Decisions of the Heart

by Florence, Jessica

  “Fine, no pleasantries then. When you escaped my compound I shot Leander with an arrow that was poisoned. If Thalia comes with me I will give you the cure. If she doesn’t, he will get sick and die.” He stood his ground while delivering his ultimatum. My eyes flipped to Thalia’s, she was calm. Present Thalia had taken control.

  “How do we trust you are telling the truth?” she asked him. Orion just looked at her and his eyes softened. My blood boiled.

  “Ask him. The poison should have kicked in by now.”

  All eyes went to Leander. His jaw was tight and now ticking. It was true.

  “Leander… How… Why didn’t you say something?” Lacey whispered from behind him. Hurt laced her words. Even Thalia stared at him with a pained expression.

  “There is your answer. Now, do we have a deal?” Orion was getting impatient. We all stood there looking at each other. Thalia’s gaze found mine. Love flooded me from her. She was going to agree. I pleaded her not to. We would find a way to save him.

  “I promise we will save him,” I vowed. She nodded and looked at Orion while still in Leander’s arms. I closed my eyes when she started to speak.

  “No, Orion. I won’t go with you.” Her words were said with resolve. My eyes flew open to see her smiling at me. She was choosing all of us. Trusting me that we would figure out how to save Leander. We would. We so fucking would. Orion just nodded his head and started towards the door.

  “You’ll come around closer to the end. See you soon, Thalia.” With those parting words he left the apartment.

  The sounds of someone being slapped brought my attention back to where Thalia and company were standing. Lacey had smacked Leander on the arm.

  “How could you be in pain and not say anything? We care about you, you dumbass!” She was angry. He let go of Thalia and grabbed Lacey even though she was protesting. He whispered soft words in her ear and she deflated. Thalia walked over to me and I reached out for her, she came to me with a sigh.

  “We will do this love. I promise,” I whispered into her light brown hair.

  “I know we will,” she replied. Leander gave me a nod, a silent thank you, then took Lacey to his room. They needed to be alone together. I settle onto the couch with Thalia, holding her close.

  “How are you feeling, love?”

  “A little better. It wasn’t as bad this time. I think the past me is starting to understand life now. Like I wasn’t panicking while Leander held me this time. But seeing Orion made past me angry. I guess I’m a little angry, too. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for him.”

  It was hard to say whether or not that was true. Athena had made a deal with Alexander, it could have been for Thalia all along, but she could have had some other plan for her. We could have lived a long peaceful life, or not. It wasn’t wise to dwell on it.

  “You never know what destiny has in store for us. We will survive it together no matter what.”

  She simply nodded, and gave me a kiss on the shoulder.

  “I’m going to bed,” she stated before getting up and walking into her room. I followed behind and lay with her until I drifted off into a deep sleep with her.

  A week had passed and nothing had changed. Leander had little bouts of nausea but nothing extreme until this morning. We woke up and Leander was hugging the toilet in Thalia’s bathroom throwing up everything he had, which wasn’t much.

  Thalia and Lacey tended to him as best as they could, but he was slowly taking a turn for the worse. His once tan skin was pale, he had dark circles under his eyes. It was hard to see him so debilitated. Thalia and I had thrown ourselves into trying to figure out what he was poisoned with based on his symptoms, but we came up with no leads. I knew I what I had to do, but I needed to wait until everyone was asleep.

  I knew that what I had to do was risky, but I had made a promise and I would not break it.

  I waited until everyone had fallen asleep and disappeared to my apartment. I knew what I needed to do, but I didn’t have to like it. While Leander was taking a nap I had stolen a smile vile of his blood. He was so far out of it he hadn’t even noticed, and we were running out of time.

  “Sekhmet,” I called out. I knew she would come. Sadly, she could never stay away from me.

  Her hands were on me immediately. I allowed her to touch me because I wanted to be on her good side.

  “I’m surprised you called for me,” she purred against my ear. I turned to face her, she kept her hands on me. My face was stoic, giving away nothing. Sekhmet was a predator and would take any opportunity for what it was.

  “I need you to examine this blood for me and tell me how to cure the host,” I spoke, laying it all out there. Sekhmet was the Goddess of Healing. She would know everything I was asking for, but I just hoped she wouldn’t want anything in return. Before I met Thalia, Sekhmet and I fucked around. She was a pure sex kitten with her black hair and cat shaped golden eyes. Her features were very cat like, she moved like them, too. Her breasts were large, but her waist was small before it flared out to wide hips.

  But Dogs and Cats don’t mix for long. We would have never worked out. From the very moment I met Thalia no other female existed for me. She was it. I’ve always suspected Sekhmet was a little jealous of Thalia for being the only woman to tame the jackal. Every time we were in the same room together she would be pleasant and try to steal me away, never truly giving up. I think after all this time it had become a game to her. A game she will never win.

  “Of course, Anubis. You know I would do anything for you.” She ran her hand up my chest.

  “Anything,” she insinuated seductively. It did nothing for me.

  “Just tell me what you can,” I demanded. She pulled back from me and grabbed the vile. She spun around and lay down on the couch, once again, seductively.

  Chapter 19

  Popping the cap she brought it up to her nose and smelled the blood. Her eyes closed and she was quiet for a few moments.

  “Oh my. This one will be difficult.” Her eyes opened slowly and looked at me. Waiting.

  “Tell me,” I hissed. She smiled at me and I knew I would not like what she was about to say.

  “I will tell you what you want to know, but you have to do one thing for me in return,” she teased. I wasn’t sure what she would want from me. I prayed she would not ask for something I couldn’t give.

  “What do you want?”

  “Just one kiss. One last kiss like how you kiss your Thalia.” My mouth dropped at her favor. I was just about to tell her she was crazy when she spoke again.

  “In front of her.”

  “No fucking way!” I shouted. She was crazy.

  “Fine, I’d say your Leander only has a week left unless you get the cure. I’m sure at this point your Thalia would be willing to go with Orion to save Leander, since you are obviously not willing to do what you need to do to succeed.” Her words hit me hard. It was the only way to succeed. My hands ran through my hair in frustration.

  “Fuck,” I cursed loudly. Sekhmet just watched me, waiting to see what I would choose. But it was a no brainer. I would do anything for Thalia, and if I couldn’t save her best friend it would destroy her. I threw my hand out towards her, she smiled like the cat who ate the fucking canary and grasped it tightly. I flashed into Thalia’s apartment.

  “Stay here,” I hissed as I left her in the living room and went in to wake Thalia. I hated this.

  She was sleeping so peacefully and I was about to fuck up her night royally. But it was the only fucking way.

  “Love,” I whispered softly. Her eyes opened slowly, she smiled sweetly until finally taking in my expression.

  “Tristan, what’s wrong?” Her voice was full of concern. I took a deep breath and looked her right in the eyes.

  “I’ve found a way to save Leander. But in order to get the information, I’m going to have to do something that will fucking kill me.” My confession made her sit up and look at me fully.

  “Whateve
r it is, we will get through this.” My eyes closed and my head dropped to her lap. Her hands were in my hair immediately, comforting me. I truly, beyond words, hated what I was about to do.

  “The deal is we will get all the information we need to save Leander if I kiss the Goddess of Healing, and she wants you to watch.” My voice was shaking saying those words.

  “If there was any other way, Thalia, I swear I would do it.” I pulled back and willed her with my eyes to hear my words. She just stared at me in confusion.

  “Why would she want that?” she spoke softly, making it even more difficult to figure out what she was feeling. I reached out briefly trying to feel what her soul was feeling but all I felt was confusion, and that was etched all over her face. Taking in another deep breath I told her the truth.

  “Sekhmet was an old lover from a time before I met you. But as soon as I laid eyes on you I never saw another woman like that again. She has been after me ever since. Mostly, I think it’s because she likes games and I am the biggest challenge. She can never have me because I will always belong to you. She is jealous of you and this will give her joy in our suffering.” I watched her for any sign of distress, waiting for her to say being in love with a God was too hard.

  That she could only take so much, and that moment was here. But she just closed her eyes and took in deep breaths. My heart felt like it stopped beating while waiting to see what she would say.

  “Ok.” Her eyes opened and nothing but confidence and strong will was showing through them. She was much stronger than I.

  “Let’s go get this over with. I’m assuming she is here, right?” she asked me and I nodded. She stood up abruptly. Not even willing to put on something other than the tank top and boy short panties she wore to bed, she walked out into the living room. I didn’t even will my legs to move after her. I just flashed myself into the other room.

  Thalia and Sekhmet were glaring daggers at each other, but as soon as Sekhmet’s eyes found mine she smiled.

  “Are you ready, baby?” she purred, and I felt the heat from Thalia’s hate pouring off her body.

  “Let’s get this over with,” I spoke harshly. Thalia looked at me and nodded for me to go on. I walked up to my love and kissed her softly.

  “Forever yours, love,” I uttered the line she always says to me. She smiled and lightly nudged me towards Sekhmet who was watching us curiously. She had never seen me with Thalia in person.

  “My turn, Anubis.” I turned to Sekhmet and decided to get this over with as quickly as I could. I grabbed Sekhmet and she came into my arms too easily. Her hands gripped my hair, her nails digging into me. And not in a nice way. She reached up and connected our lips. Hers were soft as they molded against mine. Her tongue snaked out and I let hers caress mine. Suddenly she pulled back and shook her head.

  “I said like how you kiss her, Anubis! That was not it.” She was starting to get angry. I had to rectify this. I looked at Thalia and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

  I grabbed Sekhmet and crushed my lips to her. My tongue pushed past her lips and dueled with hers. She nipped my bottom lip and I put more into her kiss. Pretending her black hair was light brown, and those hands that were running up my back were the soft yet strong hands of my warrior woman. I threw everything I had into the kiss then pulled back.

  She had what she wanted, now it was time to give me what I needed. Her eyes were closed and her lips were glossed from our kiss. I turned from her to face Thalia. Her face was hard as stone, but she simply nodded she was ok.

  I turned back around to the devil cat herself.

  “Now give us what we need,” I demanded harshly. She shook from the intensity in my voice. She has sometimes forgotten that I was not a God to be fucked with, and now was one of those times. She was still below me in the ranks, even in my demoted state.

  “Leander was poisoned by a strange concoction. Venom of a black mamba laced with water from the river Styx. Very bad mixture, especially for a demigod. The only way to heal him is to venture to the heart of the Amazon. You will find a flower that has no name. It is the deep red color of blood, with yellow stripes. He must eat the petals, they will heal him in no time. But the journey to get the flower will be hard. No magic must be used. Trust your heart and it will lead you to what you desire.” She turned to Thalia.

  “You will never know how truly lucky you are. I will leave you both now.” She blew me a kiss then disappeared. My shoulder sagged, the feeling of disgust ran through me. These lips hadn’t touched another woman’s in thousands of years. I felt like I betrayed the one I truly loved.

  Chapter 20

  “Tristan. Look at me.”

  I did as she said, looking at her with sad eyes.

  “You did not betray me. We needed this. It hurt, but I know where your heart lies.” She reached for me and I opened my arms for her, needing to feel her against me. The love between our two souls connecting was endless. We were one, blending in the essence that is both physical and spiritual. What we had could never truly die.

  “My heart is yours forever,” I whispered against her hair, moving my head down towards her lips. She tilted hers up to meet mine.

  “Yours forever, love,” she whispered before claiming my lips and my soul all over again.

  We made love until the early morning sun, then went out to tell Leander and Lacey the news. Thalia and I were preparing to go on our journey to the Amazon to find this mystery flower. Sekhmet said to follow our hearts. I knew in mine that we would find it and that everything would be ok. We had to pack everything we would need considering magic would not be available.

  But I did not worry about that. Thalia and I were both very resourceful. After loading everything up into the large packs and changing into proper attire for the environment, we said our temporary goodbyes to Leander and his love.

  “Keep him alive for me, ok? I won’t have anyone who annoys me when I go grocery shopping if he kicks the bucket,” Thalia teased. Lacey just laughed and Leander smiled weakly. Thalia leaned down and kissed him on the forehead.

  “Love you,” she told him.

  “Love you, dove. Be safe. Both of you.” He looked at me and winked.

  “We will, don’t worry. We will get this flower and be back soon.”

  Thalia looked at me, giving me the signal she was ready. I was to transport us close to the jungle and we would take off on foot. My hand reached out and grasped hers, and in one quick move we were now standing right outside of the Amazon. The weather was hot and very humid. There were no humans around and hopefully we wouldn’t run into any on this journey.

  “Ok, ready?” She looked at me, waiting for my answer. Giving her hand a yank, I pulled her against me and kissed her hard. She moaned against my lips and my dick jumped, but I had to rein myself in. We had a job to do and, as much as I wanted to slide into her slick heat, I couldn’t.

  “Now I am,” I whispered as I pulled back. She reached up and tightened the pack on her back and took a step forward.

  “We follow your heart, Thalia. Lead the way.” I nudged her on some more. She just simply nodded and started walking south. The jungle was thick and full of very interesting flora. Thalia would exclaim in excitement when she saw pretty flowers and birds. There were plenty of birds. We hiked until the sun started to descend. I found a decent area for Thalia to rest and sleep.

  Sleep was not something I truly required, but I enjoyed it when I woke up with her warm body curled against mine. This journey could be dangerous and I wasn’t taking any risks. I would stay up and watch over our small campsite.

  Thalia started working on a little fire and in no time she had a blaze. We laid our sleeping bags out and settled down to eat our dinner and give our legs a break.

  “It’s crazy how just a few months ago I was just a normal woman working at the museum in Boston, and now I’m a demigod who was alive back in ancient Egypt who fell in love with the God Anubis, then died and was reborn again. It’s almost unreal.”

&nb
sp; She had been through so much, and it all just kept coming at her.

  “I’m sorry, love.” I stood up and walked towards the edge of our little camp. When she said her history like that it made me feel sad. Maybe I should have left her alone in this life. Let her live a normal life. Sure, she would have gotten her powers and memories back eventually, but maybe by then another man would have moved into her life.

  My whole body ached with that thought, but if it meant she wouldn’t suffer like she had since she met me, I would do it. I would live out the rest of my existence in pain and heartache if she was happy.

  “Oh no you don’t. Tristan, look at me.” Reluctantly I turned around and looked at her. I didn’t want her to see me like this. Vulnerable. But fuck if I didn’t feel like I screwed up her life.

  “You listen to me, Tristan. I would not have my life any other way. I never, before I met you, even in my last life knew my destiny. It’s you Tristan. Without all of the struggle we wouldn’t appreciate the good moments. One day we will overcome all of this and that moment will be like the true Elysium. No other stories of love compare to ours. Ours will be truly everlasting.”

  I lunged at her and crushed my lips to hers. She was magnificent. She eased my worries and made my heart soar. We were meant to be. Nothing, not even our own insecurities, will destroy that.

  “Ok, now that is over, get your sexy butt on that sleeping bag and cuddle me.” She pulled back and nipped my lip. I scoffed. Like I could just cuddle her now. My dick was already throbbing for her. My arms were around her and picked her up in seconds. She yelped out in surprise, then she blessed me with the sound of her laughter. I loved that sound. Slowly, I lowered us down to the sleeping bags and covered her body with mine. Her hips flexed up to meet mine. Her eyes glazed over and I had her.

  Clothes were discarded and the moans and growls coming from our campsite blended in with the wild and carnal sounds of the jungle. That was us. Our emotional love was pure and spiritual. Our physical love was raw and erotic. Covered in sweat and overcome with ecstasy, we found our release. Thalia kissed me harshly before I pulled out and rested beside her. She was exhausted and sleep took her moments later. I watched her sleep like the obsessive God I was.