Aspen’s eyes narrowed at hearing that. “How am I to trust the words of one such as you again? You are all fickle and spiteful.” The last time she had spoken out against a goddess she had been cast in a marble tomb and her beloved had been stolen from the world of the living. Hathor, the goddess of happiness and love and women, had a dark side and Aspen was living proof of that. But even then, her anger at the gods could not be assuaged. Nor could her trust in them be restored.
The goddess stepped forward, the glow of the wall light illuminating her perfect features. “You have persevered and through that have garnered the respect of many of my brothers and sisters.” She smiled faintly. “I admire you. For one who has not lived more than twenty summers, you have shown amazing resilience. Your love for your warrior queen is celebrated in the realm of the gods. Many strive to have that kind of adoration bestowed on them.”
Aspen glanced at the bed, her heart melting at the sight of her sleeping lover. “I have simply amplified that which was given to me in the first place. She loves me unreservedly.”
“I know.” Hathor sounded almost sad. “That’s what brought me here. I have come to tell you that you are released from the curse.”
Aspen shrugged. Even with the curse, Aeron’s presence had made her live more freely than she ever had in the past millennia. The gods shouldn’t think that they were doing her a favour.
“You seem unaffected by all this, Great Queen.”
“There is nothing to say to that.”
Hathor laughed softly, the melodious sound filling the room. “Defiant to the end. We could use someone like you amongst us. Someone who abhorred us, as we abhor the fact that we hold no consequence in the modern world. Mankind has created their own lifeless gods and they love and obey them better than they ever did us.” She lifted her cape over her head. “If you ever need anything, you can call out to me. I believe we owe you at least that much. Good bye, noble warrior queen.”
***
Aeron sighed and slowly blinked her eyes open. She looked around, her eyes wide as she tried to recall where she was. Clutching the sheet to her chest, she moaned softly as immediately she felt the soreness between her legs. It brought the previous night’s activities to mind and she smiled.
Aspen.
She fell back against the pillows, her body throbbing again with need as she recalled Aspen’s touch. She had never though it could be like this. Not with a woman. Not with anyone. She grinned. Aspen would make it difficult to leave their bed. Of that she was sure.
“Good morning, my heart.”
Her eyes jerked open to find Aspen standing next to the bed. She was dressed in white t-shirt and jeans. Aeron blinked at her lover. She looked exquisite and incredibly young. She slowly sat up. Aspen blushed at her close regard and looked away.
“Good morning,” she murmured, her throat still swollen from the previous night. It was impossible that this shy woman was the one that had made her gasp and scream last night until she couldn’t push another sound through her swollen throat. “You look so beautiful.”
Aspen turned to look at her, her eyes growing wider with relief. “Thank you. How do you feel?” She gently stroked Aeron’s bicep, the action causing a hot streak to shoot down Aeron’s arm.
“I’m good. Better than good.” She leaned closer to Aspen and kissed her. For a moment after the kiss ended, they stayed with their lips pressed together, breathing deeply. “I wanted to wake up with you.”
Aspen smiled. “I’m sorry you had to wake up alone, but that can be remedied.” She pulled the t-shirt over her head and unhooked her jeans. In a few seconds, she was back under the covers. They smiled at each other. “I was on the patio to see the sunrise.”
Aeron nodded. “There is so much you need to see and experience.” She gently kissed Aspen. “I can’t wait to show you everything.” Aspen’s thigh slid between her legs. “But there are some things that simply can’t wait.”
An hour later, they were dressing again, the process hampered by their need to kiss and touch each other. Aspen led Aeron down the hallway to kitchen. Upon entering the kitchen, Aeron blinked when she found five pairs of eyes looking at her. She swallowed hard and felt Aspen’s grip tightening on her hand.
“Good morning, everyone. Let me introduce the love of my life: Aeron.”
Aeron’s heart warmed at the announcement and she sought out Sadik and Aka. They smiled so widely she feared their faces would tear. Both mother and son hugged her long and hard as they welcomed her to the family. A tall gorgeous brunette approached Aeron next.
“Welcome to the family, Aeron. I’m Yegane, Sadik’s wife. Those two are our children Potlemis and Mina.”
Aeron felt Phage slowly shimmering to the surface as she made her way over to the boy. She placed her hand on the boy’s shoulder and he in turn studied her with his dark, serious eyes.
“Potlemis. A very strong name, young man. I was acquainted with your namesake.” She smiled warmly. “He was a great friend and a great protector. You are lucky.”
The boy beamed at the praise. “Thank you, madam.”
Aeron squeezed his shoulder and walked over to where Aspen held a chair for her. They were going to have breakfast and then she was going to introduce Aspen to Harry. She blushed when Aspen kissed her on the cheek and the others at the table chuckled. When they were back in the Vault, she pulled Aspen into a tight embrace.
“I’m looking forward to falling in love with you again.”
Aspen blinked back tears as she looked at her. “I love you.”
EPILOGUE
Two years later…
Aeron emptied her champagne glass and turned away from where she stood at the bar. Her eyes roamed the room, looking for her wife. She found her standing near a statue of Phage, talking to her father. Since her father had found out who Aspen was, it had been impossible to keep him away from her spouse. She smiled when she saw her mother join them. Jennifer was completely enamoured with her new daughter-in-law. Aspen had brought Anastacio over to the States once to assist with the catering at a country club event. He was a hit and so was her mom, who was re-elected for a third term as the club’s President. Aeron sighed. Everyone was happy.
I would be happy, too, if you ordered a whiskey.
Aeron smiled. Phage was nothing if not persistent.
She ordered the whiskey and when she took a small sip, she swore she could hear Phage sigh in pleasure.
We did have whiskey in my time, but I swear I would’ve invaded and conquered any country which produced this delightful nectar.
Keeping the glass against her lips, Aeron spoke softly. “Well, wait until you overindulge and we’ll talk again.”
Phage snorted.
You are too proper to do something so exciting.
Aeron heard the taunt and, like every time in the past two years that Phage had dared her, she felt her blood thicken with excitement. Phage might not always be considered a role model; for that, the ancient was too impulsive at times, but she made Aeron feel alive. Under the influence of Phage’s need for exploration and adventure, Aeron had exhibited more than her fair share of ‘un’-Aeron-like behaviour. She downed her drink and was just about to order another, when soft, husky laughter reached her ears. She turned slowly, her eyes zeroing in on the owner of the laugh. She had heard it before, so many times, in their penthouse in Ankara, at the villa on Lesbos and in their bed. And every time, it made her knees weak with desire.
Aspen’s head was thrown back as she laughed at something Aeron’s father had said. Her gleaming, sable locks cascaded down her naked shoulders. The same shoulders Phage had kissed ardently in the car on their way over here.
At that moment Aspen turned to look at her and Aeron felt her breath catch in her throat. Aspen’s eyes, alight with amusement, caught and held hers. But it was the presence of those irresistible dimples, which called to her and spurred Aeron into movement. She had taken a few steps in Aspen’s direction when Phage spoke.
What do you think you’re doing? You can’t go near her in that state. You’ll embarrass us both.
Phage’s hissed warning brought her up short. Phage was right. What was she thinking? She couldn’t and shouldn’t be around Aspen, especially in public, when she was burning for her like she was now. She needed fresh air. She glanced at the large glass doors leading out to the balcony. She took deep draughts of the rain-soaked air as soon as she stepped outside. A quick glance showed that she was alone and she loosened another button on her shirt.
“It’s your fault. You and your supercharged libido,” she snapped at Phage. She wished she had remembered to bring a drink with her, but there was no way she was going back in there until she had cooled down sufficiently.
Very true about my libido. But, I wasn’t the one ogling her earlier.
Aeron sighed in frustration. It’s been happening more and more now. And she didn’t need to seek professional help to know that Phage was literally rubbing off on her. She remembered the first time she had brazenly rolled Aspen onto her stomach so she could take her from behind. She had been just as shocked as Aspen. In the background, she could hear Phage applaud loudly.
A soft hand landed on her lower back and she moaned softly. She didn’t need to see who it was. She would know that touch anywhere. A familiar spicy scent hit her nostrils when Aspen moved to come and stand next to her. As always, she searched Aeron’s eyes to determine which of the two of them, Aeron or Phage, she was dealing with.
“Hello, my angel.” Aeron melted at the endearment that Aspen reserved only for her. She moved closer to her wife and Aspen cupped her cheek. “I saw you come out here. Are you okay?”
“I only needed some fresh air.”
“Liar,” Aspen whispered and slid between the railing and Aeron’s body. “I saw the look on your face.” She gently brushed her lips along Aeron’s jawline. “I know what you were thinking…what you wanted to do to me…” The soft lips slid over Aeron’s. With a sigh of relief, Aeron’s mouth fell open, allowing Aspen entrance.
The clearing of a throat behind them made them break the kiss. Turning, they found a blushing Caroline standing there.
“I apologize for my intrusion, but Harry wanted the two of us to join him for a photo op.”
Aeron groaned inwardly. As the new Head of Antiquities and Historical Artefacts at Empire Incorporated, one of Aspen’s many enterprises, she had set up and funded Harry’s exhibition here in the States. But at this very moment she would rather be necking with her wife than smiling for the cameras. Aspen made the choice for her. Using her thumb, she gently rubbed the lipstick stains from Aeron’s lips.
“Go. I’ll come find you in a little while.”
Reluctantly, she followed Caroline inside.
“Wow! That was really hot.” Caroline leered playfully at her. “She’s hot. I can’t believe you met her on your trip to the island. Maybe I should go visit you guys there. Who knows, I might hook a sexy multi-billionaire, too.”
She was happy that their friendship had survived her announcement that she was in love with someone else. Caroline had sulked for a few days, but after finding out that Aeron’s lover was a gorgeous multi-billionaire, she had thrown in the towel and bowed out to the better woman.
“Yeah, who knows,” Aeron said with a grin.
***
Aspen straightened her shoulders before she turned around and searched the shadows on the balcony.
“Still hiding in the shadows after all this time?”
A tall figure broke away from the shadows and came to join Aspen. “Good seeing you again, your Highness.”
“I’m glad to see you are doing well, Commander.” They greeted each other in the warrior’s way of clasping forearms. And just like it was yesterday, they were transported back through centuries of time. Over the millennia their paths have crossed more than a few times and they had grown closer when they realized that they were facing the same predicament. A lost love, a curse and a long, lonely future. It was with great relief and not a little envy that Aspen had reacted to the news of Maxima’s redemption. They looked at each other with warm affection.
“It’s almost impossible to think that it is finally over. That we can live and love again… freely,” Maxima said softly. “We’ve persevered.”
Aspen nodded. Yes, they’ve persevered. She hated to think how much longer she could’ve held on. Towards the end it was becoming almost unbearable. No one else knew that better than the woman standing next to her.
They stood in silence, looking out over the see of lights. It was Maxima who broke the silence.
“There are so many lights. It’s almost as if these modern people are scared of the dark.” She glanced at Aspen. “They’ll never know the true comfort the shadows can offer.”
Aspen smiled as she took in the well-lit panoramic view before her. It made her feel a bit exposed at times, but it also proved that she was finally alive. No more existing in the dark, for her. She inhaled deeply. “For now, I would be more than happy to leave behind the shadows. There is so much waiting for me in the light.”
“I fully agree. My daughter loves to have a light on at night.” She chuckled. “Don’t tell my wife, but I love it that way, too. I still struggle to sleep through the night and watching them both sleep has become a favourite pastime.”
A small smile played over Aspen’s lips. It’s strange that neither Aeron nor Phage had noticed the subtle changes to her body. She had finally relented and had taken Hathor up on her offer.
“You should tell me more about your daughter one day.”
Maxima’s eyes roved over Aspen’s body. “As long as you tell me about yours, too, old friend.”
The sound of glass breaking made them both turn. Aeron stood there, her eyes wide in shock.
“I think that’s my cue to leave,” Maxima said quickly and made for the door. Aspen held out her hand to Aeron. Close-up, she realized that it was Phage staring back at her.
“Yes, my love, we will soon have our own little Amazonian warrior to care for.” She kissed the slacked lips tenderly.
She was lucky to have ‘both’ her partners to help her through this.
THE END
About the Author
Stein Willard
Stein started writing at the age of thirteen after feeling cheated by the ending of a novel she was reading. She took the novel and rewrote it from the ending back to the front, adding 200 more pages to it. Up until then she’s only written in her native language, Afrikaans, a derivation of the Dutch language.
In 2007 she decided to experiment by writing a few short stories in English. By accident, she came across platforms on the internet to publish her work and was encouraged by a friend to try and post some of her stories.
She has worked in the media industry for over twenty years as a journalist, TV producer, PR consultant and a media lecturer.
Stein resides in Windhoek.
Connect with Stein online:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stein.willard
OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR
The Guardian Series
Book 1:A Guardian’s Touch
Book 2:A Guardian’s Love
Book 3:A Guardian’s Passion
Book 4:A Guardian’s Salvation
Book 5:A Guardian’s Eternity
The Stone Warrior Series
Book 1: To Be Unbroken
Other
Afterglow
Phantom of the Heart
Spoils of War
Table of Contents
Carved in Stone
Stein Willard
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER
11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
EPILOGUE
About the Author
OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR
The Stone Warrior Series
Carved in Stone Page 22
