A Reluctant Empress (4 page)

Orestes looked confused.

“You were very generous to Gaia when you purchased me, and I’ve managed to be very successful since arriving here.”

She led Orestes into her room, and as soon as they were safely inside, Orestes pushed her face down on the bed.

“Do you remember how I like to be addressed?” he growled softly.

“Yes, Kyrie,” she breathed.

“Good,” he gruffed, pulling up her peplos and rubbing his hand along her behind. “I remember how amazing it felt to spank you.”

Without any warning, he pushed his fingers deep inside Kalliope.

* * *

After Orestes dressed and left her room, Kalliope added his tip to her growing earnings. While Orestes did not tip anywhere near what Damianos had, his tip was still generous and Kalliope had to admit that she liked Orestes well enough. He was direct and to the point, and certainly one of her better lovers.

She slowly dressed and made her way back to the lobby. She still had time for one, possibly two clients, and she hoped that Spyro had sought his pleasures from someone else.

To her relief Spyro was nowhere to be found. Harmena was walking back with a client.

“Elektra got him,” Harmena said, referring to Spyro.

Elektra wouldn’t be happy about that and Kalliope hoped she wouldn’t have to deal with Elektra.

Regardless, she was filled with relief and she brought another man back to her room with no more thoughts of Spyro that evening.

* * *

“Thanks a lot for last night,” an icy voice said as Kalliope ate her breakfast.

She didn’t have to look up to place the voice; she knew it was Elektra.

“Elektra you know I’m not in charge here. I couldn’t help that I had another customer,” she said somewhat innocently.

Elektra rolled her eyes. “Spyro was making a beeline for you. And lucky for you, Orestes jumped out and saved the day.”

“Well, it wasn’t exactly like that. Orestes
was
there for me,” she said defensively.

“Yes, well Orestes visits other women, too.”

“So does Spyro!” Kalliope felt herself becoming angry. It was true that Spyro was looking at her, but Orestes had reached her first.

End of story.

Now, Kalliope rolled her eyes and went back to eating.

“You think you’re something special,” Elektra muttered under her breath.

Kalliope whirled around to look at her; Elektra had touched a nerve.

“Actually, I don’t! I don’t consider myself any different than the rest of you. In fact, I think of myself as a peasant compared to everyone here! You all are accustomed to big city life and I come from a small, worthless village. I didn’t want to leave my home! But I’m dealing with things the best I can!” Now that Kalliope was on a roll, she couldn’t stop. Elektra looked like she was sorry, but Kalliope continued.

“Maybe some of you chose this life, but I didn’t! I’m here now, and this is all I have ever known! At my old brothel I didn’t have the opportunity to earn my own money, I could never better my situation!”

“Look – Kalliope, I’m sorry,” Elektra said, “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Too late now!” Kalliope snapped, jumping up and stalking out of the room.

She didn’t feel like going back to her room, and instead she wandered the hallways. Her heart ached for Gaia. While she loved the wealth and opportunity that came with Hera Selene she missed the one person who had been like a mother to her. She remembered what Damianos had said to her on their first meeting. How Gaia must have truly loved her like a daughter if she made her come to Athens. Gaia knew how much better Kalliope’s life would be.

It had only been a few weeks, but Kalliope wished there was a way she could talk to Gaia. She thought of Orestes and wondered if he would be able to get a letter or message to Gaia. Maybe there was a way that they could still communicate?  Kalliope decided that she would ask Orestes the next time she saw him.

Kalliope realized that she was near the gates of Hera Selene that led up into the city of Athens. Since Hera Selene was a secret brothel, the women were not supposed to go out into the city often. In fact, they were to rarely step outside the confines.

Feeling reckless, Kalliope grabbed a nearby cape and draped it over her body. She pulled the thick hood over her head and climbed steadily up the ladder. The ladder opened out into a type of trap door, and Kalliope pushed it open. Instead of being in the middle of the city, she found herself in a deserted building. But she could hear the bustling sounds of the city nearby.

She hurried through the vacant building and found a door, pushing it open into the bright sunshine. Kalliope blinked several times; it had been weeks since she had been outdoors.

She stumbled into the crowds, trying to get her bearings. The sights and sounds were so different from her village and she was assaulted by various unfamiliar smells. She looked up to see beautiful whitewashed buildings, awestruck and nearly bumping into a woman with three small children.

“Watch where you’re going!” the woman snapped.

Kalliope apologized and paid better attention. She passed stalls of peploses and cloaks, as well as other garments. Everywhere she turned there were delicious looking meats and fruits for sale. Kalliope wished she had planned better and had thought to bring her change purse.

The crowd began to ebb and Kalliope saw a small store with a picture of a dress on the outside. She slipped inside the store.

The room was filled with beautiful peploses, not much different from the ones that Gaia had given to her.

“May I help you?” a man asked. Kalliope instantly recognized him from one of the clients at Hera Selene. She had never bedded him, but she knew him well enough from sight and she wondered if this was where some of the women bought their gowns. Melina, for instance, had a closet brimming with beautiful dresses.

“Yes,” Kalliope said slowly, looking around to make sure there was no one else in the store. “I was wondering if you could help me,” she pulled down her hood, “I’m from Hera Selene.”

“What are you doing here?” the man asked quickly, motioning for her to pull her hood back up. “You are the new girl! Do you have permission to be here?”

Kalliope blushed. “Well, no, I don’t have permission. And this wasn’t really a planned trip, but I was hoping you could help me nonetheless.”

“Do you know that Hera Selene is a secret brothel?” the man scolded, “What if I didn’t know what you were referring to!”

“Of course I know that! I recognized you! That’s why I said something.”

The man seemed somewhat mollified, and he didn’t appear to want to lose business.

“Well, let’s be quick about this then. What can I do for you?”

“I am in need of new dresses. However I didn’t think to bring my money purse.”

The man gave her a small wave. “I know where you live, so I know you’re good for it.” He even managed a small smile, and Kalliope noticed how kind his eyes appeared when he smiled. He was older and portly, and his hair had started to gray.

“I’m Kalliope.”

“Yes, yes, I remember now. You are the new girl who can sing. I’m Vasilis. Please forgive me if I don’t visit you, but I’m quite partial to my Melina.”

Kalliope gave a small smile. She wasn’t bothered in the least when men preferred certain women, and Melina certainly was beautiful and sophisticated.

Vasilis led her to large spools of fine material. “Let me see your shape,” he ordered, referring to Kalliope’s body. Unsure if he wanted her to strip, she looked at him with confusion and he explained further.

“Just take your cloak off so I can see your dress.”

Kalliope obeyed and Vasilis walked around her, slowly surveying her body.

“Yes, yes, you have quite a nice shape,” he mused. He touched her waist and trailed his fingers along her hips. The touch was not sexual in any way.

“Hmmm,” he murmured, “Yes, I think I know a cut that would look quite good on you.” He rummaged through some papers, and pulled one out. Kalliope looked over his shoulder and saw it was a sketch of a dress.

“Not quite this exactly, but close enough with a low cut across your chest and the material tighter in the waist to show off your figure.” He made some sweeping motions to demonstrate. “I would design it for you.”

“Design it for me?” Kalliope asked incredulously. It seemed so luxurious.

“Yes, of course. In fact, it would be my pleasure to design for you. I love dressing beautiful women, and you my dear, are quite beautiful.”

Kalliope ducked her head. “Thank you.”

“Let me just take your measurements.” He fumbled on a desk for a strip of measuring tape and brought it back to Kalliope and began to measure and record numbers.

“Alright,” he said, leading her over to some material, “let us look at fabrics. I have a few ideas in mind, but show me what you like also.”

There were dozens of choices and Kalliope’s mind began to spin. “It’s just so much,” she whispered, “I don’t know where to begin.”

Vasilis waited patiently as she looked.

“This,” she pointed out, holding up a deep emerald hue.

“Yes, yes, excellent choice.”

Kalliope moved over to other fabrics, and picked out a deep red shade. Vasilis nodded in agreement.

“I was also thinking something like this,” he pulled out a tea-stained fabric with various browns and ambers. “It will pick up the amber in your eyes,” he explained.

Kalliope nodded. Vasilis seemed to know his materials well.

“How many did you have in mind?”

“Well, I really only have three dresses that I wear now.”

“Three! Yes, you certainly need more than that. How about I make you five? That should be a good start.”

“That would be wonderful,” she hesitated, “But can you tell me how much this will cost me?”

“Not to worry, not to worry. We will work something out my dear. It will probably take a week or two for me to make these. I will come bring them to you and we can discuss payment then.”

Kalliope nodded. She still felt poor, but she knew she was far from poor now, and she was only growing richer.

Vasilis motioned for her to pull her hood back up. “You better be going. They’re going to realize you are missing, and Priska will not be happy.”

Kalliope gulped. She did not want to deal with an angry Priska. While she regretting running off after exploding at Elektra, she was thrilled that she was able to see the city and discover Vasilis.

“Thank you so much, Vasilis.”

He nodded and smiled.

“Umm, one more thing.”

He looked up.

“Could you tell me how to get back?” she asked sheepishly. “I’m afraid I didn’t pay close enough attention and now I’m not sure.”

Vasilis gave her a small, exasperated sigh but she saw a tiny smile play on his lips.

“Out the door and make two rights. Look for the abandoned building with the faded flag. That’s the one you want.”

“Thank you!”

She pulled her hood tighter over her head and hurried out into the street. As soon as she rounded the first corner, the street became busier, and she kept her head ducked as she hurried toward the building. She found the correct building and slipped inside when no one was looking. She found the door in the floor and carefully lowered herself down the ladder. To her relief, there was no one around, and she quickly put the cloak back where she found it.

She hurried down the hall towards her room when she heard a voice ring out.

“Kalliope!”

She turned around to see Melina moving gracefully towards her.

“Hello, Melina.”

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Melina scolded somewhat. “There’s been a delivery for you. I had it sent to your room.”

“A delivery?” Kalliope couldn’t hide her excitement.

Melina softened. “Yes. It pays to have prominent clients,” she smiled. “Head on over to your room and take a look.”

Kalliope hurried off towards her room. She had no idea what to expect and when she opened the door, she saw two lovely boxes sitting on her bed. One was very large, while the other was quite small.

There was a note stuck to the large box.

Kalliope – Thank you for an amazing evening. I eagerly await our next encounter.

Yours,

 Damianos

Kalliope felt a small thrill at Damianos’ letter. She pulled the lid off the first box and found three large, exquisite throw pillows. She delicately touched the velvety-soft material. She couldn’t help but gasp at their soft material, and she picked the first one up and held it to her cheek. The pillows matched the quilt on her bed and helped make her room even more luxurious. She arranged the pillows on her bed and admired the finished look.

Damianos had been very thoughtful with his gifts.

Remembering the small box, she picked it up and carefully lifted the lid. She instantly noticed the bright sparkle coming from the box. Sighing with pleasure, she pulled out the lovely bracelet. It was solid gold, set with brilliant emeralds throughout the entire length. She carefully pulled it out of the box and admired it. She had never seen such a beautiful piece of jewelry.

Of course, she had seen pieces just as lovely if not nicer on the other women, but up close, Kalliope had never seen something so beautiful, and she had certainly never owned anything like it.

Not quite believing the bracelet belonged to her, she gently slid it on her wrist. It sparkled and shined, catching the light. She wanted to run out and show it to Harmena, but she didn’t want to rub her new presents in her friend’s face. Instead, she slipped the bracelet off and carefully placed it back in the box. She stowed the box with her other valuables and decided to wait until the evening to put it back on.

Her stomach grumbled, reminding her that she had not eaten lunch. In fact, it had been hours since she had breakfast, and even then, she hadn’t eaten much due to her argument with Elektra.

Kalliope made her way towards the dining room, her mind filled with thoughts of Damianos.

* * *

A number of hours later, Kalliope found herself dressing in her room. She still could not believe that she had such a spacious room, and she took her time getting ready. She stared at her reflection and thought about how much her life had changed in the past month. She was quickly shedding the skin of her old peasant self, and was growing into a worldly, sophisticated woman of Athens.