I soared to my feet, my lips stretch toward my ears, and she returned my smile.
“You do not seem like the others,” she said, gently brushing soil and grass blades off my face.
“Others? What others?”
“Artemisia’s lovers,” she said, staring at me, searching for something in my eyes.
“I am not her lover as much as her slave,” I said, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “I take no pleasure in lying with her, but I fear the consequences of not doing what she asks.” Embarrassed, since she now knew the truth, I stood looking to the ground, unable to face her.
“If you desire my forgiveness and my friendship, do not lie with her again. I will make certain you are safe.”
“I will never again visit her bedchamber,” I promised, letting my gaze drift up to her face.
Her eyes bored into mine. She widened her smile, which I was certain could make kingdoms rise or fall. I was unable to peel my gaze off this woman.
She offered me her hand, and I brought it to my face, caressing it with my cheek. We strolled hand in hand through the scenic gardens and conversed about her life in the palace, her father and sisters, and she asked many questions about my family and me. She was intelligent, charming, and innocent to the evils of the world. I did not speak of my family; instead, I told her I did not know them, since they abandoned me as a child. She cried silent tears for me and then laughed with fascination when I told her of my travels, leaving the gruesome details out, of course.
When dusk loomed, one of Artemisia’s manservants approached us.
“Artemisia would like the pleasure of your company in her bedchamber,” he said.
I glanced at the princess. “Please send her my apologies, for I will not be accepting her invitation this night.”
“You do not understand. When you are summoned by Artemisia there is no refusing. To do so would result in a fate worse than death,” the manservant said, crumpling his brow in confusion.
His statement jarred me, but I did not slacken. “She is the one mistaken. I will make it clear that I am not one of her servants who jumps when she beckons. I am in the company of the king’s daughter, and I will not visit her bedchamber tonight or any other night.” As I straightened my spine every muscle went rigid.
The manservant turned and left with a bewildered look on his face. I was relieved he did not make attempts to take me by force because I did not want to fight in front of the princess.
Princess Aini chortled and embraced me. “You are so brave for one so young. You are unlike any man I have ever met.” She pulled away from me, and my lips skimmed along the sweep of her cheek.
Gazing at her, I swore to myself I would memorize every part of her face. “It is getting late. Perhaps it is time you returned home to the safety of the palace.”
My breath quickened and I rubbed the nape of my neck, thinking about Artemisia and how a woman like her would not take kindly to being rejected. And this was how she would take my not visiting her that night, like a rejection.
“I enjoyed your company very much,” I said, my face igniting when her smile widened. “I do not recall ever feeling such felicity with anyone else.”
I took her hand and delivered her to her maidens and manservants so they may take her home.
“Remain vigilant and keep her safe,” I told them.
Her gaze lingered over me and she caressed my face. “I would enjoy spending time with you tomorrow. We could meet in the rose garden again.” She had a voice like the down feathers stuffed in my bedding—soft and comforting.
“I will see you in the garden.” I watched her stroll away with her servants surrounding her.
Strangely, I did not see or hear from Artemisia or any of her other manservants all night. As a matter of fact, thirty days and nights passed in a blur without so much as a word from her or her people. Meanwhile, Princess Aini and I met every day at the rose garden. We strolled the many gardens together hand in hand and sat under blooming trees to converse. She asked many questions about me, and I was careful in how I answered. I preferred to be honest, but there was too much she would not understand. She wore beautiful dresses and alluring fragrances. I like to think she did so to impress me. She sang to me, played with my hair, caressed me, and was always attentive to my needs. I had never known such kindnesses. On the eleventh day together, we kissed.
We brought our mouths within the same breathing space, and she leaned close to kiss me. Her kiss was soft and timid and close to my mouth, as if she did not wish to be first to kiss on the lips. I pulled her closer and pressed my lips against hers. I met her tongue and gave it teasing laps with mine. When I pulled away, her eyes were still closed and her lips were curved in a sweet way, making me smile. Her body sank into mine as I kissed her again and again.
“You are unlike any man I have ever known,” she said. “When I am with you, I feel free like a Huma bird. For the first time, I can be who I truly am without negative consequences.” She took my hand in hers and kissed the top of it. Then she looked up at me through her thick, long lashes and said the words I had been longing to hear. “I love you. Prince or not, my place is right here, by your side—come what may.”
Princess Aini had given me hope in spite of everything, like maybe the good in me could overcome the wickedness. Abandoning my quest for revenge against my mother was now possible.
“You have given my life new meaning and purpose,” I said, bringing her down to the soft, verdant grass. “I would be happy living the rest of my life with you. You would keep what is worthy in me alive and strong, until whatever evil there is, is vanquished under all that good.”
I kissed her face, lips, and neck. Her collarbone left a pool of shadow in which I buried my mouth.
Soft moans escaped her lips and she chuckled. “What evil?” she said. “You are the kindest and goodliest man I have ever known.”
I nuzzled my face in her cleavage and kissed the parts of her breasts not covered by clothing.
She took my face in her hands. “I love you with all my heart, but I have never taken a man into my bed. It is forbidden. I must remain chaste until such time as I am married.”
I kissed the tip of her nose. “Then I will wed you and devote my entire life to making you happy.” She giggled and I continued kissing and caressing her until nightfall.
After a month’s time, Gadreel approached us as we strolled toward the servants waiting to take the princess home.
“It has been long since I last saw you. I was beginning to think you had gone,” I said, squinting at her somber face.
She smiled—not an annoyed smile; not a jaded smile; not even an angry how-could-you-leave-me-alone-in-this-godforsaken-place kind of smile. It was simply a nice, serene, Gadreel smile. “I needed time alone to think, and this place is so vast and scenic that one can easily get lost with one’s thoughts. And since you have not been to the dining room for meals… it does not matter. You are in good company. You have no need of me.”
I said farewell to the princess and walked with Gadreel.
“Have I done something to displease you?” I asked, staring at her dour face.
Her visage softened as she spoke. “No, you have not. I suppose I was a little jealous of your affections for the princess.”
I stopped walking and took her hands in mine. “My love for Princess Aini does not change my feelings for you. You are my oldest and dearest friend. You were there for me when there was no one else. I will never forget your kindness.”
“Love? You are enamored with the Persian princess?”
“I love her. Yes.” I nodded as if to further reinforce my declaration of love.
She chuckled. “What do you know of love?”
“I am not a child.” I frowned as her face became serious to match mine. “I think about her always. I long to be with her forever, and it does not matter if I ever know her in the carnal sense, as long as I get to hold her hand, embrace, and kiss her,” I continued, holding G
adreel’s upper arms, shaking her gently and grinning like a fool. “I would do anything to make her happy and would give my life to spare hers. I do not think one needs to be taught to love. Love is something that steals our hearts, and there is nothing we can do to stop it.”
She took a deep breath, gazing into my eyes. “Does she feel the same for you?”
“Yes!” I threw my arms open. “That is the amazing thing! She told me she loved me. She said she belonged by my side.”
Gadreel laughed and bounced on her toes. “It does my heart good to see you so happy. Very well. Since this is how you both feel, I wish you a long and happy life together. As your friend, however, I must not spare you the truth,” she said as her demeanor changed, becoming somber. “Artemisia shall not take kindly to this union, and she has much control over Princess Aini’s father—the king. She can make your life and that of the princess horrible. I am certain by now she has heard the whispers from her servants about your strolls in the rose gardens with the princess. I am amazed she has not yet done anything to stop you.”
I buried my hands in my hair. I had been brooding about Artemisia’s idleness. “I too am alarmed by her silence and lack of action.”
Gadreel moved beside me, hooked my arm, and reclined her head against it. “I have had a sense of foreboding since our first morning here. I cannot shake it off—something brutal shall happen soon. Please be careful and make certain the princess is safe.”
“I will speak to Artemisia—get a feel as to what she is contemplating. I will reason with her.” I kissed the top of her head.
She let go my arm and stood before me. “I am leaving this place,” she said. “I was hoping you would leave with me, but I see now you would not leave the princess. I no longer feel safe here. I do not know if my mind is playing tricks on me, but I sense your mother’s presence.”
“I too sense Lilith’s presence.” Her name came sour against my tongue. “But she cannot be here. Surely someone would have mentioned her name by now or spoken of her deeds.”
“You may be right, but the feeling is too powerful to ignore. Tonight shall be my last night here.” She took my hands, leaned forward, and let her forehead touch mine. “Our paths shall cross again, my friend. Of that I am certain.”
I tipped a subtle nod. She turned away, walking into the shadows, leaving my heart in ruins.
I wrapped my arms around myself and plodded to my room to turn in for the night.
The next morning a pounding on my chamber door woke me. I rushed out of bed and opened the door. The sudden flash of gold stunned my eyes, and I squinted to adjust them to the glow of the sun. One of Artemisia’s manservants stood at the door.
“Artemisia requires your presence in the dining room.” He looked right through me, as if he was functioning without self-awareness.
“I will be there as soon as I am presentable for her.” I waited for his response. With a slight dip of his head, the servant departed.
I bathed and dressed and met Artemisia in the dining room. When I arrived, one of her servants announced me. She was eating, and she gestured with the bone of a lamb chop for me to sit beside her.
“You have summoned me, and I am here,” I said, standing to her right. Then I walked around her to the chair on her left.
“Yes, I can see you are here.” She smirked but still looked toward her right.
She twitched, turning to the left when I banged the chair on the floor before sliding it out to sit.
After wiping her mouth, she lifted her arm in the air, swirling her hand. “Clear the table,” she said in a loud voice. While her servants scurried around us taking plates and bowls away, she stared in my direction.
“What is it that you require of me?” I asked, shifting in my seat, her unblinking stare unnerving me.
“You will need to speak a little louder,” she said.
I repeated myself, louder and more directly than before.
She tittered. “You are impatient.”
I brought my fist down on the table. “Please! Tell me, what is it you desire?”
One of her manservants rushed toward me, but she stopped him inches from me with a mere hand gesture. She looked at me, her visage changing from an insolent grin to a dark grimace.
“It has been long since I have summoned you, yet you are not happy to see me,” she said. “I know what you have been doing. Did you think you could leave me for another and suffer no consequences?”
I swallowed hard and was about to speak when she placed her hand on mine and continued. “I thought we were beginning to form a relationship, you and I. I thought we might have a future together.”
I slipped my hand from under hers. “I was nothing but a sex slave to you. I am sure you will have no trouble finding a replacement. I am in love with Princess Aini.”
She sprang to her feet, knocking over her chair. She cackled, looking at me as she did. My solemn expression did not change, although her reaction startled me.
After a moment, her demeanor changed, and she looked as though she had discovered something on my face. “In truth, you do love her!” She jerked back. “And she feels the same for you?”
I nodded.
“Well. I cannot stand in the way of true love.” She hesitated a moment. “I shall help you.” Her voice was honeyed but her expression dark. I wanted to believe her but did not trust her.
I stood and picked up the chair she had knocked over, and we both took our seats.
“We do love each other. I desire to marry her and love her forever.”
Artemisia pressed her fingers to her lips and laughed. “It shall not be as easy as that. The princess is promised to another, a prince. The king would like to join the two royal families to strengthen his own lineage. What have you to offer?”
“Aini does not love the prince. She loves me. I make her happy,” I said.
“That means little to the king,” she said, letting out a guffaw that echoed throughout the dining room. “So, you have nothing to offer?”
“His daughter’s happiness means nothing?” I leaned my forehead against the palm of my hand.
Artemisia pushed her chair back, got up, and walked behind me to rub my shoulders. “Princess Aini is young. The king believes her mind is fickle and easily altered. Perhaps if you had treasure or something valuable to exchange he would relinquish his daughter to you. After all, he has other daughters he could marry off.”
“I have nothing,” I said, pushing the heels of my hands against my eyes. I was overwhelmed by a sense of defeat.
Wrapping her arms around me, she whispered in my ear. “I can help you. First, you must do something for me.”
“Help me and I will do whatever you ask of me,” I said. I almost did not recognize my own voice, for it was the voice of a desperate man.
“There is a young woman—a stranger in this country. She is quickly becoming well-known as a powerful oracle in these parts. The king has asked me to find her and bring her to him, for it is said she is as beautiful as she is powerful.” She crossed her arms and looked like she had just bit into a lemon. “If she is brought before the king, he may decide to place her in his bed in my stead. I cannot allow this, for my position gives me much power. You must find her and bring her to me.”
“What will you do once you have her?”
Artemisia sucked her teeth, shoving me, bumping into her chair by accident before sitting in it. “Why do you fret for the fate of this being? Think about your love for Princess Aini and your happy future together.”
“Aini is always on my mind, but I will not help you slaughter an innocent being.”
“I did not say I would slay her,” she said as she rolled her eyes. “I shall simply send her far away from this kingdom. I do not think you understand. Do you imagine you are in a position to negotiate with me? I have all the power—not you. That is to say, if you do not help me, I shall go to the king and tell him that his daughter has a secret lover. That would be grounds to have her p
ut to death. And what do you think would happen to you if I revealed you are not human and have a thirst for blood? Your precious princess would be cursed, her name forever tainted, and you would be hunted and killed. I can make your situation easier—or terrible. Do as I say and argue no more!”
I gripped the tablecloth in my fists until my knuckles turned white. “How will I know this oracle?”
“She shall be easy to find, for no other being looks like her. Her hair is a resplendent silvery-white and waist long. Her skin is smooth and flawless like the finest alabaster. She is quite tall for a woman, and her eyes are said to be of many colors, like the sky near sunset.”
“This is a divine creature—not of Earth.”
“She is said to be daughter of an earthly woman and a Watcher, a celestial angel sent to Earth to observe,” she said with a shrug. “What she is does not concern me. I wish you to bring her to me or face the consequences.”
I rose from my chair, my heart hammering at my chest. I thought only of Princess Aini; I did not want her to suffer. She was a good, innocent woman, an intelligent woman who only knew of the world from what she had read in books. I had to protect her. If this being Artemisia wants me to fetch is truly a powerful oracle and daughter of an angel, she could fend for herself. I had to do what Artemisia commanded.
“I will do your bidding. When I find the silver-haired oracle, I will bring her to you,” I said and squeezed my eyes shut for a brief moment.
Artemisia folded her hands over the table, squaring her shoulders. “And you shall be rewarded with treasures enough to attain your royal bride. I shall whisper in the king’s ear what a virtuous man you are and how much you love his daughter, so when he finally meets you, you shan’t have to convince him of your love for the princess. I shall also protect her in your absence. Aini shall know you have done much to ensure her well-being and her love.”
“I am grateful. I will tell the princess of the journey. I desire to help her understand that what I do, I do for us—for our love.”
“Leave that to me. I shall speak to the princess this day. I shall meet her in the rose garden, as you have done every day until now, and tell her everything. As for you, you must feed. You will need your strength for this journey and to confront the oracle. Seeing the princess now would only serve to weaken your resolve. No. You must feed and leave the moment you are finished.”
Son of the Serpent Page 23
