by Maggie Ryan
The door opened, revealing my beautiful princess safe in her tower. Just how I liked her. How I wished I could keep her from harm’s way. Cassandra was seated on cushions in the window, her floral skirts gathered around her legs, her delicate ankles and soft pink ballet slippers peering out from under the lace petticoat.
“It’s snowing,” she murmured quietly, admiring the tiny white flakes as they danced on the wind before fluttering to the ground.
“So it is,” I said, taking a seat beside my bride and watching the snow. “How are you dealing with all—” not sure how to put what had occurred in the past two days into words, I waved my hand and said, “—this?”
Her face turned to me, her cheeks flushed. “Oh, you mean, my husband is a werewolf and chose not to tell me before the wedding. Or could you be asking if I’m okay with the fact that I’ve been forced to leave my home and live in a castle, and learning I’m also responsible for putting my friends in imminent danger? Is that what you mean by”—she copied my gesture, her hand waving frantically in the air—“this?”
Even in a situation so outside the norm, so serious, she had me chuckling. “First, it’s wolf—not werewolf.” Tucking a stray lock of her beautiful hair behind her ear, I added, “It is only a momentary transformation and one you never need fear. As much as I love you, I would never have allowed you to marry me if I’d believed there was even the slightest chance you’d be in danger.” My wife’s eyes had softened and yet the moment I stopped speaking, she shook her head.
“I’ve never feared you… not even when you were punishing me. Yet, you… Baal, Draco, all of you have stated that I am in danger.” Once again she lifted her hands to indicate the room. “And here we are… preparing to fight evil. No more secrets, Deo. No more keeping me in the dark. What is going on?”
“For you to understand, I must start at the beginning,” I said.
“I’m listening,” she said, her eyes locking on mine.
Taking a deep breath, I began to tell our story. “Centuries ago in ancient Greece, Donte Ambrosia entered a business partnership with another merchant. Over time, Donte began to become leery of the man’s character. He could not quite put his finger on it but something made his skin crawl in the man’s presence. Finally, he could take no more and ended their partnership. Thus breaking the verbal agreement they had come to.
“Donte’s instincts had been correct. The man was an evil lord—a wizard—of the dark arts. The wizard was filled with rage at the breaking of the partnership, of Donte violating his word. He placed a curse on every Ambrosia male in our line, and every male yet to come from our loins. If any member of our family should even threaten to break a vow they had made, demons would be released to attack and destroy the family.
“Donte did everything in his power to protect the Ambrosias. Researching magic, documenting his findings. Searching the globe for those who could help him. A decade later his searches led him to Rome. To a woman who could place an enchantment on the curse. The wizard’s power was too great for her to break, but she could ‘soften the blow’, giving Ambrosias powers of their own to fight back should the need arise.
“But it was not without a great cost. Donte would have to lose his life in order for her to have the strength she needed to complete the task. With his sons surrounding him, he gave the ultimate sacrifice. She performed her magic and from a great cauldron produced the talismans that allow us to fight the evil of the curse.
“Through the generations, the talismans took on various forms until they became the buckles we wear on our belts today. On our thirteenth birthday, every Ambrosia male learns of the curse and is able to see the spiritual realm at that time. It is as if a veil is lifted—what once was ordinary life now becomes a constant battle of good versus evil to our eyes. We can see the dark spirits. Each male is presented a belt to hold their talisman and begins their training in the ways of transformation. We are taught to master certain powers we are given at that time.”
“And your power is turning into a wolf?”
I nodded, marveling at how easily she seemed to be accepting a tale that would have most people screaming charlatan. “I have other powers. I am faster, stronger than a human. I don’t need as much sleep. I live in a state of heightened senses. I can see the dark spirits all the time. And, yes, those who carry Ambrosia blood in their veins have abilities and… can shift. I can transform to a wolf. We were also given other weapons that day.”
Her eyes widened and while she didn’t show fear, a small furrow appeared on her brow. “But not the same abilities, right? I mean, what about Draco? What did you mean when you said, ‘Let us hope we will not need his powers’?”
It was my turn to look out the window, though it wasn’t snow falling that I saw. Instead, I saw a vision that had the ability to make me—the leader of this pack—have to pause. How did I explain something that was so remarkable, so outside the realm of reality? ‘No more secrets’ she’d said. ‘The more she knows, the safer she is,’ Draco had said.
“Draco is stronger than the rest of us. He transforms to a wolf, and then, if needed, can turn to something much deadlier.” I prayed things would not go that far—that we would be able to defeat the spirits ourselves. Turning my eyes back to her, I continued. “We don’t only rely on transformation. Like I said earlier, we have other weapons as well—blades, crystals, those sort of things.”
I’d mentioned the weapons to give her a bit of comfort and yet she seemed to brush that magic aside. I could practically see the gears turning in her head.
“Surely there has to be some other way. I mean, you and your family are expected to fight for all eternity? That hardly seems fair. Is there no other way?” she asked.
I sighed, wishing it was as easy as negotiating for some sort of plea bargain. “Not that we’ve found. We still hold our ancient text; the same text my family have studied for generations. Recording our fight with evil. Documenting any broken vows, direct attacks. Battles that have come as a result. Theories on how to break the curse. Studying the documents, it seemed as if there was an Ambrosia in the mid-seventeenth century who had come close, but three pages from the document are missing. Without those pages, all we can do is continue to train, to fight, to continue our research.”
Green eyes studied me, her expressions changing as she thought about my words. With a voice so soft it was a whisper, she said, “The curse is back, isn’t it?”
I paused, taking a moment to consider all the time spent in searching for an answer, all the battles fought. My tone was soft as I considered that even in the years of relative peace, we could never let down our guards as darkness still existed in the world. And now… well, it was obvious that darkness was coming for us. I wished I could draw my arms around my wife, like a cloak of protection, of ignorance, and yet I knew that would serve only as a temporary peace. Instead, I told her the truth. “The evil has followed us through time and around the world but it’s been many years since they’ve attacked us directly such as they are planning now.”
When I finished, she said, “What made it come?”
The memory of the church doors opening, Cassandra waltzing through, dressed in white, bloomed vividly in my mind. Hair the color of the sunrise had tumbled over her shoulders, covered by a gauzy veil. Her face had been luminous, her smile bright, her eyes focused on me and me alone as I’d slid the ring onto her finger. It was as if we were the only two people in the world as she slid a matching ring onto my finger. Hand in hand, we’d whispered our vows to one another. Vows I never once thought were in danger of being broken.
There was no longer time to hide the truth. I dreaded the guilt my young wife would bear. But it must be done. I ran my hand over Cassandra’s soft hair. “You, babygirl.”
Her wide eyes turned up to me. “Me,” she whispered, astonished.
“You became an Ambrosia the moment we wed… became part of our line, our pack. And with my name, came responsibility…” Moving my palm to caress her chee
k, I told her the truth. “We are always aware, always alert, but… when an Ambrosia fails to honor their word, the dark spirits are unleashed upon us, and we must defend ourselves. And though you didn’t truly break a vow… the most sacred of vows, it… it was enough.” Taking my hand from her, I looked away as my voice broke. I didn’t want Cassandra to see the emotion in my face. Her pain would be great enough as it was.
A moment later, I could hear the sudden understanding in her voice. “When I said I was leaving? But I-I didn’t really mean it. It was a mistake,” Cassandra whispered.
“Mistakes are made. Some are small, like dropping a pebble into a pond and watching as the ripples multiply, slowly reaching out, eventually reaching the shore. Other mistakes are like a grenade. Exploding in an instant, destroying everything in its radius.” I turned back to her, my voice soft as I continued. “We speak of power, gifts we are given, and yet I believe words hold even greater power. When you said you were leaving… that our vows were nothing more than random words on paper, that did more than break my heart… it set things in motion.”
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry, Deo. I was just angry… stupid.”
“Come,” I said, standing and holding my hands out toward her. Quickly, she left her seat, throwing herself into my arms. Holding her tightly, I carried her to the bed. Lifting her up, I settled her in amongst the many pillows that she was so fond of. I lay down beside her, patting my chest. Cassandra rested her head over my heart, curling her body around me.
“Please forgive me, Deo, for everything.”
Giving her a hug, I said, “I already have. Now I ask for your forgiveness.”
Her look showed her confusion. “For what? You’ve done nothing but try to keep me safe.”
“No,” I said, shaking my head and finally accepting my part of the blame. “I wasn’t there when you needed me the most. I knew you weren’t truly happy and I should have asked you what had you needed… but didn’t want to discover that I wasn’t fulfilling you, that you weren’t content in our marriage. Instead, I worked longer hours, trained harder, telling myself I was just busy protecting my family, our way of life, when what I was really doing was closing myself off to you. Your silence and my hurt pushed us further apart. If I had talked to you instead, I would have discovered what you desired, and perhaps you’d not have gotten to the point where you wanted to leave.”
She gave a soft whimper and tears pooled in her eyes. “That phone call… the one in the restaurant, was that when you learned this… this curse was back?”
“Yes, though I actually felt a change the moment the threat to leave passed your lips and Draco confirmed it after you left for work the next morning.”
“Alekos? How did he know?”
“Protector of mankind,” I reminded her. “He’s been watching you for months, making sure you are safe. He called to tell me we needed to prepare, that the attack was coming.”
Cassandra closed the space between us, burrowing into my side. “I… I felt it too. The room went dark… I thought I saw eyes, a shadow. I felt a presence that day… it wasn’t real but… in a way it was.”
My arms wrapped around her tightly, my mind wishing I could keep her here, right here, forever. I took in her scent, tucking her head beneath my chin. “Yes, a manifestation of evil that I’d hoped you’d never see,” I said, my voice tight with emotion.
“I’m so sorry, Deo,” she said, her voice tiny. “I should have talked to you a long time ago. You couldn’t read my mind… couldn’t know what I couldn’t admit to myself.”
“It’s over. Mistakes were made, we have forgiven one another; we are moving on.” I could feel her head nodding underneath mine. “Now you know… no more secrets between us.” When she squirmed, her eyes clearing showing she was holding back, I arched my brow. “What is it?”
“No, it’s silly.”
“Go ahead, ask.”
“You don’t work for the mob, do you? I mean, are you really even in finance?” Her eyes were intense, trying to read the expression on my face.
That question was one I’d never expected. “No, I most definitely do not work for the mob. Why would you even think that?”
She shrugged, her concerned expression turning to one of amusement. “Well, you can hardly blame a girl. You’re large, very wealthy, incredibly sexy and… bossy.”
I chuckled. “Well, I assure you every endeavor the Ambrosias are involved in are above board and legal. And yes, I do work in finance. I manage my family’s infinite wealth that we have accrued over the years. And you are my family’s lawyer.” As I often did because it gave me comfort, I tucked a stray hair behind her ear before adding, “And you are quite good, I must say. The rest of my time is spent monitoring.”
“Monitoring dark spirits,” she said.
“Yes, but again, I’m not alone in that either.” Wanting to ease the heaviness in the room, I teased, “It seems you’re not alone either. First Cynthia, and then your champion appears, branch in hand.”
Cassandra groaned, placing her palm on her forehead. “I still can’t believe he followed me.”
I pictured Andrew fearlessly brandishing his stick, up against five large Greek men. “He is a brave boy, I will give him that.” I chuckled.
“Deo, he is not a boy. He is two years older than me,” she said, giving me a fleeting smile.
My anger toward him had cooled, but I couldn’t help but say, “Though he is a good friend to come for you, as far as I’m concerned, he will always be a pup.”
Sitting up, putting her head in her hands, Cassandra moaned, “But now we have Cy and Andrew here, and I don’t even know what is coming or how to prepare.”
“Shh.” I laid down, guiding Cassandra back to my side, resting her head upon my chest. “Baal and Alekos will care for them, and train you. All will be well.”
She curled up, snuggling down, wiping her eyes on the fabric of my shirt, like a child would. “Why do you hate Draco?” she asked, after only a few peaceful moments of silence. My wife could lay her body still, but her brain would never rest.
Flicking a lock of her hair, I twirled it around my finger. “I don’t hate him. I respect him, and I love him as a brother. A brother whom I envy,” I sighed.
“Envy, how?” Cassandra asked.
“I am your husband, protector in this world, but in the spiritual realm, I cannot be. That is Draco’s job. And I must trust him. It is difficult to watch another man protecting your wife’s life.”
“I can understand that, but why do I sense there is more that you aren’t sharing?”
I sighed. Cassandra was a woman who had to ‘read’ people to do her job well. Why I’d think she’d not see through me, I didn’t know. “We do not always see eye to eye on your care. And then there is the matter of Cynthia. He understood that you needed her here when I didn’t.” Not impressed with most of the pompous lawyers at Cassandra’s firm, I respected Cynthia. Cynthia—damn Draco for knowing my wife better than myself at times.
“Draco said I would work better with her here,” Cassandra answered softly.
“Perhaps, but are you safer with her here? That is my main concern. Your safety.” I reached my free hand around her, swatting her bottom. She gave a little jump as the sharp slap hit her skin. “Safety comes with obedience.”
Placing her hand on my chest, she pushed herself up, looking at me from under her dark lashes. “Are you going to punish me now?” she asked shyly.
Tugging on the strand of her hair wound around my finger, I shook my head. “No. You are not the only one to blame for our marriage going south. As the head of our family, it was my responsibility to make sure all was well. We’ve both made mistakes, both accepted the fact that what our marriage needs is for me to lead and you to follow.” I turned my body over, pressing her into the soft feather bed. I slowly reached down, brushing my lips against my wife’s. “So, no, I am not going to punish you. I am going to love you. What we need now is to connect, physically, with no mor
e secrets between us,” I whispered in her ear. Cassandra gave a contented sigh as I pressed my mouth against hers.
I had made love to my wife many, many times over the past year. Tenderly, loving, gentle. Almost as if I was afraid to hurt her. I had taken her more forcefully the last few times as part of her penance.
Tonight would be a combination of the two, the way I realized she had spent too long longing for. The way she needed me to. With devotion and dominance.
Chapter Ten
Deo
In the courtyard of the basilica, practice had commenced. Immense gray stone walls surrounded us, providing a false sense of security to those inside. The winter grasses were brown and short. Flakes of snow swirled in the air, melting as they touched our skin, the ground. The scene was peaceful. One you could imagine in a child’s treasured snow globe. We were safe. For now.
There were several maple trees, their branches bare, standing in the center of the courtyard. Baal and Cassandra were engaged in knife play, while Draco, ever present, looked on. Cassandra was dressed head to toe in black. Out of time and forgetting she would need flexible clothing for her training, I hadn’t purchased any. When Baal had fetched Cynthia, he had also gone by our house, quickly grabbing what he could find.
My wife, looking tall and lean and athletic, was currently throwing daggers into trees. Her dark hair swung over her shoulders as she threw the blade.
Baal flashed a wide grin at me. “Deo, your girl isn’t half bad,” he exclaimed, looking back to Cassandra as the knife hit the tree with a thunk.
I watched as the handle of the dagger dissolved into the bark of the tree, leaving only a gash in the trunk as evidence it had been there.
“I did it again!” Cassandra jumped in the air, clapping her hands, her hair flying. Her sparkling green eyes turned to me, smiling.
