by Opal Carew
The words acted like a blow. Her striking silver-grey eyes registered vivid pain. Then, after a moment, Atia’s expression returned to one of indifference and she shifted her gaze to Celeste.
“In answer to your question, I came because I was intrigued. This woman wished to take your place.”
Celeste saw Zurvan stiffen.
“I think maybe I can arrange that.” A superior smile curled her lips. “You were wrong, Zurvan. You have underestimated my abilities. I can give her the power of the Djinn. I can make her a genie.”
“No, Atia, don’t.”
She sent him a sidelong glance. “Will you return with me?”
“Never.”
“Then you and she have chosen her fate, not I.”
Zurvan felt his insides quake. How could he sentence Celeste to an eternity of pain? He had a choice this time.
Atia raised her hand, ready to strike Celeste into the stone.
“Wait.” Zurvan held his hands palm upwards. “Atia, if I agree to go with you, will you let her return to her life? And will you remove the memory of me from her mind?”
Celeste’s heart froze. She did not want to forget Zurvan. And she definitely didn’t want him to sacrifice himself to save her. He’d suffered too much already. There had to be something she could do.
“Wait a minute. What about my wish? I get my wish, don’t I? Is there no integrity in this genie world of yours?”
“It is spunky, isn’t it?” Atia took Zurvan’s hands and smiled, lighting her beautiful face with an ethereal glow.
Celeste couldn’t help the jealousy raging through her. She couldn’t understand why Zurvan wasn’t madly in love with the woman. She had beauty, brains, power, and she was one of his own kind. And she loved him. What else could a man want?
Me. He wants me, her heart answered fiercely.
Zurvan looked at Atia with indifference. He didn’t even regard her with the hate that would show he had some kind of feelings for her.
At this, Atia’s glow faded and pain shaded her features once again.
Suddenly, Celeste felt compassion for Atia. She had done a terrible thing imprisoning Zurvan, and she intended to keep them apart forever, but the pain Celeste saw in her eyes explained her actions all too well.
Celeste and Zurvan were the lucky ones. They might never be together again. They might both have to suffer an eternity apart. But they both knew they were loved. They both knew someone existed in the universe who loved them above all else. That knowledge would give her happiness despite all else. Even if her memory of Zurvan were erased, she would sense his love, just as he would sense hers.
She had been given the gift of love. Her mother had always told her, ‘You never feel so whole and right as when you love another person and that person loves you back.’
Her mother might never have found that state of being, but the words rang true. Now that Celeste had experienced the reality, she realized it went further than loving one human being. It extended to loving yourself, and loving others, making a real connection to someone and something. Now that she loved, she felt that connection.
There was nothing more she could do to help Zurvan and herself. She would have to leave that to the universe and fate. But maybe she could do something to help this sad, lonely woman before her.
Zurvan’s advice squiggled through her brain. You can help others, but if you do, help one person. That is how to make the greatest impact.
“Before you decide what to do, will you allow me my third wish?”
“Atia, you have nothing to lose by granting her last wish,” Zurvan said.
A quiver ran through Celeste. Granting her last wish. That sounded way too much like a last request before a death sentence.
Atia turned to her.
“Fine,” she snapped. “Your third wish. What is it?” She tapped her foot.
Celeste took a deep breath, calming herself. She glanced at Zurvan, knowing she would never see him again, wanting to drink in the sight of him as long as possible. Then she looked back to Atia, locking gazes with the silver-eyed goddess.
A chill ran through Celeste at the desolation in those eyes. Atia might have made Zurvan and Celeste suffer, but only because her suffering far surpassed anything she could ever do to anyone else. The woman longed for love, not just with another person, but with herself.
Celeste could feel the hollowness inside her. Her compassion grew.
Atia’s manner changed. She seemed unnerved by the direct eye contact. It was as though she felt Celeste gazing into her soul. She seemed about to say something, possibly changing her mind about the wish.
Celeste hesitated no longer. “I wish that you, Atia, find happiness with your true love.”
Celeste felt sick inside, knowing she might be changing things so that Zurvan would love Atia and forget about Celeste. Or worse, remember her with mild affection, or even indifference. But she drew strength in knowing it didn’t matter what happened after her wish, because her connection with Zurvan had healed her and made her whole. Zurvan loved her right now, and the memory of that love would be with her forever.
All the air in the room seemed to evacuate, and Celeste’s lungs froze. Her gaze remained locked on Atia. The woman’s eyes widened, bright as mirrors, and she sank to the floor. Celeste’s heart compressed at the sight of her, looking like a tiny, lost child.
“Why would you make such a wish? Why for me?” Atia’s whispered words caught like wool dragged across a thistle.
“Seeing you in such pain, how could I not?”
Out of the corner of her eye, Celeste saw Zurvan’s hands rise, light shimmering from his palms. The light glowed brighter and brighter, forming a radiant ball of golden light. The incredible beauty of it took her breath away. The golden ball of light settled over Atia, surrounded her, then disappeared inside her. After a moment, her tightly drawn features softened. In fact, everything about her softened. The ice-hard metallic silver glint of her demeanor melted into a muted, sterling-silver glow.
She looked like a woman in love. Truly in love.
What Celeste had earlier assumed was love must have been something else, because there was no mistaking what she saw now.
Atia raised herself from the floor and glanced at Zurvan. Tears glinted in her eyes, and she appeared so vulnerable it hurt Celeste to look at her.
“No,” Atia said in a tiny whisper while shaking her head. “No,” she said louder, her eyes blazing. Her fists clenched and pressed against her cheeks, then she spun around, sparks flying from her. She glared at Celeste, pure hatred in her eyes.
Something slammed against Celeste, knocking the wind from her. Everything went black.
The first thing Celeste became aware of was biting pain around her wrists and an ache in her arms and shoulders. She groaned and tried to shift position. The pain surged, jolting her to alertness. Her legs seemed to be dangling below her.
She opened her eyes. Darkness surrounded her. She blinked several times as, slowly, her eyes grew accustomed to the lack of light. She could barely make out her surroundings. A small, dim room. Stone walls and floor. A cell of some kind.
She tried to turn around, ignoring the resulting pain. At a clinking noise above her, she glanced up. Chains, linked to metal bands encircling her wrists, disappeared into the darkness above her.
A memory flashed through her mind—the rage in Atia’s eyes after Celeste had made her wish. No, actually after Zurvan had granted it. Had that rage actually been jealousy because Celeste had been Zurvan’s lover? Had Atia decided to punish Celeste for the past she and Zurvan shared?
At this very moment, was Zurvan in Atia’s arms speaking words of love… and meaning them? Her heart compressed. She had lost not only Zurvan, but also his love.
Long hours passed while she hung from the chains, brooding over thoughts of Atia and Zurvan. Celeste still loved Zurvan with all her heart. She would never stop. And knowledge that he had once loved her, and still would if Atia hadn’t in
terfered, comforted her, but it did not stop the agonizing pain that gripped her, tearing at every cell in her body.
Her arms had almost gone numb from the pain. Almost. How long had passed? She longed for some water for her dry mouth and parched throat. Did Atia intend to leave her here to die of dehydration? Or starvation?
Something scurried across the floor, and a chill scurried up Celeste’s spine. It was probably a mouse or, she shuddered, a rat. A cat would be a welcome companion right now.
Another movement dragged her attention to the left, to a large shape a few feet from her. It moved toward her, and her heart leaped into high gear.
“Don’t be afraid.” A woman’s voice. Soft. Filled with warmth. Definitely not Atia’s.
A soft, diffuse light filled the room. Celeste blinked a few times while her eyes adjusted.
Celeste could see the owner of the voice. A lovely woman with large green eyes and long, blue-black hair.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Zarria. I am here to help.”
Celeste felt herself being lowered. A few seconds later, she felt hardness beneath her bare toes, then her feet flattened onto the cold, damp stone of the floor. She stumbled a little as her legs took her weight. The woman named Zarria gripped Celete’s arm to steady her.
One of the bands from her wrist released, then the other. She lowered her arms and gingerly touched her wrists. Excruciating pain shot through her. Blood, fresh and caked, stained her flesh.
Zarria smoothed her hands over Celeste’s wrists and the pain dissipated as the abrasions healed.
She smiled and took Celeste’s hand, her touch gentle and reassuring.
“Come.”
Chapter 10
Celeste clung to Zarria’s hand as they fluttered through space. A large, sumptuous room appeared around them. Rich, gold cloth draped over the walls served as an elegant backdrop for burgundy velvet settees and lots of silk and satin cushions in shades of burgundy, navy, and gold. Zurvan sat amongst the cushions, looking rigid and uncomfortable despite the coziness of his surroundings.
Celeste stood in an arched doorway staring at Zurvan’s profile, wanting to run to him and throw herself into his arms. Zarria disappeared and reappeared in front of Zurvan.
“Zurvan.” At Zarria’s melodious voice, Zurvan’s head rose.
“Zarria?” He pushed himself to his feet and swept her into his arms in one fluid motion. He hugged her close.
Celeste’s hands clenched into fists. Who was this woman?
“I have missed you so,” Zarria said, her cheek pressed tight against Zurvan’s chest. “I didn’t know where you were. I didn’t know what Atia had done to you.”
He stroked her hair. “You couldn’t have done anything about it, dear Zarria.”
She glanced up at him. “Actually, as it turns out, I seem to wield a certain amount of power with Atia.”
“What do you mean?”
She shook her head.
“I’m not sure yet. She came to me, distraught and incoherent, wanting to talk. She told me she had imprisoned you in a crystal and a woman released you, then she started babbling. I refused to listen any further until she told me where you were.”
Zarria stepped back and faced Zurvan.
“This woman who released you,” Zarria said fiercely. “Has she treated you well or poorly?”
Celeste froze, her breathing shallow. Was this woman another powerful sorceress like Atia who had her eye on Zurvan? Did she resent the fact Celeste had control over Zurvan because she had freed him from the crystal?
She remembered how she had felt after learning Atia controlled Zurvan. If Celeste had had the power, she might have struck out at Atia for hurting Zurvan. Would Zarria decide that Celeste had forced Zurvan to love her, and therefore decide to punish her?
“The woman’s name is Celeste, and I have loved her for centuries,” Zurvan said. “She is my beloved Yana reincarnated.”
Zarria’s eyes brightened, and her mouth turned up in a broad smile.
“Then you’ll be pleased with the gift I’ve brought you.”
Confusion careened through Celeste. Why was this woman comfortable bringing her, or rather Yana, to Zurvan when she knew he loved her?
A cold thought stabbed through her. In Zurvan’s culture, did marriage consist of one man with multiple wives? Her heart clenched. She wanted no other man but Zurvan. Ever. But it seemed he might not look at love the same way. Celeste might be one of many women for him.
Zarria glanced in Celeste’s direction, and his gaze followed. His face lit with joy.
“Celeste!” He strode toward her and dragged her into his arms. “Great Ones above, I thought I’d lost you.” He clutched her tightly against him. “Again.”
His embrace surrounded her with warmth, but it couldn’t quell the coldness in her heart.
Zurvan eased away from Celeste, but kept one strong arm around her waist.
“Celeste, this is my sister, Zarria.”
Celeste’s eyes widened. “Your sister?”
He smiled. “Yes, my sister.”
He pulled Celeste into his arms and kissed her, long and hard. She melted against him, her arms encircling his neck.
“Oh, God, Zurvan. For a moment I thought….”
He tipped her chin up with his finger and smiled, his dark eyes shimmering with love.
“Don’t worry, my heavenly nymph, you are the only woman I will ever love. After what we’ve shared, how could you doubt it?”
“Well, watching her man hold a beautiful woman in his arms can shake a girl’s confidence.”
He cupped her chin and kissed her again.
“It is you I love and you alone. Remember that.”
“I’m glad you two have this sorted out.” Zarria said, her full lips turned up in a smile. “Now, come with me.”
She swirled her arms and a new room appeared around them. Cozy and warm, and softly illuminated. A couch, a bed, a fireplace. A table set for two, complete with food.
“Atia won’t find you here for the time being. I must go now.”
Zurvan gripped his sister’s arm. “Zarria, where are you going?”
“I’m going back to Atia to find out what she’s up to.”
“Zarria, I don’t want you to get hurt. I should—”
“No, Zurvan. For some reason she came to me. I am the one who must deal with this.” She disappeared.
Celeste stroked her hand along Zurvan’s arm, seeing the concern for his sister written in his face. He took her hand in his. Would Zurvan lose another woman to Atia’s rage?
“I’m so sorry, Zurvan. I thought my wish would help. Instead, now it’s dragged your sister into this.”
“No, Celeste. Your wish was compassionate and brilliant. It was the right thing to do.”
“Can Zarria overpower Atia?”
“No. Atia is the stronger sorceress.” He squeezed her hand. “We’ll just have to wait.”
“But for what?” Celeste shivered. “Will Atia separate us forever?”
Zurvan dragged her against him, his arms closing around her.
“I don’t know.”
The agony in his words sliced through her.
“Zurvan.” His name broke on her lips.
He covered her mouth with his. Raw need scorched through them both. This could be the last time they ever shared together. Her hands found the back hem of his T-shirt and slid underneath, stroking over hard, smooth flesh, feeling the line of his strong spine. She tugged the fabric up and over his head, then flung it aside.
His lips found hers again and his tongue thrust into her waiting mouth. Her busy hands undid his fly, and she released the metal button of his jeans, letting them drop to the floor.
She eased back from him, tucked her fingers inside his black briefs and pushed them down his legs, releasing his wonderful, semi-rigid penis. She touched the tip of it, forming a spiraling circle down the head. Excitement grew within her as his erection grew hard as r
ock.
She glanced around the room, dismissing the bed. The table caught her eye, then her gaze drifted to the wooden chairs beside it and she grabbed his hand.
“Over here.” She pulled one of the chairs away from the table. “Zurvan, I want your cock inside me. I want you to drive it deep. I want you to thrust until I scream in ecstasy.”
She wanted him to drive away her fear.
His eyes grew hungry, the mossy depths filled with need.
She wrapped her fingers around the hard contours of his rigid cock. She leaned over and licked him like a lollipop, smiling at his groan.
She tore off her shirt and flung it aside, then freed her breasts. Planting her hand on his chest, she pushed him back onto the chair. She thrust one nipple toward his face. He wrapped his lips around it and sucked, making her moan.
“Oh, God, you’re good at that.”
She shoved her panties down and kicked them off, then planted her feet on each side of the chair and lowered herself slowly. She wrapped her hands around his erect cock and pressed it to her damp pussy lips, then lowered herself onto it.
His rock-hard member pushed into her, stretching her vaginal walls as it travelled through her body toward her womb. How would she ever survive without him?
She pushed herself upward again, feeling the ridge of his penis dragging on her sensitive inner flesh.
“Mmmm. That feels so good.”
He curled his fingers around her waist and helped her move up and down, letting her set the speed. Up and down. Faster and faster. The push and pull of his thrilling cock drove her to climax once, twice, three times in the space of a few moments. She cried out in a long wail of intense release.
He stood, lifting her up still impaled on his enormous rod, and carried her to the edge of the bed where he drove into her again. She fell back onto the softness of the mattress, Zurvan between her legs still thrusting. Blinding pleasure built within her, and she screamed in a fourth, then a fifth climax.
“Yes, sweetheart. Come again. You’re so beautiful when you come,” he murmured. He drove deep and hard.
