Back away, for now

Shaking your head like a great bear caught in a trap that has no way out, you back slowly away from your spymaster's tent and head straight to yours. After some thought you ask one of the hoplites standing guard outside your tent to ask Alexia to join you. So many things have happened in the past two days you need to talk it out with someone with a clear head. Unfortunately, one of the things you need to figure out is what is going on with you and Alexia, and after what just overheard you're not sure how to even start that conversation.

The only good thing about this is that almost everyone will be watching the Games, and if things go into a spinning head-dive at least there won't be too many people hearing it. Sooner than you expected, the hoplite sticks his head through the flap and tells you that Alexia has arrived.

"You asked for me, Sire?" He voice is calm and smooth, but after what you just heard you wonder if she is hoping that you summoned her here for a less noble purpose than to advise you.

"I'm sorry I upset you, Alexia." You offer her an olive branch. You're still not sure that you did anything wrong, but clearly this is something that Alexia feels strongly about.

"Thank-you." Alexia softens a little as she realizes that you are doing your best, but then in an unusual burst of passion she turns on you. "But let me be really clear, Bruce. If you want to accidentally shoot an arrow through your Blood Brother's eye, who am I to object." She steps closer to you and standing on her tip toes and points her finger at your nose. "However, if you ever endanger Galeon like that again, I swear by Zeus himself that you will have to find a new Mistress of Spies."

"Galeon is my friend too, Alexia." You smile in spite of yourself, "I would never hurt him."

"You are an idiot, Bruce." Alexia is not in the least convinced. "For the son of the goddess of wisdom, you are pretty clueless." You stare at her in disbelief as she goes on. "Your gift of archery comes from Apollo, right?" You nod quickly, back on firmer ground, "and whose city and troops have you been badmouthing these past few days?"

"Apollo wouldn't be so petty -"

"That's what I'm talking about, Sire!" Alexia interrupts before you can even finish the sentence. "I know they're your family, Bruce, but gods are petty. Listen to the bard's tales. They're all capricious and self-centered, every single one of them!" You stare at Alexia in stunned silence, not because of her sacrilege but because as close as she is standing you can feel the sexual tension that is rising as fast as an unladen drake on an South facing updraft. If it were not for what you overheard in her tent, you would never have taken the chance but Mara and Sara's conversation with Alexia has opened your eyes.

She is caught completely by surprise when your grab her by her upper arms and pull her lips up to meet yours. You don't have much practice with kissing, but this is by far the best kiss you've ever experienced.