*Heiro's POV*
I walked into the sitting area and plopped down onto one of the many piles of pillows lying around the floor. "I'm exhausted," I said as I sprawled out and took a deep and settling breath.
"Wine?" Messene asked, appearing out of nowhere.
I yelled and jerked away from her, startled. "Goodness, where did you come from?"
"I have been here the entire time, archontes." She clasped her hands before her and bowed her head towards me. "Is there anything that I can get for you?"
I took a breath to calm my racing heart. "Wine would be lovely, dear. Enough for all of us, if you would."
"Of course, archontes."
"It's too late in the evening for such a formality. Please, just call me Heiro."
She gave me a small smile and then vanished into the darkness of the house without a sound
