Decisions of the Heart

by Florence, Jessica

  “What happens from here on?” My voice was full of confidence.

  “We watch your powers grow. Work on helping you control them. And pray the Goddess Athena does not know you are mine. Years ago, we made a deal. And in my youth I foolishly promised her anything she wanted to help me. Your mother and I feared she would want you. It is why we did all of this.” A deal with Athena? It wasn’t smart to make deals with Gods. They were conniving, and out for selfish gain. I was thinking about what he had wanted so badly to make a deal with a Goddess, when Anubis jumped out of the bed and stood tall in front of Alexander.

  “She knows; Athena impersonated one of Thalia’s maidens. She induced emotions in her to feel her power, nearly crippling her.” His voice was harsh and frightening.

  Both men stared at him with gaping mouths. Their faces paled and turned to me.

  “Then there is nothing we can do now, but wait and see what her move will be. Until then, Thalia my dear, you have a warrior to wed. I suggest we make this happen soon. Be mindful of your emotions. When you are overwhelmed, leave for some fresh air to clear your mind. Anything else that happens I need to know that instance.” Alexander spoke with a soft voice, not yet with defeat, but close. He cared about me very much. I wasn’t ready to call him father, but I had no resentment towards him for what he did. I looked at Anubis to see him for the first time since earlier the previous day smiling at me. He lifted a hand in my direction, which I placed mine in. With a quite pull of his arm, I was flying into his hard torso and his lips were on mine. The room around us disappeared. His kiss slowed, he pulled back and whispered against me.

  “I will wed you soon my love.” My heart melted.

  “We will leave you now. Keep your eyes aware of your surroundings, both of you. We shall prepare for your wedding with the next moon.” Stelios gave me a knowing smile and walked with Alexander out of my room. Tonight! We would be wedded tonight! My smile was bright from the happiness inside me. So many announcements today. It was still unbelievable to take it all in. But I knew it was true and I would accept everything as it came.

  “I need to go as well. But I will be back for you tonight, and I will make you my wife.” Amusement laced his last word. Wife. I would be his in every way. My lips found his again before we said our goodbyes.

  I tried not to think of my new identity as I walked around the little village. The sounds of people conversing, and buying goods from vendors echoed off the limestone walls. Every once in a while I would feel others emotions. Happiness, frustration, and so on. I wanted to get something for Anubis as a present. He had gotten me that beautiful necklace that I loved and I wanted him to have something from me. Trouble was, it was hard to pick something. Nothing was calling to me, begging me to purchase it.

  “My dear, I have what you seek.” A beautiful, yet strangely familiar voice beckoned me to follow it. I looked straight ahead of me to see a woman with a cloak around her shoulders and the hood over her hair. Long golden blonde hair was peeking out of the bottom of the hood. Her face was pure beauty. None could compare to her. She gestured for me to come to her table. Willingness to do as she said and please her drove me to go to her.

  “I have just the thing for you.” She smiled and reached below her table. A moment later she pulled a little box out and held it in her hands for me. My hand reached for it of its own accord, like it was drawn to it. Briefly my fingers touched her hand. Emotions of love and adoration filled me. I knew that those feelings weren’t my own, but why would this woman be feeling them. My eyes closed as I relished in the feelings she stirred inside me. I felt like a whole woman. Beautiful, confident, sensual. My eyes opened wanting to ask the woman who she was, but she was no longer standing there. The little box was still in my hand. Very slowly I lifted the lid and gasped. Two onyx rings were sitting in silk. They were meant for a husband and wife. They were beautiful, and perfect for Anubis. I looked around for the strange and beautiful woman that gave them to me. But she was nowhere to be seen. Who was she? I was briefly torn between not wanting to take these rings from a stranger that disappeared, and wanting to keep them. I hadn’t even given her any tender for them.

  “Take them” a soft voice floated with the wind. I looked around but saw no one talking to me. Tightening my grip on the little box, I made my way back home. Just as I was about to walk inside, a tall figure stepped out behind a column. Orion.

  “Thalia, I must speak with you.” I nodded and followed him to our private courtyard just beyond the front of the house. His posture was hard and stiff as he turned to face me. His face was etched with concern. I wondered what he to be concerned about.

  “He will never love you like I do.” His voice was low, but serious. I just stood there, staring at him. He couldn’t have said what I thought he said.

  “Orion,” I started softly, but he cut me off.

  “I can’t, Thalia. You were always meant for me. You are the other part of me. You’re smart, brave, and beautiful! You can’t wed him. Be with me instead. With me I will always put you first! I haven’t seem your warrior around you since the duel. I would never leave you. Thalia, I love you, be with me.” His plea stunned me still. He loved me? He moved so quick I didn’t have time to register what was happening until his lips crashed into mine. Emotions were flowing from him into me. It was hard to discern what he was feeling. Happy, longing, jealousy, and arousal. His lips were aggressive, as if he was willing me to love him with his kiss. Inside me I felt my soul ache from another man’s touch. He was not my love, and no one would be better for me than Anubis. My hands crept up his chest and with all the strength I possessed I pushed him back as hard as I could.

  “No!” My voice sounded breathless, but my body felt ready for a fight if needed. How dare he kiss me!

  “I am not yours, I have never been, nor will I ever! I love Anubis and once the moon rises I will be his wife. I’m sorry Orion. I will always choose him.” I turned and walked away with my rage. I heard his soft sigh, but I cared not. He would get over me.

  Once I arrived in my room I collapsed on the bed. Gone were the days of normalcy. Everything had changed within a few days. My fingers drifted to my lips, they were swollen and sore from Orion’s kiss. How could he think he would change my mind? I would never leave Anubis. He was my life. Immediately a desire to see him rose inside me. I wanted his lips to wash away Orion’s touch. I knew I would see him later when we were to marry, but I wanted all of Orion off me.

  “Anubis, I need you,” I called out, not very loudly but I still thought he would hear me. I didn’t wait long, he appeared on the side of the bed, slowly climbing down beside me.

  “You called for me, love?” His eyes held mischief, and that sweet crooked smile. I loathed that I would most likely ruin it, but I needed to get everything off my chest before I became his tonight.

  “Orion kissed me!” I blurted out. His mischievous look did disappear and rage filled his eyes. The air around us turned electric. The beautiful flowers the ladies had picked for me where wilting before my eyes, turning grey before falling apart in ash piles. I had to ease his anger. I laid my hand on his sharp jaw, willing him to calm down. Surprisingly his eyes dulled and slowly he relaxed.

  “He told me he loved me, and I was supposed to be his. He thinks I should belong to him. I told him never, that I would always choose you. I always will choose you, Anubis.” Taking my hand off his cheek I turned and grabbed the box containing the rings that I had laid next to my pillow.

  “Here.” He looked down at the little box with curiosity. His fingers caressed mine as he grasped the box. Gently he opened it, and I watched his face as he took in the rings. It was unreadable, he just stared at the rings intensely. His mouth was hard, like he was holding back something. Concern filled my features. What if he hated them? My eyes fell down towards the rings; my hair flowed over my shoulder and covered my face like a curtain. I welcomed it like a shield.

  “Love,” he breathed. My gaze flew up to his, his eyes were br
imming with tears. My gasp echoed around the room.

  “Anubis?” His face was full of emotion, but for everything in me I could not tell what he was feeling. I searched for his feelings, but I felt none but my own. I needed to know what ailed him.

  “Do you know what it is you have given me?” his voice was broken as he whispered his question. I was confused by what he asked. I thought they were beautiful rings for our wedding.

  “Onyx rings for our wedding. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. I’ll go tomorrow to take them back. I’m so sorry I’ve upset you.” My eyes started to water. I was beginning to move when strong arms wrapped around me, bringing me to straddle on top of him, our faces close enough to feel our breaths between us. Tears freely flowing from his eyes.

  “No running my love. The rings are made from Tourmaline, not Onyx. It’s a stone from the depths of our world. It will help you control the negative feelings around you. It is also a stone that represents me as a God of the Underworld. When you wear your ring, you will be ground to my spirit for as long as you wear it. With this ring, we can be together for the rest of existence in all the realms.” He was willing me to understand the importance of the rings. Finally, after taking in his words it dawned on me just what these rings meant. We would never be parted. I would be able to be with him wherever he went, the underworld included. And if I heard him right, this ring would help control my power of feelings other’s emotions. That would be helpful in all situations. His tears were for a beautiful future we were to share, for as long as life existed. I gave a silent prayer of thanks to the beautiful woman who handed me the rings. She gave us a gift I could never repay.

  I looked back at him, his tears were gone but the happiness in them was ethereal. Slowly he moved his lips to mine. With every soft kiss I knew everything would be perfect. From the moment I met him on that balcony we set in motion a destiny to outlast the ages. My fingers lightly ran over my name on his chest. His sign of love to me. And now he had one from me. Wedding ceremony or not, we would always be together.

  Our mouths moved, a tease of things to come. We needed to go our separate ways before our ceremony this night. The sun was slowly setting and my hands were gripping onto him, keeping our bodies melded together. I wanted him.

  “I must go, Thalia.” He pulled back and rested his forehead against mine. He was right. But after tonight, he would be all mine until we were fully sated. He kissed me one last time before disappearing for a short time. I would see him soon.

  Chapter 5

  I held on tight to the box that held our destiny until it was time for me to dress for the ceremony. When my ladies hurried into the room, I realized I had forgotten to find something to wear at the market this morning. I started to panic when I heard one of them gasp. Turning towards the direction of the sound, it was my turn to suck in a breath. There on the chair in the corner of my room by my balcony was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. My feet moved on their own and I found myself on my knees in front of the enchanting gown. How did it arrive here? A piece of parchment was tucked just beneath the bottom of the fabric. Obviously only meant for my eyes.

  A beautiful dress for my beautiful daughter

  With all my love

  Your mother

  My hands froze as I stared at the parchment. My mother? Aphrodite was giving me the gift of my wedding dress. For once in the past few days my own emotions were scattered. Tears of happiness slowly fell from eyes. Even before I had found out about my true heritage, I was never told about my birth mother. I’ve always wished to know about her. Many nights in my childhood were spent dreaming of spending time with her, reading and playing in the fields. Everything, including this moment, where she would assist me while I got ready for my wedding.

  “Thalia, we need to get you ready.” My gaze left the parchment to see my ladies staring at me expectantly. My smile grew wider. It was time to get ready to marry Anubis.

  With haste, I got up and placed the parchment under my pillow. I would revisit it after tonight. Once that was safe, my ladies rushed me to the bath. My soak was brief since I was running behind. I was dried off and placed in a chair as my ladies brushed out my light brown hair. They pulled it up to just above the nape of my neck, then created intricate braids wrapped with silver ribbons and attached them to the loose bun. After my hair was perfectly set in place, we anxiously moved to my dress. It was like no other dress I had ever seen. The white material shimmered as it fell to my feet. Its bodice wrapped over my breasts and had a jeweled ribbon that tied in the back, accentuating my waist. It felt soft as silk in my hands, but what completed the dress was thin straps that connected to the back where it was covered with white jewels and beads. It dropped down and came back up in a pattern that wrapped around my shoulders and across my back. The dress looked like the gown a goddess would wear. It radiated femininity, sensuality, and pure beauty.

  “Thalia,” a whispered voice came from my door.

  I slowly turned to see the man who raised me looking at me with nothing but affection and love. He may not be part of my true heritage, but he would always be my father. I ran to him, wrapping my arms around his large torso. He embraced me tenderly.

  “Beautiful. You look like the Goddess herself. Radiant, you are glowing with love for your warrior my dear.” I was unbelievably happy. I pulled back and stared at him. All these years he had loved me like I was his own. It was the ultimate gift he could give me and I would forever cherish him.

  “Thank you father.” I leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. His laughter brought on by my kiss was music to my ears.

  “Well my beautiful daughter, I think there is a brave soul who is waiting to take you on as his wife by the water.” I smiled as he led me towards Anubis.

  We walked out towards the part of the Nile where Anubis first shared with me who he was. It was also the spot of our first kiss. This spot held meaning to me and obviously to him as well. My breath got stuck in my throat, and my knees went weak with the sight of him. Thankfully my father helped me through my weakness.

  He was standing there in all his Egyptian glory, and the moment his grey eyes took in my appearance, I felt his power push through the air like a wave. His black hair was getting longer, creating wisps around his ears. The urge to run my fingers through his hair was growing like the hunger I felt for him. His muscled torso was on display, the tattoo of my name on his chest was a beacon of love for me. Love bloomed in my chest, his eyes became hooded as he felt my love for him. His shendyt was black with a golden belt. His strong arms had golden bands around them, and cuffs at his wrists. He looked like the God he was. Strong, confident, and mine.

  Alexander stood beside him. Alexander was our leader, so he would officiate our marriage. He smiled at me and now I finally understood his adoration towards me. He was happy to see his daughter marry. My gaze turned back to my father and his eyes held unshed tears of joy. I leaned over and kissed his cheek again before he let me go and placed my hands in Anubis’s.

  A growl escaped his lips when our hands connected. The connection we felt for each other was palpable. Never subsiding.

  Alexander coughed, trying to break the tension in the air. He uttered words of our home land, about honor and legacy. He wrapped our hands with a golden ribbon and a silver one. Binding us together. Anubis pulled the rings off a string tied to his belt. I said my vows to him and placed the ring on his left hand ring finger. Lightly, he grasped my left hand and started to repeat his vows when a strong wind blew in along with an evil laugh. It made my skin crawl and my spine straighten. Anubis’s grip hardened before dropping my hand and turning abruptly towards the voice behind us.

  “Oh Alexander, you thought you could fool me? Very foolish.” My head whipped towards the woman speaking. She was beautiful, with brown hair and what looked like familiar golden eyes.

  “Thalia my dear, lovely to see you again. And with such a beautiful dress. It looks like the work of your mother though.” My eyes narr
owed at her. How would she know it was from my mother?

  “Athena, you have no business here.” Alexander’s voice was strong and confident. Athena?

  “Wrong you are, Alexander the Great. We had a deal. I held up my end and now you are going to hold up your end. Thalia will not marry this Jackal. Doing so would start war between us and them.” Us and them? I looked at Anubis to see he was seething, ready to turn this woman into ash. My hand reached out to touch him, to soothe him. I willed for him to calm, and he did. Slightly.

  “There will be no war Athena, you have no say in this,” Alexander cut in.

  “You tried hard to blend us, but we are not to work together! His kind and mine do not mix! Oh… You don’t know do you?” Her eyes lightened in amusement. Like she knew a secret and was about to tell everyone.

  “Secrets, secrets. Thalia, my dear, why don’t you tell them who Anubis really is.” My body froze. She knew he was a God. The words were lodged in my throat. I wasn’t about to tell anyone what he trusted me to keep secret.

  “I see you’re protecting your love. Well, no matter.” She swatted the air like there was a fly. Swatting the conversation away was more like it.

  “Anubis is the Egyptian God of the Underworld. And if you marry Thalia, you are declaring war on us. Egyptians will battle the Greeks. A Greek Demigod and an Egyptian God can never be. I have better uses for Thalia anyways. She will marry my son, and they will rule Greece and its states together. It will be the greatest empire ever created.” Her voice grew with pride while talking about her son and my supposed future with him. There would be no way I would marry another.

  “No.” Anubis’s voice was low and hard. He left no room for negotiation.

  “You don’t have a choice. She was never yours, she was always meant for what I wanted of her. She was hidden so I wouldn’t know of her existence. But I knew eventually she would come, and now she is to do my bidding.” She snapped her finger and another figure entered behind her. I stared in shock as recognition crushed me. I couldn’t breathe. It couldn’t be.