The Tormented Goddess

by Sarah Saint-Hilaire

  “...Mr. Dubois?” added Edward.

  Venus nodded and continued. “Few of your specie are apparently aware of what this means.”

  “So you're basically saying that we're all going to be eaten.”

  “Yes, thank you for expressing your opinion on the matter in such a frank fashion.” Venus stood up but before she had the chance to leave Edward took her hand and apologised.

  “Please excuse me, do stay I wasn't trying to vex you.”

  Venus accepted and sat once again. “Alright, to continue the usual immortals have to keep their flesh alive by killing mortal, by sucking their life force out.”

  “So in addition of being held captive by my female classmate in a foreign country, she going to murder Me.” he said with a fearful expression darted on his face.

  “Don't be ridicules, I am the exception, well let’s say I'm the only immortal I know of who doesn't need to feed.”

  Edward seemed to relax after hearing the news “I thought Mr. Dubois was rather strange, I presume this explains everything.”

  “Louis made a pact with the devil.” stated Venus.

  “Who's Louis?”

  “Haven't you made the connection yet, there is no Mr. Dubois. He who you refer to was the last king of France.”

  “You can't be serious?” questioned Edward.

  “When he was guillotined his spirit was judged to be impure so obviously he went to the underworld. There he made a pact with the devil to be restored in his human form to ride the earth once more. Of course there is a price to pay, this is why he was to nourish himself upon others, or else his body will degrade and his soul would vanish eternally.”

  Edward couldn't help but notice how she glistened with charm as she spoke of the complex horror of the situation. “By curiosity, how did you ever meet him?” Ask Edward.

  “I believe I met him, when he was still quite young, yes at his wedding ceremony. At the time I impersonated a princess which I use to take care of till her sweet beautiful death of old age arrived. She cared so much for me and constantly exclaimed that I fascinated her that she took me in as her daughter. Therefor all her lands were ledged to me.” She took a long breath before continuing “Therefor with the title I was invited to the royal wedding, our friendship began and with that I had access to all the royal secrets which passionate me enormously. My unchanging youth became quite problematic after a while; they thought I used witch craft or something of the sort. It was my time to disappear, after that I only see Louis in the underworld.”

  “Wow, how is that possible, well first of all how did you come to be such.”

  “My family, or so I've been told are under a curse to never have the gift of life, which means eventually never to be allowed to die. Since it's involuntary in my case no packs were made with Pluto, never will I die till I break this curse.”

  As making their way back to the hotel the conversation continued. Edward eventually asked “How old are you?”

  “Where are your manners Edward, since when does gentlemen ask a woman her age? You have to die first before becoming an immortal, as you can imagine my end was rather early.”

  “How did you die?”

  “You ask too many questions, it's understandable considering the situation but they seem to become quite impertinent.”

  “I'm sorry.” apologised Edward.

  “My adoptive father's new wife burned our house down with me still inside intending to kill me; I prefer not to speak of that. Let's just say I reached beyond a millennia.”

  “That would explain your museum collection.” said Edward smiling.

  “Oh I have much more, they're just elsewhere, one could say that the advantage is that I accumulate a fortune greater then imaginable, but what is wealth when you are dead.”

  Chapter Seven

  Visiting the rest of the city till dawn the two made their way back for a good night of sleep. Next morning on the ferry back to England, sitting on the porch of the first class cabin, they were establishing their presentation strategy on the report. To everyone's surprise grey clouds formed instantaneously on the sky above. Winds were spreading and the clouds began to pour miserably shifting the boat back and forth. The passengers were hurried inside by the staff into the saloon. Sitting on the dry deep blue velvet couches Venus watched as the waiter poured steaming hot tea into beautifully decorated cups for the guest. Then all of the sudden the vessel had a sudden shift shattering the cups into thousands of pieces. Venus stood up and made her way towards the gear room, in hope to have a word of advice with the captain, but all she managed to hear where the screaming directions instructed by the captain to his men. Venus knocked on the door a tall grey haired sailor impatiently opened it. “Madame I urge you to go back to the saloon at once, here is not a suitable place for a lady in this weather.”

  “Could I please aid you in any way?” asked Venus.

  “Yes by safely making your way down back to the saloon.” that moment the captain called his sailor for help. Both holding the steering wheel they tried to battle the storm with all their might, but the force driven by these two man reflected in their shattering red faces was indifferent in comparison to the force of the channels waters. Venus hesitated to go back, then all of the sudden she charged into the action, changed the speeds of the steam engine.

  “Sirs move aside.” She commanded.

  Thinking they had a heretic fool loose in the command room the captain and his sailor jumped to restore the ships speed, but to their surprise the ship seamed to float on heavenly calm waters. They turned their heads around to find the young woman steering the ship. Though the storm roared outside nothing could be felt from within. The two men looked at each other, and then the Captain stated in a query voice “There's nothing like a woman's touch.”

  Once arrived on the banks of the British soil Venus let go of the steering wheel and made her way down the ramp. Edward was at the bottom with the suit cases, seeing her he waved and exclaimed loud enough for her to hear “Where were you? I've been searching for you.”

  Venus approached him. “I was only steering the boat.” Edwards hat was about to lift in the sky when Venus caught it right off his head.

  “Oh, only....” Inside the carriage Edward asked Venus. “…I was wondering, Venus would you accept my invitation to my sister's wedding on the 28th.”

  “I would be delighted.” She replied.

  “Only this time I'm afraid there won't be any souls for supper.” The cheerful climate continued till the end of the ride. Venus wished good bye to her friend as her carriage made its way down the stone pebbled road.

  Chapter Eight

  Days past, the wedding approached. After their classes Venus cordially made her way back to her hotel. This was a particularly chilly afternoon. Edward again ran after Venus and handed her an official invitation to his sister's wedding. The envelope had her name inscribed in a beautiful calligraphy. As leaving Venus Edward said “I truly hope you'll be there.” He tilted his head and ran off.

  Venus continued to walk down her usual path. This time she spotted a beautiful cloth exposed in the front window of a boutique. It inspired her, thus she rushed in elegantly and explained to the tailor what she wanted. The whole work shop came to life, scissors snipping away, needles threading, not too long after her starlight gown began to form. After paying the shop keeper she opened the door, as stepping outside a strong breeze blew her hat off her head, the wind lead her to a gloomy cemetery. Holding her hat firmly in her hand she was about to turn around when suddenly the air seemed to have dropped instantly multitudes below the freezing point. The Angel statue began to crumble, a female voice slithered in Venus's ears. “Your time is ticking, the path you seek will be revealed in Transylvania.” It then disappeared into silence leaving Venus alone exclaiming her old lovers name at the tip on her lips “Dracula!”

  The wedding day arrived; all were gathered in a grey stone church where the ceremony proceeded. Victoria walked down the alley
with a deadening expression invading her face, though it was hidden by a veil her misery resonated loudly within the walls of the stone building. And when came the moment to say “I do!” Every eye observed the poor rich girls every move waiting to see her fail. Her nightmare came to life, she was be wedded.

  At the reception marvellous music calmed the atmosphere. Everyone with their champagne flutes gave a toast to the newly wed. Juliet went to greet Venus asking her “Do you like weddings Miss Venus?”

  “I certainly went to many of them.” replied Venus standing tall with the posture of a prima ballerina.

  “I find them rather boring, and tiring.” said the little girl with a yawn, adding “I wanted to tell you, that your dress is breath taking. My mommies dress smelt horribly, and I had to sit beside her throughout the whole ceremony.” She then sniffed Venus and smiled stating “You smell like roses, that's ironic, Edward got you a bouquet of lovely red roses. Oh no, don't tell him that I told you, it was meant to be a surprise.”

  “Don't worry Juliet; it's between you and Me.” said Venus in a reassuring voice.

  “And he's giving them tonight before you leave under the shinning full moon, how romantic!” Gasped Juliet all excited. Looking left and right she spotted “The cake.”

  “Is that boring?” asked Venus.

  “Are you joking I love weddings. Race you there.”

  “I'm afraid that running is not quite becoming, especially at my age.”

  “Alright then, just don't tell!” Juliet raced towards the lovely towering patisserie at a gay rhythm.

  “Tell what?” Asked Edward pondering what his sibling might have spoken of.

  “Nothing.” glared brightly Venus with a smile.

  “She told you about the flowers?” asked Edward.

  “How did you guess?”

  “When say something to Juliet, it's a matter of seconds before the words out. Would you care to dance?”

  Venus agreed and walked with Edward to the dance floor. The music began; Edward took her hand and placed his arm around her waist. Their footsteps danced to the lightning speed of the waltz. In the heart of the dance Venus broke the silence and began to speak with Edward. “Are you ready for the presentation, next week?”

  “I have to admit I'm slightly nervous.”

  “Everything will be fine.” replied Venus to Edward. The music shortly ended. Ready to begin the next dance, her head suddenly became drowsy; the people around her became a blur. She tried to postpone her curse and excused herself rushed off to the gardens. In the midst of the Charleston's floral maze she fell to the ground. Again she found herself at the gates of the underworld; in she entered where the demoniac lord of the underworld greeted her once more.

  “My dear...” he exclaimed “... you have not followed my advice, finding your old lover is a command.”

  “Why do you wish so much to torment me, besides once there what am I supposed to do?” asked Venus.

  “You'll find out, do you wish to learn anything else?”

  “Where will I find him?”

  “The same place you left him.” The devil approached her uncomfortably close, his stench seemed only to intensify. “May I steal a kiss?” He approached even closer, desperately wishing to wake up; Venus's wish came to life, vanishing as dust she left Pluto falling in mid-air.

  Her eyes opened with Edward shaking her to wake up. His face was drowned in fear, relieved he exclaimed “I thought I lost you!”

  “Didn't I tell you that I can never die?”

  “But Venus you were, dead.” She sat up looking at the bouquet of roses thrown on the ground. “Are you alright?” asked Edward.

  “I'm fine, thank you.” As they both stood up to make their way inside a bright red autumn leaf fell onto the pond creating little wrinkles over the water.

  With the wedding over meant the arrival of the examination, indeed this was the very day of their presentation. Edward had palpitations of nervousness, as for Venus she seemed very enthusiast to commence. Spectators came in including Mr. Charleston Edwards father, as well as the Universities director. The presentation began, the richness of the British vocabulary flowed loosely through the passionate lips of the orators, fascinating the public. The intensive performance eroded the notion of time, there presentation was already over. Receiving a great round of applause, the two thanked their guest and began the reception. Once Edwards father spotted his son amongst the crowd he came closer to congratulate him. “Congratulation...” he turned his head towards Venus “... My dear girl, I have to admit that I have miss evaluated you. Edward my boy you have made me very pleased, keep up the good work.” He checked the time and decided “I must make my way. Try to leave early my boy, the clouds are about to pour.”

  “At this temperature father I wouldn't be surprised that it'll snow.” added his son.

  “Precisely, well good day.” the moment his father made his way out the sky gave birth to its first snow flake.

  Chapter Nine

  The rooftops were blackened by the cities smoking chimneys. The streets on another hand were covered with a heavenly coat of milk white snow. Sitting in front her roaring fireplace Venus drank from her newly brewed herbal tea. Skimming through the letters of her mail she found one sealed with a deep red Bordeaux wax, her name written in ancient Slav intrigued her on opening it. Reaching for the letter within the envelope fell out dried rose petals on her dress; she found an invitation for a Christmas Eve ballet performance. At the bottom of the oddly paragraphed writing was signed.

  Sincerely yours,

  Dracula

  It was already the fifteenth of December, leaving the university campus Edward ran again after Venus as he always seems to do. “I just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas. What are you doing over the holidays?”

  “I am continuing my quest, off to Transylvania.” answered Venus.

  “You're leaving!” He exclaimed surprised.

  “I am,” She confirmed.

  “When are you coming back?” He asked eagerly hoping she would not be gone too long. His admiration towards her seemed to grow constantly; the idea of not having her near didn't please him.

  “Never.” replied Venus in a hushed tone.

  “Seriously?” he asked.

  “I don't know, ten years maybe.” Said Venus puzzled.

  “Ten years, why didn't you tell me...” he spoke in a troubled voice “... I'll be old then.”

  “It's my time Edward.”

  “In the middle of the year, by god, no one I assure you can tell that you haven't changed. You said it yourself, it takes years before someone realises your condition.”

  “Yes, but I have my reasons.” The snow began to fall, accelerating every second into a storm. “I finished my trimmest, thus have no more engagements here to withstand.”

  “Couldn't you stay just a little while longer?”

  “Edward you’re becoming too attached to me, you know that its more than unhealthy.” She took a long breath. “My ferry leaves tomorrow at nine o'clock. The storm is getting stronger, good bye Edward, I'll see you again one day.”

  Heartbroken Edward consciously kissed Venus's rosy cheek and ran off into the violent screaming winds. Venus ran her hand on her cheek as seeing Edward fade away in the distance.

  Once arrived home Edward walked in a dark mood up to his dorm and fell unto his navy blue bed. All he seemed able to achieve was to stare out the window and gaze out at the storms mite. Frederick popped in his brothers’ bedroom and admitted. “I never saw you in such a miserable mood, what's the matter?”

  “Venus!”

  “What with Venus?” asked Frederick.

  “She's leaving.”

  “So the academy finally realised how women are a threat to education!” He said in hope of cheering up his brother. Juliet came in the room.

  “Stop teasing him Frederick.” Ordered little Juliet. Board already, Frederick left the room leaving his youngest sibling with the task he obviously failed.
“Are you sad Edward?” She asked.

  “If that's how you call it?” He replied.

  “You really like Venus, don't you? Why did she leave?”

  “She has to finish her quest.”

  “Her quest...” Wondered Juliet “... like the old legends of king Arthurs and the round table.”

  “Hers is older Juliet, much older.”

  “I don't understand.”

  “She is leaving and never coming back.”

  “Why, she seems such a nice girl?”

  “Leaving doesn't interfere with her kindness, it's her destiny. You see, this quest is very important for her.” concluded Edward.

  “I understand that, but Edward she is very important to you.” finished little Juliet wisely.

  The next morning stepping out of her carriage Venus finds Edward waiting for her leaning on boarding ramp, she gasped “What are you here?” She looked at the luggage beside him then stared into his eyes waiting for him to answer.

  “Well you weren't going to expect me leaving you all the fun.” He replied with a dashing smile, he took her luggage and bowed his head and said courteously “Ladies first.” Beneath the multiple layers of fur of her coat she turned pink. Even I this seemed as if it was the worst mistake of her life, the weakness she had excited her.

  They had to catch the train in Paris, and boarded the marvellous one and only; Orient Express. A stewards approached taking all their luggage, one in particular was finely dressed and made it his duty to introduce the young guests to the world’s most luxurious train in the world. “Welcome Madame, you have a reservation under which name?”

  “Venus and my husband just added himself for the party.” She said shyly.