Paris (Troy) / Reader - Part 2
You returned to the palace and arranged accommodation to the visitors of Troy; Paris and Hector, their companions as well as their oarsmen. Your father had already retired so you were in charge which was nothing new since you had participated actively in the ruling process and decision-making. You arranged a festive dinner for the diplomats, including the princes, ordered the servants to take care of the oarsmen and appointed ten guards to keep an eye on the mountains as well as the surroundings of the city and palace so if there was going to be a fire it would be noticed without delays. It had not rained properly for many weeks which meant that the nature was dry and flammable and even the smallest forest fire would spread quickly.
There was music and wine, grilled fish with roasted vegetables and bread that was served with herbal olive oil. The atmosphere was relaxed even despite the thunder storm that raged right above the palace, almost like Zeus himself had wanted to punish the court for something. You left the dining hall every once in a while to talk with your guards, to make sure that everything was alright in the city, and then returned to host the celebrations that lasted until midnight.
After your guests had retired you took a wine carafe and a glass with you and walked to a sort of balcony that had an excellent view over the sleeping city. You couldn’t sleep because you had to make your mind about whether you would marry Paris or risk your people being thrown into a war that had nothing to do with them. Sure you participated in the decision making but as long as your father was alive, you had no real authority to sign agreements or peace treaties.
Sometimes you caught yourself wishing that your father would just pass on to the afterlife already because his wits had clearly dimmed and he did not rule wisely anymore. Then, after realizing what you had just wished, you scolded you for even thinking about such thing. But you knew your father; he would never give up the crown as long as he was still breathing.
The storm was the other reason why you were unable to get any sleep tonight. You trusted your guards, hell, you knew them all by name and therefore you had no reason to doubt them but during storms like this one you wanted to have your own eyes upon the city as well. Besides you had a lot on your mind and you knew that you had to make big decisions by the end of the storm; you had to decide whether you would marry Paris, the ladies man with a sort of questionable celebrity status or… not. Sure you were attracted to Paris, who wouldn’t be, besides he had basically sworn to be loyal to you if you married him… but still, you did not know if you could believe his word. Maybe he was just playing you, trying to charm you and once he had gotten you into his bed… he would get bored with you and move on. That was what Paris was like… at least according to the rumors you had heard.
- May I? Paris said when he walked to the balcony and pointed at the spot next to you. You were sitting on the marble floor with your legs hanging outside the terrace that had no railing. It was more like a platform or a rooftop that had been covered with a fabric which offered shelter from the rain. You turned to look at Paris and smiled at him politely.
- Yes, of course. Please. you said and lifted the carafe on your other side so Paris was able to sit down beside you. He was wearing a comfortable-looking, casual costume that had been made from blue fabric. The costume had two parts; a sleeveless vest that was tied loosely from the front with ribbons and a bottom part that looked like a shawl that had been wrapped around his waist. The garments were deep blue and they were decorated with white dots and short fringes.
- Quite a storm. he commented after sitting down. Your clothes were partially soaked from the rain because the wind was making the raindrops fly around uncontrollably and therefore your hair was wet too.
- Yes. I wonder why Zeus is so angry. you commented and poured some wine into the goblet, handed it to Paris and focused your gaze back to the view.
- You think he is angry? Paris asked curiously.
- Well, of course. Why else would he scare us with such raging storm? you asked with a sigh. You kept wondering if the Gods were angry at you for hesitating… you after all had the power to save your people by preventing the war… or maybe Zeus was angry that you were even considering leaving your home island and marrying Paris. Paris made a silent “Hm” –comment and after being silent for a moment he stated softly
- Hector, my big brother, would probably say that-
- What? you asked and interrupted him. “Maybe storm is just a storm” Paris continued with a casual tone and sipped some wine. “Ah” you commented with a simple nod. Somehow you were not surprised at all; Hector seemed like a person who would suggest such thing… that the storm was not caused by an angry God as a punishment for the mortal beings on Earth.
- And what about you? What would you say? you asked curiously and took the carafe, sipped some wine and put it back on the floor. Paris took a quick glance at you and chuckled a little when you lifted the carafe on your lips and drank like a man… although you still looked graceful while doing that.
- That it is a scary thought that there would be no one guiding our destinies. Paris answered and emptied his goblet. You filled it immediately and listened to him as he continued
- That we are responsible for our actions-
- But… we are! you exclaimed and put the carafe away again. Sure you believed in Gods, everyone did, but you were also convinced that every person was responsible for their actions, that no one could blame Gods for stupid things that the people did… or praise the Gods for the right decisions. Maybe the Gods had their influence on people sometimes but there was no way that everyone, at all times would be affected by some greater being. Besides, it was too easy to just to escape the blame by saying “the Gods made me do it”.
- Now you sound like Hector. Paris chuckled into the goblet. The comment made you burst into laughter, or maybe it was the wine that was making you feel quite relaxed and lighthearted. You were by no means drunk but pleasantly tipsy and even though you were on alert, guarding the city and watching over your sleeping people, you felt lighter and therefore it was easier for you to laugh more freely. Your laughter echoed around as it got mixed with the sound of thunder and storm winds, you could even hear the waves rushing violently to the shore, almost as Poseidon himself had been splashing around. When you had stopped laughing you took a deep breath and shifted your gaze from the horizon to Paris.
- I suppose it is because I’ve always known that the fate of my little island will be in my hands one day. you commented and smiled briefly. There however was a light undertone of sadness in your smile which made Paris suspect that you were lonely deep down and even though you loved your home, your people, the green island as well as the turquoise sea that surrounded it, you occasionally felt trapped by your fate.
- Aren’t you scared? Paris asked, staring deep into your eyes with a thoughtful, yet emphatic smile on his face.
- Of this storm or the responsibility? you asked and focused your eyes on the dark city that got illuminated by the lightning every once in a while, now more rarely than before though.
- Both. Paris said, keeping his eyes fixed upon you.
- This storm, no. you stated firmly, yet softly.
- Why? he asked with a slightly puzzled tone. In Troy he was not surrounded by the raging sea like this… storms there were quieter and he never sat basically outside during a bad weather like this. Oh no, Paris was either sleeping in his bed or entertaining himself with a company of some woman.
- Because it will pass. you replied as you scanned the skies, even though you couldn’t see anything. The night was dark and the sky was covered by clouds.
- The only thing what I am afraid of is that a lightning will strike and cause a fire. you replied and explained to Paris that there had not been proper rainfall for many weeks and therefore even a small spark could cause a wildfire. Paris emptied his glass and put it away to the floor, next to him.
- And about… the other thing? he asked curiously. “Responsibility?” you asked and sighed. “Yes” Paris sighed softly.
- Sometimes. you responded and smiled at the horizon. Then you shifted your gaze to Paris and continued “I’m afraid that I will not be good enough.” You sounded sincere and this hesitation, self-doubt, came as a surprise to Paris who had admired the way you had hosted the celebration and given orders to your guards during the evening.
- That I will make mistakes that will cause suffering to my people. you continued after a deep inhale.
- You see, that is something that I have never even considered. Paris stated with a silent chuckle. He went through his life, the decisions he had made, realizing that his life had been very privileged compared to yours.
- What? you asked curiously.
- About someone else paying the price for my mishaps… Paris spoke and dropped his head as he continued “…the wrong choices… the reckless actions” with a slightly embarrassed tone. “Why is that?” you asked, took the wine carafe to fill Paris’ goblet again. The carafe was almost empty and after Paris had given his glass to you, you shared the remaining wine; half for him and half for you. Paris thanked you and then replied with a surprisingly sincere voice
- Because I’ve never had the burden of knowing that I will be the one to rule people.
- It is not necessarily a burden. you commented and emptied the wine carafe with one long gulp, although there was not much wine left, just about half-a-glass.
- I have had a chance to be selfish and because I am the prince of Troy, I have gotten away with it. Paris explained and breathed in the sweet scent of the wine.
- Are you talking about your countless affairs? you asked casually with a smirk on your face.
- Maybe… But also about all the serious decisions which’s making I have been avoiding. he answered, paused for few seconds and then added with a firm, yet hopeful tone “However I feel that I am ready to make them now.”
- Hm. Why? you asked. Paris was like a puzzle that you wanted to solve; in a way he was exactly how you had imagined him to be but then again, he managed to surprise you by being much nicer and more sincere than you had assumed. You had a feeling that if Paris wanted, he had potential to become a great man… but it meant that he had to really want it, otherwise he would probably spend his life the way he had started it, by making reckless decisions and not really thinking about anyone by himself. “Why… what?” Paris asked.
- Why now? you asked. It, in your opinion, was all too convenient that Paris would just suddenly grow up and change his ways… just like that… and it made you suspect that he would return to his old ways just as suddenly because real change took time and massive amount of willpower. Paris chuckled a little and decided to be completely honest, you after all were the woman he had fallen in love with, no matter if people kept telling him that he didn’t even know what love truly meant. Paris was certain about his feelings and the depth as well as the seriousness of them and therefore he did not care what other people thought… except you; your opinion mattered to him and therefore he wanted to be honest with you.
- I must admit that the reason why I was at the cliffs last night was that I had heart that the king Herakleides has a beautiful daughter. Paris admitted with a slightly embarrassed tone. “So I had decided to climb into her bedroom” he added with a barely audible tone. “Into my bedroom?” you stammered with a somewhat confused tone. Right, this was not the answer you had expected… or hoped to hear.
- Yes, but then I fell into the sea and this time I couldn’t escape the consequences. Paris replied with a deeply thoughtful tone. “I felt… helpless and hopeless” he added with a voice that made you realize that Paris had in fact been terrified. You considered the possibility that Paris had never been that close to death, basically stared it straight into its eyes, maybe he had never even seen anyone dying, and therefore the event had been somewhat life altering for him. It was not like you had faced death many times yourself but you had almost drowned more than once or twice and therefore you knew how terrifying experience it must have been for Paris. “I can imagine” you commented with a barely audible tone. You had even seen your mother dying because she had stepped on a poisonous sea urchin and the infection had eventually claimed her life after a long struggle and painfully high fever.
Your father had been married once before marrying the woman who had then become your mother; the first wife had died during the childbirth and the baby, who had been a boy, had died soon after his birth. After that your father had ruled alone for many-many years, consumed by his grief, or so you had been told, until he had been introduced to a young, lively princess from the state of Sparta. Your father had been in his fifties at the time, but he had been young at heart and that quality had charmed the warrior princess. Then you had been born and your mother had died when you had been seven years old. You did not remember much about her, only that she had suffered a lot during the last moments of her life.
- When I passed out I could feel Hades’ presence. He was laughing at me, mocking me and he kept telling me that my life had been meaningless, just like my death. Paris spoke and woke you up from your thoughts. “A pathetic end to a series of selfish actions” he added with a disapproving voice. You sighed and said
- I’m sure your life has not been-
- It has, (Y/N), it has. Paris stated firmly while shaking his head.
- But then you saved my life and I got a second chance. I want to use this chance wisely. he spoke as he stared into the horizon with an assertive expression of determination that was exuding this newly found attitude and confidence. You did not quite know what to say so you just said nothing. The silence grew longer and for many minutes you and Paris just stared at the horizon, sitting next to each other on the marble floor.
- You could teach me how to be brave, patient and loyal… Paris said eventually with a hopeful tone. “How to make wise decisions” he continued calmly. You were flattered that Paris wanted to learn from you because it meant that he admired you, your character and the way you lived your life with honor and dignity. It also meant that his feelings were more than just superficial physical attraction. Perhaps Paris was being sincere… maybe he had in fact fallen in love with you. You turned to yourself to sit towards him and smiled shyly as you shifted your gaze from his knees to his big, brown eyes that were framed with long, dark eyelashes.
- And maybe I could teach you what I know about love, passion and desire. Paris stated softly as he did the same and leaned a bit closer. “Hm” you commented and shifted your eyes from his on his lips.
You had kissed before but never had wanted to kiss anyone so much than you did now. Maybe it was the wine… the storm… perhaps Paris was a master-seducer like his reputation stated… maybe it was everything combined… but the ultimate bottom line was that you wanted Paris to kiss you. Maybe you could allow it to yourself and in a way it would be almost like a test for him; would he be satisfied with one kiss or would he try to get you into his bed. You knew that testing him like this was cruel an unfair but you had to find out if his noble promises of changing his life were nothing but empty words and if his great compliments were just sneaky flattery.
- Or just… how to seize a moment… and not to worry so much. he corrected himself because he did not want to scare you away by talking about passion and desires. However Paris had noticed that you had started to pay attention to his lips more than his words and this gave him confidence that you were attracted to him and wanted him to make a move. Now, more than ever before, Paris hoped that he was reading you right.
- Do you think that I worry too much? you asked with a slightly sad tone. You had never thought about it from that perspective and now that you did, you had to admit to yourself that Paris had a point. “I think…” Paris began and took a deep breath. “Uh-huh?” you sighed barely audibly as you kept drowning into his beautiful eyes.
- I think you have always known what you must do… and therefore you have always lived for others. he said and placed his hand on your cheek. He traced your earlobe, jaw and neck with his fingertips so softly that you were not sure if you were merely imagining it. You felt excited and calm at the same time as you listened to the deep, soft voice of Paris and enjoyed his gentle touches. You closed your eyes as an involuntary reaction and sighed softly when he moved his fingertips to trace your lips. “What about you?” he asked. You opened your eyes and gasped silently when you realized that Paris had leaned very close.
- What about me? you whispered as you played nervously with the fabric of your dress with your fingers and shifted your gaze away from his eyes because the intense look in his eyes made you feel nervous. Paris moved his hand under your chin and guided you to look at him again. “Your dreams?” he whispered and closed his eyes. You followed his example and closed yours and just as he was about to press his lips on yours he sighed “Your desires?”
You felt his warm breath on your lips and you leaned closer to brush your lips against his. You felt Paris smiling against your mouth and drawing back a couple of times to brush his nose against yours playfully a couple of times. Then shifted his hand from your chin to your neck and leaned close again. You couldn’t wait any longer so you parted your lips a little and welcomed him to kiss you properly. Paris was a skillful kisser; he kissed you in a very romantic and sweet way at first and then deepened the kiss slowly. He wrapped his arm around you and pulled you close to his firm body as his lips kept dancing with yours. You caressed the muscles of his bare arms, his strong shoulders and finally sank your fingers into his curly hair that had gotten soaked from the warm rain. Paris moved his hand from your neck on your shoulder and slid the strap of your dress off your shoulder, pulled the bodice of the dress down and placed his hand on your exposed breast. You drew back immediately and accidentally hit the empty wine carafe. It tipped over and rolled over the edge, fell down to the courtyard below and shattered into small pieces.
- What the hell do you think you’re doing? you asked with confused and slightly offended tone as you pulled the strap back up and pushed Paris further away from you.
- What do you mean? Paris asked. He sounded baffled and completely incapable of understanding what he had done wrong. This was how he had kissed women before… and the women had liked it… and you had liked it… “I’m an idiot!” you scoffed and got up. “Hold on, what?” Paris asked with a puzzled voice as he watched you getting up and stepping a bit further away from him.
- I thought that you were being sincere but all you want is to have me. you stated and straightened your dress.
- But I was… I love you. Paris said and stood up as well. He accidentally kicked the goblet over the edge and it fell down too, just like the carafe.
- That is not love. you scoffed and shook your head. “That is lust and you cannot tell the difference.” you added and folded your arms as you turned your back at Paris.
- You are a selfish boy who never grew up. you stated as you walked away. “You’re wrong!” Paris shouted and stormed after you. You walked into the corridor that led to your private living quarters but suddenly you stopped, turned around and stated with an assertive, cold tone “Tell your brother that I will agree with the terms and marry you to save the people I love.” You emphasized the words “I love” by pointing at yourself with your index finger.
- But Paris, I will not share a bed with you. you added with a despising tone. You turned around and continued walking away. “Very well, I shall love you from afar then.” Paris shouted and after taking a deep breath he continued
- And I will prove you that I am not a foolish boy, but a man… a man of my word.
- Ha! you stated mockingly and it was more than obvious that you did not believe a word he was saying.
- And I swear to you that the day will come when you’ll be proud to call me your husband!
You groaned and told Paris to get some sleep. He however stated that he would keep an eye on the city. “Just in case” he shouted, to which you replied that the storm was passing and he would just waste his time by sitting outside. Paris however told you that he did not care. “You’ll get sick!” you shouted. “Oh you care all of a sudden!” Paris responded bitterly which made you groan again as you turned a corner and disappeared from the corridor. You hurried into your private room and told the guard not to let anyone enter. You felt bad, only partially though, for kissing Paris because in a way you had given him wrong signals and then you had gotten angry for him to seize the opportunity. You should have known that he would act just the way he had and therefore you felt slightly guilty for snapping at him the way you had.
You got undressed and changed your soaked dress into a light nightgown, went to bed and tried not to think about the kiss, but the kiss was the only thing you were able to think about. For a brief moment you had felt free and alive, and now that you thought about it, it was quite clear why Paris had chosen the lifestyle of a ladies’ man for himself; it was quite easy to lose oneself and one’s worries in the arms of another, to feel loved… even if it was just for a fleeting moment.
The next morning you woke up very early, after sleeping only a couple of hours and started to pack. You selected your favorite dresses and other dearest belongings and then met your father at breakfast. There you told him about the decision you had made, all the reasons behind it and asked him once more to change his mind about the price of gold. Your father however was a stubborn man and instead of bending to your will he told you to get out and blamed you for treason. He was furious and told the Trojans to leave his kingdom immediately.
You spoke briefly with the diplomats of your palace and explained the situation to them, asked them to send a messenger to Troy when your father died so you would return to rule the kingdom, with or without Paris. You told the councilors that you did not really want to leave but at the current moment there was no other way to avoid the war and meaningless bloodshed. The diplomats agreed and ordered the high priestess to make necessary offerings to Poseidon to grand you and the Trojans safe journey across the Aegean Sea to Troy.
It was the first time that you left Thassos and like you had expected it was a deeply emotional moment for you. You tried to keep a brave face, of course, but couldn’t help shedding a tear or two as you stared your home island getting smaller and finally disappearing from the horizon entirely. You didn’t really talk with the Trojans, especially with Paris, because you did not really think that there was anything to say. The weather was lovely; there was wind but just the right amount to make the journey go swiftly. The Trojans navigated by sailing along the coastline and they avoided crossing open sea because they did not have compasses or other navigational devices and therefore the journey took a couple of days.
When the boat finally reached the Trojan harbor there were carriages waiting for you and your companions. You and Paris traveled gloriously in one carriage, standing side by side and waving at the people who had gathered to the streets of the city to greet the returning princes. The Trojan ship had been spotted from afar and therefore the citizens as well as the palace had been notified in advance. You had never seen so many people of different backgrounds; there were people from all over the known world because Troy was an important trade –city and it guarded the passage that led to the Black Sea. However the city was not located by the sea but inland which was something that you had not expected. You had gotten used to hearing the sound of waves but now there was just… silence… Well, not exactly, there were many sounds; cheering people, birds, the sound of the carriage on the road that was decked with flat stones… but you couldn’t hear the sea… or the leafs rustling in the wind… the two sounds that you loved above everything else.
You were introduced to King Priam and within the first week of your stay in Troy you got married with Paris. It was a massive and extremely festive celebration which welcomed you into the Trojan court with open arms. You were given a large, very comfortable bedroom that was located next to Paris’ private living quarters and you were introduced to the diplomats of the Trojan kingdom. You felt welcomed and excited for your new life but still there was a constantly growing longing in your heart to be closer to the sea… to swim and go out for small boat trips with the local fishermen… or just stare at the horizon during the sunset… All this you had done before almost daily and now you were living many kilometers away from the sea. You however never talked about your homesickness to anyone and you kept your feelings hidden, putting a brave face even during the times when you were alone. You just couldn’t let yourself give in because you wanted to show everyone that you were strong and… content.
Paris did not even try to kiss you anymore because he was worried that he would end up offending you somehow. He knew that he had probably taken things too far too quickly when he had kissed you and then suddenly, without a warning or asking for permission, had exposed your private curves and touched you rather intimately. Paris however loved you afar, just like he had promised; he made sure that you had always what you needed and instead of being your husband he tried to be your friend, a friend that you could always count on. In the beginning he sometimes ended up flirting with the women of the court or with the wives of the visiting merchants but he never took it any further and he scolded himself for being so feeble and frail, so weak to resist the temptation, although he stopped the flirt before it got physical and by the end of the summer he had stopped flirting with other women altogether, even though it made him look a bit ridiculous in the eyes of some of his friends.
It was the beginning of May and despite it being quite obvious that it was not summer yet the days had been already rather warm and sunny during the past week, occasionally hot even, especially because there was no wind blowing from the sea in Troy and it made the city somewhat agonizing place to be, well for you at least because you had gotten used to having the sea breeze constantly blowing from the horizon. It had been a hot day and after eating dinner you decided to take a stroll in the garden because it reminded you about your home; there were olive trees that made the air smell familiar and you loved the sound of the leafs rustling in the wind… if only there was some. You were about to walk back in when you noticed Paris standing with his friend by the front gate of the palace. You knew that eavesdropping was rude but you couldn’t help yourself when you heard your name being mentioned.
- Are you not sharing marital bed with (Y/N)? the friend asked Paris with an amused tone.
- No. Paris answered. The friend rolled his eyes and stated immediately
- Your wife has duties… and you as her husband have a right-
- My wife married me as a duty, to prevent a war. Paris stated completely unaware that you were listening in the shadows. “I think she has filled her share of duties already” he added with an assertive tone. Sure it hurt him to be close to you without actually being close to you and to stop himself every time when he had been about to wrap his arms around you but he hoped that you would notice that he was trying his very best to change… so one day you would allow yourself to fall in love with him.
- Then Paris, you need a lover. the friend suggested with a smirk. You held your breath and shifted your gaze elsewhere as you waited Paris to say something. You were convinced that he would agree with his friend but for your surprise he stated “No!” firmly and then continued by saying “I made a promise to her.” The friend scoffed and shook his head mockingly but instead of bending to his will Paris actually continued with a proud tone
- I said that if she marries me, I shall never want any other.
You were surprised that Paris remembered what he had said. Sure you had seen him taking distance to the court ladies and you had not seen him even kissing anyone during the summer, autumn, winter or the spring which was now turning into a new summer… not even when the ladies had been begging him to… Besides, it had been early summer when he had made the promise, late May and you had assumed that whatever he had once said had been just hollow words to flatter you… to charm you and to sweep you off your feet but no, apparently Paris still held onto his words, even now when he did not know that you were secretly listening to the conversation between him and his friend. “But surely it doesn’t mean-“ the friend stated with a surprised tone but he was being interrupted by Paris who commented firmly “It does.” The men were silent for a moment, awkwardly standing beside each other and staring at the starry sky. You were just about to leave your hiding place when you heard Paris clearing his throat and speaking with a hopeful, soft tone “I have kissed her once.”
- It was a moment of perfect bliss. he added with a smile on his face but the smile faded away almost instantly as he continued “But then I made a mistake and the happiness was swiftly replaced with agony.” You swallowed once and covered your mouth with your hand to muffle your silent sobbing. Paris’ friend scoffed again and shook his head as he stated that Paris had gone soft and added “Maybe you should start wearing dresses” mockingly.
- Bittersweet pain of loving someone from afar- Paris continued with a thoughtful tone and then added firmly “But I am happy to endure it.”
- Because you made a promise? the friend asked. He was clearly unimpressed that Paris had changed his ways.
- No. Paris replied firmly and sighed. The friend rolled his eyes and mocked Paris by calling him a princess.
- Because I love (Y/N)! Paris exclaimed and after calming down he continued “…and I finally know the difference between lust and love”. After this the friend said “Fine, whatever” and walked inside. Paris however stayed at the main gate, staring at the stars and speaking to the Gods, asking them to grant him wisdom and courage to endure the sweet misery. He prayed Aphrodite to make you see that he loved you deeply, so you would open your heart to him and let him embrace you when you felt cold or lonely. Yes, Paris had noticed that you were homesick; he had seen the blank, yet longing look on your face when you had gotten lost into your own head, or the silent tears that you had shed when you had stared at the horizon. Yes, the horizon that was not glimmering in the sunshine like a sea but filled with dust and sand.
You sneaked back into the palace and got undressed before getting to bed. It was still quite hot and because you felt rather emotional, more than usually, you felt that even the lightest nightgown suffocated you and therefore you decided to sleep naked. You crawled to your bed after blowing off the candles, all but one right beside your bed, and instead of laying down, you took a large pillow and hugged it as you tried to muffle your helpless sobs with it. You missed home, sure, but you were also deeply moved by the things that you had heard Paris saying and the firm sincerity of his voice. The truth was that you had started to fall in love with Paris during the months that you had spent in Troy but you had not been brave enough to voice your feelings.
Paris returned to the palace, wished goodnight to his brother and retired to his chamber which was located next to your bedroom. When he walked past your door he heard you crying even though you tried to silence your sobs as well your whimpers with the pillow. Paris hesitated for a fraction of a moment but his heart got filled with panic and terror and therefore stormed into your room without knocking to find you hugging a pillow on your bed, your face covered with traces of tears and body shaking violently as you cried hopelessly. The sight almost broke his heart so he ran to your bed, sat on the edge, not quite sure what he was supposed to do.
For Paris’ surprise you opened your arms and welcomed him to embrace you. When he wrapped his arms around you, you leaned on him and pressed your cheek against his shoulder. Paris ran his fingertips slowly up and down on your bare back as he spoke comforting words into your ear. You calmed down eventually as you concentrated your mind on Paris, his words and his gentle touch. He pressed soft kisses on your shoulder and traced the crook of your neck with his lips as he blew warm air on your skin. He brushed your hair and then guided you to look at him by placing his hand on your jaw.
- Do you miss home? he asked as he searched for answers from your eyes that were filled with suppressed sorrow. You nodded and held your breath for a moment before continuing.
- I miss the sound of the waves… the leaves rustling in the wind. you described and forced a sad smile on your face as a pathetic attempt to convince Paris that you were alright. “Oh my dear wife, the light of my life” he said and pulled you back in to his arms. This time he removed the pillow from your lap and held you tightly against him.
- What if tomorrow… we’ll ride to the seaside? Paris suggested, mumbling against the crook of your neck. “Spend the day there, even night if you want.” he continued as he kept drawing small circles on your back with his fingertips. “We’ll swim in the sea… make a campfire, watch the stars and then fall asleep” he described softly.
- I would love that. you whispered and opened the ribbons of Paris’ blue, casual vest, slid the garment off his shoulders before wrapping your arms around him. His chest was broad and even though Paris was not a warrior-type, he had strong arms that shielded you from the world as you were sitting in front of him in your naked form, vulnerable and fragile, partially covered by the blanket. Paris was silently proud of himself that he managed to win you over, to earn your trust even though he had thought during the past eleven months of the marriage that it would never happen; that you wouldn’t even let him try because he had messed up the first kiss by taking it too far. Now he was holding you quite intimately and he had decided that he would be nothing but modest and considerate, gentle and loving towards you.
- There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I love you. Paris whispered, not knowing whether you had fallen asleep or not. At least you were breathing calmly and you were fully relaxed in his arms. “I would wait thousand years for you and I would even let you go if that made you happy” he spoke against your skin and lowered you down so he could tuck you in. He covered you with the blanket and leaned down to press a kiss on your forehead, assuming that you were deep asleep already. However just as he was about to stand up and leave, you mumbled with a barely audible voice “Stay with me”. Paris smiled and took off the bottom shawl that had been hanging from his hips since it was a hot night and after folding his blue clothes neatly on the back of a chair and blowing off the last candle, he joined you under the light blanket.
He kept his distance and stared at your sleeping form for an hour before allowing himself to fall asleep. He couldn’t really see you, but he imagined you smiling just a little bit as you dreamed about him, your husband. However the night turned pretty chilly before he managed to fall asleep because the northern wind started to blow from the sea that had not properly warmed up yet. There were large windows in your room and they were covered only by long, fairly light curtains and since it was late spring, you had already changed the winter-blanket into the lighter summer-blanket, which meant that you sometimes felt chilly at nights.
- I’m cold. you whispered when you recoiled from your sleep.
- Shall I get some extra blankets? Paris asked softly and made sure that you were properly covered with the blanket.
- No… just… hold me, please. you mumbled and rolled on your side, facing away from Paris. Paris wrapped his arm around you and pulled you to the center of the bed and held you tightly against him. “Is this… good?” he asked and placed his hand on your stomach. You however put your hand over his, tangled your fingers with his and pressed his hand against your chest, making sure that he wouldn’t sneak away. You could feel Paris breathing against your back and he could feel your chest rising and falling peacefully against his arm.
- Are you warmer? Paris asked softly and breathed in the flowery scent of your hair. “Uh-huh” you mumbled and pulled his hand on your lips, pressed a soft kiss on his knuckles and then placed your hand, still holding his, to shield your heart.
You tangled your legs together and fell asleep as the north-wind kept dancing with the curtains. You both had pleasant dreams and neither of you felt cold, a bit cool maybe, but it was alright. You rolled a bit in your sleep and turned around to face Paris so when you finally woke up in the morning, you were greeted by an adoring smile and a loving spark in the prince’s eyes that made them sparkle as he ran his fingers on your arm, slowly up and down. All the way down to your fingers and back up to your shoulder again. “Good morning” Paris wished with a morning-husky voice and asked if you had slept well.
- I did. You? you asked and closed your eyes because you were still a bit tired. It was very early anyway and the sun had barely appeared from the horizon. Paris slid his hand from your arm to your shoulder, neck and moved to trace the delicate features of your face. “Yes. Better than ever before” he answered and brushed playfully your nose.
- So shall we make a trip to the seaside today? he asked eagerly, almost as if he had not been even a bit tired anymore. You groaned and your groan changed into loud laughter as you replied “Yes… but…”. “But?” Paris asked curiously.
- I do not want to get up just yet. you mumbled and pulled the blanket on you and Paris. You opened your eyes and smirked at Paris. The blanket was very light and the sun was shining straight to the bed which made it easy to see each other even under covers.
- May I kiss you? Paris asked suddenly with a shy and slightly hesitant tone. You rolled him against the pillows and pressed your lips against his as a response, pressing your chest against his and wrapping your arm around him. Paris however engaged your lips into a deep kiss and rolled you on your back against the pillows, ending up on top of you and trapping you between the bed and his strong body. He smirked at you before nibbling your lower lip a couple of times and then getting lost into the sweet embrace. Your lips explored his, his lips studied yours and together you found the perfect way to kiss each other; the way that made you both lose breath, feel loved and adored and most importantly, the way that neither of you had ever kissed anyone else before.
Paris wrapped his arm around you, caressed your sides, back and stomach with his hand as he moved against you in the rhythm of his lips. You welcomed him into your embrace, to lay fully on top of you and rubbed his strong legs with the soles of your delicate feet as your fingertips traced the muscles of his back, shoulders and chest. You felt him against you, surrounding you, filling you with love and making you feel worshiped. His lips kept your mind busy as the embrace grew more intimate, finally ending into soft moans and words of mutual love.
You and Paris kept rolling in bed, finding each other’s ticklish spots and laughing loudly until it was almost noon. You had become one, fallen asleep for an hour or two and then continued fooling around until you heard his stomach making rumbling -sounds as you rested your head on his chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat and calm breathing. The sound made you laugh, especially because you knew that you were very hungry too and your stomach was now making the same noises.
- Do you like what you see? Does my form please you? you asked when you got out from the bed and walked to your private dressing room. Paris got up as well and walked behind you as you got dressed. He wrapped his arms around you and whispered “Of course” and then traced the curve of your hip with his fingertips, moving slowly higher as he spoke right into your ear “Your every curve…”. He pressed a kiss on the sensitive skin of your neck and traced the round, full curves of your chest, just barely touching and continued higher on your collarbones, neck, jaw and finally all the way up to your forehead. “The tiny wrinkles in the corners of your eyes… I adore them all” he said and turned you around to face him.
- I wouldn’t change a thing. he said with a mesmerized look on his face. You could feel a light blush appearing on your cheeks as you couldn’t stop smiling widely.
- Come on, Paris! Get dressed and let’s go! you exclaimed and continued getting dressed while you secretly watched Paris getting dressed as well.
You and Paris went to eat some breakfast, asked the servants to prepare a picnic –basket in the meanwhile and then headed out from the palace. You walked hand-in-hand along the corridors, across the halls, laughing and joking like two young lovers, with no worries in the world. The day was pleasantly warm and it was most likely going to get pretty hot, which was nice of course because you knew that the sea would be still quite cool. You did not mind because during your life in Thassos, you had gone out for a swim even during the winter months which had been considered pure madness by many.
- Oh, you must be careful not to step on a sea urchin. you stated as you were entering the front courtyard, right outside the main gate, where a carriage was already waiting for you and Paris.
- What is a sea urchin? he asked curiously.
- It is a black spiky sea creature on seafloor. They are poisonous. you stated and then noticed that Hector was walking with a man that you knew towards you, up the long stairs that led to the main gate. “What’s going on?” you asked because the look on Hector’s face was so serious and the messenger’s expression was even gloomier. You and Paris stopped immediately when the messenger bowed and started to talk
- I am sorry to inform you but your father passed away a couple of nights ago.
- What? you gasped without a voice. “My apologies, your father is… dead” the messenger said and dropped his head. You stepped a bit backwards and stumbled to the previous stair. Paris stared at his brother with a shocked expression on his face and then shifted his gaze to you. You had gone pale and even your usually-so-rosy lips had lost their lively color.
You felt like you couldn’t breathe and therefore your legs gave in and you collapsed to sit on the marble stairs. You had known that your father was an old, sick man but you had never assumed him to die so quickly and therefore you were unable to react in any way… in any reasonable way anyway. The sounds echoed in your head as the world spun around you until the words of Paris, Hector and the messenger from Thassos muffled away and the only thing you could hear was the sound of your own shallow gasps. You felt Paris sitting next to you, wrapping his arms around you immediately and pulling you into his protective embrace but this time you couldn’t really feel him. You were alone, trapped inside your head and unable to break free from the crippling shock.