1Chapter 15. The Second Claiming

Andromache sat at her vanity brushing out her hair. Her hands were shaking with nerves and her stomach was in knots. Tonight was the night... she had already decided it. She had put if off long enough. Tomorrow he left for Corinth, and she couldn't bear the thought of him leaving without her fulfilling her duties. Although that wasn't the whole of it. She had to admit that it was the thrill of finally knowing the truth of what it meant to be a woman. Her whole life she had wondered what it was life. She felt her neck and cheeks flush hotly as her hands faltered. She had been kissed by him... but he had yet to claim her for she had yet to let him. She was still nervous but the excitement overcame the fear. She wanted to be with a man. He would be gentle and caring; she knew that, he would be generous and considerate; this she knew as well. She was ready to know, and she wanted it to be him. He was a warrior. What if he died while he was away? Would she be so lucky to be married to a man like him twice? She didn't think it could happen. This marriage had been such a blessing already she didn't want to chance it. If he died she'd at least have that memory of not his child. She resumed brushed her hair, staring at herself in the mirror. He had said that she was beautiful before. He didn't seem to mind that she was very thin and her cheekbones were impossibly large. She didn't think it bothered him that she was as tall as most men and had more opinions than half of them, or that her neck was so long she looked like an egret. She paused again and glanced down at her long slender hands. Maybe she was too skinny she thought. Her wrists were so slender that most bracelets just fell off. Looking up at her reflection she bit her lip as anxiety returned, Her eyes were huge, her mouth too full, she freckled in the sun and had a decent sprinkling of golden dots along her chest and cheekbones. What if he found her unattractive! She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and tried to calm down. She was being silly and she knew it. All she needed to do was take another deep breath and think about what he made her feel, his eyes when he kissed her. The butterflies returned and she smiled, remembering the ribbons of sensation along her form when his hands wondered. The door opened and she looked up to see him enter. He seemed frustrated and annoyed and his hair was impossibly disheveled. He sighed, ran a hand through his hair and cracked his neck as he closed the door. She rose and turned to face him and his caught sight of her. He paused noting her apparel and she blushed thinking of how provocative this night rail was. His eyes ran up and down her body and then stopped on her face.

Wow...

Shut up!

Wow...

Stop it!

"Andro?" he asked carefully. She locked her knees and walked over to him.

"How was it?" she asked. He paused, frowned and then shrugged.

"Same as always. They never listen to me, I don't even know why I attend." She smiled, stopped before him, reached up and started removing the clips from his hair. He knew that he had had something to say but her fingers were very distracting. They moved deftly and gently, combing through his hair until all the clips were gone. Then she turned and walked over to their vanity table and placed them there. "What are you doing Andromache?" he asked, trying not to notice how her hips moved beneath the all but transparent material. She paused, her back to him and shut her eyes tightly. She ripped the edge of the table for a moment then let out a breath and released it. How many other women had he been with? Here she was all but trying to seduce him. HIM the crowned Prince of Troy! Should she even bother? He would laugh.

No, he wouldn't

So? He might as well, I'm being silly.

You want this. You want him! Stop being silly and do something!

"Andro?" She heard footfalls then felt the heat of him behind her. His hands gripped her arms and turned her around. He cupped her face in his rough hands and tilted it upward so he could see it. She smiled nervously and then ducked her head down.

"You leave tomorrow." she said.

"Yes." he replied. She looked up at him and saw the patience there. The kindness.

"I want to know what it is like." she said. He frowned in confusion and she took a step back. Then, without another word she crossed her arms over her chest and pushed the shoulders of her dress down her arms. The thin silvery material floated to the ground and she stepped out of it, clasping her hands behind her back, waiting.

Oh my...

Calm yourself

But she's...

A virgin calm yourself...

And she's...she's...

Oh my...

Get a hold of yourself man!

Ok... but she's-

HECTOR!

Ok!

He felt like he was about to pass out. For the life of him he couldn't draw in a proper breath. He saw her bite her lip and he felt his stomach tighten. Oh Gods, but she was perfect. When he was younger he had preferred his women lush and curvaceous. He didn't want a woman who looked like a slight breeze would knock her over. Yet, oddly enough, she was it. She was slender, understated, not a raving beauty, certainly not comparable to Aphrodite and yet there was a classical, regalness about her. She was narrow, though her hips flared out pleasingly, and her breasts were high enough and full if not large. They were noticeable. Her belly was flat and her legs long and slender, her skin smooth and golden.

She's a goddess.

Yes she is.

"Andro." he whispered, unable to say anything else, unsure of what else to say. She blinked and then looked down at her feet.

"I do not please you." she whispered.

"No!" he cried, coming up to her. "That's not true." He raised he chin and then placed his hands on her shoulders. "You're perfect."

"No I'm not." she replied.

"You are to me." Her mouth twisted wryly as her eyes shifted away from him. "You would dare argue with a Prince of Troy?" he demanded playfully. She bit her lip again, her eyes dubious. He cradled her face in his hands, leaned down and kissed her mouth. He heard her sudden intake of breath, and then her tiny moan as she melted into him. He felt her lips part and he brushed her tongue with his as he puled her closer. Her hands came up to hold onto his wrists as the kiss deepened and she felt the fear and the anxiety begin to melt away. He pulled away for a moment and looked down at her. "Andro are you sure?" he asked. She nodded and smiled, not trusting her voice and then rose up on her toes to kiss him again holding onto his shoulders. His arms slid around her waist pulling her flush against him. She could feel the smoothness of his robes against her bare skin, the strength of his arms. She knew that the power in his body could crush her, destroy her; and yet he was gentle, loving. She wrapped her arms around his neck and arched into hin feeling oddly eager and excited. She wanted this, not just the act, but the man. She wanted this first time to be his, with him. He would make it perfect. His hands slid over her bare back pressing her closer to him. He felt her long, slender hands pulling at his robe, untying the cords that held it together on the front. He felt her try to reach in between their bodies to get the last but they were too close together. She pulled away abruptly and he took in her flushed face and swollen lips in satisfaction.

I did that... She does look rather eager if I do say so myself

Virgin.

I remember!

Virgin.

Go away!

As the more experienced one it was his duty to make her feel good, to please and teach her, to show her that here was nothing to fear. She had given him her trust and he would ensure that she was satisfied. Thoroughly. Even if it killed him.

There's a happy thought!

Virgin.

Not for long

VIRGIN!

Finally, a duty that he wouldn't mind doing in the slightest. She blushed hotly and then untied the last two before pushing it off of his shoulders. Her hands pressed against his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin. Slowly they moved up over his shoulders, down his arms, to his warm rough hands. She trailed her fingertips over his stomach feeling the muscles tense then relax, jumping beneath her hesitant hands. She bit her lip as they moved to his skirt and butterflies swarmed her stomach. Once she removed this, he would be completely naked. He hands paused and her pulse raced. Oh Gods, this would probably be the worst.

Just take it off!

But it-

Do it!

I can't... I can't.

She should have let him do it. She felt his mouth press against her temple and then her hair. She closed her eyes and smiled at his tenderness. Before she knew it her hands were shaking and she was nervous again. He felt the change almost instantly. He tilted her face up to his and looked into her eyes. Using his hands he pushed the hair back form he face, sliding into her hair to cradle the back of her head. She was not going to het scared now. Leaning down he kissed her again. Not gently this time, but passionately. It was slow and plundering and deep, causing her to moan in the back of her throat and sway forward and tremble. His mouth moved away from her lips, across her cheek, and her jaw bone, down her neck. She gasped and then shuddered against him. He suckled on the base of her throat and she jerked against him her hands flying up to his waist. His hands moved to her shoulders as he moved along her collarbone. Her fingers tightened on his waist and he buried his nose against her skin as his arms wound about her waist. Frankincense. It permeated his mind, filled his body and his arms tightened even more as he lifted her off of the ground. He pulled away slightly and saw that she was breathing heavily, her eyes glazed slightly with desire. His wife. She was his wife, and he was about to claim her as his forever. She moved her hands over him, thrilled at the play of muscles underneath his warm skin. He was so solid and warm, and suddenly she didn't feel thin and unattractive. She felt... delicate and beautiful. He leaned down and took her mouth again, slowly and passionately, completely. She groaned deeply, and slid her hands into his hair as she kissed him back without reserve. She barely registered that they had moved backward until her calves hit the bed. Her breasts were perfectly crushed against his hard chest. She felt him scoop her legs up against him and she settled against him. He kissed her cheek and the throat before pulling away again. She took a deep breath and pressed her lips together before opening her eyes. She smiled shakily and he smiled back before tossing her on the bed. She laughed a that, bouncing a bit as he crawled toward her. He rested a hand on her knee, noting that she wasn't nervous anymore. She wasn't concerned with her nakedness although he defiantly was.

If he could have told her how perfect he found her, he would have but his mind couldn't send the words to his mouth. He lowered himself next to her, his hand roaming up her leg and over her stomach to cup her breast in his palm. She gasped softly and closed her eyes for a moment as his hand covered the soft mound, kneading gently. He leaned in and kissed her mouth again, loving her taste, her smell. Where had this been his whole life? She arched into him moaning softly and his mouth moved down to her throat, suckling, kissing, inhaling her scent. Her hands came up to grip his arms and his hand slid down her side along her thigh. He loved the feel of her hands on him; long strong and narrow they moved carefully, hesitantly. She was still uncertain, unsure of what to do, how to touch but soon she would know. He felt his entire body quicken and tense as her fingertips trailed down his spine. Slowly. He needed to go slowly. One of her hands tightened on his hair pressing his head closer to her. Already she knew what she liked and what she wanted more of. He knew that her neck and shoulders were especially sensitive and smiled when her body jerked as he sucked on her collarbone. He reveled in the sighs and tiny sounds she made in the back of her throat. Sensing the change in her, he shifted his body half over hers, pinning half of her to the bed. He slid his leg between hers and sucked on the racing pulse at the base of her throat. His hand slid up her inner thigh, slowly, trying to give her time to realize his intent. He heard the rate of her breathing increase gradually and when his fingers brushed the curls at the apex of her thighs she gasped and her fingers tightened on his arms. "Shh..." he whispered against her jaw bone, as his lips brushed the skin. Gently, his hand touched her and she gasped again arching against him. Slowly he slid a lone finger withing her. She moaned and bit her lip, tightening around his finger.

Ahhh Gods, damn, alright breathe... he shut his eyes tightly.

"Hector..."she gasped, her eyes wide.

"Shh... love it's alright." he whispered hoarsely.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Relax, you'll see." he replied. Then he kissed her trying not to give into the need to say 'to Hades with it.' and drive himself into her, ravish her. She was so hot and tight and wet, and he wanted her so damn much.Taking out his frustration on her mouth, kissing her deeper and harder, taking her breath for himself, he slowly slid his finger in and out, ignoring her moans and the fierce erection he'd been dealing with from the moment she stood naked before him. He knew that his manhood had a mind of it's own, but he had never had to have a debate with the damned thing. She groaned and he felt her nails biting into his skin as he tongue dueled fiercely with his. He felt her hands moving frantically over his back and shoulders, driving him crazy. He ducked his head and took the tip of one breast onto his mouth and she bucked against him and cried out. It flared the flames in his blood and Apollo help him he groaned as well. She felt like she was on fire. He was giving rise to feelings and sensations that she was positive couldn't be normal, or safe. There was an ache between her legs that was making her make strange noises. Her body was writhing against him in a hopeful attempt to make it cease but it only seem ed to make it worse. How did he know to touch her there? She had never even guessed it, why hadn't hr mother spoken of this miracle? His thumb settled against what seemed to be the source of that blissful ache and she bucked violently against him as shards of sensation shot through her system. Between his mouth at her breast and his hand at her mound she was going to explode. She groaned deeply and her hands fisted in his hair. Closer. She wanted him closer. It was growing. Whatever it was, sensation, pleasure, heat, all of it; in her belly and her breast in her very skin. His rough beard scraped against her skin as his mouth moved to her other breast suckling gently, his hands were hard moving steadily easily, his entire body was like warm marble. Every inch of her body felt sensitized, and then suddenly all feeling shot straight to her center, stars exploded behind her eyes and he mouth opened in a silent scream as ribbons of sensation slithered through out her body. He buried his face against her shoulder and waited for her to catch her breath, gritting his teeth against the voice in his head that was bellowing NOW! NOW! Take her! The ache in his loins was considerable and he felt about ready to explode but then he looked up at her. Seeing her skin flushed and her eyes closed, her breathing a bit labored. He smiled and waited, waited until her hands relaxed in his hair, and once they did he took her up and over again, adding another finger and then another, glorying in her cries and the movements of her body. She was perfect and as he felt her tighten around his fingers again he thanked the Gods for her and the gift that she was giving him. This time he didn't wait for her to recover. He removed his hand and started undoing his skirt.

Shit...

Damn...

Shit...

Shit!

Oh gods this...SHIT!

His hands were shaking and his heart was racing as he finally managed to undo the knot and remove the cursed thing.

Finally, Gods...

His swollen member practically sighed with relief and that voice in his head was a dull roar.

Now, for Zeus' sake man! Bed her now!

I'm trying, shut up!

"Oh my.." His head shot up to see her staring at him. Well not at him but rather at HIM

"Um..." he looked down at himself.

"That is... is it supposed to be that big?" she asked, rather concerned.

"Well it's..." he fumbled for words and damn it was he blushing again!

"Because didn't look that big before."

"Well it wasn't that big before." His cheeks were positively burning the traitors. He stared at her for a moment.

"Well then why is it that big now."

Oh gods you are joking right?

Why the hell does she think its like that!

Calm down.

This is impossible!

She's new to this

She wants a bloody lesson NOW!

"Well, because you um... you... I'm" About ready to die.

Shut up!

"Aroused?" she asked, glancing up at him.

"Very." he said on a sigh. She blushed deeply.

"And it swells up like that?" she asked.

"Yes." he said. She bit her lip, staring at it again.

"Could you make it smaller?"

"It's really not that bad." he mumbled and she gave him a dubious look. "It's not! It's not complaint worthy or anything, but still."

"What are you going to do with that thing anyway?" she asked. He blanked and went a bit pale.

Ahh fu... for the love of Hades!

Ummm...

"You don't know?" he asked.

"Well my mother told me that it didn't take long and that I should just lie still and not complain." Hector raised an eyebrow.

What the hell kind of advice is that?

I don't know...

"Did she?" he commented. "Ignore everything she told you." she blinked. "I'll take care of you."

"I know." she replied smiling softly.

"And it will take long enough if I have anything to say about it." he said laying her back down.

"Will it hurt?"

"Only because it is your first time but..." wait a minute "How long have you been riding?" he asked suddenly.

"Since I was five." she replied.

"Then it won't hurt." he said. She smiled and he kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back arching up into him. There was no gentleness now. She wasn't hesitating now; she wasn't afraid of anything. Her fingertips dug into his shoulders, and her mouth opened up wide beneath his. He lowered his body onto hers slowly, her legs parting to hold him between them. She loved the weight of him, how hard his body was. Every single inch was like rock covered in sun warmed silk, The rough scrape of his short beard was thrilling against her sensitive skin, and his hands had that wonderful sensation pooling in he stomach again. Her hips shifted and she heard him groan deeply. Her hands faltered momentarily but then his mouth moved down her neck again and she moaned sliding her hands into his thick curly hair. Something thick hard and hot pressed against her center and she bit her lip against the feeling. Her body knew instinctively what she wanted it seemed and before she registered it she was writhing against him moving, taking her pleasure.

"Gods, Andro, stop..." he said roughly. She pressed her head back against the pillow moaning softly. She couldn't hear him, she couldn't feel the tension in his body; all she knew was that the wonderful coil of pleasure was growing, tightening and settling between her legs. Closer, get him closer... her body screamed and her legs came up around his waist, her feet pressing into his thighs. Her hip lifted twisting desperately, her hands tightened and she cried out, arching up against him. Hector practically growled locking his jaw and praying to Apollo that he could bare it long enough to

truly please her. This time he didn't give her time to get ideas, he shifted his hips and drove into her. He maidenhead was all but gone due to years to riding and she was slick and ready from her recent orgasm. She gasped and arched up into him with a loud cry, her head thrown back into the pillows. His teeth closed around the pulse in her throat suckling passionately. She bit her lip, breathing hard, gradually getting accustomed to the feel of him inside her. He was thick and hard and throbbing against her walls. There hadn't been any pain at all just as he'd promised, merely a feeling of fullness and strangely enough one of wholeness, of completion, of rightness. Slowly she became aware of how rigid he was. He had rested his weight on his elbows, against the chafed skin. She ran her hands over his back, feeling the tense muscle coiled beneath his smooth, sweat dampened skin. He wasn't moving, in fact he was barely breathing at all.

"Hector?"she whispered shakily.

"Yes?" he groaned.

"What's wrong?" he laughed shakily.

"Nothing, I'm waiting for you to get... comfortable." he replied.

"Oh." she bit her lip, shifted and he closed his eyes, letting out a tortured groan.

"Gods... Andro don't move."

"Did I hurt you?" she asked starting to sit up. The movement caused him to slide more into her and he closed his eyes crying out. "Hector, oh my." she gasped. He had grown and... twitched? His head dropped to her shoulder.

"I can't do this..."he whispered. "I'm sorry Andro." She slid her hand down his back, pressing down on the small of his back, to his groan.

"It's ok." she whispered. "It's fine now." He bit his lip and arched his hips.

Oh, Goddamn.. Yes!

She gasped slightly and her eyelashes fluttered. He gritted his teeth and pulled out before pushing himself back in slowly. She arched her back and moaned. It felt good and... necessary having him inside her. With every silken thrust ribbons of sensation spiraled throughout her body, spreading heat across her skin. He moved deep, slow and deliberate letting her become aware and adjusted to the feel of it, of him. She pressed her lips together, squeezing her eyes shut and let out a shaky sigh. Raising his head he stared down at her. She was ten times more beautiful like this, with her skin damp and rosy and her face... he leaned down and kissed her mouth. Her lips parted readily and she moaned, kissing him hungrily. Her hands slid down his back kneading, clinging, caressing. She wasn't shy anymore, and it made him almost ravenous for her. He moved down her neck, suckling, tasting reveling in her every sigh and sound, the hitch in her breath as he moved inside her. She felt perfect around him, wet and hot and tight and every time he moved it was exquisite agony. He felt her legs tighten around his waist and moved deeper. She groaned and arched her back and his mouth fastened onto the racing pulse at the base of her throat. She cried out again and raised her hips up to meet him. He hissed in a breath and paused before moving again; deeper, harder thrusts but not faster. He kissed her collarbone and shoulders, nibbling gently on her skin before soothing it with his tongue. Her hands sank into his thick hair, twining her fingers through the thick strands, holding him against her. She felt like she was on fire, the feelings racing though her body were so incredible, building until she was sure that she would explode or faint or die. He gave a deliberate twist of his hips and she felt the most incredible feeling breaking throughout her entire body. The sound she made, the sounds that she was making, were unfamiliar and shocking. He grabbed her hips and held her close as he thrust deeper and harder feeling the sensations build he buried his face in her neck biting down. She flung her head back and screamed, her nails drawing blood as impossible pleasure racked her body and then everything went black. Hector felt her close tightly around him and drove into her twice more before giving into his own release. The first coherent thought he managed to put together was that he was trembling, and that that hadn't happened in years. The second was that she felt like home; in her arms, mer mouth, her body was his home. It had been a long time since he had lain with a woman, but he knew that it had never felt like this. He buried his face in her shoulder and breathed in her scent; frankincense, and sex. There was something incredibly perfect about a woman's body after making love. Everything was arousing and yet comforting. Her body seemed softer, more beautiful, her skin was smoother and sweat slicked, warm and fragrant. He lay about Andromache, noting all these things, including the feel of her hands stroking along his back. Much to his dismay, it was putting him to sleep.

"Andro?" he muttered roughly.

"Hmmm?" she replied dreamily.

"You are putting me to sleep." he said. She giggled.

"That's alright." she replied, trailing her fingertips up his spine.

"Mmmm... no it's not. I'm the man, I'm supposed to show off my Trojan stamina and prowess and um... there's another one."

"Will power?" she asked, now playing with his hair.

"Mmmm, yes" he yawned and nuzzled her neck tightening his arms about her. "I should move... I'm too heavy."

"Only a little. I like it." she replied. He smiled and pressed a tiny kiss there, tasting salt. She shivered.

"Are you cold my love?" he asked raising his head to peer into her face. She seemed to be glowing; tired but satisfied and happy. She smiled at him, the slow sleepy smile of the well loved and shook her head.

"No I'm fine. Sleep if you are tired." she said drawing his head down to her breast. He smiled, nuzzling the soft mound of flesh.

"Wake me if I get too heavy." he muttered sleepily. She smiled to herself and continued to stroke his hair. She was truly his now. His seed was inside her, and he had made her a woman. It hadn't hurt at all... she had thought that it would have, if only a little. He had made it perfect just as she had imagined and she loved him for it. His weight was heavy but it made her feel strangely complete. She wrapped her legs around him and focused on the rhythm of his heart as it slowed and evened out putting her to sleep with him. It was fine now. Now everything was perfect.