Carved in Stone

by Stein Willard

  Aspen’s eyes shot wide open as she looked down. “What… what is that?”

  Aeron wrenched her lips from Aspen’s. She gaped at the blushing woman, her chest heaving and feeling her own face warming up. They stared at each other in stunned silence before Aspen’s lips curled into a slow smile.

  “I told you that Phage was insatiable.”

  Aeron’s blush deepened. Phage’s image was crystal clear in this vision and it had been as if she was looking at herself. To make matters worse she was so turned on right now. Her underwear was thoroughly soaked. Aspen was looking at her with a look of blatant desire which made it difficult for her to reach for the woman. She could actually envision Phage’s powerful body straining over Aspen as she took the smaller woman. Another gush of wetness escaped her and Aeron had to bite back the soft moan which threatened to slip from her lips.

  “You never told me about the earlier vision,” Aspen said quietly, drawing Aeron out of her lustful haze. After this last vision she didn’t want to even think about the other one. Nor did she think Aspen would want to think about that either. Having witnessed the love the two had for each other, she could understand why Aspen’s eyes became teary every time she mentioned Phage’s death.

  She was startled out of her thoughts when Aspen placed her hand on her arm. “Your reluctance alone tells me which one it was. Thank you for considering my feelings,” Aspen said gently and quickly looked away, but not before Aeron noticed her eyes filling with tears once again.

  It came almost naturally, to pull the woman into her arms and holding her tightly. They stood like that for a few seconds before Aeron pulled away. Aspen just kept looking up at her.

  “The similarities between you and Phage are astounding. Just like her, you are not much of a talker and on a few occasions I swear I saw Phage’s eyes looking back at me.” She squeezed Aeron’s arm and walked over to a cabinet holding a large number of scrolls. Curious, Aeron walked over and stood quietly as Aspen looked through the scrolls. Aspen removed a small scroll with gilded handles and pressed it against her chest before she turned and held it out to Aeron. Frowning, Aeron gently took the ancient scroll from Aspen. She studied it closely, before looking at Aspen.

  “What is this?”

  Aspen’s eyes were fixed on the scroll. “That is one of five pieces in this collection that I swore I would never part with.”

  Momentarily stunned, Aeron could only gape at Aspen. “Then why are you giving it to me? I can’t take it.”

  Aspen didn’t answer immediately. Instead she wrapped her hand over Aeron’s. “You…” Aspen shook her head slightly. “Phage…gave it to me and thus it is yours by right.” She smiled tenderly. “She was quite the romantic.”

  “I can’t take this. It’s not right that I should have it. Besides, it’s priceless.” Aeron tried to hand the scroll back to Aspen, but the brunette shook her head.

  “By the time I awaken tomorrow, you will probably already have gone. I want you to have this to remember me by.” Aspen said quickly and walked towards the podium. “The sun will rise soon.” Aspen smiled sadly and averted her eyes. “I don’t want you to witness my…turning. Go now. Please.”

  Aeron heard Aspen and thought it was a good idea too, but her limbs refused to cooperate. And why did it bother her so much to think of Aspen being alone down here, immovable, cast in marble? Aspen didn’t say it, but her dejected mood spoke volumes. Aspen seemed to have made peace with the fact that Aeron wasn’t Phage. Yes, she had the visions and the dreams but that still didn’t mean that she was Phage. Or could it be…? No, she shook her head to dispel the thought.

  “Please, go,” Aspen said softly. Aeron looked up at the woman and her heart jerked at the anguish she read in Aspen’s eyes. “It will hurt too much to have you see this.” Two long tears streaked down Aspen’s face. “If I have to learn to forget you, I would rather you not be the last person I see before I turn.”

  Distressed by the woman’s pain, Aeron ached to comfort her. She chanced a small step forward, but Aspen held up her hand. The need to comfort was so strong that Aeron was trembling with the effort to keep herself from going to the other woman. She absolutely hated seeing Aspen like this. She wanted to protect her, ease the pain. She wanted to…needed to touch Aspen. Her feet were in motion before she knew it and she found herself standing on the podium looking down into Aspen’s tormented gaze. “Sultana…?”

  “No,” Aspen said in a broken whisper. “Call me Aspen.” Fresh tears trickled from her eyes down her cheek. “Just this last time I want to hear my name on your lips.”

  Moved beyond what she ever thought possible, Aeron pulled the woman into her arms. “Aspen,” she said softly, tasting the name on her lips. A violent shudder passed through Aspen and Aeron’s eyes shot full of tears when Aspen began to sob as if her heart was breaking. She tightened her arms around the woman, trying her best to curl her larger body around the woman as raw sobs shook her body. Her face was wet with tears when she pulled back to seek out Aspen’s eyes. She swallowed hard when Aspen pressed her hand over her mouth to stifle her sobs. She cradled the woman’s face in her hands.

  “It hurts me to see you like this.” Overwrought, she had to struggle to say the words around the knot in her throat. “Please stop crying, suilean dubha.”

  Aspen’s eyes grew wide as she stumbled out of Aeron’s arms. Alarmed, Aeron tried to pull her back into her arms. Aspen stepped out of reach, as she stared at Aeron. At least the heart-wrenching sobs have stopped, but the look on Aspen’s tear-stained face made Aeron extremely uncomfortable.

  “Suilean dubha…” Aspen’s voice was very low. Her gaze was intense as the raked over Aeron’s face. Aeron was scared to move, to breathe, as she waited for Aspen to say more. When, after a long moment, Aspen hadn’t said anything but just kept staring at her, Aeron became worried.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Suilean dubha,” Aspen said again.

  Confused and scared for Aspen, Aeron crossed the space between them. A wave of fierce tenderness washed over her when a look of profound love flashed in Aspen’s dark eyes. It was gone just as quickly. Experiencing the same deep ache to touch Aspen, Aeron gave in to it. She gently brushed her fingertips over Aspen’s wet cheeks. Aspen’s eyes fluttered closed. Even with swollen eyes and cheeks wet from tears, Aspen was gorgeous. She was definitely the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Knowing that she was treading on dangerous grounds, Aeron forced her thoughts away from Aspen’s beauty.

  “What does it mean?” Aspen opened her eyes, a look of confusion in them. “You keep on repeating it,” Aeron continued. “It sounds like Gaelic, but I don’t know what it means.”

  Aspen frowned. “You don’t know the meaning?”

  “Should I?” Aeron’s fingertips moved to Aspen’s forehead, brushing at the frown lines.

  “You called me that…just now.” Aspen caught Aeron’s hand and brought the fingertips to her lips. Aeron moaned inwardly when the soft lips caressed each digit. “Phage liked to call me suilean dubha. Black eyes.”

  Aeron couldn’t help but think how fitting it was as she stared into the woman’s pitch-black eyes. Wait a minute…

  “Did you say I called you that just now?” She shook her head. “I don’t even think I’ll be able to pronounce it.”

  Aspen nodded. “You might not believe it, but you are the reincarnation of Phage.” With a final kiss to Aeron’s hand, she released it. “I taught her the phrase myself and she was the only person who called me that.” Aspen’s eyes gentled even further. “I can sense Phage in you.”

  “I’m sorry, but…” Aeron swallowed hard, knowing how much a denial was hurting the other woman. But she simply couldn’t claim to be who she knew she wasn’t. Or was she?

  Holding up a trembling hand, Aspen shook her head slowly. “No need to apologise.” She turned away. “It’s time for me to rest now.”

  Aeron noted the woman’s crestfallen mood and wished she could… What did sh
e want to do? There was nothing for her to do but leave and forget about this. She slowly made her way to the exit, but just as she was about to push the heavy door open, she looked over her shoulder one last time.

  Aspen was looking at her with such profound sadness in her eyes. Something inside her struggled to pull away and go to the woman and comfort her. Was Aspen maybe right about Phage being inside her? Looking back at the night, she realized she’d acted strangely out of character on a few occasions. Could it be Phage’s doing? She quickly shook her head and when she looked back at Aspen it was to find the woman smiling warmly at her, the dark eyes bright with love. Unnerved by the sight of such devotion, especially since she knew she didn’t deserve it and nor was it directed at her, she quickly slipped through the door. Outside, in the hallway, Aeron leaned against the door. Her eyes shot full of tears and she couldn’t find a reason why. She pushed away from the door and hastily made her way to her room.

  This would be the last time they would see each other and maybe it was for the best, too. She only stopped when she was back in her room and the door locked behind her. Taking a shuddering breath, she wiped at the tears on her face which refused to stop as she rushed through the quiet hallways to her room.

  Terrified for what she was about to do, she looked down at the ancient scroll, still clutched in her one hand. For a moment she thought of leaving it… unread, for Sadik to find and to return to Aspen. Unexpectedly, Aspen’s words rang loud in her mind.

  Phage gave it to me and thus by right it’s yours.

  Aeron took a shuddering breath. She wasn’t Phage, so this scroll didn’t belong to her. If she read it, it would be as good as admitting that which she as a scientific mind rebelled against fiercely.

  “No, she said out loud and walked over to the bed. She carefully placed the scroll on the nightstand. This wasn’t hers to read. She will ask Sadik to return it. Her mind made up, she got ready for bed. It was almost dawn and she could do with a few hours of sleep before she had to face Sadik.

  CHAPTER 22

  A servant scurried pass, murmuring a nervous greeting. Grinning, Phage’s steps lightened. After a year in the palace and this strange land, the people were beginning to warm up to her. When she first arrived here with her new bride, it had irritated her how the people would openly stare at her. Some with curiosity, others with fear and most with blatant animosity. Yet, far from her home and family, she had honoured her promise to her mother. To make this joining with the foreign Queen work, was going to be difficult, but it was possible. To win over the people, she first had to show them how committed she was to their sovereign. Aspen was greatly loved and respected, a clear indication that she was a great ruler. The only way she could show her affection and dedication to her wife without appearing too vulnerable was to bed the young, inexperienced Queen frequently and thoroughly. As their Queen’s lusty screams bounced off the walls, be it night or day, a gradual change became noticeable amongst the palace servants. Whereas, previously, her goblet would have turned stale with warm wine and the servants turning a blind eye, now her goblet was attended to more regularly. When she found herself in the War Room addressing her generals, fresh fruit and wine would be served to take the edge off her hunger while she plotted the demise of the kingdom’s enemies.

  The happier the beautiful queen appeared, the better the service. It didn’t take long before she began to grow impatient when away too long from her queen. Not even the excitement of war could stop the craving for her queen’s physical nearness. She could never tire of bedding her young wife, but as time sluggishly led up to their first year of marriage, Phage began to feel the need to support her actions with words. Aspen had, in the throes of passion, whispered her love and devotion on a few occasions, causing Phage great discomfort since she didn’t know if she felt enough for her wife to return the sentiment.

  Slightly nervous for what she was about to do, she threw the doors wide to their bedchamber. Aspen stood in the centre of the room, obviously awaiting her presence. Stunned, Phage could only blink at the sight of her exquisite wife. She was used to this welcoming whenever she returned from the battlefield. Aspen would wait for her like a dutiful wife to assuage the hunger of having been away from her so long. Usually, she would walk over to Aspen and toss her on the bed and sate her lust until they both couldn’t move for a long while after.

  Today, however, Aspen was dressed in virginal robes, her hair brushed out until it fell like dark silk on her shoulders. She was simply breath-taking. When she approached Aspen, the woman’s hands reached for the clasp which held the robes together.

  “No,” she said hoarsely and saw confusion flash in the dark eyes. “Not yet.”

  Confusion immediately made way for fear and concern. “Is something the matter, milady?”

  When she came to a stop before Aspen, she leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on the soft lips. “I want to talk.”

  “Shall I pour you some wine first?” Aspen asked softly and Phage could detect a slight nervousness in the husky voice. “Let me get you something to eat, too.”

  When Aspen made to leave, Phage held her back. “Later.”

  “As you wish, milady,” Aspen murmured softly and clasped her hands together behind her back to wait patiently.

  Not wanting to cause further apprehension at her unusual behaviour, Phage reached inside her breastplate and took out the medium-sized scroll. “This is for you.”

  Aspen hesitantly accepted the scroll. Her eyes were dark with an unreadable emotion. “Would you like me to read it now or later?”

  “Now would suffice,” she said and walked over to the table to fill a goblet with wine. Behind her she could make out the sounds of the scroll being opened. She brought the goblet to her lip and emptied it with one draught to steady her nerves. The room was quiet as Aspen read the scroll. Phage knew every word in the scroll by heart. It, after all, came from her own heart.

  If the sun fails to announce its presence this morn,

  I will not miss its splendour, for you are alive.

  If the wind falls asleep, too lazy to rustle through the trees.

  I will not miss its breeze, for your breath on my skin is all that I crave.

  I love you now and forever, my Queen.

  My eternal gratitude for giving me the most fulfilling year of my life.

  The Keeper of your Heart, Phage

  Draining another goblet of wine, Phage listened as the silence stretched. Aspen was an avid reader and it was clear that seven lines wouldn’t take her that long to read. Steeling herself for whatever reaction was to come, Phage turned to face Aspen. Her breath hitched when she encountered glistening dark eyes, ablaze with love. Unable to say anything since she had already managed to cram the most important words she would ever utter in seven short lines, Phage opened her arms.

  Aspen flew into her arms and almost immediately began to sob against her chest. Knowing they were happy tears, Phage gently cradled Aspen as she cried.

  ***

  Aeron zipped up her carryall and pushed her hair back from her face. Looking around the room to check if she’d forgotten anything, her eyes fell upon the small scroll lying on the pillow. Damn, the stupid dream! Her decision not to read the scroll was overruled the moment she had fallen asleep. The dream intruded rudely, almost as if something or someone forced it to the foreground.

  She’s had a relatively uncomplicated life so far. What’s worse is that for as long as she could remember, she was also the only person living in her body. Two weeks ago it suddenly began to feel too crowded inside her head. Visions, dreams, memories…. It felt like her body has been taken over.

  If only all this was just some elaborate dream she could wake up from. But it wasn’t. The small scroll silently mocked her as if it could read her mind; and the memory of that wanton kiss the Sultana gave her last night still lingered fresh in her mind.

  Why only now? Why after all these years did all this have to happen to her now? She sank down ont
o the bed, her chin resting on her chest. How she wished her father was there. He would make sense of all this. She needed to get away from there. She climbed to her feet and, without looking at the scroll, grabbed her duffel bag and left the room.

  For a moment, she hesitated outside the room. The scroll was invaluable. That alone could prove that Phage indeed had existed. Wasn’t that the reason why she came to Lesbos? And the Sultana did give the scroll to her. She turned slowly. The scroll was still laying where she’d left it.

  “Doctor Whittaker?” She spun around to find Aka looking at her, puzzled. Her dark gaze slowly moved downwards to the bag clutched in her hand. “Are you leaving? I thought you would be our guest for the weekend. Or am I mistaken?”

  Aeron swallowed. Did Aka know the Sultana’s true identity? She was Sadik’s mother after all. She was tempted to find out, but right then, she was not sure she could handle Aka thinking her a lunatic if she knew nothing at all. She softly cleared her throat.

  “I’m needed back in Ankara. An emergency.”

  Aka nodded slowly. “I understand.” She smiled at Aeron, sadly. “There is a problem though. The weather picked up and all flights off the island has been grounded until further notice.”

  “What?” No, no, no. It can’t be. She needed to get far away from here as soon as possible. “When did this happen? I…I really need to get off the island.” She turned away from Aka and entered the room again, this time going straight to the window. Her heart sank at the sight. Her window overlooked the large garden she wandered through yesterday on her way to see the horses. The tall palm trees were bent out of shape by a strong gush of wind. She shook her head. How could she have missed the weather changing like this? It was not as if the house was… No, maybe it was. She turned back to Aka. The woman looked incredibly sad as she looked at Aeron.