She too twirled around like the concubine, her hands above her head, and this time, she was facing me. Twirling and twirling to the beat of the music, her bare feet tapping the ground at every pluck of the instrument.

I forgot how to breathe as I watched the woman, who had been ruling my fantasy land for months, moving gracefully like a skilled dancer.

This was too hot for me. The jealousy that was surging like fire through my body. Was she a dancer before? Did she dance for other rulers, who'd entertain themselves by her presence?

The way her hands moved, her bare waist curving delightfully at certain beats and the skirt that flowed all around her as she swirled, had me gripping the handrail in fervour.

Oh my sweet Mila, you really know what all to do, to get me intoxicated on you like this.

She was facing Helaine for most of the time, but when she'd face me, I could see what playful expressions danced on her gorgeous face, as her lips synced the song, kohl swiped eyes darted left and right, eyebrows moved. She was so fucking perfect.

I let out a ragged breath. My gaze immediately moved around if any men were ogling at her. Good for them, there weren't any.

She was in the midst of a step when her gaze fell at the entrance and she immediately sat amongst the women, giggling.

My eyes shot down at the group of men who'd started entering the hall. Then I glanced back at Althea. She was whispering something to her sister, Alexander's concubine, who looked down at her, annoyed. Althea looked at the men again, then retreated her gaze as she laughed with the other women.

Who the fuck had caught her attention?

I wasn't even drunk, keeping myself completely away from the cursed drink that was alcohol. Still, I'd never felt such rage rushing through me at any instant, except on the battlefield. And then I knew.

Whatever I was feeling for this woman, all this time was coming out stronger like never before. So much that it made me afraid that I could feel such strong emotions for anyone.

I looked at her again. Drank in her appearance because I couldn't get enough. Ditching the light, frail colours she used to wear, she had worn a turquoise green ensemble, symbolising Alexander's bow to the Persian culture. But her flowing skirt bordered with gold wasn't what left me breathless.

It was what she wore on the top. An off-shoulder, low enough for me to see her cleavage where my given necklace sat on her milky skin. Her delicate collar bones peeking out. The sleeves were short and puffed, sliding down on either side of her shoulders, teasing me relentlessly, endlessly.

What she wore wasn't even standing out in the crowd, compared to the concubines who'd worn plunging necklines. Caspara, in a heavy skirt and a single piece of gold cloth tied around her chest with more heavy jewellery on top.

Glamorous, flashy, lusty repulsed me like never before.

I was only hooked on my effortless blue-eyed fantasy, who wore minimalist jewellery, her attire decent than the others.

Like all the women, she too wore a wreath of ivy over her head, which was the last spell on me that made her look like Aphrodite herself had blessed her. Her hair tumbled past her shoulders, curling softly at the end.

I breathed in and out, calming myself that they were just my warriors who'd come to sit with the women. It was their duty to make sure they were safe.

And Althea. Oh, my Althea. She was just following the rule I'd warned her about. Of not attracting attention to herself that she'd stopped, the moment the men came in.

Alexander's concubine whispered something to her and left the celebration hall. And when my warriors started chatting with her, was the moment I backed against the stone chair. Weaving a hand through my hair, wanting to pull the hairs apart.

Jealousy. Again, it was there. To see them sitting so close to her, laughing with her, that I couldn't bear. Checking in on her, even for once, was a big mistake. I strode out of the gallery and for my room.

Let her enjoy Julian, she deserves it. She's such a hardworking woman, and she is entitled to have a wonderful evening.

As a king, I kept my calm because that's what a king had to do. He shouldn't be affected by the worldly deeds, remaining composed in every situation, but darn it.

I'd lose my temper way more easily if I sat down there, knowing I couldn't sit close to her.

The hallways were silent, except for the thrumming crowd of guests that came from the ground floor.

A distant voice, a giggle sounded from one of the passages when I reached my floor. Sceptical, I walked to the particular path as the pitch of the voice increased, sounding like a moan.

At the far end where a single torch burnt, stood Alexander's favourite concubine backed against the wall, and to my surprise, Fartaxerxes, who kept her captive between him and the wall. They were kissing?

No, they weren't. They didn't even know how to do that, given they were just eating each other's mouth. Gross.

I started a slow clap, amused. This concubine had some serious guts.

They detached at the sound, and I bet I heard him squeak out like a teensy girl. His hairs were unruly, breathless, but the look on his face told he'd piss himself any moment.

But what amazed me was the woman's stare as she looked unblinkingly at me, looking nothing like her scaredy forbidden lover. As if she was peeping into my very soul, figuring out who I was.

And just like that she broke her gaze, curling her arms around his neck, "You know what," she spoke loud enough for me to hear, "Cors showed me a room that's empty," she pulled him down, closer to her face when he looked close to passing out.

"Let's go," she flipped her hair in my direction. I could even make out the slight smirk she tossed my way, and the next moment dragged him to one of the secluded rooms for the night.

I rubbed the back of my neck as I ambled back to my room. Althea and her sister were polar opposites.

Though I could easily let their deed out to Alexander, I wasn't that type. I didn't bother with another man's woman.

Reaching my room, I plopped against the headboard of my bed, her book in my hands as I read on. Wishing she was here to read for me.

"JULIAN!"

I looked up from the book to see a breathless Jakov striding in. He was one of the few people who was allowed to barge into my room.

"What happened?" I returned my gaze to the book.

"What happened?" he repeated, incredulous, "My wedding celebration happened, and you are sitting here?!" he howled.

"Yeah, so go enjoy," I turned the pages, "If there's anything else I can help you with, you can tell-"

"Jules, seriously?" he dragged a chair to sit, burying his face in his hands, "Are you... fed up with the preparations?" he mumbled.

"Then I wouldn't have asked you the last question," I smiled as I reread the account of the bath arena, where she'd written too much flattery about me.

"It won't look good if the king himself is missing from the celebration," he reasoned out, "Even Alexander isn't there. He's strategizing his next annexation with a few of your warriors, drinking himself to oblivion in the banquet!" The myrtle necklace he wore now had the petals falling onto his lap.

"You and Helaine are the king and queen of Romanos for today," I flipped the pages, "Both of you can sit on my throne too. Enjoy."

When he said nothing, I noticed his gaze fixed on the book, "You know what, Jules? There are some men. Men like us, who can't live alone," I stopped reading, but didn't raise my eyes to him, "Keeping aside war and politics, we do yearn for a wife and family."

My jaw clenched, not hard enough for him to notice.

"And that's what you need. A wife. How long are you going to stay alone? Man, I wish it wasn't mine but your wedding celebration today. I would've been much happier," he huffed, averting his gaze to look outside.

We'd joke most of the time. But when he would start with all this, it always stabbed in the heart. The truth hurt much more than a sword's slash.

"There are so many of them downstairs," he sighed, "princesses and noblewomen, everyone talking about you," he stood up.

"And if you have..." he trailed, eying my book with a smirk, "already decided someone, then... congratulations."

I ignored him.

"If not for me, come down for Helaine's sake," he threw his hands up in the air when I didn't budge. His bronze hair, a mess with the times he'd run his hand through them.

"She's the last woman who'll take offence to my actions," I snickered. The banter between us was limitless, to the point that we didn't care if any one of us felt bad.

"Proaulia is a feast held by the bride's father, in her house, and I couldn't be more grateful that you offered to do that for her when she doesn't have a-"

"She's like my sister, Jakov. I would've done that either way." I closed the book to look at him. The groom who should be enjoying the most was standing here, tired of making me agree.

"What I want to tell you is, deep down, she will feel bad if you're not there!" I kept the book back at its place and closed the cupboard, resting my head against it. He was worse off than a stubborn kid.

"Julian..." This time his voice was teasing, "Are you nervous of-"

"Fix your hair. You look ugly," I grabbed my royal fur coat and strode out of my room for the celebration hall.

"All hail our King-" I glared down at the warriors who had started to sing at my entrance. I motioned for them to quieten and walked ahead. Honestly, I didn't want to have a grand welcome, only wanting to mix in the crowd.

So she wouldn't spot me.

I chose the area near the throne, having told Jakov that he was the king for a day. Finding they were distributing herb water, I grabbed one, hiding my face behind the goblet.

"Well, that one there?" I heard a general mumble to another one, "who's laughing with that warrior?"

"Damn yes," the other one wiped his drool, "I came this far just to see her. Court writer of Romanos. So fucking beautiful," In his drunken state, even his whisper was audible.

"Right mate, just look at her," The first one grinned, "Cute and hot at the same time. We don't find such a woman nowadays-"

"Egan and Icarus," I placed my goblet down, "I see my court writer has interested you."

They jolted, blinking repeatedly to make out who was talking, "Y- Your Honour, you are here!" They exclaimed, "We never knew you were... here. Y- Yes we, heard about your court writer," Their eyes darting back to look at her.

"Then you would've heard about my lions too? Or better yet, the underground cellar of Romanos," I looked at them, emotionlessly, as fear crept up to their faces.

I went back to watching her from afar as the two men began talking about politics, looking anywhere but her. She was talking with Helaine. Surprisingly, a lyre in her hands as she plucked its string now and then.

If she knows how to play the lyre, I'll die tonight.

"Julian," an arm came around my shoulder as warrior general Kyril settled beside me, a goblet of wine in his hand, "Long time no see, mate."

We exchanged greetings, and I went back to assess the crowd. Two warriors brought in Helaine's pets, Lola and Juno as they walked in like they owned the place, settling themselves on either side of the throne.

"Well... I see your court writer now..." Kyril swirled his wine, gruff face hooked on the one person that had my blood boil.

"She's a piece of art," he snickered, watching her shake in laughter as he drank his wine, "I wonder how she'd look like in-"

I turned to face him sharply, "in?" I threatened.

He choked, "A- Assembly hall. In Athens' assembly hall," he nodded, "She can easily qualify to read scriptures on taxes there. But ah, what a misery that they don't allow woman," he tched, "unfair."

After that he began droning about Greek politics, which was my favourite, but I couldn't concentrate in the presence of this woman, who was making me high on her.

When one of my laughing warrior's gaze landed on me who sat with the concubines and Althea, he froze.

I nodded to him and motioned to the other warriors to calm the fuck down. He knew well what to do because soon enough, Althea's eyes met mine and she stilled, her laughter ceasing instantly.

I finished my drink, not taking my eyes off this evening's temptation.

Why do I feel like you'll end up in the lion's den tonight, Mila...

I averted my gaze, breathing hard.

Why was he looking so... intense.

And holy shit, when the hell did he enter the hall?

I pulled at the tip of my hair, curling my finger around it, nervous. Was I laughing too much? I couldn't help it when his warriors were the comedians of this century.

"I'm trying to imagine it all again," Helaine closed her eyes, a smile on her face, "The gift you and your sister gave me, Althea. It was spectacular! I wish I also knew how to dance like that!" she clapped.

It was Cheryl's idea to gift the bride, a performance. We were trained in everything, from fighting to dancing. To fit in whatever position we got in this ancient time.

"And your song before that," she held my hands, "I want to listen to it again!" she looked at the lyre resting in my lap.

I giggled. I had no idea she would like a twenty-first-century pop song translated into ancient Greek so much.

It was during the last few months before we departed from our century that I tried translating some lyrics into ancient languages whilst keeping the originality of the beats.

It was a self-test that I'd finally become fluent in the ancient languages.

"Honestly, it described me and Jakov so well..." she sighed.

Drums began to roll and warriors rose in unison, welcoming the groom - Jakov. Shining like a Sun with his gold-encrusted royal robe, a crown made of gold strings over his head, a proud smile on his face as his eyes searched for his bride.

It didn't take him much time as he moved towards us, his eyes lovingly transfixed at his soon-to-be wife.

He extended his hand, and she took it carefully before standing up. Everyone yowled up like wolves in a forest when he placed a gentle kiss across her temple.

Julian's kisses were also always gentle...

I shook my head, a blush arising at my cheeks at what I was thinking. Imitating others, I started showering flower petals on the couple as they seemed like walking down the aisle and settled in the throne. An utterly beautiful sight with the two powerful creatures of the wild - Lola and Juno sitting on either side.

My God, I so wanted to click a picture and frame it.

Music, dances, even play performances went on the entire evening. I wanted to scream in elation when a play by the greek playwright Achaeus of Eretria started. In the modern-day, his plays were only found in fragments and now, I was sitting here, watching it all play in front of me.

I craned my neck to look backwards, where Aarmen sat at the end, dazed by the unfolding of this unimaginable aspect.

"Coretta! It's Achaeus of Eretria there! Damn, I can't believe..." he messaged me. To Dunkin's absolute horror, priests weren't allowed to entertain themselves as he sat stuck in a room, weaving flower chains.

While Cheryl and Lorenzo... they just missed this opportunity. Deliberately.

"Take his interview when the celebration's over," I messaged back, laughing. Achaeus wrote tragedies and satyr plays. Right now, the latter was playing, making everyone roll in laughter.

I peeked a glance at Julian. His eyes were darting back and forth between the actors, not even a little smile on his face. If not this, I didn't know what would make him laugh.

It barely took him a second to notice my stare, after which a smile morphed into his face.

What happened? I mouthed him, not sure where I was getting all the confidence from.

A hint of devilishness came over his face, a knowing smile as his eyes ever so slowly fell on my lips and neck and down and down...

Then back up. And I wasn't breathing anymore.

Wow, he mouthed back. His tongue peeking out to swipe through his lower lip before he bit on. Intoxicating seduction dripping through his gaze.

I would need an oxygen mask now.

The ceiling had geometrical designs carved on it from where I could see the night sky shimmering with stars. We may have advanced in technology, but ancient people were no less. A hall housing such an amount of people would easily get humid and suffocating, but it didn't, thanks to the carvings that served as an inlet to the night breeze.

At the end of the event, Jakov declared that everyone could enjoy the night feast now. One after the other, they stepped onto the throne's pedestal to gift the lovely couple with presents from around the world. The only person missing was a photographer.

Most of the important people were out now, and I wondered why Julian was still here. I was on high alert ever since he came in.

Phoebe and Zurin looking more than gorgeous were busy tattling how they'd broken the hearts of so many men in their teen years, when Helaine clapped.

"Althea!" she cheered, "I remember some lyrics from your song and Jakov loved it! Could you sing again? For both of us," she held Jakov's arm in glee as he gave me an encouraging smile.

Don't attract attention to yourself.

I took in a shuddering breath.

What wrong have I ever done to you, Helaine? I gave her an uneasy smile. But before I could say anything, the warriors and concubines sprang up.

"You know how to sing?!"

"No, no, I don't..." I looked helplessly at her, "It's just I was... trying on the lyre and-"

"It's a punishable offence to lie to the king and queen, Althea," Helaine replied with a cheeky grin.

I was just trying out how the people of these times reacted to a pop song, and I'd picked Helaine alone for my experiment.

I thought she was a quiet woman, but what a megaphone she turned out to be.

"She's right," Jakov laughed, "We are the rulers of Romanos for today, so you need not worry about..." his gaze drifted over Julian, then back to me, "other people," he smiled.

"I- I can't sing that loud..." I fumbled. It was a goddamn hall! With His Honour sitting in! "I'll probably make a fool of myself," I wiped my clammy palms against my skirt.

"Hold up, you all!" Ashtor rose, a hand up in the air, "silence," he motioned to the few people that were still scattered around, "Yes dear court writer, all good?" he grinned down at me.

Ashtor had always been an accident waiting to happen. And he didn't disappoint this time as well.

In one last chance, I looked at Julian, but he was talking to a fellow companion. His hand moved back to his neck, and he held a fistful of his hair, cracking his neck from side to side.

I closed my eyes. It was enough of a hint for me to recall what happened in the forest.

Phoebe shoved the lyre in my hand, but I sat frozen.

"I can... sing for Helaine and Jakov after the feast-"