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.“He is no different than all the other men, spouting lies and keeping secrets.You needed to see.”“Consider me educated, then.” Helen pulled away again, this time successfully.“You really don’t care who you hurt, do you? For shame, Nestra.” She motioned for Aethra to join her, and they quickly retreated to the palace.Helen did not turn to see the crushed look of pain and anger on her sister’s face.She knew Clytemnestra would still be standing on the dock watching her depart, regal as a queen.And so Helen missed when the queen finally made up her mind to follow after her.Paris and Glaucus returned to the palace at a leisurely pace.Paris opted against the proffered chariot, taking the time traveling on foot to fill in his captain of the king’s demand.“You’re lucky he didn’t kill you.”“He had his reasons to keep me alive.” Paris grumbled, his stomach turning at the king’s perversity.Paris wanted to believe Priam would refuse Agamemnon’s ridiculous offer, but how many of his council would whisper in his ear for him to accept? In one move, his father could quell the bickering in the west and rid himself of Paris, the major source of conflict in his house.Until he met Helen, Paris had resigned himself to a life in service to the crown.He knew he was nothing more than a playing chit in the never-ending game of politics and power.He accepted that duty with a sense of pride, knowing his actions helped to increase the greatness of Troy.But this.offer.was a slap in his face.The girl was barely eleven.He suspected the Gods toyed with his feelings for their own sick pleasure.To deny him home and happiness his whole life, then offer a taste of what he was missing only to keep it frustratingly out of his reach—their cruelty was beyond enduring.They entered the private quarters of the palace, finally getting a bit of privacy from the milling crowds.Only a few chambermaids were allowed in this wing, and they were busy running about their duties.“So do we stay or do we depart? With the king gone, we have no formal excuse to linger.”And that was the question that was tearing Paris apart.To stay with Helen, however brief their time might be, was to stay true to his heart.To leave, as duty demanded, would honor his promise to his king.If Paris failed in his duty now, his death omen might as well be truth.Troy would suffer the consequences.“Ready the men,” he decided.“You will carry this message personally to the king.Not to Aesacus, not Hecuba, not even Hector.Priam himself.” His father needed to know what was happening in Mycenae.Troy needed to prepare itself for the good and the ill if they chose an alliance with this Mad King.Glaucus balked.“You aren’t coming with us?” They had not discussed this possibility.Paris knew his captain was loath to leave him in danger.“I need to talk to Helen.” Paris frowned, wondering again how she would take this news.“This decision is not mine alone to make.But by moon tide, you set sail.With or without me.”They turned the corner into the guest hall and Paris halted, surprised to see they were not alone.Helen’s maid stood outside his quarters.He swore they had left her down at the docks with her mistress.But he and Glaucus had taken the long walk to the palace, and Paris was sure Helen knew every shortcut on the royal grounds.He quickened his steps.If Aethra was here, Helen would not be far.“Your Grace.” Aethra bowed deep in an elegant curtsey.Paris rushed past her, tossing his door open.“Should I stay out here—“ Glaucus asked as Paris slammed the door in his face.“Helen?” Paris rushed through the foyer.There was no sign of her.“Helen!” He searched Glaucus’ room and then his own before she stepped out from the balcony, cleverly hidden by the long curtains.“I’m here.” She reached for him as he passed by.The anxiety of the past few hours rolled over him with that touch.He swept her up in his arms, kissing her passionately, fearful it might be his last chance.She responded in kind, melting into his arms.“Paris, what did the king say? What’s happening?” A sharp edge of panic laced into her words.Paris froze, his arms squeezing her to him.He had no idea where to begin.She must have sensed the dire news in his hesitation.It seemed impossible, but her thin arms pressed him even tighter.“You can’t leave me!” she sobbed into his ear.He could hear her heart breaking with that cry.She was right.He couldn’t leave her.Helen had bound his heart to hers as securely as if it were wrapped in chains.If she commanded it, he’d stay.He’d face down Agamemnon and Menelaus both to spend his last days in her presence.Paris pulled back, tucking strands of Helen’s golden hair away from her face.He had spent so much of his life wandering, always the lonely ship at a distant shore.Here, on the outskirts of civilization, he had finally found someone worthy of his sacred oath.He dropped to his knees and gathered her hands in his.“I love you, Helen.More than life, than duty, than honor itself.I love you beyond the oaths I’ve sworn to King and Country, beyond reason, and I will spend the rest of my life protecting you from anyone who wishes to do you harm.”She was speechless, her shimmering jewel-blue eyes teaming with unshed tears.A fear-tinged joy beamed out of her radiant face.Paris swallowed the hope blossoming in his heart.Helen deserved to hear it all, to make the right decision not swayed by his emotions.He laced his fingers through hers, raising their entwined hands to his lips.“I will stay if you ask it of me and face whatever repercussions that follow.Until the axe falls on my neck.” He clung to her hands, seeing the inevitable path that would follow if he stayed, the shame and the spectacle.“But everything you stand for, the honor you so cherish, would be wiped away in the stigma of an adulterer.All that you are—all that you could ever be—will be ruined.”That bitter truth leeched Paris of his strength.He was willing to sacrifice his life for her love, but not hers.And though it tore him apart inside, he continued on.“Regardless if the omens aren’t true, I am a cursed man.I will bring you nothing but misery and death.You.you should discard me.” He buried his head into her stomach, too ashamed to witness the pain he surely caused her.Helen wrung her hands, feeling the same helplessness as Paris.He was struggling, trying desperately to do the honorable thing.But there was no easy answer, no right path where no one suffered.If she let him, Paris would suffer the brunt of this pain himself, forsaking his own happiness in deference for others.As he had always done.She saw him, a lonely child rejected by his mother, hated by those who should have treasured him, all for no fault of his own.“I will never discard you.” She wrapped her arms around his head, cradling him closer to her womb.His shoulders shook with emotion, his hot breath warming her stomach.“I do not deserve you.”It amazed her that Paris—who had consistently surprised her with his intellect and insight—would fail to see himself with the same clarity.It was though a lifetime of being denied love stunted his ability to receive it.She thought of her own journey, of all the terrible twists and turns Fate had sent her way.She had almost given up hope, falling into the despair that Nestra preached as wisdom.But even in her darkest moments, she clung to the faith that the Goddess would grant her the love that was promised.And, as she held Paris in her arms, Helen knew that faith was rewarded.She pulled his head back, staring deep into his eyes with all the passion that threatened to unmake her.“Alexandros Paris, Son of Troy [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]