Athenian Slave (Book 2)

Chapter 52

AN - SO so so sorry for how long it has taken to get this up. But I have taken the time I would have used for writing these chapters to tidy up and seriously edit Trojan Slave. Hopefully I will be able to get it published soon. So here is a chapter for you, and I am spending tomorrow writing another for this book as well, so you will not have to wait too long for the next chapter. Thank you all for waiting so patiently. Enjoy, Az x

Chapter 52

The chill that permeated her was an antithesis to balmy air which swirled around her. Deep breathes were becoming tougher and harder to achieve. The closer she came to her destination, the more her mind protested. Her vision tunnelled to a single point, where her entire attention was caught and held by the doorway steadily creeping closer and closer. Her feet were leaden, yet at the same time were floating on air. The floor beneath disappeared and she had to use everything within her to just keep moving forward.

One step in front of another. It was all the only way she could function, one step and then another, all thought fled her as breathing became an even more difficult task. The corridor seemed to increase in length, while perversely the door she was heading towards seemed closer than ever. Her mind she knew was playing with her, and she had no idea how to react to it. She could not take in a breath deep enough to clear her head, and she was getting lighter and lighter with each and every breath. Blinking seemed to be optional as she stared, dry eyed at the doorway she approached, the noises from within floating up to and around her, never touching, never being heard, only a knowledge that people were in that room. Awaiting her arrival, not knowing what she was bringing with her.

She was approaching the edge of a cliff, and she had no idea if the bottom held ragged rocks or a swift torrent which would sweep her away from herself. Either option was not the best in her opinion. But one would inevitably happen, though happiness was going to occur in neither event. Nothing she could foresee in the near future ended with a smile upon her face and contentment in her heart. In fact the opposite was very much in store, and she had had a lifetime of disappointment and pain. How could she have ever thought it could be better? She had dreamed for months and now it was time to wake to the reality of the life she lived.

Stopping just before the entrance, she steeled herself, even as her vision would not fully focus and her breathing was sharp and rapid, a roaring wind in her own ears. All she had to do was step forward and let the words fall from her lips. Only those simple words meant her entire world would come tumbling down around her. While she knew it had been too good for too long, could she really be the case of the downfall which was inevitable? Her eyes stinging with unshed tears, her whole being shaking at what was to come, she finally stepped through the doorway. The next time she stepped through her whole world would have changed, and she knew in that very moment it would not be for the better.

Alexios was finding that entertaining was the hardest action he had ever had to complete. Iason had taken to eating all in sight so as to not have to join in any conversation, whilst sending intermittent dagger stares at him, before rolling his eyes and going back to his food. Not that Anaxagoras had noticed one of his audience was in no way enthralled with his long...very long...mind numbingly, yawn inducing, coma creating stories of himself. Whereas Cosmas found any reason at all to jump in on Anaxagoras' stories, with a question, comment, or trying to add in his own story, not that it lasted long before he was interrupted. Each time he spoke Cosmas threw a smug expression in his direction and Alexios had to tense up in order to stop himself from vaulting the table and throwing his fist into the other males face.