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[stonestepper]

The Kings Consort
part four



This is an Alternate Universe story

Hephaestion opened his eyes. The king was on his back with Hephaestion's head upon his shoulder. The arms of his lover held him tight, and to Hephaestion the feeling was wonderful. He was a little sore, but decided he liked the feeling. Other then that his body felt alive, and the emotions he felt bordered on contentment and intense joy. He bravely snuggled into the man holding him, pressing his body closer and wrapping an arm around the kings waist. He rubbed his cheek against the strong chest and reveled in becoming a man by another man's hands. He had given pleasure to a great king and his heart swelled with love for the man who had brought him to such joyous heights.

Hephaestion leaned up to look at the still sleeping man. It was a wonderful opportunity to study the body that lay in repose. The king was beautiful. Such a strong yet loving face. Hephaestion longed to touch the features that were softened by sleep. Hair the color of the sun, made Hephaestion run his fingers over the ends. Leaning up on one elbow, Hephaestion stared at the strong chest. A body that had seen the battlefield. Hephaestion glanced quickly to see if the king still slept, before his eyes flew down to the massive organ that lay relaxed against his lover's thigh. The boy remembered Alexander's lips kissing him, licking and sucking him in such an intimate place. He remembered the rapturous feeling the action invoked. He wondered if the king would want Hephaestion to kiss him like that. To suck on the phallus that he knew could grow to such great lengths. He hoped so, he had so much to learn in this art of lovemaking. He saw a scar on Alexander's torso and another on his shoulder that ran down to his chest. Hephaestion couldn't help touching the scars, mapping them with his fingers. He imagined the pain the older man must have felt. He leaned down to lightly kiss the the scar that ran from shoulder to chest, touching the tip of his tongue to the puckered skin. He felt shy at his boldness and when he raised his head it was to find himself staring into the amused brown eyes of his king.

"Don't stop," Alexander whispered huskily. "I like you touching me."

Alexander moaned under the sensation of Hephaestion's tentative touch. The boy tenderly kissed each visible scar as if he could erase the pain that Alexander had felt. Never, had another man's touch left Alexander so breathless and aching with need.

It was a moment later that Alexander realized that Hephaestion had stopped his gentle caress.  The boy was now sitting up, a flushed look upon his face. Nervous at taking intiative, he was trying to hide the erection he had developed. His cerulean eyes glancing at Alexander shyly. Alexander remembered being sixteen. Hard and ready all the time. He hadn't been able to get enough sex, once he had a taste of it. He hoped he would be able to keep up with the awakening fires of his young lover's body. He felt older then his twenty three years. Eying Hephaestion's organ, so smooth and silky over the hardness, the sight ignited Alexander's own fires. Yes, he decided, he could keep up. Making the decision to wait until the legal joining for further lovemaking, he willed down his lust for the intoxicating young man.

'I am a little hungry," he said to the boy.

Eager to please, Hephaestion looked into the basket.

"Do you want to try one of cooks candies? She makes them with honey and almonds."

"I'll share one with you. And another glass of wine, if you would pour."

Hephaestion poured the wine, handing the glass to Alexander. He unwrapped a sweet from it's cloth wrapping and took a bite.

Alexander watched the full lips and strong white teeth sink into the candy, groaning when the tip of Hephaestion's tongue grabbed at a piece that was falling. Alexander took a sip of the wine, hiding his reaction to his lover who was fast becoming a must needed part of his life. Two days. Just two days and the boy was constantly in his thoughts. Like a craving in his bloodstream. Not just for sating his lust. He wanted to take care of the boy. Keep his innocence and joy of the world safe from harm. He wanted to ride and to take walks with him. Show him the sights of Pella, that he himself had loved as a boy. He wanted to see the world through Hephaestion's radiant eyes. These wishes scared him, he had always had his love and dreams dashed by his parents. Alexander was afraid of losing Hephaestion as the boy grew older and realized how desirable he was.

"Alexander?"

The king looked up and saw the guileless face of his beloved holding out the other half of the sweet. He reached out to grab Hephaestion's wrist, his lips taking the treat from his lovers hold. His tongue licking and sucking the sticky substance from the trembling fingers. Alexander watched his lover's eyes darken and his cheeks turn crimson with passion.

Hephaestion was mortified to hear an agonized moan pass from his lips, causing the king to smile triumphantly.

"Wine," the boy whispered. "Can I have some wine?"

Alexander reached for the glass, taking a long sip before holding the glass to Hephaestion's mouth for him to drink. He then leaned forward to kiss the moist lips.

"Are you happy with our arrangement?" Alexander asked the glowing boy.

"I was scared a few days ago. I can not believe how glad I am now," Hephaestion answered happily. "Are you.........happy, Alexander?"

"I am very pleased by the way things turned out," the king replied.

"Can we.....you know......do it again?" Hephaestion asked boldly. His face betraying his youthful desire.

"I want nothing more, my love. I think we should wait for our joining ceremony though."

"When will that be?"

"I need to be back in Pella. I will send a steward to work with your father. So I was thinking the day after tomorrow. We can journey north the next day."

"We have to leave so soon?" Hephaestion was dismayed that he would be leaving his family so quickly.

Seeing the sadness in his lovers eyes, Alexander wanted nothing more then to take it away.

"Perhaps they can join us in Pella, before we journey to Persia."

"Really, Alexander?"

"Really."

"Oh, thank you," the boy cried, throwing himself into the kings arms.

Alexander gulped at the sudden feeling of having his arms filled with a naked quivering Hephaestion. He held the boy close for a moment before looking down into wide luminous eyes. Alexander's control could only go so far. He lowered his face to kiss the lips that were offered to him, eliciting a moan from both he and the warm boy laying in his arms.

"Hephaestion. Alexander."

The two realized they were being summoned from a nearby voice.

"Yes, Triton," Hephaestion answered.

Triton appeared at the top of the stairs, averting his eyes from the lovers.

"Lord Amnitor would like to talk to you, Sire. And the lady would like you to dine with the family. You and your generals. I told her you were looking at kittens, she knows of Hephaestion's fondness of cats."

"Triton," Hephaestion cried!

Alexander smiled when he saw Hephaestion's indignant blush. Triton, used to the boy's small tantrums just talked on.

"I figured I would give you time to bathe the......day from your bodies. Dinner is in under two hours."

"Thank you, Triton," Alexander answered when Hephaestion stayed mute. "We will be down directly."

Alexander saw the tall man who reminded him of Cleitus glance once at Hephaestion, raking his eyes over the delectable form, before going back down the stairs. Seeing the boy blush from having been seen naked in a compromising position, he asked his lover sharply.

"Who is he to your family?"

"He was hired as my personal bodyguard last year, when father started to worry more about me," Hephaestion answered innocently. "He goes everywhere with me. I hope he won't be mad at having to move to Pella and later to where ever your army goes. Maybe he can teach me to fight, Alexander."

Alexander remained quiet as he thought of the look the man gave his lover, and thought that Triton would have no worry about moving to Pella as Hephaestion's bodyguard. He would be relieved of that duty. After all, who better to watch over the boy then Alexander and his own personal guard?

The two shared kisses while dressing, Hephaestion giggling when Alexander would insist upon touching his bare skin before it was covered. The king picked hay from the boys hair, loving the debauched and naive look that was his betrothed.

"Alexander?"

"What is it, my love?"

"I.....I....."

"I told you to not be afraid to ask or tell me anything."

"Since we won't be joined for two whole days, you won't.......you know, do this with anybody else, will you?" Hephaestion looked at the king with wide hopeful eyes.

"No, baby. I have no need for anybody else. I promise."

Hephaestion smiled and blushed. Happily he glanced at his lover.

"I.....I like when you call me baby."

Alexander smiled and picked up his baby, giving him a twirl in the air. He enjoyed the rapturous cry and laughter he wrought from his beloved. Giving the boy a quick kiss, he set him back on his feet.

"Come on, before your mother comes looking for us."

The group was enjoying an after dinner drink with their host. Hephaestion who was never allowed with the adults when his father had friends to dinner tried to be on his best behavior.

"We have had many reports these last several days of slavers. The Roman ship sailed home this morning. Makes me suspicious of why they came. They were not interested in any deal. And I am not sure of Bessos return to Persia. It is the black sails of Persia that have been reported. I am sorry that I made the offer to the two nations. I should have just surrendered to you and asked for your help."

Seeing Hephaestion's embarrassment for his father's situation, Alexander patted his future father in laws arm.

"Don't worry, Celeas. Your ploy got me here fast, and I am most pleased with my purchase."

All the men laughed when Hephaestion slapped the king on the arm at being called a purchase. But the diversion of the subject took away both the Amnitor's pain.

"What of the boys and girls these slavers take," asked Cleitus?

"We don't know. Sold in Persia. Or Egypt. Or given to Darius for his harem. We never hear anything of them again."

Alexander moved to the far corner of his couch. Hephaestion had fallen asleep with his head upon his shoulder. Alexander moved his head to lay in his lap, while Amnitor put the boys feet up on the couch. Both men looked at the boy with love in their eyes. Hephaestion had a long day. With little sleep the night before and an early visit to monuments of the gods, the afternoon lovemaking had exhausted the boy.

"You must worry for your children constantly," Ptolemy remarked. "They are all so beautiful. We never had to worry about slavers."

"What can we do?" asked Cassander of his king.

"I don't know what we can do. We can take Persia and give the slavers no market for their flesh. Find out who they are and kill them. You and your people will have to be vigilant for a couple more years."

"Actually," said Cleitus, "when we even start to take Persia, Darius will call upon all his men. It may not be to long before the sons and daughters of Athens are safe."

"On a lighter subject, is the ceremony planned for our lovebirds," teased Cassander?

"We have two days. Hephaestion is not a bride that has to have the full regalia," remarked Amnitor. "I haven't the means for a big ceremony."

"Hephaestion will just want to be with the king." Cleitus had been watching the two all night. Even now with Hephaestion's head snuggled into the kings lap, Alexander had been attentive. Brushing back the boys hair with his fingers, rubbing his shoulders.

"It's best to keep it small. Just family," Alexander said quietly. "I want to leave early the next day."

"Thank you for inviting us to Macedon, Sire. I thought my lady wife would cry. She will rest assured that Hephaestion is happy. I hope your mother will welcome him into her home."

The four Macedonians looked at each other. Olympias was a sober thought on any day.

"She will love him," Alexander said to ease the fathers mind. "We should get to bed. I will see you in our rooms, my friends. Lord Amnitor, if you would show me the way to Hephaestion's rooms. I will carry him up."

"By the gods, no. He is to heavy for that."

"Oh, let him," Cleitus said. "He's a strong king. And he wants to put the boy to bed."

Alexander just smiled. It was true.

Alexander woke several hours later. Terror had woken him but he knew not why. Living with danger these last few years had taught him not to ignore his feelings. Going out into the outer room, he saw that both Cleitus and Cassander were up.

"We felt it too," Cleitus remarked. "No noise. Just a feeling."

Ptolemy came in quietly from the outside.

"Three men heading towards the palace. They look like boys, Sire."

"Where are Amnitors guard? He has his army spread too thin." Cassander didn't like mistakes.

"Should I call our men, Sire?"

"No, we can remain unobserved without them. Let's see what's happening. Better armor up though."

The four men followed the whispers in the night. They led outside of the bedrooms of the royal family. Hephaestion, whose bedroom was furthest away was where the whispers were coming from. They stood outside the balcony calling up to Hephaestion.

"Hephaestion, hurry."

"Be careful."

"Shh."

The Macedonians watched astonished as they realized that the invaders weren't invaders at all. But three young boys. Obviously friends of Hephaestion as they watched awe struck as the young lord shimmied from his bedroom balcony down several sheets that he had tied together. Alexander seethed with anger as they followed the four boys down the path to the sea.

"He's sneaking out to go swimming," Cassander remarked. "That one is going to keep you busy, Alexander."

"Didn't he hear of the talk of the slavers?" Ptolemy couldn't believe the boys audacity.

"They're young. They think nothing can happen to them. Remember how we would sneak to the caves?" Cassander reminded them.

"And remember how I had to save you that one time," Cleitus laughed.

The trio realized that the king was quiet and the reason why was now swimming and playing in the water. At least the boys had kept on their night shirts, only taking off their robes.

Alexander was seething. Angry that Hephaestion was risking his safety. Maybe his life. He didn't even have time to be mad that one of the other boys seemed to keep touching his lover. He was so afraid that something might have happened to his betrothed if he hadn't followed them. No sooner were these thoughts in his head when they heard shouting and then muffled voices.

"They are under attack," he cried, running into the fray with his companions right behind him.

They could see a rowboat moored a short distance away. The moonlight afforded them enough light to be able to see. One of the boys was able to run away, Cleitus knocking down the man that tried to follow the young man. He hit the slaver with the blunt of his sword, not wanting to kill the man.

Both Cassander and Ptolemy were fighting two other men who had tried taking the two other boys. Surprise was on the side of Macedon. They quickly took the Persians. They knew they were Persians as the slavers were no longer trying to be quiet.

Alexander was looking everywhere at once. He was terrified. He didn't see Hephaestion. He scanned the darkness, his heart in his throat.

"Hephaestion," he yelled! "Hephaestion!"

"Alexander, there," Cleitus yelled pointing to a second rowboat moored further away. The moon came out from behind a cloud. In a split second, Alexander could see a ship harbored out to sea. Saw a man climbing into the rowboat, pulling a struggling Hephaestion in after him. He had his arms pinned back, and a hand over the boy's mouth. The Persian threw Hephaestion to the floor of the boat, and started rowing towards his ship, leaving the others to their fate.

Alexander could hear and see his own soldiers running down the path, but it would be too late if he waited. He ran through the water, starting to swim as it got deeper. He wasn't going to make it! Fortunately Hephaestion tried to jump overboard, the Persian stopped him, pulling him back into the boat. Hephaestion turned around and started fighting. He was no match for the Persian, but it afforded Alexander time to get there. Pulling himself over the side of the boat, he battled the Persian until the boat started tipping. Struggling to stay in the boat, the slaver let down his guard. Alexander, with a bold move, balancing on one leg was able to run his sword through the man's stomach. He heard the shouts to pull up and move out from the slaver ship. Alexander, looking up, saw the face of the man who stood by the railing of the ship. Bessos! He vowed to himself that if had to chase that man to the far reaches of the empire, he would.

He turned to Hephaestion, who sat huddled on a seat staring up fearfully at his king. Alexander carelessly pushed the body of the slaver overboard and started rowing towards shore. He let his generals pull him in. Not waiting for Amnitor to speak to his son, he pulled the boy from the boat and away from the others. He gave Triton a dirty look as he passed. Hephaestion stumbled a little, but Alexander just pulled him along.

Finally stopping a good distance away, Alexander turned to his lover and gripped both arms tightly. He restrained himself from shaking the frightened boy.

"Any man in my army or in my kingdom would have been dismissed, beaten or tortured for disobeying a direct command from their king. You knew you were not allowed to swim. As my husband, if you ever do anything that I have expressly forbidden ever again you will find yourself over my knees and spanked so hard you won't sit for days. Do you understand?" Alexander gripped Hephaestion's chin to be able to look into his tearful eyes.

"Do you understand, Hephaestion?"

"Yes."

"Any orders given are for a reason, Hephaestion. I was so scared when I saw the Persian had you in his boat. I feared I may die from the pain of losing you. I don't know what I would have done, my love."

Hephaestion burst into tears, throwing himself into Alexander's arms and sobbed uncontrollably.

"I'm so sorry, Alexander. You.....you can.....punish me, if you want."

Alexander met Amnitor's eyes over Hephaestion's head. Their boy had learned his lesson. They were sure he would need to learn many others, but for now he was very contrite.

Alexander watched his soldiers, who had followed them down the path, gather the prisoners. His companions were leading the other wayward boys up the path to their own families. Amnitor was no doubt releasing a red faced Triton from his duty as personal guard to his son.

Alexander held his boy a little tighter. So glad to be able to have him in his arms. Grateful that he and his generals trusted their instincts.

"Shh, baby. It's alright. I forgive you. Come on, let's get you back to bed. Do you think you can stay there this time?"

Hephaestion giggled, which caused him to hiccup.

'I love you, Alexander," the boy whispered, still scared of his lover's disappointment.

Alexander hugged his beloved close, leaning down to kiss the trembling lips.

"I love you too, baby."