Memoirs of an Immortal (The Immortal Series) (2 page)

“Can I come in?” He asked quietly.

I sat on my bed, leaning against the wall, hugging my knees. I shrugged at his question, as though he could see me.

“It’s your house, you do what you want.” I called out. When he walked in, he looked so much older than before. He sat on the edge of the bed and said nothing.

“Well?” I asked. “What is it?”

I was looking at his hunched back, his head in his hands. I don’t know what came over me. I felt all the anger and resentment that I held at bay, wanting to come out.

“What was the point? What was it?” I demanded. “You taught us how to fight. You told us, we were special and the moment some stranger comes off the road, you hand me off to him?” I shouted. He didn’t move an inch. He sat still and sighed heavily.

“I want you to know, that I would never steer you wrong, trust me. Just please trust me.” He said in a broken voice. Without looking back, he reached for me and touched my leg and squeezed it. He held me like that for a long while, then stood up and walked out.

I sat in my room, defeated and broken. My life had always made sense to me, but at this moment, I felt like my life no longer was mine. That somehow a piece was trying to fit, but couldn’t. It felt wrong, like it was a mistake, a giant joke that was being played on me.

My thoughts had taken me deep into a place I had never ventured. I was lost in the darkness of my misery, when I heard a loud knock at our gates. I waited, but no one answered. The knock became louder, echoing throughout our home. I finally heard the gates open. I felt curious, but my mind went to the wedding, perhaps it was something needed for its preparations. I sunk lower into my bed, wanting to lose myself in my thoughts, until I heard a voice, a male voice, that was strong and whole.

To this day, I still can’t explain it, but I knew the sound of his voice. It was so familiar to me, like I had heard it every night in my dreams.

Something flickered inside me. I slowly stood up from my bed and walked to the window that faced the gate. A tall and very muscular man stood there, his face was like that of a god’s. His aura was strong and commanding. He leaned in and said something to one of our servants. My father finally appeared at the door and proceeded to let him and his two companions in.

All three of them wore dark linen garbs, which hung just above their knees, while a heavy set red-like cloak covered only one side of their bare chest. All three carried large swords. They all had the same physic, broad shouldered and very muscular, but you could clearly see, that the one who spoke, was the commander. It was way he carried himself, the air around him, it screamed he was in charge. I don’t know what it was, but something told me to head downstairs. Each step I took made me feel like I was heading to my destiny.

When I reached the courtyard, he was standing there, next to my father. He stopped whatever he was saying to him, turned and looked at me. His eyes were a piercing blue. I swear my heart was beating so loudly, that I was convinced that’s how he noticed I was there. When his eyes met mine, I turned red. I felt a heat come off my face.

My father began to lead the way for him and his party to enter the main house, so that they could unwind from their long journey. The two other men followed my father, while he stayed behind, his eyes never leaving mine. I knew him and he knew me, there was no doubt in my mind.

As I stood there, my father came up to me and told me to ready myself for dinner and that our guests would be joining us. I felt so exposed. I thought for sure everyone saw how I felt. I nodded my head and walk up to my room. What just happened? I still could feel my heart beating from outside my chest.

I sat quietly on my bed with my hand over my chest, trying desperately to replay what had just happened. My sisters stormed into our room, so they could get ready.

“Did you see those men? They were huge!” Eva cried out.

“Yeah I know! Father said they came from the mainland.” Agape added.

I didn’t want to seem eager, so I tried to act very indifferent, when I asked. “Where on the mainland?” Obviously, I was very unsuccessfully, because Eva looked at me and smiled.

“Why do you want to know? Is it because you drooled all over yourself staring at him?” She mocked.

She laughed so hard, that I couldn’t help it, as I reached over and whacked her on the back of the head. Why of all moments, did she pick this one to be astute?

“In all fairness, he was staring back at her.” Agape turned and came to my defence.

We all readied ourselves, but I took my time to get dressed. Knowing, that I was already handed off to someone else, but just this once, this one time, I wanted to dress for someone that I felt was worthy of my efforts.

We came eagerly downstairs, when I stopped outside in the middle of the courtyard. It hadn’t occurred to me that Crito could be there.

“Apparently father sent him away.” Zoe came to me and said.

I could feel my whole body relax, whatever the reason was, I had this one night. A gift, that I was convinced the fates had given me. A glimmer of happiness, before I had to marry Crito, before I had to make a fateful decision, to end my life, or stay married to him and die a silent death, by being his wife.

The night was warm and the fig trees filled the air with their aroma. The sky was clear and all the stars were there for us to see. I stood in the courtyard, getting myself mentally ready for tonight. I walked towards the dining room, my mother caught my eye, she was as beautiful as always, but she wasn’t happy.

A quiet sadness had surrounded her and I just couldn’t take my eyes off of her, until she moved to the side. There he was, sitting across from the hearth, staring at me. His companions seemed to be taken in by my father’s stories and laughed at his expressions. He, however, sat quietly, as he continued to stare at me.

The sounds around the room were muffled by the beating of my heart. I still remember it. It may have been thousands of years, but nothing could ever erase his face from my mind. I was young and so taken in by him.

My father introduced each of us, but when he came to me, he hesitated. “And this…” His hand was raised towards my direction. “This is my youngest…Psykhe.” He sighed heavily.

I could see my father stare at the young man, whose eyes looked right at me.

“Psykhe.” He said in a low soft voice, as though my name was the only word he knew. He smiled “Psykhe” and nodded. I never thought my name would sound so beautiful. I smiled and nodded back.

My mother spoke up and without looking at my father requested that I sing and that Eirene accompany me with her lyre. My father slammed his fist onto the table and gave my mother a look I had never seen before. He was furious.

I wasn’t about to let this opportunity go by. I wanted him to see me sing. I wanted to show him who I was. I nodded at Eirene and she began to play. I listened to the melody. It was my father’s favourite. With my eyes closed, I began to sing, hoping that through my words, my feeling could be felt. I wanted him to really see me, to truly understand me.

I was young and naïve and it was love at first sight. It does happen, believe me. With these eyes, I have seen the things that no one person can see in one life time. Poets, writers, singers, playwrights, they would never write about great loves, if it didn’t exist.

Looking back now, maybe it was just a consolation prize that the fates had given me, but I would do everything all over again, if it meant that I could relive the few short years I had with him.

When I had finished singing, I was waiting for the usual praise, but no one spoke. I finally opened my eyes, to see everyone staring at me. I felt exposed again, as though my soul lay bare for all to see. My skin felt hot, as my embarrassment ran through me.

My father finally spoke and told me and my sisters to leave. It took everything inside me, but I didn’t dare look in his direction. If I had, I would run to his arms and never want him to let go. I lowered my head and fought against myself and walked away.

When we all entered the other room, my mother quietly sat down near the fireplace. Everyone else just waited for someone to say something, but nothing was said. That’s when I left from the back door. I ran and I kept running. I ran up the hill, which overlooked our home and the nearby village that was next to the ocean.

I was out of breath when I reached the peak. I sat down on a large rock and looked over the fields around me. The grass was high, the air perfumed with the wild flowers that bloomed in the night. I looked out to the sea. The darkness of the ocean mirrored the reflection of the moon, as it hung low and bright.

I was so taken in by the scene around me, that I hadn’t noticed someone walking up from behind. It was him. He just simply sat himself beside me, as though he had done it so many times before. My heart responded, my soul sang and all my thoughts disappeared. My body acted on its own and my head turned to him. The look on my face requested an answer.

“They were right. I did find you and you are far more extraordinary than I thought.” He smiled gloriously. As ferocious as he was in battle, he was just as innocent, when it came to our love.

“Do you honestly think that I would fall for a line like that? Who are you Zeus?” I swallowed hard, maybe trying to swallow the truth that I had fallen for it. I turned my head and gazed at the ocean. How I prayed that it would take me away with each of its waves. I continued to feel his intense gaze. My face grew red and hot, as I tried to compose myself.

“Could you please stop looking at me?” I murmured.

“Why would I? You are my wife and I will look at you as much as I please.” He laughed.

Wife! His wife! Since when? Isn’t cruel enough that I’m promised to another?

“I am not your wife.” I snapped, not realizing that I was crying at the same time.

I tried to swallow the hard lump that had formed in my throat. I stood up determined, not to lose face as I walked away. He grabbed my arm and pulled me close. He wrapped his arms around me and held me in front of him. His eyes burning into me, my breath quickened. That’s when he kissed me.

At first, I protested, but not for long. How could I? When I wanted him to belong to me so badly. I wanted his soul. I wanted his heart, his mind, his everything. I wanted to be part of everything that made him who he was, so that he would never forget me.

I came to my senses and I realized as he kissed me, that this would never be, that this would be our only moment. I felt such resentment towards him. He was too late.

I pulled away and I punched him square in the face. He doubled over and looked at me.
‘Now he’ll hate me and I could move on.’
I naively thought to myself, but that’s not what happened. He smirked, as he rubbed his jaw.

“They said you would be like a wild animal and not even I could tame you.” He chuckled.

“Who are they that you keep mentioning?” I cried out.

I didn’t wait for my answer. I didn’t care. His kiss still lingered on my lips. The heat from his lips radiated through my body and I had a hard time keeping my composer. I took a deep breath and began to walk back.

He grabbed my arm with such force, I was sure he had broken it. He looked at me with his piercing blue eyes and yanked me all the way back home. He kicked the gate to the courtyard and yelled for my father.

“Nikephoros!” He roared. “You have done me a grave injustice. The prophets have proclaimed her MINE and you were trying to give her to some fool! She is to be the next queen of the Spartans, my wife. I am taking her and you will need to respect the decree of the gods. I sent you a request, but you ignored it. Thank the gods. I came in time to take her with me.” He said fiercely.

“What is going on here? What are you saying?” I yelled, as I pulled my arm away. My father stood there looking at my confused face.

My mother walked up to me, putting her hands on my arms.

“You were born for great things Psykhe.” She said sadly. She then placed her hands onto my shoulders and began to play with my hair. “Your father wanted to protect you. He wanted to change the course of your life, to save you. But your life will not end with him, it will only begin.” She motioned towards my stranger. “Psykhe, I would rather you live forever than die useless and forgotten.” She smiled, on the verge of tears.

At the time my mind was reeling, so I couldn’t truly understand my mother’s words. Only after my husband died, did I understand what she meant.

My father introduced him as a great young king. His name was Leonidas. He was an incredible king, who truly loved his people.

I stood in front of him, not truly grasping what was going on. Everything was happening so quickly.

My sisters were still asleep, when I was taken from my home that night. My leaving was bittersweet. I was happy that my life was to be with this man, but my sisters, what about them? Would I never see them again?

My father answered my question as though he read my mind. “You will see them soon enough, they will always be with you and you may even grow tired of them one day.”

I began to say something, but my father’s eyes spoke for themselves. My throat burned with the words I wanted to convey, but he simply threw me onto Leonidas’ horse and walked away. That was it. That was the last time that I ever saw my parents, my home and my life, as I knew it.

My New Life

While riding into the night and away from everything I knew, my heart began to grow heavier and my grip around Leonidas’ waist grew lighter. He reached back for my hands and wrapped them tightly around him. He held them with his one hand trying to reassure me. We rode for what seemed like hours. My body ached from the travel. We finally came to a stop when we reached a cliff that overlooked the city of Kydonia.

The people were starting to bustle around the town getting themselves ready for their day. The lights of the city flickered along with the waves of the ocean while the sun had finally started to peak over the horizon making it for a spectacular sight.

The two other men that were with us rode ahead while Leonidas and I stayed behind. He jumped off his horse and reached out for me, taking me by the waist. He then took my hand and walked me to the edge of the cliff.

“There in the harbour. Can you see my ships?” He pointed to three large wooden ships that towered over the harbour. “They will take us to Sparta and there when we reach our home I will give you a proper ceremony. We will have a banquet that will be spoken about for generations. All of my kingdom will know that I was given a gift from the gods.”