secret thoughts

Chap. 6 (the king property)

Cleitus lay awake staring at the beauty beside him. The golden necklace shining in the moon light. After making love with Hephaistion he realized he wasn’t tired. He watched as Hephaistion dozed off in a light sleep. I never thought it would feel like this. By the gods he’s beautiful. Hephaistion shifted in his sleep curling into Cleitus’s warm body. Dark strands of hair sliding across the pillow. Kissing the dark strands Cleitus drift into an easy sleep.

Hephaistion woke up curled around Cleitus. The other man was still asleep. Such beauty. I never thought anyone was beautiful but Alexander. By the gods what have I done.

“Having second thoughts,” Cleitus stated looking at the beautiful body beneath him.

“I didn’t realize you were up. And no I’m not having second thoughts. Last night was beautiful.”

“I’m glad. But you still seem distracted. Your worried about Alexander’s reaction aren’t you.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt. Alexander’s wrath isn’t something to take lightly.”

“I’m glad your worried but I can handle Alexander. Now come I want take a bath with you.” Cleitus gently lowered Hephaistion down into the steaming water. He ran feather light kisses down the young mans body. Loving how Hephaistion moaned in pleasure. After a while Hephaistion joined in running his tongue up Cleitus’s ear. “So beautiful,” Cleitus mummers capturing Hephaistion mouth in a passionate kiss.

“Cleitus if we don’t stop we’ll be late for Alexander’s meeting.” Hephaistion moans, kissing down Cleitus’s body.

“I don’t think I can stop,” Cleitus says positioning himself behind Hephaistion.

Hephaistion and Cleitus had just finished dressing when there was a knock on the door. “Wait here I’ll get it,” Cleitus says walking out the bathing chamber and into the main sleeping area. He was surprised to see Ptomely standing on the other side. “Ptomely,” Cleitus says looking at the man in shock. Ptomely could barely stand being around Cleitus half the time. What was he doing at his door.

“Alexander, has cancelled the meeting. He says he’ll discuss Asia later.” Ptomely says walking away. “If you’ve done what I think you have, I wouldn’t go any where near Alexander,” he warns disappearing down the hall.

Cleitus turns to find Hephaistion standing behind him fully dressed. “I should go,” he says, walking closer to Cleitus.

“Don’t worry everything will be alright. He doesn’t know he only suspects,” Cleitus says wrapping his arms around Hephaistion.

“What if he finds out. What if he does something to you,” Hephaistion says tucking his head under Cleitus’s chin.

“He won’t, he wouldn’t dare. King or not,” Cleitus says.

“I should go back to my room. I’ll see you later,” Hephaistion says kissing Cleitus, then walking away.

“Hephaistion,” Cleitus says grabbing the younger mans arm. “No regrets.”

Hephaistion turns to face Cleitus and smiles, “No, no regrets.”

It had been two weeks since Hephaistion and Cleitus had slept together and so far they had yet to be caught. The soldiers and the generals alike know nothing of what went on at night within Cleitus’s room. They never went to Hephaistion’s room for fear that Alexander might walk in. Nobody know anything except Alexander. Alexander watched as Cleitus lavished Hephaistion with gifts. What he didn’t know is that they were sleeping together. It was taking all his control not to have Cleitus executed for treason and put his mind at ease. But knowing he couldn’t he decided to talk to Hephaistion instead.

When Alexander got to Hephaistion’s room his friend had just gotten dressed. “Alexander, how may I help you.”

“We need to talk Hephaistion,” Alexander says coming to stand in front of his best friend and lover.

“We have barely been together these few weeks,” Alexander says wrapping his arms around Hephaistion and pulling him closer.

“I thought you wanted to talk, and besides I figured you want to spend time with your wife.”

“She means nothing to me Hephaistion, you know that. Don’t let Cleitus fill your head with lies my love.”

“Is this what you came here for to discuss Cleitus,” Hephaistion says removing Alexander’s hands from his waist.

“You don’t think I see. The man wants to bed you Hephaistion. And as soon as he does all this attention he’s giving you will stop,” the king yells. Why couldn’t Hephaistion see he was trying to protect him.

“Your wrong. Your just jealous someone besides you finds me interesting.”

“He doesn’t find you interesting Hephaistion, why can’t you see that. He’s only using you to get to me,” Alexander says running his hands through dark hair. “He doesn’t love you like I do.” Alexander pulls Hephaistion close and kisses him deeply. “He can’t give you what I can. No can.” Alexander whispers guiding Hephaistion towards the bed. “I love you.”

“I love you to Xander,” Hephaistion says kissing Alexander back.

Cleitus was not surprised when Hephaistion walked into the meeting hall with Alexander. He wasn’t even surprised when Alexander shot him a triumphant look. While wrapping his hand possessively around Hephaistion’s waist. He just wished Hephaistion could see that Alexander was using him. “I have decided, we leave for Asia in three days,” Alexander says taking a seat at the head of the table Hephaistion to his right. “But tonight we will have a banquet for my queen. Everyone is expected to come. That is all,” Alexander says.

“That was a short meeting,” Hephaistion says as he steps into Alexander’s room.

“Do you love him,” Alexander asks turning to face Hephaistion.

“Love who?”

“Cleitus, Hephaistion. Do you love him.”

“Of course not why would you ask such a ridiculous question.”

“Because you wear his symbol around your neck.”

Hephaistion touches his necklace. “It was a gift. I don’t love him. I love you. You know this.”

“Then give it back to him. Tonight at the banquet.”

“Alexander.”

“Prove to him and everyone else that you are mine. Prove to me, you have only me in your heart.”

Hephaistion looks down. “Alexander, don’t make me do this.”

“You love me don’t you.”

“Of course I do.”

“Then turn him down in front of everyone. I’ll see you at the banquet,” Alexander says leaving.

Hephaistion waits until he is sure Alexander is gone before running to Cleitus’s room. When he gets there he knocks and waits for Cleitus to come. When the door opens a slave is standing on the other side. “Where is general Cleitus.”

“He is not here my lord, the king has summoned him,” the slave says.

“Should I tell him you wish to speak with him when he returns my lord.”

“No,” says Hephaistion, “I will speak to him at the banquet,” he says leaving.

By the time of the banquet Hephaistion is a wreck. He had to warn Cleitus that about what was to happen tonight. Finally after Alexander’s speech Hephaistion fount Cleitus and was able to get him alone, or so he thought. “Hephaistion, what’s wrong.”

“Alexander wants me to give the necklace back and announce to everyone that I refuse your advances. He says you are just using me and soon as you get me in bed you will forget me.”

“He just jealous you know this. You know me. Make the announcement tell the king what he wants to hear then meet me in my quarters after the banquet,” Cleitus whispers then kisses Hephaistion. When Hephaistion pulls back his heart stops, standing behind Cleitus is Alexander. Noticing Hephaistion reaction Cleitus begins to turn around asking “Hephaistion what’s...” he never gets to finish his question as Alexander’s fist connects with his jaw. Before he can react he gets a hard kick to the mid-section.

“Alexander, no” Hephaistion says grabbing Alexander’s arm. Alexander turns around and backhanding Hephaistion hard sending him crashing to the ground. “Don’t you dare stop me,” he yelled, his anger and jealous clouding everything. “I warned you,” he yells at Cleitus. Kicking him, “I warned you if you ever touched him.”

“Alexander please,” Hephaistion says standing in front of the king his face already swelling from the smack, tears forming in his blue eyes making them shin. “He means nothing, to me. I belong to you and you alone. I love you,” Hephaistion says taking off the necklace Cleitus gave him and throwing it down at the injured man. “He means nothing,” Hephaistion says leaning forward and kissing Alexander.

“Nothing,” says Alexander kissing Hephaistion forcefully. With one last glance at Cleitus the Alexander drags Hephaistion from the banquet. Cleitus looks up in time to see Hephaistion mouth an apology.

“This isn’t over Alexander.” Cleitus whispers.