Carved in Stone

by Stein Willard

  Aspen took a shuddering breath. This morning when her eyes snapped open suddenly while it was still so early in the day, Aspen knew that Aeron has arrived. There was a feeling of anticipation in the air. It had always been like that with Phage. The moment Phage entered the castle, it was almost as if Aspen could feel her presence wherever in the castle she found herself at that particular moment. It seemed like it would be the same with Aeron. It was comforting to know that at least there was something that hadn’t changed over the millennia.

  She glanced at her watch. It was almost six o’clock. Dinner was set for seven.

  ***

  Sadik hung up the phone and rubbed his hands together. Yegane and the kids would arrive the next morning to attend the twins’ birthday party. He smiled. It was always nice to have his family with him on the island. He’d already arranged for the VP Operations of their American shipping branch to attend the London conference in his place. Now all he hoped for was that Aeron and Aspen found each other and he could have an idyllic weekend to remember forever. He went in search of his mother and found her in the large dining room supervising the setting of the table.

  “The kids will be here tomorrow for the twins’ birthday party,” he said and watched how his mother’s eyes lit up.

  “That’s great news. I haven’t seen them in ages. And Yegane?”

  “She’ll accompany them. The meeting she was supposed to chair was postponed.” Yegane was the managing director of EPC Commercial Investments, overseeing five international banks which sorted under Empire Incorporated, the Sultana’s vast business conglomerate. They had met at a global conference and Sadik was immediately taken by the gorgeous, no-nonsense executive. Great was his shock when he found out that she was working for the Sultana. Since he was in actual fact her overall boss, they were initially uncertain of pursuing anything more than a friendship. It was only when Aspen had questioned his association with Yegane and the lack of progress in their relationship that he made a move.

  Aka clapped her hands in delight. “So I will see the whole family. Any plans on extending the family?”

  Sadik blushed and looked away only to meet Aspen’s teasing gaze where she stood in the doorway. Aka followed his gaze and chuckled.

  “Can you believe that he’s shy to talk to me about the topic?” Aka teased and gently tapped Sadik’s cheek. “It’s okay. Yegane is gorgeous and fresh sea air will do the trick when needed.”

  “Mother, please,” Sadik begged. “Could we talk about the dinner instead?”

  Aka threw her arms wide, drawing attention to the decorated dining room. The setting was subtly festive, with paper lanterns and candles throwing a soft light on the table. “I have everything under control.”

  “It looks wonderful,” Aspen said and bowed in Aka’s direction. “So, Sadik, what was it you wanted to discuss about dinner?”

  Sadik shrugged. “I thought that at the end of dinner, we could give the two of you a little privacy before I take her to the Vault.”

  Aspen chuckled. “You must really think I’m rusty if you are so worried about this. As I said earlier, I don’t mind having you here.”

  “But he has a point,” Aka added. “She seems nervous to meet you and I think you could help her feel more comfortable if it was only the two of you.”

  Aspen combed her fingers through her hair, mussing the dark locks. “It seems I will not win against you two.” She inhaled deeply. “Okay, thank you for doing this. I’ll go for a quick stroll. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

  Sadik’s eyes followed Aspen’s tall body out of the door. “I’m worried she might snap under the pressure.” Aspen was not the same unruffled woman he left in the Vault earlier. Her shoulders were tense and the skin around her eyes seemed a little tighter. The usually unflappable Sultana was obviously freaking out.

  Aka shushed him with a finger on her lips. “She’ll be fine. Don’t jinx it for her with your own worries. That woman survived much more than any of us ever could even if we’ve lived as long as she had. A spell of nerves should be expected considering the situation. But never doubt her strength and resilience.” Aka’s eyes burned with conviction and Sadik nodded quickly.

  “You are always the voice of wisdom, Mother. It’s obvious I still have a lot to learn from you,” he said and squeezed his mother’s hand gently.

  “I understand your concern, because you love her very much,” Aka murmured while her dark eyes searched Sadik’s. “As a young, widowed mother I didn’t know anything about raising a baby. Aspen stepped in. While I grieved, she took care of you. Even after that, it became obvious that she was more your mother than I was.” She placed her hand on his chest. “The two of you were inseparable…even now. She needs you now more than ever to strengthen her belief in herself.”

  Sadik blinked, his eyes burning with unshed tears. How did he ever get so lucky to have such exceptional women in his life?

  CHAPTER 17

  Aeron was making her way back to the house, hoping she’d still have time to take a quick shower to wash away the scent of horses before dinner. She’d been so preoccupied with grooming Cloptus that she’s completely lost track of time. It was only when Demetrios reminded her that dinner would be served soon, that she remembered that the Sultana would be joining them. What a way to meet her gracious host by keeping her waiting over dinner. She took the steps two at a time, crossed the big patio and entered through the sliding doors. Turning down the hallway she almost ran over Sadik.

  “Oops! I’m sorry, Sadik. Am I late for dinner?”

  Sadik glanced at his watch and grinned. “You still have twenty minutes. If you need longer, we can wait for you.”

  “No, twenty minutes is more than enough. I was at the stables and completely lost track of time. Let me go freshen up.”

  Fifteen minutes later, freshly showered and dressed in a modest pantsuit with her hair brushed out until it shone, Aeron stood in the hallway leading to the dining room. She has taken extra care with her appearance tonight. Taking a deep breath, she entered the dining room and came to an abrupt stop. A long table with high-backed chairs took up the centre of the room. Three long candles were placed on a table which was set with gleaming silver and crystal glasses. The overhead lights were switched off and the only light in the room came from the flickering candles and the moonlight that filtered through the large floor-to-ceiling windows.

  Aeron blinked at the romantic sight before her. Was this how these people dined every night? She looked down at her attire. Was she perhaps underdressed for the occasion? An unexpected frisson coursed down her spine and looking up wide-eyed, Aeron froze.

  Standing a few feet from her, the planes of her face highlighted by soft candlelight, stood the most dazzling woman she had ever seen. Sultry onyx eyes stared at her from a face that was so beautiful it made Aeron want to reach out and touch her to make sure she was indeed human and real. The woman smiled slightly, causing two deep dimples to appear in her tanned cheeks. Aeron swallowed hard as her palms grew clammy. It took all her self-control not to wipe her palms against her thighs, thus announcing her discomfort.

  “Good evening, Doctor Whittaker,” the woman said. Her voice was deep and smoky, playing havoc on Aeron’s already tattered senses.

  “Uh…Good evening, uhm…” Aeron blushed when she realized she didn’t know how to address the woman.

  The woman stepped closer and Aeron noticed that she was tall, but still a head shorter than herself. She struggled to keep her eyes from traveling down the woman’s black-clad figure. Instead she stood frozen to the spot and watched the woman approach with lithe grace. As she came to a stop before her, Aeron’s nostrils flared when it picked up a familiar, yet elusive scent. When her eyes met the dark ones, Aeron found them to have darkened with an unnamed emotion. For a few moments they simply stood there looking at each other.

  “You can either call me Khatun or Sultana. Whichever you want.”

  Aeron blinked in shock. This gorgeous creat
ure was the Sultana? Was this a joke? She searched the woman’s face for any sign of jest; instead, the dark eyes were watching her intently. Realizing that she was facing the richest, most powerful woman in the world, Aeron quickly snapped out of her daze. She bowed her head slightly and held out her hand.

  “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sultana,” she said softly and lowered her eyes respectfully.

  “None of that, Doctor Whittaker,” the woman said. Her tone was unexpectedly sharp and Aeron lifted her gaze to meet the woman’s serious one. “I wish us to leave all that formality at the door tonight. It is your birthday, after all.” The woman smiled again and Aeron almost swooned at the sight of the dimples. “I take it congratulations are in order.”

  The woman held out her hand and after only a second’s hesitation, Aeron gently clasped it in hers. She bit on her lip to stop the squeak which threatened to escape as a tremor rushed from where they touched right up her arm and through her body. For a brief moment an indecipherable emotion flashed through the woman’s eyes. Aeron was so caught up in the hypnotic gaze that the room only came back into focus when a throat was cleared behind her. She blushed when she realized she was still holding on to the Sultana’s hand.

  “My…uh…my apologies, Sultana, and thank you,” she stammered and quickly let go of the woman’s hand. An odd feeling of desertion came over her at the loss of contact.

  “Ah, you’ve met already,” Sadik said as he came to stand next to them. He looked from the Sultana to Aeron and back to the Sultana again. “I believe you have introduced yourselves?”

  The Sultana nodded and slowly dragged her gaze from Aeron’s to look at Sadik. “We did. Now let’s not keep the birthday girl waiting any longer.”

  Confused, Aeron looked from Sadik to the Sultana. “Make me wait? I don’t understand.”

  As if on cue, Aka entered the dining room, accompanied by a band of musicians. Aeron’s shocked gaze swung from the musicians and Aka to Sadik and back to Aka.

  “I… I don’t know what to say,” she croaked. The skin in her nape prickled suddenly and she turned to the Sultana only to find the woman standing very close to her. The dark eyes were burning with such intensity that it made Aeron’s breath catch.

  “Just say thank you,” the woman murmured as her hypnotic gaze slipped from Aeron’s eyes.

  Aeron felt the gaze linger on her lips and she took a shuddering breath. The Sultana’s gaze lifted again and this time, Aeron felt her knees weaken at the look of desire she read in the woman’s eyes. The look was brief, but it still left Aeron shaky and her lower extremities warm and throbbing.

  “Happy birthday, Doctor Whittaker,” the Sultana said in the husky voice of hers and leaned in to press a soft kiss on Aeron’s cheek. The lips lingered and Aeron could have sworn she felt the soft tip of the other woman’s warm tongue touch the already sensitive area. It was only when the Sultana stepped away that Aeron remembered to breathe again. Their eyes held for a moment before the Sultana smiled, flashing bright, even teeth at her. “It is an absolute pleasure to have you here with us.”

  The melancholic sound of a guitar broke the charged silence and Aeron felt the room swim back into focus.

  ***

  Aspen stared down at the cutlery as if it would inexplicably levitate from where they lay and attack her. With the current state she was in, she doubted it would be wise to use any sharp objects. Her whole body was numb with desire and her hands, which lay in her lap, were still trembling slightly. Looking up, she watched as Aka and Sadik translated and explained the lyrics of the song the musician was playing to Aeron.

  Every now and then she would catch Aeron’s eye and every time the golden gaze rendered her insides to mush. She never thought it could be possible, but the woman was even more intoxicating than when she had met her all those millennia ago. She still looked the same, smelled as powerfully alluring as always. Aspen groaned inwardly. Would Aeron taste the same? Her body caught fire at the thought and Aspen prayed no-one noticed how her breath had become shallow and her eyes glazed over.

  She stole a quick glance at Sadik and found him smiling at her from over the rim of his wine glass. He knew, and she was sure he would not let her live it down. With rigid control, she reached for her wine glass and sipped from the rich fruity wine. She will get through this night. She steeled herself and turned her full attention to Aeron.

  “I hope I’m not spoiling the festive mood with my question, but I’m truly curious as to why you based your research on Aspen and Phage. Surely you knew there wasn’t much in the public or even the private domain about them.”

  Aeron’s eyes swung to her and a shiver coursed down Aspen as the amber gaze pierced her. An unexpected smile broke over Aeron’s face and Aspen whimpered softly under her breath.

  “My father, who is also an archaeologist, once told me that because something can’t be seen or found, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.” A pensive look came over the blonde’s face. Aspen slowly put her glass down. That look always used to come over Phage’s face when she was struggling to make sense of something. “Aspen fascinated me. Imagine being so young and being queen over a nation in an era rife with conflict. Not to speak of a Roman Empire bent on taking over the known world. I can’t help but admire her.”

  Aspen had to dig deep to keep herself from smiling at the blonde’s words. She could feel Sadik and Aka’s eyes on her. A train of servers entered the dining room and Aspen smiled when she saw the dish. Anastacio had outdone himself. When she requested a dinner to fit the occasion, she hadn’t expected this, but she wasn’t complaining. She was usually ravenous when she converted to human form, and the starter of goat cheese mousse with fresh summer greens and crackers was looking absolutely delicious.

  For the next few minutes it was quiet as they delved into their starters. The dish was as enjoyable as it appeared. “If the starter is anything to go by, I believe we are in for quite the dining experience,” Aspen said as she dabbed at her lips with the napkin.

  “When you requested a meal fit for a queen for our guest, Anastacio pulled out all the stops,” Aka added and Aspen glowered at the woman. Sadik must’ve noticed the strain and quickly interjected.

  “To get back to our earlier discussion, your inclusion of Phage set off quite a storm. Why did you include her if you knew so little about her?” Sadik asked.

  That pensive look made its appearance again. The amber eyes were dark with something akin to confusion. “It wasn’t a conscious choice. Something…” Amber eyes rose and met Aspen’s. Aspen almost squirmed under the intense look. “It might sound crazy, but I feel some strange link with Phage.” Aeron drank from her glass and Aspen could see a faint tremor in the hand holding the glass. “I would love to learn more about Phage.”

  Sadik grinned. “Well, you’ve come to the right place. If it would please you, I could show you the Vault after dinner.”

  Not ready to say goodbye to Aeron so quickly, Aspen tsked as she shook her head slowly. As was her intention, she drew the attention of the other three diners. “It is your thirtieth birthday and a rather big occasion. The Vault will still be there tomorrow.” She caught Sadik’s eye, willing him to play along. “Or what do you say, Sadik?”

  “Of course, Sultana. Sadly, you will be caught up in meetings for the whole day tomorrow.” Sadik smiled at Aeron. “Would you honour us by spending a few extra hours with us tonight, Aeron?”

  Aspen caught the quick glance Aeron threw her way and suppressed the knowing smile that threatened to burst to the surface. The good doctor must surely feel the attraction too. A sliver of doubt peaked, but Aspen shook it off. Please don’t let it have anything to do with the fact that she was the host. Hopefully not.

  ***

  Aeron’s insides churned at the thought of having to spend more time than necessary in the presence of the mysterious Sultana. The woman was devastating her with that dark intense gaze that kept finding its way to her. She still reeled from the shock of heari
ng that the dinner was expressively requested by the beautiful brunette. Now she was expected to spend a few more hours in the presence of the most intoxicated creature she’d ever come across. She turned her head to face the woman directly.

  “It would be a pleasure to spend the last hours of my birthday in such fascinating company,” she said with a quick smile. A brief look crossed over the Sultana’s beautiful face before she nodded. Aeron didn’t have time to decipher the look. In a smooth economic movement, her half-eaten plate was replaced by another which gave off the most delicious aroma. She hummed softly under her breath and, realizing what she’d just done, blushed while at the same time stealing a look at her dining companions. Both Aka and Sadik were already reaching for their cutlery. Braving a look at the Sultana, she found the woman looking at her with undisguised hunger in her eyes. Aeron quickly lowered her gaze as she tried to regulate her suddenly erratic breathing.

  “This is unbelievable,” Aka purred, spurring Aeron into picking up her own utensils. She took a bite of the tender lamb roll and rolled her eyes as she savoured the juicy bite.

  “My mother would most definitely fall in love with your chef at first bite,” Aeron teased.

  “A woman who knows her food, I take it,” the Sultana replied as she looked at Aeron from over the rim of her wine glass. She wasn’t sure if it was the result of the reflection of candle light, but the predatory look was back in the Sultana’s eyes. For a moment Aeron couldn’t look away from the dark stare. There was a slight lifting of the Sultana’s lips, drawing Aeron’s gaze. What would such a powerful, gorgeous woman want with her? A soft cough sounded and it broke the spell.