Scorched

by Jendela Tryst

  “I did not kidnap you,” he protested.

  “Did you not? I did not come here willingly. And you yourself said not everything I read is accurate.”

  “No. But, the heroine in the story was a nymph.”

  Psyche lifted her head slightly, strangely peeved. “I’ve been mistaken for a nymph before.” She thought of a comment from Narcissus.

  Her husband laughed. It was so late at night, she was certain the whole palace awoke to the unexpected beauty of the sound.

  “I have offended your pride. Of course you could be mistaken for a nymph. In fact, I have heard some in your village have mistaken you for a goddess.” Psyche blushed, mortified. “Now I have embarrassed you. I am a terrible jester. You are safe here and I’m sorry if I made you recall some terrible memories.”

  “But, you are right. It was silly to think I might be Persephone. I don’t know what I was thinking. And how could I be reading something that hasn’t happened yet?”

  “My dear, you are more stunning than any nymph and you could drive any man to madness with your beauty.”

  He paused and she heard him swallow distinctively. “You drive me to madness.”

  Suddenly she saw the shadow reaching out to her. Her breath caught. He was going to touch her! Afraid he might stop, she closed her eyes tightly.

  Psyche felt the brush of a hand against her cheek. It was soft and warm, like a man’s hands. No monster, she thought. She sighed. It had been so long since she had been touched. The sensation was almost unbearable. She leaned into the hand and she felt it begin to withdraw.

  “Please, don’t go,” she whispered. “I won’t open my eyes. I promise.”

  He made a soft almost choking sound and she knew he wanted to touch her as much as she wanted to be touched. The hand gently caressed her forehead. Then her cheeks. Another hand touched her hair. For a moment she thought she felt the warmth of a breath against her lips and she thought her heart stopped beating at that very moment.

  She held her breath, hoping he would not shy away, opening her mouth slightly in a primal, instinctive invitation.

  “You will be the death of me,” he whispered.

  “I cannot do that,” she whispered back. “You are immortal.”

  Her lips felt the rapid air of a chuckle brush against them. “Sleep tonight, my beautiful Psyche. I have already revealed too much.”

  “Please don’t send me away just yet.”

  “No. You are too dangerous. I do not trust myself near you tonight. Please, go.”

  “Very well.” She opened her eyes and knew he had already retreated. “But, tomorrow is another day.”

  She heard him draw an unsteady breath, and she found herself ridiculously pleased that she had such an effect on him.

  “Until tomorrow,” she called out.

  “Until tomorrow,” he responded softly.

  Psyche turned, knowing that his eyes followed her until the door was completely shut.

  Chapter 10

  When tomorrow came, however, it was not her husband with whom she spent the day. Cordelia told her that there was a visitor at the dining hall who wished to make her acquaintance.

  “Who is it?”

  “He is a very close friend of the Master. He stops by sometimes even when Master is not at home, and we provide refreshments. But since you are now Mistress of the Palace... well, I thought it only appropriate to have you greet him in the Master’s stead.”

  Psyche felt apprehension. She had seen enough of the strange creatures of the island to wonder about her guest. She could get no more information from Cordelia who was being frustratingly vague. Psyche wondered how she was to play host in a palace whose servants she could not even see. What if her guest was invisible as well?

  Despite her uncertainty, Psyche did not want to shame her husband. Everyone called her their Mistress so it was her place to host the guests of the palace. For once, Psyche was grateful for her older sister, Elisa’s lessons on good etiquette. She knew to dress especially well to meet her mysterious visitor. She tried to remember all the rules Elisa tried to teach her and stood a few moments in the hallway gathering her courage.

  As soon as Psyche entered the dining hall, she realized that she shouldn’t have worried. Not only could she see her visitor, he clearly was not a man of great breeding himself. He was sprawled against a great carved lion seat facing a warm fire away from the door. He had already made himself at home sampling some figs and putting his soiled sandals on the cushions after tracking mud throughout the hall. His back was still towards her when he spoke, his voice inappropriately familiar, as if they were already close friends.

  “Ah, the new mistress of the house! And already you think I was raised in a barn. Do not worry about playing hostess or trying to make me feel comfortable. I am quite familiar with this place, and Cordelia has treated me excellently.”

  Psyche did not know how to respond. He still did not turn. It was as if he was waiting for her to react. Since he had not introduced himself, she decided to remain silent. She had been taught not to address anyone unless they gave her permission to use their name. It was what people with manners did. It was what her mother and Elisa taught her.

  When she did not respond, the strange guest stood up and turned to look at her quizzically, as if she had been the rude one. Psyche was stunned by his appearance.

  Her guest wore full armor, and from the bright red symbol upon his breastplate, she realized he was Greek, specifically Athenian. Yet, his armor was immaculate as if it had never seen a single battle, and it glared with a brilliance that almost hurt her eyes. Perhaps, he was a commander, or a prince. One who gave orders but never needed to unsheathe his sword. And he was very handsome. In a wicked sort of way; his eyes and skin dark, his nose crooked, his smile devilish. He returned her gaze with bemused fascination.

  It was with some satisfaction that Psyche noted that he seemed as taken aback by her as she was with him. He broke their gaze to look down at his attire self-consciously

  He spoke with a rich, deep voice, velvety and musical. “You are right. It is too clean to be convincing.”

  Psyche blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

  “The armor. You think it is too clean for a real soldier.”

  Psyche swallowed. She had been so assured when she saw him that he was human, but now....

  Realization lit her guest’s eyes. “Ah, I see. You don’t know who I am.” He looked like he was about to say something, and then he stopped. He stared at her for another moment, then the smile died from his lips and his dark eyes narrowed. “You are... Psyche?”

  She was surprised he knew her name. “I am.”

  “Ah...” His eyes were frozen on her face. Again she felt the uncanny sense that she was completely revealed to him. “Now, I understand.”

  Psyche felt helpless and cornered. Instinctively, she went on the offensive.

  “I’m glad I was able to enlighten you. Perhaps you could return the favor and introduce yourself to me, as this is the tradition where I am from. Perhaps the…village where you were raised, taught you differently?”

  For a moment, the man looked at her with stunned silence. Psyche tried not to bite her lip. She was not going to back down now. If the man stormed out, it would certainly not reflect well on her ability as a hostess, but he was rude first and she would use this in her defense. What person enters a home ruining beautiful cushions and ogling its new mistress? Then he teased her with vague sentences that he had no interest in clarifying? He was the worst creature she had met thus far. And that included Narcissus!

  Suddenly, the mysterious man stood up and walked slowly towards her. Psyche had to struggle not to take a step back. Instead, she stood her ground and lifted her chin. When he was a few feet away from her, she took a moment to take in his great height. He was lean, but the top of her head barely reached his shoulder. Psyche never considered herself a small woman until now. The guest paused, then his head suddenly lowered. It took Psyche a
moment to realize the odd man was bowing. When he raised himself up again, his eyes were all laughter. “You must forgive me. My name is Mercury, and I am a good friend of the Master of this palace. You took me by surprise, as I was expecting someone else.”

  Psyche felt weak with relief. She cautiously returned his smile. “Someone else?”

  “Someone... different. I take it, you are well acquainted with the Master here?”

  Psyche swallowed. “Yes, of course. He is my husband.”

  The eyes narrowed again and Psyche could not help taking a step back this time. Then the smile reappeared on his face so genuinely that Psyche wondered if it had been her imagination.

  “And what name did your husband give you?” Mercury asked.

  “The Lord of Amorus.”

  A twinkle seemed to dance in his eyes. “Amorus?”

  “Yes,” Psyche did not know why, but she felt compelled to lift her chin again. “He prefers darkness over light. He will not let anyone gaze upon him unless he is in the shadows. He tells me he is not mortal. So I understand, you probably expected me to be a similar creature.”

  Mercury blinked, but the pause was so brief she again thought she imagined it. “He is as you described. And yet, you are not completely repelled by him.” His eyes were quizzical and looking deceptively unassuming.

  Psyche suddenly remembered how her husband spoke of the gift of mind reading without the slightest bit of sarcasm. Could it be that this strange guest was reading her? Wanting to test her theory, she formed her response in her head.There is nothing about him to repel me. I prefer his company to yours.

  At this, her companion laughed out loud. He had revealed himself completely, and Psyche took a step back, trembling. Immediately, Mercury clamped his hand upon his mouth and wiped away the smile. He looked away, as if he realized his proximity was making her nervous and walked towards a window. Psyche immediately felt better, as if he had left her head.

  “I see why he likes you. I am a distant relation of his, you see, and I have the audacity to treat this palace quite like my own. And my palace is also welcome to him in much the same way. As his new lady, I extend that invitation to you as well, of course.”

  “I thank you. I don’t know if I will ever have that pleasure. I’m not certain of my duration here.”

  “Will you be leaving so soon?”

  “I am told that it would not be wise to do so.”

  “I am sure you were told correctly.” Mercury’s eyes momentarily darkened, as if in warning. Then, like a summer storm, it passed and he was smiling again. “And how do you like your new gilded cage? I must say, this palace has some of the most tasteful art and architecture in the land. The master has quite an eye for beauty.”

  Mercury’s eyes were assessing her languidly while he spoke.

  Psyche felt uncomfortable. There was something uncannily sharp about this strange man. His face was long and clever. Psyche would have thought him handsome if his eyes did not always look half open, peering beneath the curtains of his long, hooded lashes. His gaze darted here and there when he spoke, never steady except to unnerve her, and his mannerism carried a graceful restlessness that made her think of a pacing panther. His lips were thin, curved and teasing, as if agile in deception.

  Psyche wanted to show him that she was not so naive either. “You speak as if I am but another one of his collections.”

  The eyes behind that thick curtain twinkled once more. “Forgive me. I meant no disrespect. I am not often in the way of beautiful ladies of exceptional upbringing. And for the last several days, I have been in the company of some brutish sort of men.”

  “Soldiers such as yourself?”

  “Why, yes. I have recently parted ways with my men and am eager to tell your husband some news. But, I seem to have come while he is not at home.”

  “He is always gone all day. At least, since I came.”

  Mercury nodded. “I see.”

  “You have seen him, then? In the light?”

  Mercury turned, his eyes widening slightly at the question before turning back to the window and hiding behind his hooded lids once more. “Is there anything to eat around here besides fruit? I have newly arrived from Troy and am quite famished.”

  Psyche immediately forgot her discomfort. Troy? What he must know! What he must have seen! “I could have a meal brought to you immediately. I could join you, for I have not yet broken fast, but… if you prefer, I could leave you to enjoy your meal alone. I would understand.” As eager as she was to hear his stories, she could not bring herself to apologize for her earlier rudeness. She held her breath for his response.

  “The food sounds wonderful. And the company, even more so.”

  Psyche rewarded him with a genuine smile and sat across from him at the table and beckoned for Cordelia.

  In the time that followed, Mercury quickly redeemed himself. He told her stories of great battles, complete with dialogue between the leaders. He recalled Achilles arguing with Hector, and Paris, cowering behind the towers. He told the story with his entire body, occasionally getting up to act out scenes. Psyche listened with fascination. She had hoped conversation with Mercury would eventually reveal more about her mysterious husband or the strange island, but Mercury kept managing to wriggle away from her questions with great skill. He seemed to anticipate Psyche’s intent and carefully steered away from her probing.

  In the end, Psyche gave up and let herself be enraptured by Mercury’s colorful tales. She had never met any bard or orator with his talent for storytelling.

  “Were you there when the wall fell?” she managed to ask him.

  “Indeed. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. How bright the flames that scorched the mighty fortress.”

  “Your armor looks none for wear,” Psyche pointed out. “Did you fight in the fields at all?”

  Mercury shrugged, picking at a mutton bone. “I was there mostly for clandestine purposes. Spying is my main talent.”

  Psyche laughed. “You speak with such pride.”

  “I have much to be proud of! It is not easy to be a good spy. It requires much skill and cunning and such elaborate deceptions that you would not believe.”

  “I can imagine. But I’m not so sure it is all that difficult for one such as you.”

  Mercury sobered instantly, his face offended. “Madam, are you calling me a liar?”

  “Yes, but don’t worry. I mean it in a very complimentary way.”

  He burst out laughing and touched her sleeve compatibly. Psyche found herself enjoying the way his brown eyes turned into crescent moons. “Ah, only I would appreciate such a compliment!”

  Psyche looked at the sleeve that Mercury had briefly touched. She so missed being in the company of a regular person! Although, Mercury was far from regular, with the reading of her mind and things like that, but he was not at all intimidating, at least not now. Psyche did not realize how lonely she was until that very moment. At that moment, she felt alive again.

  Mercury reached out for more wine. “Something tells me I need to watch myself with you. You remind me of someone I know—.”

  Before he could continue, the shades in the room were suddenly drawn and the entire table was washed in darkness. A cool breeze blew from an indecipherable direction and Psyche looked up to see a shadow move at the corner of her eye. The sun had sunk completely in the horizon and Psyche was shocked at how quickly the time had passed. They must have sat in the dining hall talking for hours! The food and the wine had just kept coming silently and steadily. Now, her husband was back. Psyche did not know why she felt so guilty, but she did.

  There was enough light for Psyche to see a sparkle in Mercury’s shadowed eye.

  “Ah,” she heard him say in an unfazed, cheerful voice. “The Lord of the House has returned at last.”

  Chapter 11

  “What are you doing here?” The creature’s tone was one Psyche had never heard before. It was dangerous.

  “I’ve come to pay
my respects to the new Mistress of the house,” Mercury responded nonchalantly. “It is what good friends do. Imagine my surprise to learn you had married and did not invite any of your family.”

  “Family was not needed,” the creature replied. “Approval not needed. Psyche may meet them when the time is right. That time has not come yet.”

  Mercury said nothing for a while, then turned and smiled deep into the darkness, a one-sided wry expression that was all charm, changing the serious angles of his face into an open invitation.

  “I understand,” Mercury’s voice was assuring. “Now that I’ve met her, I understand why you remained silent. You wanted to keep her to yourself. You knew, if anyone else beheld her, there would be a war over her hand. But, I will have you know, she is not happy here.”

  Psyche gasped. “I never said that!”

  Mercury’s eyes were sympathetic. “My dear, you do not have to. It is all over your face.”

  “No, it isn’t,” Psyche felt anger heat her face. She had let her guard down and she had betrayed her husband. She did not appreciate this stranger causing her gentle friend needless pain. “It is no where in my face. And no where in my mind, which you are often rudely invading.”

  Mercury’s smile faltered but only slightly. “And what do you know of mind-reading, my dear?”

  Psyche hesitated, recognizing the veiled threat in his voice. She should not have trusted him.

  “She knows nothing.” The Master of the palace interjected. “She knows only that some of the creatures in this land have abilities that she does not.”

  Mercury let out an incredulous breath. “That’s keeping it simple. No need to be so protective, nephew. You know I am not here to do either of you any harm.”

  “I know nothing where you are concerned. You are the reason…” the creature stopped himself. “I never know whose side you are on. But let me make it clear to you, Mercury. You are not welcome here.”

  Their guest shrugged. “It is the curse of neutrality. Sometimes you earn the distrust of both parties, but you must believe me in this. I wish no harm to come to you or your comely companion.”