“Has he always been as he is now?”
Hecate's sharp gaze seemed to look within her. “The Guardian has never been a man, nor will he ever be. Do not ever make the mistake of believing otherwise.”
With effort, Mikki didn't flinch at the goddess's anger, but she quickly changed the direction of her questioning.
“He's called the Guardian, and you said he is needed to protect the realm. From what does it need protection?”
“Dream Stealers and those who desire to possess the fashioning of magick for themselves. Dreams and magick belong to all of mankind, even those who live in the mundane world. No one has the right to steal such things for himself.”
Mikki didn't really understand what the goddess was talking about, but she was damn tired of sounding like a blundering idiot. As she had implied to Hecate, she was old enough to figure things out for herself. So she'd keep her eyes open and learn. And she wouldn't ask too many personal questions about the Guardianâclearly that made the goddess angry, and a pissed-off goddess couldn't possibly be a good thing.
But there was one question she needed to ask, whether it made her look moronic or not.
“Where do the roses fit in to all this?”
Hecate smiled as she gazed out at the expanse of dream-colored flowers.
“Roses are beauty, and beauty is at the heart of all dreams and magick; it is its foundation, its support. Without beauty, the mind cannot reach beyond the corporeal to grasp the ethereal.”
Mikki's brow furrowed as she frowned. But hadn't the goddess just talked about the exterior not defining the interior? Now she was saying that beauty was everything.
Hecate laughed softly. “There is more than one kind of beauty, Empousa.”
Mikki said the first thing that came into her mind. “Well, you wouldn't know it by the tastes of the majority of the men in my old world.”
“Why should you sound so cynical? Your form and face are pleasing, Mikado.”
“That's just it. I'm pretty. I have good hair, nice boobs, and decent legs. And that's all men see. They don't bother to look deeper.” Her conscience reminded her that she hadn't often given any man the opportunity to look deeper . . . to discover her secrets . . . the truth of which only made her scowl harder.
“I think there is much you can teach this realm, Mikado. And it has much it can teach you in return. It will be an adventure for you, as well as your destiny.”
Mikki sighed softly. She'd only been here for a day, and already she was sick of mysteries.
“I'm here for the roses,” she said, unconsciously mimicking the Guardian's words.
“You are. They are the foundation on which dreams and magick are built, as well as the boundary between worlds.”
“The boundary between worlds? Do you mean that literally?”
“I do, Empousa. Roses fill this realm, and the strength of their beauty gives life to dreams and magick. Their strength also forms the border of my realm.” Hecate pointed out across the gardens and made a sweeping motion that encircled them. “The edges of the gardens are bound by a great wall of roses. Past that wall is a vast forest, a kind of netherworld, which is the crossroads between reality and magick. On one side of the forest rests the ancient world where gods and goddesses are still honored; on the other your old world can be found, that of the mundane. The rose wall is what defines the boundaries between those worlds and ours. See to the health of the roses, and, in turn, all else in my realm will prosper. If the roses sicken, so, too, will this realm. You should know that this realm has long been without its Empousa. The roses need your care, and you do have other duties, too. You are High Priestess of Magick, and as such the people of this realm will come to you for advice, spells, and rituals. Be wise, Mikado, for you stand as my Incarnation. When you speak, it is my power that answers.”
Mikki felt the blood drain from her face. “Hecate, I don't know anything about spells and magick and rituals!”
The goddess's serene expression remained unchanged. “Your mind doesn't know, but your spirit does. Look within, as you did last night, and you will find what you seek. No matter how things appear on the surface, follow your instincts. They will not fail you. And use your experience, Mikado. I believe I will enjoy having an
aged
Empousa.”
“So just trust my gut?”
“Crude, but correct,” Hecate said. “Your handmaidens are here to aid you, but rememberâyou alone are my High Priestess. They personify the Elements over which I lend you dominion. Befriend them if you will; use their powers as you need them. Just as the handmaidens are at your disposal, so, too, is the Guardian. He is a magickal creature whose powers have been pledged to protect the Realm of the Rose. If there is a problem in the realm, do not hesitate to call upon him.”
Mikki felt a little jolt of excitement at the mention of the Guardian. Guiltily, she said, “But if I think the realm is in danger, shouldn't I just call you?”
“My duties are vast! I do not have time to answer your summons as if I were a mere handmaid!”
Mikki took an involuntary step back, surprised by Hecate's sudden burst of anger. “That's not what I mean. Iâ”
Hecate cut her off with a brisk wave of her hand. “I forget that you are inexperienced in the ways of an Empousa. I do reign as supreme goddess over the Realm of the Rose, but you and the Guardian have been given the task of caring for and protecting it. I would like to spend much of my time here, but my duties do not allow me that luxury.” Hecate studied Mikki carefully. “You must not fear the Guardian. I have told you that he will not harm you.”
“I know.” Mikki bit her lip. Avoiding Hecate's eyes, she stared out at the gardens. “It's just that he's like nothing I've ever imagined before.”
“Is he?” Hecate's voice was soft. “Didn't you tell me that you spent much of your time tending the roses in the gardens in which he slept, frozen in the form of a statue?”
Mikki nodded her head. “Yes.”
“Well then, how could he be like nothing you've ever before imagined?” Hecate said matter-of-factly.
“I suppose when you put it like that . . .” Mikki's words trailed off doubtfully as she turned back to the goddess.
“There is no other way to put it,” she said briskly. “He stood silent watch over your roses then. He does the same now, only not so silently. If it is easier for you, simply forget that he is a beastâthink of him only as a Guardian.” Not giving Mikki time to answer, Hecate continued, “Excellent. I must leave you now. Break your fast and then call the handmaidens to you so you can be dressed and begin the day's duties. The roses have gone too long without the touch of an Empousa. They are in need of your care. Remember, follow your instincts, Mikado. Allow your spirit and the knowledge held in your blood to guide you, and you will do well . . .”
The goddess raised one elegant hand, and she and the dogs disappeared in a shower of star-colored sparks.
Shaking her head, Mikki walked to the table that was laden with fruit and bread and cheese. “It might be easier if I really was kooky,” she muttered. Pouring herself fragrant, rose-spiced tea from a steeping pot, she wished desperately for a couple aspirins and some BenGay.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
T
HE food really was delicious, especially the cheese. Mikki took one last bite of a creamy white cheese she'd spread on a slice of chewy bread. She'd been carrying on a passionate love affair with cheese for as many years as she could rememberâas her curvy butt could certainly attest toâand the selection someone had laid out for her breakfast was even more extraordinary than last night's feast.
Was that because the Guardian knew what she liked best? Could he, like Hecate, read the passions and fears in her mind? Had he plucked her favorite foods from her subconscious? If he had, then that would mean he would also know that she was thinking of him . . . and that she was intrigued as well as intimidated at the thought of seeing him again.
I am here for the roses!
She jumped guiltily. He was a beast. A creature from a strange world who had sworn an oath to guard Hecate's realm. Clearly, something had happened a long time ago and he had screwed up, Big Time, and ended up a statue in Tulsa.
What had he done? Whatever it was, she'd bet he wouldn't do it again. Mikki sighed. There were so damn many mysteries and unanswered questions here it was overwhelming. No! She shook her head and took a last sip of tea. She'd take things one step at a time and figure them out as she went. She just needed to think of this as a new job. It might be daunting to learn all the new . . . well . . . procedures, but not impossible.
And the Guardian? If she thought of him at all she should think of him like she would any security guard. For a moment the image of the Tulsa Rose Gardens' night watchman, Mel, flashed into her mind. He was short and round and very gray. Actually, he reminded her of a balding Santa Claus. Mel couldn't have been more different from the magnificent creature who had turned from stone into living flesh. Her lips curved up at the comparison. The Guardian and Mel? She really was crazy if she started thinking of the two of them as similar.
Mikki bit nervously at her lip. She didn't know how she was supposed to deal with the creature, the roses, the magick . . .
Before she could get overwhelmedâagainâshe stood and stretched carefully, focusing on working the stiffness out of her muscles. Her body had definitely felt better. Then she made her way slowly back into her bedroom. Busy. She needed to get to work and keep busy. It would help her muscles loosen up and her brain not to obsess on horns and hooves. And she was anxious to check out the roses. Her roses. Hecate had said that she was in charge of caring for them, that it was her destiny. She was no longer just another volunteer who daydreamed about making the gardens her own.
Eagerly, she looked around the room. Hecate had said to call the handmaidens to help her get dressed. Did that mean there was some kind of bell/rope system in her room? Isn't that how they did things in palaces “back in the day”? But this wasn't a scene from some old English movie with castles and such; this was a realm of myth and magick, something her personal life experiences hadn't exactly prepared her for.
“Maybe I should try calling a messenger owl. Talk about Hogwarts,” she grumbled to herself. “Okay, you're being ridiculous.” Mikki put her hands on her hips. “It can't be that hard. Hecate said to call them. So I'll call them.” Actually, she thought she'd just call Gii. She felt the most connection with her, and, quite frankly, all four of the girls at once were a little more than she wanted to deal with so early. She cleared her throat. “Gii?” she said tentatively and then a little louder, “Gii, could you come here, please? I could use your help.”
Nothing. Nadda. Zip. The handmaiden didn't suddenly materialize. No pitter-patter of little feet were heard rushing across her balcony.
“Okay, there must be another way to do this.” Mikki paced while she thought. She was supposed to call the handmaidens . . . she came to an abrupt stop. The handmaidens were really the personification of their element. She'd called each of their elements into the circle last night. Maybe she could do something like that now. She closed her eyes and thought about Gii . . . the element Earth . . . last night the element's presence was preceded by scents that invoked the fertility of the earth and the harvest . . . the sweetness of newly cut hay . . . the ripeness of fruit and berries. Mikki could almost smell and taste the richness of a green and growing Earth.
“Gii,” she said softly. “Come to me.”
Almost instantly two quick knocks sounded on the far wall of her room. Mikki opened her eyes in time to see a door open seamlessly into the opulent bedroom, giving Mikki just a glimpse of a wide, moon-colored hallway as Gii hurried in. The handmaiden's arms were filled with several lengths of amber and cream and gold cloth.
“Good morning, Empousa.” She curtseyed gracefully.
“I did it!” Mikki grinned. “I called and you came.”
Gii's smile was warm. “Gladly, Empousa! It is a true pleasure to once again have Hecate's High Priestess within our realm. We have been idle too long.” She paused and looked around her. “Did you not call the other handmaidens as well?”
“Actually, since I'm not used to having any handmaidens, I'd like to start with just you for today. Is that okay with you?”
“Whatever you wish, Empousa. It is an honor to be chosen to serve you.”
The young woman's exuberance made Mikki feel a lot less nervous about not knowing what the hell she was doing. She was where she belonged. Everything else would fall into place. She nodded at Gii's laden arms. “I was going to say I needed you to help me find something to wear, but it looks like you already have that taken care of.” Mentally Mikki crossed her fingers that today's outfit would cover both of her breasts.
“Naturally, Empousa. I knew you would be eager to oversee your gardens. When you summoned me I made certain that I was prepared.”
Gii began helping Mikki out of her nightdress, and with the words
your gardens
echoing delightfully in her imagination, Mikki shrugged her way out of her clothes and held very still as the handmaiden took the long, rectangular length of gold fabric and wrapped it once around her body. With gold pins that appeared from the voluminous folds of her own robe, Gii fastened it at the shoulders. Thankfully, it formed a full bodice, covering both of her breasts. Then she unwound one of the elaborately braided belts from around her own waist and hung it low on Mikki's hips.