Carved in Stone

by Stein Willard

  “I really can’t take it. I’m sorry.”

  Aspen sighed, no longer able to hide her frustration. “Then tell me why.”

  Aeron’s eyes were wide as they stared at Aspen. “Do you have any idea how much that coin is worth? It’s too much.”

  Crap! She needed a drink. “Believe me when I say it’s the least expensive item in my collection.” She threw her arms wide. “Everything else in here is priceless.” It wasn’t really a lie. Everything that she and Phage accumulated over their short time together held immeasurable value to her. She grabbed a bottle of wine off the wine rack. “How about we compromise?”

  “Compromise? How?”

  “You choose another gift, so as not to make yourself guilty of upsetting customs and let bad luck befall you and yours.”

  Aeron lifted an eyebrow. “And?”

  “And you can borrow the coin for research.” She smiled warmly, trying to sweeten the deal. Aeron appeared to consider the suggestion for a moment before her eyes swept over the room. Aspen chuckled. “Not here. These are all really priceless.” She walked to the door leading to the tunnel. “I want to show you something.” She punched in the code and waited for Aeron to join her.

  Aeron didn’t move. Instead she looked at Aspen with eyes dark with suspicion. At that moment, the expression wounded her deeper than any weapon could and Aspen needed to put distance between her and that offensive look. What did the woman think of her? How could she not know that Aspen would rather die than hurt her? She shrugged and walked through the door.

  ***

  Aeron exhaled softly. She hasn’t been aware of holding her breath. She had seen the way Aspen had looked at her when she was studying the coin. Aeron had seen the lust in the dark eyes moments before Aspen had blinked. She might not believe in this reincarnation nonsense, but she knew deep down that Aspen would not hurt her. Did she hurt Aspen’s feelings? She sighed deeply. So many questions and so many answers she didn’t like.

  She jumped slightly when the door closed with a click. For a moment she was stunned to find herself alone in Aspen’s inner sanctum. She looked around and blinked in confusion. Whereas the room had pulsed with life earlier, it now felt stale and empty. These inanimate objects only came to life in the presence of Aspen. Then they gleamed with memories and love.

  “I’m sorry for leaving you here without a way out.” Aeron squeaked as she spun around. Aspen’s expression was bland as she looked at Aeron. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll let you out.” Aspen walked to the main entrance of the Vault.

  “Wait!”

  Aspen stopped and turned slowly. Aeron bit down on her lip as she made her way to where the other woman stood. She was towering slightly over Aspen.

  “I don’t…don’t understand all this.”

  Aspen smiled slightly. “I do.”

  “But I don’t, and I don’t know what to do about it.” She watched as Aspen’s eyes turned darker. “What?”

  Aspen cocked her head to the side. “Maybe you don’t need to think, but rather feel.” She reached out and Aeron held her breath as the woman placed her hand over her heart. The heat of Aspen’s seeped through her shirt and seared her flesh. “I’m in there. We are in there.”

  Aeron stared at the woman, her face upturned so that her dark eyes filled Aeron’s whole vision. “You sound so sure.”

  “You’ve had the visions, didn’t you?” Aeron swallowed hard. “Who else, but Phage and myself, would know the most intimate moments of our lives?” Aspen turned away abruptly. “It hurts so much to be this close to you and not being able to be with you.”

  Aeron waited as Aspen struggled to bring her emotions under control. Her throat ached as she, too, fought her feelings. Why did it hurt so much to witness this woman’s pain? It was like a knife twisting her insides. Before she knew what she was doing, she reached out and turning Aspen around, pulled her into her arms for a hug. They were both stunned by her action. It was the second time that weekend that she was acting out of character. First, when she held a crying Aspen, and now this. She sighed deeply.

  It was becoming more and more confusing. She needed to get away from this woman. Her eyes caught the bottle in Aspen’s hand and she reached for it. She took a long drink. This was excellent stuff compared to the vinegar she and Harry were used to. She took another drink before she held the bottle out to Aspen. The woman still had that sad look on her face and Aeron pulled her into her arms again, this time, holding her gently against her body. She felt Aspen immediately beginning to relax against her as a loud exhale reached her ears.

  What the hell are you doing, a small voice screeched inside her. Aeron grimaced as she pulled Aspen even closer to her. I’m trying to feel my way out of this thing, she answered in return. She needed to know exactly what she was walking away from before she did so. She could always blame the wine later.

  “Tell me about Aspen and Phage.”

  Aspen pulled away, her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Aeron. “It’s a long story. We’ll need more wine.” Aeron shrugged. It was not even noon yet and she was about to get hammered with a woman who looked at her like a prime piece of steak. She could tick that off her bucket list. On the other hand, she was about to get a very rare insight into the life of a very fascinating woman.

  “Lead the way.”

  ***

  Aspen grinned as she studied Aeron over the rim of her wineglass. They were working their way through their second bottle of wine. The other woman was already a tad tipsy and Aspen had to admit that she was quite entertaining. Aka had sent Sadik with an elaborate spread of ‘birthday’ lunch, but they had both only picked at their food. She should get Aeron to eat a bit more later to absorb the alcohol, lest the blonde wakes with a horrendous hangover tomorrow.

  “So, she was your first? Were you not scared marrying someone you’ve just met?”

  Aspen shrugged. “I’m not sure when last you’ve checked yourself in a mirror, but Phage was gorgeous.” She smiled mischievously. “I probably would’ve seduced her, had she not.”

  Aeron blushed a deep-red. They were seated on a spread of pillows and Persian rugs that was stored in cave. Aeron had been horrified when Aspen had strewn the antique items on the marble floor without much care. Aspen wanted an informal, comfortable setting, if she was going to rehash her and Phage’s past.

  “You have told her how you felt about her just before her…” Aeron sighed. “…before she succumbed to her injuries.”

  “Yes.” Aspen swallowed hard. “I didn’t want her to worry too much about her death and how it would affect me.”

  Aeron nodded and took a long drink from her glass.

  ***

  “You should hold it with both hands and centre your body weight, lest you topple over.”

  Aeron grunted as she lifted the broadsword. “They make it look so damn easy in the movies. I can’t believe you’ve actually fought with this.” Aeron felt Aspen move behind her. Her heart skipped a beat at she woman’s nearness.

  She knew she was tipsy-going-on-drunk, but she had to admit that Aspen has been the perfect host to that very moment. Not once had she made any sexual advances or even anything vaguely related to a sexual innuendo. She had served her from the buffet Aka had sent and even encouraged her to eat a little more to soak up some of the alcohol. Now, with Aspen so close, her spicy scent surrounding Aeron, Aeron guilty revelled in the heat brought on by Aspen’s proximity. Desire skittered down her spine when she felt Aspen’s arms coming around her as both her hands come to rest on hers where they cradled the hilt of the sword. Aeron realized that she’d stopped breathing and inhaled deeply.

  “This sword saw a lot of action during the Middle Ages. I served under Richard the Lionheart and later as a knight to a widowed baroness.” She gently raised the sword. “The trick is to time your attack carefully, to conserve energy, for every blow drains you.” Using their combined strength, Aspen lifted the sword and let it come down in a downward slash.

&nb
sp; A widowed baroness? That was all that stuck in Aeron’s mind. Jealousy, so uncommon and out of place, spiked and she carefully shrugged her shoulders prompting Aspen to step away from her.

  “A baroness, you say? Did she know your true gender?” Aeron asked, keeping her voice neutral as she studied the gilded hilt of the sword. When, after a few heartbeats Aspen had not responded, she turned to look at her. Aspen was staring at her intently.

  “Yes, she did.”

  Aeron blinked. So many questions came to her, but the look in Aspen’s eyes warned her that that topic was not up for discussion. She doubted that Aspen and the esteemed baroness and Aspen were braiding each other’s locks one day, when the topic of Aspen’s gender simply popped up.

  Maybe somethings are best left alone. She had no claim to Aspen. If only the thought of Aspen and another woman would not leave such a sour taste in her mouth.

  ***

  Aspen tilted her head slightly and grinned. “You’re getting close.”

  “Close? Wat do you mean ‘close’? I think this is great,” Aeron sputtered as she stepped back from the canvas. “Anybody can see that it’s a cat.” She walked over to the lunch spread and popped an olive in her mouth.

  “In some cultures this would be an undisputed representation of a bat, my dear doctor.” Aspen was feeling a little more than tipsy herself by now. She looked at her watch. It was almost time for dinner. She doubted they would need dinner, not with most of the lunch still left over. She turned to Aeron and almost laughed out loud. The other woman was kneeling on the makeshift bedding of rugs and pillows. “Are you okay?”

  Aeron turned bleary eyes to her. “What would be the best position to sleep in to avoid being hungover tomorrow?”

  “I doubt there is one, but I can get you some aspirin and water to minimize the damage.” She walked over to the desk were she found a couple of aspirins and a bottle of water. She knelt next to Aeron. “Here. This will help you.” Aeron obediently took the medication before she threw herself down on the bedding. Aspen thought that she should probably try and get Aeron to her room. But she, herself, wasn’t in a state to carry Aeron to the house. Instead, she pulled another Persian rug over Aeron.

  “Aspen?”

  “Yes”

  “Why do I only get sex visions of you and Phage? Was that all the two of you did?”

  Aspen was stunned as she stared at a dozing Aeron. What to say to that? She inhaled deeply, hoping that Aspen had dozed off and forgotten about the question. She had no power over Aeron’s consciousness. The only person who could, would probably be Phage. But not her.

  “Do I need to worry about you while I’m asleep?” The sleepy voice drew Aspen’s eyes to Aeron’s face; the golden eyes were watching her closely.

  “No, you don’t have to worry about anything, my heart.” The endearment rolled off her tongue effortlessly. The eyelids drooped and a few moments later, even breathing could be heard coming from Aeron. Aspen smiled warmly and stretched out next to the sleeping woman.

  What a great ending to a spectacular day! They had talked and joked and laughed together like old friends. It was almost like old times with Phage, but different. Aeron was truly fun to be with. It makes their goodbye tomorrow even harder.

  How was she going to live without her?

  CHAPTER 23

  There was someone nearby and the realization made Aspen reach out for her sword. When instead of her trusty old dagger at her side, she encountered warm flesh; her eyes flew open.

  So many things raced through her head as her eyes frantically assessed her situation. She was in the caves. The dank smell and subdued lighting was a dead giveaway. With her location established, the next step was to identify her human pillow. She slowly lifted her head. Sound asleep, was the woman of her heart. A wide smile spread over her face as she beamed down at the sleeping woman. After all these years she had given up on ever experiencing something as small as watching her beloved sleep. Phage was not a heavy sleeper, but there were times, usually after a return from the battlefields, that Phage would sleep deeply and peacefully. It was on such occasions that Aspen would linger in bed next to her slumbering warrior; watching over her when she was at her most vulnerable. Just as she was doing at the very moment.

  Her eyes shot full of tears and she slowly covered her mouth in wonder.

  She had slept.

  And peacefully, it seemed. How else would she have forgotten something as pivotal as falling asleep next to her beloved? She wanted to kiss Aeron awake and tell her about the miracle. She had slept for the first time in three millennia.

  She knew that once Aeron awoke, this unguarded moment of bliss would be over. So, she suppressed her urge and settled into watching her golden warrior sleep.

  As she greedily took in and etched Aeron’s features in her mind, she realized that something has been pulling at the periphery of her mind since she had opened her eyes. Not sure what it was, she made a quick sweep of the interior of the cave from where she was cuddled against Aeron’s body. There was no immediate threat. Beside herself, the only other person who knew the code to the steel door leading to the inner sanctum, was Sadik. Sadik was smart enough to know not to disturb her when she was down here. Especially, if he had noticed Aeron’s absence.

  Aspen loathed to leave the heat of Aeron’s embrace, but if she had an overwhelming need to wake her partner with a spectacular breakfast. She stretched her body and hissed as the bones popped into place after a night spent on a few four-hundred-year-old carpets.

  If she was lucky she would be back before Aspen stirred.

  ***

  The interior of the tent was warm. The strong smell of spent passion hung thick in the air. Careful, so as not to wake her mate, Phage sat up. Her eyes were immediately drawn back to the woman lying next to her. She will never tire of the sight of her sleeping mate. When alert, the woman, though still so young, exhibited a strong will and a keen intelligence. In repose, she looked so incredibly young and vulnerable. Even when in the throes of passion, her youth and vulnerability showed. And every time it made Phage want to cradle her to her heart and tell her that she was safe. That same protective urge was creeping up on her again and not wanting to cave in and wake the slumbering woman, Phage rose from their warm bed. The interior was dimly lit, but she knew it was near dawn. She stretched her long frame and sighed when she felt the gentle protest of her muscles after a long, passion-filled night. She threw a quick glance over her shoulder to the bed and smiled when she found Aspen looking at her with obvious pleasure.

  “I didn’t want to wake you.”

  Aspen grinned, her eyes sliding down Phage’s nakedness. “I’m happy I’m awake.” She sat up and pulled the fur blanket close to her chest. “It’s still so early. Where are you off to?”

  Phage moved back to the bed. “You have to travel back to the City and I have a few battalions of Romans to face today” She saw a flicker of concern in Aspen’s eyes and leaned closer for a kiss. Aspen was terrified every time Phage rode into battle, but she tried her best not to voice her fear. Instead she decided to trust Phage’s combat skills. Phage appreciated Aspen’s steadfastness, but at the same time, she valued the thought that she was treasured that much. She glanced at the tent opening, listening. The camp was slowly awakening. Maybe she could steal a few moments to assuage her lover’s fear. She carefully pulled the blanket out of Aspen’s grasp, exposing her full dark-tipped breasts. Desire flared hot and heavy at the sight. When she raised her eyes to Aspen’s, she found her spouse’s face showing the same hunger.

  “I have but a few moments to spare, my love,” she whispered as she gently pushed Aspen onto her back.

  The black eyes shimmered with love. “Then you’re in luck. I, too, only need a few moments.” She spread her legs purposefully, her eyes fierce in her need. With her heart thundering in her ears, Phage squeezed her broad shoulders into the intimate cradle and lifted the slender limbs over her shoulder. Her mouth watered as the movement bro
ught a whiff of the previous night’s passion to her nose. With unrestrained hunger, she latched onto the swelling node, smothering it with an open-mouthed kiss. She didn’t let up, not even when Aspen’s love sounds and the sounds of her hungry sucking filled the tent.

  “More…” Aspen cried out, her hands clasping Phage’s head to hold her in place.

  Aeron shot up, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. She moaned softly when the movement caused the seam of her jeans to brush against her aroused flesh. She’d thought that the erotic dreams had disappeared completely. She looked next to her and sighed with relief when she found she was alone. The Sultana was gone. She frowned. Speaking of Aspen. Where did Aspen disappear to?

  She swallowed hard as she looked around. And where the hell was this? The room was huge. It looked like those underground, military black sites. Whirling above her was one of six air filter-slash-air conditioning units. She slowly came to her feet and groaned at the dull pain in her lower back. She looked at what had been her temporary bed and blinked. It was a 17th century Persian rug. Last year, one of those would sold for almost 40 million dollars. What was Aspen thinking? They were drunk, but still, it was almost sacrilege to handle something so valuable with such total disregard. Aeron gently rolled up the rug and carried it over to a bench. Her eyes scanned the room again. She didn’t remember seeing much of the room yesterday. All she recalled were the armory and painting studio. She slowly turned around as she took in the room. There were about twelve large electronic vaults built into the walls of the room. She vaguely remembered coming in here with Aspen, but after all the wine she hadn’t paid much attention to her surroundings. Her eyes fell on an object in the corner of the room. She slowly approached the painting. All at once the events of the previous day rushed to the surface.