The Pandora Curse (Greek Myth Series Book 4) (19 page)

“No,” he told her firmly. “Just you and I. No one else.”

“All right.” That idea pleased her. She had never done this with anyone before. “Just let me get my jewels and some extra clothing, and my sword and I’ll be ready.”

“You don’t need any of those things, Vara. Forget about them. Let’s just go.” He closed her chamber door and escorted her down the hall.

“I cannot leave without my sword,” she protested. “I don’t go anywhere out of the castle without it.”

“You will today,” he told her. “Today you will experience many things you never have before.”

Sixteen

Vara rode alongside Nikolai as they made their way down the cliffs toward the sea. The light breeze kissed her face, and the crisp, clean bite of salty sea air filled her nostrils, making her feel better. She watched as Nikolai’s long hair blew loose behind him, making him look like a god instead of the demi-god he was. His soothsayer tunic with billowing sleeves flapped in the breeze, making him look even more mysterious and handsome.

His crystal sphere reflected colors in the sunlight, laying against his bare skin from his partially opened tunic. Her eyes settled on his long, lean legs, and his hose clinging to him like a second skin. She really did like looking at him.

The sunshine on her face and the wind in her hair gave her the strength to ride. Even without having eaten, she felt no hunger except for that of being alone with Nikolai. He was a kind man, even though he often was harsh with her. But she’d seen the way he held Agatha close to his chest and comforted her until she’d stopped shaking. He would someday make a wonderful father.

He was a good man. He said there was goodness inside of her also, but she often wondered if it was true. She had lived so long under the curse, that she no longer remembered what it was like to have friends. But Nikolai acted like a friend to her. And so had Agatha before she scared her away. She wanted to have friends, she wanted to be liked instead of feared by little children. And most of all, she wanted Nikolai to love her.

“I’ll race you down the beach to that large rock,” Nikolai called over his shoulder. His horse took off before she could respond, but it didn’t matter as she always loved a challenge.

“You will never beat me,” she called out, and proceeded to follow him on her horse. She let him think he was winning at first, by holding back on the reins. But she had the fastest horse in the kingdom, and he knew it. There was no way he could ever win.

She waited until the very last minute, then pulled ahead and made it to the stone first. “I win,” she called out, turning her horse around.

Nikolai jumped off his steed and shook his head. “I said first one to the rock. Your horse made it close, but you’re not there yet.” He started racing on foot to the top, and Vara jumped off and ran as fast as she could. However, Nikolai made it there before her.

“You didn’t say it was a foot race.” She collapsed atop the rock, trying to catch her breath. She felt queasy again. “You know I don’t like to lose. And if you breathe a word of this to anyone - ”

“You win, Vara. I was just teasing.”

“Well, I don’t like to be teased.” She hit him in the arm. “Don’t do it again.”

“Well, then perhaps you like to be tickled.” He reached out and tickled her under the arms, and though she wanted to remain angry she couldn’t. She laughed and he kept on tickling. She was too weak to stop him.

“Stop it,” she finally managed to say. “I don’t like to laugh. I don’t like to be tickled.”

“Oh,” he said, raising a brow. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin your day.”

Even when she was angry with him, she couldn’t stay that way long. “You didn’t ruin anything, Nikolai. Actually, I am rather enjoying this.” She lay back on the rock and looked up at the sky. He did the same.

“I often think the clouds look like things,” he told her. “For instance, there is one that looks like a castle.” He pointed upwards. “And there is one that looks like Pegasus the flying horse.”

“Where?” she said. “I don’t see it.” As hard as she tried to see what he was talking about, she couldn’t quite decipher it.

“Not there,” he said, readjusting her face with his hand and pointing it in the right direction. “There.”

She still couldn’t see it. “I’m afraid I am not good at this game.”

“Let me help you.”

He moved closer to her, laying his head next to hers so they were touching. Once again he took his hand and adjusted her chin. “Try that. Do you see it now?”

She may have seen it, had she been looking at the sky. Instead, she was looking at Nikolai who was so close she could kiss him. His skin next to hers felt hotter than the sun. His body so close to her made her feel safe and happy.

“I see something much more interesting than castles and flying horses.”

“Really?” he asked, still looking at the sky. “What do you see?”

“I see a man. A man that I think I could love if I didn’t have such blackness in my heart. I only wish that he could love me in return. That alone would make me happy.”

He turned, realizing she was looking at him. His breath was on her, and she felt herself warm in a way that was not lust. This was a new feeling. One she had never experienced before. He made her heart flutter and her knees weak. Could it be love?

“We make our own happiness, Vara,” he said in a soft whisper. “No one – nothing - not all the money in the world nor all the riches in a kingdom can make someone happy. You need to look inside and see all the riches there that remain hidden.”

“I think I understand,” she whispered back. “I am happy when I forget about my earthly possessions. That’s why you told me to leave them back at the castle, isn’t it?”

“Do you miss them?”

“Nay. I feel happier without them. I like laying in the sun and breathing in the sea air, looking at the sky and pretending I see things in the clouds.”

“I am not pretending,” he said with a grin. “I really see them.”

“And I really see one of the best treasures to ever come into my life. A treasure that cannot be replaced by silver or gold.”

He leaned in and kissed her ever so gently upon the mouth. She closed her eyes and kissed him back, taking her time, not rushing it like when she kissed in lust.

“The kiss feels so different since I’ve rid myself of lust,” she said.

“Yes,” he agreed. “It does.”

He kissed her again, and this time it was much more passionate. She responded, feeling very happy inside. His hands wandered and caressed her breast right through her gown. She held on to his hand and looked at him.

“Do you love me?” She held her breath while she waited for his answer.

He froze and let out a breath of his own. “I’m . . . not sure.”

Her spirits fell. “Then we can go no further.” She pushed away his hand and sat up.

“What?” He looked at her in disbelief.

“I will not couple with you unless you love me.”

He smiled. “Oh, so now you are throwing my words back at me.”

“No, I actually feel this way now that I’ve given up lust.”

“You do?”

“Yes. I do. Is that so surprising?”

“I suppose not. It’s just that . . . I thought even if we didn’t make love we could . . . ”

“Nikolai!” She walked down the rock to the beach. “I would say that is lust speaking, not love.”

“How can you say that?” He followed after her. “You don’t even know what love is.”

“I could say the same of you.” She went over to the horse and unlatched the bag that held the food. “Today I’ve realized that the only thing that can make a person happy is love.” She spread out a blanket on the sand and continued to unpack the food upon it. “I know now that I no longer need gold and silver or food or sex to make me happy. I don’t have to have more than everyone else. I came here with nothing, not even my sword. This is the happiest I’ve felt in a long time.”

“So are you saying you no longer need greed to be happy?” She noticed him touching the pouch at his side.

“Yes,” she said, laying out the food. “If I can be happy laying in the sun looking at clouds, then I don’t need all those earthly possessions. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll give all my newly acclaimed treasures to the poor.” She stopped spreading the food. “Yes. That’s what I’ll do. I will give back all the money I stole on raids. I don’t need it anymore. I am happier without greed. I am going to give up being greedy forever.”

As she said those words, she felt a tingly vibration surge through her body. The Furies cried out in her brain.

No. Don’t do it, Vara.

You need wealth. You need riches.

You should have everything. This is your happiness
.

She found it easier this time to push their voices aside, and not listen to their empty promises. She had found something special today with Nikolai. A happiness grew deep inside her that had nothing to do with money or possessions. Being rid of greed made her happier yet. She felt as if a weight was lifted off her shoulders.

She thought she saw a yellow cloud up over her head, but when she looked upward, it disappeared.

“So what do you think of that, Nikolai?” She looked over to him, but he wasn’t paying attention. He was putting something in his pouch. “What are you doing?” She wondered what was so important that he couldn’t share her revelation with her.

“What?” He looked up quickly, then reached down. “There are beautiful shells on this beach.” He picked one out of the sand. “I thought perhaps we could bring some back to the castle.”

“Oh. Go ahead if you want to,” she told him. “I have enough possessions that I need to get rid of. I’ll just look at the shells and leave them on the beach.”

“Good idea,” he said, throwing it down. “I just thought I’d test you, but obviously you are really rid of greed. Congratulations.”

He leaned over and kissed her again, and she knew she’d made the right decision. This day with Nikolai was very special. She would remember this for the rest of her life.

*  *  *

Nikolai kissed Vara goodnight, having spent the entire day with her on the beach. It was almost as if she were a changed person. Her presence today was actually enjoyable.

He left her at her chamber and went to his own room. He was anxious to tell Baruch he had managed to collect a third vice. He entered his room and barred the door behind him. Quickly lighting a candle, he looked around for the minion. Baruch once again lay in his bed.

“Get out of there, you smelly troll.” He shooed the minion with his hand.

Baruch opened one lazy eye and then the other.

“Oh, hello Niko. I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed your bed.”

“I do. Now out!” He held his arm outward and pointed.

“All right, all right, don’t get your hose in a knot. I’m going.” He slowly crawled from under the covers and settled himself in the chair. “So where were you all day?”

“If you had been doing your job of staying with me and helping me like Hera ordered you to do, then you would know, wouldn’t you?”

The minion yawned. “After everything that wench has done to me, I thought it safer to stay curled up in your bed.”

“Well, if you had been with me, you would know which vice I managed to collect today.” Nikolai almost laughed when the minion’s eyes popped open.

“You got a vice?” He sat up straighter in the chair. “Oh, show me, show me, please.” He leaned forward and watched eagerly as Nikolai took the vial from his pouch.

“Oh, this one is yellow,” he said. “Which of the three is it? Is it jealousy?”

“No.”

“Anger?”

“Wrong again.”

The minion stood slowly atop the chair. “Do you mean to tell me you got her to give up greed?”

“I most certainly did.” Pride lodged in his chest. “And it wasn’t as hard as I thought it’d be. I think Vara has been discovering her true self lately. It was her decision to give it up, as were the rest, but she actually seemed to enjoy discarding this one.”

“Oh, Niko, I am so excited! Hera is going to be so happy.” The green blob did his little happy dance and clapped his hands and turned circles atop the chair. Nikolai waited patiently, but finally broke in when he could stand it no more.

“Are you finished?” he asked.

“Huh?” the minion looked at him and then realized he was waiting for him to stop. “Oh, sure.” He sat back down in the chair. “So how did you get it? You are good Niko, I have to hand it to you. What lie did you tell her this time?”

“I didn’t lie, Baruch.” He placed the vial into the pouch with the others and then put the entire thing in the bedside table drawer. “I just told her that she didn’t need all those things to be happy.”

“And that’s it? Poof?” He waved his hand in the air like he’d done when he’d imitated Hera. “She heard that and just gave it up willingly?”

“Well, no, not exactly.” He played with the crystal around his neck. “I think she’s falling in love with me, Baruch.”

“What?” he said aghast. Then he started laughing. “Vara doesn’t love anyone. She couldn’t if she tried. Her heart is as black as beetle dung.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, my friend. She has started to find that spark of goodness and love hidden deep within her. It surfaced today. I must say I liked the way she transformed once she found it.”

“Then you’re both in love. Wait till I tell Hera.”

“You’ll tell Hera nothing of the sort.” He sat down on the bed and pulled off his boots. Then he lay back, all the while holding his crystal in his hand.

“So do you love her or not?”

“She asked me that today. And I hesitated. I couldn’t lie to her, Baruch. I feel attracted to her, but as you said she is not very likable with all her vices. I don’t know if I can fall in love with her until I see her true self. Until she quits flip-flopping back and forth between being kind and being dark-hearted.”