“Beautiful, I don’t think you’re ready for this yet.”
Valeria buried her face in his chest, hesitating, and then kissed his ribs lightly. “Well…I was thinking…” She bit her lip and stroked her hand along his side. “I thought maybe we could try…other things,” she said, attempting to hide her embarrassment.
Alex closed his eyes for a moment and gently pulled her away, moving his face until he could look directly into her eyes.
His smile softened as he kissed her, but barely hid the amusement in his eyes. “I would love to try...other things…after you’ve healed a bit more. But right now, I think we need to cool it and allow you to recover.”
She could feel the flames of deep crimson lashing against her cheeks and down her neck.
“What is it?” he asked, his eyes lit with love.
She buried her face in his chest again and swallowed. “I just…I know we’re not on our honeymoon anymore, but I loved the way we were and it’s probably naïve of me, but I guess I thought that we would be like that forever. And now, it feels like
it’s all changing and...I don’t want that part of us to go away,” she whispered.
His eyes glowed with love. “Do you think that’s what
I need?
” he asked. Valeria shrugged and looked away, but he gently lifted her chin.
Still embarrassed, she pulled her chin from his hand and drew a deep breath. “No—I know you have extraordinary will power. I’ve never doubted that. But it’s me...it’s what I need.” She looked into his eyes. “Alex, I need you!” She tried to catch her breath. She didn’t want another hysterical sobbing scene like before.
Alex pulled her into him as he kissed her deeply, running his finger along the side of her face and down to her shoulder. Then he looked her in the eyes and said, “Beautiful, I promise you that as soon as you’re healed,” the corners of his mouth turned up, and this time, it was not from amusement, but desire, “the honeymoon will begin again and continue as long as you want.”
“I don’t want it to ever end,” she said.
“It’s decided then.” He kissed her again and when he pulled away, she saw the spark of amusement back in his eyes. “And once you’re healed, I would love to try…other things…if you still want to.” He winked.
They curled together and the distance dissolved.
Alex’s eyes closed in relaxation. He turned and murmured in her ear, “By the way, you might wish that you had allowed me to dry your hair.”
“Why? Is it bothering you?”
“And you might also want to take a nap while you have the opportunity.” His eyes lit with mischief.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Hmm…let me just say that today is your birthday and you really don’t believe that anyone here is going to let that slip by uncelebrated, do you?”
“I really don’t like birthday parties—and especially not surprise parties,” she said, brushing her hand over his chest.
“In that case, I am sorry to tell you that Camille hasn’t had a party to plan in four whole months and she certainly wasn’t going to permit this opportunity to slip away. Besides, it will be a wonderful way to get reacquainted with old friends.”
She curled into his chest. “Well then, I’ll tie my hair back. You will give me some notice so I can dress won’t you?”
“Absolutely,” he said as he stroked his fingers over her shoulder and up her neck. Within minutes, he felt her breathing slow, and he knew she was asleep.
Awakening from the dream, Valeria lifted her head off Alex’s chest and realized she was still wrapped in the towel. She lowered her brow. She was certain that she had heard something outside.
Suddenly, the front door flew open and a naked young man in his mid-twenties ran into the bedroom. He was extremely pale with light blond locks, a thin and hairless frame, and a face as guileless as a child’s. Valeria released a small scream—which was a mistake with her injuries. The man froze in horror. Alex bolted straight up in bed, causing the intruder to cover his face in terror.
“Please do not harm me, sir!” the intruder said, as Alex covered Valeria with the sheet to shield her.
“Elliot!”Alex sighed in relief.
The intruder uncovered his eyes and then they widened. “Dear God! Is that you Alexander?”
Elliot seemed to come to life once more, and then realized that he was naked. He shrieked and covered his lower extremity with his hands and, seeing Valeria nearly naked, he shrieked again and moved his hands to his tightly clenched eyes.
“Oh, dear lord, I pray I shall wake from this nightmare fully dressed in my fine silks and lace.”
Alex was out of bed in an instant. He grabbed the throw blanket at the foot of the bed and handed it to Elliot. “Elliot, let’s get you some clothes.”
Calmed by Alex’s voice, Elliot opened his eyes again.
“Yes…please forgive me, madam, but somehow I have misplaced my clothing!” he said, holding the blanket, but not covering himself.
“Elliot!” Alex said and raised his eyebrows in a subtle attempt to remind the young man that he had again exposed himself. Elliot held the blanket in front of him but was completely distracted by the view of Valeria in bed. He leaned toward Alex and whispered loudly enough for her to hear.
“Alexander, pardon my question, but it appears that you have bedded the fair Cassandra!”
Valeria snickered as Alex grabbed him by the elbow and guided him out of the bedroom. She heard as he said, “I suggest we get you dressed first.”
Elliot continued to hold the blanket in front of him as he walked with Alex to the main room—while exposing himself from the rear. He leaned to Alex and said in a loud whisper, “But you’ve
bedded
her? Please tell me what miracle allows you to bed such a woman.”
“Elliot!” Alex warned.
“I only ask because I would like to—”
“Clothes now—answers, later,” Alex said with slight irritation.
It was a few minutes later when Elliot said, “Alexander, what has happened to your fine clothing? Have you lost your fortune?” He continued, “Perhaps bedding the fair Cassandra cost you your fortune?”
Busy with searching for size-appropriate clothing for Elliot, Alex stopped at the young man’s statement and lowered a brow. “Elliot, I am going to forgive that comment as I’m certain that this new world is a bit confusing. I’m certain that these sudden changes must be quite a shock to you. However, I will not tolerate inappropriate comments about
my wife
. Is that understood?”
Elliot lifted his arm and pointed toward the bedroom. “But she—”
“It would take me less than five seconds to turn you back out into the forest and then good luck finding more than a burlap sack.”
“Alexander, I swear, I never meant a word of disrespect to Cassandra or to you!”
“Cover yourself with the blanket. I will return with some clothes.”
Alex went back into the bedroom and rolled his eyes as Valeria continued to laugh—which continued to be painful. He grabbed a pair of jeans and a T-shirt from Mani’s dresser and carried them into the main room.
“Here, these will be long, but they should fit.”
Alex returned to the bedroom and flopped down onto the bed next to Valeria who still had a smile on her face.
“I would guess that’s Elliot,” she said.
“Yes, that would be Elliot.”
Elliot’s voice came from the other room. “I beg your pardon, Alexander, but these britches only have but one button. I’m unfamiliar with the gold metallic design, but I think it to be highly inappropriate.”
Alex called out, “It’s a zipper. Pull up on the—”
They heard a screech. “Have they not made safe clothing?” Elliot muttered to himself.
Valeria and Alex heard someone call out from far beyond the shack.
“ELLIOT! Where are you…you fool!” The low, irritated voice shouted through the woods.
“Maxi?”
Elliot said. “I’ve not seen him in…I’ve not seen him since…Oh, dear, that was awful.”
Alex glanced at his wife. “I suspect we should get you dressed. It appears we may have more company.”
“That might be a good idea.”
He picked up the hospital gown and Valeria scrunched her nose.
“Real clothes, please?”
The Louis Vuitton suitcase that Camille had packed was on a wooden chair and Alex opened it. He sorted through silk underwear and smiled.
“I don’t believe I’ve seen most of these on you.” His smile broadened as he held up a translucent silk g-string. “Something to look forward to.” He bit his lip and then said, “All right, there are some yoga pants, a pair of jeans, and a T-shirt, or a sun dress?”
“I’d like to wear my jeans,” Valeria said.
“Val…” he glanced at her stomach. “I don’t believe you will be wearing your jeans for a while.”
She frowned and quickly looked down at her belly. What had looked like mild bloating last week now definitely looked like a baby.
“I guess you’re right.”
“Considering what’s to come this evening, how about this?” Alex brought a sundress and underwear to her and helped her dress. The movement while dressing was far less painful than earlier. In fact, she hardly noticed her rib.
“Ready to meet some of the others?”
“Yes, are they all…revived?” she asked.
Alex shook his head. “We’re turning the pile every few hours and we keep finding more.”
“I don’t hear anymore moaning.”
“No, the moaning mud pile, as Caleb calls it, is actually quite far from here. But we had nearly twenty oracles at last count.”
“Twenty?” Her eyes widened in surprise.”I thought you expected only ten.”
“It was quite a shock to all of us. There must have been private executions—hard to imagine how Jeremiah pulled that off. Ready to meet Maxi?”
Valeria nodded and Alex opened the door. A tall thin man with a weary expression sat fully dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt. His hair was dark and wavy with traces of gray.
“Max!” Alex embraced him warmly. “Come and meet my wife.”
Max rose and stepped into the room and Valeria realized that the expression was not weariness or disdain as it had first appeared, but sadness.
“Maxi, you’ll never guess who it is!” Elliot said as he followed Alex into the bedroom.
“Why would I bother attempting a guess?” Maxi said gruffly. As soon as he saw Valeria, his temperament changed and he actually smiled. “Good Afternoon,” he bowed.
“Max, this is my wife, Valeria.”
“But she looks just like—” Elliot began.
Max turned toward him and gruffly snapped, “Of course we know who she resembles! I am quite certain—if provided an opportunity from your rambling—that Alex or the lady will fill us in on the details.”
Max went over to Valeria, took her hand, and kissed it, causing her to blush; he continued to hold her hand as he smiled. Valeria realized that he had a very nice face when he wasn’t scowling—some might even consider him handsome.
“Valeria is the reincarnation of Cassandra,” Alex said, watching Max’s expression and the fact that he was still holding her hand. He added with mild irritation, “Alright—enough of that Max.”
“Forgive me, my lady…and Alexander. Beauty, such as your wife’s, does take one’s breath away.” He released her hand and stepped away. “You have done well, Alex.”
“Yes, I have undoubtedly married beyond my station.” Alex winked at her.
“Now that is definitely not true! Max, please call me Valeria,” she said.
“You may have noticed, things are far less formal now,” Alex added.
“Please have a seat,” Valeria said. “I’m afraid Doc has me bedridden for a few weeks.”
Immediately, Elliot pulled his chair right up next to Valeria while Alex sat on the edge of her bed.
“I do have something of which I would like to request the dear lady’s advice,” Elliot said, glancing toward Alex for approval.
“What is it Elliot?” Valeria asked kindly.
“There is a lady,” he said. “I am certain that she is my symbolon.”
“Again?” Max said sharply.
Elliot ignored him, his eyes shined dreamily. “She is an angel on earth. I saw her for but a moment at…at the last council meeting. We have never spoken but she is here now!”
“Here?” Alex asked in surprise.
“She was my first vision in this new life—my angel was near me as I woke. She was sleeping,” Elliot gulped, “as our grand artists may have painted her.”
“You mean naked,” Max said, rolling his eyes.
Elliot kept his eyes on Valeria. “Yes. I realized that I, too, was without clothing and I could not place her in such a compromising situation. That is why I ran.”
“Do you know her name?” Valeria asked.
“No, my lady.”
“Please, call me Valeria.”
He lowered his brows as he gripped her hand with both of his in an expression of longing. “I’m not certain that my upbringing will permit that.”
“Oh, for the love of God!” Max said. “Elliot, you are dressed now. Go speak to the girl!”
“But what do I say?” Elliot asked of Valeria.
“I recommend that you begin with hello,” Valeria said.
Reaching into his shirt pocket, Elliot pulled out a piece of paper.
“As we have not been properly introduced, I thought a letter might be more appropriate,” he said as he handed a rolled up piece of paper to Valeria. She glanced at the beautiful handwriting in large elegant swirls and her smile broadened.
“I was going to write it in Greek but then I realized that Latin is the language of love.” Elliot cleared his throat and his eye twitched nervously. “I would like to arrange for delivery of this letter.”
“I’m certain we can arrange that,” Valeria said with a smile.
“Now that
your most vital crisis is resolved, may I have a word with the lady?” Max said gruffly.
“Yes, yes…oh, of course, Maxi!
Of course!” Elliot’s face was still brilliant red with exuberance as he stepped away from Valeria and Max scooted his chair closer.
“Madam, are you ill?” Max asked in a voice that seemed a far cry from the tone he used with Elliot. “You look well.”
“There was a car…a buggy accident,” Alex said.
Max’s eyes narrowed.
“An accident?”
“Yes. I’m glad you’re here Max—and Elliot.” Alex turned to Valeria. “Max was one of the first oracles after Myrdd. He might be able to answer some of our questions about the evil eye.”
“So what is the evil eye, exactly?” Valeria asked.
“The evil eye is associated with Envy’s bite,” Max said.
“Yes, but there is another aspect of it that we are particularly interested in; I’ve heard that, long ago, they associated it with the ability to see through other’s eyes,” Alex said.
Max lowered his brows as he sat quietly, contemplating. “You suspect it had something to do with the accident?”
“We have reason to believe so,” Alex said.
“I cannot imagine that could be the case. Envy’s bite can easily be spread; but as far as seeing through another’s eyes…” He shook his head. “There were only two who could perform that magic, and they are both...long gone.” Max steeled his face into a neutral expression.
“What do you know about it?” Valeria asked.
“It was called the evil eye of Hecate,” Max said heavily, as if some hidden memory was attached to the words.
“Hecate?” Alex asked. “I didn’t realize that she had anything to do with it.”
“It was the gift that Hecate provided to Zeus during the War of the Titans and to one of his most trusted priestesses.” He narrowed his eyes and then said quickly, “What do you wish to know about it?”
“How does it work?” Alex asked
Max’s face took on a haunted expression. “Many years ago, before the War of the Titans, there was a mortal woman named Circe. She was beautiful and brilliant and far too ambitious for her own good,” he said, shaking his head as if sad for the waste. “Circe befriended the Titan goddess Hecate.”
“Excuse me, Max—” Alex interjected. Turning to Valeria, he said, “Beautiful, do you know about the War of the Titans?”
Valeria stared at Alex blankly. “No, I really don’t.”
“I am certain that Alex’s explanation will be far better than mine,” Max said.
Alex began, “Val, the Titans were a race of deities who were direct descendents of Gaia, mother earth and Uranus, the sky. They were the first Greek gods to gather together in one location. They were powerful—”