Chapter Two

"Oomph," The air is forced from my lungs as I land heavily on a hard surface. I gasp, trying desperately to pull air into lungs that feel flat, panic my constant companion as I try to breathe. What The Fuck Just Happened?!

As I finally managed to take a full breath of air, I gag as the scent of fermented yeast fills my nostrils. What the...?

Sitting up tenderly, I place my swirling head between my thighs as the feeling of nausea assaults me. Don't puke becomes my silent mantra as the sensation of drinking too many beers and needing to worship the porcelain god washes over me.

"You there! Serving girl! Get your ass up and get to work!" Someone shouts from outside of my field of vision, which, to be fair, only includes the rough linen skirt which covers my legs.

Wait, I wasn't wearing a skirt. Where the hell are my clothes?

"Huh?" I snap my head upward, regretting the movement as dizziness and unshed tears from the nausea cloud my vision. As I blink, the room is into focus, my panic returns.

Where In The Hell Am I?!

The dim room is lit only by an ancient clay oil lamp on the floor beside me and a small torch held by the stranger yelling at me. I block out his words as I try to take in my surroundings. What he's saying isn't my priority; figuring out where I am and how I got here is.

Dozens of enormous, ancient wine amphorae are stacked against rough stone walls. The baked clay containers are topped with brown leather coverings tied tightly around the openings. "Is this a wine cellar? How did I get in a wine cellar?"

"Serving Girl! If you don't get up now, your next meal will be tomorrow. We don't feed slovenly servants here in King Priam's castle!" the asshole screams at me instead of answering my questions.

Wait! WHAT!?

There has to be a practical explanation for all of this. Maybe I'm dreaming?

Standing on my wobbly legs, I carefully bend over to retrieve the small oil lamp and slowly walk towards the man at the doorway. When I finally reach him, the stranger roughly pulls me out of the room and into a torch-lit hallway. I slam into the opposite wall hard and drop the lamp. The sound of shattering clay pieces echoes in the long passageway.

"That's coming out of your wages also, you little slut!" the hostile man screams as if he's in charge of me.

What is this fuckwad's problem?

I turn and face the minuscule, balding fat man. Laughter escapes from my lips as I take in his toga. His face goes from deep red to purple, like a grape about to pop. He curls his fists as if about to strike.

Bring it bitch! I'm not afraid of some asshole in a dream.

"What's going on here?" Stepping into the light of one of the burning torches, a god of a man appears. I mean GQ man of the year cover-worthy. The torchlight reflects over the newcomer's neatly trimmed black hair as he walks toward us, exiting another of the hall's many doorways.

I study his ancient military-style uniform as he nears. The torso is covered by a leather breastplate adorned with a trident accented by silver inlay; the armor covers a white linen tunic and what I can only describe as a linen skirt.

His silver accented leather sandals slap against the stone floor as he moves. Finally, he stops before us, resting a hand on the pommel of the short sword holstered at his waist.

I think this dream is looking up because the scenery just got a lot better!

I refused to acknowledge anything that discounts my theory that this is a fantasy. Any other explanation defies belief.

My tormentor bows so low to the handsome stranger he's almost kissing the leather tongues that protect the newcomer's thighs. "My lord, I caught this little slut drinking the wine. I'm about to whip her for her impudence."

He yanks at my wrist, trying to force me to bow, but I wrench my arm away. "Excuse me?! I'm not drunk; I have no interest in drinking wine that smells like shit! I'm not a servant; I don't even have any idea who any of you are!"

"Clearly," the newcomer drawls in a low sexy voice, arching a neatly trimmed dark eyebrow.

I stare up into his startling blue-green eyes, framed with thick dark eyelashes, and pause, distracted by his beauty. I might have stood there staring like an idiot until the end of time had the fat man not grabbed at me again. "This little pudgy man," I say as I tear my hand away again and point at my attacker, "accosted me for no reason! I don't belong here; this has to be a dream."

"Evidently, she's still drunk!" My aggressor interrupts.

"Otto, let the girl speak," The warrior says before I can defend myself. He steps closer, running a callous palm lightly up and down my bruised arm as if to comfort me. "If you don't belong here, how do you think you got here?" I try not to bristle at his condescending tone, which screams that he's just humoring me. I don't miss the way his eyes roam over my body as he speaks.

"I don't know. My sister and I watched the eclipse, and there was a storm. The next thing I knew, I was here, so I must have been knocked out, and this is all just a dream," I survey his well-muscled body, trying to control my traitorous hormones and answer like I actually believe he believes me. "I would so give you my virginity if you were real."

Suppose I thought this was anything other than a dream. In that case, I'd be worried about how stupid I sound and would never have offered stranger information so personal. If I'm honest with myself, I'd have to admit my words were a blatant lie because, despite his beauty, I'd never had the courage to proposition a stranger anywhere else except in a dream.

He smirks, stepping closer, invading my space. "You vow that to the gods' little girl?" His words are a whisper in my ear, sending delicious shivers of need over my skin.

"Yes," I whisper, confronting his heated gaze because this is only a dream, and in a dream, I'm allowed to be as promiscuous as I choose. There's no one else here to judge me for my actions.

He raises his square jaw, looking over my head to Otto, who now stands behind me. "This servant is now mine and will work in my household. You may go Otto."

Otto grumbles under his breath but turns and waddles away anyway, unwilling to contradict my savior.

I glance back to my champion, meeting his lust-filled gaze. The flickering shadows accent the harsh lines of his face, tracing his high cheekbones and perfect nose. "What now?" I whisper, trying to contain the mix of fear and excitement battling for supremacy inside me.

"Now, we see if you're as good as your promises," He performs a perfunctory turn on his heel and marches back from the way he came. "Follow me, wench."

Oookay? I guess I'll follow him since I'm not going to wake up.

We walk for at least ten minutes, passing many doors and openings leading down other corridors until we reach a set of stairs that lead up to a brightly lit open doorway, without stopping the warrior bounds up the stairs. I'm a few steps behind him when the sheer realism of the scene hits me.

The sandals on my feet feel strange and uncomfortable. The homespun linen hanging loosely around my body is starting to chafe my skin. I've never had dreams where my clothing hurts.

My breath comes in harsh gasps as I try to push down the facts flooding my brain, decimating my theory that this is only a dream. I lean against the hard stone opening of the archway, blinking at the blinding sunlight on the other side. Black spots dance in my vision as I valiantly attempt to prevent a full-out panic attack.

I never realized how dank and smelly the lower floor was until a fresh breeze hit my nostrils when standing at the dazzling doorway. When my eyes adjust, I see an azure blue sky with no clouds through open archways ending halfway down onto a solid wall lining an empty corridor.

The columns are carved in a polished stone of a tan, earthy color. I walk forward to the banister and place my hands on the rock to test if it is real. When my fingers touch the cool, rough surface, I quickly remove them in shock.

Oh Shit!

Looking out the open archway, I see an open courtyard below filled with date trees, palm trees, and myrrh trees. The air is pungent with exotic smells that I can't name. This is way too real to be a dream!

"This way, wench!" commands the warrior.

"Don't call me wench!" I yell back angrily. All the walls of self-denial that I let myself believe have come crashing down, leaving me afraid and frustrated. My fight or flight instincts are ramping up. The warrior has been kind to me so far, but I will fight him if he thinks he can push me around!

The warrior quickly stalks to where I am standing. He is no longer amused at my insubordination and is now furious that I defied his orders. I see a dark storm brewing in those blue-green eyes, and he is scaring the shit out of me! Please wake up!

I'm starting to panic now! I don't know how I got here or how the fuck it's even possible for me to even be here! Or how I can understand what is being said since I'm obviously in an ancient time where English has not been invented yet! Now I believe in magic, but I have to get the hell out of here! When the handsome warrior stops right in front of me, his face is hard and firm. I feel like a subordinate about to receive an ass-chewing.

But I don't let my fear show. I stubbornly stay rooted to my spot, not moving a muscle.

My parents always thought of me as stubborn and bullheaded. So be it!

I lift my chin up in defiance and stand my ground. I know I'm petite, but I did take a lot of self-defense classes growing up and can hold my own long enough to escape.

Which is exactly what I plan on doing!

The handsome warrior grasps my chin firmly and studies my face intently. I learn him in return. Especially his lips. They are incredibly soft and inviting.

I wonder if he tastes as good as he looks? Wait! What am I thinking?! I need to get out of here!

I let my body relax, allowing the handsome warrior to think I'm going to be obedient.

Ha! He's never met a girl from New Jersey!

I lick my lips as an open invitation.

The warrior falls for my ruse and lowers his face towards me, softly pressing his lips onto mine. I feel the warrior is testing the landscape, seeing if I am as easy as I am, letting him think I am.

He draws me in for a deeper kiss when he doesn't feel me pull away or resist the kiss. I feel a heat growing in my chest, pooling down to the junction between my legs. Damn! He's such a fantastic kisser! It's a shame what I am about to do to him!

And with that last thought, I bring my knee up swift and brutal, right into his groin. And the warrior immediately stops kissing me, doubling over in pain instead. He moans as he grabs his eggs' basket while falling onto his knees on the floor.

I turn around and run like my ass is on fire at that exact moment! Did I tell you I ran track in college? Well, I got a full scholarship for my prowess on the track field because I am fucking fast!

But not fast enough! Somehow, the warrior recovered from the blow to his balls and caught me! A painful tug in my scalp caused me to immediately stop short. The warrior has me by my hair and forces me to turn my body towards his.

With me imprisoned against his body and forcing my head up, the warrior is making me stare into his face. I now see the pure rage on the handsome warrior's features. I gulp in fear because I think this is my last day on Earth. Should have kicked him more brutal in the nuts!

"I see I'm going to have to break you like a wild filly," he murmurs between clenched teeth. "Good. I like a challenge." And with that, he kisses me brutally.

The warrior painfully tugs my head back more, forcing me to open my mouth while I emit a whine as he assaults me with his tongue.

And dammit!

I love the feel of this warrior dominating me! I kiss him with the same fervor, meeting his tongue stroke for stroke. I have been kissed before but nothing like this! This strange man fills me with wants and needs that I have never known existed. And my body is aching for more.

Immediately breaking the kiss, the warrior studies me again. Except for this time in suspicion, wondering if I'll assault his balls again. The warrior releases his hand in my hair and grabs me by my forearm. Roughly yanking me down the corridor.

Oh no!

The warrior pulls me roughly behind him. Dragging me through several courtyards and buildings until we reach a massive set of double doors, gilded with gold leaf work.

The warrior barges through the doors with me in tow. He stops in the middle of a colossal foyer, giving me time to study the room. The floor is done in a mosaic design with the centerpiece of the mosaic show, with what I can only surmise as representing the god Poseidon holding his trident. Still, the craftsmanship is quite stunning.

The walls have painted murals on them, depicting scenes of Poseidon in his many forms, seducing goddesses and mortals alike. The paintings have to be at least twenty feet tall with high windows allowing the sunlight in.

Turning my gaze to the rest of the room, with open arched doorways going down brilliantly lit corridors to other parts of the building. I hear a shuffling noise, and I turn to see an elderly woman stopping and bowing to the warrior. "Welcome home, my lord," she says kindly.

"Adrexa," he addresses the women. The old woman straightens her body upright. I study her, seeing a matronly woman with a kind, plump face. Adrexa's eyes are the color of silver, matching the grey that has colored her hair that is tied in a severe bun behind her head. She is a short woman and slightly plump, wearing homespun clothing of rough linen in a light blue color.

When Adrexa sees me, a deep frown form on her face. I swallowed hard, feeling that I had somehow been disapproved of and I had only just arrived! Fighting my discomfort, I politely grin at Adrexa. Unfortunately, this causes her to scowl at me more.

The warrior removes his sword belt and breastplate and hands it to Adrexa. Noticing Adrexa's scowl in my direction, he sighs. "Adrexa, I caught this stray down in the wine cellars. Teach her the household chores and show her how to mind her manners around the Princess. I don't want to lose this one," commands the warrior.

Oh My God! He's a PRINCE?!

"Yes, Prince Braxius," Adrexa says demurely, bowing her head. Somehow, I know Adrexa is not too pleased with her new assignment from her body language. The prince steps into my line of sight, his big body close to mine.

Looking down at me, Braxius quietly tells me, "Listen to Adrexa. She is now in charge of you. If you give her any lip or attitude, I will punish you, my little hellcat. Understand?"

I quickly nod my head in understanding, too afraid of my situation to say otherwise.

I need to stay alive until I can figure out where the hell I am and how I can return home!

Without any further words, Braxius turns and leaves me in the opulent foyer with a disapproving Adrexa. Sighing in defeat at the current state of my plight, I stare at the floor.

"This way, slut," Adrexa commands me. Lifting my head up, I see that Adrexa has already started shuffling away, and I quickly walk after her.

Adrexa leads me down a few hallways, finally ending at the kitchen. There is a brick oven next to the wall and a wooden door. In the center of the room is a wooden island countertop with plucked birds sitting on top prepared for cooking.

The kitchen opens into a vast courtyard. A giant fire pit is being monitored by a small boy is out in the yard. "This way, slut," Adrexa orders again.

THAT'S IT!

I stand firmly and proudly. "My name is Jessa," I boldly tell the old woman.

"I don't care what you're called, slut," says Adrexa coldly. "Once the Prince gets bored of you, and the Princess gets word you're his new mistress, you will not be in this palace for long. Trust me," Adrexa finishes and rudely turns her back to me.

Oh Hell No!

"Excuse me!" I exclaim in surprise. "But I didn't knowthe Prince was a prince, let alone married! I have no interest in having an affair with a man-whore! I don't even know where I am. I'm trying to get back home!" and the waterworks start because I am scared and alone.

My day started when I was your stereotypical American girl from the 21st Century on vacation in modern-day Ireland with my little sister. Now I'm in some ancient city, and I don't know if Meena is okay because she was with me on the fairy hill! I don't know if Meena is somewhere here also?!

Adrexa's face softens to my tears, seeing that I'm genuinely frightened and confused. "I'm sorry...?" Adrexa's voice questioned.

"Jessa," I finish.

"Jessa," Adrexa says calmly. "You're now a servant in Prince Braxius's household. The prince is the youngest son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba. You are in the golden city of Troy. Understand?" she asks firmly.

I nod my head yes. Knowing my history, because I am a history minor, the ancient people were highly superstitious. I have to stay calm.

I don't need to be accused of being a witch either.

"Now," Adrexa states. "You must stay clear of Princess Polyxena. She has an evil temper that matches her black soul. The last mistress of the Prince was maimed and sent to the worst brothel in the city." I feel the blood draining from my face. Adrexa sees my worry and hurriedly continues.

"But she was beautiful and dumb as churned milk. Not at all servant material. The Prince didn't choose you for your features. So that tells me that you might get some brains. You will definitely need them here. Now follow me. I will show you your quarters and your chores," Adrexa finishes.

What the hell does that mean? I never believed I was ugly?

I would consider myself above average but not beautiful as far as looks go. I have a light olive complexion with brown hair and brown eyes. I have an average nose and average lips. Not too big or too small. My one remarkable feature is my boobs.

I've been genetically blessed with massive knockers. I'm athletically built, so trying to keep my bad girls tightly strapped to my body while running is fucking challenging! For me and the sports bra! I'm quite an attraction at the track events. Why I never got serious with any of the boob worshipping boys in high school or college.

Adrexa opens the wooden door next to the oven and starts walking stairs. I follow behind her, and I see her grab a small oil lantern from a wooden shelf and light it with the torch about two steps down.

We descend a few more steps, leading into a dark corridor. The air is cooler and damper in the bowels of the palace. I follow Adrexa closely since the tiny oil lamp barely illuminating the path in front of her. Leaving the rest of us in the dark.

We walk and pass a few closed wooden doors on either side of the hallway until we finally stop in front of a door. The door has a symbol etched, and Adrexa pulls the rope door latch. She pushes the door open and enters the room.

I follow her behind, seeing that the room is actually a tiny cell with a wooden pallet with straw and a woolen blanket on top with another woolen blanket neatly folded at the end of the bed.

A washbasin and pitcher on the floor with a rough linen towel. And there is also a bronze chamber pot in the corner. Being a history minor, I'm intrigued by the chamber pot.

Cool and GROSS!

I mean, I'm a historian, why I minored in History in college. But now it's hitting me that I have to put into practice the stuff I've read about and watched on documentaries. Meaning all the luxuries of the 21st Century are gone.

Shit.

"Where do I go for my other needs?" I ask.

Adrexa's shadow shrugs and retorts, "Follow your nose."

Great!

"Let's get you started on your chores," Adrexa commands. We leave the room in total blackness, and I follow Adrexa down the hall and back to the kitchen.

"What can you do?" Adrexa asks me once we are back into the bright kitchen.

"I can cook, and I can clean," I tell her.

She gave me a skeptical glance with an eyebrow raised. "I can!" I vehemently state. My mother is from a massive Italian family. My grandmother showed me how to cook as soon I could stand over the stove. So this can't be any different. Just going to take longer to cook stuff or add some ingenuity to the cooking process.

"Let's see how well you can cook. We recently lost our cook, and I have been the acting cook," Adrexa informs me. "The prince wants those birds," she says and points to the game sitting on the table, "cooked for tonight's meal. You think you can do that?" Adrexa's voice is filled with doubt. Makes me wonder if she really thinks I'm a simpleton?

"What flavors does the Prince or Princess prefer on their birds?" I inquire. I knew I just surprised the shit out of Adrexa with that question. She definitely wasn't expecting it when her eyes bulged out. But she snorts and chuckles. "They definitely like sweet flavors," is all Adrexa informs me.

"That doesn't tell me much," I push.

"You say you can cook. Prove it," Adrexa states nonchalantly.

I definitely got my work cut out for me to earn that woman's respect.

"I got this, Adrexa. Thank you," I tell her politely but firmly. Cracking my neck and hands, I start looking around. There is a pantry in the corner near the open doorway leading back into the palace.

I walk over and open the pantry. I see earthen jars, and unfasten a few, smelling the familiar spices I grew up with. Next, I walked out into the courtyard, where the minor boy I saw earlier monitored the fire pit.

Walking up to the little boy with light brown hair, I kindly ask him, "What's your name?" The small boy stares at me with big blue eyes questioningly and glances at Adrexa, who's standing behind me.

I guess she signaled to the boy that it was okay to answer and said softly, "Aeneas."

Holy Shit!

I took a Classical Greek History and Mythology class in my Freshman year at college. I read a lot of Homer and I know how Troy is destroyed when the Trojan War ends.

It's a relief the conflict hasn't started yet!

But I also had to read an epic poem by Virgil, The Aeneid. The poem is about the journey of the Trojan survivor Aeneas. The ancestor of Rome.

I hope to god that this boy is NOT the Aeneas from the poem!

Back to my task, I see an herb garden in one corner of the courtyard surrounded by tall mud-brick walls. There is a paved walkway separating the herb garden with a vegetable garden running down the courtyard's center. Another similar walkway separates the vegetable garden from the fruit trees blooming against the opposite side of the enclosure.

I first walk down the herb garden, observing the familiar herbs I can use for cooking.

I will definitely ask about the unfamiliar herbs.

I examine the vegetable garden, recognizing vegetables like carrots, onions, and radishes. I make my way towards the fruit trees, seeing oranges, pomegranates, and figs growing.

Not too expensive to grow and maintain.

I grab a few ingredients from each garden and the fruit trees. Then, walking back towards the kitchen, I see Adrexa observing me with interest. "Where can I get wine?" I politely ask her.

"Aeneas!" Adrexa commands the little boy. "Get your new mistress a pitcher of wine."

Wait, what?

"Mistress?" I ask her. "I've seen enough to know you can cook for now. If you mess up tonight's meal, it will now be your fault," Adrexa informs me. I inwardly roll my eyes.

Awesome.

I spent the rest of my day learning how to clean birds because I usually got my birds ready to cook from the local supermarket. I also discovered that iron had yet to be found, so I had to cook the side dishes in earthenware using the brick oven.

Like I said before, I knew the meal would take HOURS to make!

But the aroma of the roasting chicken being cooked on a turning spit over the fire pit was making my mouth water. So I used fig juices mixed with wine and a few spices to baste the birds. I kept on basting the birds while little Aeneas continually turned the spit.

Of course, I took turns with the boy. Allowing him cool off, drink, and eat while I took his place at the spit. This actually shocked him.

Poor kid!

I tried talking to Aeneas, but he was too reserved and shy to speak to me. From the thousand-yard stare the little boy gave, I knew he had a very rough start in life.

When the meal was finally cooked and ready to serve, the sun started to set. The sky was turning purple, and I saw the first stars in the sky winking. I let Adrexa fix the plates to present to the Master and Mistress. The leftovers were for the servants.

Waste not right?

Adrexa suddenly bursts into the kitchen, where I am patiently waiting for the outcome of my meal. "The Prince and Princess want to see you immediately!" Adrexa commands breathlessly.

Shit.

Adrexa quickly turns and scurries back down the corridor. I quickly follow her, but I feel incredibly fatigued from my day. The shock of my wondrous journey through time, landing me in ancient Troy, discovering I'm not dreaming, and spending the rest of the day cooking a meal using age-old techniques.

Can't wait to see what tonight will bring!

When we finally arrive in the dining area, the Prince and Princess are sitting at a big table, a wooden table that has been smoothed until the wood shone. Prince Braxius is looking as handsome as ever. He is freshly washed and shaved, and is wearing a blood-red silk tunic with silver patterns threaded into it.

Princess Polyxena is, of course, beautiful with shiny, straight brown hair cascading down her back. Her eyes are an ice blue fringed with dark lashes. Still, I would describe the Princess's beauty as very cold with sharp, angular features covered with porcelain white skin.

If she wasn't breathing, I would mistake her for a statue.

Following Adrexa's lead, we immediately perform our cursory bows. When the Princess sees me, she directly brings an embroidered silk kerchief to her face. The expression on her face is pure disdain. "When's the last time you have bathed, Cook?" Polyxena demands. I turn cherry-red, knowing I am as unkempt and dirty as I feel.

Ignoring his wife's rudeness, Braxius observes me and asks, "Did you make this meal?"

Remembering the place and time, I quickly bow and reply, "Yes, my lord."

Then, nodding his head like he made up his mind about something, Braxius says, "You will be the official cook in my household. Dismissed."

Both Adrexa and I turn and quickly walk back to the kitchen. Neither of us says a word until we are in the kitchen's courtyard. I turn towards Adrexa, who is now watching me in fascination. "What?" I ask quietly.

"Who are you?" she asks. I shrug my shoulders.

"I don't know," I honestly say.

I don't know who I am in this place and time. Therefore, I'm not lying to Adrexa.

"No one has ever made a full meal that the Prince and Princess have both enjoyed eating together. It's a miracle," Adrexa breathes with relief.

Okay? Speaking of comfort.

"Adrexa, where may I go bathe?" I politely ask. "Oh, and where may I get clean clothes? These are the only ones I have," I inform her.

"Aeneas," Adrexa calls. Aeneas scurries up to us. "Show your new mistress the servant's bathing quarters. Immediately come back here so I can give you your mistress's new clothes. Understand?" Adrexa commands the young boy.

"This way, Mistress," Aeneas says timidly and starts walking.

"Thank you, Adrexa," I sincerely tell the older woman before I quickly walk after Aeneas. It's much darker now. The sun fully emerged underneath the distant horizon.

Looking up, I notice that the crescent moon is out, giving Aeneas and me enough light to light our way to the servants' bathhouse. It took us a few minutes to walk to the building, but I asked if Aeneas had a chance to eat the meal I cooked.

"Not yet, Mistress," the little boy replies.

"Please call me Jessa, Aeneas," I tell him. "And why haven't you supped yet?" I inquire.

"Because you haven't eaten yet, Mistress," Aeneas says simply.

How barbaric! The boy is not much older than nine!

"After dropping off my new clothes from Adrexa, go eat your supper. And call me Jessa," I say in a commanding tone.

"Yes...Jessa," Aeneas replies sullenly. I roll my eyes.

Kids!

We arrive at a one-story building, and I can feel warm air escaping from the inside underneath the wooden door. "I will be right back Mistress--Err Jessa," Aeneas informs me before running off into the dark.

I wait for about five minutes when Aeneas returns with clean clothes. The garments feel nicer than what I am currently wearing, which is starting to irritate the shit out of my skin.

"Thank you, Aeneas," I tell the little boy. "Please go eat something. I think I can find my way back after I'm done bathing." I turn around and pull the the rope handle on the door and push the heavy door open.

I step inside, and the room is dimly lit with little torches hanging in sconces that are fixated into the stone walls. In the center of the room is a medium-sized pool, and steam rises out.

I guess the ancients did figure out away to create indoor plumbing before the Romans!

I set my new clean attire on a bench, and I see cubbies built into the end wall. In each cubby, there are clean towels, a small hard object that feels like soap, a tiny earthen jar of lavender-scented oil, and a comb. I grab the items and I walk back to the bench.

I removed all my dirty clothes, placing the clothing on the floor. I stride naked to the pool, carrying the soap, jar of oil, and comb. I sit at the edge of the pool. I stick my feet in first, and the water is hot. I slowly dip the rest of my body in, and I dunk my head underneath the water.

I discovered that my hair was somehow pinned up when I landed in this time. I remove the pins to let my hair down, finding out that my hair goes past my shoulders. I usually kept my hair much shorter when I was in the 21st Century.

I'm going to have a bitch of a time figuring out how to pin my hair back up!

I pick up the soap and start lathering my body and hair. I quickly rinse, and I use a little bit of oil to condition my hair and let the oil stay in my hair while I comb out the knots. I am deep in my thoughts, wondering how the hell am I supposed to get home when I hear the wooden door close.

I had my back turned to the door, so I immediately turned around. Standing tall and proud at the entrance is Prince Braxius.

What the hell?!

Quickly covering my astonishment at Braxius'x impertinence because I have to keep reminding myself that I'm in a time where men ruled absolute, I ask, "May I help you, my lord?"

Braxius gives me a wicked grin and says, "You made a vow to the gods. I am here to collect that vow."

The fuck you will!

"That was before I knew who you were and that you were married. I will not give myself to you. Ever," I state with finality.

Braxius keeps his smile but shrugs his shoulders. "I can wait, my little hellcat. I like a long chase anyway." Braxius walks over to the bench where my clothes are and sits there, watching me.

Seriously?!

"Are you going to sit there all night?" I ask through clenched teeth.

I'm way too tired to deal with this shit right now!

Braxius's smile gets bigger, knowing that he has gotten underneath my skin.

Dick!

I finish rinsing my hair out, combing it again for good measure. Then, because I am not a prude and am too exhausted to care that I am naked, I climb out of the pool. Ignoring Braxius's hiss, I use a little more oil from the jar and rub the oil into my wet body. I quickly stride naked to where my towel is on the bench, proving to Braxius and myself that I will not let him intimidate me.

Grabbing the towel, I quickly dry myself off, and I wrap my wet hair up in the towel. I let the towel sit on my head to help soak up the water and get my hair to dry faster.

No blow dryers, remember?

Braxius surprisingly hands me my new clean clothes, which I immediately put on, plus my sandals. I walk back over to the pool ledge to grab the hair pins and comb.

I unravel the towel on top of my head, and I start brushing my hair. Unfortunately, the stupid pins keep falling out when I try to pin my hair back up. I hear Braxius chuckling in amusement at my failure, and I listen to him walking over to me. "Let me help you with that," he commands.

I have no other option but to stand still and let him figure out how to make the damn hairpins stay in my head.

Why invent something that doesn't work!?

Braxius removes the comb from my hand and gently brushes my hair. I feel him winding my hair up, "Pin," he demands. I give Braxius a pin. Then he instructs the next pin and the next until all my pins are gone. "Done," he says huskily in my ear, his breath warm on the back of his neck.

I feel his lips gently caress the skin on the back of my neck, giving me goosebumps. I feel my nipples harden, my body betraying what my mind has already said no to. But I don't move away from him. I let him keep caressing my neck, andhis hands skim my arms, testing to see how far he can go.

Braxius takes a step closer to me when I don't pull away, where I unwittingly lean back against his solid chest.

My body is such a traitor!

Braxius starts getting bolder, kissing my neck and tracing his tongue on my rapidly pulsing artery.

He suddenly spins me around and claims my mouth. Our tongues clash, and I'm becoming wet with desire.

I want him so badly!

But I know that this is just lust, and I am not going to be a fling for this handsome warrior/prince. So, I push Braxius back with some force, making him slip and fall into the pool.

Ooops!

Braxius breaks the surface, sputtering in shock. The expression on his face is priceless! I couldn't help howling with laughter while Braxius swiftly swims to the edge and hauls himself out. His clothes are sodden and sticking to every inch of him.

His body is finely sculpted!

I can see every fine line and curve of eight-pack abs leading down to the bulge protruding between his legs.

Whoah.

I also can see that he's not too happy about being wet, but when he sees me laughing in merriment, he gives me a sheepish grin. When I finally calm down I sincerely apologize.

Braxius maintains a lopsided grin and shrugs, "Like I said, I like a good chase. You should get back to your quarters now."

I reply with, "Yes my lord," and I start walking to the door.

"When we are alone, you may call me Braxius," he calls out to me.

I turn and smile at him, "Jessa is my name," and I step out into the cool night air.

Finding my way back to the kitchen wasn't tricky. When I arrived into the courtyard, I saw Adrexa, Aeneas, and a few other servants eating the meal I prepared around a makeshift table. They were all sitting on simple wooden stools. Adrexa was kind enough to fix me a plate and leave a stool empty next to her.

When I sit down, I smile shyly to Adrexa and tell her thank you.

"Everyone, this is our new cook Jessa. She impressed both the Prince and Princess tonight with this meal," Adrexa informs the other servants I haven't met yet. Looking around, I see mostly young teenage girls and another boy older than Aeneas. I grin at them, and they nod their heads in acknowledgment. But, unfortunately, they are too busy eating to talk.

I dig into the meal and devour everything on my plate. I glance up, and the group of servants is appraisingly me. "Sorry, I haven't eaten a meal today," I inform everyone. They all smile in understanding. Then, looking at Adrexa, "May I go to bed? It's been a really long day and I suspect I have a longer day tomorrow," I politely request.

"Go," she says, seeing that I am having trouble keeping my eyes open.

"Good night, everyone," I tell the group as I stand up. I walk into the kitchen and open the wooden door. I grab an oil lamp and light it with the torch. I walk down the stairs and down the dark hallway until I find my door with the symbol on it. Pulling the rope latch and opening the door, I quickly walk into the small cell and close the door behind me.

Setting the small lamp down next to the bed pallet on the floor, I see a pile of new clothes on top of the blanket. Need to thank Adrexa in the morning.

I place the clothes on a corner shelf that I didn't see before, and I quickly lay on the hard straw bed, drawing the second woolen blanket over me. I'm too tired to care if I'm uncomfortable. I blow out the oil lamp, and I drift off to sleep.