Killing Pythagoras (Mediterranean Prize Winner 2015) (27 page)

CHAPTER 56

June 9
th
, 510 B.C.

The night before, Akenon had waited halfway up the stairs for Ariadne to come back. He didn’t want to wait for her in the common room, where the soldiers were drinking, nor could he wait upstairs, where there was another hoplite standing guard.

He remained alert to the noises from the ground floor. He felt nervous and slightly confused. A few minutes later, he saw that the fat man who had interrupted them was coming back through the common room, heading for the stairs. If he found Akenon still standing there, he might think he was hiding with some evil intent.

He might start shouting
, thought Akenon uneasily. The last thing he wanted just then was to attract the soldiers’ attention to Ariadne and himself.

He climbed the rest of the stairs, greeted the guard on duty, and went into his room. He closed the door and listened. The fat man passed his room. A short while after that, he heard Ariadne returning to her bedroom. He could discern her footsteps clearly, the sound of the door, and the noise of the straw mattress as her body sank into it. He felt the urge to go to her room, but controlled himself. He couldn’t cross the corridor in front of the soldier on duty and go into Pythagoras’ daughter’s bedroom. He lay on his bed thinking of her, and began to wonder whether any of it had actually happened.
Were we really on the verge of kissing?
Everything had happened so fast and been so surprising, he wasn’t sure. And, if it were true, why was Ariadne now willing for something to happen between them?

A couple of hours later, the two soldiers with whom he was sharing the room came in. They threw themselves onto their mats and were snoring placidly within five minutes. Akenon continued to stare at the ceiling, unable to sleep, surprised to realize he had strong feelings for Ariadne. They had developed somewhere outside his daily reality, in a corner of his mind where he had told himself long ago that nothing would ever happen between them, that they’d simply say goodbye the day he returned to Carthage.

I don’t know what to expect any more.

He tried to distract himself by thinking about the investigation they would carry out in Sybaris, but his thoughts kept returning to Ariadne. Imagining what might have happened if they hadn’t been interrupted made him shiver with excitement.

When he finally managed to sleep, his dreams took him back to the stairs.

The following morning, the soldiers were present when Akenon met Ariadne. They greeted each other formally and set out on their journey. As on the day before, they rode together, keeping a certain distance from the other members of the group. Nothing seemed to have changed, but the glances they exchanged were more prolonged, and they couldn’t stop smiling.

They both knew they’d be in Sybaris by afternoon. There, they’d have time to continue what they’d left unfinished.

In Sybaris, they lodged at an inn near the aristocrat district. Thanks to that, the hoplites they sent to Glaucus’ palace were quick to return with an answer. Ariadne and Akenon met them and the rest of the soldiers in the large common room of the inn.

“He’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.” The soldier paused, doubtful. “Well, what he really said was that he’d send a messenger to say whether he’ll see you or not.”

Ariadne frowned. They were going to see Glaucus on behalf of Pythagoras. It was unheard of for a Pythagorean initiate to behave that way.

“Very well,” replied Akenon. “Let’s hope he sees us in the end.” He turned to the rest of the soldiers. “We’d best get some rest now. It’s late, and first thing tomorrow morning we have to start looking for evidence of the hooded man everywhere in Sybaris.”

The soldiers grunted and retired. Questioning Glaucus might make sense—even though getting up the nose of such a powerful man was risky, however friendly he might be with the Pythagoreans—but what didn’t make sense was searching for traces of the hooded man again. All the same, they were soldiers, and Milo’s orders had been very clear: obey Akenon in everything.

When the last of the soldiers disappeared, Akenon turned to Ariadne.

Alone at last
, he thought with a knowing smile.

Ariadne avoided his look and hurried away.

As soon as she entered her room, she closed the door and leaned against it.

What’s wrong with me?

The answer surfaced clearly in her mind:
You’re afraid.

Akenon knocked lightly. After a few seconds, she opened the door and stepped back.

“Come in,” she said with a tentative smile.

“Are you all right?” asked Akenon gently.

Ariadne nodded, feeling that if she spoke her voice might break.

Hesitantly, Akenon stretched out his hand to stroke her cheek. When he touched her, she started.

“Ariadne, what’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.

He sought her eyes, but Ariadne looked down, silently biting her lower lip.

“Ariadne…”

“Don’t speak,” she broke in, abruptly pulling him to her.

Her lips met Akenon’s, momentarily paralyzing him before he reacted and put his arms around her, holding her tenderly. He realized Ariadne was trembling, but before he could say a word, she pushed him forcefully.

“Get back!”

Akenon was perplexed. The most surprising thing wasn’t Ariadne’s reaction, but the panic in her voice.

“Leave!”

Ariadne shrank away from him, curling into herself as if trying to avoid being struck.

“Ariad…”

“Leave!!!” There was desperation and terror in her shrill scream. Akenon watched her in anguish, not knowing what to do. Finally, he went out and closed the door.

What was that all about?
he wondered, standing in the dark corridor. He turned around and looked at the closed door, extended a hand, hesitated, then pulled it back.

Some time later, he was still standing outside Ariadne’s room when the door slowly opened.

CHAPTER 57

June 9
th
, 510 B.C.

The masked man emerged from his underground room into the cool, clean night.

A magnificent night. The goddess Nyx is blessing my plans
.

The black silver mask hid his satisfaction. He felt elated and closed his eyes for a moment. His heartbeat slowed and his breathing grew calm as if he were in a trance. His exceptional ability to control his emotions was just one of the many skills he had learned thanks to Pythagoras. He was particularly grateful to him for his knowledge of the ancient wisdom of Egypt, which enabled him to awaken powerful forces latent in the human mind.

You still harbor some secrets, but I must admit I learned a lot from you…before I surpassed you
.

He covered the mask with his hood and went to the stables.

I’m also grateful to Atma
, he thought, taking the reins of the horse the slave had provided him with. He led the animal outside and closed the stable doors. Darkness lent a disquieting nuance to every sound. Before mounting, he felt for the bag of gold coins and the poisoned knife concealed under his cape.

“The next strike will be the best of all,” he murmured in a hoarse voice.

He swung himself up onto the powerful animal’s back and set off on a path through the forest. As he rode toward Croton, he rejoiced, thinking of the misfortune that would befall the Pythagoreans the next day.

CHAPTER 58

June 9
th
, 510 B.C.

Ariadne looked at Akenon silently with tears in her eyes. She turned around and dragged her feet to the bed, sensing that behind her, Akenon had entered and closed the door. She sat down on the straw mattress, weary and sorrowful, not knowing where to begin but resolved to tell him everything. She took a deep breath intermingled with a sob and began, her eyes glued to the sand floor.

“When I was fifteen years old…I was kidnapped.”

The sentence resounded for a moment in the air of the small room. Ariadne took another deep breath, clenched her jaw, and continued in a trembling voice.

“My kidnappers told me they had been hired to do it, and they were going to rape me and kill me.” She looked at Akenon, who shivered under those ice-cold eyes that were slowly melting before him. When she continued, her voice was a river of pain. “I was fifteen years old, Akenon. I had never been with a man…” She buried her face in her hands, and her body shook with silent, inconsolable sobs.

Akenon sat beside her and put his hand gently on her shoulder.

A little while later, Ariadne lowered her hands and continued more calmly.

“They intended to kill me on the third day, but my father moved heaven and earth, and managed to locate me within twenty-four hours.”

Again, she stopped, lost in her memories. Hatred and disgust vibrated in her ragged breathing.

“Milo wasn’t yet commander of the army, but he was leading the soldiers who discovered where I was being held captive. The three kidnappers didn’t even have time to reach for their weapons. In seconds they were riddled with stab wounds and were bleeding on the ground.”

“Was the ringleader caught?”

Ariadne looked into the distance for a while before answering.

“No. My kidnappers never said his name, they just reveled in telling me I’d meet him on the third day. That on that day, he’d
do me the honor
of paying me a visit and would rape me himself before killing me slowly. My kidnappers were common criminals, but when they talked about that man I could feel an immense hatred that came not from them, but from the man who had instigated them. What they did mention was that my
punishment
, as they called it, was revenge against my father.”

Akenon gently squeezed Ariadne’s shoulder. She looked at him and smiled, her lips wet with tears. It was a brief smile that gave way to bitterness again.

“After that, my life changed, I changed. Before, I was normal, like my sister Damo, but I became withdrawn, mistrustful, and always frightened. Besides, I was ashamed of what had happened, I felt guilty and dirty. I saw reproach in everyone’s eyes, including my mother’s and my sister’s.” She shook her head. “The only person whose presence I could tolerate was my father’s. He saved my life with his wisdom and unconditional support. He wrapped me in a protective mantle and filled all my time and my mind with the doctrine.”

Ariadne unconsciously straightened, adopting a more self-assured posture.

“My father helped me regain security and balance. He demanded just enough of me to allow me to succeed at the challenges he set for me. He stimulated my interests and kept my spirits up. In the beginning, we focused on increasing my control over emotions and thoughts, but I soon embraced and clung to his teachings as if they were my last breath, and my studies began to extend to other areas of the doctrine. I was already initiated in some of them, others were new to me.” She hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Though no one knows the details, it’s no secret that he imparted knowledge to me that’s reserved for grand masters. By doing that, he waived some of his own rules, which has raised the hackles of more than one person.” She nodded pensively and then smiled warmly. “He did everything he could for me, and saved my life a second time.”

She dried her tears with the back of her hand and looked Akenon in the eye.

“I spent ten years without speaking to anyone except my father, but I recovered in the end. Without me realizing it, he restored my confidence and made me feel strong and independent. Besides, he gave me a role in the community that fitted the person I’ve become. Now I teach the children, but I’m also part of many ambassadorial delegations to other communities, and that enables me to travel frequently. Even though I like the community, when I’ve been three or four months inside it I feel caged. My father says I was like that even when I was a little girl, that I have a traveling spirit. The truth is that my childhood memories now seem so unreal…”

Akenon watched Ariadne, lost in the past that had been cut short so violently. The light from the oil lamp was reflected in her puffy, red eyes. He felt a protective instinct toward her, and a surge of affection so strong it surprised him. He checked the urge to embrace her, taking her hand instead. Ariadne continued staring into space, and Akenon squeezed her hand to bring her back to him.

She turned her head to Akenon and felt comforted, enveloped in the warmth of his welcoming smile. She had never felt so attracted to him as she did at that moment.

“I’ve never talked about this to anyone, but I wanted to tell you about it…” Ariadne looked down nervously, but then raised her head and looked at him with determination. She blushed deeply before finishing. “And I wanted to tell you that I want to be with you.”

Ariadne had spent half her life dreaming of this moment.

Sex had been the protagonist of her nightmares for several years after the kidnapping, but as time went by she had advanced so much in the control of her emotions that she had managed to overcome the trauma almost completely. Her past fears had been rekindled in a brief blaze when she kissed Akenon—it was the first time she had kissed a man!—but they had since subsided. Now she and Akenon had been lying together for a while. She was pressed against his muscular body while he held her in his arms, kissing her with the gentleness and affection she needed. They were still clothed, and Ariadne was grateful Akenon hadn’t tried to go further, though she was aware that he had had a powerful erection since their first embrace.

Apart from the demented violence of her kidnappers, Ariadne had no experience of sex. When she’d noticed Akenon’s body reacting under hers as they touched, she had had to draw on all the strength of her training to stop herself from running out of the room. Now her body was tense, unable to completely relax, although Akenon’s behavior was certainly helping her. He kissed her without urgency, brushing his lips over hers. His warm gaze made her feel safe and connected to him in a very intimate way. He let her be the one to take the initiative, choosing when to pull back, and when to deepen the kiss.

There was no denying she was beginning to like it.

Akenon felt increasingly aroused. Ariadne seemed eager to explore new sensations, and was now playing with his lower lip, delicately biting and sucking it and running her tongue along it. It was exciting to have Ariadne’s face so close to his, voluptuous, intelligent, mysterious Ariadne, her full lips parted and moist, the tip of her tongue peeking out for a new caress, her gaze earnest and intense, ardent and sensual.

After a long passionate kiss, Akenon decided to try and go a bit further. He wound his fingers in her hair and stroked the nape of her neck while he kissed the sensitive skin at her throat. A tingle of pleasure ran through her, and she purred softly. Akenon lifted the edge of her tunic and caressed her inner thighs, moving his hands up gradually. The downy hairs on her skin stood up when he touched her. Closing her eyes, Ariadne let herself go, her breathing coming in short gasps next to his ear. Akenon’s hand was hungry for more. The tips of his fingers explored the athletic roundness of her smooth buttocks, his caresses moving toward the most intimate part of her body.

Ariadne began to press her body closer to him. Akenon lifted her hips while at the same time enveloping that shapely bottom in his hands, drawing it toward him. She trapped his earlobe between her lips and licked it, making him shudder. After a while, Ariadne put her hands on his chest and sat astride him. Her expression was feral as she pulled her tunic over her head. Akenon unconsciously held his breath. He had imagined her naked more than once, but what he saw now surpassed his fantasies. She was so beautiful that for a moment all he could do was stare at her in admiration.

Ariadne’s eyes sparkled as she observed Akenon’s reaction, fascinated by the effect she was having on him. She arched her body, throwing her head and shoulders back, her turgid nipples pointing at the ceiling. The intensity of her own desire surprised her as much as her lack of inhibitions. Akenon held her ample
breasts in both hands, caressing them gently. His hands were warm and smooth. The mouth of the attractive Egyptian moved over her smooth skin together with his hands, and Ariadne was unable to contain a husky moan. Akenon reached for one nipple, then the other. Using lips and tongue, he stimulated her sensitive flesh with delicious skill until Ariadne thought she would lose her mind.

Akenon rubbed Ariadne’s back and shoulders with one hand while he caressed her breasts with the other. She was panting, scratching his back.
She’s ready
, thought Akenon. With some difficulty, he removed the loincloth which, unlike Greek men, he wore under his tunic. Then he pulled his tunic over his head and lay naked under Ariadne, who still straddled him. He smiled when he saw her eyes thirstily traveling over his body, admiring his powerful pectoral muscles, the definition of his abdominals and his well-muscled arms. Ariadne ran her nails over his muscular chest. He took her by the hips and placed his erect manhood at her most intimate opening. He could feel her moist warmth welcoming him. Very gradually, he lowered his hands while lightly pressing up into her.

Ariadne felt her body escaping the control of her will, and abruptly pulled away.

I can’t
.

The thought pierced her brain like a frozen arrow. A wave of cold ran through her from head to toe. Her body withdrew violently and her terror increased, unleashing a vicious cycle of fear and inhibition as unchangeable as a punishment from the gods.

Now Akenon will despise me, and I’ll never be able to look him in the eye again
. She’d have to hide herself in a remote corner of the community, as she had done for so many years.

One part of her mind struggled against the absurdity of those thoughts, but her body was unable to react. Akenon took her face in his hands and made her look him in the eyes.

“Ariadne, look at me.” When she focused on
him, he continued talking in a calming whisper. “Don’t worry. It’s been really good, we don’t have to go further tonight.”

Ariadne felt her eyes fill with tears, and she let herself fall on top of Akenon. He held her tightly. She felt his erection soften and closed her eyes, her head lying on his broad, masculine chest. Akenon just stroked her hair very gently with his hand, which soon soothed her. After a while, she noticed to her surprise that her body still held the heat Akenon had kindled in her with his caresses. She smiled against his chest and lifted her head.

“I want to try again.”

Akenon examined her face. There was some fear, but she was determined. He looked at her tenderly, and told her silently that they would do only what she wanted. They kissed again, more slowly this time, letting the reaction of their bodies dictate the pace. When Akenon felt Ariadne’s breathing quicken again, he brushed her neck and breasts with his lips, more gently than before. She was still apprehensive, but little by little she surrendered to the delicious sensations. Akenon, on the other hand, had a feeling they would run into the same problem if they tried the same approach again. Gently moving away from Ariadne, he lay beside her on the bed, then wet two fingers with saliva and rested them delicately on her intimate opening.

Ariadne tensed, but then relaxed under Akenon’s slow, delicate caresses. She felt herself becoming hot and wet inside again. His virile fingers opened her, and when they reached her pleasure center, the sensitive bud that had been dormant up to then, she began to moan.

He increased the rhythm little by little. Ariadne began to pant with pleasure, and Akenon with pure excitement, watching this voluptuous Greek woman twisting and moaning in ecstasy, melting between his fingers. She placed one hand on his as it continued its intimate caress, encouraging him to go faster, while with her other hand she pinched one of his nipples.

By Baal, Amon, and all the gods. Not even Aphrodite could inspire so much ardor
. Akenon was astonished at the intensity of his own yearning. He could feel Ariadne approaching an ecstatic climax, and he, too, was close, consumed by overwhelming passion.

Suddenly, Ariadne opened her eyes and looked at him feverishly.

“Now,” she whispered, panting.

Akenon mounted her as Ariadne looked at him intensely. The ghosts of the past called to her, but Akenon’s face radiated the love and security she needed. He had brought her to this point in a sensitive and pleasurable way. She knew it was with him that she wanted to, and would be able to, complete a journey she had thought would be impossible.

She clung to Akenon’s back as he entered her with surprising gentleness. Akenon propped himself on his elbows so as not to make her feel trapped. A minute later, it was Ariadne who tightened her grip around him, seeking maximum contact between their bodies. His virile manhood was working magic deep inside her, and she felt the heat in her belly building to unimaginable limits. She grabbed Akenon’s firm buttocks and pulled them toward her, urging him to intensify his thrusts. The exquisite sensation built and built, and the volcano of her body began to erupt. Her flesh became lava, melting with pleasure. At that moment she had no awareness that she was digging her nails into Akenon’s buttocks, that he was coming inside her, roaring like a bear, or that she was screaming at the top of her lungs.