Goddess of the Sea gs-1

by P. C. Cast

  The goddess's smile was bittersweet. "I will honor your choice, my daughter, as well as take pride in your strength."

  "But, it's not like I'll be gone forever. I'll still get to see you!" CC exclaimed.

  "Yes, Daughter. My cove will be waiting to welcome you, and I will always answer your call." She raised one brow and smiled mischievously. "Perhaps one day you will gift me with a land-loving granddaughter."

  "How about several of them?" CC laughed.

  Before Gaea could answer they were interrupted by Isabel's distinctly gravely voice coming from the entrance of the chapel.

  "Yes! If I need your protection from her witchcraft, I shall certainly call. But I must bring her food. If she weakens and dies it will not go well for us when her father, the king, appears." Isabel's gruff voice easily traveled the length of the chapel. She sighed theatrically before the guard closed the door behind her.

  CC giggled and winked at Gaea. "She really should have been an actress; she's enjoying this a little too much."

  Expecting the goddess to disappear as usual, CC turned to greet the old woman and took several steps toward her, intending to take the heavy tray from her. Isabel was limping down the side aisle, scanning all of the pews to be certain they were alone. When she saw there were no monks lurking around praying, her disgruntled expression shifted into a wide grin.

  "I brought you a new kind of st—" The old woman stopped speaking. She was staring at something behind CC.

  Confused, CC glanced over her shoulder to see what had startled Isabel. There stood Gaea, next to the statue of Mary. And yet it wasn't Gaea. The woman was very pretty, but she was most definitely mortal. Delicate wrinkles gave her face a comfortable, lived-in look, and laugh lines betrayed her good humor. She was clothed in simple robes of undyed linen. A brown shawl was draped over her head, hiding most of her coffee-colored hair, but what escaped the shawl was just beginning to show a fine weaving of silver. Despite the evidence of age, her face had a timeless look. She could have been twenty or forty, it was impossible to tell. She smiled at Isabel.

  "Excuse me, Princess Undine. I did not realize that you were not alone." Isabel set the tray on a nearby pew and turned hastily to leave.

  "Please, there is no need for you to go." Gaea's voice was melodic and accented much like Andras's. "My name is Galena. I came to Caldei to barter ewes for my father's flock. I heard word of the restoration of the Holy Mother, and I could not leave without visiting her shrine."

  Isabel was studying Gaea with an intent expression of open curiosity. "Forgive me for saying so, but it is unusual that a father would allow a daughter to tend to his business."

  "My father has no sons, and I have no husband. In his old age he is wise enough to trust me."

  "See, I told you some men respect women," CC said, recovering her voice.

  "You are correct, Princess, some men do," Gaea said with a soft smile. "But no matter the beliefs of men, women will always have a special power within themselves." Her gaze touched the gleaming statue. "I believe Mary would agree with me."

  "You sound much like the princess," Isabel said.

  Gaea's smile widened. "What a lovely coincidence, as is my visit today."

  Isabel's eyes hadn't left Gaea's face. Suddenly, they widened in discovery. "Forgive me for staring, but you bear a striking resemblance to the statue of the Holy Mother."

  Gaea's laughter was a musical sound. CC hoped that Isabel wouldn't notice that the flames of the candles surrounding the statue leapt and danced in response.

  "Is that so surprising?" the goddess said. "Do you not believe that every woman carries the spark of the Divine Feminine within her?"

  "I…" Isabel cleared her throat. "I have never heard it spoken so."

  Gaea's voice was filled with compassion. "Come close. I have something to show the two of you."

  On unsure feet Isabel let CC lead her to the disguised goddess's side.

  Gaea held one hand out in front of her, palm down. "Place your hands beside mine."

  Without hesitation, CC put her hand next to Gaea's, and Isabel followed suit.

  "Look at how amazing we are, we three, as we reflect the three aspects of the Divine Feminine," Gaea said. She pointed to each of the women's hands in turn, beginning with CC's, which were shapely and unlined. "The maiden, lovely and young, with her life stretching before her, magical and new. She is vibrant and fresh, drawing the power of springtime to her."

  Then she pointed at her own hand. It was stronger and the knuckles were already beginning to show lines. It was a hand that could do a full day's work and then comfort a sick child. "The mother, full and ripe, filled with the power of summer and autumn. She is life-giver and nurturer. She is the heart of her hearth and home. Without honoring the mother, the family cannot thrive."

  Then, with an infinitely gentle gesture, she touched Isabel's gnarled hand. "And the crone, although I prefer her matriarchal title, the wise woman. She is rich with wisdom and experience, a leader to those who will someday take her place when she is gone, and a comfort to those who are at the end of their life's journey. Her power is of great depth. It is that of the experience of ages forged with the strength of winter." Gaea spoke solemnly, clasping their hands in hers. "Alone, each is important and unique. But joined together, they form a three-fold link that is soldered by the Divine Feminine. We need each other—that is how we are fashioned. To deny this is to live a life less than fulfilled."

  "Women need to stick together," CC agreed. "Even if we are different."

  "Isn't that what woman is? A magical, complex blending of differences," Gaea said.

  "I am ashamed that it has taken me a lifetime to know this," Isabel said.

  Gaea's smile was filled with unending love. "So you see, it should be of no surprise when you recognize the reflection of the divine within another woman."

  "You are very wise, Galena," Isabel said, still holding Gaea's hand.

  "I am a shepherdess who has had long hours of solitude in which to think and pray," she said simply. Then she squeezed Isabel's and CC's hands before slipping loose from them. "And now I can hear my flock calling me. They are impatient for my return. I must bid you good day, ladies."

  "May the blessing of the Holy Mother go with you," Isabel said.

  "Yes, have a safe journey home," CC added quickly.

  Gaea nodded to each of them, then she bowed briefly before the statue of the Holy Virgin. When she raised her head, CC caught the sparkle in her eyes. The disguised goddess called a farewell to them as she walked toward the chapel's exit. The ever-present mist of incense seemed to swallow her as she faded into the shadows.

  "A very interesting woman," Isabel said thoughtfully.

  "She sure is."

  "I will consider her words. They are new thoughts for me, but they touched my heart in a way that I have never before felt…" Her words faded as the squire threw open the door.

  "Is all well here?" he asked, blinking quickly like a nervous bird as his eyes became accustomed to the dark. "I heard something odd."

  "Everything is fine. I'm just going to keep this old woman in here to help me with the rest of the heavy cleaning. You should probably send word to the kitchen that she's going to be busy for the remainder of the afternoon." CC made a shooing gesture at him.

  He looked doubtful, but CC's impotency threat still weighed heavily on his mind. "I am only a short distance away," he told the silent Isabel as he backed out the door.

  CC and Isabel looked at each other.

  "I thought maybe you'd want to stay here for a while," CC said simply.

  "Thank you. I would like nothing more than to aid you in restoring the Mother's chapel. And I do so enjoy spending time with you."

  CC grinned. "I like it, too."

  Isabel took a deep breath and asked the question that had been haunting her mind. "When must you leave us?"

  CC felt a pang of regret. "I must leave on the third night. But it doesn't have to be forever. I'll s
till be here—I'll just, well, live in the water and look a little different, that is, from my waist down."

  Isabel blinked in surprise. "Then we could still visit with one another?"

  "If I wouldn't frighten you," CC said slowly.

  Isabel touched her cheek in an infinitely tender gesture. "You could never frighten me, my dear friend. Differences do not matter between us."

  Relief flooded through CC. "I'm so glad, Isabel."

  "As am I, sweet girl." Then she squared her shoulders and began rolling up her sleeves. "If we only have two more days, we had better get to work."

  "My thoughts exactly," CC said.

  Isabel took the closest broom and began attacking a nest of spider webs in a dark corner. "You know, you may be a wise woman yourself some day," she said.

  "Make that a wise mer-woman, and I'll take you up on it."

  As they worked together to restore what was rightfully the Mother's, their laughter joined and painted the walls with the joy of women working together in perfect harmony.

  Chapter 25

  Isabel had just finished combing through CC's thick hair when a sharp knock interrupted their quiet conversation. She limped to the door and cracked it open.

  "I have come to see the princess," Andras's deep voice commanded.

  "Please tell Sir Andras that I have already dressed for bed. The events of the day have tired me so much that I have to retire early." CC let her voice carry to the listening knight.

  "Sir Andras, the princess—" Isabel began, but the knight cut her off.

  "Perhaps the princess would not be so fatigued if she had not felt the need to cavort about the countryside last night."

  CC sighed and yanked a robe over her head. Ignoring Isabel's silent look that counseled temperance she shoved open the door. Andras stood with his hands planted on his waist, face flushed with irritation. He had obviously taken great care with his appearance. He was freshly scrubbed and wearing the same dashing outfit he had worn the first day she had met him. Appalled, CC realized that he must have come to her door to court her.

  Wasn't she his prisoner and possibly a dangerous witch?

  Then CC understood and blinked in surprise. Andras had told the abbot that he would make his decision soon about whether he was going to marry or ransom her. Obviously, he had decided on marriage, so he was simply behaving honorably and beginning his courtship in earnest. It seemed the Rule of Thumb had outweighed her heathen tendencies and her outspoken mouth. CC supposed she should have been flattered. Instead she was annoyed. He didn't want her, he wanted a medieval Barbie doll.

  "Sir Andras, I am exhausted because over the course of one short day I have remembered my birthright, defended myself against a charge of witchcraft and worked hard to restore a chapel that looks like it has been neglected for decades. I think that even a man would find a day like that tiring," she finished, trying to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

  Almost as if he couldn't help himself, Andras's eyes studied her face, lingering on the high, graceful planes of her cheeks and the full, sensual sweep of her lips. Then they traveled down her long, shapely neck and stared hotly at the glimpse of skin where the chemise gaped open. He wet his lips.

  CC watched him closely. Just how far had Sarpedon's influence spread? His eyes appeared normal, and his facial features were his own, but his look was one of raw desire, and that was unusual for the knight. Until Sarpedon began possessing him, Andras had treated her carefully—he had not seemed like the kind of man who would think it was proper behavior to leer at the lady he was trying to woo.

  "True, Undine, you have had a difficult day. But I remember that not long ago you proclaimed that you found the exercise of walking especially gratifying, even when you are fatigued," he persuaded. "I ask that you walk with me, Princess Undine." He held a muscular arm out to her as if he expected no other response than for her to happily accept his proposal.

  "Not tonight, but thank you for asking."

  Isabel stirred restlessly at her side as Andras's face darkened with anger at her rejection.

  "I ask as a knight and a gentleman that you come walking with me, and you spurn me?" he said incredulously.

  "I was under the impression that when a lady is asked a question, she has the right to answer yes or no," CC said impatiently. She hadn't been lying to the knight. She was tired and wanted nothing more than to finish her glass of wine and to fall into bed. "I didn't spurn you, I simply exercised my right."

  "Then as a gentleman I choose to exercise my right to protect you from your own excesses so that you will be less exhausted and able to walk with me. Tonight and every night hereafter there will be a guard stationed at your door and your window to insure that you do not exhaust yourself with further needless forays to the shore," he said with cruel finality. "Tomorrow, then, Princess Undine. May I find you in more lively spirits, or perhaps I will have to be assured of your health and rest by confining you to your room for the daylight hours, too."

  He closed the door with a solid slam.

  "I should have just walked with him." CC sighed.

  Isabel nodded her head. "I was afraid your refusal would bait the knight. His behavior has been unusual of late."

  "Yes, I can see that now, and we both know why."

  "Sarpedon," Isabel whispered the name.

  CC nodded, rubbing her face wearily. "All this time I've been more worried about Abbot William. I guess I underestimated Sarpedon's effect on Andras."

  "You underestimated the effect of your beauty," Isabel said as she helped CC off with the robe.

  CC laughed sardonically. "I'm not used to it. My other body was nothing like this one. Men pretty much ignored me."

  Isabel gave her a skeptical look and made a rude noise in her throat.

  "What?" CC asked.

  "Did you not tell me that a woman's beauty is more complex than her physical appearance? That applies to you as well as to me."

  When CC started to argue Isabel held her hand up to silence her.

  "Take this wise woman's words for truth. There is more to you than physical beauty. The knight knows that and desires to possess you—all of you. Sarpedon's evil influence has simply intensified that desire." Isabel turned down the covers of the narrow bed and gestured for CC to climb in. "Rest, Undine. Your eyes have that dark, haunted look. Sleep will strengthen you."

  CC pulled the coarse blanket up under her arms and leaned against the hard wooden headboard as she watched Isabel tidy the small room. Outside her window she could hear the sounds of a guard settling in for the night. What would happen in two nights? How would she get out of her room? Her stomach churned. Isabel's weight caused the bed to sag.

  "Do not fear," she whispered reassuringly while she fussed with CC's bed sheets. "Remember, we are one, the maiden, the mother and the wise woman. Together we will find a way to return you to the seas."

  "And to Dylan," CC murmured, her eyes suddenly bright with tears.

  Isabel cupped CC's chin gently. "And to your lover. We are stronger than they know. All will be well."

  CC curled onto her side and Isabel stroked her hair, soothing her into a deep sleep by humming a lilting lullaby that somehow reminded CC of the sound of waves.

  Chapter 26

  The next day, flanked by two guards, CC managed to stay unavailable to Andras through a hasty breakfast in the kitchen, and a midday meal, even though it took her only a few crowning polishes to complete her work in the chapel. To avoid the knight, she kept herself busy weeding the herb garden and harvesting a long list of fresh plants for Isabel. She was pleasantly surprised when, from time to time, a passing monk would stop to compliment her on the beauty of Mary's restoration. She had just returned to her room to scrub something sticky from her hands and change her soiled robe for a new one when a knock sounded against her door.

  She cracked the door. The knight was dressed as he had been the evening before, and his expression was strained.

  "Good afternoon, Sir Andr
as," CC said formally, feeling especially uncomfortable without Isabel at her side.

  Andras inclined his head. "Princess Undine, I trust today you are recovered and able to walk with me."

  "I would be happy to, but as you can see I'm really not dressed for it." She pointed at her dirty robe.

  "I will send for the servant, Isabel, to aid you. I await you in the courtyard," he said firmly, then executed an abrupt military about-face and strode away.

  CC sighed and closed the door. She didn't have to wait long for Isabel to arrive.

  "Come, let me help you into your beautiful gown," she said, lifting the shining material from where it was draped across the bed.

  "I don't want to walk with him," CC said.

  "You must, or you chance being locked away."

  At that reminder, CC shivered in fear.

  "Smile at Sir Andras. Stroke his ego," Isabel said.

  "I'm worried about what Sarpedon could make him do." CC chewed her bottom lip.

  Isabel frowned. "You must take care not to arouse the knight's anger, then perhaps the evil spirit's influence will sleep. Think of Andras as the dashing knight who rushed to rescue you from the seas. And remember, this is the last night you will spend as a human. Tomorrow you return to the water. Can you not play the pretty princess for such a short time?" Isabel finished lacing her outer garment and began clasping the long strands of jewels around CC's neck. "Perhaps you can persuade the knight to walk with you by the sea. Could you not tolerate him in exchange for the chance at a glimpse of your Dylan?"

  "I hadn't even thought of that!" CC said, her heart racing.

  As had become her habit during the time that she could not spend with him, CC had tried to stay busy and not think too much of Dylan. She had found that if she dwelled on how much she missed him, the ache of her longing for him and for the sea merged into one painful force, which came dangerously close to overwhelming her. Now she felt herself tremble with suppressed desire as thoughts of her lover filled her mind.