The Symbolon

by Colvin, Delia

  In truth, she didn’t taste anything, not the wine, nor the cheese. She was certain that it was good, but her mind was preoccupied.

  “Just don’t fall asleep before I get out, okay?” He smiled as he grabbed a pair of boxers and went into the bathroom and, for the first time ever, he left the door ajar so that she could hear him brushing his teeth and shaving. Then her heart stopped as she got a brief glimpse of him stepping into the shower.

  She imagined having the nerve to go into the shower and step inside with him. He would turn and wrap his arms around her in surprise and then they would make love…there.

  Feeling the blood move from her face down to her belly, she shook her head, attempting to clear the delicious fantasy. She sat up and decided that she had to get her nerve up. Then she frowned when she heard the shower turn off. She pouted for a moment and then leaned back against the stacked pillows behind her head. The shower fantasy would have to wait…until next time. She smiled and felt her heart pound against her chest.

  Then he stepped out and, by the time she saw him, he was already wrapped in a towel. But his eyes met hers for a moment, and she saw that smile that she loved. As an intense blush moved across her face and neck she forced herself to look away.

  A moment later he came out of the bathroom, wearing the silk boxers. She preferred the previous view. He slipped into the bed and glanced at the tray, noticing she had only had a few bites, and he looked teasingly displeased.

  “Val…”

  She sat up. “Alex…”

  Staring into his eyes, she said, “You know, the only thing I want right now is to make love to you!” He jerked his head back in surprise. She moved her mouth to his and remembered how she loved the feel of his lips on hers.

  He pulled back and the corners of his mouth turned up in mild amusement. “By the way, you were wrong earlier.” She raised her eyebrows. He smiled and this time a slight blush moved across his face. “I mean, yes, the bed was my second choice, but my first choice was the shower.”

  “Oh!” she answered, completely startled by his response; then she felt the warmth run from her throat, exploding within her belly, and then continued down again until her toes curled.

  He pulled her into a deep kiss and then drew a breath. “Let’s get rid of this,” his eyes sparkled as he took her wine glass, “for a while,” he whispered breathlessly.

  Her smile deepened as he took her glass and she wrapped her legs around him, thrilled that tonight she would finally make love to him. She leaned her face against his chest and kissed it, while Alex moved the tray of food to make room for the glasses of wine on the bedside table.

  She noticed a rope burn on his side and brushed her fingers along it and felt him shudder. It was so comforting…so comfortable to feel him next to her! She closed her eyes for a moment.

  When Alex turned back toward her, she was asleep. He gave a small chuckle, still amazed that he was here with her. Then, brushing the hair back from her face, something caught his eye. He leaned in and his jaw dropped.

  ∞

  The sun peeked through the curtains in the stateroom and Alex kissed Valeria. “Good morning, beautiful!”

  She stretched, realizing that she had actually slept! She felt revived and alive and the world felt right, finally! She whispered, “Never leave me again.” She kissed his neck and chest.

  Alex pulled her into him in a way that was more sensual than she had expected. She felt the sudden electricity of the moment, as his fingers brushed her hips and pulled her legs up around him.

  Leaning his nose against hers, his eyes filled with love. “You may get tired of me.”

  She shook her head vehemently in objection. “Never!” she whispered. He moved his mouth the short distance to hers, pulling her closer into him, and then brushed her negligee off her shoulder. His mouth and tongue moved down her neck and caressed her shoulder as he slid his hands under the crisscross of the silk in the back of the negligee. His hands were on her and it was thrilling!

  A moan escaped her mouth and she pressed his head against hers. “Make love to me…now.”

  “Yes,” he said, his voice husky with desire.

  “Oh, Alex,” she whispered, “You are already my husband.” She pressed into him and, instantly, she realized the error of her words as she suddenly sensed his hesitancy.

  He lifted his head and said as he bit his lip. “Sorry, I got caught up in…you.”

  Seeing her disappointment, he continued, “But…we are on a ship. And there is a captain. I’m certain he’d be happy to marry us. Hell, if we asked, he might even perform the ceremony right here, right now.” Then Alex sighed and rolled on to his back, laughing as he shook his head. “But I don’t know, Val, it’s difficult for me to believe that after waiting 3,000 years, I’m going to marry you, and finally make love to you, on Paolo’s ship and—”

  He moved his nose back to hers as they said in unison, “On a ship called The Kristiana!” They laughed the long musical laughter of happiness.

  “Point well taken!” she said, as she curled into him and pulled his arm back around her. “But let’s not wait long. I don’t want anything else to ever come between us!”

  “I agree!” Alex leaned down and kissed her head, and then something caught his eye on Valeria’s side of the bed.

  She turned to see what he was looking at and stunned, she said, “It’s one thirty in the afternoon!”

  He rolled back on top of her. “Do you know what is so amazing about that?”

  She massaged his shoulders. “How time flies when we’re in each other’s arms.”

  “That is pretty amazing!” She thought about how much she loved the beautiful sound of his voice. It sounded so free of anxiety, so…happy.

  He laughed. “I guess I am just going to have to say it.”

  She tilted her head to the side, awaiting the revelation. “You haven’t had any coffee!” He winked.

  Then, in mock horror, she dropped her jaw, and recovering, she smiled flirtatiously. “I would have guessed it right the first time, if you hadn’t distracted me.” The corners of his mouth turned up in a playful smile.

  “We need to resolve this oversight immediately!” He sat up, which initiated a cry of protest. He patted her arm, as he picked up the phone with his other hand.

  “What does a guy have to do to get some coffee around here?’ He turned back around to her. “Any chance we can get some good French press with cream?” He listened and then said to Valeria, “He says that they also have Italian style cappuccino.”

  She thought for a moment and then shook her head, indicating she preferred the French press. “French press, the lady says, in the cabin, please. We’ll have breakfast on the main deck in about an hour.” He looked at Valeria, with a hint of mischief in his eyes. “Oh, could you please bring the item that I requested?” He winked at Valeria. “Thank you.” He hung up the phone.

  Alex kissed her forehead again. “We do have some business to take care of. I made a promise to myself and to Paolo that you would know everything—the sooner that business is over with, the better.” He popped out of bed. “I’ll shower first, so that I can go check on Caleb and make sure he isn’t getting into trouble.”

  Valeria knew that Alex was concerned about having left Caleb alone for so long. There was a knock at the door, and she got out of bed and threw the silk robe on over her negligee.

  A woman in a white uniform handed her a tray with a coffee press full of coffee and two cups. Valeria felt like she should tip her but she disappeared, after almost bowing, as soon as Valeria took the tray. She set it down and poured the cream in her cup and could smell the quality of it. Then she took a sip and savored the flavor.

  Alex came out of the bathroom fully dressed in jeans and a polo shirt. She looked at him appreciatively and then shook her head, tears coming into her eyes again; she was so very grateful that he was here with her. “Did I ever tell you how incredibly handsome you are?”

  He smile
d that smile and then kissed her. “Good coffee?” She nodded. “Good! I’ll see you up on the deck when you’re ready.” He kissed her again, grabbed his cup, and headed out the door. “Don’t be too long.”

  She showered and changed into jeans and a white silk blouse. The clothes that Paolo had selected fit nicely, as expected. Paolo even had makeup in the bag and she put on a touch of mascara and lip gloss.

  On the deck she saw Caleb absorbed in an electronic game. She messed up his hair when she walked by and he turned slightly sideways and said, “I’m on level five.” He gave a little laugh and turned back to his game and shouted, “Paolo has really cool games!”

  Alex was leaning over the rail, looking off into the sea. There was no land visible on either side of the yacht and the sky was a soft, misty blue.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist tightly.

  “Do you know how good that feels?” he said, as he raised his arm to pull her in front of him and glanced at her. “Nice clothes.”

  Breakfast was being served on the table. “Caleb, did you eat?” Valeria asked.

  “Yeah! Level six, gotta concentrate!”

  They sat down to frittatas, sweet potato hash, and fruit. Then the chef came out and set a green drink in front of Valeria.

  She glanced curiously from the chef to Alex. The chef stated, “Kale and strawberries, just as the gentleman requested.”

  She held it up, it looked perfectly green. She nodded to the chef and then gave Alex a quizzical glance. “You? You ordered this?” Alex shrugged a single shoulder with a wink. “Alex, how did you even know about this?” She hadn’t started drinking it until she had returned to Manhattan.

  Leaning across the table, he said, “Do you honestly think I didn’t spend every single day thinking about you?”

  She smiled as she lifted the drink. “Have you tried this?”

  He scrunched his nose and shrugged. “A bit like drinking grass clippings.” He shook his head distastefully.

  “It’s all in the blending…needs three minutes, at least!” She took a sip, and then realizing that the chef was still there, she nodded approvingly and he left.

  “Just the same, I think I will leave the kale shakes for you,” he said.

  They finished their breakfast and the dishes were cleared. Valeria hadn’t realized how hungry she was. Then she noticed Alex’s expression. “What’s so serious?”

  He shook his head. “I told you that I needed to fill you in on the rest. Val, I’m not proud of all of it. But I promised myself, and Paolo, that you would know everything that happened over the past few months.”

  “Whatever it is, I know that you are nothing but honorable.”

  He kissed her hand. “Reserve your thoughts for later. You don’t know how often I’ve lied to you since the previous council meeting. You don’t know how selfish I’ve been. So much of this awful situation was because of me—not Paolo.”

  She wondered what he could have possibly lied to her about.

  “Val, this all happened…the misery, the pain,” he lifted a brow, “the fact that you were almost killed—several times—all because I couldn’t bear the idea that if you weren’t immortal, that Paolo might win your heart again.” He gulped. “If I had just…trusted us, and been willing to take the chance, none of this would have happened.”

  “Alex, I do have a question about how I ever ended up married to Paolo in the first place.” He glanced up at her. “I asked Paolo how it was that he found me first, when you have your visions. Paolo said that you did find me first.”

  “Yes, that’s true.”

  “Then how was it possible for Paolo to…negotiate marriage. But you didn’t?”

  A light breeze moved by them, and the sun provided a wonderful warmth. “I found you when you were seven. I became your tutor, so that I could protect you. It was not wise, because it prohibited me from being in a social class that might marry you.”

  Nodding, as if she was now satisfied, she said, “Paolo wouldn’t tell me that part, of course!”

  “Val, there is more to it.” He glanced up at her and took her hand. “I very simply could never bring myself to…to buy you!” He shook his head and looked down. “Again, my pride has gotten in the way of everything.” He stared out to sea, unable to meet her eyes. “I always hoped that if I was near you, you would see me…know me…love me.”

  The ship rocked gently and she pulled her chair closer to his, kissing his cheek and then holding both of his hands.

  Alex went on, “So, about the lies…that night after the first council meeting, I was up all night running scenarios to resolve this. I knew that Paolo, despite our differences, would not have placed this petition over us if he understood what it would do to you—or to me, for that matter. For him, this was all a simple game to see who would win you. He also wanted to help Kristiana, but I don’t think he knows what to do to help her.”

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  Alex shook his head. “She…well, she is having difficulties.” Valeria knew that was all Alex was going to say on the subject. “But with regard to me, I handle their finances, providing them the wealth to do whatever they wish. You don’t kill off the golden goose.”

  Valeria pulled back in shock. “I don’t understand. Paolo has a fleet of yachts! If Paolo is this wealthy, then why aren’t you?”

  It was Alex’s turn to be taken aback. Then he asked, “Would you like a fleet of yachts?”

  “No. I just had no idea. I guess I knew you had money. I just didn’t imagine it was that much.”

  Alex shrugged. “Money’s easy.” He continued to stare out to sea, unable to meet her gaze. “That first night, after the council meeting, I knew the first target had to be to get the council to meet within a few months. Although the target date was delayed once you became ill.”

  Shaking off the emotion, he continued, “I could think of only one possible solution to get the council to meet and address the petitions in the near future, and that was for Paolo to submit a proposal of marriage to you. That way, he could remove the original petition and get approval for marriage. After that, if the engagement ended a few days later, we would be out of this mess.”

  “It would have been good to know the plan!”

  Alex shook his head. “And I would have liked to have been able to share it with you! But if you did know, the deception would have been quite obvious to Jeremiah!” He sighed. “So, that was plan A. We also knew that we might need witnesses to prove that your relationship with Paolo was real. Neither Lars, nor Camille, knew about any of this. That was the reason for the scene in the field, after you left Pisa—that, by the way, was Paolo’s idea. Not mine!” Valeria winced, realizing that Alex knew about it. He drew a deep breath.

  “Plan B was basically what we experienced. It was in case anything went wrong. Because Paolo had seen the plan, he couldn’t testify. If it appeared that he might be required to testify, he had to go on the offensive.”

  “Yes, he was pretty offensive.”

  Alex continued. “We suspected that Jeremiah might use this engagement as a way to get rid of you.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know. But we are quite certain that Jeremiah arranged for Shinsu to be gone during the first council meeting. If she had been there, Paolo’s petition would have been thrown out or at least under investigation until the next council meeting. Someone knew about the petition before it was filed and worked with Jeremiah to ensure that Shinsu was away when it was presented.”

  “And you don’t believe that it was Paolo?”

  Alex raised an eyebrow. “No. Paolo didn’t know about our engagement until the emergency council meeting announcement. But someone knew about it long before I even had the vision of you last year! That points to an oracle—though it wouldn’t have been anyone in the family!”

  “I don’t think so either. But what about Daph?” she asked.

  “I’ve known her almost all of m
y life. I just can’t believe that she would set this up!”

  “And you really don’t believe that Paolo had anything to do with it?” Valeria asked, still suspicious of him.

  “Paolo wouldn’t have helped us if he had been involved! It was probably Kristiana…maybe Aegemon.” Alex continued, “Shinsu’s job was to ensure that I was charged with a crime and that Paolo was not forced to testify. Plan B would be enacted if the council suspected that there had been a violation of the petition, or if Paolo was going to be forced to testify. We hoped for plan A, but expected plan B.

  “As I said before, we also required enough innocent witnesses. That’s why Paolo suddenly became friends with Lars and Camille. Both of them would be beyond reproach. Shinsu had some input in the plan but she would never be questioned. Most of all, you had to play your role. You did so beautifully.”

  Caleb yelled over, “I did good, too, didn’t I?”

  Valeria and Alex laughed, and they both said he did great. Caleb went back to his game.

  “Caleb was very important in plan B and C!”

  “Plan C?”

  “Yes, that was if everything went poorly, Caleb was to wrap his arms around you and put you in his kayak and leave and not turn around until you were both safe.”

  “If it went poorly?” Valeria asked.

  “If Paolo was forced to testify, it would be damaging. Caleb was involved but he couldn’t testify, even if he was a member of the council and he also couldn’t be searched. If necessary he was also a weapon that could protect you!”

  “Yeah! I got to be the superhero again! That was so cool!” Caleb lifted an arm in victory before returning to his game.

  “If we had gone to plan C, how would you have gotten out?” she asked, concerned.

  He shook his head. “If Paolo had testified, both he and I would have certainly been put to death!”

  Valeria shuddered. “Then why would Paolo do that? For the gamble?”

  “Paolo was more involved than you know! He and Caleb set up all the supplies for the escape.”