Chapter 10

                                    

                                          
I quickly came back to my senses and went to help him. I wrapped my hand around his waist and his arm was over my shoulder.
                          
"What happened?" I asked as we advanced towards his room.
                          
"Nothing bad. Please don't worry." He said, wincing from the pain caused by his wounds.

                          
"Hephaestion, you are all covered in blood and you tell me not to worry?" I asked probably a little to loud.
                          
"I just lost a little blood that's all."  He tried to brush it off.
                          
"I think there is more blood on your clothes than it's left in you." I said.
                          
"You haven't saw me in battles. This is nothing." He said.
                          
He  stumbled on the last step making me lose my balance. I grabbed the edge  of the small table placed at the end of the stairs, knocking down a  vase. I quickly apologized when it shattered in tiny pieces.
                          
"I never liked it. That's why I put that there. I was hoping someone would trip and break it by accident." He laughed.
                          
"This whole situation isn't funny Hephaestion." I said with a serious expression.
                          
We heard a door opening and Talia came in sight. She gasped and ran towards us. "What..."
                          
"Nothing. Go back to sleep." Hephaestion said.
                          
"But I can help you." She said and touched his arm.
                          
He  pushed her hand away and said in a harsh tone. "I said no. I already  have the help I need. I really don't have the patience to put up with  your attitude, not tonight. Leave Talia. It's an order." 

                          
She huffed looking at me and then back at Hephaestion. "Just remember those nights when I had the patience to put up with your attitude." She went back to her room and closed the door with a loud thud.
                          
"Let's  go." I said and carried him to his room. I helped him sit on the bed  and went to the bathroom to grab the things for tending his wounds. I  came back with some bandages, a cloth and alcohol. I sat on the bed next to him and watched as he took the shirt off.
                          
"The  wounds don't seem really deep and I don't think they need to be  cleaned. I will put some alcohol so they don't infect and bandage them.  They should be gone in, maybe two weeks." I said.
                          
"Thank you." He said.
                          
"It will sting a little." I said while pouring the alcohol on the cloth. He hissed when the cloth touched his cheek.
                          
"Sorry." I said.
                          
"Nothing I can't handle." He answered.
                          
I  moved the cloth over his torso. As I prepared the bandages, I couldn't  help but stare for a moment at his perfect body. Toned muscle, strong  arms. All of these physical traits combined with his sweet and caring  nature, it was no surprise every woman desired him. For a moment I  imagined those arms pinning me down the mattress. I closed my eyes,  trying to ignore those feelings

                          
"You're  blushing." He chuckled. His remark only made my cheeks turning more  red. I placed my hand on one of them trying to hide it.
                          
"Don't. It's cute." He took my hand and kissed it.
                          
"Come on, Hephaestion. It's embarrassing." I said.
                          
"No, it's not. I find it flattering." He said.
                          
"Flattering?" I raised a brow.
                          
He  nodded. "Even when I'm hurt, I can still make you blush. And I never  saw you blush before at any other man. I took you to the parties and  training but nobody caught your interest. Not even Cleitus, who is trying  so hard to impress you. No one but me. So excuse me for being proud  that I succeeded in making the most beautiful woman blush." He said.
                          
"We  are friends. We agreed that we'll stay like that." I said tying the  bandage. "You are done." I said and wanted to get up. He grabbed my hand  and pulled me back.
                          
"Please stay the night."
                          
"Hephaestion, I-"
                          
"No.  Not like that. Stay as a friend. I don't want to be alone tonight. I  need someone next to me this night. Not someone...you. I need you. Please  stay with me. "

                          
I  looked in his eyes. He seemed sad, almost desperate. I've never saw him  like this. Hephaestion was always calm and composed. He's not impulsive  or short tempered. I sensed that something disturbed him. I caressed  his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into my  touch. I moved a strand of hair from his face and asked what  happened.

                          
He shook his head. "I'll tell you in the morning. Now please stay." He said pleading.
                          

                          
"Alright." I said.I took off the robe that was covering my night gown and put it on the chair's back.
                          
I laid down in bed and pull the covers over me. He wrapped an arm around me and nuzzled his nose in the crook of my neck.
                          
"Thank you..." He breathed. 

                          
I  tried to steady my heart so I could sleep but just the fact that I had  his body pressed against me made it beat faster. I turned around so I could look at him. He was fast asleep, thing that  made me glad. Seeing how nervous he was, a good sleep would help. I  covered his hand with mine and closed my eyes.