Through the Mists of Time (Oracle Dreams Trilogy Book 1)

by Teri Barnett

  Julius picked his way over the black volcanic rocks lining the shore. He stopped and rubbed his chin.

  Now, where did I leave the girl?

  Hearing a faint call for help, he chuckled, and headed toward the cave’s entrance. The tide was coming and beginning to reach the opening to the cave. He spit on his hands and grabbed the heavy stone. Rolling it to the side, the well was bathed in sunlight.

  “Julius?”

  “Saluto, my pretty witch,” he called down the steep incline.

  “Help me out of here. Please.”

  “I can’t do that.” If only he wasn’t so enamored of Gravia, he might have taken the pretty witch to his bed, maybe even left Pompeii with her. She wasn’t much use for anything else with her lame foot, but she would make for a most pleasant bed mate.

  He sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

  What’s done is done. Gravia will be pleased and she’ll reward me amply for my troubles.

  Besides, no woman had ever come close to Gravia’s wanton charms in bed…

  He leaned over the edge of the opening and rested his chin on his hands.

  A rush of cold water spilled into the cave, splashing Valerie across her face and soaking her tunic. She stumbled against the wall, her hands sliding over the slippery surface. “What’s happening?” she shouted. “For heaven’s sake, why are you pouring water on me?”

  Julius laughed. “I’m not. Nature is. If you are truly a witch, you should be able to fly out of there, now that the opening is clear.” He crooked a finger. “Come on, little witch. Fly to me.”

  “I’m not a witch nor can I fly!” Her hand found a groove in the cave wall and she started to pull herself up again, when another rush of water came. A steady stream followed it and the cave began to fill at an alarming rate. Valerie glanced down. The water was up to her knees. “Julius! Why are you doing this to me?” she screamed. “Get me out of here! Now!”

  Julius looked down at her, a benign expression on his face. “I would cleanse Christos’s house of your witchery—”

  No sooner had the words left his lips than his expression changed to anger. Julius stood and began to argue with someone. Angry male voices resounded from above. Valerie craned her neck to see. “Help me!” she yelled, hoping whoever was up there would hear her over the rush of water.

  A loud clanging rang out along with grunting and cursing. The stranger, whoever he was, had confronted Julius and the two were fighting.

  The water reached her waist. Frantic, Valerie grabbed another handhold and pulled herself up. Soaking wet, her tunic was now plastered against her skin, weighing her down.

  A gurgling scream floated down from the entrance. A flash of steel blinded her as a heavy object splashed down beside her.

  Valerie’s mind registered a thatch of dark hair, bulging eyes, a gaping mouth, and blood oozing from the stump of a neck.

  The head bobbed up and down, taunting her.

  Julius!

  She screamed, her hand clinging to the crevice for dear life.

  “Valerie?”

  She looked up. “Christos! Oh, thank God! Hurry!” she sobbed. “The water is up to my shoulders.”

  Christos began a steady descent into the blackness of the cave. Valerie’s breath caught in her throat when Christos slipped. She breathed again when he regained his footing. He reached down to her and wrapped his strong hand around her wrist.

  “I’m going to pull you up, but you’ve got to hold on tight to me.”

  Valerie nodded. “Please, just get me out of here.”

  Christos smiled through the dark tangle of wet curls that hung over his eyes. “As you wish.”

  Valerie held tight to Christos, her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs around his waist, as he climbed out of the cave.

  Exhausted, Valerie let go and collapsed when they reached solid ground.

  “You saved me…” she whispered, fighting to stay awake.

  Don’t let go…

  It was too much to bear. Too much pain. Too much fear. Too much confusion. The only thing that felt right was Christos’s strong arms around her.

  She closed her eyes as his lips touched hers and slipped into blessed unconsciousness.

  “Oh, Mama, this is the best Christmas present ever! A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens! How did you know?” Valerie beamed, hugging her mother close.

  “How could I not know, when you reminded me at every turn?” Jacqueline kissed Valerie’s forehead. “Just be certain your studies don’t falter.”

  Valerie hugged the book to her breast. “I promise they won’t.” She kissed her mother on the cheek. “I love you, Mama.

  I love you too, Valerie…”

  “…Valerie. Valerie?”

  Another voice entered her dreams. A man’s voice, deep and strong. Comforting. A hand caressed her cheek. “Pulcher. Beautiful.”

  “Mama? I didn’t know you spoke Latin.”

  “To what ghosts are you speaking your strange language? Awake, that I might help you keep them at bay.”

  Slowly, Valerie opened her eyes. The room was black as pitch, the only light offered by the crescent moon. “W-where am I?”

  “In my room.”

  Valerie turned her head toward the man’s voice. “Christos?” she whispered.

  “Ita.” He ran his hand over her brow, pushing back her damp hair.

  Valerie lay back down. “I was dreaming. I thought—I was home.” She closed her eyes. “My mother was there.” A tear ran down her cheek. “I’ll never see my family again, will I?”

  “Hush, you need to rest.” He continued to caress her face. “We can talk of your home later.”

  She didn’t want to rest. She missed her family, she missed home, and time was running out. She sat up, pulling her legs up and hugging her arms around her knees. The soft cotton coverlet fell away revealing her bare shoulders. Christos leaned forward and kissed the side of her neck, leaving a trail of warm, moist kisses down her arm.

  Valerie continued to cry, sobbing silently.

  “Shall I stay with you tonight?” Christos asked, his voice as soft as his kisses. His eyes met hers. “The decision is yours…”

  So much had happened since the day she stepped on the ship bound for Italy. She’d lived an entire lifetime, had suffered many hardships, and yet she had also come to know another side of herself. A strength she didn’t know she possessed. Valerie had no idea what the future held for her, or if she’d ever find her way back home. It seemed as though this moment in time was all that mattered.

  She gazed into Christos’s eyes and what she saw made her heart catch.

  Eternity.

  “P–please hold me—stay with me tonight. I’m frightened.”

  Christos smiled. “Ah, now, there’s no need to fear. I’ve slain the demon who would do you harm.” He stood and removed his clothing and sandals. Slipping into bed beside Valerie, he scooped her into his arms. He held her close, his arms locked tightly about her. Her smooth back pressed against his strong, furred chest. They lay together, and for the rest of the night, Valerie allowed herself to feel the comfort of Christos’s embrace.

  Chapter 29

  Christos awoke just before dawn, when the first glowing rays could be seen at the edge of the horizon. He smiled and nuzzled the neck of the woman at his side, not knowing when last he had slept so well. The comfort and peace he’d found in the soft form beside him was one he hadn’t known for years, if ever. He pulled Valerie closer and she sighed, her breath a soft caress against his arm.

  How had it come to pass that he could feel so strongly for a slave? But he knew in his heart that she would never be slave to any man.

  The words she had spoken to him were true…

  You may own my body, but you will never own my soul.

  Would she som
eday give herself freely? After all, hadn’t she told him in his dreams that she was his all those months before they’d even met?

  I dreamt of you every night. And now, you are here… Have the gods fated us to be together?

  Christos smiled to himself again. “I will be your slave,” he murmured in Valerie’s ear. “A slave of love.”

  He nuzzled her neck once more and dropped kisses along its base, then nibbled the lobe of her ear.

  Valerie shivered and turned her head, opening her neck to him that he might explore. Gently, Christos ran his hand down her back, massaging lightly. Her skin was as soft as down. He took a deep breath.

  May the gods help me—I have truly been bewitched by this woman.

  His lips trailed the same path his fingers had just taken. Kisses as light as the touch of a butterfly’s wings were gently scattered on Valerie’s back.

  Still sleeping, she sighed and pushed against him. The full roundness of her buttocks fit snuggly into the curve of his lap. Valerie turned slightly, allowing Christos a partial view of her bare bosom.

  He had to remind himself he’d undressed her and put her to bed only because he was worried about her. He rested here now only because of her plea for comfort.

  Would you take advantage of her when she sleeps so peacefully in your care?

  Valerie stirred and half-opened her eyes. “I was dreaming again,” she whispered.

  “What was it about?”

  “I dreamed someone was touching me.” She looked at him through thick lashes, a faint blush covering her cheeks. “Everywhere.”

  Christos smiled. “Not everywhere,” he whispered into her ear. Gently, he rolled her onto her stomach and massaged her buttocks. His hand swept over her hip and down her thigh, forcing her legs apart.

  She started to pull away from him. “Christos. I don’t know…”

  “There’s nothing to fear, no need to doubt,” he said as his hands continued to move up and over the back of her thighs. “Ah, my sweet Valerie, would you deny me your love?”

  Valerie sighed at his touch. “Nay, I will not deny either of us.”

  You will travel through the mists of time to meet your true love.

  Hekate’s words floated through her mind…

  No man had ever made her feel so alive, so in tune with her own body, and yet so light—as though she could float on air with just one kiss.

  Is this fate? Am I meant to be with Christos?

  She lay her head on the pillow, her breath growing ragged as his hand moved back down to her thighs. His movements were slow and seductive, sending a delicious ripple of excitement through her.

  Christos squeezed her buttock, then ran a finger between her legs. He pushed one finger inside her, penetrating her growing wetness. Gently, he moved in and out, caressing her from within.

  Valerie gasped. “What magic are you working?” Her body pushed toward him, encouraging him to continue his explorations.

  “The magic of love,” he whispered as he began to kiss her neck once again. He rolled onto his back, pulling her with him. “Please, let me love you.” Christos ran his hands under her hips and urged her forward until she was kneeling over him on her hands and knees. He slid down and caught one breast in his mouth. He licked the nipple, then gently blew on it until it grew hard. He licked again.

  Valerie groaned and felt the dampness between her legs begin to spread. As he kissed her, Christos slipped a hand between her thighs and massaged her softness. Again, he ran his hand over her, circling until his thumb rested on her most sensitive spot and his finger was inside her. Valerie lowered her head, then raised it, arching her back. She was overcome by one wave after another of aching desire.

  Christos continued to touch her and she pushed against him. “It’s not time yet, my love.”

  “Time for what?” she murmured. Valerie sensed there had to be something else, something that would take this sweet ache from her, but what?

  “Ah, my sweet innocent.” His finger pushed deeper inside, touching her tightness. “There is much to learn.”

  “Teach me,” Valerie whispered, her voice husky. She lowered herself so she lay fully against his chest, the dark hair tickling her skin.

  “Come.” He gently urged her mouth to his and the tantalizing movement of his tongue was too much to bear. She would disintegrate into the half-darkness that surrounded her if there were no release from the magic he was working on her body.

  She pushed against his fingers, harder this time, then began to buck wildly as the endless, delicious tension Christos had built within her came to a peak and released itself in a burst of pleasure.

  As Valerie sighed with languid contentment. Christos gently pushed her onto her back and lay above her, bracing his weight on his elbows. His lips captured hers in another fiery kiss. Valerie groaned and ran her fingers over his back to his buttocks.

  He took her hand and placed it on his manhood, directing her movements up and down.

  She reveled at the power she held over him, the way he closed his eyes and moaned at her touch.

  He opened his eyes, gazing into hers and positioned his hips between her thighs.

  “Will you open yourself to me?”

  With a delicious shiver, Valerie spread her legs and rested her heels on his back. Probing gently at first, he entered her. Then, with one swift movement, his lips met hers as he pushed forward. Valerie cried out with the sudden rush of pain.

  Christos kissed her face and neck, lying unmoving inside her and after a few moments, she began to feel the sweet ache build inside once more.

  “We aren’t finished, are we?” she asked, uncertain.

  Christos chuckled. “No, my love. This is just the beginning.” He started to move within her again and once more his touch made her wanton, urging him deeper and deeper.

  She ran a finger down his cheek, and he took it into his mouth and sucked on it. “Christos,” she murmured.

  Every time she moved against him, a jolt went through her. She moved her hips, meeting his thrusts in a timeless rhythm. Faster they moved until she could no longer contain the throbbing within her. She arched her back in a feverish release as he continued to thrust inside her, until the heat of his own release surged into her.

  After a few moments, he eased out of her and drew her into his embrace.

  Christos pushed the damp strands of her hair off her forehead and kissed her brow. She gazed at him in wonder. “If only I had known,” she whispered.

  Chapter 30

  “My, my…This is quite an interesting scene.”

  Valerie’s eyes flew open. She clutched the coverlet to her breast and sat up.

  Clarus ran into the room on Gravia’s heels. “I am sorry, master. I told the mistress you were not to be disturbed.”

  Christos stretched, then stood, heedless of his nudity. “What are you doing here?”

  Gravia’s brow arched at the blood-stained bed linens. “I see the slave has left her mark. I would not have thought her to be a virgin.” She shifted her gaze to Valerie. “I hope you know I will not tolerate you in his bed after we are married.”

  Valerie’s eyes flew to Christos’s. “Married?” She repeated the word in a whisper, stunned.

  Christos slipped a white tunic over his head. “Gravia has grand designs for me and my wealth, but they are all in her head.”

  Gravia sauntered up to Christos. She looped her arms about his neck and pulled his face close to hers. “Did you not eat the cake from my hand?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “See, he does not deny the action.” She dropped her arms and smiled. “We have wedding plans to make, my love. Get rid of the slave.”

  Valerie tugged at the cover and wrapped it around her. “That won’t be necessary.” She stood, then stumbled. Tears stung her eyes. She grabbed the headboard
and steadied herself. Why did she have to be without a cane at a time like this? “Clarus, would you please help me?” she asked, mustering up every last vestige of dignity she possessed.

  Clarus hurried to her side. Valerie placed a hand on her shoulder, allowing the child to help her toward the door.

  “Valerie, wait.” Christos pushed Gravia aside.

  “There is nothing for you to say.” She glanced over her shoulder. His gaze was full of tenderness, making her knees wobble.

  How can he look at me like that, after what he did?

  “I do trust the good master has enjoyed the use of his slave?” she said in a broken whisper.

  “Our night together wasn’t about slave and master. You know it and so do I.”

  Valerie shook her head, her eyes swimming with tears.

  “I almost lost you once,” he rasped, reaching his hand out to her. “I will not lose you again.”

  Gravia stepped in front of Valerie and with a quick movement, released the fastener at her shoulder and dropped her stola to the floor, exposing her nakedness beneath. Her hands on her hips, she gave Valerie a feline grin.

  Valerie’s heart twisted as the tears began to slip down her cheeks. “Do you honestly believe you can keep both of us?” she asked. She covered her mouth, stifling a sob, as Clarus led her from the bedroom.

  Christos took a step toward the door. Gravia grabbed his arm. He spun around, his face dark and forbidding. “Tell me, Gravia, was Julius as good in bed as Felix?”

  Gravia’s eyes grew wide, then she smiled and shrugged her round shoulders. “I do not know what you are talking about.” She turned and sauntered to the couch. Sitting, she patted the spot next to her. “Come, sit by me.”

  Christos remained where he stood. “Julius is dead.” He continued to stare at her, waiting for her reaction.