Memoirs of an Immortal (The Immortal Series) (8 page)

“What is your name, Athenian?” Leonidas asked.

“My name kind king is Dio. May I ask if this beauty is your queen?” He pointed at me and smirked.

“Yes, but do not point at her she may find it offensive and attack you.” Leonidas answered joyfully.

Dio walked over to me and offered his congratulations. I looked at him with suspicion. It didn’t fit. He smiled and walked over to the bottom of the stairs and sat there. He was given a plate of meat to eat with a large cup of wine.

The musicians started to play the songs we practiced and the dancers began to dance. Cynisca joined in while Eupolia hesitated and chose to stay out. I chose a few songs to liven up the banquet. As the dancers cleared the way, I sang my heart out and the men cheered. I made sure that I danced a little more sensually. Leonidas had stopped what he was saying and began to pay attention to me, but so did Kleomenes. I chose to ignore him, my singing was only meant for Leonidas. I wanted him to be proud of me and of what I could do.

When one song ended, another began, by the end I had got the crowd to join in the fun. They danced with the dancers and began to get a little wild. When the final song ended, Dio walked over to me and asked “May I join you for the next song?”

Leonidas didn’t seem concerned by this which irked me a little. I wanted for him to be a little jealous, but I think he felt safe knowing how I felt. He asked that the musicians play a certain style that appeared to be simple enough for them to understand. He began to sing and they started to play. I guess my part was coming up, but I had never heard this song before.

Dio looked at me and without missing a note I began to sing my lines. I felt like I could see the words. I didn’t know what was going on. But in the end everyone had cheered.

I must have looked concerned because Dio, who was next to me, said under his breath.

“So not only can you fight, but you can sing to. You are quite a creature. I cannot wait until we meet again.”

I turned my head, surprised at what he had said.

“Who sent you?” I accused. He just smiled.

“I wanted to celebrate your wedding.” He pouted. “Come on now, don’t make that face. I didn’t come to make a scene nor to cause you heartache. Rest assured Psykhe, I’m your ally, now smile and act happy. I really don’t want Leonidas coming after me.” He warned.

By now I was getting a little fed up by these events. I didn’t want these occurrences to keep interfering in my life.

“Is it possible that I can ask you some questions or at least talk to you about all this?” I asked.

“Of course let us sit down first I’m famished and I need a drink.” He proceeded to walk me to where he was sitting. The Spartan musicians took over and the night continued.

The music was loud enough so that I didn’t have to whisper. “Who are you?” I started my questioning.

“My name is Dio. I thought you heard.” He answered while eating.

“Stop playing stupid and tell me how I would know to sing those words?” I asked pointedly.

“Simple.” He drank his wine and continued, “You have a skill, but you still need to practise it. Your father didn’t tell you?” Hearing him speak about my father surprised me.

“Do you know my father?”

He was still very nonchalantly eating, like nothing we were saying was important.

“Personally? No, but I have heard the stories. If the stories were not greatly exaggerated, your father was a great fighter. Then again he did have an upper hand.” He said while sucking on a bone.

“Why are you all so cryptic?” I hissed. I was so angry that I banged my hand on the stairs and the jug that was next to me had flown to the floor. Leonidas looked over and so did Dienekes.

“Don’t make a scene, I don’t like getting angry.” Dio said without flinching. “I realize that this is really not the best time for my appearance, but I wanted to join in the fun. I figured at least one of us should be here to see you get married and let’s face it I am the most fun out of all of them.” He resigned in his belief of himself without giving me what I wanted.

“Ok fine! Don’t tell me anything, but could you at least tell whoever else to stop playing with my life. I can’t live my life thinking of what might happen next.” I pleaded.

“That is life, Psykhe, at least for the mortals, anyways. Life is unexpected and for some it is boring while for others it is scary. So how will yours differ?” He asked.

“I didn’t ask for a lecture on living. If I wanted to ask I’d seek a philosopher not a drunk. I just don’t want anyone meddling in my life. Does that not make sense to you or are you too drunk to understand me?” I spat out.

“I understand. It’s just that you seemed to be so much fun that I wanted to get to know you before anyone else did.” He said sincerely. “Fine no more appearances, no more interference. Ok?” He waved his hand. He finally gave me my answer I was seeking.

“Thank you.” I breathed. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear anything you said and I’ll forget that you even appeared tonight.”

Leonidas had started to walk down the stairs towards me, when Dio added.

“Now for the rest, I can’t make promises on what they are going to do.” Before I could answer, Leonidas began to speak.

“May I have my wife back Athenian? You seemed to enjoying far too much of her company.”

Sucking on his last piece of bone, Dio stood up.

“She will make you a fine wife. I must say, I am a little jealous of you Spartan king. Well I thank you for your hospitality. I believe that my wine has been drunk and your men are greatly intoxicated, which means that my job here is done. I will be on my way that’s unless the queen would like me to stay?” He smirked.

“I’d like to thank you for your wine and song and I do hope that your journey home will be safe.” I spoke through my teeth.

There was no smile on my face. Dio’s laughter was loud, as he walked down the path, back to where he came from.

I was tired from the festivities and I really wanted to just go to my room. Maybe I could get answers out of Pro, so I excused myself. Eupolia and Cynisca began to follow me, but I insisted that they stay and enjoy themselves.

As I walked back to my room, Kleomenes approached me from behind. “We have not yet been properly introduced, I am…”

“I know who you are. You are Kleomenes Leonidas’ half brother.” I finished his sentence. I stood far from him making sure I have enough room between us.

“My daughter...”

“Yes I know, your daughter Gorgo was to marry him, but I interfered.” I sated.

He smiled wildly. “You are quite the smart one. Yes, you did interfere and I am not the least bit happy about it. Your interference means I have less power and I want all the power I can have.” He hissed. “I will make sure you’ll pay for your transgressions onto my family.” He stepped closer. He looked at me intently with hunger in his eyes. “But I do not blame him. You are very rare in deed.” He walked towards me.

“You best stay away from her.” I looked behind me. Dio was leaning against a column, with his arms crossed. “She is not one you should bother with, especially now. This time is for her and her alone. Don’t interfere with her happiness or you will have to deal with me and to be honest, I’m not as nice as I seem to be.” He said calmly, winking at me.

“You dare speak to me like that Athenian!” Kleomenes cried out. Dio looked deep in thought.

“Yes, yes I do.” He mocked.

Kleomenes lunged at him, but Dio quickly dodged his attack. Dio then reached over, grabbed him and slammed him against the wall.

I watched as Kleomenes lied unconscious on the floor in front of me. Dio reached for his mouth and took out a small vile.

“I want you to be happy. This time was given to you.” He said as he made Kleomenes drink the liquid. “He has a disease of the mind and its best it’s found out sooner than later or else the happiness that was given to you will only be fraught with miser and pain. You do not know it yet, but I’ve come to care for you. I want you to have this, so consider this my wedding gift.” He picked up Kleomenes and flung him over his shoulder as though he were nothing but a feather and began to walk away.

Within the next few days Kleomenes disease became rampant. His mind began to deteriorate. That’s when he was then expelled out of Sparta, leaving his daughter on her own.

I ran back to my room and called out to the fire. “Pro? Are you there?”

The fire lit. “Congratulations, my queen! So how was the banquet?” he asked happily. I stood quietly in my room. “Come on now, I see your face. You’re smiling, but something is off. Don’t worry, I’m happy for you. So is this why you called for me?” Pro asked.

“Who is Dio? And why did he want to meet me so badly? Why does he care for me and my happiness?” I asked waiting for my answer, but it didn’t come. “Pro, Pro…” I kept calling, but there was no answer.

“That stupid drunk!” He growled. “I told them all it was crucial to leave you alone and to not interfere in your life now. I’m sorry Psykhe. I was sent to keep an eye on you. To make sure you were safe, but it appears that you are far more enticing for them. Forget about Dio and forget what that stupid drunk has told to you!” Pro snapped.

“I want this to stop. I’m not a toy for you all to play with. I’m married now and happy. Please just leave me alone.” I pleaded.

“I heard you Psykhe. I will do my best to keep them at bay. This is my promise to you.” Pro disappeared. I was left alone in my room, wondering if Pro could really keep his promise.

There was a full moon that night and it lit my room up with a light blue hue. I enjoyed it so much I didn’t bother to light any fires. I sat quietly in my room. I could hear the sounds of the festivities, as they carried on through the night. But it was the sound of my pounding heart that I liked at this moment. It was beating so loudly. Was I scared? Nervous? Excited? Maybe it was all those things.

I sat on the window ledge, overlooking the courtyard, when the door opened. I didn’t bother to see who it was. I didn’t need to.

Leonidas had walked over to me and began to play with my hair.

“I like it when your hair is down.” He murmured, as he began taking out my pins and my hair pieces.

The night air was warm and the sky was clear. That night has stayed with me throughout the ages. It was pure and innocent. I had gotten married and to a man that I loved beyond explanation. Here in this room was just the two of us, no one to interfere. Not a king or a queen, but a man and a woman who loved each other.

He pushed me forward and sat himself behind me. His leg had extended onto the ledge. He then pulled me back into his embrace. He held me there in his arms.

“I’m happy that you are my wife. You are my family now. I want to be a good husband to you. I want to give you a life without worry or pains, for you have given me all that I ever wanted or needed.”

Leonidas was sincere in his words and that made me love him all the more. He then scooped me up and laid me on the bed. The rest of the night we spent expressing our love for each other. I felt his weight on my body, the heat from his skin melted every single one of my inhibitions. I welcomed his every touch and enjoyed the effects they had on me.

I had known a Leonidas that no one else would ever meet. With me, he was loving and adoring and when he was angry, he was fearsome, but never hurtful. I was wild and unpredictable, with a temper that would make most people fear me. But it was Leonidas’ calmness that helped me understand myself better. With his patience, I was able to find a part of myself I never knew could exist. It was with his love that I became a better person.

The moments that I cherished the most throughout our time together, were when he felt insecure with himself and his decisions. I felt that I was special to him because he needed me, because he showed me a part of him that he showed to no one else. He would often tell me that I was his one true comfort. To each other, there was no other person more important in this world. We never doubted our love and we never questioned our feelings. I knew what I meant to him and he knew what he meant to me.

As the months and years went by, our love began to evolve. I enjoyed the simple moments that we spent together. It was not about the earth shattering experiences that all great romances have. It was the everyday that made me feel the happiest. It would be when Leonidas would abandon everything he had to do that day, just so he can watch me and Dienekes training. Or when I was learning how to cook Spartan dishes and he would pretend my food was the best he had ever eaten. Even our fights were precious to me. We would express our disappointments or our anger with each other. I even cherished our cold wars, where we wouldn’t speak with one another for days. Every single moment was fun and exciting. I still dream of those days, I would do anything, I would give up all that I had learned all that I have experienced, everything if it meant that I could relive one more moment, if I could be with him for just a second longer.

However, my life was about to change. Had I known what was in store for me, I would have tried to end my life, but I would soon realize that that would be impossible for me.

My Bitter Ending

Time had passed and I had grown a little anxious. I wanted to give Leonidas the son that he so desperately wanted. But after a few years, I was not able to. I felt that maybe something was wrong with me, but Leonidas never led on, to him there was still time.

My mind filled with the quiet whispers of the palace, ‘had he married Gorgo, we would have a prince’, ‘Gorgo should have been queen.’

The ephors keep asking him to take on a second wife. ‘Gorgo is still unmarried and ready to bare him a child.’

I tried my best not to let anyone’s remarks affect me outwardly, but I was suffering silently, knowing that they may have been right. Leonidas had never wavered or made me feel as though he had regretted our union. He only ignored what he could and threatened those he couldn’t.