Rosewater Oasis Ώρα μηδέν

Oh, how he must have been waiting for this moment! To claim something for his own, to pronounce himself a man of utmost importance. Andromache would have laughed to hear his declaration if not for a single word which caught and held her even as he moved on. Equal. Even her father, who allowed her so many freedoms, never dared to use that word with her. It was not a kindness, she felt, but cunning she had not thought Faustus capable of.

Equal to a woman. No Roman would ever dream of it. Perhaps he meant to coax her into marriage, but she would not allow it.

Andromache let her shoulders loosen as his presence fell away from her. She stretched out by the water, lounging while her gaze roamed shamelessly over his figure. I will be Βασίλισσα. Call yourself βασιλεύς if it soothes your pride, She meant it to provoke, knowing that he would not. The locals will know our presence soon. I don't mean to go around begging the loyalty of barbarians. Let them come to us.

The men will find some local women to warm their beds, I'm certain. Others will follow, Perhaps Nikolaos would take a new wife. Perhaps she would command him to do this, and then it would be assured. Andromache pondered.