiled sweetly, feeling like a lovesick schoolboy. It had been ages since the last time he felt butterflies inside his stomach and it was wonderful, but before he could open his mouth to say something…

 

— You know? You too are so sweet that it’s starting to be cloying –said Nikandros, in that husky voice of people who have just wake up, embarrassing his brother.

 

— And you are a shameless bastard for hearing conversations that are not of your business –Hephaistion scolded him, kicking him under the blankets.

 

— Its not my fault that you chose to talk at my side –the lochagos, defended himself, kicking him back for the King’s amusement.

 

— How long have you been awake? –asked Alexander.

 

— Enough to know I don’t want to be near the 2 of you ever again –Nikandros complained, yawning— So, how was your wedding night? —he asked to the blond and the hipparch rolled his eyes, would his brother ever learn not to meddle in other people’s lives? 

 

— Not bad, I guess –answered Alexander, shrugging. 

 

— Not bad?! –exclaimed the lochagos, laughing and crossing his arms behind his head— With such a lovely wife I would have expected something else.

 

— Do you want to switch? –asked the King, his eyes on Hephaistion— I imagine that your night was better than mine.

 

The hipparch blushed so intently that he was sure his face was glowing, and to make his misery even worst Nikandros had the nerve to laugh.

 

— Well… —the lochagos embraced his brother as if he were a huge teddy bear, cuddling and making Hephaistion blushed even more, if that was possible— I would have enjoyed more last night if we had actually “done” something.   

 

It took Alexander 2 seconds to register what had Nikandros said, distracted as he was with all the cuddling.

 

— What do you mean? –asked the King.

 

— He means what he says, Alex –Hephaistion pushed his brother away— We did nothing, Nick just spent the night here.

 

The disappointment was so evident on Alexander’s face that both brothers laughed. For Nikandros it was truly priceless to see his almighty King in that situation, used as he was to the kingly side of the blond. He knew his King fantasized with the idea of the 2 of them together but, one thing was to know something and another completely different to witness the event.

 

The hipparch sat, brushing his hair back.

 

— What were you expecting? –he teased his lover— A night of shameless sex?

 

The King cleared his throat and ignored the question, trying to regain what was left of his dignity.

 

— Now that I have you 2 together I want to ask you something –he changed the subject, in his best king-like voice, picking their curiosity— Roxanne can’t speak Greek, and I would like that Eni spend sometime with her, to help her –when neither answered he continued— I know she is mad at me after…what happened to Kleitos but I would truly appreciate if she could help me.

 

Nikandros sighed heavily, running a hand down his face, but it was Hephaistion the one who answered.

 

— Alex, I can’t assure you that our sister will agree but I promise that I will talk to her.

 

— I will talk to her, too –said the lochagos, sitting behind the hipparch— But keep in mind that Eni can be really stubborn.

 

The King nodded.

 

— I know… and I don’t want to force her –he assured them— But Roxanne is going to travel with me and the company of another woman would be great for her –the poor thing thought the Queen needed a friend or she would be lonely. That was a proof of how little the King understood Roxanne.

 

They fell silent for a moment, not knowing what else to say, when a mischievous smile curved Nikandros’ lips.

 

— Alexander I was thinking –he began, in that tone of voice that put all of Hephaistion’s senses on alert— I didn’t give you a wedding gift.

 

Definitely the hipparch did not like this. The King blinked confused, this was the last thing he expected to hear, but then again, you could always expect the unexpected from the lochagos.

 

—  It’s all right Nick, I don’t mind.

 

— No, no, no. I insist to give you something –said Nikandros for the King’s utterly confusion.

 

With his right arm the lochagos surrounded Hephaistion’s wait from behind and with his free hand he made his brother turned to face him, kissing him with all the expertise that his years as shameless womanizer had given him. 

 

What the King felt was as if all his birthdays, all his dreams, and everything he had ever wished in his life had come true in an instant. And overwhelming happiness fell upon Alexander who watched, in complete astonishment, how something he had fantasized for so long, depriving him of sleep for countless nights, was becoming truly at scarcely centimeters from him. On the same bed where he was sitting! He could almost hear music in the room.

 

The King felt the urge to scream again like a fan girl watching through big round eyes how the hipparch’s entire body reacted in a second. It was as if Nikandros had pressed the “on” bottom and all of Hephaistion’s hormones were boiling in that moment. Last time the hipparch had being this aroused was when he was drugged, but he could not help it. The feeling of his brother’s body behind him, knowing that Alexander, sitting in front, just at an arms’ reach, was watching everything, made him moaned softly for his lover’s absolute delight.

 

The heat was starting to cloud the hipparch’s mind and soon he started to consider that it would be a great idea to bed both of them in that moment. Why not? He wanted to do it, he knew Alexander would sell his Empire for this and Nikandros...did he really have to give his brother a reason for this? He felt how his brother’ tongue played inside his mouth, without mercy, stealing the scarce air he could get, looking to bend his younger brother to his wishes. It was too much and Hephaistion slowly spread his legs for the King, making his lover touch the sky in that instant.

 

Alexander had never been this nervous before, but again, he had never being in a situation like this in his 28 years of life. He could not believe his wildest dream was becoming true, and he had to admit that this was better than he had imagined so many times. He almost cried of pure joy. The blond would definitely had to sacrifice something really big and splendid to the Gods for this gift.

 

As it turned out the lochagos was as good lover as he claimed to be, especially knowing that he had an audience to please. Nikandros held Hephaistion’s jaw with force, throwing his head back to lick the length of his neck, feeling the rapid beating of the hipparch’s heart, dragging his lips over that creamy skin before attacking his wet and swollen lips once again.

 

The King could see his beloved’s chest heaving, and heard him moaning louder and louder, and he bit his lower lip in anticipation, feeling, for the first time in his life, how his hands trembled, his body full with anxiety and a burning arousal that had killed his faculty to think coherently. Alexander placed his hands on his beloved’ knees, spreading his legs even more, ready to bend over, lick those thighs that drove him crazy and…

 

And someone knocked the door, breaking the spell.

 

Alexander had never hated anyone like this before, not even his father when he raped Hephaistion, or Memnon, or Scipio, not even Darius when he sold his soul mate into slavery. No, he did not know the true meaning of the word “hate” until that morning when Hermolaus, one of the royal pages, came looking for him. The poor boy wished he had stayed in bed when he saw Alexander’s eyes at one step of throwing thunderbolts. 

 

XXX

 

It was not difficult for Achilles to find Bagoas, the eunuch, as always, was taking care of the King’s bedroom, throwing the cushions with such hate that one may think they had mortally offended him, but the truth was that he was jealous. In Bagoas’ opinion his situation had became even more complicated because, not only he had to deal with Hephaistion, now he had also to deal with Roxanne, a barbarian nobody that the eunuch found so vulgar that he could not start to understand why his King had married her.

 

The only explanation he could think of was that Alexander had fallen in love with her at sight, because Bagoas was absolutely incapable to understand that the King needed Oxyartes if he wanted to go to India during that lifetime. And the eunuch was so lost thinking in his own problems and, cursing Roxanne in all the bad words he knew, that he never heard steps approaching him.

 

— Bagoas –the Prince’s voice made him jump scared and screamed like a girl— I want to talk to you –he said in Persian and the eunuch bowed and followed him.

 

Achilles made sure that nobody was around and closed the door. He sat down on a chair in front of Bagoas, who remained standing. The boy did not speak immediately, he wanted to make the eunuch nervous, something, he had noticed, Alexander used to do a lot. And it worked.

 

— I found a peculiar thing, Bagoas, and I want your help to understand this better –said the Prince, always talking in Persian— Can I count on you?

 

— Your highness can asked what he wishes from his poor servant –answered the eunuch in his honeyed voice.

 

— Excellent! –Achilles looked among his cloths and showed him the letters he had written to Seleucus. The reaction was immediate, Bagoas got so pale that the boy truly thought he would faint— Do you know what are these?

 

The eunuch did the only thing he could do, thinking that everything was lost he threw himself at Achilles’ feet, sobbing and trembling. What could he do now? To deny that he had written those letters was useless, he thought the Prince was sure he had written them, and the only thing he could hope was to obtain mercy. At least it had been Achilles the one who found out, if the King or the hipparch had known this before…He did not want to think about it.

 

— Your highness…I can explain this…

 

— You wrote them –it was not a question. Before coming here the Prince did not know for sure he had written them but the eunuch’s reaction had confirmed it— Why?

 

— I…I…I knew that commander Seleucus is in love with your highness and I… —Bagoas squeezed his brain looking for a way out— I thought your highness felt something for him too so I…

 

— You drugged my father –again Achilles had no proof of this but he decided to take the risk and see what happened. And for his good luck the eunuch’s body betrayed him and he started to cry as if he were already under the executioner’s axe. The Prince decided to press his luck— And you wrote also to my bodyguard using my father’s seal.

 

That was too much, his worst nightmare had just come true, and Bagoas fell, with his forehead against the floor in from of the Prince.

 

— I…I…—he tried to say something, anything! But he words escaped him.

 

For a brief moment the Prince did not know what to do. This, all this, had been nothing more than a hunch that had turned out to be truth, but what now?

 

— Bagoas, I am sure you understand that you can lose your head for this –Achilles decided to scare him— But if you are honest with me, if you tell me the truth, I will talk to the King and ask for mercy.

 

The eunuch nodded, and took deep breaths trying to calm down enough to speak. And he told the Prince everything, even the details the boy ignored and how jealous he was of the King’s hipparch. But Bagoas kept silence in one crucial thing, something he would never confess…

 

Dear Athena! Now, what am I going to do? –thought Achilles, the situation was bigger and more complicated than he had imagined, and he would have to ask for help. 

 

XXX