The Fallen Woman of Világos
Page 10
The song of a lone nightingale rose from the shrubbery below just as a tear slid down her cheek. An odd feeling overcame him. The strange shifting sensation he'd experienced before returned and he struggled to continue.
“Karolina, it is possible, to leave the past behind and begin anew," he said rapidly. "Please, move ahead in time. Tell me of the future. Where are you? Describe to me a scene of joy.” He prayed that she would be able to respond to this request, and that he would remain cognizant enough to hear her response.
Karolina stood on a mountaintop overlooking the world. A canopy of stars glittered in the cobalt sky. Beside her stood Lukas, his hand in hers. As their eyes met, a dizzying panorama of their earthly history raced before them. His face, so familiar, merged into that of the stranger of Rome. The same compassion lit his dark eyes, and the hand that had held hers as he fought to save her was the same hand she held now, that of the good doctor. His features fused next into that of Jofre. On his magnificent steed he swept her upward to join him atop the mighty beast. Laughing, she held tightly as they raced the springtime breeze. Later, in the comfort of Jofre's warm arms, she looked into his eyes and knew she was safe and loved. He held her tightly in his embrace as the scene shifted once again.
She floated through a springtime mist and on through the walls of a familiar stone dwelling. The room was dark. But wait--a woman lay in bed, asleep. Suspended above her, she was struck by the remarkable resemblance to herself. When the woman inhaled she was at once drawn into the other's body.
The door opened quietly and a man entered. He was straight and tall and of proud bearing. She recognized him immediately. “My love, are you awake?” he asked softly. He lit a candle and bathed the room in a golden glow. His dark hair fell into his eyes but she could still see their light.
“Darling, you are home," she said. "I tried to wait for you but grew so sleepy.” She smiled happily and snuggled into the warmth of the bed.
“As a woman in your condition is wont to do.” He smiled as he removed his shirt and trousers until he stood before her naked. Delaying no longer, he slipped into bed beside her. The silver scar upon his breast shone bright as the new moon. She ran her fingers across the raised edges and kissed the delicate skin from beginning to end.
He kissed her deeply while running his hand down the length of her body. He stopped at the new swell of her belly. “Karolina, how I have missed you. Can I ever tell you enough how much I love you?”
She rested her hand atop his and smiled. “I shall never grow tired of hearing the words, Lukas. But why do you not show me instead?”
When he again brought his lips to hers she tingled with excitement. Each time was like nothing she had experienced before. She was in love. In her heart, she knew that he loved her too. A smile of contentment spread over her lips and she opened herself to her love.
* * * *
The softness of her lips and the sweetness of her mouth awakened him. He slowly opened his eyes and was bewildered to find himself naked in bed beside her. His hand was still atop her belly that would one day hold his babe. There could be no rational explanation for what he'd just experienced.
Tears of astonishment watered his eyes. Could it be? Yes, he thought. This angel of time had astonished him, dispelled all his wayward notions of the limitations of the mind, all whilst capturing his heart. How remarkable—to have traveled back in time with her and then to the future—a future with him. Again and again, in her search for happiness, love had been ever elusive. Just as elusive as his own had been.
He no longer need refrain from acting upon his passion for her. In his heart he loved her deeply and had from the moment he first set eyes upon her. Now he realized that he'd loved her forever. He cared not about what went before. Like the phoenix, she would rise from the ashes to be reborn. He had been mistaken. His mission had never been to help her to remember; it was to help her to forget. No one need know of it.
By his hand, she had drunk from the river of Lethe. She was his destiny and he, hers. How remarkable—that they would find each other in this manner...again? Had the gods finally looked down upon them and blessed their union in this lifetime? Yes and yes!
With care, he slipped from the bed, dressed, and returned to kneel beside her. “Karolina," he whispered. "When you awaken you will remember the future you have seen, but you shall forget the pain of your past. My love, listen to me closely. Forget all else, but remember me as you have always known me. You shall be filled with the innocence of new love, and all that you wish for you shall have. When I count to three you shall awaken renewed and prepared to begin a new life.”
Chapter Twelve
Karolina opened her eyes to find Lukas on bended knee before her. Tears welled in his eyes. Those eyes, she could never forget those eyes. Throughout time, they remained unchanged. It was of little wonder they looked so familiar.
An inexplicable lightness filled her heart. Could this be true? Astounded, she sat up and moved to him. Frantically she began to unbutton his shirt. She ran her hands across his chest, searching for the upraised skin to confirm the truth of her visions, too afraid lest it not be there...
"What you seek you shall find, my love."
She stared at him in wonder.
"The result of a hunting accident…I know. Karolina, you needn't say more."
He is one and the same as the others, she thought. When she looked into his eyes she knew they had spent lifetimes trying to find each other again.
“It is true," he said. "It is I. I would not have believed it had I not experienced it myself.”
Her heart filled with joy to bursting. Could it be that he knew all and yet loved her still? “Then you do remember...and you feel the same as I?”
"I remember, Karolina.” He kissed the tears of happiness that fell from her eyes. "I have loved you from the moment I saw you again. I have longed for you. I have loved you time after time, and I have respected you—as a lady should be respected. My love, I can wait no longer to have you again...You have been mine for an eternity. Karolina, listen to me, for I have a question of great import to ask you."
"What is it, Lukas?" she said, knowing in her heart the words he was about to say.
He took her hand in his and kissed it before meeting her eyes. "Will you be my wife, Karolina?”
She gazed long and deeply into his eyes. “Oh yes, my dear sweet, Lukas. Yes.”
He swept her off her feet and carried her away like a babe—to the room in her dream, to their room.
"Wait for me, my love," he said. "I shall return in a moment's time."
"But where are you going?" she asked.
"I shall not be long. When I return we will begin our life together. I promise." He kissed her now, long, slowly, and deeply. "Karolina," he paused and looked into her eyes, "Do you trust in me?"
She smiled at him and slid into bed. "With my very life, Lukas, with my heart and soul. I have waited an eternity for your return. Don't be long, my love."
* * * *
Lukas raced to his study. He held in his hand the journal in which he had recorded each session, each remarkable venture into an unknown area of science. How long had he waited for the moment when he would be accepted by the community of his intellectual peers? He held the leather-bound key that would admit him into their world. But it would also reveal the painful secrets of her past—of their past--to outsiders. He was no longer willing to do that. Perhaps it was time to leave this place and the constraints of a society he no longer believed in. Perhaps a new world awaited them?
Without hesitation, he made his way to the hearth. The flames danced upward and licked at the pages. He tossed the book into the flames and hastened back to his beloved, Karolina.
THE END
About The Author
As an avid reader of historical fiction it makes perfect sense that I would also be drawn to writing it. I love stories in which women, despite all odds, overcome obstacles to realize their dreams. A major theme in my work i
s the successful journey of the female underdog, regardless of where she lived or in which century she was born. I hope I've created a rich and spicy tapestry of words that will entice you to return to read more of the stories inside my head that are just waiting to be told.
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