Captive Bride; Warrior of Her Heart

by Andromeda

  Across the hall, Zenobia feels the same thing, sweat beading on her brow, her clothes feeling sticky and constricting. Her breasts tingle and there is a pulsing between her legs. Getting up from the table, she staggers down the hallways and out to the gardens to get some fresh air. The pulsing gets stronger and she pants, her skin feeling as if ants are crawling all over it. She needs something...but what? What does she need?

  A crunch on the gravel behind her makes her turn around. Alexander steps out and he looks at her. Softly panting, their heads spin; the world seeming to hold still. Then without a second thought, they lunge for each other.

  *************

  Alexander carries Zenobia to his chambers and kicks the door with his foot, before throwing her onto the bed. His lips smash to hers, pulling her close to him and Zenobia responds. Moaning softly, she tangles her fingers in his long hair, tugging gently in passion as he pulls his lips away to kiss and suck on her neck.

  His hand slips under her dress, hot fire trailing up her skin with his touch as she sighs softly. Alexander pulls his hand away and reaches up; with a soft grunt, he tears open her gown. His eyes roam over her perfectly naked form before him, and he sits back in order to take off his own tunic, tossing it away. Once naked in each other's arms, Zenobia pulls him on top of her, her legs wrapping around his waist.

  Alexander groans, a fire building in his stomach, a fire that only this woman can put out. He pulls his lips away and looks down at her; her lips swollen from his kisses, her hair spread out amongst the pillows like black ink. He groans, his manhood pressing against her stomach, growing painfully harder by the second.

  "I want you," he whispers.

  "Then take me," she whispers back.

  He spreads her thighs and slowly slides himself within her warm inner walls; they moan out in unison. Resting his hands on either side of her head, he begins to thrust, his strokes slow but deep. Zenobia moans deeply, moving her body with him, raising her hips to meet his rolls, her arms wrapping around his neck. His lips attack hers once again, their tongues sliding to meet each other's, fighting for dominance.

  His pace increases. Rolling so that she's on top of him, he grips her waist, guiding her to ride him as he pounds into her from below. Zenobia moans and groans, her breasts bouncing before his eyes. Alexander lets go of her hips and grabs the weighted orbs in his hands gently, kneading them and rolling her nipples between his fingers. Gripping her, he rolls them back over. Putting her legs on his shoulders, he begins to thrust powerfully within her again.

  They can't stop; all throughout the night they make love, only stopping to rest for a bit before pouncing on each other again. It's as if the feelings that they had tried so hard to fight against have finally become unleashed. They can't fight it anymore and finally give into their passions. They are tied together by lust and it holds them fast.

  When the sun raises the next morning, the room reeks of sex and euphoria. Lazily, Zenobia wakes up and looks around; her head pounds from last night's drinking. She feels a heavy arm around her waist and when she sees Alexander’s face, she bites back a scream.

  What is he doing here? She thinks. Why am I naked?

  Slowly, the memoires of last night come back to her and she is horrified. All last night she made love to him over and over again with abandon. Some of the events are blurry, but she knows one thing: she wasn't in her right mind.

  Seeing the sunlight, she curses, as she knows that she didn’t return home and Anthea will be so angry with her! Scrambling from the bed, she puts on her clothes from last night and runs from the room; the slam of the door waking Alexander.

  He looks around, his eyelids feeling like lead and his head pounds. The smell of euphoria fills his nostrils and instantly, he remembers: he and Zenobia... Getting up, he looks around the room but finds her long gone. Running to the window, he sees her galloping away on her horse. Roaring with rage, he pounds on the walls before collapsing on the ground.

  *************

  "Blade up, Zenobia!" Anthea barks. "Watch out for..."

  WHAM!

  Zenobia falls flat on her back as Kila slams her shield into her face. Everyone groans as she falls back before Kila runs over. "Zen, are you alright?" she asks worryingly.

  Zenobia groans softly and just looks up at the sky. This is her last training session because the Trials are in in less than 24-hours! In less than 24-hours, she will be fighting for her life to gain her freedom! In less than 24-hours, she’ll show Sparta what she’s really made of. But her mind isn't in it.

  Six weeks, that's how long it's been since Alexander’s little 'party'. Six weeks, that's how long it's been since she last woke up in his bed. The visions are still blurry, but Zenobia knows one thing: they did nothing but couple all night.

  How? She asks herself. I mean how did we even end up in his room? I never would have gone there willingly! So how did he get me there?

  "That was horrible!" Anthea barks, snapping her from her thoughts. Zenobia sits up as she marches over. "Zen, you're going to lose if you keep being scatterbrained!"

  Zenobia looks at her. She hasn’t told her what happened between Alexander and she, but she thinks that Anthea might be suspecting something happened. Zenobia disappeared all night of the party, and then shows up at the villa in wrinkled clothes, messy hair, swollen lips and reeking of sex.

  "I'm trying…” Zenobia says weakly.

  "Well try harder!" Anthea barks. "You lose and you will either one: die; or two: go back to being Alex’s whore! Do you want that?"

  "No!" Zenobia says firmly, but she will not deny that she enjoyed what she and Alexander did…

  "Then pick up your sword and begin again," Anthea commands.

  She obeys, blocking out Alexander from her thoughts. She fights with all her life's worth, and in less than five minutes, she has Kila on her knees with her sword at her throat.

  Athena nods with approval. "Good. Now let's go inside and eat."

  Zenobia eagerly follows as she’s staving; she’s noticed some changes in herself the last couple of weeks. Her waist has thickened, her appetite has increased and she’s been moody of late. However, she shrugs it off as nothing; if anything, it’s just nerves. Sitting next to Anthea, a servant brings a platter of cooked meats and Zenobia’s stomach does a flip. Looking at the grease makes her stomach clench and she jumps up, running from the dining room and retches down the garbage chute.

  "Zenobia!" Anthea says in worry, getting up and following.

  Zenobia retches another time, a second time, a third time, a fourth time. She retches a total of seven times before she finally stops. Her whole body shakes, her head pounds as if a blacksmith is beating out a sword on an anvil.

  Anthea looks at her curiously, waving the girls away as she helps her to her chambers, and sets her on the bed. "Are you alright?" she asks.

  "I... I don't know," Zenobia groans, holding her stomach. "I don't feel so well..."

  Anthea looks at her closer and then they widen. "Oh no..."

  Zenobia looks to her. "What?"

  "Zenobia," she says slowly. "Do you know of any...changes in your body as of late?"

  Zenobia nods. "Yes. I've been eating a lot more, my hips are thickening a bit. And..."

  "You've been moody and your breasts feel sore, don't they?" Anthea finishes.

  Zenobia’s eyes widen. "How did you know that last part?"

  "Because I've seen it before," Anthea whispers. "In many girls."

  It takes a moment for her words to sink in: Zenobia’s appetite, her waist, her moodiness, her breasts… Zenobia’s heart stops in her chest as she realizes what this means.

  "I'm carrying with Alexander’s child…” she whispers.

  Chapter Ten

  Alexander groans as he empties his seeds into Iraia's body. Panting heavily, he withdraws and lays at her side.

  Iraia smiles and rests her head on his chest. "Always good, my king."

  He doesn’t respond and instead looks up at t
he ceiling, his mind on that one thing that refuses to go away: Zenobia. Today are her trials and as king, he is supposed to go and watch to reward the winner, but he doesn't know if he can.

  Iraia sees his face and frowns. It's that girl again, she thinks. That brown-skinned slut! What does he see in her? I'm everything and he still wants her in his bed!

  Getting up, she walks to the food table and reaches for an apple. As she nibbles on it, her hand goes to her stomach. Four months, that's how long it's been since she's been carrying his seed within her. Time to play her final card.

  Smiling, she turns to him. "My king," she whispers. "I have something to tell you."

  "What is it, Iraia?" Alexander asks irritably. He gets up and begins to dress for the Trials.

  "Well...it's the most wonderful news," she says with a smile.

  "What is it?" he asks, his curiosity getting the better of him as he turns around.

  Grinning, she takes his hand and places it on her stomach. "I carry your seed within me."

  Alexander gasps softly. Slowly, he presses his hands closer to her stomach. His seed, his child grows within her; he is at a loss for words. Smiling at Iraia, he cups her chin and kisses her deeply. "You shall have whatever you want," he whispers between kisses. "Whatever you need, all you have to do is ask." Forgetting all else, he begins to undress, pressing her against the bed.

  Iraia moans softly as he enters her and smiles to herself. I shall triumph, she thinks.

  Meanwhile in the training arena, Zenobia throws up down the garbage chute for the fifth time this morning.

  "You can't compete, Zen," Anthea says, crossing her arms. "It’s not safe for you or the baby!"

  "I will not let this child stop me from earning my freedom!" Zenobia coughs before turning back to throw up.

  Anthea rubs her temples. "Alexander will not be pleased if he finds out..."

  "He's not going to find out!" Zenobia counters. "I will not tell him!"

  "Oh? And how will you explain your belly when it's round in a couple months?" Anthea asks, crossing her arms.

  "I'll...just say that I took a lover," Zenobia says weakly.

  Anthea laughs bitterly. "You and I both know that Alex won't believe that. Especially if you return as his bed slave."

  "All the most reason for me to complete the Trials!" Zenobia says strongly. "For me and my child! I will tell it...now fought for my freedom as well as its."

  Anthea curses under her breath and shakes her head. "I don't see why you just don't tell him…”

  "Because if I do, then I'm trapped forever!" Zenobia hisses. "You and I both know that he won't let me go! I could be carrying his heir!"

  "All the more reason for you to not compete! Alexander will never forgive me if something happens to you!" Anthea snaps.

  "I will never forgive myself if I don't," Zenobia says determinately. "I am not going to go back to being Alexander’s bed slave, and I will fight against it until my last breath."

  Zenobia smooths out her tunic, tightening her braided up hair as she shakes out her jitters. The arena is filled with spectators, cheering and chanting for the slave-warriors. She looks around and sees the two lines: one female and male. Today, two will be choice: one female and one male. While first, second and third place is being fought for, everyone wants to win in first place and have the highest honor.

  Alexander sits in the main box with Iraia and the Council at his side. He looks over the slave-warriors before him, his eyes searching for one in particular, and when he sees her, he smiles. Her grey eyes look sharp as ever, and there is a glow about her that he's never seen before. Looking to his side, he sees the prize for the two winners for tonight: four boxes of gold, silver and bronze, the golden wreath and two parchments of paper, one with the best villa fully paid for and the other declares their freedom. Taking a deep breath, he stands up and raises his hands for silence and then smiles.

  "My People!" he shouts, his voice booming. "It was proclaimed by the first Spartans that everyone shows their usefulness. And that is why once a year we have these Trials, so that the best slaves show themselves worthy about being citizens of our great city!"

  The specters cheer, the thunderous applause shaking the stadium as they cheer their approval.

  "Let the Trials begin!" he shouts.

  *************

  The first part of the Trials is known as the Megáli Koúrsa, or the Great Race. The runners are barefoot and must run three laps around the stadium while leaping over obstacles such as hurdles, dodge arrows and running over hot coals.

  Zenobia gets at the starting point and takes a deep breath to clear her head. Three...two...one. She takes off like lightening. Her heels digging into the sand as she runs. "Ancestors, give me the speed of a cheetah," she whispers in prayer. She sees the first set of obstacles and gets ready.

  Gathering herself, she leaps over the hurdles, her legs stretching perfectly and she lands on the side. Not wasting a second, she continues her pace, completing her first lap in no time.

  Behind her, one of the women trips and is imminently disqualified. The second obstacles are ready, the archers nock their arrows and point at the runners.

  "Make me as nimble as the gazelle," she whispers.

  They whizz by and she dodges them, bucking and spinning, one nicks her on the leg but she doesn't falter. One of the women takes three: one to the chest, head and arm, dying instantly. Second lap done. The final lap nears, hot coals spread out so that none will miss them or try to skip them.

  "Make me as tough as an elephant," she whispers.

  Biting her lip, she runs head on to the coals. The heat burns her soles, making her want scream, but she doesn't. Swallowing her screams, she runs, the pain slows her down a bit, but she pushes on. Behind her, two of the women scream; one tries to leap to beat some of the distance, but still gets her feet burned.

  Reaching the other side, Zenobia stops a moment to catch her breath before taking off towards the finish line. Running across, she stops, doubling over to catch her breath.

  The crowd cheers, screaming their approval. Alexander watches with wide eyes. She's won the race with such speed and grace... Looking around, he sees several men looking at her with uncovered lustful eyes; he knows that she is highly desired already. Between her beauty already...she will have suitors galore. Why is he so upset about this? He looks at Iraia and places his hand on her stomach to calm himself.

  Zenobia rubs cool water on the back of her neck, her temperature going down. Resting for a good two hours before the main event. Kila and Anthea come over, Kila smiling while Anthea frowns.

  "You won the race!" Kila cheers proudly. "Now all you have to do is win the Megáli Máchi and you'll be in the clear!"

  Zenobia nods. The Megáli Máchi, or the Great Fight, is the last event and the most sought after. It's called the Great Fight because the remaining contestants are put in armor and then fight against each other at once to simulate an actual battle.

  "I still think you are putting you and your child in danger," Anthea whispers. "What if..."

  "He's not going to find out unless you tell him," Zenobia snaps. "Which you won't. Right?"

  "I won't," Kila promises. "I hate his ass anyway."

  They look at Anthea, who sets her jaw; Zenobia looks at her pleadingly. "Please, Anthea...promise me that you won't tell him. At least...for now."

  Anthea looks at her sharply. This is wrong, she thinks. Leonidas needs to know... But she takes a deep breath and nods. "I promise."

  Zenobia smiles and wraps her arms around Anthea. "Thank you."

  "Come on, Zen," Kila says. "Let’s get you ready."

  *************

  "BRING OUT THE WARRIORS!" the crowds chant. "BRING OUT THE WARRIORS!"

  Zenobia takes a deep breath and walks out into the shinning sun. Fully dressed in the Anthea's Amazons’ armor, her leg-guards clink softly as she moves. Two short swords at her side and a shield on her arm, she is ready for anything that comes her way.
Looking at her sides, she sees her opponents. Out of the twelve that began, only five are left, including herself. Most she knows she can beat, but it's the one with the bows and arrows and long knife that she makes a note to watch.

  Getting in a line, they bow to the king and then spread out. Taking out their weapons, they circle each other, watching the other.

  Zenobia keeps her eyes on the girl with the bow and arrows who watches her back. Then she attacks, firing her arrows, aiming for her chest. Zenobia acts quickly. Slicing through the arrows before holding up her shield, hearing them shattering against it.

  The crowds cheer, roaring as the women fight. Within minutes, one of the women is cut down by the woman with arrows. Her body is dragged away.

  Zenobia pants softly as she duels with a woman with a heavy sword. She's not trying to kill her, just seriously injure her so that she can still live.

  "GO, ZEN!" Kila cheers with the other Amazons. "YOU CAN DO THIS!"

  Anthea bites her lip nervously. Glancing, she sees Alexander watching Zenobia with wide and unbroken attention. Not even when Iraia tries to take it, he refuses to be detoured.

  He needs to know, Anthea thinks. Since, after all, it's my fault she's pregnant.

  She begins to open her mouth to talk to him, but the scream of the crowd turns her back to the duel. There are only two left in the ring: Zenobia and the woman with arrows. They circle each other, studying the other's moves. Then she fires one arrow and two more in quick succession. Zenobia slashes at the arrows, cutting down two, but the third grazes her shoulder.

  Grunting softly, she makes a note to make sure not to let her get too close and to destroy that bow. Drawing both swords, she runs at the woman, dodging her arrows, but she can't get close enough. Rolling away to keep from getting turned into cheese, she holds her shield up in protection, hearing the arrows rain down...and then she gets an idea. Unstrapping the shield, she throws it with all her might. Instinctively, the girl raises the bow to protect herself.