Kyros' Secret (Greek Myth Series Book 1) (15 page)

Twenty-two

Rodas and his men freed themselves from their chains and gags, but it took Chiron and Nemos coming to their aid to do it. Chiron reached up and pulled the gag from Rodas’ mouth and almost wanted to replace it when he started shouting.

“We’ll kill them for what they’ve done to us. We’ll get our weapons and kill every stinking one of the Trozens for the humiliation they put us through.”

“Calm down,” said Chiron. “Now tell me everything that happened.”

“Pittheus betrayed us. He betrayed us and he’ll pay for it with his life.”

“And you didn’t betray Kyros?” asked Chiron in a steady voice.

Rodas was silent and so were his men.

“You stole his father’s sword and handed it over to the enemy,” said Chiron.

“The sword I was suppose to be guarding,” added Nemos.

“Why, Rodas? Why did you do it?”

Rodas looked at Chiron and shook his head. “I don’t know. I guess I was just so angry with Kyros for jumping in front of Ares’ beam and fathering Thera’s child.”

“Mad enough to put his life in jeopardy and ruin his dreams of peace?” asked Chiron. “He only dove in front of that beam to save you from what he thought was a curse.”

“I wanted to lead a war,” said Rodas, “but now I can see I was wrong. Peace truly is stronger. Kyros proved it when he spoke up against Ares at the castle to save me. And though I still want Pittheus and his men to die, I don’t want innocent centaurs to die in the process. I guess I was blinded by greed, wanting the power Phylo, my brother had. I wanted to take over as king of the centaurs and thought war was the way.”

“You were Phylo’s brother?” Nemos looked on with wide eyes.

“He was,” Chiron answered for him. “But Phylo and Rodas were more like enemies than they were like kin.”

“But either way, Rodas should be our king,” said Nemos. “He should be our leader since Phylo’s gone.”

Rodas walked up and put a hand on Nemos’ shoulder. He raised the boy’s chin and gave him a half-hug. It was something Chiron had never seen Rodas do in all the years he’d known him.

“I think it’s time he knew the truth,” said Rodas. “I’m willing to accept it now, and willing to bring this secret out in the open.”

“What secret?” asked Nemos. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re our next Centaur King,” smiled Chiron. “You were the offspring of Phylo.”

“What?” asked Nemos. “You’re saying Phylo was my father?”

“He was.” Rodas smiled, and Chiron could see that something happened at the castle to bring about this major change in him. “Phylo was your father and I’m you’re uncle. Didn’t you ever wonder who your parents were?”

“Chiron told me I was an orphan,” answered Nemos.

“You were,” said Rodas. “When Phylo died, Chiron took you into his care to train you. He hid the golden bow from me because he knew I had bad motives and contempt in my heart. We’ve lived for too long without a Centaur King. I know you have peace and love in your heart and will lead us better than I ever could.”

Chiron looked at Nemos and he nodded. “That’s right, Nemos. You are our king. I was waiting until you were old enough to tell you. But I think you’re ready for it now, after the way you’ve grown up just since you met Kyros.”

“But I let the sword be stolen,” remarked Nemos. “What kind of king am I going to be if I can’t even watch a sword?”

“A good one,” answered Chiron. “One that needs a bit more training, but with my and Rodas’ help, I think you’ll be even better than your father.”

Rodas looked at Chiron with a questioning brow. “Do you mean it? You want me to help train our king?”

“I do, Rodas. I’d like for you to move into our hovel and take your place as the boy’s uncle. You and Phylo were my best students. I could really use your help in training our new king.”

“I’d be honored,” answered Rodas. He then extended his arm and he and Chiron interlocked in a grasp. “And as trainer to the future Centaur King, I suggest we find a way to free Kyros.”

Kyros shivered in the darkness of the cold cell. It was over. Thera had agreed to marry Pittheus and there was nothing he could do to stop her. She’d made her decision despite his warning. And the worst part was, he felt as if he were the one to blame.

He shouldn’t have fallen in love with her and he shouldn’t have wooed her. She obviously was in love with him and it was clouding her better judgment. If she hadn’t loved him, she never would have agreed to marry Pittheus. He knew that was the case.

It was her desire to save his life that would cost the lives of so many of the Trozens and probably the entire Centaur race.

The main door to the dungeon squeaked open and he could hear light footsteps coming his way. The torches on the wall flickered, causing a shadow to fall over the ground. He knew it was her even before he saw her face. She walked up to the barred door with a plate of food in her hands.

“I thought you might be hungry.” She had her head down, not able to bring her eyes to meet with his.

“That’s not why you came. Admit it.”

Her head came up and he could see the tears staining her cheeks. Her eyes were glassy and her mouth turned down in a little pout. A pout Kyros would have liked to kiss away had circumstances been different.

“You’re right,” she said in a shaky voice. “I came … I came to say I’m sorry.”

Kyros couldn’t stand it any longer. Even if she’d made the wrong decision, crushed his plans, and basically sent the Centaur race into extinction, he still loved her. He reached through the bars and cupped her cheek in his hand. She leaned into him with her eyes closed and he lost himself in the warmth of her skin.

“I love you, Thera. You know that. And even though I don’t agree with your decision, I’m still the father of your child. I’ll always love you and I’ll always love our child no matter what happens.”

Her Olympian blue eyes opened and he could see the love that shone within them. He couldn’t help but think of their times together. Nor could he help but think of her lying down in a bed at night with Pittheus. Something he’d never be able to do as long as he was cursed.

“I love you too, Kyros,” she said. “And that’s why I made my decision. I was trying to keep him from killing you. You didn’t deserve the humiliation he put you through.”

“Shhh. I know all that, Thera. You don’t have to explain that to me.”

“Mayhap I’m just trying to explain it to myself,” she answered. “You warned me not to trust Pittheus. You told me not to agree to marry him, but I - ” Her tears choked her and Kyros knew he had to do something to calm her down.

“We’ll figure something out, Thera. Somehow we’ll find a way to make it all right.”

“I know how to make it right. I’m supposed to marry Pittheus tomorrow at mid-day, but I’m not going to.”

“Thera. You gave him your word.”

“His word means nothing, so why should mine?”

“He kept his word. He agreed to let the centaurs go and let me live and he did just that.”

“But he tricked me, Kyros. And by refusing to marry him I’m going to get my revenge.”

He saw her flinch and move the plate to one hand so she could put her other hand on her stomach. He reached through the two horizontal bars made for meal deliveries, and took the plate from her. He placed it on the floor and then put both his hands through the bars, putting them on her stomach.

“I can feel our baby kicking,” he said with a smile.

She smiled through her tears and he felt his heart drop in his chest. How was he going to live without her and their child? How would he be able to watch her marry his brother while he stood by helplessly and did nothing to stop it?

“He’s a strong one. He’s going to be just like you, Kyros.”

“No. Not just like me. He’ll either be a centaur or a human. I’m neither and yet both at the same time.”

“Either way, I’ll love him just as I love you. It doesn’t matter to me if he’s human or centaur.”

“Well it does to me, Thera. By the power of the gods, I can only pray our child is not a centaur.”

He saw the confused and shocked look in her eyes. He knew she didn’t understand his words, as she’d always been the one to despise centaurs, not him. She was accepting the fact her child may be a centaur, but he couldn’t. Not when it meant her life was in jeopardy.

“I don’t want you to die birthing a centaur baby.”

She smiled and rubbed her hands over the tops of his. “Oh. Is that all?”

“Is that all?” he repeated and they both laughed.

Kyros raised his hands and put them around the back of her head. He pulled her closer and through the bars he brought his lips to meet hers. When he pulled away, her eyes were closed, her head tilted up to his.

“I want to couple with you, Kyros.” She opened her eyes. “I want to lay with the man who fathered my baby.”

The sound of a slamming door made them both jump away from each other. And also the sound of Pittheus’ voice.

“I won’t ever let that happen.” Pittheus walked up to the cell looking so sure of himself. “The only coupling my wife will be doing is with me.”

He put his arm around Thera and pulled her into him. Kyros’ gut wrenched and he wanted to reach right through the bars and strangle his brother.

“Get your hands off of her,” Kyros warned.

“And what are you going to do?” mocked Pittheus. “Kick me with those horse legs of yours right through the bars?”

“Such an idea,” answered Kyros. “What did you come here for anyway? Just to taunt me again? Didn’t I already have enough of that tonight?”

“Brother, brother. You make me out to be so evil, when I was the one who allowed Thera to bring you your dinner in the first place. I thought you two might like to say your good-byes before she becomes my wife. Actually, I came down here myself to invite you to join us at the wedding tomorrow.”

“Never!” exclaimed Kyros.

“Your choice,” chuckled Pittheus. “But you’re going to miss the best wedding of all times.”

“No, he won’t,” interrupted Thera. “Because there’s not going to be a wedding, Pittheus. I’m not going to marry you after all.”

“Oh, but you have to Thera. We made an agreement.”

“One that you tricked me into. Set Kyros free.”

“I can’t do that, sweetheart.” Pittheus kissed her atop the head and Kyros clenched his fists as he looked on. “I’m not king yet and won’t be until the feast of Dionysus. If I let Kyros out before then, he’s sure to find some way to spoil my plans.”

Pittheus’ words brought a new hope to Kyros. He’d almost forgotten that his brother wasn’t king yet, even though he had their father’s sword. Pittheus would have to sit on the throne with the sword raised to Artemis on the feast of Dionysus. That wasn’t for a few more days. He still had time to think of something. Some way to get the sword back and stop Pittheus from becoming king.

“I accept your invitation to the wedding after all,” said Kyros. If he could at least get out of this cell, he may have a chance. Maybe with the confusion of the wedding, he could manage some sort of rescue.

“I knew you’d come around,” smiled Pittheus.

Thera’s face clouded over and Kyros hoped she’d understand. He hoped she’d figure out that he needed her to go through with the wedding. It was probably their last chance of retrieving the sword, keeping Pittheus from becoming king, and maybe even stopping the war between the centaurs and the Trozens, which now looked to be inevitable.

“Kyros,” said Thera. “I told you, I’m not marrying Pittheus.”

“Do it, Thera. You gave your word and you have to see it through. No future queen will be respected by her people if they can’t trust her. Trust me, Thera. You need to keep your word and marry Pittheus.”

She still looked at him with those big, blue, innocent eyes. But she had a clouded, confused look upon her face. He hated putting her through this, but there was nothing else he could do. It stabbed at his insides to have to tell her to marry his brother when he wanted her so bad for his own wife. But if she didn’t obey, Pittheus might take to beating her or harming their baby. He couldn’t risk it. If she obeyed, it would be easier on her and the baby. And then Kyros could stop worrying about her and concentrate on how to get them out of this mess.

“Until the morrow,” Pittheus called as he took a struggling Thera under his arm and left the dungeon.

“Until the morrow,” whispered Kyros with a sadness in his heart.

Twenty-three

Thera cried herself to sleep that night, not understanding why Kyros insisted she go ahead and marry Pittheus after he had been so upset in the first place that she’d agreed to do it. But he asked her to trust him. That message got through very clear. All she could think of, is that Kyros had a plan. A plan to help her. A plan to steal the sword and for both of them to escape.

But if she figured this out, then Pittheus was sure to figure it out also. And if he knew Kyros was up to something, he’d have him guarded heavily, not to mention be watching him himself.

Kyros would never escape that way. And if he couldn’t escape, there was nothing he could do to stop the wedding. She had to think of a way to help him with his plan. She had to find a way to get back down into the dungeon and ask him just what that plan may be. But Pittheus had forbid her to see Kyros again. And he had instructed his guards not to let her enter. She was doomed. So was Kyros. She cried hysterically and the baby kicked within her. She rubbed her hand over her stomach, trying to soothe it. But how could she comfort her baby if there was no one to help comfort herself?

A knock at the door caused her to sit up in bed and momentarily stop her crying. She stayed silent wondering who it was. She didn’t know anyone in the castle and the ladies-in-waiting were already dismissed for the night. That left only one person that could be behind the closed door and she didn’t want to open it.

Pittheus must be there, wanting to see her. Possibly wanting to touch her or worse yet, wanting her to warm his bed before they were even married.

The knock came again and Thera remained quiet, pretending she was asleep. If he thought she was sleeping, mayhap he’d go away and leave her alone. Thera heard the door open and squeezed her eyes shut, burying herself deep under the covers. She didn’t want to see Pittheus. She didn’t want anything to do with him, and it turned her stomach sour just to think she was going to have to marry him in the morning.

“I know you’re not sleeping, Thera. I heard you crying from the hall.”

Either Thera’s ears played tricks on her or the gods were smiling on her. It wasn’t the deep voice of Pittheus she heard, but the high crackling old voice of a woman. And if her memory served her right, that voice belonged to someone she knew.

She whipped the covers back and sat up straight in bed. There, standing before her was the little old weaver woman who had made her tunic - the woman who brought her and Kyros together and let them borrow her hut for a night of privacy. Relief washed over Thera as she released a deep breath and smiled.

“Thank the gods it’s you and not Pittheus.”

“Yes,” agreed the old woman. “It would have been Pittheus had I not run into him in the hall and convinced him it was bad luck to see the bride the night before the wedding.”

“Oh, thank you,” cried Thera and got to her knees, hugging the woman from the side of the bed.

“You may not be thanking me when you find out why I’ve come, Thera.”

Thera dropped her arms from around the woman. She didn’t like the way that sounded. She tried to pick up the old woman’s emotions, but couldn’t. Ever since Thera met the old weaver she didn’t know what to make of her. She couldn’t read her the way she could read others. The old weaver was mysterious, secretive, and didn’t even have anyone call her by a rightful name. Still, Thera was glad to see her and was happy for the company.

“I guess you didn’t come to set me free?” asked Thera.

“I can’t do that,” the woman replied. “After all, I am blind, and it’s hard enough to get around by myself, without trying to help a pregnant woman hide or escape.”

“You seem to do a good job anyway,” commented Thera.

“So, the reason I’m here.” She changed the subject.

Thera saw the solemn look on her face and a thought hit her head on. What if something happened to Kyros? What if the woman was here to give her the news that he was dead?

“By the gods, don’t tell me something happened to Kyros?”

The old woman placed her hand on Thera’s and patted it gently. “Nothing you don’t already know about. And as far as I know, Pittheus hasn’t killed him yet.”

“Yet?” Thera was mortified. “So you think he really will kill him after all?”

“Nobody but the Fates know for sure when someone is going to die, child. The reason I’m here is to measure you for your wedding gown.”

“No!” Thera pushed away from the woman and snuggled back down into the covers. “I’ve decided I’m not marrying Pittheus. I can’t. I’m in love with Kyros and he’s the one I’m going to marry.”

“You won’t be marrying Kyros if he’s dead. And if you refuse to marry Pittheus, it will seal Kyros’ fate.”

Thera grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her body. “I don’t know what to do, Weaver. I just don’t know what to do.”

“Trust your heart, child. Let your heart tell you what’s right.”

Trust. Just the word triggered off her conversation with Kyros. He’d told her to trust him and go ahead with the wedding. She didn’t understand why, but her heart told her to listen to him.

“Kyros told me to trust him. He said I had to marry Pittheus.”

“Then that’s what you’re to do.” The old weaver pulled Thera out of bed and onto the floor. She took a piece of string and started to measure her for her gown.

“How were you chosen to make my wedding gown?”

“Everyone calls on me when a special cloth is to be woven. Pittheus sent for me this evening. I am to finish the gown by morning.”

“But how?” asked Thera. “How can you  possibly weave an elaborate wedding gown overnight?”

“I have experience,” she explained, moving the string around Thera’s waist. “I will have it done, don’t worry. My,” she commented as she felt Thera’s thickened waist. “The baby sure has grown. It seems to me you’ll be birthing it soon.”

“Do you think so?” asked Thera. “How can you tell?”

“It doesn’t matter. We’ve no time for that now. I have a dress to weave and you should get rest so you’re not tired on your wedding day.”

“When do you think my baby will be born?” asked Thera excitedly. “I can’t wait to hold it in my arms.”

“It’ll be born before the feast day of Dionysus is here. But I wouldn’t be so anxious if I were you.”

“Why?” Thera backed away from the woman. Her body tensed in apprehension. “Do you know something about my baby that I don’t? Is my child going to be born a centaur? Will I die giving birth?”

“I can’t foresee the future. I only have feelings. And the feelings I’m having are that both you and Kyros are going to be in grave danger.”

“Then you have to help us somehow. You have to help us escape.”

“I don’t believe escape is possible. Pittheus has this castle severely guarded.”

“Then go to Kyros and ask him if he has a plan. Tell him to tell it to you so you can let me know.”

“That I can do,” she remarked as she wound up her twine and pushed it into her sleeve. “I’m to bring Kyros some clothes as well. Clothes he’ll wear at the wedding, since he’s ripped his others and will be in human form at mid-day tomorrow. Pittheus didn’t want you too distracted having Kyros attend naked.”

“Thank you,” said Thera. “Thank you for helping and thank you for being a friend.”

“Get some rest, child.” The weaver fluffed Thera’s pillow and tucked the blankets around her. “We don’t want anything happening to that baby.”

Thera watched the old woman waddle across the floor and close the door behind her. The weaver’s words had upset her. She’d never thought of anything happening to her child. But now she wondered if it would be safe. If it was born human, she doubted if Pittheus would let her keep it and raise it. She prayed he didn’t slay it just because it was his brother’s. And if it was born a centaur, she would die in the process. If Kyros was still locked away, who would raise their child?

Thera felt pains again in her stomach and this time she knew she wasn’t picking up the pain of Kyros. This pain was different. This was the pain of a fetus grown to completion, struggling, kicking to be released from its mother’s womb. She rubbed her stomach and turned her head on the pillow. She was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. She had to rest, as the weaver told her. She had to regain her strength for the escape plan tomorrow.

Kyros heard the door to the dungeon opening for the third time that night. First it had been Thera, then it was Pittheus come to get her. Now he wondered who would be coming to see him at this late hour. He had dozed off once or twice but found it impossible to really sleep. And he needed sleep more than anything as he hadn’t slept much at all in the last couple of nights.

He heard the shuffling footsteps lightly on the stone floor and waited for the person to appear before his cell. He knew it was either a woman or a boy by the lightness of the steps and wondered if Thera had come back down to see him. But as much as he wanted to see her again, he prayed it wasn’t her. He knew she’d be punished if caught, and he knew just how capable his brother was of inflicting pain when he wanted to.

“Kyros?” came a crackly voice as the old weaver stepped in front of the bars. “Are you in there?”

“I’m here,” he answered, surprised and curious as to why and how she got there. Then he noticed a bundle in her hands, just as he heard the guard call from the door.

“Just give him the clothes and get back already. This is no place for a little old lady.”

Kyros stuck his hands through the bars and grabbed the bundle of clothes. “Thank you,” he exclaimed and pulled them inside. He noticed the clothes were a bit heavier than they should be. He started to open the package to inspect it, but the old weaver’s hand shot out through the bars and stilled him.

“You won’t want to open these now. They’re for after your transformation. You’ll need them then, not before.”

“I see,” answered Kyros, wondering what the old woman was up to and how she knew he was about to inspect the package.

“Thera sent me to find out your plan,” whispered the weaver.

“Plan?” Kyros whispered back. “What plan?”

The old woman’s face scrunched up impatiently. Or was it disgust?

“The plan you have for freeing her. To stop her from marrying that ogre.”

“I have no plan to free her,” he whispered back. “The only plan I have is to steal back my father’s sword during the wedding ceremony. I need her to marry Pittheus to distract him. When he takes his attention off of me, I’ll go to work.”

“No plan to stop the wedding?” she snarled. “What kind of a man are you to let the woman you love marry your evil brother?”

Kyros lost his patience. Couldn’t the old woman see that he’d been wracking his brain for hours trying to find a way to stop the wedding and at the same time steal back the sword? He didn’t know how to do one, let alone the other.

“Well, perhaps you’d like to suggest a plan old lady?” Kyros whispered but had a hard time from shouting. “This place is so well guarded, even if I do manage to retrieve my father’s sword I’ll probably never get out of these walls alive.”

“Your centaur friends are planning on doing something to help you escape. I believe they’re preparing their weapons right now for an attack on the castle come morning.”

“No!” Kyros almost shouted. “If you’re in contact with them, tell them not to do anything to try to help me. It’ll only start a war. It’s just what Pittheus wants. Tell them to stay back at the village and wait for word from me. I’ll only call them in if things get so bad that Thera’s life is in danger.”

“So then the wedding will continue as scheduled?” asked the woman.

Kyros’ heart sank to think he had no other choice for now. He hated the idea. He wanted to stop Pittheus from marrying Thera. He wanted to kill him. And wanting to kill one’s own brother was not good.

He’d just have to let the wedding go as planned, or at least until he found a way to stop it and save the sword too. Mayhap after Pittheus was married he’d let down his guard. Then Kyros would still have a day to retrieve the sword before the feast day of Dionysus. If Pittheus wasn’t crowned king, he’d have no need for Thera and would hopefully cast her off. Then Kyros could step in and take her for his own wife somehow.

“The wedding will go as planned,” Kyros said as he shook his head slowly. “Tell Thera I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do. Tell her … tell her I love her. And that’s why I have to let her marry my brother.”