Memoirs of an Immortal (The Immortal Series) (34 page)

“You will allow this lowly child to speak to me in such a manner?” She raised her hand and waved it at me.

“Yes” Zeus said coolly. “She is my child and to be honest you deserved to be treated thusly.” As he spoke his last words she growled and left.

“Psykhe, come with me.” I followed Zeus through the back door that led out to the veranda. He walked up to the railing and leaned up against it. The wind was strong and the air had a strong smell of salt from the ocean.

“I promised you to Hephaistos for reasons that I cannot say, safe one, I thought you the best for him. I thought your warmth and your tenacity could bring him out of this stoic stillness he lives in. That somehow, you could breathe life into his damaged soul. But nothing has really changed. You both thought you could trick me, that the few nights you spent together would be enough to pacify me. I know that Apollon has played his meddling part and, for that he was swiftly dealt with, both by me and by Hephaistos, but still there is an immovable part of you and it is that part that will not give in. So I will tell you this now. You are no longer his betrothed. You are no longer his concern.”

This was the first I heard that Hephaistos dealt with Apollon. What did he do? My mind quickly recoiled back to what Zeus had said. No longer his betrothed? No, I couldn’t lose him.

“You think because you ordered me that it will end that easily? You think because you’re Zeus you could control my life the way in which you like? My body, my soul, my heart, are my own to give to whomever I want and you are in no position to decide when it’s over for me and Hephaistos.” Rage began to build up. There was no way that anyone was going to take him away from me, not now, not ever. My emotions began to align themselves and everything became clearer.

“You were wrong about him. I wasn’t there to save him. He was there to save me. Where my heart grew cold and dead, it was his warmth that brought it back to life. I stand here today because of him and I will never let you take him away from me. Don’t you dare make this an order, because I will defy you.” I stood my ground and I didn’t care about the repercussions.

“So why act this way? Why not be with him now?” Zeus challenged.

“I’m a flawed woman. I failed Leonidas and I know I will fail him too. I was afraid that he’d see it sooner than later and leave me. I can’t go through that kind of pain again.” I said meekly.

“So you’ve stayed hidden. Is that the best you can do? Is that all you can do?” He stood staring at me. “Then perhaps it’s best I do order you to leave him. End this ridiculous farce.”

I took another large breath, my heart within me pounding, the thought of not being his betrothed, his other half, or just his.

“Zeus” He looked at me sternly, desperation flowed through me. “I allowed you once to call me by name.” His nose flared up.

“Father, this is our story and I want to see it to the end. So please don’t interfere, just let us feel our way through this. Please!” I was begging him now. Zeus shook his head and crossed his hands.

“I just don’t know anymore Psykhe, honestly I don’t. For now do what you must, but I will not let this go lightly. Contrary to what you all think, I care for both of you and it pains me to see you both like this.” He waved his hand and dismissed me. I left with a heavy heart, speaking to Zeus only resonated what I had always known, but was too afraid to admit to myself.

What now? Do I simply walk up to him? Do I run to his arms? Too many doubts filled my mind and heart, my soul began to question me and for the first time in my life I didn’t know what to do.

I walked back into the great hall, only my family and Themis were left. No doubt waiting for me, wondering if I was going to be scolded at. I gave them a large smile and picked up two large amphorae filled with Dio’s famous wine. Heracles followed suit, picking up two more and off we went back home. I invited Themis, but she declined the offer.

As we walked back, I was glad that I was the only one able to read minds. My mind was filled with the not too quiet revelation of what I wanted. We walked into the courtyard. Iakhe had a large table prepared and ready for us to drink. She bowed her head and served us fruits and bread.

Eirene called for our instruments and we began to play long into the night. The men were drunk with wine and desire for their mates, even I could see through my drunken haze that this night should come to an end. Iakhe helped me to my room and all I could think about was how I was going to deal with this tomorrow.

I stumbled into my room, holding onto the wall, trying not to fall over, but I lost my grip and topple towards the ground. I anticipated the pain, but I opened my eyes to see that I was far from falling, but instead was in an embrace. I tried to connect the dots with my scattered brain, when I realize I’m in Hephaistos’ arms.

“What are you doing here?” I asked totally inebriated with Dio’s potent wine.

“I heard my mother was rather harsh to you, so I came to see if you were all right? But I see that you are completely drunk.” Hephaistos kept me in his arms and walked me over to my bed.

“Yes, yes I am.” I laughed nervously, realizing in my stooper that I’m for the first time consciously embarrassed and nervous.

“I’m ok, you can go now!” I waved my arms in the air. Trying to push him to leave, so that my poor heart could calm down, this was absolutely the last thing I needed right now. My body was drunk and my emotions were high. I didn’t want this to happen now, knowing myself I might blurt out something and ruin what I wanted to say.

“No.” he said calmly, “I’m going to make sure you’re ok first” Hephaistos challenged.

“No!” I bit back. “You’re going to leave. I have Iakhe, who will help me take a nice hot bath and help me to go to sleep. So go now.” I enunciated each word in a desperate attempt not to slur and sound in control.

Hephaistos simply laughed. “Ok then, I’ll go.” He left and I was finally able to relax.

I lied back down onto my bed and started to take off my clothes, I settled there with my eyes closed.

The door opened. “Iakhe, ready me a bath. My body is cold and a nice hot bath will warm it.” I lied there naked and heard her place the large tub in front of the fire. I heard the water being poured.

“Iakhe, do you want to know what happened today?” I didn’t bother to wait for her response. “Today I realized something so very important. Zeus threatened me, he threaten to take Hephaistos away.” The water stopped pouring, but I continued. “So that’s when I realized, I realized that I love him, that I was completely and utterly in love with him.”

I rolled around in my covers and faced away from the fireplace.

“Iakhe, tomorrow when I’m no longer drunk, I will face him and tell him, I will.” I laughed out loud at myself. “I say this now because I am drunk and confident, but I think… no, I know I can do this. I know that I can make him happy. Iakhe, what do you think? Iakhe? Iakhe?” I raised myself from my bed, my head spinning. “Oh by Zeus, I am drunk!” I finally opened my eyes to refocus and there in from of me stood Hephaistos.

My heart sank, my mind trying to sober up, but with Dio’s wine it was impossible. He stood looking at me, his eyes full and dark, his usual bright green replaced with a look I had never seen him have. He inched forward and I inched backwards. I was trying to crawl away from him, but the covers that were wrapped around me, were making it difficult. I finally was able to find the edge of the bed. His look locked onto me. I finally broke my gaze and stood on the floor. He was on the other side of the bed. I stood far from him, not daring to look up.

“I told you to leave” I hissed. I was angry at my stupidity, mostly, I was embarrassed. He didn’t say anything.

“I said leave.” I ordered, pointing to the door still not looking up from the ground.

“No.” He growled “I will not leave, I will never leave again.” His words were low and his voice trembled. He moved towards me and I instinctually moved away, trying to run, but I couldn’t. Hephaistos grabbed me and his arms wrapped around me. My breath hitched in my throat.

“Say what you told me before. Say it! Please say it. I want to hear you say it to me, not to anyone else, say it only to me.” His voice begged me. His lips on the nape of my neck, I dropped my head back onto his chest. In between his soft kisses, he continued to plead with me. He kissed my shoulders slowly and gently. His hands were moving at the same speed, slowly caressing my body, as though his enjoy every moment.

“I love you Hephaistos. I love only you. I need only you. I want only you.” I breathed.

With each revelation, Hephaistos deepened his kiss, his hands moved with more certainty. I couldn’t help it, my inhibitions were lowered and I wanted him. I wanted him all to myself. I wanted to melt into him and feel him on my body. I turned to face him and his lips found mine.

Our kiss was full of passion and desire. His tongue moved slowly into my mouth, making my body soften. He lifted me up and moved me to the bed where he laid me down, his mouth never left mine.

I still held onto the sheets that covered my body. Hephaistos took my hands and slowly stretched them over my head, his hands leisurely slid down my arms, pushing the sheets off me. His lips left my mouth and began to work their way down my body. I could feel his hands embracing my breasts, little by little, working my nipples. I couldn’t hide my pleasure, his touch brought out feelings in me I had never felt. I let out a small moan, which seemed to excite him. He moved his mouth to my nipple and bit me gently. My back arched and I could see a small smile. He enjoyed my reaction. With my back still arched his kept kissing my breasts and held my waist tightly.

“I’ve wanted you for so long.” He said in between his kisses. His tongue twirled around my nipple. One of his hands glided further down my body and finally reached my inner thighs. He calmly spread my legs and his hand lazily moved towards my most sensitive spot.

“You are so wet.” He said in a low murmur, his words sang to my ears and made my body move with his hand.

Ever so gently he slid one finger inside me, my eyes opened wide and I looked at him. His face was so remarkable, that I wondered why I held back for so long. I moved to take his face into my hands so that I could kiss him, but he moved away.

“No” he whispered. “Today I want to please you, like you pleased me.”

I gasped at the thought of this man. Happiness was overflowing inside me. He lowered himself, his finger no longer where it was. His face now between my legs, his tongue licked me slowly, my body moved with his rhythm.

I could no longer hold back, from deep inside me, I could feel myself wanting to come. I let out a moan and fell back. My body was convulsing.

Hephaistos undressed himself as I laid back, my body regaining it senses. He reached for my hand as he knelt on my bed, I could plainly see the effect I had on him. He pulled me up and slowly lowered me down. Inch by inch, he filled me completely. He waited so that my body could adjust to him. He moved his hands up my back and wrapped my loose hair around his wrist pulling my head back, so that he could kiss my breasts easily. He licked them and bit harder this time. I clenched around him and his body jolted. We both started to move.

“Say my name…. say it!” He growled. “I want to hear your sweet voice call me. I want you to want me, to dream of me, to love only me…I want that because I feel that for you.” He voice whispered low, entering my soul making my heart sing. I slowly started to say his name. I said it to the rhythm of our movements. I only stopped when I became lost to my senses again. “Psykhe…Psykhe…” He voice took over where I stopped.

“Stop, don’t!” My voice quivered, he didn’t. “I want my voice to be the only sound you cherish. I have always wanted to taste you…I have always been taken in by you Psykhe.”

We could no longer hold back as we both found our release. Hephaistos held onto me, both of us locked in each other’s embrace. He lowered us onto the bed and wrapped his arms around me, he held me until I was able to regain myself.

I could feel him nudging his face into my hair, as he smelled my scent. I relished being in his arms.

“Do you want to take a bath? Or would you rather sleep?” He asked holding me tightly.

“A bath.” My voice sounded timid. I wanted to be in control, but I wasn’t. I stayed in bed, lying on my side, as I watched Hephaistos get up and walk over to the large brass tub. He was gloriously naked, his body chiselled to perfection. At that moment, I felt special knowing that I was the only one able to look at him like that.

“Do I look that good, that you can’t take your eyes off of me?” He asked not making an effort to look at me. Damn it, I was caught.

“Can’t I look at you?” I asked. I watched him ready his breath so he can blow fire to heat the water.

“I don’t like it when others look at me.” He replied.

“Others? I’m not others. I’m me and you can never make me not see you.” I insisted. “Yes to me you’re that good. You’re that beautiful. In my eyes, I only see you.” I smiled reassuring him. Hephaistos grimaced.

“Fine! I won’t look” I huffed turning my back to him.

“So you can go now!” I commanded. With my back turned, I made a face at him. I heard him laugh and walk towards the bed. He reached for me and yanked the sheets off and startled me.

“So I’m beautiful, am I?” He mocked. “No one had ever said I was beautiful.” He laughed.

He lifted me up and carried me to the bath. My head still turned away from him. He nuzzled his face into my neck.

“Can I join you?” He asked softly.

“No” I said not really meaning it. He ignored my answer and stepped into the bath with me. He lowered himself and immersing us both into the hot water. I laughed at how gracefully he did that.

“Have you done this before?” I asked sarcastically.

“No.” He said without humor. He slid me around so that my back faced him.

I leaned against his broad chest, feeling every delicious inch of him against me skin, his heat warmed my body. We both sat in the water taking in the moment, the fire roared and crackled in the hearth. The heat was warming the bath. The glow from the fire lit the room. It felt perfect.

After a while, Hephaistos moved his hand and placed into the water, he cupped it and filled with the hot liquid. He then let the water drip onto me. His movements skillfully making my skin feel a euphoric sensation that warmed my body from the inside. He lifted his hands higher letting it drip onto my neck. The droplets slowly trickling down my chest back into the water. I let my head fall back and enjoyed the water caressing my body.

He stopped and placed his hands on the outside of the brass tub, I opened my eyes. I was elated. With my head and body still against his chest, I reached my hands out and slowly stroked his arms. I remember thinking that I could honestly stay here forever. My hand reaching his as I gently slid my fingers into his and held him. This is what happiness really was. It had to be.

The water began to cool down and my body began to shiver.

“Let’s go to bed.” He murmured and I nodded. I slid myself off him and he stood up. He stepped out of the bath and I sat in the water with my legs to my chest and my arms wrapped around them. I tilted my head and watched as he dried himself off. I smiled wildly. I was hungry for more. He turned and faced me. He smiled a crooked smile and when I didn’t move he lifted his eyebrow.

“Up.” He commanded and without thinking my body complied. He watched me for a minute and then lifted me out of the water and used a sheet to dry me. I laughed, as he reached my sensitive spots.

“Your oils, where are they?” He asked, as he finished and looked down at me.

“On the table, near the mirror. I’ll go get them” I offered.

I left him and walked over to table. As I turned to walk back to bed, I saw him still there where I left him.

“What is it? Am I now the one who’s pretty to look at?” I asked.

“You have no idea just how beautiful you are. Your walk, your
body
, your smile, the affects that it has on me, it even surprises me.” I could clearly see the affects I had on him, as he walked over to me.

We both sat on the bed, as I reached for the jasmine oil I had and placed some in my hand. I smiled and invited him closer. I massaged the oil over his chest and shoulders. I traced his black branding, loving how it made him look. His head fell back and let out a groan. I giggled to myself. I really enjoyed the idea that I can do this to him.

“You’ll smell like me now, is that ok?” I asked slyly.

“Yes.” He murmured. He lifted his head and looked up at me. I lowered my eyes to continue my massage, but he wouldn’t let me. He lifted my chin to meet his gaze, his eyes burning, I bit my lower lip.

“I want you, now.” He growled.

He quickly moved me placing me onto the bed. I looked to see his eyes drunk with desire. That’s when he slid himself inside me, as though he owned my body. My voice was stuck in my throat, I was caught by surprise, but my body didn’t mind. He moved slowly, but hard, my body reacted to his dominance. I was feeling my body climbing higher, reaching a state I couldn’t truly understand. I let myself go, letting out a cry. Hephaistos thrust into me one last time, as he grunted my name and then lay still on top of me. Both of us were exhausted emotionally and physically as we fell asleep in each other arms.

I had never slept so soundly in my life, the only thing that awoke me were the sounds of the birds’ singing outside. As I opened my eyes, the sun’s rays filled my room, lighting up the air so that I could see the dust dancing around. I stretched my body letting out a small groan. I still felt the effects of Dio’s wine, normal human wine had very little affect on us, but his ‘special wine’, was made to make immortals and gods drunk.

I slowly leaned up from bed, my head was still throbbing. My sheets were wrapped around me, as I stretched my hand out to the side, that’s when I felt his warm body. A smile crept in as I looked over. There was Hephaistos, still asleep. I stared at him, as my mind slowly relived last night’s events. I cringed at how I let him know I loved him.

I lied back down resting myself on my elbow, watching him sleep, his dark features, highlighting his tanned skin. I could see small scars on his body, I reached and gently touched them, how did he get these? I wondered. He stirred and I pulled back my hand. I waited and he finally stopped. I could hear the thoughts of my sisters, each feeling the same affects of last night’s wine.

“I could feel you starting at me.” He said under his breath, his eyes still closed. I giggled as he interrupted my thoughts. He turned and faced me. His eyes fused me to him. He held out his hand, letting me know he was inviting me into his embrace.

I smiled and slid myself into his waiting arms. He held me tight, my cheek on his chest.

“Now what?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” He replied.

“Well, what do we do now?” I reworded my question, rolling my eyes at him, for not understanding it the first time.

“First thing, I understood you, so you don’t need to roll you eyes at me.” He retorted, I flinched, how did he know?

“I knew you did it, because I know you.” He answered my mental question. “As for what we do now? We are bound. We do what we want. Don’t you understand? We’ve been bound to each other since you came here.” He said bluntly.

“But what will we tell everyone?” I asked.

“We don’t have to say anything, it’s not their concern. Plus it’s not like they did not hear us!” He smiled and winked.

I cringed at the thought and tried to wrestle out of his arms, but he wouldn’t let me.

“I’m much stronger than you.” He laughed.

I finally was able to break free. I stood up to get ready to face my sisters. I was lost in my thoughts.

“Eventually I hope that you will let me hear your thoughts.” He said as he lay in bed watching me get ready. “I know what you are thinking, but I still want to hear your thoughts.” He continued.

“I’ll never let anyone hear me. This is the only place I can hide.” I replied and smiled at him. He reached his arm out and grabbed me, pulling me back into bed.

“Stay here today.” He murmured.

“I can’t.” I instantly regretted my words.

Maybe I could stay the whole day here in his arms, lost in our little world. A quiet knock came at my door.

“Psykhe?” I heard Eva’s voice. She opened the door and just walked right in. I looked at her, my eyes wide.

“What is it?” I asked, she turned her back as she closed the door and started to walk over to me.

“Well I wanted to talk about our plan for….” Her words trailed off, as she slowly realized, I wasn’t alone. She stood frozen, both of us wishing she wasn’t here.

‘What’s going on? Why is he here? What…?’
Her thoughts not making much sense, so much so, that I began to laugh at the awkward state she was in.

‘By Zeus, I’m so sorry.’
She continued.

“Good morning Eva.” Hephaistos finally said. “Could you please leave so that I can at least get dressed?” His voice and demeanor was somewhat different than before. So this was Hephaistos relaxed and happy, I had never really seen it.

“Yes, yes of course” Eva ran from my room with great speed.

“That was so awkward” I tried to giggle my nervousness away. I finally got myself out of bed. “I’ll need to go down to see my family before Eva does something stupid.” I said as I was finishing getting dressed, he nodded. I left the room closing the door behind me. I leaned against it. I could still feel his touch on my skin.

I smiled as I remembered last night. I could hear him getting up and getting dressed.

‘Psykhe I know your still there’
I heard his voice in my mind. I was startled by it. I stood still hoping he thought he was wrong.

‘Psykhe, don’t forget, that I’m your family too.’
His thought froze my mind. I hadn’t thought of it, but before I could do anything, I could hear my sisters trying to whisper. Eva explaining what she had seen. I ran down the stairs towards the kitchen.

There they were, my four sisters, as I stood at the foot of the door. They all slowly turned their heads to face me.

“Well then.” Eirene said loudly.

‘I’m happy for you.’
Agape giggling.

“I’m happy if you are happy.” Zoe said with a faint smile on her face. Eva had said nothing, still filled with shock, but all she could do was laugh. Her laugh was so loud and infectious, that we all ended up joining her. I returned to my room smiling to myself. I looked around, but Hephaistos wasn’t there, that’s when I saw the note on my bed.

Psykhe,

I need to go back now, wait for me.

Hephaistos

He was always a man of few words. I grinned at the thought that this was my first written note from him. I carefully folded it and was going to put it away. As I opened my box I saw the arm cuffs that Leonidas had given me. I took them out and sat onto the bed. In one hand, I had a gift from my first love. He had given me this to mark him as his wife. While in the other, I held a promise of new love. My heart finally felt at ease at the idea of moving on, that that part of me was when I was human. That part of my life had died and now I can move forward. I looked at the note one more time before putting away. I was going to do what I was told and wait.

Our Plan

A few days passed and still I haven’t heard anything for Hephaistos. I was busying myself with planning our new strategies and attacks, hoping not to miss him, it didn’t work. I still missed him, the nights had grown long and cold, but I knew he would come when he could.

“Psykhe” cried Eva. I walked over to the window. “Come on its time.” She began waving her hands in the air. I looked down at our courtyard and saw my sisters waiting for me under the olive tree.

“Don’t do it!” cried out Eirene.

I nodded not listening to my older sister. I climbed onto the window sill and jumped down, but unfortunately I knocked down Iakhe, as I landed.

“I told you not to!” Eirene said angrily “I saw you do that.” I helped Iakhe up.

“I’m sorry.” I said as I tried to dust her off, “It’s rare that I catch you off guard.”

“It’s ok mistress.” She said meekly. I laughed and turned to my sisters.

“Honestly Psykhe!” Zoe snapped.

“What? It’s not like we can get hurt. You know what I think?” I said.

“Oh here we go.” Zoe said exasperate. I continued my thought as though she said nothing, but I did give her a look.

“We’ve forgotten to have fun. We act like old women.”

“Not me” Eva refuted.

“Yes we know not you. It’s impossible for you to be an adult.” I rolled my eyes.

“Are you done?” asked Eirene. I saw that my point was going nowhere.

“Yes, yes I’m done.” I said defeated. I waved my hand so she can start

“Bellerophon, Agape and myself, have found that they have quite a few new strong holds.” Eirene started.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well it appears that they have one in Boeotia near Thebes, one in Thessalia near Larissa” Eirene paused and then looked right at me “and one in Laconia, near Sparta.” She waited to see my reaction, I could hear the thoughts of my sisters, but I ignored them.

“Anthousai” I cried.

“Yes mistress?”

“Bring us our maps.” I waited until the maps appeared, as I rolled them out, I looked at them. “It doesn’t seem right. Something feels off.” I looked over the maps.

“Psykhe? Did you hear what I said?” Eirene said softly. I finally raised my head from the map.