They were all alone.
Before his visit with the gods on the mountain, he would have simply strode in and presented his case like the practical, clear-eyed sailor he was. After her other-worldly speech the other night—and the results—he respected the priestess more than any king to whom he’d sworn obeisance. “May I enter?”
She glanced up, and he could swear the blue light of the goddess lingered in her eyes. She gestured for him to enter. “You have had a long journey. Join me.”
He wasn’t certain he heard right, so he crouched beside the pool. Holding his beloved sword across his palms, he offered the gift he’d brought down from the mountain. “Aelynn asks that I present this to you. It is no longer mine but belongs to all.”
She brought up a wet hand to skim across the newly forged blade. “It is different,” she said in wonder. “What happened?”
“I thought you might explain. We cast our weapons into the fire as asked. This morning, we woke to find them at our sides. But mine . . . This sword was changed, as the others were not. It’s lighter, more flexible than anything forged by man. The hilt is now encrusted with gold and diamonds and not just the few crude gems my father could afford. But it is still inscribed by my father’s words, the Sword of Justice.”
She touched it reverently, then glanced to him with an expression that shook him to his very core.
“Aelynn has truly chosen you,” she said in amazement. “The Chalice of Plenty is a woman’s defense—the food with which to feed our children, the shelter to house our families. A Sword of Justice . . . this belongs to men. You will know more of its use than I.”
His eyes had adjusted sufficiently to the light to see that she wore nothing. Once again, she nearly brought him to his knees. He craved so much . . . and not all of his desire was physical. In his lack of experience with this kind of emotion, he could not begin to separate his craving for her body from his deep need for her approval and acceptance.
But as a mere mortal man, he recognized temptation. The curves of her bare breasts floated upon the water and he was capable of understanding naught else. His body was weary but not dead.
Her words barely reached through his skull, but her tone of respect and admiration filled the emptiness that had lived inside him for too long.
Foolishly, he had once thought more respect, more gold, and a beautiful woman would provide fulfillment. This goddess floating before him had proved how very wrong he’d been about such shallow pursuits—and how much he yearned for the deeper satisfaction she could offer.
If he could only have her presence, then he’d accept whatever she offered.
Before he could ruin the moment with his crassness, he asked for his most heartfelt desire. “Like the chalice, this sword belongs to the island, as do I. I’ve seen your wisdom, and I’m ready to live for more than myself. May I stay?”
“You have earned the right to stay. I have asked you to join me,” she reminded him. “The pool will take away your weariness. Miracles flourish all around us, and this pool is one of them. You will find it hard to sail away when the time comes.”
Not certain if he was dreaming or hallucinating, fearing her last words, Nautilus hesitated. “I am still banished?”
She shook her head, and her blue gaze beckoned. “No, not at all. Aelynn has granted my wishes and given you her acceptance gift with that sword. You are not banished, but the time still comes when you must sail. Your god is the sea, and Aelynn understands that.”
In his heart, Nautilus offered up gratitude to whatever power wished to accept it. “I am not certain I wish to sail away and leave you unprotected,” he warned.
“We will need that which we cannot grow or make here,” she reminded him. “The time will come when we must foray into the old world and exchange the gold we carried with us for items to trade and to use. We will need merchant sailors, navigators, many things. And there are those who wish to return to their families. They will not be allowed to return to the island,” she said sadly.
He dipped his hand in the warm pool, longing to join her, still afraid he misunderstood her invitation. Although he began to realize why she might be making this offer—if he continued to live here, they couldn’t hope to live in purity. He, at least, was only mortal, and his physical desire for her was as strong as his heart’s desire. If she continued to insist on virginity, his frustration would lead to discontent.
The woman was wise beyond her years or experience.
“Our numbers will diminish once the others leave,” he agreed. “But it will be easier to feed a smaller population while we build our fields.”
She smiled and sank a little deeper into the water. “I have missed our conversations. It is difficult to admit concerns to my women and still act as omniscient leader, but you always understand. I am glad Aelynn has decided to grow her worshippers from within instead of without.”
She stood, rising from the waters like a sea goddess—water streaming over high breasts and erect nipples, gleaming on the nip of her waist and curve of her hip. She held out a shapely arm in a welcoming gesture. “Please, if you are still interested in me and not one of my acolytes, join me.”
Her invitation could not be plainer. Hastily, Nautilus tugged at the clasp of his tunic. “I do not wish to profane you or the goddess with my humble flesh,” he warned, not daring to let joy and hope take root if they were only to be trampled like tender seedlings. “If you are not saying what I hope you are, I’d rather return to my lonely bed than insult you.”
“I know nothing of what is between men and women,” she admitted. “I know almost nothing of men at all. But if you wish to stay, and you don’t object to vows forsaking all others . . . I would choose you to teach me.”
Astonished, Nautilus lacked the proper words to express his elation. No longer weary, his body responded as any man’s would at such an invitation. But this was a virgin priestess, a woman well beyond the merchant’s daughter that he had expected to take as wife. Humbled, honored, he feared her innocence would not accept his coarseness.
Standing behind a large rock, he dropped his tunic and removed his sandals. “Men are crude creatures, my lady. Look away as I climb in.”
Slyly, she glanced over her shoulder just as his feet hit the water. “I have always wondered how men were different, you know. I had not realized you carried weapons between your legs.”
His weapon extended to bursting at her admiration. Nautilus plunged into the water. He reached for her without thinking, then stopped. “Do I have permission to touch you?”
“More than permission. I have spent these nights on my knees at the altar, begging for understanding. Aelynn comes to me clearer on this magical island. I think . . . I believe . . . that we have interpreted her wishes to please ourselves in the past.” She sank back to her rock again, hiding her beauty.
So as not to distract him, Nautilus thought, but he had difficulty concentrating on her words when he had permission to touch and denied himself that he might understand her change of mind and heart.
His arousal was not quenched by the warm water. In fact, the water took away his weariness and enhanced his . . . awareness . . . to an almost painful degree. He did not respond to her explanation beyond keeping his hands to himself and waiting.
“In the past,” she continued hesitantly, “we have interpreted Aelynn’s strictures to be as children to mean to be as pure as children. But here, Aelynn has it made plain to me that she wishes us to increase our numbers from within her loyal worshippers. Perhaps she has meant that we should be as children in our openness and honesty to Her. Age and cynicism blind us to those traits.”
Intrigued, despite himself, Nautilus recalled Khaos and the other children diving excitedly into this new life, accepting the change without question as long as the people they knew and loved were at hand. “Perhaps She also means that we should keep our minds open? Willingly accept what the gods offer?”
She cast him a glance full of approval . . .
and something more? Something that made his heart beat faster, like that of a child’s.
“Love and trust easily,” she agreed, “to be honest with each other . . . all those things that we discard with worldly experience. In ways, that is a far more difficult task than so basic a symbol as physical purity. Essentially, we took the easy way out by removing ourselves from the world and its temptations.”
“We are still removed from the world if we stay here,” he reminded her. “But it is easier to resist cynicism when we are not struggling for survival. I think I begin to understand,” he said, needing time alone to ponder her theory. He could not think straight while she was naked and within arm’s reach.
As if she understood, Tasia stroked his upper arm. “Now, it is up to us to show the others the path to courtship and commitment, while embracing love and trust. Are you certain this is what you want?” she asked.
“More certainly than I believe the sea rises and falls,” he said fervently, finally daring to touch her chin and turn her head up to him. “Love and trust, I can offer. You have granted me all that the gods possess on Olympus. I am not certain I am worthy.”
Before she could develop doubts, he bent and kissed her as gently as he knew how, hoping not to terrify her. He used only his lips to seduce her mouth, and fingers to caress her jaw, while holding back his crude body from her splendid curves.
She responded so passionately and eagerly that Nautilus couldn’t resist profaning her mouth with his eager tongue, if only to lure her into repeating the gesture. She hesitated, then followed his example so thoroughly, he had to fight his baser nature to prevent treating her as if she were more experienced than she was. She was a fast student and too clever for her own good.
In her zeal, she grasped his shoulders and lifted herself closer. Being a mere male, he couldn’t help wrapping his arms around her slender back and holding her in place so she could explore to her heart’s content. And his. Once her kisses spun his head and her breasts pushed into his chest, he lost all ability to think clearly.
He took care not to crush her while she practiced returning his kisses. He couldn’t disguise the strength of his need for her, however. She settled on his thighs and pressed his weapon against her belly without any apparent qualm, intent on learning the magic their mouths could create.
He’d wanted a woman of this character all his life without knowing how much until now. He’d been blind to so many things! He cupped the perfect orbs of her bottom and let the water tease around them, praying he wouldn’t die of need until she was ready to take him.
“I can see that courtship requires privacy,” she murmured against his mouth, while her hands explored his chest. “Khaos sleeps in my chamber with one of the students. Our people fill the shelters.”
“We need a consummation temple,” he laughed against her marauding kisses. “A place where we may worship with our bodies. This pool is far too rocky for what I have in mind.” He brought one hand around to tease between her thighs in hopes she would understand.
She exclaimed in surprise and pleasure and eagerly rocked back and forth, demanding more. Nautilus gave her what she asked, using his fingers to soothe and excite. She responded with the need of one starved, and in his arms, she bucked and cried out with the ecstasy she’d been denied until now.
“Oh, my, I had no idea!” she gasped, collapsing in his arms and resting her head against his shoulder. “Can we do it again?” she squirmed against him, seeking more—driving him into a state of frenzy.
Desperate to have her, afraid this position would be too crude and uncomfortable for her first time, Nautilus stood, lifting her with him. She readily wrapped her long legs around his hips, and he nearly expired of need right then.
But this was a virgin lady, the goddess he worshipped, and he would learn to treat her with reverence. Well, perhaps earthy reverence.
Employing his tongue and hands to keep her willing and occupied, he carried her into the night, seeking softer grounds. He couldn’t take her to his bed in the bachelor encampment, or to the blankets with the women. He should have come better prepared.
How could any man possibly prepare for bliss? Or a gift from a goddess?
Twinkling fireflies guided him down a path through the foliage. Or perhaps they were stars. He couldn’t ponder miracles with soft hands running through his hair and tantalizing kisses heating his skin. She nipped his ear and tasted his jaw and returned to vanquishing his mouth with her supple tongue.
He nearly stumbled over a mossy bed in a bower enclosed by flowering vines. In relief, he offered up a prayer of gratitude and lay his . . . wife . . . upon it. This would be their marriage bed.
He climbed up to kneel over her, looking for words that would tell her how he felt, offer the pledge she required.
She ran her hands over his chest and gave him what he needed without asking. “I take thee for husband, keeper of my body and soul and father of my children, from now, until the gods decree.”
Humbled by her acceptance, jubilant at the knowledge that she agreed to be the family he craved, he bent to press his brow to hers. “By Aelynn’s will, I cannot take another. I take thee for keeper of my children, and as wife, keeper of my soul. I am yours to do with as you will.”
Jasmine scented the air. A siren sang to the night. In the distance, the surf pounded lazily against the sand. And the volcano’s fire lit the heavens. Awed by the lady’s promises, Nautilus offered his thanks in kisses and caresses, teaching her the beauty and power of their bodies. With eagerness, she learned her lessons well, and returned them with the loving caresses he’d never known.
When the time came for them to join and seal their vows, Nautilus concentrated on the sound of sea and siren so he didn’t rush her with his greedy demands. Instead of hesitating, she clutched his arms and raised her hips to meet him.
Tasia cried out her surprise and wonder at the pressure of fullness created by his male appendage inside her. He had grown so very large . . . Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around him to ease his passage, and he murmured her name in gratitude. She softened and turned liquid around him.
When he taught her how to move with the rhythm of the surf, the altar shook, and flower petals rained down upon them.
The ecstasy of release pushed her to dizzying heights, and Nautilus bellowed, shattering the night with his joy. As his seed spilled into her, a blue light bobbed before Tasia’s wondering eyes. Before she could focus, the light circled and dove through her husband’s loins and into her womb.
She wept with joy, and they rocked together, shuddering with the aftermath of pleasure. Tasia grasped his arms, unable to let go. When he kissed her cheeks, they were wet.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you, my goddess,” Nautilus murmured. “I have never experienced such . . . bliss and wonder . . . in my life. This place truly is a miracle.”
She ran her hand into his hair and sighed with pleasure. “This place is our altar,” she pointed out with a chuckle. “And I have just Seen our child planted. It will be a boy with golden hair like yours. May he be the first of many.”
Nautilus bowed his head. “A family and a new world and a temple of consummation all in one night. Truly a miracle.”
Tasia couldn’t tell if he spoke in mirth or awe. She just knew she wasn’t ready to let him go. She wriggled experimentally under him. “Surely, we must set an example for others to follow. Show me more?”
He happily obliged.
Chapter Ten
Still glowing from the pleasures learned in her marriage bed, Tasia granted Gaia and Georgós courtship rights several days after she and Nautilus had shared their ceremony.
“I can give you permission to court,” she warned, “but only Aelynn can bless your marriage. This is her home, and we must respect her wishes. When you are ready to take your vows, I will prepare you. The pool and the altar will be made available. After that, it’s between the two of you and the goddess.”
Nautilus looked up from
the boards he was sawing. “I advise finding and claiming a place of your own. We may only be a small village, but privacy is hard come by.”
Georgós laughed and squeezed Gaia’s hand. “We have already marked a field for sowing. There is a stream that will provide water. It is lined with rocks that will build a foundation for our new home. We will need to start a list of materials to purchase when the next ship sails.”
Gaia smiled shyly. “My parents were poor. I had never thought to have a husband. To have all these riches,” she gestured at the lush island, “and babies, too, is well beyond anything I dared hope.”
Tasia smiled in contentment as the pair wandered off. “I know this is all new and blissful, and we will have our disputes in the times ahead, but if we can just remember these moments of happiness, I think we can build a new future here.”
Nautilus stood and covered her shoulders with his brawny bare arm. She didn’t think she could ever get enough of his touch. She thrilled when he looked at her as he was doing now.
He kissed her forehead. “Perhaps now is the time to show you what I have found while digging our own foundation.”
She glanced up at him quizzically. “Something besides dirt and rocks?”
He opened the pouch that had replaced his sword on his belt. “You may explain this in any way you wish, but I would like to think they were made for us to wear as symbols that we belong together.”
He unfisted his big hand. In his palm rested two gold circlets bearing pearls.
Tasia touched them in awe. “They have a life of their own,” she murmured. “How extraordinary. And beautiful.” She lifted the larger band, took his left hand, and slid the ring over the finger that best fit the width. “It seems made for you.”
He slid the smaller band on the same finger of her left hand. “I feel the connection between them.” He bent and touched his mouth to hers. “And I want to share that connection,” he murmured against her lips. “Again and again.”
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