Chapter Four

"The Princess wants to have a big banquet in celebration of Prince Paris's union to Princess Helen," Adrexa informs me, her voice panicked. "The banquet will be in five days, and we will need to prepare a feast for at least 500 people, if not more. And the King and Queen will be attending."

Holy Shit!

It has been two weeks since my "marriage" to Prince Braxius. We've stayed away from each other, with me living in the servants' quarters, and the Prince doesn't interact with the servants. I was lonely at night, wishing things had turned out differently.

Isn't marriage grand?

"Okay," I say, taking a deep breath. "We can roast a pig or a boar. It will take a few days. We can order some fresh clams and fish. Those are not hard to bake outside. We can also roast birds and such. We can do this," I tell Adrexa confidently.

I list everything we needed for the food preparations. In a couple of hours, we have the pig that will be roasted and hundreds of live birds in cages to be butchered and cooked.

Five days fly by, and because I am so busy cooking and preparing for this magnificent feast for the palace, I don't have time for any drama in my life. On the day of the feast, I ensure everything is cooked and beautifully presented before being carried out to the huge banquet hall I have yet to visit in the Prince's palace.

With the sun going down, I am covered in sweat and grease from all the cooking I've done since the very early morning. I am about to leave to go take a much needed bath when Adrexa rushes in.

"Jessa! The Monarchs demand your presence. NOW!" she exclaims.

"What? But I can't! I'm a mess!" I exclaim back at her.

"NOW, GIRL!" Adrexa commands and turns around, quickly shuffling back to the banquet.

Not good.

I follow Adrexa, quickly catching up to the short woman. When we reach the vast and crowded hall, I have no time to stop and stare at the extreme grandeur of the room. Adrexa leads me through the large gathering of people, towards the back wall where the King and Queen are sitting on small thrones.

Following Adrexa's movements, I halt and curtsey, and when she does. Keeping my head lowered, " Is this the girl?" a rough elderly man's voice asked.

The real King Priam of Troy! Every historians' wet dream is sitting right in front of me!

"Yes, my king," I hear Polyxena say sweetly to Priam.

Oh no!

"This lowly cook dared to wed my son?" Queen Hecuba sneers.

"Prince Braxius! Come forth!" commands Priam. Not daring to look up, I wait for Braxius to show himself.

Behind me, there is drunken laughter and giggling women. The laughter sounds familiar, and I twist to see Braxius walking drunkenly with two other women wrapped around him. The women are beautiful and finely dressed. Making me feel more ugly and stupid.

Why did I let him trap me like this. What have I done to deserve this?

Braxius stops laughing when he views me. I let the pain and hurt the show in my eyes. He also rakes a heated look over my body, and a frown appears. Concern was filling his blue-blue-green eyes. Braxius realizes I have lost weight from not eating because of what happened between us.

My face is gaunt, and I have circles under my eyes from the minimum amount of sleep I have every night. But I shrug off his concern and turn back to face King Priam and his Queen.

"Prince Braxius, explain yourself. Why did you marry this lowly cook as your consort?" the King demands. Tired of this shit and maybe hoping I can somehow leave here, I step forward and kneel to the King and Queen.

"My King, I did not want a union with Prince Braxius. I refused to give him my virginity, vowing to keep myself pure for my husband. The Prince took me to Hera's shrine where I was examined by the midwife and when I was found pure, he forced me to marry him," I state respectfully with my head bowed.

"I wish for the marriage to be annulled because I have brought shame to your excellent and noble house. Please release me so I can leave and go back home," I plead.

"Look at me, girl," says Priam.

I stare up at Priam, showing no fear. Only sadness at my current situation. In front of me, there is a wizened old man with a white thin beard and hair, with wrinkles around his eyes, mostly from laughing. His eyes are grey and I catch kindness reflecting in them. "Prince Braxius, will you allow this girl to go home?" Priam asks his youngest son.

"No," Braxius answers. The room hushes in anticipation.

"Why not?" the King demands.

"Because I love her, father," he says softly. "Being away from her for these last two weeks has been absolute misery for me. A lifetime will destroy me," he adamantly states.

"Why have you two been away from each other?" Priam inquires.

"Because I am a complete ass. Telling the woman I love she's not worthy of being my wife. That she has to sneak into my room like a common whore at night. She refused and went back to her duties as our cook. Not once asking for her rights of consort. I now desire for her to be my consort. If she will still have me," Braxius informs his father.

"Is this true, girl? You refused to share the Prince's bed because he wanted you to act the whore?" Priam demands.

"Yes, my King," I quickly answer.

"Well, well," Priam says, appraising me at the same time. "Do you love my son girl?" Priam asks me.

"I'm significantly hurt and angry at your son right now, my King. Maybe someday I will love him again," I say truthfully.

"Fair enough," Priam states.

"The marriage will stay valid. My son has finally found an equal but treated her shamefully. I hope he learns from the errors of his ways," the King announces to the crowd.

Then Priam turns his head to Polyxena. "As for you, Princess Polyxena, do not bother us about this marriage anymore. Your constant whining is giving me an earache. Let us return to the feasting!" King Priam commands.

The room started buzzing again with the conversation, and the start of music was being played on flutes and lyres. Relieved, I quickly stand and turn to leave, quickly glancing at the noble gathering.

I wanted to see if the legendary beauty of the Helen of Troy is true. Spotting a woman who I can only surmise to be her, is a comely face that is plump and pink with blue eyes and with shiny golden hair. That is her true attractive feature. Otherwise, she is definitely not a face that should have launched a thousand ships.

Just saying.

When I am done studying Helen, I haul ass back to the kitchen. I head to my cell to grab clean clothes, walking towards the bathhouse.

Once inside the bath, I strip down and hop into the warm, refreshing water. I take my time thoroughly lathering my hair and body, getting all the grease and nasty oils that have collected on my body for the last few days. After dunking my head, a door closed.

Turning to the sound, Prince Braxius is in the room. Too hurt and upset right now, I turn my back to him. "Jessa, I'm truly sorry," Braxius sadly states.

I furiously turn around in the pool to face him, causing waves to lap over the edges. "Sorry?! You're sorry! I didn't have two whores hanging all over me when I was standing in front of your father. You obviously moved on so go be with your whores and leave me alone!"

"Those were old friends I haven't seen in a long time," Braxius implores.

"Really? Well if I run into some 'old' friends of mine, you wouldn't mind me sticking my tongue down there throats right?" my sarcasm is at its max.

"I wasn't going to sleep with them!" Braxius pleads. "I was lonely and wanted some fun company tonight! After the banquet, I was going to beg for your forgiveness and ask you to come back to my room!"

"Why!? So you can use me again and demand I leave like a whore through your side bedroom door?" I spit out.

"No, I want you to be my consort, Jessa. I was wrong with how I handled things that morning. I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you," Braxius voice was demure.

"Give me time," I tell him. "You broke my heart. Now I need to heal. All I can ask for is time." I say softly.

"Okay," Braxius says. Not saying anything more, he turns around and starts to leave.

"Wait!" I call after him. He stops mid-stride. "You still owe me sword lessons, remember?"

Braxius turns back to me, and I catch the hope lighting up his face as he smiles. "Tomorrow night." He leaves me alone in the bathhouse.

I hope I have enough time to escape from here!

About another week later, an ambassador from Sparta arrives.

Here we go.

Braxius taught me basic sword drills throughout the week, and we discovered I was a quick study. That night, while I was practicing sword fighting with Braxius, I inquired about the ambassador's meeting with the King.

"You were right, Jessa," Braxius admits to me while we are going through the sword drill exercises. "The ambassador demanded Princess Helen be immediately reunited with her true husband, King Menelaus. There will be no monetary compensation or bribing the Kings of Greece. This was the excuse they needed to go to war with Troy," he sighs.

"I'm sorry, Braxius," I tell him. "How long do you think it will take for Greece to invade?" I ask.

"Who knows? Weeks? Months? Maybe never," Braxius says hopefully. "We'll be ready for them either way."

I wish I could tell him about Troy being destroyed soon!

"What is it, Jessa?" Braxius asks me softly when he notes my distant look.

"Nothing, my lord. I was thinking about what I should make for tomorrow's meal. That's all." I lie.

Braxius chuckles. "You're a terrible liar." I shrug off his comment.

"Next question Jessa. When will you share my bed again?" Every night Braxius has been teaching me the sword and every night he's been asking me the same question.

"When I'm ready," is what I've been replying to him.

"Okay," is always his answer.

It is getting harder and harder to tell him "no," but he's already hurt me once. Unfortunately, I am not fool enough to be broken twice.

After the Greek ambassador left the city, my days pass in tranquility while I'm waiting for the hammer to smash Troy. Homer said it took ten years for the wall of Troy to fall. But that was just a poem. I have a feeling it is going to be a lot sooner!

I've been monitoring Troy's walls and secret entrances during the time. There is no way for me to escape the palace unnoticed since King Priam has tripled the guards. In addition, Troy has been on high alert since the botched meeting with the Greek ambassador.

My training with the sword is starting to pay off. I can easily defend myself and anticipate Braxius's moves by watching his body language and movements. I think I actually make him proud!

It is all about the rhythm.

"You're becoming a fine A****n, my fiery little hellcat," Braxius teases me when I can fend off his attack and un-sword him like he's shown me. I shrug and smile at his compliment. It has been easier to talk with him these days, and he's really trying to get to know me.

He's even asked around if anyone has seen or heard about my little sister Meena. I don't know what happened to my Irish twin after getting sucked through time on the fairy hill. I've been praying she has escaped my fate in being stuck in an ancient time and place!

So far, Braxius has not heard any news about my sister, so that's is one less thing for me to worry about here! But it didn't take long for the Greeks to make good on their threat.

The day after I could un-sword Braxius, the alarms rang out through the city. The Greeks are here!

I stop what I am doing in the kitchen, not caring about etiquette, and I run to the foyer. I stop and stand at the open doorway, observing Braxius putting his armor on and sword.

Braxius is going to battle!

I witness Polyxena hand Braxius's helmet to him. He gives her a small peck on the cheek, making me wish it was me he was saying goodbye to! Braxius notices me at the doorway. Not wanting to cause any problems or give Braxius undue stress, I slowly returned from the scene and walked towards the kitchens.

To where I belong.

Praying loudly to any listening gods, "Please bring him back home safely!"

"I'm not going anywhere my little hellcat," Braxius says behind me.

Turning around, I run into his arms. I seek his lips without a second thought, and I claim them. We kiss passionately because this might be the last time I get to kiss him again! The thought brings tears to my eyes.

"What are these tears for my little hellcat? So you can't be afraid of me dying? Then you'll have your wish of being free from me," Braxius teases. The statement only makes me cry harder, and I hold onto him longer.

"I don't want to be free of you!" I confess to him. "I was so hurt and angry you didn't consider me being good enough for you!" I sob.

"Shhhh," he whispers while hugging me close. "I'm sorry I made you feel that way. You're everything to me, Jessa." The alarms blasted in the air again. "But I have got to go now and protect Troy. I will be back soon," Braxius states confidently.

"Please be safe and don't do anything stupid," I plead. Then, giving me a kiss on top of my head, Braxius backs away from me and turns. "Please come back to me," I whisper softly.

The palace was filled with news throughout the day, eventually reaching us servants. There was a skirmish with the Greeks led by the fearsome Achilles, and many Trojans died under Achilles' sword. All I can do is wait to hear the fate of Braxius.

By the time I went to bed, the sun had been down for hours, and I was too exhausted to wait up any longer for any news of my husband. I think I have finally forgiven him! Please bring him back to me!

I was out the second my body hit the pallet in my servant's cell.

I am suddenly awake. All is black, but there is a shuffling noise near my pallet. "Hello?" I ask the dark softly, my voice conveying my fear.

"Shhhhh. It is me, my little hellcat." Relief floods me at Braxius's voice. Reaching out in the darkness, I grab his shoulder. He is warm and soft like he just had a bath. This probably explains the lack of body odor that usually follows a long day of physical activity.

I slide my hand up, realizing Braxius has no tunic and is completely naked.

Don't need to ask me twice!

Wanting to be with him because I was so afraid I already lost him to the Greeks, I removing my exploring fingers to quickly strip out of my clothing.

"What are you doing, Jessa?" Braxius asks me from the dark.

"Shhhhh," is all I say. Replacing my hand to where I left off on Braxius's shoulder, I slowly trace his skin up to his neck and softly find his lips. Finding my target, I quickly and quietly move my anxious body close to Braxius's and grab his lips with mine.

Braxius must have been as impatient as I have at our separation because he is on top of me in a blink of an eye. He has already placed himself between my legs and is seated deep inside me with one thrust of his big cock. I moan loudly, bordering between pleasure and pain at the moment.

"I need you now, Jessa," he says desperately in my ear. I've read about warriors need some kind of release after a battle.

Death does things to people.

So I let Braxius fuck me raw and brutal, and I'm fucking loving it!

Pounding into me like a feral beast, he doesn't let up. His heavy balls are slapping into my ass while his cock is causing exquisite friction on my clit. "Harder!" I yell harshly into his ear, the dam of pleasure is about to break.

Braxius starts thrusting into me harder and faster, and it was enough for me to come so hard I'm screaming his name into the dark cell. My bruised pussy is milking Braxius, begging for him to release deep within me.

"Gods! Jessa!" Braxius roars, shooting his warm ropes of cum deep into me. When Braxius finishes his final thrust, he gently falls onto me. We are now both slick with sweat and panting.

"Guess you're going to need another bath," I tease. Braxius doesn't chuckle or reply. Instead, he's lying very still on top of me, even though he's still inside me. "What's wrong, Braxius?"

"I shouldn't have been so rough with you," he answers sorrowfully.

What?

"Braxius, I really really enjoyed that!" I say enthusiastically. "I hope we can do it again--just not right now," I quickly add.

I am currently a little sore. But definitely not telling him that!

"So much death, Jessa," Braxius says quietly into my neck.

"I'm sorry, Braxius. But you're home now with me," I say softly in his ear. "Go to sleep. You need to rest."

Braxius maneuvers his body to lay sideways between me and the wall, giving me a peck on the cheek. I turn my body away from him so he can spoon me, and we can lie together on the small pallet, and he can keep his cock sheathed deep within me. His breathing slows and the sound escaping from his mouth are deep sighs.

I use the rhythm to help lull me back to sleep. Before drifting off, I sadly think...

Who knows what tomorrow brings? Unfortunately, I DO know what tomorrow will bring for this city. Death and Destruction.

"Jessa! Jessa! Wake up!" Is yelled in the distance as the warm body against me shifts slightly. "Jessa! You lazy girl! Get up this instant!" The voice is sounding more insistent and demanding, now with the added noise of knocking on the wooden door to my cell.

"Go away, Adrexa!" yells a very annoyed Braxius from behind me.

"My...my lord?" Adrexa sounds dumbfounded from the other side of the door. Peeking my eyes open, I catch the soft light from Adrexa's oil lamp and Adrexa's shadow through the crack between the floor and the door. I could see her shifting from one foot to the other, unsure of what to do.

Something's not right.

"Adrexa?" I call out. "What is it?"

"Princess Polyxena, Jessa. She assumed Braxius died in the fighting yesterday because he didn't return to his rooms last night when all the surviving fighting men returned to the city. So she has summoned the whoremaster who is now on his way to come fetch you!" Adrexa states in a panicked voice.

"That bitch!" I state furiously. "I'm going to beat the shit out of her once I tell the whoremaster to go fuck himself!"

"Shhhhhhh, my little hellcat," Braxius soothes. "I'll handle this situation."

"They're here!" Adrexa hisses through the door.

"Out of my way, crone," Polyxena bitchily commands on the other side of the door.

"This door, my lady?" A man asks.

Lady, my ass!

The door to my cell is forcefully kicked open and in stomps an ugly, hairy, smelly, beastly man who looks and smells like he hasn't washed in a decade. He is holding a torch, and his eyes start gleaming when they land on my semi-nude state, my body half-covered with my small blanket.

The disgusting whoremaster takes a few steps closer to me, oblivious Braxius holds me tightly to his chest. I had to stop breathing through my nose to keep from gagging at this horrible man's odor. He definitely fits the profile of a whoremaster.

Polyxena waltzes in a couple of feet behind the whoremaster and stops dead in her tracks, and her face pales once she sees me in Braxius's arms.

Fuck you too bitch!

"My lord? Thank the gods! We thought you perished in the fighting yesterday since you didn't go to your rooms last night," Polyxena states calmly. She has already recomposed herself after her initial shock of seeing Braxius alive and healthy.

"I see your first order of business after my supposed demise was to sell my second wife to the worst whoremaster in the city." The air in the room went very still with the coldness in Braxius's voice.

"Polyxena," Braxius commands. "Go to your rooms. I will deal with you shortly." I've never seen that woman move so fast the entire time I've been here.

"You, whoremaster. Out of my sight. Don't ever come to this palace again, or I will set my hunting dogs on your smelly ass. Go!" Braxius barks, and the whoremaster makes a quick bow before scurrying out the door.

"Adrexa!" Braxius yells. "Close the door!"

Adrexa doesn't say anything but does as she is told and closes the door to the small cell. Braxius and I are again wrapped in the comforting blanket of darkness.

Braxius is becoming hard inside me. "Now. Where were we?" he mutters and kisses the back of his neck.

A few hours later, we emerge from my dark cell. Holding Braxius's hand, I lead us to the light protruding from under the kitchen's wooden door. Walking up the set of stairs and pushing the door open into the blinding light of the early afternoon.

"You will no longer sleep in a cell, Jessa," Braxius informs me. I turn and stare at him questioningly. "You will stay in my rooms. As a true wife should." Squealing with happiness, I jump into Braxius's body, wrapping my arms around him and kissing him most ardently on the lips. I quickly breakaway, looking up at the magnificent man in adoration.

"May I keep cooking?" I ask Braxius breathlessly. "I really do enjoy the task, and it keeps me busy and sane while I'm not worried about you in battle. Please!" I ask excitedly, seeing he is about to refuse my request.

He studies me for a moment but seeing I have an expression of pure happiness on my face, he gives a soft chuckle. "It seems I cannot deny my little hellcat anything." Braxius grabs me again and kisses me with a fervor he quickly ends before we can go further. Braxius informed me he had to go to his brother Hector and discuss battle tactics in our tiny cell.

I would so love to be the fly on the wall in the war room!

"Jessa," he whispers longingly against my lips. "I wish to do nothing but stay here and make love to you all day. But I have to ready myself and save my city."

"I understand, Braxius," I replied sullenly.

The man has turned me into a wanton!

"You better be in our bed when I return," he says in his commanding voice. But I know he's teasing when I catch the twinkle in his blue-green eyes.

"Yes, my lord," I say, acting demurely, but the curve of my lips say otherwise.

Two can play at this game!

Giving me a quick peck on the lips because I knew if he did anything more, Braxius would not stop. That would cause a delay in meeting with his brother and make him look bad to his men.

Something I won't let happen!

Then remembering the incident from earlier, "What about Polyxena?" I ask.

"I will send her to the Queen and have her stay as a 'guest' with my mother, feigning fear for her safety if she's alone in my palace," Braxius says, offering me a wink.

I nod my head, understanding that he cannot disavow Polyxena because of whatever political ties she brings to the marriage. So her being banished is better than her staying here and trying to plot my demise.

A horn blasts in the distance and Braxius tenses. "I have to go, Jessa," he plainly states. All the pleasure and fun we had has left the features of his face, and the mask of a warrior takes its place.

Braxius quickly turns and strides down the corridor, giving me a quick peck on the lips. I follow slowly behind, and I stop at the foyer again. Leaning my body against the wall, I wait the minutes until my husband returns.

There is motion in the corner of my eye, and Polyxena is standing at the entrance to her part of the palace. Also waiting for Braxius to come out from his rooms to give him his helmet like yesterday.

The first wife's duty.

Braxius appears in his uniform of the ornate leather breastplate and leather tongues covering his knees. The sheathed sword is already belted around his waist. He is carrying a blue cloak draped over his arm and his helmet of bronze with the shock of black horsehair running down the middle. Braxius marches over to the waiting Polyxena.

Polyxena gives me a smirk like she won something. I ignore her, and I watch the fun.

She hasn't been told that her ass is out of here yet!

When Braxius stops in front of Polyxena, she reaches for the bronze helmet. Braxius immediately brushes Polyxena's hands aside. "You are to leave for the Queen's rooms today, Polyxena. I am afraid of the harm you will inflict upon yourself if something happens to me. It will be a great comfort to know you are in the protection and care of my mother," he commands.

Polyxena's eyes widen, and then she glances at me in a fury. I stand where I am, giving her a look of innocence. But inside, I was laughing and flipping the evil bitch off. Then, turning red, a not pleasant color on Polyxena's porcelain white skin, she quickly turns and stomps away. Her harpy screams echo down the corridor once she arrives at her room and slams the door shut with a BANG!

Turning to me, Braxius quickly strides over and hands me the helmet while fastening his crimson, blue cloak onto his shoulders. When he is done fixing his cover, I give him the helmet, and he bends to kiss my lips. As he draws away, tears build up in my eyes. I smile bravely. "I will be waiting for you in our bed," I say as brightly as I can.

Braxius smiles and turns to march out the massive doors. As the doors closed behind him, I prayed the same yesterday.

Please come back to me!

Polyxena's exit of the palace was extremely loud and audacious as the bitch herself. The banging of wooden trunks was hauled through the hallways from the kitchen with the constant sounds of footsteps as an army of servants remove Polyxena's things echoing throughout the palace hallways and corridors.

A few hours later, the palace is once again quiet and peaceful. I cooked an easy meal consisting of roast lamb and lentils. During the day, Adrexa brought me news of what was happening inside and outside the city.

The Greek army is encamped on the narrow plain between the city gates of Troy and the sea. The Greeks set fire to Troy's naval fleet and merchant ships. Ensuring no naval battle or resupply. We are now under siege.

Which means I need to start rationing.

As a history minor, I've learned and studied about sieges and how devastating they are to a populace inside a city. It was harrowing enough to read about it in the classroom, but now I'm going to experience it.

Starvation and sickness is what is going to happen to me and everyone else in this city!

After preparing the evening meal, I'm sitting in the kitchen, waiting for the house servants to arrive so I can listen to the latest news.

When Adrexa arrives, she stares me up and down in confusion. "You are not a servant anymore, Mistress. You are the highest-ranking member of the household in Prince Braxius's palace while the Prince is away."

"Which means what, Adrexa?" I ask softly.

"It means you can no longer cook and socialize with us servants anymore. You have to now represent this house with dignity and honor." Talking to me in a matronly fashion, I note the sincerity in the elderly woman's demeanor.

Adrexa's ageless face does not convey the years of experience her silver eyes hold. Her hair is always combed back and pulled severely tight into a hard bun on the back of her head.

I wonder how difficult it is for her to move the skin on her forehead without worrying about it tearing?

Taking a deep breath, "Adrexa," I say carefully, not wishing to offend the old woman. "I understand what you're saying, but please believe me when I tell you I love to cook! It is keeping me active while the Prince goes off to battle the Greeks. I already discussed the issue with the Prince about me still working in the kitchen, and the Prince has allowed me to keep cooking. Of course, if there are important matters or special people I have to meet, I will gladly perform the duty with the dignity and honor you just spoke of, but..." I pause for a moment to let my speech sink in.

"I WILL NOT stay in a room all day, worrying myself sick because you deem that is more dignified for a woman in my new station. Understand?" Adrexa nods her head, and I continue.

"Now, I must go bathe before my husband returns home. Please excuse me," I say politely to Adrexa while stepping around her so I can start my way to the servant's bathhouse.

"Mistress," Adrexa firmly addresses me. "You don't need to use the servants' bathhouse anymore. The master has his own private bath through his bedroom."

No shit! Cool!

"Follow me, Mistress." Adrexa turns and leaves the kitchen.

"Call me Jessa, Adrexa," I state after her, walking quickly to catch up to the spirited old lady.

That' will not be proper Mistress," Adrexa says over her shoulder.

"Call me Jessa when we are alone. Please?" I ask her politely.

Adrexa huffs in annoyance, but I can tell I won her over. "Fine," she murmurs.

Walking companionably with Adrexa to Braxius's rooms, I am actually able to take in the ancient grandeur of the palace. There are murals of the gods and goddesses painted with fine detail and expertise on the walls. The paint color is still vibrant and has not worn away with time.

I'm walking through a holy grail of archeological discoveries that won't be discovered for another three thousand years!

Realizing this, a sadness blankets my jubilation from a few minutes ago.

These walls and all the gorgeous art will be destroyed in a great fire that is soon yet to come. There will be nothing left of the Troy that was rich and grand, so many archaeologists will spend a lifetime searching.

Pushing my sudden sadness away, I try not to think of what's to come but to live in the now.

When we reach Braxius's rooms, I note the room has not changed. Immaculately kept and sparsely furnished, this room is definitely a soldier's room. Next to the bed, hanging from the wall, is a tapestry I never got a chance to admire until now.

I stop quickly to observe the design of the tapestry. The tapestry was woven to tell the story of the god Apollo chasing the tragic nymph Daphne. Both figures in the tapestry are naked since Apollo was stalking the beautiful Daphne while taking a bath in a mythical pool surrounded by a tranquil forest. The tapestry and story end with Daphne turning into the first immortal laurel tree. Apollo bestowed eternal youth on the tragic Daphne because she sacrificed herself in order to stay a virgin.

"Jessa?" Adrexa asks, snapping me out of my revelry. Then, focusing my attention back on Adrexa as she pulls the tapestry aside to reveal a door. Opening the door, Adrexa walks into the next room, and I follow closely behind.

Braxius's bathroom is magnificent!

A small pool is in the center of the room, and there is a golden statue of the fish Pisces, lying on the floor at the end, with water flowing out of its mouth.

On the bottom is a blue and white mosaic with a design of a golden trident in the center, symbolizing one of the many representations of the god Poseidon. Lining the walls, are tiled benches for the bather to sit on in the pool.

The water is tranquil and inviting.

Can't wait to jump in!

Surrounding the bath are earthen tiles of different colors, making the blue colors in the pool pop out. The walls are painted in other mosaics, telling different mythological tales of the gods and their exploits. There are windows high up surrounding the bathhouse on all sides, letting the sunlight stream through. The ceiling is plastered in white with no mural. This helps keep the room bright enough to no need for torches during the day.

Seeing Adrexa walking over to a wooden wardrobe in the corner, she opens the double doors and retrieves a few items. Turning around, there are soaps, oils, and a linen towel in her hands. Adrexa places the things near the edge of the pool.

"Jessa, I will bring you clean clothes. If there is anything else you need, call." Adrexa promptly leaves me alone in the bathroom. Sighing, I remove my clothing and gingerly place my toe into the water to determine the temperature. As always, the liquid is perfect for a bath.

I slowly step down onto the ledge, and then I step another two feet down into the bath. The warm water is up to my chest, and I lay back in the center of the pool. Kicking my legs up, I allow myself to float while wetting my hair. Relaxing and swimming, I slowly remove the hairpins, freeing my bound-up hair.

That is nice!

Hearing a noise, I ignore it, assuming it is Adrexa dropping off my new wardrobe. Then I there is a splash.

Quickly placing my feet under me, I startle, realizing Braxius is in the pool. My happiness has no bounds as I rush over to him, causing the water to splash over the sides. Even though it was a few hours since I last saw him, it felt like an eternity.

This must be more than lust!

Scooping me up, Braxius starts kissing me passionately. I can't help myself as I let my passion go full force, and I am desperately clinging to his perfectly sculpted body. My hands explore his fine muscles and ridges. I pass the rugged outlines of his eight-pack stomach. Searching down until I grab the base of his gigantic cock. Braxius hisses between his teeth when I touch him.

Lifting me up, Braxius places my wet body onto the tiled floor at the edge of the pool. To my surprise, the tiles are nice and warm underneath my back. Heated floors? The ancients are awesome!

A warm breath is between the junction between my legs. Then, looking down at my naked body, I see Braxius has settled his head between my thighs, and his fingers are spreading the slick folds of my pussy. The shock of his tongue and lips on me immediately raises goosebumps on my skin. I arch my body, Braxius's licking and sucking is causing me to writhe and moan in pleasure.

Braxius then locks his lips and tongue onto my little nub and starts to suck. "Shit!" I yell as I gear up for an orgasm. Looking at Braxius, I see him staring at my face intently, watching the expressions of ecstasy across my face. His fingers enter me and start to fuck me while he is still clamped on my clit. "Braxius!' I scream to the ceiling as I orgasm, my core squeezing Braxius's fingers, wanting his gorgeous cock instead.

He has the same thought because he quickly removes his finger and mouth and pulls me back into the warm pool. Then, maneuvering our bodies, Braxius sits on the bench, and I am facing him, kneeling over his engorged cock. I slowly lower my throbbing pussy onto him, sliding down until he is fully sheathed inside me.

I kiss Braxius fiercely, tasting my scent on his mouth and finding it extremely arousing. I start moving my body up and down on him, making waves in the pool and between us. His cock is causing the right amount of friction on my clit, as I am starting to ramp up again for another orgasm.

The muscles in my pussy quiver, as Braxius growls, "Take it, my little hellcat," and he firmly grasps my hips and drives his pelvis up into me. My orgasm breaks like a fucking nuclear explosion because there is a white blinding light as I am screaming Braxius's name.

Braxius shouts my name as he joins me in our shared orgasm. I lean into his hard body, burying my head in the crook of his neck, softly kissing him. Braxius hugs me hard and close to him. "Jessa," he murmurs.

I pull back a little, so I can study his face. Using my finger, I softly start tracing the outline of one perfectly sculpted black eyebrow and then the other. I follow the line down his straight and perfect nose. Then circling a beautiful blue-green eye, thickly fringed with black eyelashes.

I keep going, tracing the ridge off of one of his cheekbones, following the hollow down to his soft, pink, kissable lips. I pull my fingertip down on the bottom lip causing Braxius to open his mouth slightly. I trace my finger down to his square chin and grasp it firmly between my thumb and forefinger.

I pull Braxius's face towards mine and kiss him softly, slowly circling my tongue with him, gently breaking the kiss.

I lean back forward and place my head contently on his shoulder. Braxius chuckles. "Do you like what you see?" he teases.

Never one to miss a chance to be a smart ass, "I'd share my bed with you," I reply.

Braxius laughs heartily, the laughter reverberating around the room. "That's what I love about you, my little hellcat. You have no filter on your mouth," there is an amused tone in his voice. I'm glad I can take him away from the troubles of Troy for a little bit.

There is a soft knock on the bathroom door. "My lord? Mistress? May I come in to deliver the Mistress's new clothes?" Adrexa asks through door.

"Come in, Adrexa!" Braxius commands. The door creaks open, and I don't move from Braxius's shoulder while Adrexa quickly walks in and out of the room. When the door closes, I glance at Braxius and burst out laughing. It is like I have just been caught by my parents! And with a pang, I realize I am missing my family sorely.

Braxius realizes the immediate change in my mood. "What is it Jessa?" he asks softly.

"I miss my family," I tell him sadly.

"Tell me about them," he says.

How do I start?

"Well, my father is a merchant. He sells items like clothes and perfumes to shopkeepers who sell his wares. My mom stays at home and maintains the house. My younger sister goes to school and helps my mom," I say.

I hope it is enough to satisfy Braxius's curiosity.

"How did you become a servant?" Braxius asks.

"I was taken away when I thought I was in a safe place," I tell them truthfully. What? It is valid from my perspective.

"I'm sorry you were ripped from your family Jessa. After this war, I will see if I can get you home to visit them. If you would like," Braxius offers.

Kissing Braxius on his cheek, I sadly say. "They are no longer here, Braxius. I'm the only one left." In this time.

"I'm truly sorry, Jessa," Braxius says sincerely.

"I will see them again," I tell him confidently. I hope I can someday get back to my own time. But for now, I'm content to be with this man for a short while.

And there is something beautiful and warm blossoming in my chest.

Is this love? Please no!

After my bath with Braxius, we ended up lying on top of the big soft bed covered in blue satin sheets.

I ask Adrexa to bring a warm plate of the evening meal to Braxius, knowing he hasn't eaten yet. While he's eating the dinner I cooked with gusto, I think of the questions I want to ask when he's done.

What's going to happen to us is foremost in my mind.

When I see Braxius finishing his meal, I ask the question. "The Greeks are going to try to starve us out of the city. But we have always been prepared for long sieges. This city can last for a year if need be. There is no forest the Greeks can hunt game for. The sea will not sustain the Greek army.

We have gotten our main sources of food from the shipping merchants. The food has been salted and preserved in our underground food stores. We have grain and wheat in abundance. Our water supply comes through the underground river where only a few Trojans know the exact location. Our city will prevail long after the enemy finally leave due to starvation," Braxius says proudly.

If I didn't know my history, I would have believed him.

"Okay," my voice and eyes downcast while my body is drooping with defeat on the bed.

"What is it, Jessa?" Braxius asks me softly.

"Nothing," I say confidently. "I'm just happy you're back with me." But the sense of dread will not leave me until the inevitable happens.