After an enjoyable noon spent together we returned home.
"I'm going to my room so I can change and I'll be down in a minute." I wanted to go upstairs but he caught my arm.
"Wait a second. I've been thinking. We already spend our nights together...so what if you move your things in my bedroom and we could call it ours. What do you say?" He asked.
I smiled and wrapped my arms around him in a hug. "I'd love that." He mirrored my smile and picked me up carrying me upstairs.
—-
"I think we'll need a bigger wardrobe." I said looking at all of my clothes. The truth is I let myself carried away these months. I had pile of clothes that I've never worn.
"And you say you don't have what to wear." Hephaestion murmured.
"What?' I ask.
"Nothing. Don't worry. We'll manage."
"I guess I'll leave the drafts and sketches in the old room so I can work there, until we find a shop in town."
"Whatever you want. By the way. We are invited to a gathering at the palace." He said.
"What are we celebrating?"
"Nothing special. It's what we do to spend our free time. Usually men meet to discuss politics and other topics." He explained.
"And can I come? I mean if there are only men....."
"You already are the exception to the rule. And besides, it's not like women are not allowed. They just have other interests." He shrugged.
———————————————
At the palace; 3rd POV
The king was entering Queen Olympia's room. He was nervous. Whenever his mother wanted to talk to him she planted the seed of doubt in his heart regarding the intention of his people. When the door opened he saw she standing at the small table, combing her hair, a snake curling around her leg.
He took a deep breath and approached her.
"Do you have something to tell me?" He asked.
"Straight to the subject. Not even a hello?" She asked, a smirk plastered on her face.
"I know you too well, mother. I know this isn't just a little chit-chat about weather."
"I see dark clouds over our kingdom. Alexander."
"What do you mean?"
"I want to meet this woman, Ella." Olympia said to her son.
"How do you know about her?"
"She's such a presence here in Macedon, it's impossible not to hear about this woman. A poor girl saved from the dessert turns out to be one of the most valued citizen in just a few months. She seems to be really nice. I want to talk to her. A conversation between two powerful women.
"Hephaestion helped her, a lot." The king said.
"Another reason that strengthens my desire to meet her. Hephaestion is part of family. I want to see who conquered his heart."
"Sure."
"Do as I say, Alexander, I know better."
___________
2 hours later, Ella's POV
As soon as we arrived, the king grabbed Hephaestion hand and pulled him aside.
"What happened?" The general asked, concerned.
"Problems. Mom wants to meet Ella."
"And what's wrong in that?" I asked. The two man look at each other worry all over their faces.
"She has her reason. Which aren't always for the best."
"There's no way out of this, is it?" I asked Hephaestion.
"The servant will guide you to her room." The king gave me a warm smile, while Hephaestion patted my shoulder and planted a kiss on my forehead.
On my way to the queen's room I tried to encourage myself. I had to show confidence no matter how intimidated I was feeling. I heard stories about her and how it's suspected that she planned the former king's assassination. I knocked on the door with all the confidence I was able to gather. When I entered I was taken aback by the grandeur of her room. Sophisticated ornaments were decorating the walls. Expensive jewels were scattered all around the make up table. Then I saw her in front of the windows watching over the city of Pella. When her eyes set on me I froze at the coldness of her stare.
"My queen." I managed to say and to make a bow.
"You must be Ella. Come in." She said gesturing for me to advance.
As I passed the big bed placed in the center of the room, I heard hisses from the closed basked at the end of it. I wasn't terrified of snakes but I didn't enjoy there presence either. I sat down on a chair.
"Alexander said you wanted to talk to me."
"I think it's king Alexander for you." She corrected me, after sitting on the chair next to mine.
"I think we've reached the point where we could use only our names not ranks. After all, I'm Hepheastion's lover, therefore I'm also the king's friend." I said.
"Philip was the same with his generals. He used to treat them as equals.... and look what happened."
"He was the victim of a conspiracy that ran deeply between the people close to him....the people he trusted." I said.
"Who are you, Ella? The mysterious woman saved from a certain death by the macedonian general. A woman like no other. Taming horses, participating in the army's training. I've heard you are also a master in archery." She said.
"And?" I asked.
"What are you looking for ? Why are you here?"
"I'm trying to rebuilt my life after what happened in my country. If you think that I came here to steal your son's throne then you're wrong. I was a princess and it only brought me trouble. Right now I just want to live my life next to Hephaestion."
"And if Hephaestion is leaving for battles?"
"Then I'm following him."
"You're brave, Hephaestion lucky to have you by his side." She said taking out a snake out from the basket. "They are unpredictable. You can raise them, take care of them, love them for their whole lives. But that won't stop them to bite you. It's the same with people." She said.
"Yes...but when you took it you knew from the start that it is a snake. It's your fault you underestimated it. With people you don't know." I said.
"You're right. Now go. Join the others. But remember that I hear everything." She said with a smile but menace in her voice.
——————————–
3rd POV
"Do you trust, Ella?" Cassander asked Hephaestion.
"Why wouldn't I?" He asked.
"I think it's suspect that we found a persian spy just a couple of months after she came here."
"Just because she's better than you with the bow it doesn't mean she's a spy. You should come to terms that sometimes you can't be the best." Hephaestion said, making the others giggle.
"I don't see any connection between the two events." Cleitus said.
"Me neither." The king added.
"Maybe when we stopped to save her someone followed us to Macedonia." Cassander tried to make the others believe in his theories.
"Because there are no such things as maps...." Ptolemy said.
The sound of heels clicking on the marble tiles made them stop the conversation.
"Speak of the wolf and the wolf is at the door." Cleitus said leaning back on his chair, his eye following Ella's figure.
"Who's the wolf?" Ella said and rested her hands on Hephaestion's shoulder. He took one and kissed the palm.
"That's what we are trying to find out." Cassander said.
"And you had any luck?" She asked sitting on the couch's arm next to Hephaestion.
"Let's forget about it. Do you want some wine?" Hephaestion said.
"No, thanks." She answered.
————————-
The king watched as his guests left the castle. He smiled when he saw how in love Ella and Hephaestion seemed. He was glad finally seeing his friend happy. It's been a long time. From the shadows, he heard the queen's voice. Cold shivers ran down his spine when Olympia placed her hand on his shoulder.
"She's a strong woman...but dangerous, very dangerous. Marry her." She said
"I can't see her as my wife."
"Ella could help you a lot. It doesn't even matter that she didn't live in Macedon. It's in her blood. People love her."
"How do you know that?"
"I know everything."
"She belongs to Hephaestion." The king said hoping it would end this conversation.
"Be careful. She might turn him against you.
"Ella is a friend. She would never do that."
"You should be aware of those close to you." the queen said and went back to her chamber.