The Heart of Alexander

Chapter Thirty Two- Unstoppable Queen

Unstoppable by Sia

The city of Bucephalas was now underway. Ambhi lent his remaining men and supplies to build such a city. The construction included towering walls like a fortress and had the Hydaspes River flowing straight through the city beside the roads. During the construction, I stayed beside my dearest husband, watching over him like a mother would with their young. He was much stubborn, refusing care while he watched over the men creating his new city. But the longer I watched over him, the more he began to soften to me. 

"Alexander?" I called as I searched the halls of the palace for him. I had came to our chambers to bring him his bread and wine only to find our bed empty. I began frantically scouring the palace for him, worried for his wound and his health. 

At last, I found him within the servant's quarters. I sighed, taking him in from a distance. He stared out of the small hole in the wall, the sun shining in to illuminate his god-like features. He wore a plain tunic with a leather belt around his waist to hold it in place. He wore no jewels, no gold or flashy colors. It was just his god given beauty and yet, I couldn't tear my eyes from him. Alexander looked so relaxed, so at peace, which was something I saw rarely with him.  His eyes were closed, the muscles in his face were relaxed, his brows no longer furrowed in worry. Alexander, how I wish I could see more of you this way, I thought. 

"What do you want now?" he spoke with his eyes still closed, his voice suddenly cold.

"Your wine and bread are awaiting you in our chamber. I just wanted to check up on you," I stammered. 

"Shouldn't you be with the rest of Ambhi's harem? I thought I told you to stay with them for the day," he said, his eyes opening and throwing a piercing glare. 

"They aren't missing me. They are just conversing over Ambhi's obsession with looking for a new wife," I spoke quietly, hoping he would understand. 

"Ah, so that good for nothing sad excuse of man is trying to find another replacement? Maybe I should just give him you since you won't follow my orders," Alexander snapped, striking fear into me. 

I backed up in fear, my eyes widening from his words. No, I would never allow myself to belong to that man. You said the same thing about Alexander and look where you are now, I thought. 

"Please don't. I'm sorry," I stuttered barely above a whisper. Forcefully, his hand grabbed me by my jaw and brought my face close to his, his eyes burning a hole right through me.  

"Then do what you are told from now on!" Alexander growled. 

I flinched, stumbling back in fear of his anger. At my sudden fear, his gaze softened for a moment and he took a step forward, resulting in me taking a quick step back. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration and running a hand through his golden curls. Extending a hand out to me, I shook my head vigorously. Dropping his hand in defeat, his walked back over to the hole in the wall, leaning against the wall and looking outside at the world. With a sigh, his green eyes landed back on me and he spoke. 

"This place reminds me of my home. Yes we had beautiful chambers and every luxury you would ever want, but to escape my father, I would hide away in the servant's quarters of my home. It was the one place where I didn't have to be a prince. I was free to be whoever I wanted to be," 

Looking up, I saw the longing within him as he looked out at the unknown world, "I'm always wondering how home is, if mother was okay. If all my old school mates were still alive. I know by now some of them are probably already on their tenth child. When I left, they all thought I was crazy to want to conquer the world. But I would prove them wrong, and so far, I have. I was destined for far greater than anyone back at home could imagine," he spoke before looking down at the ground, "I should be happy...,"

"And you are not?" I quietly asked. 

Alexander turned, his emerald eyes flashing with such emotions I had never seen before, "There is something missing. It eats me alive, because I can't seem to figure it out for the life of me," Suddenly, he slammed his fist into the wall, making me wince in fright from his sudden frustration, "Dammit!"

I took a small step forward, inching closer to him, "Maybe I can fill that hole," I whispered softly. 

His gaze softened and he reached out, grasping a hold of my arm and pulling me into him. I stumbled into him, falling against his chest as his arms encircled me. At first, I was frightened from his sudden movement, but slowly, I began to relax in his arms. It felt comforting, unlike anything I had ever felt in my life. I laid my head upon his chest, feeling his heart beat through his tunic. I sighed in contentment before looking out at the world that did lie before us. 

"I wonder sometimes about home too. I remember how I used to play amongst the merchant children that would visit our city. Father would scold me constantly, slapping my wrists and telling me to stick to my womanly duties like mother. How I longed to be outside the city as I would stare off into the distance from my balcony. I didn't care for the lavish gifts, the exotic foods brought from the merchant my father did business with, nor did I care for the fine robes and glittering jewels. But now that I look back, I miss those things. I even miss the confinement of my home. At least I knew I was guarded and safe," I said and then chuckled softly. 

"But I know that such things are meaningless. It's you I need. You I crave,"

His fingertips touched my chin, gently lifting my head from his chest to look up at him. I stared up at his beautiful emerald green eyes. He bent his neck, leaning down to kiss my lips. The kiss was soft, his lips grazing over mine with a longing, a need. I stood on my toes, meeting his mouth halfway, our lips were molded together in a passion that engulfed us both. It was an explosion I didn't expect. 

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pressed myself to him, making sure to watch his injury. Alexander clenched my waist, his hold on me firm. I felt wanted, needed, for the first time since our marriage began. Every night that he laid me down in his bed meant nothing compared to this moment with him. With this kiss, he poured into me all his sorrows and all the pain and agony he endured over the years. He filled me, completed me, and in return I gave him all that I had in hopes to complete him as well. 

He broke away, his eyes wide in surprise before his brow furrowed in confused. His eyes traveled from mine back down to my lips, almost as though he were hypnotized, enticed by them. His gaze met mine once more and he spoke softly. 

"Did you feel that?"

I nodded and a small smile broke out across my face. I knew exactly what I felt. 

"I love you," I said with utter confidence. 

His eyes widened even more in realization of the words that were spoken from my lips. His hand took mine, our finger entwining as our eyes met, green to brown. 

"I love you too, my unstoppable queen,"