Memoirs of an Immortal (The Immortal Series) (15 page)

I slowly got up feeling a little wobbly. He stopped what he was doing and walked straight towards me. I could feel his immense presence as he approached me. He then grabbed me and carried me with one arm.

The warmth of his body was intense as it had heated my cold skin. I wrapped my arms around his neck and braced myself. He didn’t look at me, but only held me tightly. When we reached the next room, he gently placed me down on a chair. He then proceeded to continue what he was doing.

He opened his mouth and began to blow. Each breath became hotter than the next, until eventually, fire came from his mouth. I was all astonished, but I guess it’s only natural since he was the gods’ blacksmith. He kept checking the water and then asked if it was to my liking. I was about to get up when he reached over and picked me up again. I tried to fight him, but there was no point.

This time he reached for me with both hands and carried me the small distance. I reached down and touched the water, it was nice and hot. He placed me down and was about to help me disrobe, but he hesitated. He apologized and walked into the next room.

I took a longer bath than usual, only because I felt like I needed it. My muscles ached and it helped to calm me down. I could hear him stirring in the next room, but he stopped the moment I stood up from the water. I picked up the dress that was left for me.

It was a beautiful, but simple and I loved it. It was long enough that it passed my feet. The colour was a soft pale pink and the fabric was supple to the touch. I admired it as I walked over to the next room.

Hephaistos turned and acknowledged me. His eyes were wide and a faint smile can across his face.

“The dress…” He paused. “It looks nice.” He muttered and I smiled.

“I really like it. I’ll have to thank Themis for it.” I looked down and tried to straighten it.

My stomach had made a terribly loud sound, which embarrassed me. He just motioned to the food on the table. I was so hungry and everything looked good. He poured me a glass of wine and I began to eat. He sat in front of me and just watched as I ate his food.

“Will you not eat?” I asked hesitantly.

“No, I already ate.” His eyes did not move from my face. I felt so self-conscious, that I kept staring at my food.

“How long have I been asleep?” I asked still looking at my plate.

“For about a week.” He answered. “You were in and out, but it must have been about that long.” His voice was low and hoarse.

“A week?” I was shaken by his answer.

“It’s only natural. Your mind needed to rest and your body was too overwhelmed.” He said softly.

“Where is Themis?” The question I wanted to really ask was more along the lines of why are you here?

I finally mustered up the courage to look at him, thinking that he must not be looking at me now, but he still was. The deep green of his eyes pulled me in. The fire from the hearth had created a beautiful marble effect that took my breath away. I was mesmerized by his forceful gaze. I finally snapped myself out of it. I began to feel sick again, my emotions were taking over me. Leonidas used to look at me like that.

“Themis had an important meeting with Zeus and your sisters have been busy with training. I had asked to stay with you because I wanted to bring you somewhere.” He continued his gaze and I couldn’t stand how I felt.

A small part of me was taken in by guilt, as thought I was betraying my husband.

“Come, its best we go now.” He stood up and walked over to me.

“I don’t feel well enough to go now. Can we not go tomorrow?” I pleaded. He stood waiting, his hand now extended. I shook my head

“Please I can’t.” I protested, but he heard none of it. He leaned in and picked me up and held me with his one arm.

“You can put me down. I have two legs I can walk.”

I relented knowing I couldn’t win with him.

“Are you looking down on me, now?” He voice started to sound angry.

“No! I simply didn’t want you to get tired carrying me when I can walk.” I was trying to be tactful.

“As you can see the myths aren’t true, I’m not lame.” He said in a serious tone.

He presided to carry me until the door, where I reach over and put my arm around his neck. He asked that I open the door, when I did, it opened to a realm that I was not familiar with.

I could smell the ocean in the air, this was not Olympos.

“Where are we?”

Hephaistos said nothing, but continued to walk.

There were fields of rolling grass, the sky was clear, the earth smelled fresh. It felt as though it was real, but my gut feeling told me it wasn’t.

“Can you put me down now?” I pleaded.

He stopped and gently released me.

“We’ll walk over to that hill.” He pointed. “There is the place I want you to see.” Hephaistos and I walked at the same pace. “You may go ahead of me, I’ll be right there.” He said.

“No, it’s fine. You wanted to bring me here so we’ll go there together.”

I felt pleased that he had thought enough of me to do this and I didn’t want to be rude. As we reached the hill I could hear voices. I was surprised because I couldn’t hear their inner thoughts. I even tried, but nothing.

“Who’s there? Are they gods?” I had asked.

“You’ll see soon enough.” He nudged his head. I followed the direction he pointed at and in the distance I saw a beautiful home.

It was surrounded by wild flowers and large trees and behind the home, I could see the ocean. There was a man cutting wood outside. I walked slowing not wanting to disturb him.

“He will not see you, it is not possible here.” noted Hephaistos.

As we got closer I stopped.

“You must continue. Now go!” Hephaistos said gruffly.

I felt that I could go no further, but I willed myself to go. I stood in front of this home. I had seen the man go inside. Why could I not sense him? Why are my senses not the same now? I asked Hephaistos and all he said was that this place was not for us. I stood and waited.

A large man came out and my body froze and my heart stopped. I felt a numbness come through me. It was Leonidas. He was alive. The gods had tricked me.

I ran to him, but I could not touch him, my hands only slipped through him.

“Why? Why did they trick me? Was it so that I would join you?” My heart was racing faster than ever. “Make him notice me NOW!”

Hephaistos simply stood there and watched. I ran up to Hephaistos and began to pound on his chest.

“Do it! Do it now!” I yelled, but he did nothing, so I ran back.

“Leonidas? Leonidas can you not hear me? Why can he not hear me?” I was trying desperately to get his attention.

“Yes Psykhe, I hear you.” He spoke and my heart stopped. He got up and looked right at me. He began to walk towards me. I felt my blood rush away from my body. The closer he got, the more anxious I felt.

Would he accept me now? Would I not be loved?

I could finally stay with him in this quiet life. He finally reached me. I looked right into his face, I stretched out my hand to touch him, but my touch went unnoticed.

He turned and out came a woman from inside the house. It was a younger version of me. She ran to his arms, he picked her up and twirled her around.

“What is this place?” I said meekly, broken by the image I was now seeing. The tragedy of watching him took over me and I hardly could speak.

“This place is called the Elysian Fields. It’s a place the heroes are sent to live out their happiest dreams. Here, they feel no pain, no lose and no sorrow. Here, they can be safe and simple men. This place was created for them. The sole reason is because they gave their lives for the greater good of our people. Leonidas is no different. His dream was to live with you forever and here he is. I brought you here to close that part of your life and move on.” Hephaistos whispered roughly into my ear as he stood over me.

His stoic personality was cold and indifferent to how this would have made me feel.

“When we get back never speak to me again. You can’t understand this pain that I carry. I thank you for thinking of me, but at this moment I hate you. Truly I do.”

I was so hurt by this. Why could I not be her right now, with her arms wrapped around him? It was a questioned that burned inside my conscience.

As I turned to walk away, I heard laughter. I saw two young boys, one with blue eyes and the other with green. Both were running towards them. He wanted boys, the very boys that in real life, I could not give him.

At the moment I felt a knife violate my heart. It pierced my soul and my body grew weak. I fell to my knees as I watched my dead husband live out his dream with me and his sons. They all walked into their home and I watched being destroyed by ever moment they shared.

“It’s time to head back.” Hephaistos whispered.

I peeled myself from where I sat and followed him.

We walked in silence and when we had reached Themis’ home, I asked him why.

“Why? Why would you do this?” My soul was torn and shredded by his callousness.

He looked into my eyes.

“You may hate me now, but I did this for you. You need to move on so that your life can once again be yours and not lost in your heart or in your past.”

I didn’t bother with him and just walked back to Themis’ home.

Prometheus stood at the door waiting. He reached for me and grabbed my shoulders.

“Are you ok? I couldn’t sense you anywhere?” He anxiously looked me over. He then looked over my head.

“Hephaistos!” He hissed. He quickly walked over to him and hit him square in the face.

Hephaistos must have felt the punched, since I heard the sound it made. He only messaged his jaw not bothering with Prometheus as he continued to yell at him. He looked passed Prometheus and our eyes met, binding me into our little moment. I pulled my eyes away from his and reached for the door, I could still sense his stare. I ignored him and went inside.

Themis greeted me more like ran to me and hugged me.

“Where were you? We all have been looking for you. Eirene saw you with someone. One moment you were there and the next you were gone. She could not see your future, even Agape could not sense you. Eva was beside herself. They all have been looking for you.”

I walked over to the bed and sat quietly with my thoughts.

“Psykhe? My love, are you ok?” Themis had a worried look on her face.

Before I could answer, my sisters came running in. Eirene ran to me and hugged me. “I was so worried.”

Eva hugged me from behind. “I’ll never let you out of my sight again.”

Zoe only checked if I was ok and held my hand.

It was Agape that stayed far from me. ‘
I’m so sorry, Psykhe. I only wanted to take your pain away. I didn’t realize that I would numb you to everything.’
I looked at her. She then felt my pain and started to cry.

“What happened to you?” She asked as she searched my face.

I didn’t speak the whole night.

My sisters and I had fallen asleep in each other’s arms.

I awoke not being able to sleep anymore. I pushed Eva’s arms off of me and crawled out of bed. It was deep into the night as I opened Themis’ front door. I sat down on her front step and I watched the stars as they blanketed the sky. Treacherous tears fell from my eyes as I remembered the scene from before.

Themis was suddenly beside me.

“Now I know why I could not see what would happen to you. Hephaistos had not decided whether to take you there or not.” She said as she sat down beside me. “He thought it best for you, to help you move on. This life Psykhe will be a long road and to hold such sorrow, is only imprisoning you. It’s hindering you abilities, both mental and physical. I think that now you will be able to change and finally give yourself the greater strength to move on. I am really happy and very surprised. Hephaistos tends to keep to himself, but it seems that he has taken an interest in you. Why? I do not know, but for whatever reason I am grateful to him.” Themis kept staring at the stars as she spoke not looking at me, allowing me my last tears.

“Thank you for taking care of me.” I was grateful only to her.

“What do you mean?” She asked.

“For figuring out what Agape was doing and for taking care of me while I was sick.” I answered.

She furrowed her brows. “But it was not me who did that. It was Hephaistos. He told me of what Agape was doing and he was the one who took care of you.” I didn’t want to hear that man’s name.

“Well thank you at least for this beautiful dress.” I soothed my hand over it half smiling,

“Psykhe, I never got you this dress.” I stopped and looked at her.
‘Should I tell her Hephaistos was the one
?’ Her mind had betrayed her.

Akhilles

With all that had happened, my mind had begun to rest. I now could control the thoughts that had overwhelmed me before and as for my feelings, well I was moving forward. Even though I felt like I would never truly be happy. My past life was over and knowing what was in Leonidas’ heart made me feel better somehow. I was now able to look forward and continue with my new life.

Our training with Ares’ sons had come to an end and now we were to train with Akhilles. I have to say that I was a little excited. This was a man that had taught and fought alongside my father. I heard stories of him and his great accomplishments.

Prometheus delivered us to Akhilles training camp. I could hear the sounds of fighting as we walked through a vast grove of olive trees that surrounded his camp.

A large stone wall encircled the area with only a small gate that allowed you passage. We headed through the beaten dirt path and stood flanking the gate. A few mastic trees lined the interior of the walled camp. Prometheus headed inside, signaling us to follow.

We stood behind him watching as Akhilles fought three large grotesque beasts. They were similar to the one I had fought in Sparta. Their bodies were three times the size of his, each looked different, but their make was the same.

Deformed faces and distorted bodies flared at him, as he attacked and fought them head on. Their movements were sluggish, but their strength was immense, their muscular arms and legs, pounding the ground as he moved to evade their attacks. He dodged and attacked with purpose. His kopis was long and heavily curving to one end, but he wielded with ease.

As though noting that we were there, he quickened his pace and finished them off without any hesitation. As the beasts drew their last breath, Akhilles stood watching as they turned to dust.