For several heartbeats, she heard nothing.
Then a deep, low whisper answered her. "A weary soldier who is fearful that he's been forgotten or replaced."
Tears filled her eyes and choked her. "My Hector has not been forgotten and he could never be replaced."
Only then did he kneel by her side and pull her against him. He was much leaner than he'd been, but also much more ripped. His muscles were even larger and harder than before. She cradled his head in her hands as he rocked her in his arms. While his hair was shorter than it'd been when he left her, he now had a full beard.
"I lived only for the chance that I could come back and hold you again."
Hot tears flowed down her cheeks. "I hate you for the pain you've caused me in your absence. You beast! The fear that you were dead and burned..."
He sucked his breath in sharply as she touched his back.
"Hector?"
"I've returned, but not in one whole piece." He pulled away and carefully sat down on the ground by her side.
"What happened? Why did you remove my amulet?"
"Once we reached Greece, I foolishly took it off to toy with it. I had no idea we were about to be attacked by our own allies. But have no fear..." He placed her hand over his wrist to show her that it was back in place.
"You were hurt?"
"I certainly didn't stab my own back. Though, given my superior incompetence, I'm surprised I haven't found a way to do so."
She kissed his cheek. "Is it just your back?"
"Sadly, no. I took twenty-and-four stabs to my back, hand, side, and front, and one to my left cheek, just to make sure I was good and humiliated."
She touched his face.
"Not that cheek, my sweet. That one wouldn't have bothered me so."
In spite of the seriousness, she laughed. That explained the peculiar way he was sitting, but ... "You are not funny.... Can I do anything to comfort you?"
He pulled her hand to his lips and inhaled her skin before he nibbled her fingers then he stretched out on his side ... with his left cheek up. "You comforted me the moment I saw you here. I swear you've grown even more beautiful in my absence."
She lay down, facing him. "I'm scared to touch you for fear of causing you pain."
He placed her hand over his heart and held it there so that she could feel the rapid beat through his chiton. "Even if you hurt me, I'll enjoy it."
"You're so masochistic."
"I am indeed." Sighing, he laid his head down on his arm next to her head then moved her hand to his bearded cheek so that she could feel the expressions on his face. "What pains me most is that after all these long, arduous months, I can't make love to you like I've dreamed of doing every single night."
She moved her hand to toy with his curls that wrapped around her fingers. His hair was shorter than when he'd left, but it was still long enough to tease her. "Has anyone ever told you that your voice is very similar to Prince Styxx's?"
"And when did you hear his voice, my lady?"
"Several times when he's been in public. But you're nothing like him."
"How are we so different?"
She kissed his nose. "You are sweet and precious. And there isn't an arrogant bone in all of your body."
"Perhaps the prince isn't as bad as you assume."
She arched a brow at that. "You defend him?"