Pulling her hair back from her neck, she was frustrated with herself for being so weak and cowardly. This was important to Alex and if he had a father or grandfather who was like that, she would have tolerated him. Perhaps that was the key!
“All right.”
He looked at her critically and then kissed her forehead before leading her back to Jeremiah. Camille was still flirting with Jeremiah when Alex returned. “Camille, if you don’t mind, we have business to attend to,” he said with a hint of gruffness that Valeria was certain was to convince Jeremiah that Camille was there on her own accord.
Camille gave Valeria a confidential wink and then said seductively, “Jeremiah, I look forward to seeing you this evening!” Jeremiah cackled.
Sitting down, Valeria tried to think of Jeremiah as Alex’s uncle. She took his hands and looked at him. She felt something happening that absorbed all of her attention. They sat there for almost three minutes when Jeremiah yanked his hands away angrily. “Young lady, you had better learn how to control your transferences!”
Alex’s jaw tightened and Valeria noticed his face redden. Attempting to soothe the situation, she placed her hand on his arm, smiled sweetly at Jeremiah and said, “Thank you, Jeremiah. I will work on it.”
“I don’t need your entire epic history! Now I’ll be carrying that around with me! I’ve a mind—”
Alex broke in, “Jeremiah?”
Standing, the old man grumbled, “I can’t have her testify. It would be a frivolous abuse of the council’s time.” He narrowed his eyes dangerously. Valeria noticed Alex’s pupils flash in response to Jeremiah’s allegation. Alex glanced toward the house in what Valeria was certain was another silent communication.
“Are you demanding that I withdraw my petition?” Alex challenged.
The door opened and Lars walked out. “What’s going on, Alex?”
“It seems as though Jeremiah wishes us to withdraw the petition. But she has a right to be in the council.” Valeria noticed again that Alex avoided using her name.
Lars said, “Yes…yes, she does. But realize that Jeremiah has an extraordinary responsibility here. And Cassandra may simply need more time until the council is comfortable. Withdraw the petition, Alex. Give her time to readapt.” Lars and Alex stared at each other for a long moment.
Finally, Alex bit his lip, and faced Jeremiah. “All right. I’ll withdraw my petition for an immortal marriage.”
Valeria felt relief and sensed it from Alex, despite appearances. Jeremiah narrowed his eyes once more and seemed to be analyzing the situation. He picked up his cane and hobbled back toward the dock, as he muttered, “She’s invited.”
Halfway down to the dock, without turning to face them, Jeremiah added, “But I will not have her waste more of the council’s time by testifying.”
Alex brushed his hand through his hair and then sat in the chair previously occupied by Jeremiah, directly in front of Valeria. He took her hand and pulled her onto his lap. They sat there for several minutes before anyone said anything.
“What’s happened?” she asked in alarm.
“Everything will be all right now. I should have prepped you better,” he answered softly, sounding exhausted.
Once Jeremiah’s boat rounded the turn, Lars said, “You had no way of knowing that Shinsu wouldn’t make it. We all assumed she would be here. I’m certain she’ll be there tonight.”
Camille arrived with a tray of champagne glasses. “Look, Val has passed the test. Let’s not let that grouchy, old pervert ruin tonight! Lars, will you do the honors please?”
“Absolutely!” Lars went to the outdoor refrigerator that was stocked with champagne. He popped the bottle and poured glasses for all of them. “To our newest immortal!” They clinked glasses and drank.
“To my bride!” Alex added as he kissed her neck. Valeria noticed him pushing the smile to his eyes as she clinked his glass and they drank.
Taking a deep breath, Camille said, “All right. That’s better! Now, let’s get lunch and then it’s time for Valeria to dress.”
∞
After lunch, Camille escorted Valeria to the master suite. Camille had insisted that Alex needed to sleep in another room the night before the wedding. And although his bags had been moved, Valeria had no intention of being away from Alex tonight!
A bath had been drawn for her. “Your stylist will be here shortly. So I suggest you bathe and then put on a button-down shirt.”
“My stylist?” Valeria said incredulously.
“She will do your hair for tonight and tomorrow. She can also do your hair for your going away the next day if you wish!” Camille gushed.
Valeria was simply speechless. “Uh, no. No, thank you.”
“No thank you for what?” Camille laughed.
“Uh, well…the going away part. I think I will just risk the natural look on my first day of marriage.” Oh, the dream! Valeria glanced down. “Do you think people really get what they most want?”
“You will!” Camille hugged her. “Your makeup artist will need an hour with you.”
“An hour! Really, I don’t know about all of this!” It seemed like a waste of effort—she would still be Valeria Mills…well, tomorrow night she would be Valeria Morgan, wife of the extraordinarily beautiful and amazing Alex Morgan. Her heart was pounding at the thought of it all—a combination of thrill and anxiety, and she wasn’t sure which one was winning.
Camille went to the closet and came back with fantastically beautiful undergarments and shoes and then the piéce de résistance, her gown! It was a periwinkle, custom-made Giorgio Armani organza, off-the-shoulder evening gown with a fitted bodice, long, gathered skirt and a slight train.
CHAPTER 5
Valeria stared at her reflection in the mirror and didn’t recognize herself. The dress was almost as beautiful as the wedding gown that she would wear the next day. Her hair was swept back from her face and down in a style reminiscent of Rita Hayworth in the 1940s. The makeup enhanced her eyes and lips, though it was certainly more than she was comfortable with.
“You look perfect!” Camille stood at the door in a classic, light pink gown with a straight skirt.
“So do you!”
“Your fiancé is downstairs waiting for you.” With that, Camille disappeared. Valeria took a deep breath and walked to the door.
Alex greeted her at the bottom of the stairs wearing his tuxedo. She felt an intense heat run from her face clear down to her toes and then felt her toes curling in her matching satin pumps. It wasn’t just the tux—which looked extraordinary on him—it was the intensity in his eyes and the smoldering in his voice as he said, “Oh, beautiful...” At once, she was pleased with the decision to trust Camille’s choreography of the evening.
Taking her by the hand, Alex led her to the patio which was lit by stars and a glow from the house; it was now set with several tables and chairs for the following evening. Across the lawn, Valeria could see where they would dance. The rest of the family was on the patio all dressed to the nines. The men looked handsome in their tuxedos—even Tavish, though he was wearing his kilt! But none of them compared with her beautiful husband-to-be!
Recalling Caleb’s joke about Tavish’s kilt and the inconvenient breeze that bared all, she prayed for calm winds tonight. She had never seen Ava in anything but jeans and T-shirts, but there she stood in a black strapless gown, looking gorgeous.
Everyone’s response when Valeria entered was nothing short of awe! Caleb jumped up, and muttered, “Holy cow!” It was the first time she had seen him look anything but happy and relaxed. The boy would not be attending the council meeting, as he had not been officially recognized as an immortal, despite the fact that he had lived over two thousand years.
Daphne rolled her green eyes, an effect purchased to stand out amongst the blue eyed oracles, and tossed her red hair over her shoulder. “Oh, for God’s sake, Caleb!” she said, her British accent adding more irritation than intended.
Ale
x chuckled. “Hey, buddy, you’re drooling!” But Caleb continued to stare. Finally, Valeria messed with his hair and Caleb threw his arms around her waist. Valeria laughed and patted his back. “Okay, buddy!” Alex said, exercising some patience. As long as Caleb had his hands on Valeria, Alex couldn’t touch her. He laughed again. “All right! Enough Caleb! Can I have my bride back?”
Bride! That statement gave Valeria a beautifully warm shiver. She would be his wife tomorrow! Tomorrow! She swallowed her emotions and smiled at Alex with adoration.
Caleb gulped nervously, his eyes still huge as he stepped away. His voice was soft, as he said, “You look like a princess!”
“Thank you, Caleb! And tomorrow night, as best man, I’ll expect you to dance with me…if you’re game.” Caleb’s eyes grew wide.
“Okay,” he said shyly. Valeria was surprised by the response. She was still her!
“Would you all mind giving me a private moment with my fiancée?” Alex asked.
Caleb nodded and left. The rest of the family waved and said their goodbyes as they took their champagne glasses and wandered down to the waiting boats. A moment later a boat pulled out with Ava, Lars, Tavish, and Daphne. Camille sat in the other boat waiting for them.
“So I need to tell you about tonight.” Alex’s eyes were still lit with emotion. “Hopefully things will go a bit smoother tonight than they did earlier today. I’m sorry about that, love! Jeremiah’s wife calms things down significantly, and she was supposed to be here today. But I’m certain she won’t miss tonight’s council meeting!
“Let me tell you about Delos.” Val nodded, though she was mesmerized by the look in his eyes…and by the tux! Alex noticed and the corner of his mouth turned up. Remembering that Camille was watching, he cleared his throat and attempted to return his attention to the subject at hand.
“When Apollo was born, his mother was cursed so that she could give birth on neither mainland nor island. She found the floating island of Delos and gave birth. Apollo’s father, Zeus, in gratitude, attached Delos to the bottom of the sea. In honor of Apollo, we are known as the Council of Delos. While there is an island in the Aegean Sea called Delos that is considered the sacred birthplace of Apollo, a little known fact—except by the council and a few of the gods—is that the ground where Apollo and his twin sister Artemis were born, was hidden by Zeus, and surrounded by the River Styx…in the underworld.
“The underworld?” Valeria raised her eyebrows in surprise.
“The River Styx is the river that is said to carry our dead to their appropriate location. The Elysian Fields is where the good go and Tartarus is where the evil go to be punished for eternity.”
“The River Styx...isn’t that the river where Achilles was dipped to gain immortality?” Valeria asked, pleased that she had remembered.
“Exactly!” he said with a smile. “But there is an issue with the location of Delos. The swift current of the River Styx can quickly carry one to hell. So we are cautious in maneuvering in the underworld. Further, there are some…interesting characters I need to tell you about.”
“Okay...”
“The River Styx is also known as the River of the God’s Unbreakable Oath. Because it is forbidden for any of us to betray the location of the underworld to anyone who has not been recognized as an immortal, there was an issue with finding servants for the council meetings—and the council does have a penchant for grandiose events.” Alex drew a breath, not certain how she would handle this part of the information. “We use what we call dribs, creatures of the underworld.” She knitted her eyebrows together in mild shock.
“At one time, we called them shofias; in ancient Greek that loosely translates to the soulless. During the 18th century, they became known as dribs, I assume it implies that there is not much left of these poor, soulless creatures.
“In ancient Greece, it was believed that the dead must have a coin left in their mouth to pay Charon, the ferryman of Hades, for transport. If the dead were not buried with a coin for passage, they wandered the underworld. The dribs are thought to be those without coins. They are also typically those who would be exiled to the fires of Tartarus. Evidently, service is a better option. So, you will see the dribs, but it is best not to address them directly.”
“Then there is Erebos, who is the personification of darkness. You should not be subjected to him, but avoid him at all costs!
“Lastly, the council, as you witnessed today, has no sense of humor. Don’t speak to them unless they specifically ask you a question. Answer them cautiously, respectfully…and truthfully. I crossed the line today. But we were not in a council meeting and truly there was nothing Jeremiah could do about it. Tonight, however, will be very different!”
“That’s all the business for now. I don’t want you concerned about all of this. I want you to enjoy yourself. It’s a special evening!” His eyes glowed with love as he kissed her hand. “I have something for you.” Valeria smiled shyly, he had already given her so much. “It’s to go with your dress.”
He pulled a small rectangular box from his breast pocket. It was sterling and intricately decorated, similar to the one her engagement ring had come in. Inside she discovered a set of earrings and necklace made from the same extraordinary Cassandra Crystal that was in her engagement ring. She remembered that Alex had told her that he had named it the Cassandra Crystal, after her, because it was extraordinary and one of a kind. The stones exactly matched the color of their eyes. He clasped the hook of the necklace behind her neck as she clipped in the earrings, her heart bursting with love for him.
He led her to the window and she saw the reflection of a stranger in a breathtaking gown with exquisite jewelry. Alex moved behind her and his arms circled around her waist, his eyes appreciating her reflection.
That’s right, she was the woman whom Alex Morgan loved—his symbolon—neither of them complete until united. Emotion overwhelmed her, and tears flooded her eyes, with the cognition that she was about to have all that she ever desired.
“It’s time to go,” he whispered. As his breath brushed her neck, she felt goose bumps run down her arms. She turned and kissed him lightly, brushing her hand against the back of his neck as she saw a new level of love and desire reach his eyes. He leaned down and his lips pressed against hers, and she felt the heat behind his touch and the fire of his kiss as they began to meld into one…and then it ended…far too soon for either of them. She stared up into his eyes, amazed at the level of emotion that she felt for this beautiful man! He smiled back at her, a special smile…one beyond yearning and desire, a smile that said that all of the holes in his heart caused by 3,000 years of pain and loss were now filled, replaced by her love.
Taking her hand, he lifted it and brushed his lips over it, his eyes still glowing intently on hers. Then, with a sigh of deep gratitude for this moment, he turned, leading her to the boat.
At the dock, she got a good look at the strange looking boat that was waiting for them. It sat low in the water, with three-foot edges to each side. In fact, the interior of the boat sat below the surface of the sea. She noticed that the driver sat on a leather seat flat on the ground. It was no more than four feet wide. The floor was carpeted and had built in drains every two feet, with grates small enough not to catch a woman’s heel which Valeria appreciated. There was a number of elegantly upholstered white leather reclining seats and walnut wood accents throughout. She noticed built-in heaters on both walls.
“We call it a trog.” Alex grinned. “Short for troglodyte. You’ll know why soon enough.”
Alex stepped onto the boat and then lifted her onboard. Camille was already sitting in a cushioned leather seat in the rear, leaving a double seat, in the middle of the boat.
They pushed off from the dock into the moonlit sea. This time, they headed toward the north in the opposite direction than they had gone before. Valeria noticed that the water got rougher as cliffs along the shore rose to over fifty feet. The low, flat boat rocked with the current.
Her heart was already pounding from her fear of the sea…and the unknown. Suddenly the boat stopped. Valeria noticed that the driver adjusted the windshield. It had been high enough to keep her hair from becoming a frazzled mess. Now it was only eight inches above the bow.
The moonlight shined on the crests of the waves. Along the coast, numerous large boulders jutted straight up from the sea. The breakers thundered loudly on the boulders and then on the cliff’s beyond them. The driver of the boat sat on the floor with his legs directly out in front of him. Alex took her champagne and placed it in a glass holder.
“Beautiful, we’re going to lay back. And when I tell you, I want you to close your eyes and keep them closed until I tell you it’s all right.” He reached to her other side and, while holding her close to his body, he reclined her seat. With the glow of the moonlight on him, he gently kissed her, and then lifted his face no more than a few inches from hers. The corners of his mouth turned up in that beautiful smile as he looked into her eyes with so much love that she knew that moment was locked into her heart forever—her beautiful Alex.
His eyes became serious. “No matter what, you must not sit up. Do you understand?” he warned.
Valeria noticed that Camille had reclined her seat so that it was almost completely flat, although the windshield still permitted them a view out the front. “I’m not allowed to see where we’re going?” she asked, hearing the tremor in her voice.
“No. I just think it might be easier on you if you close your eyes…especially with your history.”
Valeria felt her heart rate picking up. “I think it would be better if I watched,” she gulped.
Nodding, Alex kissed her again and then reclined his own seat, while he continued to sit straight up, calmly holding his champagne glass. She took his other hand and nervously traced the mark and then laced her fingers with his, clinging tightly to it.
“Ready?” he asked. Valeria nodded as her eyes darted about, trying to focus on him.
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