by Julia Milla
It was getting harder and harder to deny that the man, ghost, specter, whatever it was standing before him was not the man Achilles had thought of as his surrogate father since the first day they met. Needing one more bit of proof, the archer asked, “Where did we bury the bodies of my mother and my sisters after…” He took a deep breath, anger still raging through him at their cruel deaths even after the passage of so much time. “After the Persian scum brutally murdered them?”
Bowing his head, as he had always done when they discussed Achilles’ family, Romanus answered in a low, reverent tone, “We did not bury them. Your beloved family was burnt on a funeral pyre to prevent the final resting place of their mortal bodies from being disturbed by vagabonds.” The General raised his head, took a step forward and added, “You were the bravest child I had ever seen. Never shedding a tear, demanding to collect all the wood for the fire yourself and finally, taking the flame to the wood while offering a prayer to the gods for the safe delivery of their souls to the afterlife.”
Holding back the tears, Achilles gave a single nod and whispered, “It is good to see you again, my General.”
Many hours were spent explaining what Romanus and on very few occasions, Viktoras, called his ‘new life’. It was incredibly confusing and more than a little disturbing to think he would need another’s life essence to survive but his General had been very specific and did not falter as he explained the minute amount the archer would need to remain alive and that the donor was to be willing and unharmed. The longer he listened, the more honored Achilles felt. His General, the one man he truly held in high regard, had chosen him to be one of Zeus’ mighty warriors.
After his first taste of blood, Romanus had taken him out into the night. They had walked for miles, the General explaining that his renewed body needed to be exercised, his muscles stretched and his heart and lungs made to work to their full capacity. It wasn’t long before they reached a rare patch of desert grass with a tall petrified tree casting a shadow in the sand.
Motioning for Achilles to follow, Romanus took a seat on the stiff, brown lawn and began to speak. “In his infinite wisdom, the father of the gods knew that no man can live an eternity alone, especially one who must face the rigors of a life such as ours. So, for each King of the Blood, he created a mate, your fýlakas tis kardiás mou, the keeper of your heart. This woman, above all others, will captivate your soul from the moment of her birth. She, and she alone, will have the power to save your doomed soul and breathe life anew into your heart that until the moment she appeared on this earth, had felt cold and barren. Her light will brighten even the darkest corners of your soul. There will be nothing you can hide from her or her from you. Together, you will create one perfect being, the strength to one another’s weaknesses and the answer to one another’s unspoken prayers. She will be a blessing unlike any other you have ever received but you must heed my words, Achilles, follow them to the letter less you be struck down by Zeus’ lightning and your ashes strewn to the four corners of the Universe.”
The archer leaned closer, hanging on every word from his mentor’s mouth. His heart beat like the drum in the coliseum and sweat rolled down his spine like the great River Nile as he waited for what was to come. When Romanus finally continued, it was with conviction and power that can only come from absolute faith. “No matter how much your heart may pull you to her and your soul cry out for what only the keeper of your heart can give you, it is imperative that you wait for her to come to you, to recognize you as the other half of her soul, on this, the King of the Gods is unbending. Your fýlakas tis kardiás mou’s heart and soul will lead her to you when, and only when, the time is right. It will then be your responsibility to indoctrinate her in the ways of our kind and prepare her to become immortal, so that she may stand by your side throughout all time.”
The General smiled and patted the archer on the shoulder before adding, “The mating must be completed before nightfall of your three thousandth year or you will cease to exist. You will return to the ether from whence you came, ashes to ashes and dust to dust. You will enter the Elysian Fields and live a hero’s afterlife.”
Romanus stood, “But I have no doubt the keeper of your heart will come long before three millennia have passed and together you will leave a legacy blessed by the Pantheon.”
Jumping to his feet, emotion unlike any other he’d ever felt filled his soul to overflowing, Achilles, in an uncharacteristic gesture, hugged his General and whispered, “I shall live every day of my life to make you proud for choosing me to this blessed life. Thank you, sir.”
Pulling back, the General chuckled, “See that you do, Achilles. See that you do.”
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About Julia
Hey Y’all! I’m Julia Mills the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Dragon Guard Series. I without a doubt admit to being a sarcastic, southern woman who would rather spend all day laughing than a minute crying. Living with my two most amazing daughters and a menagerie of animals, keeps me busy but I love telling a good story. Now, that I’ve decided to write the stories running through my brain, life is just a blast!
My beliefs are simple. A good book along with shoes, makeup, and purses will never let a girl down and no hero ever written will compare to my real-life hero, my dad! I’m a sucker for a happy ending and alpha men make me swoon.
I’m still working on my story but I promise it will contain as much love and laughter as I can pack into it! Now, go out there and create your own story!!! Dare to Dream! Have the Strength to Try EVERYTHING! Never Look Back!
I ABSOLUTELY adore stalkers so look me up on Facebook and sign up for her newsletter at JuliaMillsAuthor.com. Send me a message!
Thank you for reading my stories!!!
XOXO Julia
P.S. All my books are available on Amazon. Happy Reading!