by Andromeda
"Ahhh, my queen," he says. "We are glad you finally joined us."
Zenobia arches an eyebrow; she’s not late. Not really. But she can hear the edge in his voice and she doesn’t like it. "I'm sorry," she says slowly. "I was...finishing getting ready."
He motions for her to approach the dais and when she holds out her hand, he kisses it, but it's a gentle peck. He then turns to the man at his side. "Allow me to present King Xerxes of Persia."
The man next to him isn't exactly tall, his eyes a bit too close together and his nose a bit big. He isn't exactly handsome in the physical sense, but there is something around him that makes her think otherwise. "It's a pleasure to meet you, your highness," he says in thickly accented Greek. "I have heard a lot about you."
He takes her hand and brings it to his lips, but he doesn't kiss it. Instead, he softly breathes on it and sends goosebumps up and down her body, and she has to force herself to pull away.
"Nice to meet you too," she says and then looks around. "Where is my seat?"
"I hope you don't mind," Alexander says. "But I allowed Xerxes to have your seat for this meal. You can seat with his queen and the women of his harem."
He points to another table where richly dressed, heavily veiled women sit, chatting amongst themselves, but when Zenobia looks in their direction, they all fall silent. Her mouth tightens, but she knows better than to argue with Alexander in public.
"Of course," she says tightly.
*************
"I hope you enjoyed that wonderful meal," Zenobia says to Xerxes as they walk arm in arm the gardens.
Behind them, Alexander and Xerxes's queen walk, also talking amongst themselves. She is curious as to what they are saying in such deep conversation, but turns her face to Xerxes, who is looking at her with rapt attention.
"I enjoyed it very well," Xerxes says with a smile. "Your hospitality is very good. I hope that we can come to terms with this...disagreement."
Zenobia nods. "As do I."
"I was also very interested in your husband's terms of our truce," he continues.
"Oh? And what kind of terms were they?"
He lists a lot of minor things, townships, tribute and other things that will be split between them, but it's his last words that startles her.
"...and the marriage of your daughter when she comes of age to my eldest son... She will come to Persia with us when she turns ten to be raised as a proper Persian Princess..."
His words make her heart still in her chest as he talks, blood roaring in her ears. Alexander...he promised their daughter to his man?
"Excuse me," she says, interrupting Xerxes, "but I have to talk to my husband."
Pulling away from him, she marches to Alexander and pulls him away from the Persian Queen, not caring if it's rude or not, and drags him out of their earshot.
"You bastard," she hisses at him. "You bastard! You promised me!"
He sighs heavily. "So you know..."
"Yes, I know! You promised me that I could choose Mena's husband as well as you not forcing any upon her."
"This is a perfect alliance," Alexander says. "Think on it, Zen. If she has a son, then that will be our grandson becoming the next King of Persia after his father! Spartan blood sitting on the throne of Persia!"
"At the expense of our daughter?" Zenobia counters. "Mena is just a baby! She doesn't know anything outside of Sparta!"
"She is a princess!" Alexander almost shouts at her. "It's her duty as a princess! If we had more, then I wouldn't have to!"
His words are like a slap in the face and as tears blur her eyes, she does slap him, hard across the face.
"You always have to turn it back onto me!" she says through her tears. "Maybe you need to look in a mirror because no matter what you did to me, I always came back! Maybe I made a mistake! I'm telling you, nothing good is going to come from this!"
Turning on her heel, she storms away, not looking back.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Alexander looks over the map of Persia, trying to hold his emotions from spinning out of control. She was right. Zenobia was so right like always; even if it tastes like vinegar for him to admit it. The truce with Xerxes was nothing more than a sham.
Not long after he left from the meeting, his men attacked a town close to the neutral palace as if to prove a point. Alexander was beyond livid when he found out. Ordering everyone to mount up and leave as soon as possible, they returned to Sparta. Only to find out that as soon as they had left, the Persians had attacked the town they had stayed in, again to prove a point.
Alexander slammed his fist on the table when he found out, then flipped it over in rage. "That is it!" he roared at them. "We are going to war!"
Word soon spread through the city and their allies, messengers were sent to all the kingdoms nearby and soon he got responses. Xerxes is becoming bolder, demanding tribute from the kingdoms and if they refuse, then he would invade them.
Their armies began to train, but then again, living in Sparta every day is a training day and they are known for having the best warriors in the world. But even in all this, when Alexander is supposed to be watching over his warriors, his mind isn't on this: it's on his wife.
Zenobia and he have become strained, not talking to each other unless they have to and she is always with the twins. While he admits it hurt him that she was taking that tea to prevent her from become with child...he is the selfish one. He is trying to force her to do something that she didn't want to do; violating her wants and needs and trying to make her do what he wants.
He should have respected her wishes, listened to what she wants, but he just had to be a jackass and wanted to do it all his own way. He was so wrong in how he handled it too. He just wants to see this child grow; he didn't see the twins grow up and can never get that back.
But he knows he must tell and show Zenobia how much he loves her. She is his queen, and he needs to learn to respect her.
*************
Women fan the thick smoke from Zenobia’s face, sweat trickles down her back and under her gown as the heat before her makes her skin feel as if she is being cooked alive. The chanting of priestesses fills her ears as she glances around the dark, cramped room. The lair of the Oracle of Delphi, the woman who is said to hold the power of the gods in her hands. All kings come to her before they go to war or make a very important decision that can affect all of Greece.
Next to her, Alexander too is sweating from the heat, but Zenobia can tell he is trying to not show weakness in front of all the priestesses. However, one look tells that he is worried about her and this heat and fumes. As for herself, Zenobia is nervous for a different reason. She is with child again.
Somehow, she got the dates to take her tea mixed up, or she forgot to take it one day and Alexander did what he is famous for. His seed planted and thus she is with child again. She is trying to not be angry, more at herself than Alexander. He, of course, is going to be happy with such news; he's not going to care about how she feels what so ever...
The curtains open and a woman dressed in green and white approaches them. Everyone bows as she closes her eyes and in a raspy voice, begins to recite a prophecy.
For you, inhabitants of wide-wayed Sparta,
Either your great and glorious city must be wasted by Persian men,
Or if not that, then the bound of Lacedaemon must mourn a dead king, from Heracles' line.
The might of bulls or lions will not restrain him with opposing strength; for he has the might of Zeus.
I declare that he will not be restrained until he utterly tears apart one of these.
Then as quick as her appearing, she leaves. Zenobia looks to Alexander whose face is tight as he tries to figure out what she said. When she opens her mouth to talk to him, he holds up his hand.
"You may explore the city," he says. "But as soon as you are done, come to the palace. We have much to talk about."
Later that night, the doors close behind her as she ente
rs Alexander’s chambers. After their argument not long ago, the couple have been sleeping in separate rooms. Zenobia honestly does not want to be here, but she has no choice.
Alexander sits behind a desk, looking at papers before him. When he hears her enter, he looks up and stands to his feet. Walking over, he wraps his arms around her waist to pull her close, but she holds up her hand to stop him.
"I'm with child," she says firmly, deciding to let it all out. "I hope you are happy."
He blinks in surprise, looking at her, then her stomach and then back to her again. "Of course, I'm happy..." he says. "Why aren't you?"
"Because you forced this child on me!" she cries, tears welling in her eyes. "I... I wasn't ready for another child! And then there is Mena going to Persia..."
He surprises her by pressing his lips to hers. When she tries to pull away, he pushes forward, holding her close.
“Alexander…” she starts, only to be cut off by his mouth.
"Will you shut up so that I can kiss you?" he mumbles between kisses, pulling her back to him.
She lets him. Before she knows it, he's swept her into his arms and carries her to the bed, laying her on it. Hours later, they lay sweaty and panting, their naked limbs tangled with each other's as they lay in each other's arms; him kissing the top of her head.
"I missed that," he whispers, stroking her cheek.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't either," she whispersback. "But... Alexander, what are we going to do?"
"First of all, I want to say I am sorry; I should have listened to what you want," he says. "Second of all...do you want this child? I will not force you to keep it."
Zenobia shakes her head. "A friend once told me...that when you get married, you give up all the I's for an Us. I want this child, Alexander...do you?"
He kisses her softly. "I want it the same way I want you: from now and forever."
"This war," Zenobia says when she pulls away. "I know you must march out soon. I want to come with you."
He shakes his head. "No, my love. Sparta needs a queen with the heart of a she-wolf and the courage of a lioness to protect it. I will take 300 of our best men into battle. You will keep the army ready in case we need more."
Zenobia bites her lip. She doesn’t want this, and she wants to go with him, but sighs heavily. "Fine...but before you go, I want to train you in the ways of the fighting we did in Ethiopia."
He looks at her curiously. "What do you mean?"
"Xerxes most likely knows all about the Greek way of fighting," she points out. "But he knows not the ways of Ethiopia. I can teach you and your men."
He nods in agreement and pulls her back close, hugging her to his chest. “We shall train then. Tomorrow you will show me how an Ethiopian Queen trains her warriors in times of battle.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Alexander presses Zenobia close to him for a deep kiss before reluctantly withdrawing. Around them, their 300 warriors all cheer as they watch their king and queen embrace. Cupping her face in his hands, he looks into those gray eyes that he has loved from the moment he’d seen her.
"Promise me you will keep yourself safe," he whispers to her. "And you will keep our children safe."
Next to her, Philomena and Matthias stand stall. The twins trying to hold their chins high, but Alexander can see the pain in their faces, tears threatening to spill. They are going to miss their father as much as she will.
"What's this?" he says to them. "Why are you crying?"
"Because I want to go with you!" Matthias cries out. "I want to see the battle."
"I want to go too!" Philomena cries. "I can finally prove myself to you!"
Kneeling down to their height, he cups their cheeks. "I need you both here with your mother. You two need to protect the city as well as each other, your mother and little brother."
Behind them, a nursemaid holds a small bundle in her arms. The newest addition to the family, Anaxandridas, named after Alexander’s father. Alexander knew he couldn't go into battle with Zenobia with child and put it off as long as he could. The labor was hard and long; his love lost a lot of blood, and the midwives later told him that after this birth, she most likely wouldn't bare children again.
As for the child, he was so weak. The cord wrapped around his neck; he didn't cry even when they spanked him to make him do so. He just laid there, watching. Walking to the babe, Alexander presses his lips gently to his forehead, earning a gurgle and a giggle from his lips as he pumps his chubby legs and arms to reach for his father.
"Grow strong," Alexander whispers.
Because he is a prince and not a common child, he wasn't thrown over a cliff to be given to the gods for his weakness. But Zenobia's milk must have been strong because soon, he was thriving.
Turning back to Zenobia, he pulls her back to him for one last kiss before he is forced to let her go. In his absence, he has named her regent and should he die, she would rule as Queen Regent until their son is of age.
"I'll be back," he whispers to her. "Don't you worry about it."
She nods, letting him go as he walks to his white stallion and swings onto it's back.
Alexander raises his fist in the air. "FOR SPARTA!" he bellows.
"FOR SPARTA!" his warriors roar back in unison before mounting up and charging down the path.
*************
Sharp winds blow through the camp, wiping the tent flaps around them. Alexander’s large tent sits in the middle of the camp, made in the usual Spartan style. A large circle with where the minor soldiers are camped, with the generals and other officers’ tents in the shape of a large V. As they marched to Thermopylae, other forces from other Greek city-states joined them and together they have an army of 14,000 strong.
In Alexander’s tent, Titus, the head General, and several others all talk over dinner, trying to figure out the next move, when a messenger runs in. Everyone leaps to their feet, their hands on their swords, but the man drops to the ground.
"Who are you?" Titus barks. "And what do you want?"
"A... A letter, Sire," the messenger stammers. "F... From King Xerxes."
Titus looks to Alexander and he nods, holding his hand out for it and once it's thrust in, he tears it open to read the message.
"There is no need for bloodshed my follow king. Just surrender to me by morning personally and I will let you all go. But if you refuse, then my army of 300,000 men will march on you with the fury of the storm god Adad and none shall survive."
"What does it say?" Titus asks.
"Xerxes orders our surrender," Alexander answers. "And he says I must do so by tomorrow morning. He says he has 300,000 men."
"What are you going to do?" one of the generals asks.
"Continue with our battle plans as I said," Alexander commands. "As for myself, I wish to be alone a moment."
They all nod, bowing and backing out of the room before he walks to his bed and falls on it with an exasperated sigh. He rubs his eyes. What he wants right now is to feel Zenobia's arms around him, to be between her soft yet firm thighs, but he can't. Now is the time for war, now is the time to show Xerxes what Sparta is made of.
The next morning, Alexander rides out with Titus and two guards onto the top of a hill as they wait for Xerxes to appear. It isn’t long before he sees his black charger trotting to them with two guards of his own as well as his head general. They stop mere feet from each other, surveying each other's armies. He can see Alexander’s and Alexander can see his; and what great numbers they are.
"Are you here to surrender?" Xerxes asks.
Alexander shakes his head. "No, I shall not. It would dishonor my people, and my city."
"If you refuse this surrender, I will swarm you like wolves on a calf," he says, trying to frighten him. "We won't rest until every last one of your army is killed and then march on Sparta itself, salting the earth. Think of your women, children and elderly."
"You honestly don't know our women," Alexander says with a shrug. "Y
ours might be weak, but ours are anything but; my own wife leads an army known as the Amazons. They will not be pleased with you trying to force yourself on them."
Xerxes smirks. "Speaking of your little family. I will bash in the brains of your sons myself, take your daughter as my prisoner to give to my son...and then claim your wife as my own. So I repeat again, surrender."
He mentioning Zenobia makes Alexander’s blood boil. Without thinking, he draws his sword, pointing it at him. Xerxes’ guards all draw their swords while Alexander’s, their bow and arrows.
"You will not ever mention my wife with those lips again," Alexander says through gritted teeth. "And as for your surrender, know this: Spartans never surrender. We will fight you until the last man, and even then, that man will fight you."
Xerxes sighs heavily as if this talk is taxing for him. "I will give you five days to think this over...and if you do not raise the white flag of surrender, then we will attack on the dawn of the sixth."
*************
A heavy sigh rolls off Zenobia’s tongue as she throws up again in the garbage chute, before getting up to her feet and walking to the basin to clean her face. Damn Alexander, to always find a way to prove other's wrong…
In the small crib not far from the basin, little Anaxandridas coos and gurgles as Kila waves a golden rattle over his head with a laugh.
"He is so mellow," she says, looking at her. "How can he be so when his parents are two of the biggest hotheads in Sparta?"
"I ask myself the same question," Zenobia says with a wary smile. "He's going to have another little brother or sister soon."
Kila almost drops the rattle, but catches it before it can do harm and looks to her friend in shock. "You are with child again?"
Zenobia nods. "Apparently so. I haven't been able to keep down my breakfast for the last couple of weeks and my hips are getting thicker again."