Carved in Stone

by Stein Willard

  “I can’t believe I didn’t hear the wind.”

  Aka shrugged. “The house is soundproof. This part of the house belongs to the Sultana’s private wing. She likes silence.” Aka came closer. “I’m sorry about this. If there is anything we can do to help, you only have to ask. We have people in Ankara who can assist at a moment’s notice.” The dark eyes pleaded with Aeron. “Please allow me to make you breakfast. Anything you like.”

  Aeron studied the woman for a moment. Aka looked truly distraught. She knew, Aeron realized. It seemed she hadn’t stood a chance at all. She was set up by the impeccably mannered Sadik, his sweet, affable mother and the distractingly gorgeous 3 000-year-old Sultana. Her shoulders dropped. She was smart enough to know when to give in. She could do with something to eat, especially now that she knew that she had to fight her way out of this conspiracy. Come whatever, but she will find a way off the island by tomorrow, the latest.

  “I’d like that. Thank you.” She dumped the bag on the bed.

  Aka smiled warmly as she led Aeron down the hallway. “We are in for quite a treat at lunch. The chef was preparing a spread for his twins’ birthday party, but now none of the guests can make it in this weather.” She winked at Aeron. “I would suggest to keep some room for lunch.”

  The woman’s charm was impossible to resist and Aeron gave a small grin in return.

  ***

  Aspen looked at her hand in dismay. For the past hour she has been trying to force a change, but it seems to be in vain. It could mean only one thing.

  Aeron was still here.

  She finally gave up her efforts and left the podium to stretch out on the couch. When Aeron had left the Vault around dawn, Aspen was expecting the stubborn woman to go straight to Sadik’s room to wake him so they could leave. It was after ten now. What did it mean? Was she going to re-live the anguish of their parting last night? She doubted she would be able to say goodbye again. Maybe she should make herself scarce.

  She reached for the half empty wine bottle and drank deep and long. She lowered the bottle, weighing its contents. She had a very long day ahead of her. Maybe later she could take a walk along the beach; the part of the beach where no one else ventured, but herself. Over the centuries the mysterious cove with its even more secretive caves had earned the reputation of a cursed place. Too many adventurers and fortune seekers had wandered into the caves never to be seen again. Aspen smirked.

  She liked it that way. She has made sure to spread the rumours of the murderous figure that wandered through the caves.

  Not only did the rumours assure her sole access to the caves, but the caves also served as a crypt where she stashed most of her treasures.

  Over the centuries, and with her fighting skills, she had offered her services to quite a few sovereigns and affluent individuals. Crates upon crates of gold and silver coins, jewels and priceless artefacts were hidden in the impenetrable steel-enforced caves.

  Except for Sadik and Aka, no-one else knew of the treasure. Once, hoping to impress an already very much enthralled Yegane, Sadik had ploughed through the collection of jewels to find the right ring to propose to his girlfriend. Aspen was all too happy for him to have found the woman of his dreams, and had spent every day for two weeks searching for the perfect jewel. In the end, he had settled for a slim gold band with a brilliant sapphire, a gift from a young French duchess as payment for avenging the murder of her older, but much loved, husband.

  Since then, the caves had never been visited again.

  She took a sip from the bottle. Maybe today was as good a time to visit her relics and drink herself into a stupor. She made her way down the beach, a lonely figure, leaving a wild zig-zag trail in her wake.

  ***

  Aeron sipped appreciatively from the rich coffee as she watched the rain lashing against the thick windows surrounding the patio.

  She sighed deeply. It was the perfect weather for her mood. But still, if only it had waited until she was off the island. She looked at her watch. It was past ten and with the weather effectively placing her under house arrest, she wondered how she was going to while away the hours. She looked up when she heard Sadik’s voice and saw him striding out onto the patio, his phone against his ear. He gave an apologetic smile as she walked over to the serving table to fix himself a coffee, at the same time spewing rapid Turkish into his phone. After two years in Turkey, Aeron had picked up a few words and she could make out that she wasn’t the only one irritated by the unexpected turn of the weather. Sadik hung up and sighed deeply before her turned to face her. He was impeccably dressed as always in a light beige suit that set off his dark handsome features.

  He threw his hands wide. “Can you believe the weather?”

  She shrugged. “Took me by surprise, too.”

  “My family was supposed to fly out today for a birthday party.” He took his coffee and joined her at the table. His dark eyes studied her briefly. “I would still like to apologize for wat happened last night.” He pursed his lips. “I had hoped to find a more… subtle… way of breaking the news to you.”

  “I seriously doubt it would’ve made a difference.” She took a sip of her coffee. “To be told that you are the long-deceased, reincarnated spouse of a 3000-year-old queen who turns to stone during the day…; that defies subtlety already!” She cocked her head at Sadik. “How did you think you were going to pull this off?”

  Sadik smiled sheepishly. “To be honest, I thought that the moment you two saw each other, you would just…you know…”

  “What? Fall into each other’s arms? Kiss like long lost lovers?” She shook her head slowly. “I’m sorry, but this is no fairy-tale.”

  “So I’ve noticed,” Sadik said softly and sipped his coffee.

  “Throughout the centuries my ancestors had only this one task to fulfil: Find Phage and break Aspen’s spell. It wasn’t easy, but they all believed that Phage was out there and that Aspen will be free of her marble tomb one day. When it was my turn to step into the shoes of all those men, I promised myself that I was going to be the one to return Aspen’s love.” He sighed. “I was young and idealistic, but I believed that I could do it. I was born into the era of the internet. Instead of riding from village to village and sail from continent to continent, I only had to click away and search the globe for any likenesses of Phage.”

  Reluctantly, Aeron allowed Sadik’s account draw her in. She had been wondering exactly how he fitted into all this. Who would’ve thought that he had inherited such an obscure duty? She estimated him to be in his mid to late forties, which meant that he had been quite young when the yoke was passed on to him.

  “For more than twenty years, nothing. I had the resources, everything, at my disposal and still, I couldn’t stop Aspen from crying every time she turned into a marble statue.”

  Aeron felt her throat swelling with emotion and swallowed hard. “Why…why are you telling me this?”

  Sadik shrugged. “Because I promised you the truth last night. And I always keep my word, Aeron.” He drained his coffee and sat back in his chair, his hands folded on the table before him. “She is not unconscious when she’s in her marble state; she’s entirely aware of what’s happening around her, but completely helpless. And that’s what hurts me the most; and it seems that is only one of many things that hurt her. You ask me how I was hoping to get away with this. I think I was not trying to get away with anything. I was only trying to get the two of you together and see what happens.”

  Aeron looked away from Sadik, turning her gaze instead to stormy sights on the other side of the window. “And?”

  “A lot happened,” Sadik said quickly, causing her to look at him. “Our first sign that you were indeed Phage was with your arrival. Aspen is usually entombed during the day, but she turned back to her human form the moment you entered the house.”

  Aeron didn’t want to hear that. There was no way that any of this could make sense.

  “And then you had the vision which revealed A
spen’s identity, without any of us telling you who she was.” Sadik smiled. “You are indeed Phage, or at the very least her reincarnation.” Aeron felt her heartbeat picking up, as a film of sweat formed on her upper lip. “You’re the warrior daughter of Queen Herponin, the Mighty Amazon.”

  Aeron had heard enough. She shot to her feet and glared down at Sadik. “This is enough. I want you to take me home tomorrow. I don’t care if the sky threatens to fall on us, but you will make sure that I get off this island tomorrow.”

  She stormed away, her sight blurred by tears.

  ***

  Sadik almost jumped out of his skin at the soft touch and looked up into the teary eyes of his mother. He sighed deeply.

  “I can’t get through to her, Mother.”

  “But you are trying. You have told her everything. She has seen everything.”

  “Then why can’t she just believe it then? What more is there to tell her? To show her?” He shook his head. “She’ll hurt Aspen if she continues to fight against her destiny.”

  Aka gently brushed over his hair. “You’ve found her; that alone is quite an achievement, my son. From here on, I think they will have to find their own way to each other.”

  “But what if they don’t, Mother? What will happen to Aspen?” A single tear rolled down his cheek and he swallowed hard to hold the others back which threatened to follow. “She doesn’t deserve this. Aspen doesn’t deserve all this pain.”

  Aka was silent as they stood there, their thoughts fearful and their hearts aching for a woman who meant so much to them.

  ***

  As soon as she was in her room, Aeron pulled her phone out of her jeans pocket. She sighed when she saw there was no network. Damn storm. She threw the phone on the bed, the action drawing her attention to the small scroll. She never read it, although she knew exactly what was written in there. She walked over to the bed and picked up the scroll. It was stored in an elaborately decorated copper cylinder. Aeron wondered if it was even safe to open it. She looked around her. The room, luxurious as it was, was not climate controlled like the Vault. She quickly quashed the urge to open the scroll. It was too valuable to risk destruction. She’ll give it to Sadik later to return to the Vault. Swinging her feet onto the bed, she stretched out and closed her eyes.

  She needed to talk to somebody about this, or it would drive her mad. With no cell phone network available, she couldn’t call Harry. He would not know what to say to her, but that would also be okay. He was Harry. Comfortable and familiar. She exhaled loudly. What was she going to do with herself for the rest of the day? Last she checked, she wasn’t a prisoner of the Sultana. Maybe she could explore the house a bit. A house this big must surely have some kind of a library. Her mood let up a little at the prospect of a good book. Given that she could concentrate. She made for the door and was just about to pull it open when a knock sounded. Startled, she clutched her throat before slowly opening the door.

  Sadik stood on the other side of the door. He looked contrite as he held a small rectangular box out to her. “I wanted to apologize for upsetting you. It wasn’t intentional, Aeron.” Aeron heard what he was saying, but her eyes were fixed on the box he was holding out to her. Noticing what held her attention, Sadik lifted the box. “This is a birthday gift from the Sultana. She wanted me to give it to you today.”

  “It’s not at all necessary, Sadik. Please thank her for me, but I can’t take it.” If she wanted to make a clean break from this place, she couldn’t take any mementos with her. She remembered the scroll and turned to get it. When she returned to the door, Sadik was still standing there, holding out the box. “You also need to give her this, please.”

  Sadik slowly shook his head. “Unfortunately I can’t, Aeron. In my culture, it’s considered the crudest of insults to refuse or return a gift. He reached for her hand and placed the box in her palm. “The only way to return it to her is if you yourself explained why you can’t accept it.” He gave her a brief, slightly relieved smile. “There is something else.”

  Aeron gave him a suspicious look. “Yes?”

  “I thought I would mention that we have an entertainment centre on the top floor. It gives you a spectacular view of the Bay, if you’d like. Or, …” He shrugged. “you could continue your exploration of the Vault and its contents.”

  She glared at Sadik. What the hell was he thinking? No way was she going to go down to the Vault again. Especially not after he has told her that Aspen would be awake. She didn’t want to see the other woman again. The items in her hands sudden felt heavy and she sighed. Maybe she might not get that wish after all. “Thank you, but I think I would like to try out the entertainment centre.”

  Sadik nodded. “As you wish. If you need me, you can find me in the study.” He turned to leave.

  “Sadik? I couldn’t help but notice that you used your cell phone earlier.”

  “Yes, the house is fitted with satellite phones. The one in your room should be able to get you connected even in this weather.”

  “Thank you.”

  Aeron locked the door behind her and went to sit on the bed. She looked at the box and shook her head. It looked expensive. She slowly lifted the lid and gasped.

  Nestled on a velvet cushion lay a gleaming golden coin. Aeron’s hand shook so hard, she had to place the box on her lap. She stared at the coin, her eyes growing wider. She looked closer. The bust, although in profile, was incredibly familiar, complete with the strong chin and slender nose. She closed the box with shaking hands.

  She needed to find Sadik.

  There was no way she could keep this.

  ***

  Aspen was making her way back to the Vault through the tunnel that she had ordered to be dug almost two centuries ago. The passage allowed her to move unseen between the caves and the Vault. She had hoped that spending some time among her treasures - especially her gunroom - would ease the ache of loneliness. Instead, she found herself thinking of Aeron being so close. For the first time in 3 000 years she was in the same time and space with Phage. She needed to make these moments count.

  She had just entered the Vault when the phone rang.

  “Yes?”

  “Doctor Whittaker would like a word.”

  “Sure.”

  When she hung up, she walked over to the adjacent bathroom where she washed her face and brushed her teeth. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and sighed.

  She was nervous.

  When she returned to the Vault, it was to find the tall figure of Aeron leaning over one of the display units. She took a moment to study her. Her eyes leisurely moved from the blonde hair down the strong back to the tight butt. What she would give to have one night with Aeron. It seemed everything else had failed or was about to fail. The only tactic, it seems, was to seduce the dear doctor. Aspen felt her insides warm at the thought. She had picked up a few tricks over the centuries. Tricks which would enslave Aeron to her touch. She had been the student of a very experienced courtesan of the Emperor’s Court when she first travelled through China. The woman had left Aspen speechless with her skill. She doubted Aeron would be able to resist. She moved closer, the urge to touch Aeron threatening to char her insides.

  Aeron gasped and almost fell over as she turned. Aspen saw her relaxed slightly when she found Aspen standing behind her. Aspen held her breath as she waited for Aeron’s reaction. They stared at each other for a moment. Aspen greedily took the time to drown in the golden gaze. Oh, Phage, please remember me. Aeron cleared her throat softly, jarring her back the present. She smiled.

  “Sadik said you wanted to talk to me? How can I help you?”

  Aeron held out the small rectangular box and the scroll. “I can’t take these. They’re too…” She took a shuddering breath. “I just can’t, okay?”

  Aspen took the gifts, curious about the contents of the box. She lifted the lid and fought the grin which pulled at the corners of her lips. Sadik, you darling! Why hadn’t she thought about it herself?
Seems she had taught Sadik well. She calmly closed the box and looked up at Aeron. The blonde was frowning at the gift.

  “You do realize that our culture frowns on the return of a gift, Aeron? Are you willing to saddle yourself with all the bad luck such a breach of customs could bring about?” She watched Aeron closely, noticing guilt flash across her eyes. She hated manipulating the woman she loved, but if it could keep Aeron from forgetting her completely, she would. As long as she manages to find a way to remain in the blonde’s memories, there was still a chance for her to charm her way into the other woman’s heart. All’s fair in love and war, after all. The coin was an excellent way of doing just that. The coins were minted to commemorate their first year of rule. Not only could the coin serve to dismiss any doubts that Phage had existed, it also validated Aeron’s claim that she co-ruled with Aspen. Aeron will not be able to part with the coin. She held the box out to Aeron. “It’s more than just a gift. See for yourself.”

  Aeron shook her head. “A coin that depicts what I assume is Phage’s bust.”

  “Did you turn the coin around?” Aspen opened the box. “Let me show you?” She took the coin and turned it over. She held the coin up. Aeron stepped closer cautiously. Aspen smirked. Who would’ve thought that Phage would be the one to be so cautious to enter her personal space? Phage had been the predator. She watched Aeron’s face as the other woman studied the coin. She was gorgeous. Even more so after all these years. Aeron was at least five years older than Phage was at the time of her accident, but the woman was a very distracting example of how well Phage would’ve aged. The burning sensation in her stomach intensified. She quickly blinked to hide the lust she knew was brimming in her eyes when Aeron took a step back.

  “This is what you came here for. I can’t let you leave without it.” Aspen placed the coin back in the box. “It is a gift with no strings attached.” She hoped the lie wasn’t flashing all over her face. Still, Aeron hesitated. Seducing Aeron seemed like a more likely choice, the longer the blonde stared at the box.