Until the Stars Burn Cold

by Nicole Hurley-Moore

  “At first I think that I’m alone, but I’m not. Someone is following me. I hear a noise and turn around but the path is empty. I reach the pool and a man appears behind me. I can’t see his face because I am unable to turn around. He kisses my neck and I try to see what he looks like in the reflection of the pool but the water ripples and…” Mia trailed off.

  “And what?”

  “Nothing, that’s when I wake up.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yep,” Mia said. “Hey where are you going?”

  Abbey stood up from the table. “I’m going to get us two slices of Kylie’s chocolate cake. Because when there’s no sex going in reality or the dream world, the only thing a girl can do is commiserate herself with chocolate.

  “In that case, you had better bring the whole damn cake,” Mia said with a laugh.

  ~* * *~

  She was in the garden again, the same garden that she journeyed to every night. The full moon shone down and illuminated the flower edged paths. His arms embraced her and she laid her head against his chest. She could feel the heat from his body, she kissed the side of his neck. His skin smelled of cinnamon, cardamom and musk. It was intoxicating and the scent beguiling her. His arms tightened and pulled her closer. The nightingale’s song filtered through the garden and mingled with the sound of the splashing fountain.

  “Come beloved.”

  Opening her eyes, Mia found herself alone in her bedroom. The scent of cinnamon still invaded her senses, and in that instant she knew that she had been willing to follow the stranger wherever he may lead.

  ~* * *~

  Over the next few days Mia was more than busy. She organized the advertisements of the upcoming auction to be placed in the newspapers, both local and the ones from Melbourne. She photographed several of the pieces and up loaded the images on the Templeton’s Antiques website along with information pertaining to the auction. Yet every night she dreamed of the beautiful garden. She found herself walking along the paved paths and through a delicate pavilion, knowing that she was not alone but unable to see the man who accompanied her. And during her waking hours she found herself drawn more and more to the unusual silver ring in the figure of a man. In fact she had separated it from the rest of the jewelery that was bound either for the auction or one of the many heavy glass display cabinets that were scattered about the store. It sat on her desk, constantly drawing her gaze.

  “Mia my dear, have you finished the auction program?”

  “Yes, I was going to drop it off at the printers after lunch.”

  “Excellent.” James said as leaned back in his chair and regarded her. “I just have a couple of changes to make. Nothing too dreadful.”

  “Oh?” Mia said as she arched her eyebrow. “What sort of changes?”

  “Well, I’d like to add that very nice Venetian glass vase, you know the green one with the little white flowers? It’s been sitting on the floor now for several months, gathering dust. Perhaps we can sell it at the auction? Add to that the little 1930’s oil of the cottage and the water color of the vase of poppies.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Yes, I think so.” James said as he spun his desk chair a little. “Except…”

  “Except?”

  “Except that I want you to take off the listing for Lot 78,” he replied, running his finger down his copy of the auction list.

  “Lot 78?” Mia said as she rustled through the stack of papers on her desk. “Lot 78 is… the unusual sterling silver ring in a shape of a man.”

  “That’s it, I want you to pull the listing. I want you to keep it.”

  “Oh, but really Granddad that’s not necessary.”

  “Yes it is. Mia I’ve watched you over the past few days and you can’t keep your eyes off the damn thing. Take it, it’s my present to you for all the hard work you do.”

  “You already brought me home a present.”

  “Well, this is another one,” James said quickly. “Go on love, you’re besotted with that ring and I will not be responsible for separating the two of you. We’re not selling it. It’s yours!”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really. Now give me a kiss and then take the auction program to the printers… the revised program that is.”

  Mia quickly rose, walked over to her grandfather and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, and you’re right, I truly can’t take my eyes off it.” She confessed as she slipped the ring on her middle finger. She admired the way it shone. As she held in the light she felt compelled to rotate the little silver man thrice around her slender finger; and for an instant she thought that the ring warmed and tingled, before disregarding the idea as total lunacy.

  “It looks as if it was made for you.” James smiled before he rubbed his hands together briskly. “Come on my girl, let’s get back to work.”

  ~* * *~

  Adwan, 782 AD

  Shuri sat in a small pavilion, the domed ceiling shading her from the afternoon sun. The floor was set with a geometric design of mosaics as were the spandrels above the columns, which depicted tree and plant motifs. Roses climbed up the thin and elegant stone pillars.

  “Alas Khanum, I have failed you,” an old man in a tattered brown robe said as he bowed before her.

  “You can do nothing?”

  The man shook his white head as he leaned on his staff. Slowly he straightened. “The magic is too strong, it is set as hard as a stone and just as impregnable.” Shuffling forward he dropped the silver ring into Shuri’s outstretched hand.

  Shuri ran her finger over the ring, before slipping it back on its chain. “Here take this coin for your trouble, and you have my thanks,” she said.

  Tugging on his long beard the man looked at Shuri for a moment. “I cannot help you, lady. But have you spoken with the mystic, Neffa?

  “Yes, he could not help me.”

  “What of Iccixi, or the sorceress Hikku or the wise man, Rittism who lives in the Cave of Sorrows?”

  “I have sought their wisdom and none have the answers I seek,” Shuri said as she shook her head.

  “But there still maybe one who can break the curse.”

  “Who?”

  “The witch, Alima. She is very old. Some say ancient. Whispers say that she was born of magic and is well versed in it. Powerful and dangerous, she may be able to release your love.”

  Pushing herself up from the blue silk cushions Mia asked, “Where is she?”

  “I do not know, she moves about the land like a leaf on the wind,” he said as he bowed again before turning and hobbling away.

  Sighing, Shuri looked at the ring… looked at Jinn. She brought the ring to her lips and kissed it before looping the chain over her neck. Six years had passed since they had been together and still she was unable to find a way of breaking Kansbar’s curse. Her heart had never stopped loving Jinn or wanting him. Leaning against one of the columns, she plucked a red rose from the climbing vine. Its scent was sweet and strong. The sound of children’s laughter caught her attention. She stepped down from the pavilion and hurried along the path, which opened up into a cool courtyard with a large tiled pool in the center.

  “Mother! Mother, look what I have taught him!”

  Shuri squatted down and waited for her little boy to run to her. She kissed him on top of his midnight hair. “Armaan, what have you taught the pup to do?”

  The boy wriggled out of her arms. “This Mother, watch!” Picking up a short stick, Armaan waved it in the air. “Come Karim, bring me the stick!”

  A small brindle pup barked as Armaan tossed the stick into the air, before scampering off to fetch it. That was when his pudgy little sister began to run after it.

  “No Astera, not you. Karim is supposed to fetch the stick!”

  Shuri bit back a laugh as she watched her four year old daughter run after the pup. “Have no fear my son, Karim is far more nimble than your sister. Look here he comes.”

  “Good boy,” Armaan said as he hugged the pu
ppy and took the stick from his mouth and threw it. “Again, get the stick Karim… oh, not you Astera!”

  She walked over to the pool and sat at its edge, trailing her fingers in the cool water. She was reminded of a conversation she had in this exact place many years ago.

  “What do you want from me, Farrokh?”

  “That we will be married tomorrow. You can no longer delay it, Shuri. Time is up.”

  “Why? I have said that I cannot love you.”

  “We must marry, I have struck a bargain with your Uncle, and I am bound by it.”

  Sitting down on the side of the pool, Shuri looked into Farrokh’s eyes. “I was not meant to marry you. I love Jinn and we were running away from Adwan, from my Uncle. We were not meant to be caught,” she said as her hand moved protectively to her stomach.

  Farrokh’s eyes widened as the full weight of her words washed over him.

  “I loved him, Farrokh and a token of that love is carried within me. See, you do not wish to marry me… you could not. Let me go, for you do not want me.”

  “You wish me to cast you out unprotected? No, we will marry and you and the child will be safe.”

  “I cannot ask that of you, Farrokh.”

  Reaching down Farrokh caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “You are not asking for anything Shuri. But I am willing to give you my friendship… will you give me yours?”

  Shuri nodded as she stared up into his face. “Yes, I cannot give you my heart but you can have my friendship.”

  The stick plopped into the pool near Shuri’s hand; drops of water splashed over her arm and shook her out of her memories. Glancing over her shoulder she saw Karim and Astera running towards her. She picked up the stick and threw it, watching with a laugh as the puppy veered off to chase. Scooping her daughter up in her arms, she dropped a kiss on the little girl’s chubby cheek before walking across the courtyard to join her son.

  ~* * *~

  Mia smelt the tang of the sea air as she reached up and allowed her fingers to glide down the smooth plane of his handsome face. Looking up into his deep velvet brown eyes she saw raw desire reflected back. With agonizing slowness he lowered his head until his mouth touched her expectant lips. A wave of hot longing surged through her as she wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer. A satisfied rumble came from the back of his throat as his strong arms encircled her.

  She knew the she wanted him, that she wanted this. Breaking their kiss she haltingly whispered into his ear, “I want you. I need you to touch me.”

  Enticed and beguiled, her words broke all of his resolve in an instant. She felt his lips seek the soft flesh of her neck, kissing, lapping, sucking causing a thousand nerve ends to fire through her body. Her slender hands roved over his well muscled form, urging and beguiling him until with a contented sigh she arched against him as he filled her completely.

  Her breath quickened, mirroring the pace he meted out. She wrapped her legs about him, pulling and surrendering to the sensation that no matter what she did, she couldn’t get close enough. She felt the tension build as she met his every move, the fire consuming her. The soft, salty breeze that blew and wove about their entwined bodies brought little relief. Her release resounded through her quaking body as he arched above her; reassuring her and murmuring gentle words that cosseted her heart.

  He collapsed on her briefly and she reveled in his weight and his labored breath fanned against her neck. In one fluid movement he gathered her in his arms and took her with him as he rolled to one side. He sought her mouth and kissed her tenderly; with a contented sigh she let her head rest upon his shoulder. His body was warm, the breeze was now cool as it danced across their naked bodies and as she lay safely within his arms she felt a deep seated tiredness creep over her; slowly her eyes fluttered closed and she slept.

  ~* * *~

  Mia stirred as a loud rumble of thunder echoed over her house. She cracked open one eye ever so slightly. A flash of lightning illuminated her bedroom wall. She relaxed back into her soft mattress and closed her eyes. She was warm, comfortable and content, and as sleep threatened to reclaim her once more she wondered if it would be possible to reconnect with the delicious and vivid dream she had been having. Parts of it were beginning to disappear and she tried to hold onto the details.

  There had been a man, a beautiful man with wide shoulders and lovely brown eyes and he had been kissing her. Mia let herself begin to drift, she was floating, barely conscious of her surroundings as she snuggled deeper beneath her quilt. Yet there was a nagging in the back of her brain that something was amiss. The edgy feeling told her to wake up but her body rebelled and her breath began to deepen. She reasoned that it was nothing to be concerned about; the dream coupled with the oncoming storm had disturbed her and nothing more. That was until she felt a large hand hook around her waist and pull her closer to a warm mass that engulfed her back. Biting back a scream she pushed the hand away and flung herself off the bed. She turned, faced the bed and fear, shock and amazement blended together in a tight ball in her stomach as she saw that there was a man in her bed.

  A weak shaft of light pierced the darkness and she could see he was lying on his side stretched out on top of the quilt, with his arm flung across the bed. He was reaching for where Mia had been dreaming only a moment or two ago. It was then that she realized with a little relief that he was fully clothed. He wore long dark green trousers tucked into soft leather boots that ran halfway up his calf and a deep cream shirt under a leather jerkin.

  Mia stumbled across the corner of the room, grabbing the tall, metal floor lamp. She yanked at the cord and pulled the plug out of the socket. The cream silk shade fell off and rolled towards the door. Flicking on the bedroom light gave her a little comfort; at least now she could see exactly what she was up against. She edged towards the bed and looked down at her intruder.

  She saw the way the man’s chest softly rose and fell. His eyes were closed and his features were relaxed. Feeling a little braver, Mia took one tentative step back towards the bed and studied the stranger’s face. He was handsome, with high cheekbones and a square jaw. His golden brown complexion was offset by his long dark hair.

  Mia held the lamp in front of her like a staff. Taking a deep breath, she wished her heart would stop racing. She pushed the lamp forward and jabbed at the stranger’s shoulder.

  “Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my bed?”

  There was no response. Feeling a bit braver, Mia stepped forward and poked him harder.

  “I said, who the hell are you and what are you doing in my bloody bed?”

  The man stirred with a sigh.

  “Who are you!” Mia said as she prodded him again. Before his eyes were open, his hand moved and grabbed the end of the lamp. The movement had been swift and it had surprised her. She twisted the lamp and pulled out of his grasp.

  He opened his eyes and stared at Mia, and she saw a flare of panic and confusion reflected in them.

  “This is your last chance, mate. Tell me who you are or I’m calling the cops.”

  He pushed himself up on one elbow and scanned the room before his gaze fell back on Mia.

  “I do not know. I cannot remember.”

  “How is that even possible?”

  “I do not know.”

  “All right,” she answered with a frown marring her pretty face. “How did you get into my house and into my bed?” She waited for him to explain himself but all he managed was a shrug and a blank look. “Let me guess, you do not know.” She quipped with an exasperated sigh.

  “I apologize. I have angered you.”

  “Yes, well maybe not, but you did scare the hell out of me,” Mia answered, her brows drawing down. “Think hard, surely you can remember something?”

  Jinn closed his eyes tightly and tried to remember… anything, yet his mind remained as black as a starless night. “I am sorry I see only darkness without form.”

  Mia eyed him with caution. “You must
have had an accident or been involved in some sort of incident that has given you a shock and robbed you of your memory.” Then unable to stop herself she asked the question that had been gathering in her mind ever since she discovered him in her bed. “You’re not going to try and hurt me, are you?” She had meant for it to sound like a statement, full of daring and certainty yet her voice was not as forceful as she had hoped and as much as she hated to admit it her words hung thinly in the air, sounding hopeful and more than a little scared. Immediately she saw a flash of anger erupt in the stranger’s dark eyes.

  “No, I would not. I do not prey on women.”

  Mia watched his reaction and indignation; and in that instant she knew that he posed no threat. She answered levelly with a hint of bravado. “Mister, I know absolutely nothing about you. Except that, you materialized in my bed uninvited and look as if you have just stepped off the set of Aladdin. What the hell am I suppose to think?”

  He inclined his head and said in a quiet voice. “It is puzzling. I do not know how I came to be here. But I swear lady, I mean you no harm.”

  Mia’s eyes met his and held his gaze as if she was searching his eyes for the truth. “Very well, I believe you. That being said, you can’t stay here in my bed,” she watched as the stranger’s eyes warmed and a faint smile flickered over his lips.

  “If that is your wish,” he replied smoothly and Mia felt a blush bloom within her cheeks as his gaze slowly traveled up her body. Quickly she reached for her rosy kimono at the base of the bed and put it on, covering her pjs.

  “Of course that’s what I want,” she answered hotly, refusing to look at him. Somehow, she just knew that he was smiling. “Come downstairs and I’ll make you something to eat. And then I’ll find you something else to wear. You can’t go wandering around Ghost Gum Creek dressed like that. Once it’s light I’ll take you to Doctor Rowan and we’ll work out what to do next from there.”

  Swiftly he pushed himself off the bed, only to double over and cry out as cramps, spasms and pain shot through his body. Without thought or hesitation Mia ran forward and wrapped her arms about his waist in an attempt to support him.