by Ciara Lake
“Enjoy it. In current times, mortals barely believe it actually existed.” He looked saddened. “The memory of this glorious accomplishment is mostly dead. Some even suggest it was a story made up to make this city and King Nebuchadnezzar seem all the grander. But as you see, it is truly a grand city. In many ways, it rivals the modern cities of our day. Its culture was much different than how the world is today. History fades as mortals live short lives and pass away. Time erodes what once was and then it’s gone forever. As an advantage to us, the immortals and the gods remember and can re-experience it, but the mortals lose it all. The truly unfortunate thing is mortals don’t embrace magic or the supernatural anymore in our time, so they will never be able to recall the past like this.” He gestured toward the street around them. “The mortal world has changed so much, and not always for the best.”
“Thank you for bringing me here.” Terra clung to his arm. “This is a wonderful experience.”
“I want to show you the world. I thought we’d start here, since you love gardens. This is the most famous garden I could think of.” He took her hand in his.
“We’re going to see the world in all time periods?”
“Yes, exactly. Does that sound good to you?”
“Absolutely. What an adventure.” She squeezed his hand.
“The next place I’m taking you to is Memphis, Egypt. We’ll go to the temple of God Ptah. In our time, the great city is no longer there either, and it used to be the center of commerce and a most wonderful place. And like here, the memory of what it truly was has faded. Nevertheless, I’m taking you there to attend the Sed Festival in honor of the pharaoh.”
Something caught Aetius’s attention.
“We’ve been spotted.” He looked down and away. “Damn, she’ll slow our journey and my honeymoon plans.”
“Who has spotted us? I thought the mortals couldn’t see us.”
“But the gods and immortals can see us.” He nodded toward an approaching woman. She strutted down the street like a queen. Many other people surrounded her.
“We do have all the time in the world. Don’t we?”
“True.” He smiled.
“Who is she?” Terra watched the elegantly dressed woman move past the horde of mortals. As she passed them, they bowed their heads to her. Some tried to touch her, and others fell on their knees or prostrated themselves.
“She’s Ishtar, the goddess of war, love, and sex. She’s accompanied by some of her immortal high priestesses. They can see us too.”
“The people seem to know who she is, and she’s walking on the street?”
“In this era, things are different. Many of the mortals embrace the supernatural and the gods. They know she’s a goddess. She mingles among her people. They adore her. She’s very powerful here. In our current time, she’s nearly faded away.”
“She no longer exists?” Terra watched the alluring goddess approach them. Behind her, a troop of servants followed.
“She’s on her way to her temple. She does exist in our time, and she has some followers, but like the Egyptian gods, her grandeur has faded. But make no mistake, not her power. There are some pockets of strong following around the modern mortal world. She’s controversial, much like your beloved God Dionysus. Ishtar promotes a kind of sexual freedom that offers its followers mystic power and influence. Her temples make Aphrodite’s look like convents.”
“That sexual, huh?”
“Yes.” He grinned. “I know one of her descendants, Ishmet, she lives in California. In fact, she’s a relative of both Ishtar and Sekhmet, the Egyptian lioness goddess. You’ll meet her when we go to Memphis. She has a temple there. Ishmet is a great artist and an interesting and powerful being. She’s involved in local politics.” He took her hand. “Let’s go before Ishtar delays us here. She loves to entertain, and we’ll get caught up here for longer than I planned.”
“Stop,” the goddess yelled. “Don’t leave this wondrous city before you visit with me. I’m surprised at you, Master Elemental, visiting Babylon without coming to my temple.”
They were pulled to the goddess like steel to a powerful magnet.
“I told you she was strong.” Aetius grunted when they came to an abrupt stop in front of the goddess.
“That was different.” Terra adjusted her skirt.
“Are you from the future? I can feel a certain vibe from you both. This woman is from another time and is very young. And you, Master Elemental, aren’t in the right place in your time line either. What brings you back in history to my grand city of Babylon?”
He shook his head. “It’s just my luck, we should get spotted by her.”
“Of course. I’m the goddess of war, sex, love, and much more. You cannot come here and not pay homage to me.” She put her hands on her hips. “You must celebrate in my temple.” Her eyes twinkled as she watched them.
“Yes, goddess.” Aetius bowed his head.
Ishtar pouted and waved her hand over them. Terra realized that Isthar’s servants and the mortals around her could see them now. They stared at Aetius and Terra in awe.
“You must come with me to my temple. Sekhmet is here from Egypt, and we plan to truly enjoy ourselves. It will be a reunion for us all, won’t it, lover boy?” She put her hand on Aetius’s arm. “Your beautiful man has been a great participator of my temple.” Isthar caressed the side of Aetius’s face with the back of her hand and she wiggled her eyebrows at Terra.
“Really?” Terra looked at him in surprise. “You frequented her temple?”
“Yes, it was a long time ago.” He looked down.
“Yes, my dear. Aetius has brought me, Sekhmet, and many of my high priestesses’ great joy with his masculine prowess. As you no doubt know, he’s a tiger in bed. At least my friend the lioness goddess says so, and she would know.” Isthar laughed at her play on words. “I’d have to agree with her.” She sauntered on past them.
Aetius and Terra followed her down the street. Terra was smiling from ear to ear. “And I was feeling bad I was a priestess of God Dionysus. Hmm.” She winked. “Tiger.”
“Yes, my dear, and with you, a fiery one. Let’s go experience the world together.” He put his arm around her and kissed her.
About Ciara Lake
Reading and writing is a wonderful diversion from an often-difficult world. I love to create my own stories and have control over how things will end. It’s exciting to create brand new worlds and characters. My imagination can come alive.
In sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal stories, I can invent wonderful places and people. Anything is possible in these genres, it’s limitless. I’m able to create an escape into a special world filled with unique and fantastic things, and there is always a happy ending.
A high school teacher inspired me to write. However, instead of initially pursuing my writing career I became a lawyer. I work in divorce court, so erotic romance is a great escape. There can be true love and happy-endings, at least on my pages.
I share my home with my two sons, who are now young men, my father, and two good-humored dogs. I have traveled and lived all over the world, and these experiences have given me great creative ideas. I look forward to creating many more adventures in romance.
Ciara’s Website:
www.ciaralake.com
Reader eMail:
[email protected]
About The Forsaken Series
Book 1: Forsaken Heart by Elise Whyles
Now Available
Book 2: Curse of a Dragon’s Claim by Ciara Lake
Now Available
Book 3: Forsaken Paradise by Elise Whyles
Now Available
Book 4: Forsaken Norse Wind by Ciara Lake
Now Available
Book 5: Skarlet Kiss by Elise Whyles
Now Available
Book 6: Enchanted Waves by Ciara Lake
Now Available
Book 7: Dangerous Passions by Elise Whyles
Now Available
; Book 8: Child of Tempest by Ciara Lake
Now Available
Book 9: Fallen by Elise Whyles
Now Available
Book 10: Feral by Ciara Lake
Now Available
Book 11: Burning Rain by Elise Whyles
Now Available
Book 12: Elemental’s Heart by Ciara Lake
Now Available