Aphrodite's Daughter

Chapter 9

Costal Camp, Beyond the Folóï Woods

I suggested to everyone that we all needed some rest after fighting Tirek and his band of goons. Iliana protested, saying we would never get anywhere if we maintained our erratic pace of stopping and going, but she was outvoted three to one. Got to love democracy! Exhausted as I was, I slept like a babe and awoke as the sun crept over the horizon. Flash was still asleep and I took the opportunity to plant a quick kiss on his cheek before I vacated our bedroll. A smile spread across my lips while I stretched out my limbs and walked towards the edge of the cliff. We’d fucked again last night for good measure because—well, I don’t need a reason to copulate with my mate, boyfriend, or whatever Flash & I are considered together in the human world.

It was much livelier than our first time in the forest. I took position atop him, grabbed his cock, and—you get the idea. We were obnoxiously loud and should’ve tried to find a more secluded spot away from camp to fuck but we were so horny that consideration for our companions became moot. Mother Siren… did Flash have stamina to spare. Must have been his demi-god strength or maybe he was just a proficient partner. I don’t know and I don’t care. We fucked until our bodies felt like limp noodles and promptly fell asleep in each other’s sweaty embrace.

My own abilities being what they were did not make me immune to muscular fatigue. In particular, my oyster was seven kinds of sore. In a good way, though. Ok, not really; it fucking sucked, but there wasn’t much I could do but bear the pain. At least the cool ocean breeze felt refreshing on my skin. I would feel infinitely better after a swim. Saltwater wasn’t exactly the best for bathing, but it would have to do since we were far away from civilization. I dove in head first, and swam around for a bit, just to enjoy the sensation of being underwater.

Mainly, I wanted to wash away all the sweat and other unmentionable body fluids. Once I was satisfied that my skin didn’t feel unpleasantly sticky and gross anymore, I emerged from the surf to retrieve a bit of scented oil from Iliana’s pouch; lest I smell fishy for the remainder of the day. A few dabs here and there, and quick scrape from the strigil made me feel more confident about my sent. Predictably, my stomach growled in protest. It was time for breakfast.

I crouched on my haunches by the fire, where Iliana was busy roasting something she’d just killed. A leaf nearby held a handful of berries for us to enjoy along with the meat. I knew better than to ask what it was we were eating. Quite honestly, I’d eaten some pretty questionable things while I was siren. Like half-decayed whale carcass. And yes, it tastes about as good as it sounds. I looked around for Medusa, but she was nowhere to be seen. Probably off hunting a deer or sunning herself on a rock by the cliff. Who knows? She’s a grown woman—erm—gorgon.

With one last nibble, I finished the meat, stood, and belched. “A fine breakfast, Iliana. Thanks.”

She looked up at me with bloodshot eyes and grunted. “You’re welcome.”

I absentmindedly scratched my crotch and yawned. “You look tired.”

“I am. No thanks to your antics last night.” Iliana groused.

My cheeks reddened slightly while I cleared my throat. “Oh—um—sorry about that. I suppose we were a lot noisier than I initially thought. Did we keep Medusa awake last night too?”

“She slept fine. Or so I assume. Medusa neglected to elaborate on the subject.”

I entwined my hands together behind my back and rolled a pebble with my big toe. It was my way of avoiding Iliana’s gaze. I was under the impression that talking about sex would be less embarrassing for me or that I wouldn’t care but my human physiology argued otherwise. No, it wasn’t that. The passionate moments we’d shared together last night was on a level far beyond casual sex. It was intimate. Plain and simple. Once again, I found my skin turning a lovely shade of red whilst I contemplated the complex array of emotions that swirled inside me whenever I thought about Flash. There was no way in Tartarus I was going to converse with Iliana about such things! A gruff soldier like her wouldn’t understand what it’s like to be in love.

I took in a deep breath to compose myself, and turned around to meet her eyes. “I’ve often wondered how she’s able to be so stealthy despite her size.”

Iliana poked the coals with a stick. “It is the nature of serpents. They ambush their prey.”

“She’s not a mere beast, Iliana. Surely, even you can see that by now.”

Iliana began taking off her armor, and unfastened the tie holding her hair in place. Her curly amber locks were surprisingly long when unfurled. They settled just below her shoulders. During the Olympic Games, I’d seen her in the nude, of course, but at the time, I hadn’t taken a really good look at her. The entire surface of her body was sculpted with taught muscle, it seemed. Not only that, but I noticed a rather nasty diagonal scar that traversed along her left shoulder blade. A wound like that could only have been caused by a bladed weapon.

She didn’t utter a single word. Instead, the Spartan princess strode towards the cliff’s edge with unyielding purpose. I took a few steps towards her and held my hand out to stop her, but she dove before I could say anything. A few moments later, Iliana surfaced, and pushed back the hair covering her eyes. She swam around for a bit longer, then made her way back to the camp. Like I had done so earlier, she anointed her skin with oil and scraped it off by the fire, not bothering to put her armor back on just yet. I assume it was because she wanted to dry off first.

I sat cross-legged next to her and tried to continue our conversation from earlier. “If I didn’t mention it before, you have the physique befitting of a Spartan. Care to share any tips?”

“Train hard. Eat nutritious meals. But not too much.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Erm—right. So, does that mean—”

“Your body is fine the way it is, Adagio. There is no reason for you to train as I have.”

“I may not be a warrior, but I want to be useful if we get into another fight.”

Iliana raised her brow. “You have powers. Just use them.”

Damn this woman and her irritatingly succinct nature! Clearly, my attempt at extracting any kind of ancient warrior wisdom from her was failing spectacularly. I huffed in frustration and crossed my arms underneath my breasts. Perhaps, I could try a different approach? “Having divine powers are all well and good, but what if we run into a situation where I can’t use them? Then what? I need something to fall back on, like… sword fighting or wrestling—I don’t know. You’re the warrior princess, you tell me what’s best approach.”

She simply shrugged and began roasting another meat skewer. “Stay out of the fight.”

We sat across from each other in awkward silence for some time after that. Since she obviously wasn’t going to start up another conversation on her own, I decided to leave the campfire and head back to my bedroll. Mostly because I couldn’t stand the silence, but I also wanted to check if Flash was awake yet. As fate would have it, I didn’t get the chance. Like the Kraken appearing out of the deep, Medusa slithered her way towards camp and plopped a net full of freshy caught shellfish on the ground nearby. The morning sun made her scales glisten like little black pearls.

She flicked her tongue and took a seat next to me, coiling her tail around my leg, in what I could only guess was a gorgon gesture of affection. “Good morning everyone. I trust you slept well.”

I scooched closer to her and slid my arm around her waist, until our naked bodies were pressed together as one. Say what you will about snakes being cold-blooded, but Medusa was warm and her scales felt sinfully soft against my skin. She allowed me to place my head upon her breast like a pillow, and began to run her fingers through my hair. I let out a satisfied sigh and placed a gentle kiss right by her nipple. Iliana, ever the stoic soldier, just glowered at us as Spartans are wont to do. Somehow, she managed to convey her disgust with a single stare.

“Being a child of the sea, I figured that you would enjoy eating clams for breakfast.”

I looked over at her haul and nodded approvingly. “They certainly look tasty. Thanks, Medusa.”

The gorgon smiled, revealing her fangs. “Don’t get too full of yourself, Adagio. I was already in the mood for them, and you just so happened to be a beneficiary of my hunt. Iliana and Flash are more than welcome to partake as well, if they so choose.”

Iliana tore off a chunk of meat from her skewer and chewed on it methodically. “My hunger has already been sated by roast rabbit. However, I appreciate the gesture… gorgon.”

Medusa’s tail tensed up a bit, then relaxed once more. “Ah… I’ve never seen you with your hair down before, Iliana. I must admit, you look rather fetching that way.”

“Dries out faster this way. I plan on tying it back up again afterwards.”

Medusa chuckled. “Allow me to venture a guess: it gets in the way during combat?”

“Yes.” Iliana replied.

“That’s one thing I don’t miss about being human. No hair to worry about.”

The Spartan princess cocked her brow. “Because a writhing mass of venomous serpents is far more appealing to have atop one’s head. I’ll have to try it out myself sometime.”

I sighed. “Iliana. I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t try to antagonize the newest member of our merry little band. Medusa’s just trying her best to strike up a casual conversation. Would it kill you to unpucker your asshole for five minutes and not be such a grumpy grouper?”

Iliana scoffed. “Compatriot or not, I find it difficult to trust the loyalty of a creature like her.”

The snakes that served as Medusa’s hair began to hiss while I felt her tail muscles coil tighter around my leg. Outwardly, her expression remained neutral, but I could tell that she was upset. When she finally spoke, her voice was low and full of venom. “Choose your next words carefully, Spartan. For you are easily within striking distance of my fangs and claws.”

Iliana stood up but did not make a move to retrieve her sword. Naked though she was, it made her no less intimidating. More so, I would wager, for all her battle scars and hardened muscle was on full display for all to see. I began to worry that she might actually wrestle Medusa into submission, when Flash approached the campfire. He was still uncomfortable exposing his body around us (not when we were alone~), so he wore a loincloth to cover up his dangly bits. I still don’t understand why Flash felt that it was necessary. We’d all seen his manhood before.

“Morning, girls. Is everything ok? Medusa and Iliana seem… tense.”

I offered him a few morsels of cooked clam and shrugged. “Iliana’s being extra bitchy this morning for some reason. Nothing to worry about. You hungry? I cooked some of these up for breakfast. They’re pretty tasty with a squirt of lemon juice and some salt. Go head. Try it.”

Flash accepted the meal graciously and began chewing. “Hmm. These are good.”

Iliana began donning her armor again, piece by piece, with meticulous care. Once she was fully dressed, she began tying up her hair. “Fine. I will admit that there is something occupying my mind. My apologies if I have been… less than cordial with you, gorgon. It is not personal.”

Medusa closed her eyes and flicked her tongue. “Like Tartarus it isn’t. You can’t just insult my appearance then—ahem—in any case, what’s bothering you today, Princess?”

For the first time all morning, she looked genuinely embarrassed. A slight blush colored her cheeks while she struggled to express her frustration. Upon clearing her throat, Iliana rubbed her arm and began to speak. “I must travel to Sparta. Soon, preferably.”

Medusa cocked her head. “What for?”

“My presence is… required for a festival.”

My attention piqued, I lifted my head from Medusa’s breast and sat up straight. “A festival you say? Will there be food, wine, and merriment involved? If so, I think we could spend a few—”

Iliana abruptly cut me off by holding up her hand. “I would prefer to do so alone.”

Irritated, I practically had to bite down on my cheeks to stop myself from barking at her and took in a deep breath through my nose. Temper, Dagi. Temper. “Care to explain why, princess?”

Flustered, Iliana twiddled her fingers, not expecting to have to elaborate. “Gymnopaedia is a yearly celebration held by my people in honor of the god Apollo. There is dancing, singing, and merriment to be had by all. As princess, I am expected to preside over the festivities.”

I crossed one leg over the other and began moving my foot impatiently. “Oooh, having a little bit of fun sounds SO terrible! A fate worse than death, it would seem. Whatever are we to do?!”

Iliana’s expression quickly grew sour once more. “There is no we, Adagio. In fact, no one is forcing any of you to accompany me to the festival. If I must, I shall go alone.”

“Why is going to a festival such a horrible thing? We don’t mind tagging along.”

Iliana groaned in frustration. “Because Gymnopaedia is also a celebration of the human physique. Everyone is expected to attend the festivities in the nude. While that alone would not bother me, it is a time meant to showcase one’s strength, comeliness, and virility.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at what she just said. “Let me get this straight. Spartans literally strut around naked, flexing their muscles, in the hopes that they’ll find a mate? HAHAHA! That’s just such a blunt way of going about the process. I expected humans to have more finesse than that.”

Completely embarrassed, Iliana lowered her head, unable to look me directly in the eye. “In principle, I cannot help but agree with your assessment. But that is just how my people are. Straightforward and to the point. Surely, you must have picked up on that by now.”

“Of course, I have. But the more important question is: does that mean every Spartan warrior in the kingdom is going to try and catch your eye?”

Iliana shuffled her feet in the dirt. “There is a distinct possibility of that happening, yes. A few may even be bold enough to seek my hand in marriage.”

Medusa adopted a softer expression and hummed. “You don’t want to get married.”

Iliana sighed. “Try telling that to my parents. I am of marriageable age, and considered the ideal candidate for bearing strong, healthy Spartan babies. If I were to accept a man’s proposal, I would no longer be able to travel with all of you. My fate would be that of a royal housewife, but a housewife all the same. That is why I have been so disagreeable as of late.”

Even though it was awkward, I sat down next to Iliana and began rubbing her shoulders. “I get it. You’re stressed out from having to deal with overbearing parents and inheriting a position of authority you never asked for. While I never had to deal with those issues personally—because sirens aren’t exactly known for coddling their young, I can empathize.”

“Can you really? I highly doubt it.” Iliana responded dismissively.

I grit my teeth, trying to keep my temper in check. Damn, this girl could be frustrating! “I’m doing my best to be your friend, Iliana. Is that not what humans are supposed to do?”

She clenched her fists and frowned. “Yes, but—I’m sorry. Dealing with emotions has never been my strong suit. Battle is so much easier and straightforward.”

Medusa slithered over and grabbed a clam from the sack. “Not all of life’s problems can be solved by the tip of a sword, Iliana. Hmm. As much as Spartans would like to think so…”

I glared at her and hissed under my breath. “NOT HELPING!”

In response, Iliana’s hackles were raised. She drew her sword and pointed it towards Medusa. “This is precisely why gorgons cannot be trusted. You can no longer think like a human.”

Medusa sneered then sucked the clam meat into her mouth. “Then you fundamentally misunderstand how the world works, my dear princess. Humans are capable of being far more monstrous than the likes of me, despite what their appearance may suggest. Ha! Don’t even get me started on the Olympians. They call all rot in Tartarus for all I care.”

“Such talk is blasphemy! Zeus might strike you down with lightening if—”

Medusa shrugged, looking up at the clear sky. “I am no longer a concern to the Olympians. The day I was transformed was the day Athena cast me aside like a soiled rag. Faith is what gives some people strength, but it’s not for everyone. You’d do well to keep that in mind, princess.”

I stood between them and held out my arms. “Girls, can we all just take a deep breath and calm down for a moment? Mother Siren, I feel like I’m lecturing my sisters again.”

Iliana finally sheathed her sword and sat down while Medusa slithered over to a rocky outcropping, laid down on her belly, and began to sun herself. Can’t say I blame her for avoiding another conversation with Iliana. “Very well. Am I to assume that all of you will be accompanying me back to Sparta?”

I placed my hands on my hips, puffed out my chest, and struck a confident pose. “Of, course! Who could pass up the chance to witness hundreds of Spartan warriors honoring the name of Apollo, dancing under his sun? They’ll be plenty of food and drink too. Don’t forget that.”

“Spartans do not frolic! We are a proud people who—” Iliana added.

I poked the tip of her nose. “Don’t ruin the moment, Iliana. Let me have my fantasies.”

Flash, now dressed in armor, got up and rubbed his arm. “So—um—are we expected to disrobe for the festivities as well? You know, even though we’re not technically Spartans. Sorry, it’s just that based on what you said earlier, we might receive a marriage proposal from someone.”

Iliana rolled her eyes. “To celebrate clothed would dishonor Apollo, and my people. If you are so concerned about marriage propositions, then stay close to Adagio and make it clear that she is your woman. Spartans may not be subtle, but a gesture such as that would be understood.”

I waved my hands in protest. “Now, hold on a second! I’m not his woman.”

Flash hesitated to say anything, keen on avoiding my wrath. When he finally gathered the courage to speak, he began rubbing my back. It felt nice and helped me calm down a little. Even so, I still didn’t like the implication that I was someone’s property. “I think what Iliana means is that we have to make it obvious that we’re together. As a couple. AN EQUAL… couple. Heh.”

I turned around and kissed him on the lips. I avoided using too much tongue because—we could always find a spot to do naughty things together during the festivities. For Kraken’s sake, it was one massive, community-wide blind date for all intents and purposes. Surely, the Spartans wouldn’t be prudish about a little casual sex here and there. “Good answer, Flash.”

He looked visibly relieved by my response. “I suppose I wouldn’t mind attending the festival, so long as you’re by my side, Adagio. It’s just that I’m—not as comfortable showing off my body as you are. The Olympic games were bad enough, but this is a completely different situation.”

His armor felt unpleasant pressed up against my skin with all its metallic, pokey bits. Yet, I decided to give him a hug anyway. I don’t imagine there would ever come a point where I could convince Flash to cast aside the notion of human modesty and live as I do. Seriously, though. He was a demigod. How much protection did that armor actually give him in battle?

I sat atop his lap and began stroking his inner thigh with my fingers. “When are you going to realize that there’s nothing shameful about your body? In my humble opinion, you have an excellent physique that cannot be admired if it’s covered up by all this armor. What a shame~”

He shifted underneath me for a moment. I smiled and licked my lips, realizing that I’d probably caused him to have another erection. It wasn’t obvious because of the armor, of course, but there wasn’t much room for little Flash to expand down there. Hence the awkward squirming. “Adagio, can you please stop doing that? It’s making me… uncomfortable.”

I cocked my head to the side innocently. “Stop doing what? I’m confused.”

“Teasing me!” Flash blurted out.

I laughed and kissed the side of his neck. “You’re just going to have to get used to it~ During the festival, a plethora of nude Spartan maidens shall be frolicking about, seeking to fill themselves with your divine baby batter. And, I might add, you lower half won’t be protected by amor. I’m not criticizing your lack of self-control, Flash. On the contrary; I’m merely saying that nature tends to take its course when young, virile females are exposed to a healthy male specimen.”

Flash swallowed hard, as comprehension dawned on his face. “A f-fair point. What—uh—do you propose we do about it… should the situation present itself?”

I grinned ear to ear. “We’ll fuck as many times as it takes to slake your lust… and mine. Anywhere and anytime, sweetie~ I’m sure the Spartans won’t mind. Who knows? They might even make a competition of it! What say you, Iliana? Would your brethren consider such an event appropriate during Gymnopaedia? Sex is a form of calisthenics, after all.”

Iliana’s face turned redder than a ruby. I suspect it was an equal amount of anger and embarrassment mixed together all at once. “HAVE YOU NO SHAME, ADAGIO?!!”

I blew a raspberry at her. “You already know that answer to that, princess.”

My temper eventually subsided, but I was still uneasy at the prospect of my traveling companions accompanying me to Gymnopaedia. The gorgon made a point to inform us that she would remain hidden once we reached the outskirts of Sparta. I could only nod and agree with her decision. There was wisdom in it. A serpent creature such as her would only invite trouble amongst my people. With so many warriors seeking to prove themselves a worthy sire, I had no doubt that a few of the more hot-blooded ones would try to attack Medusa and kill her on sight.

I’d witnessed her prowess in battle with my own eyes. There was no shame in admitting that she was a force to be reckoned with, regardless of my personal opinions. Considering that most, if not all of the warriors would be unarmored during the assault, they stood no chance against a monstrous serpent halfling. She would slaughter them like sheep and enjoy doing so at her leisure. I shuddered to myself at the thought. Adagio was a fool to place her trust in a gorgon.

I breathed a sigh of relief as we drew closer to the city walls. Comfort in the familiar, I suppose. Spartan guards stood armored, and at the ready to defend the people if need be. A necessary precaution, as we were at our most vulnerable. Those who volunteered for guard duty were exempt from participating in Gymopaedia, and it was seen as a great honor.

There was also the matter of customary tribute from citizens afterwards, if honor wasn’t enough for a warrior. They would be handsomely rewarded for their duty. I had no doubt of that. They stood at attention when I waved to them. Adagio snickered at their response. I’d half the mind to strike her for the insolence and disrespect she’d just shown, but I stayed my hand. Although tempting, it was unbecoming of a princess to do such a thing. If the guards were surprised by her state of undress, they certainly didn’t show it. Not that they would have under any circumstances, but nude citizens were a common sight during Gymnopaedia so… they focused their attention on me like a well-disciplined Spartan solider would. I pounded my fist against my chest in response.

“At ease. I return to Sparta with companions. They are here as my honored guests.”

The sergeant nodded. “As you command, Princess Iliana. I shall escort you to the palace.”

Sparta wasn’t as grand as other city-states such as Athens. We preferred to live simply without being too ostentatious. Houses were usually one to two stories high, and made of mud-brick or clay with tiled roofs. Colored red like blood. The more affluent among us painted their homes white to stave off the heat, and had a small garden in the center for fresh produce. We wasted no time arriving at the palace, as the main thoroughfare went straight to it.

Adagio rubbed the back of her neck, wearing a confused expression. “Where is everyone? I thought you said there was a festival going on in Sparta. From what I’ve seen so far, this is more like a funeral. What gives, Iliana?”

I cleared my throat. “It is nearing the midday feast. Most will have gathered in the fields.”

The sergeant bowed slightly and took his leave. Not but a moment later, a svelte servant girl with raven hair tied in a bun and a coppery complexion came to greet us. Her bare flesh glistened in the sunlight; evidence that she’d applied a coat of scented olive oil to her skin. It was customary during Gymnopaedia to look and smell one’s best, after all. Not to do so would offend Apollo.

I could not help but appreciate her lithe physique. She was pleasant on the eyes and tiny clusters of freckles bespeckled her entire body, from the neck all the way down to her legs. She’d even gone to the trouble of removing all the hair from her womanhood. Not something I would do, but I’d seen men and women alike practice such a custom. They swore it made wearing armor more comfortable and the summer heat more bearable during long campaigns.

She bowed to me as well. Yet, her petite, pear-shaped breasts stayed firmly in place. The women of Sparta were not known for being curvaceous beauties. Myself included. We conditioned our bodies in the same manner men did. The regimen helped to sire strong, healthy babies, future warriors; the backbone of our society. As princess, I too was expected to take on the scared duty of childbirth. Gymnopaedia and my parents would only serve to deepen my displeasure of it all.

“Greetings, your highness. I am Phaedra. Head servant to Queen Amaltheia. Would you like me to help prepare your body for the ongoing festivities? It would be my honor to do so.”

Caught off guard by her melodic voice, I blushed. “Yes. See to my companions as well.”

Without hesitation, she ushered us towards the bathing chamber where all the necessary oils were stored. Nearly all of the servants inside the palace were female, so it came as no surprise to me that there wasn’t a single man in sight to greet us. Like Phaedra, they too had disrobed as tradition dictated. I immediately began taking off my armor and sandals, setting them aside in a pile for someone to collect later. Phaedra poured some oil onto her hands and began lathering my skin indiscriminately, yet gently at the same time. The goal was to cover everything, after all.

Adagio took to the process like a fish in water. For as vulgar and crass as she was, the woman did enjoy being pampered. Flash Magnus, on the other hand, was completely miserable. He looked visibly uncomfortable at the prospect of having a naked stranger rub her hands all over his body. Or rather, I believe he was trying his best not to become aroused in front of us.

Sensing her lover’s discomfort, Adagio strode across the room and took it upon herself to complete the task. There was no malice in her expression. Only compassionate understanding. I would have believed the gesture to be heartfelt, had she not begun to vigorously stroke his penis within her grasp. The slippery olive oil made him become erect quickly and his strained voice spoke of his growing excitement. She whispered sweet nothings into his ear, and giggled with glee while he clenched his cheeks together, grunted, then coated the floor tiles with semen.

Aggravated at their shameless behavior, I growled. “Are you two quite finished?!”

“I wanted to make sure Flash was taken care of before we venture outside. Walking around with a bobbling erection all day would be uncomfortable, if not outright painful, wouldn’t you say?”

Skin flushed; Flash shuffled his feet meekly. “Sorry, Iliana. I’m not very good at resisting my urges. Especially, since there’s so many attractive, Spartan women just walking around—uh—naked. I promise that Dagi and I will try our best not to embarrass you in front of your subjects.”

As they were wont to do, the servants kept on smiling, never uttering a word. I’m certain they’d witnessed similar acts between couples during the festival and more. Now that my skin was completely lathered in scented oil, I decided that it was best to get on with my duties and join the rest of my people outside without further delay. While we walked together, side by side, I discarded my hairband, and let my curls flow down past my shoulders. In all likelihood, I would attract more attention this way, but I wanted to make myself as approachable as possible.

I glanced over at Adagio, and noticed that she’d looped her arm around Flash’s. She kept him close to her breast, as if she were hoarding a treasure. It seems as though she’d taken my advice to heart. Just as well, I suppose. Given his sturdy cock and muscular build, many Spartan women would be eager to bed him. If for no other reason than to imbibe his seed into their bellies.

It did not take long for us to arrive at the celebratory field. All in attendance were similarly disrobed, mingling, and performing feats of athleticism when appropriate. A few even wrestled for sport and wagers. I was a recognizable figure in Spartan society, so it came as no surprise that a great deal of admiration was directed towards me as we walked by. Adagio winked and gave me a thumbs up to show her approval. I let out a tired sigh and plodded ever forward.

The ceremonial tent set up for Spartan royalty was ostentatious by any standard. It was made of fine red cloth and the pillows inside were surely woven from silk. An exotic thread from the faraway lands to the east. I was never one for such trappings, but my father always said that when one is the ruler of a nation, it is sometimes necessary to represent power by projecting it visually. Speaking of my father, he was nowhere to be seen. Only my mother was present.

Queen Amaltheia was a hale woman. Tall, strong, and brimming with taught muscle. We shared the same complexion and hair color. Yes, even the curls. Often times, during my childhood, people would remark that I was the mirror image of her. Given her physique and stature, there were many who believed that she was an Amazon, who had heard rumor of my father’s martial prowess and offered her hand to him in betrothal. I am here to assure you that the rumor is unfounded, however plausible it may seem. She was born and raised as a true Spartan.

In fact, she hadn’t become royalty until she married my father. Prior to that, she was the daughter of a blacksmith. Don’t let her humble beginnings fool you; forging metal and weapons for the Spartan Army is seen as an honorable, and highly respected profession. Without them, we could not thrive as warriors. Like her father, she too worked the forge. King Demaratus became smitten with her at first sight when he wished to have a shield made for his next campaign. On that day, he promised to marry her if he returned victorious in battle. The rest, as they say, is history.

My mother still enjoyed working the hammer and anvil when time allowed. She was never the type to laze about and allow herself to be pampered. Today was no exception, despite the festive atmosphere. She greeted me with unconcealed affection, wrapping my body in a bone-crushing hug. I blushed, feeling a slight twinge of embarrassment in front of my companions. Mother smelled pleasant enough, I suppose, but her skin was coated in a thin sheen of sweat. No doubt, she’d been outside competing against anyone who’d wished to challenge her. When our embrace concluded, she ruffled my hair, laughed, and took stock of Adagio and Flash.

“Welcome all! I am Queen Amaltheia, but you may call me Theia if you wish. I can’t have my daughter’s friends acting formal in front of me. HAHAHA! Please, enjoy yourselves. There’s plenty of food and wine to be had. I would highly recommend the chicken. It’s quite tasty.”

Adagio didn’t waste any time pouring a goblet for herself and slurping it down in a most uncouth manner. She belched not but a moment later and smacked her lips. “I must say, your highness, the wine is exquisite. Sweet, but not cloyingly so. A girl could get used to this kind of spread.”

Mother shrugged. “Imported from Athens. I prefer beer myself. So, what’s your name?”

“I’m Adagio Dazzle, and the man next to me is Flash Magnus. We’re your daughter’s traveling companions. She was kind enough to extend us an invitation to Sparta during Gymnopaedia.”

Mother rubbed her chin in thought, appraising Adagio. “Hmm. A fetching creature, you are. What’s your profession, girl? If you don’t mind me asking. I have you pegged as a dancer.”

A smug grin spread across Adagio’s lips. It made me want to slap her. “I appreciate the compliment, your highness. Dancing is something I can do, but my true profession is that of a devoted servant to Aphrodite herself.”

Mother chuckled. “Makes sense to me. Be wary, Adagio Dazzle. You might catch the eye of a few young Spartans with a body like that. Fine, child-bearing hips, I say. Of course, I assume that your role as a priestess of Aphrodite permits you to have sex in the first place.”

Adagio started nibbling on a chicken leg, and waved her hand dismissively. “Of course, not! Lady Aphrodite never forced me to take a vow of chastity when I entered her service. While it’s true that my vow of disrobement tends to attract the attention of passersby wherever we go, Flash keeps me safe from those who’d wish to insult my honor. Isn’t that right, sweetie?”

Flash merely nodded, distracted by Adagio rubbing her foot along his inner thigh underneath the table. I swear to Ares, this woman’s lust had no limit! At least wait until there was no one else around to do things like that! Mother got up from the table and began loosening up her shoulders. The loud popping noise her neck made caused Flash and Adagio to wince. “A fine man you’ve got there, Adagio. I’m sure you two will make plenty of handsome children.”

Adagio began choking on a piece of chicken and chugged a mouthful of wine to try and clear her throat. Once her coughing fit subsided, she wiped her mouth and blushed. “We haven’t quite—erm—discussed having children just yet, your highness. Our relationship is a new one, you see.”

Mother slapped her back in a show of comradery. It wasn’t meant to harm Adagio, but Mother was an incredibly strong woman who often forgot the power behind her blows. I had to stifle a giggle when Adagio wobbled off balance and nearly fell flat onto her face. “There’s no time like the present, girl! Best to be fruitful and multiply while you’re still young. If I were you, I’d ride that boy like a warhorse. By the looks of it, his third leg is sturdy enough to handle it. HAHA!”

Flash was horrified that the Queen of Sparta was openly critiquing the size and girth of his manhood. Although Mother had meant it as a compliment, he subconsciously cupped his hands to cover up his loins and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Yes, I’m very happy that she chose to be with me, of all people. But like Adagio said… we’re not ready to raise children yet.”

Mother crossed her arms behind her back and observed a group of army recruits wrestling outside in the ring. Traditionally, a martial art reserved for male warriors, wrestling taught them how to fight without weapons. During the festival, however, it showcased their strength and glistening, muscular bodies underneath Apollo’s sun. Unsurprisingly, a crowd of young women had gathered to watch them compete. Though they did not titter and giggle like Athenian girls, their eyes were, nonetheless, enraptured by the sight as they considered who was worthy.

I had no doubt that some of them would surrender their virginity by Gymopaedia’s end. One girl, a particularly fetching blonde with slate grey skin and golden eyes, offered the victor some sort of lumpy pastry as a token of her affection. The young, brown-haired warrior accepted it without hesitation, clearly interested in her as a partner. After some awkward shuffling around and snippets of conversation, the blonde took his hand in her own, and they began walking together towards the baths. In all likelihood, they would bathe… just to get sweaty all over again after physically expressing their affection for each other in a most vigorous manner.

In a sense, I envied the simplicity of their relationship. They were free to choose who they loved. The topic had not come up yet, but I knew that it would only be a matter of time before mother and father started introducing me to potential suitors. My stomach clenched in a terrible knot, making me uneasy despite the jovial atmosphere. Loathe as I was to admit, I was jealous of how close Adagio and Flash were as a couple. I too felt lonely at times and craved companionship of that nature. A sigh escaped my lips, unconsciously. One that mother had not failed to notice.

She turned around and raised her brow. “Why do you act so glum, daughter? This is a time for celebration. I know you have always been a surly child, but do try to lighten up.”

I looked down at the floor when she placed her hands upon my shoulders. “Everything about this festival just reminds me of the expectations I must constantly live up to. I did not choose to be born a princess; it was thrust upon me by the fates! I wish to pursue my own destiny, mother.”

“What, pray tell, would that destiny be, Iliana? Everything a girl could possibly want is right here in Sparta. You could wed any man you wish, and they would accept your proposal willingly with honor. Cast aside these childish notions of living like a wandering vagabond and stay.”

My temper flared in that moment. A surge of heat washed over my skin, causing an unpleasant prickly sensation all over. Yet, my voice remained icy cold. “I am not destined to become a royal baby maker. I am a proud warrior of Sparta. Surely, even the Olympians must see this!”

“No one disputes your prowess in battle, Iliana. However, there comes a time in one’s life when a crossroad appears, and they must take a different path. Your father and I, we only want what’s best for you. The time for travel is over. Resume your duties as princess.”

I ground my feet into the gravel. “You mean for the kingdom? I’d wager you even have a suitor picked out for me already, and have yet to introduce him. Don’t take me for a fool, mother.”

Mother coughed awkwardly, a sure sign that I’d hit the nail on the head. “Come along, Iliana. Let use join in the festivities. Perhaps that will help clear your mind of all this spiteful anger.”

It was clear, by the looks on their faces, that Adagio & Flash could sense the tension between Mother and I. For my part, I chose to remain silent as we walked towards the arena. What more could I possibly say that hadn’t been said already? My point had been made. Even so, Mother chose to willfully ignore it and continue on as if nothing had been said at all between us. It made my blood boil! The impulse to hit someone or something became overwhelming. Before my temper ran out of control, we came upon a group of Spartan girls that offered a welcome distraction. Lithe, handsome, and their bodies radiant in the sun, I smiled at them and waved. In return, they looked upon me with naked admiration, bowing slightly in our presence.

Mother retrieved a gourd from the pile nearby and tossed it in the air a few times. “While the men wrestle each other for dominance, we women have a different approach for showing our strength. Adagio, Iliana, you both are welcome to join me in this contest if you please.”

Adagio blinked owlishly, unsure what the game was. “Do you plan on cooking the gourd?”

Mother laughed aloud. “Of course, not! We sit upon the ground and crush it betwixt our thighs. Whoever does it the fastest is deemed the mightiest amongst Spartan women. Observe.”

It was no secret that my mother was blessed with thick, muscular thighs. They were on display for all to see, after all. Without a shred of hesitation, she assumed the position, and squeezed the gourd with all her might, causing it to break apart all over the ground in a mere moment. All the girls applauded her efforts, proud of their queen’s strength. I would not debase myself by participating in such a foolish contest, but Adagio seemed willing to give it try. She sat down in the dirt, legs spread far apart and asked one of the girls to hand her a large gourd.

Adagio made an honest attempt at crushing it. She grunted and strained for a time, clearly struggling to make the gourd yield to her strength. After taking in a deep breath, she focused her will power and with a primal yell, the gourd splattered all over the arena, showering everyone around her with sticky pulp and seeds. While I was wiping away some remnants from my face, Flash Magnus stood a few paces away, his hands cupped around his ball sack. He was trying to act nonchalant, but a towering erection jutted upward from in-between his forearms.

I rolled my eyes. The rest of the girls giggled, blushed, and whispered to themselves. Yet, there was no shyness to be had amongst them. They were eager to find a man worthy of bedding, and here one stood in the arena with them. Once Adagio was able to stand again, she flicked away the remaining pulp from her inner thighs and scampered over to Flash, grabbed his arm, and pulled him close to her breast. She shot the girls a wrathful stare and stuck out her tongue at them. It was an incredibly immature thing to do, but it got the point across, I suppose.

“HE’S MINE! SCRAM AND GET SOME COCK ELSEWHERE!”

My eyes widened in surprise when she took it even further by pinning Flash to the ground, so that he couldn’t go anywhere. For a man who was being held down in the dirt by a woman, he didn’t offer much resistance. And then she—erm—clasped her fingers around his manhood, lined it up with her slit, and proceeded to mount him in front of everyone. She didn’t waste any time bouncing her rump up and down rhythmically, pleasuring herself as much as her lover.

Irritated and embarrassed by their lack of discretion, I grit my teeth and felt ashamed that my companions were copulating like a pair of wild beasts. That certainly didn’t stop her from moaning loudly enough to make the rest of the girls gathered in the arena blush with envy. I’m certain that Flash was uncomfortable ‘performing’ in front of a captive audience, but his desire for privacy was overruled by Adagio’s aggression and lust-addled brain. Shortly after they reached orgasm together, the shameless strumpet made a show of dismounting him, making sure to let all of the girls see that Flash was her man and his seed belonged to her alone. It was impossible to miss the milky globs that were leaking out of her and onto the dusty ground below.

While they shared a tender kiss and entangled their bodies together in a mass of limbs, Mother clutched her stomach, laughing. She walked over to them, crouched down on her haunches, and nudged Adagio’s side. “For not wanting children, you two sure know how to make them well enough. HAHAHA!”

Adagio ran her hand through her sweat-slicked hair and smiled. It was wide and filled with teeth. That of a predator. “I had to show those girls who’s the alpha female around here. Besides, I don’t imagine Flash minded me fucking him silly in the arena. He enjoyed every second of it~”

“You’d make a fine Spartan, Adagio. In fact, I may even consider bestowing an honorary title some time. Too bad my daughter isn’t motivated to find a suitable husband as you have.”

Flash pulled Adagio closer to his chest and kissed her forehead, which caused her to blush. Either that or she was still recovering from the orgasm. I don’t know which. “We aren’t married yet, your highness. Although, I wouldn’t mind making her my wife. Uh—if she’d have me…”

This time, I knew that Adagio was embarrassed. She coughed loudly and looked away from my mother, instead choosing to caress the rigid muscle of Flash’s abdomen. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, sweetie. We’ve got other things to worry about! Like monsters… and whatnot.”

Mother placed her hands on her hips and grinned. “Should you change your mind, I’d be honored to officiate the wedding. By Ares, I’ll even throw the two of you a celebratory feast. Enough rolling around in the dirt! Go take a bath and make yourselves presentable again. Meet Iliana and I back in the palace once you’re finished. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

Adagio and Flash returned to the palace quicker than I expected. I assumed their lust had been quenched for the time being, and they had focused solely on bathing. She didn’t cling to him quite so closely as they walked together towards the throne, but they held hands. It was hard for me to deny that there were genuine feelings of love shared between them now. However unorthodox their relationship might be.

I closed my eyes, took in a deep breath, and slowly let it out through my lips, trying to alleviate the roiling ball of jealousy that seethed within my belly. Why did I desire what they had so desperately? I was a proud Daughter of Sparta. These feelings were unbecoming of a princess. I had to look—no—be strong for my own sake and everyone else’s. This was weakness. Cracks in my armor. Damn it all to Tartarus! Why must emotions be so difficult to manage?

My reverie was broken when a man entered the palace after Adagio and Flash sat down. I was under the impression that mother had been referring to father when she mentioned that there was someone, she’d like everyone to meet. Instead, it was the visage of Captain Theophilus. Even in the nude, his presence radiated an aura of quiet confidence and military discipline. A set of three ragged scars ran across his chest. Testament to his fight with a lion.

His ochre-hued skin glowed in the candlelight, outlining the taught muscle that rippled just below the surface. He was built like Apollo; a god sculpted from the finest marble. The captain kept his silver hair cropped short, as was customary amongst military men. So too did it apply to the fuzziness covering his manhood. I won’t go into lurid detail about the size and shape of what dangled betwixt his mighty legs, but know that it was proportionate to a man of his stature. His eyes, grey as iron, were kind… yet stern. He knelt before me, took my hand, and kissed it.

“Greetings, Princess Iliana. It is an honor to see you once more. I am at your service.”

My cheeks became rosy pink. I detested being treated like some dainty maiden! “You needn’t be so formal with me, Theo. Are we not childhood friends? Rise and meet my companions.”

“Of course, Illy,” he responded with a roguish grin, “I am Theophilus, Captain of the King’s Guard. A pleasure to meet all of you. I trust you’ve enjoyed the ongoing festivities so far?”

Flash rose from his seat and clasped Theo’s wrist. “Yes, sir. Very much so.”

In an uncharacteristic move, Adagio got up and bowed theatrically. “A lovely city you have here, Captain. And even lovelier people. Truly, you honor Apollo with such fine displays of athleticism. Handsome all, men and women alike. Yourself included; I must admit~”

“Such kind words. I appreciate them. I heard rumor that you’re the infamous Adagio Dazzle, a traveling priestess of Aphrodite. Is this true?”

Adagio puffed out her chest with pride. “Why, yes I am. I serve Lady Aphrodite whenever possible and she provides me with her blessings in return. If you don’t mind me asking, where did you acquire your intel from?”

Theo rubbed his bearded chin. “From the Olympic Games, of all places. Word travels fast from there. I heard that you were quite spirited amongst the other athletes. Even managed to take a noble ne'er do well down a peg. Impressive.”

Adagio tittered in a most annoying manner. She clearly enjoyed having her ego stroked. “I may not be a super solider like the rest of you lot, but I can hold my own in a competition.”

Theo let out an amused chuckle. “Care to make a wager?”

Mother leaned back on the throne, unabashedly spread her legs apart, scratched her pubic hair, then drummed her fingers out of sheer boredom. She was never one for pleasantries and small talk. Neither was I. Patience was not a virtue held in high regard within our family. “Pardon the interruption, Captain Theophilus, but I believe that everyone is eager to know why I summoned you to the throne room in the first place. Allow me to explain. Iliana, meet your husband!”

It took me a few seconds to process the words she’d spoken. Since when was Theo supposed to marry me? More importantly, why was this decided without my express consent?!! I practically jumped out of my seat and glared daggers at mother, my skin flush with the heat of rage. “LIKE TARTARUS HE IS!!!”

I had nothing against Theo personally. For many years, our relationship had always been a friendly one. But I had no desire to be his wife. To become nothing more than his personal cocksleeve for pumping out little Spartan warriors. Make no mistake; I wasn’t angry at him. No, this was clearly all mother’s doing. She decided to play royal matchmaker during my absence. From a political point of view, the marriage made sense. A Spartan guard captain was as good a candidate as I could hope for, in leu of getting married off to some foreign stranger.

A pair of strong arms wrapped me from behind, preventing me from moving. “Calm down, Illy. The queen is only looking out for your best interest. Think of your duty to the people of Sparta.”

I had to admit, his scent made me feel nostalgic. It was that of sweat, leather, and cedar oil. My mind raced back to those carefree days where we would wrestle each other to test our strength and play with wooden swords out in the wheatfields. In honor of our bond, I did not attempt to resist his embrace, but I wanted to make it clear that I was against our betrothal. My shoulders sagged as I let out a heavy sigh. Expressing my true feelings was a difficult task indeed.

“Theo… I cannot accept your proposal.”

Mother finally got up and walked over to me, her arms crossed underneath her breasts. “Why not? Have I not selected a suitable husband for you, Iliana? Theophilus has known you since childhood. Surely, you can find it in your heart to love him. Why must you be so stubborn?”

I bit my lip. “Mother, it’s not as simple as you make it out to be. I don’t—”

“Want to be a princess,” Mother finished, “Yes, I know. I’ve always known. What you desire is irrelevant, my daughter. You were born into this world as royalty, and so you must adhere to Sparta’s ancient customs and traditions, lest you invoke the wrath of Ares. Swallow your pride and accept what the fates have in store, child. I’ll have no more of this defiance of yours!”

“A wrestling match then. If I win against Theo, then I’m free to continue living as I please. No conditions attached. If he wins, I shall swallow my pride and accept my place as his wife. It is my right as Princess of Sparta to invoke the sacred writ of challenge during Gymnopaedia.”

Exasperated, Mother stomped over to the table and chugged down a goblet full of wine. After grabbing a roasted pork haunch with her other hand, she began chewing on it slowly, gathering her thoughts. Adagio and Flash remained silent but appeared as though they were glued to their seats, both nervous by the looks of it. I could hardly blame them. The tension that hung in the air was thick enough to be cut with a knife. Mother swallowed a sliver of meat, then belched.

“By my authority as Queen, I recognize your challenge. Let the match begin posthaste.”