Loving Artemisia (lesbian story)

Chapter 13 - Artemisia

Artemisia

Every night when I go to sleep the memory of my past haunts me. Blazing fire that burns the home of mine to the ashes, heartbreaking scream of my own mother and my father's blood that painted the ground. Most of all, I cannot forget the mocking laugh of Greek hoplites who kept me as captive after murdering my family. They physically and sexually abused me for two years and it left a scar in my conscience to ever forget it.
However, I know that if I take my revenge I could stop these horrible memories that haunts me every time I close my eyes. Burning the Athens is the only way I can heal this scar to live on my own.
After the great king Darius died, I knew I had to do something or else the only chance I can heal myself will turn into a dust. I was a step close to fulfilling my deepest desire but the messenger that came with the news of king's wound stopped me and the chance Anahita gave me turn into nothing. Thus, I had no choice but to turn to Xerxes, the successor of Darius, new king of Persians. I flamed the burning revenge in his heart that desires to murder whoever killed his father.
When he returned as God-King I told him to be, I had to make sure this plan of mine to be successful. I murdered every person who raised him, consoled him to build the path for myself. When my perfect creation stood before his people, I knew it was the moment I wished for a long time.
"War." He said.
The word that gives the freedom to my soul. The word that gives me the strength to live.
However, it did not feel entirely satisfactory to know that somewhere in this grand palace of Persia, she is hating me for doing this. Princess was the brisk of fresh air to my vengeful life, only flower bloomed in my deadly soul.
I was aware that she loved me truly to the point that she started the previous war to the Greek which ended with her father's death. But before I think about us I have to think about myself. I could not live in peace with the haunting memory of my past. I believe when I burn the Athens, I will be able to move forward and try to be happy.
...

Themistocles, a Greek general who ruled the united fleet of Greek made me admire his brilliant tactics. He seemed to be different than any other man I've ever encountered. He was brilliant yet what made me admire him most was his loyalty and courage to his people.
"Join me." I said, trying to save his life from death. However, the foolish man chose to die with his honor. I admit his was the only life I regretted to take.
After the victory I've long waited, I was in my chamber thinking the next step I should take. Without their navy, Athens is defenseless against the powerful army of Persia. However, what troubled me greatly was Spartans. From what I heard and saw, they are the tribe of warriors who learned to kill before they learn to spell their name. Addition to their power, they are far too honorable, which we could use for our advantage.
"Leave us." Feminine voice spoke and my immortal obliged immediately. That's when I saw I had a visitor who happens to be the princess of Persia. I hadn't seen her since the day she screamed at me for sending her brother to search the divinity I needed him
to become.
Months have passed since we saw each other  but lord of the time seems to be failed to diminish the beauty of hers. However, I could tell it changed something deep inside of her. She became determined, controlling and strong.
Stronger than I've ever seen her.
When she left my chamber after taking me with such rage and passion, for the first time since we met I failed to read what was on her mind. Did she changed this much after I abandoned her after her father died? It tore me down to acknowledge that she still has feelings towards me after what I had done to her. I really do not deserve that pure love of hers.
It is amusing to know that she is only thing that affects me emotionally. I, the commander of Persian fleet solely focus on my revenge and the terrible past of mine halts the every other affection of life from me yet Anahita found a way to get into me.
...

After the battle against Themistocles, I had to deal with the aftermath of the war. Messenger reported that Xerxes is fighting with the Spartans but what I did not expect was Leonidas and his 300 warriors. How could a man be foolish to think it is enough to stop the millions of Persians. I was awaiting the message of victory so that I could finally reach to the Athens and burn it down.
"Commander, messenger from the emperor has come." Artafernes, my second in command general spoke.
"Let him in."
"Commander Artemisia, I hereby order you to come to the Thermopylae with your soldiers to pay your respect to the new monarch of our empire. " the messenger said, which did not failed to startle me.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Xerxes the king of Persia has passed away this morning and her sister Royal princess Anahita has chosen to success him. You shall come and assist the new empress." He simply said and left.
"Report said it is undoubtedly true that her royal highness became the empress, commander. King Xerxes died suddenly because of some kind of illness he catched in foreign land." Artafernes explained afterwards.

Even though, I doubted the cause of Xerxes's illness I do not think she is capable of murdering her flesh and blood to get on the throne. However, our last encounter proved she is not the same innocent weak princess I left in Persia.
With the mind full of curiosity, I started my journey to the empress.
...

"Let the empress know I'm requesting an audience." I said and waited at the gate of her grand chamber.
When I came inside of it, surely she was on the golden throne of Persia gazing at me with intensity.
"Commander." She said, her voice held authority and power.
"Empress." I said and bowed down. I wanted to be left alone with her but she denied it and warned me to know my place. Anahita is no longer the princess who lives for me. However, adding to my surprise she left me to be with the new maiden I've never seen.

Anahita, the empress of Persia denied every commanders and generals request to continue the war Xerxes started. I do not know what she is trying to do and she seems to be busy with the new maiden of hers. It still amuses how much she changed. Also I cannot stop but to feel hatred and fury towards the Greek girl who catched her attention. At the conflict of my feelings, I failed to realize I might be in the edge of losing the chance of having my vengeance. She said give me a reason to start a war.
I wonder what I could give her to burn the Athens to the ashes.

A/n: Comment! Comment! Comment!
Here is the commander you missed.