Athenian Slave (Book 2)

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Charmion could not believe what she was hearing. She blinked. Tried to replay his words in her mind. Look for any nuance where he could be trying to take her down a dangerous path. But all she saw upon his face was sincerity. His eyes held the truth, the truth she did not want to accept. For if she allowed herself to hope for the impossible, it would only be her that was crushed under the weight of the lost dream, no harm would come to Alexios. Yet, she could not see what he would gain from such an act.

He did not squirm under her sharp gaze, and unknowing of how long it took her, she finally had to choose. Did she believe him or not? Could she open herself up to that chance of annihilation? Her breathing increased, her mind unsure on what to do. She could not make herself choose. It ended up being the male that had her mind so confused that made her decide a side to fall down upon. As he had sensed her panic, she was suddenly swept up off her feet, into the strong warm arms of Alexios. As he held her close and carried her to the bed. Sitting and swinging himself to lay his legs along the length of it, as his back rested against the wall. He refused to let her go, and the warmth of the safe feeling she had within her made her quiet within his embrace. She had instinctually made her choice it seemed. Whatever the outcome, her path had been chosen.

She was brought back to the present, not realising her mind had wondered for so long, with the low, rough voice in her ear. “I promise you Charmion, my plan is to free all those the law saws I own. I do not think anyone should own a soul. But until I know that I can trust all those in my care, I cannot. I need your help.” Her head lifted sharply at that comment. Her brows drawing together to try and show him her confusion over her his comments. She really could not comprehend what he was really trying to say, or what his angle was over this endeavour.

Alexios could not keep the small smile to himself, especially with the way Charmion had tried to cuddle as close to him as possible, and the adorable confusion that crossed her face. He wanted to lean forward and touch his lips to hers. It had been a long time since he had tasted of a woman. But he had become quite familiar with Charmion’s warmth against him. As he had held her through the night many a time. Looked forward, selfishly to the nights her terrors took over her mind, and he could calm her with his presence beside her.

Pushing a stray lock of dark, silkily curled hair, behind her ear. Feeling a warmth in his chest he had become accustomed to in her presence, he watched as her eyes closed for a moment at his touch, and he knew she was affected by his touch as much as she was by him. “I tell the truth. You know this much of me. I mean to make all free. But I can only do so when I am confident that all will stay in my employ and keep the secrets they know, from the position they serve in.” He could see her eyes cloud as she tried to make sense of what he was saying. He knew it would be difficult. She had been a slave for the majority of her life, this had to seem surreal, or even an elaborate plot on his part. But he could not fathom what she would think he gained from this. If anything he would be out of pocket having to pay wages rather than just the food and shelter he did now.