A Kiss of Darkness (Gothos Series) (4 page)

After dinner she didn’t get her chance to talk to anyone as they were ceremonially ushered out and led to the sacred chamber where Talos would divine the secrets of the unknown. The guests went to another room to wait patiently to hear the news. The protectors of the stones were allowed to hear the proceeding with the king. Talos dressed in his dark robe, the hood pulled over his head walked to the middle of a sparse room that had a pedestal in the middle with a large bowl on it. The bowl itself was made of chiseled onyx with clear spring water from the falls of Dragus. Talos was standing behind the pedestal his eyes raised toward the high vaulted ceiling in a moment of meditation. The room was cold and damp causing Sera to inhale a slow breath, her
skin goose pebble under her dress. The whole room was still, all eyes on the Protector of the Stone of the Unseen. Breaking the tension Talos dipped his head and looked down into the unmoving water in the stone basin. Sera stood there still mulling over her engagement, unsure what to do with her hands at her side.

Talos’s breathing was barely audible, his eyes fixed on the water. Flames from the torches at each corner of the room were the only illumination allotted in the room. His grey eyes studied the unmoving water, allowing himself to go into a trance. The moments seemed to slow down as his heart started to pick up a beat.

“The Jackel King is on a throne of snakes biting at the night. The whispers of the Golden Prince flows through the air. The sword of blood will be pulled from the stone and turn the flowing tide of battle.” Talos’s voice was raspy when he spoke, his voice foreign and unrecognizable. “The land in the south will burn to ash and an old evil will be unleashed” he whispered, his body trembling from the strain.

King Damon who was listening felt like he had been punched in the stomach by the words from beyond. He hadn’t thought about his little brother since he had become king and cast the squealing little bastard and his mother. This prediction disturbed him more then he let on. What struck him as almost impossible that his brother had survived? Damon’s first order of business when sitting upon the crown was to send away that woman and his half-brother into the west land. The Sythians should have killed him, but from the words of the Protector of the Unseen had made him second guess himself. Damon’s father and his ancestors had taken part in this type of ritual since the beginning of time. The predictions hadn’t been wrong from what he knew in the land’s long history. A fiery knot was in the pit of his stomach as he stared at the seer feeing a tingle of determination and fanatical sense of purpose. He would find the sword of the vampires and slay his brother if he was alive. Anyone who challenges him will fall on to their knees and beg for forgiveness before meeting their bloody end. The thought of it amused him greatly. A smile almost betraying his true feelings, but he suppressed it and stood observing the young man who was five years or so his junior. Talos’s body trembled as he leaned over the bowl the
strain taking over causing him to collapse in Asura’s waiting arms. She was standing there knowing well what happens when her beloved when he is called upon to speak to the spirits. Sera watched them feeling jealous rising in her chest. Oh how she wished she could have a relationship they do, a connection so deep that it became intangible. Calus and Emrick hoisted the passed out Talos and helped him to his sleeping quarters with Asura trailing behind. Sera hadn’t noticed them until now being so focused on Talos and his cryptic words. Sera glanced at the bowl before leaving the antechamber. As she walked she tried to discern Talo’s words, but she felt a buzzing the back of her mind. Feeling slightly queasy and off balanced she walked to the large garden. Some of the flowers were in bloom, but most of them were ready to bloom in a day or two if the weather is favorable. She desperately needed to clear her head as she felt herself losing strength. Sitting down she felt the muscles in her legs starting to ease from their spasms. Sera couldn’t keep the words that came not from the predictions of Talos, but the ones declaring that she was betrothed without her knowledge or consent. Inhaling slowly she forced her mind to recall the breathing exercises of her youth.

“You always found peace in the garden, my sister” the soft voice of her sister commented lightly. Sera found it slightly unnerving when her twin moved without making a sound. “I need the calm to inspire my own mind to find tranquility. Asura, what can I do? I am going to be married to a man I did not ask to be betrothed to” her voice had rose in pitch as the fear started to rise in her body. Asura sat down on the stone bench and reached out, squeezing her sister’s hand. “It is rare that one gets to choose who they get to marry. You know this is so. The protectors of the stones are not
usually allowed to get married and live the typical life. You know that Talos and I are very much in love, but there will be no family for us” her voice was steady and soothing hiding her own emotions. “You will get to have the things that are forbidden to all of us” she reached up and tapped under her sister’s chin with her fingertips lightly. Asura had grown to become wise and gentle, removing any doubt of her fate. Sera’s instincts were to yell, and object to her circumstances, but her sister’s words sobered her up. The sadness on Asura’s face filled her with guilt. “Don’t worry. I have met him before and he is quite heroic and handsome” she told her other half reassuringly. It wasn’t until this truth was spoken that she knew she was being foolish. Sera stood up and forced herself to smile, though deep inside she had misgivings. Grabbing her sister’s hand she led her into the coolness of the manor house. They walked along until the sound of raised voices causes both of them to stop in their tracks. The yelling voices came from the open doorway before them. The two women would recognize the indignantly angry voice of Calus who didn’t seem able to control his raging emotions. The second voice was quiet and tired. The argument seemed to be one sided since Amerus spoke only a few words amidst the young man’s torrent of shouts.

“How could you do this, old man?! Marrying her off to that boar of a man. He might be higher rank then myself but he swoops in like a thief in the night to take the one thing that means more to me than anything.” There was a moment of silence and the elderly man gave a pained sigh. Calus’s tone was the height of disrespect in his fury. Amerus raised one of his hands in a motion of pause
unseen by the twins. “I did what was requested of me, Calus and nothing more. Dominic is in his right to ask for the hand of any woman. He has the blessing of the king and I could do very little.” Sera knew that it wasn’t her place to interrupt the conversation, and what she was doing now was unorthodox. “You are her guardian, you are the guardian of all of us.” Calus tried to argue the weariness and sadness was rolling through him. There was a silence that permeated the hallway and the room the conversation was taking place. There was finality to its nothingness. Sera knew that even with her feelings toward Calus that it had no bearing in the reality they lived in. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but downing it was the only choice she had. A chapter of her life was over and the next uncertain moment would be written out on the ever moving wind.

3. The Embers

The wedding took place in the early morning the dampness clinging to everything. The high temple to the deity of the land called the Great Builder. The bells rang outside, its timber reigniting through the country side.  The high sprawling tower was built in the high point of the Northern Territory built by King Alther when he was crowned king. The church was filled with upper nobles, knights, and the guardians.  King Damon was sitting in the front aisle with his men at his side. It was common knowledge that King Damon and Dominic have been close since the knight had gone up in the ranks under his rule. There were rumors and speculation about how close they are and what things have been hidden after one of their nights of revelry. Naturally these were dismissed as amusing stories and nothing more.  The king was dressed in glinting gold armor that was more for ceremony then battle.  Usually stoic he seemed amused by event leaning back in his seat.  Dominic was standing in front of the priest dressed in his best armor. He looked like a dark angel in his black armor and dyed crimson cape falling from his shoulders.  He was clean shaven; dark blue eyes scanning those who came had come to attend his special day.  Dominic felt pride welling up at him that he had quite a turn out for his wedding, the servant glad that they had the day off from work were outside the chapel in celebration of his day. Of course it was his bride’s day as well, but she was to be his wife. His bride and no one else’s.  He looked at the door where his lovely bride will come from feeling a sense of anticipation rolling through him. The image of her writhing under him in their wedding chambers made him start to harden under his armor, but he mustered his resolve knowing that waiting made it even sweeter.  Shifting his weight back on his heels a bit he ran his hand lightly along the hilt of his ceremonial sword, wetting his lips with his tongue lightly, breathing in the stale fragrance of the flowers decorating the chapel.

Sera stood in one of the back rooms staring at her reflection in the tall looking glass. She was garbed in a white lace dress that hung along her lithe body, beading on the bodice. Her hair was done up in a bridal braid, a single braided strand along her forehead with flowers woven into the braiding. At her side stood her twin, her hands resting on her sister’s shoulders.  Asura’s  eyes were fixed on her twin’s face, a frown on her own  clearly not approving of this marriage
her mind changed from the day it was announced.  The looking glass reflected their forms, so alike at face value, but inside so different.  “Today you will walk the path that is treaded by most women, but I had not expected it for you, my sister. You deserve better than to be the simple wife of a warrior” Asura  said, her lips pursed in a thin line, brow knit, and eyes fixed on her sister in the looking glass. Sera turned her head and studied her sister silently for a moment, taking in her natural doppelganger.  “I know that you have taken a lover among the circle and that is your business, marriage is mine” she replied, her words holding a finality that made her twin flinch. After a long weighted silence Asura relented and let out a soft sigh. “This is the path you have chosen and cannot be changed” she said with a hint of sadness. Walking to the table next to the full length looking glass she picked up a box and brought it over. “This is my gift to you. Promise me that you will always wear it and think of me” She opened the box where a beautiful blue green stone laid heavy on a silver chain. Sera could swear when she removed it from the box that the colors swirled in the dim lights of the room. Convincing herself that it was her imagination she let her sister place it around her neck, it falling between the tops of her breasts. 

The bells of the cathedral rung and the double doors opened revealing Sera who stood there in her long lace gown. The thin gossamer veil, hiding her face from those observing her.  Dominic smiled slowly seeing her angelic form coming toward him. Every person in the cathedral turned in their seat to set eyes upon the bride as she walked toward the high marble altar in front.  Calus was the only one who didn’t looked at her, looking pained as he sat ridged in his seat with the others. Sera stopped next to  Dominic who looked like a shining prince in his full armor. Dominic reached out and took his bride’s hand and squeezed it gently in his own. The ceremony commenced, the high priest speaking from the large book he held. Vows were exchanged and a cheer went up in the cathedral from the spectators. Asura stood among the other protectors clapping, her hands and cheering with the others despite her feelings toward this marriage. 

A huge banquet was held in their honor of this wonderful day. Suckling pigs had been roasted earlier that morning. Fish, muscles, and clams were shipped in from the ocean. Water fowl and other birds were caught and cooked with delicious spices. The bride and groom were sitting at the high table looking like a perfect couple.  The knights were sitting around eating and chatting happily feeling relieved to have a moment away from battles. The mood was jovial and light. The children of the soldiers were sitting in a circle by the roaring fire as one of the knights; Markus was telling the children stories that made them giggle happily. Physically he bore a striking similarity between himself and his younger brother Dominic, but he was warm well his little brother was more stoic. There were rumors took being passed up for Captain in stride, though everyone thought that the elder would get the job instead of the younger. The older brother was married to a kind woman named Lonia who gave him two young sons and a daughter, and was soon to give birth to another child.  Markus was pleased that his brother found a wife for himself, but was none the less surprised by it. Dominic was known for his womanizing ways since he first came into manhood, but there is a time in every man’s life when they have to settle down he reasoned.  He had a sneaking suspicion though that his little brother wouldn’t change his ways.  Shaking his head he looked down at the children waiting for him on baited breath for him to continue the story.  Dominic was sitting draining his goblet as he smiled at his friends and allies, feeling very confident with his new bride at his side. The newly appointed captain looked at his new wife and gave her a smile. Sera looked upon Dominic with her navy blue eyes, unable to believe that she was the bride of the handsome captain.  Her new sister-in-law, Lonia was very kind and welcoming to her. Lonia was sitting at a few people down with her three year old daughter, Kora on her lap, fussing a bit. Sera watched her with the toddler imagining herself with her own child on her knee, and turned her head looking at Dominic who was pouring himself more wine.  After the revelry died down Sera stretched and got out of her chair, Dominic by then was standing by the fireplace with some of his brethren tossing dice. In a daze she knew that  when she walked into her bridal chambers she would not be sleeping alone. She knew she would have to walk this road alone. Feeling her feet heavy on the ground she walked through the double doors of the great hall, and made her way down the hall. Sera knew that her new husband’s friends would bring him in when he was well ready to consummate their marriage. Upon entering her chambers she felt a chill creeping through her. Shaking it off, undoing the sash of her gown and placed it on a nearby chair.  Undressing she walked to the bathroom leaving her clothing laying on the floor planning on picking them up later. The great cathedral was resurrected by the king and had many rooms that boarded monks, soldiers, and visiting dignitaries during special events.  The bathroom was fully furnished with an oak bathing basin in the center of the room. Copper pipes laid under the stone foundation that tapped into a hot spring under the ground giving them hot water.  Crossing the bathroom into the center she admired the tiling on the wall that climbed almost up to the vaulted ceiling. The room was circular with a stain glassed window of an armored angel with a yellow backdrop.  Sera filled the tub to the top and blended some rose oil in it to make her skin fragrant. She washed her body free of the sweat and nerves of the wedding procession away. Sitting there she stared at the stain glass mirror in front of her, the amulet hanging between her breasts.  “I will not let my nerves get the best of me.” She told herself firmly as she squeezed the sea sponge between her hands, the water dripping over her stomach.  Knowing that she could not stew in the tub all night she forced herself to her feet feeling the cold of the room. Shaking it off she reminded herself that she is the Guardian of the Stone of Healing and would not let her childish fears overtake her. He saved her life, asked her to marry him. It wasn’t like it had been arranged by some uncaring parents or she was kidnapped and forced to marry. She had agreed to become his bride. Telling herself these things over and over she dried herself off and padded back into the bedroom.  Soon her new husband would be coming in later after he finished drinking with his friends.  Lying down upon the bed she closed her eyes and drifted off into a light sleep.