Free Web NovelChapter 63: Chapter 63
Over the coming days, Hera had formed a habit of visiting the Aetos house. She’d met his siblings on one of those days; Elias Aetos, firstborn son of Senator Grascus Aetos. He was a peculiar fellow. He didn’t talk much and had a limp in his walk.
When she had told him he was there to see his brother, he got too close, studying her face, staring into her eyes. She could swear that at some point in that ridiculous introduction, he sniffed her. She shuddered when he walked away, clearly unbothered by what he’d put her through.
Niko made a swift recovery and thankfully also recovered from the foul mood he had been in for that duration.
"Why don’t we head to my house today? I’m tired of being cooped up in here like an animal," Niko whined. They were in the courtyard, and Niko was lounging on one of the chairs.
Hera shook her head slightly and smiled. "What’s wrong with your house? And you have free will, Niko; no one is stopping you from going anywhere; they’re just all worried about you."
Niko pressed his lips in a thin line and sighed, "I wouldn’t say that is what my parents are thinking. They don’t want me going anywhere because I’ve embarrassed them."
"That’s not true, and you know it."
"What would you know about what’s true or not? I’m the one who lives here, not you. And I know my parents better than any outsider."
Hera took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, then looked straight at Niko in silence.
"What? You know it’s the truth. You don’t know them as I do." Niko glanced at her, then at his legs.
"Sometimes," Hera began slowly, "I don’t understand why I put up with your brashness. You never really think before you speak and end up seeming rude and moronic. Nowhere during the length of our conversation did I allude that I knew your parents better than you did, but you just had to say it like that, as if I was forcing myself on your family." Hera stood up, dusted herself, and looked straight at Niko. "I’ll be taking my leave."
Niko groaned, stood up, and went to hold her, "Why are you so hardheaded. You know what I meant. I didn’t mean it the way it came out. I’m sorry, ok? Stop being upset."
"Just because you meant something else doesn’t mean your delivery doesn’t also matter. Think Niko. Think before you speak." Hera folded her arms and turned her head away from him.
"I said I’m sorry. I promise I’ll think before I speak." He held a hand to his heart and used the other to pull her face towards him so she would look into his eyes. "Why don’t we go back to my house? This place just seems so suffocating. And I’m going to cook you something delicious."
Hera smiled. She could never really stay mad at Niko, no matter how much she tried. "Alright," she said as she nodded.
"Yes!!!" Niko punched the air and did a little dance. "Wait here a while, I need to change, then we’ll leave."
Niko hurried down after he’d changed, and they went on their way. Hera glanced at Theo’s house as they passed, memories of their time together, swimming through her mind.
"I’ve missed this," he drawled. They had just passed the boisterous marketplace and continued downward until they reached his house. "It feels good to be back here," he shouted into the air.
"Why don’t you make yourself comfortable so that I can check up on a few things and start that dish before your stomach falls off."
Hera laughed. "Why would you say something like that?"
"Well, because I listened to your stomach rumble all the way from my parents’ house. I shouldn’t let a princess starve."
She laughed again, shook her head, and then went to sit in the courtyard. It took a while, but he came back with a few servings of chicken and rice, and some fruits. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
"Niko," she groaned, "who’s going to finish all of this?" freewebnovёl.ƈom
"You, of course."
"I’m saying it now so you don’t think I’m wasteful, but this is too much, and I will not be able to finish it."
Niko chuckled. "I’m pulling your legs. I know you can finish all of this, unless you’re secretly a cow and you haven’t told me. None of the girls I know eats this much, not even my mother."
"Iris eats as much as she wants and still stays in excellent shape. In fact, a lot of my sister’s friends wolf down so much food it’s amazing. So, I don’t think you’ve had enough experience with women yet."
Niko grimaced. "I don’t know what type of friends your sister had gotten herself, but I can assure you, girls and women are not supposed to eat so much."
"Hmm."
They talked for a while longer and finished the food, then Niko went to wash off the dishes while Hera walked around the house. She went to the animal pen and felt the horses, the sheep, and the goats. The cool evening air refreshed her.
Then the little garden he’d planted not too far from the pen. He’d planted some grapes, carrots, and sunflowers. She had grown to love the simplicity of the place. She imagined herself with Niko and their children, alone and happy.
She went back in, past the kitchen, and the courtyard to the sleeping quarters. She didn’t take a good look at the place when she’d last been here. The bed looked warm and cozy, the room lacked the vibrancy of the other houses, the palace, and the Aetos house, but it felt whole in some way.
Niko’s arms snaked around her waist. "Do you like it?"
"I love it. It’s a beautiful place."
Niko nuzzled her neck and kissed her behind her ears. "You always feel so good against me." His voice was thick with passion.
Hera moaned and leaned into him. Niko turned her around and devoured her lips, taking and taking until there was nothing left, and they came up for some air.
His hand roamed her body and then cupped her breasts. "If we stop like last time..."
"No, we won’t."
