“What will happen now?”
Sadik turned his mother to face him and at the same time wrapped her bleeding finger in a dish towel. “Maybe this is what was supposed to happen. There is nothing more to do.”
Aka shook her head. “It will never be enough. We need to find a way to get them together.”
“You’ve tried that today and it failed.”
“She said…” Aka sniffed. “…she said that Aeron was not Phage. She said it to our faces.” Aka’s heart felt like it was breaking all over again as she recalled the words. “How could she say that, Sadik?” She threw herself in her son’s arms and sobbed again. “There must be something we can do. Or maybe we are doing something wrong.”
“I’ll talk to her when she wakes up. Maybe I can talk some sense into her.”
“Please, do. She always listens to you.”
Sadik snorted. “As if.” He looked down into his mother’s face. “Maybe you should make yourself scarce when she wakes up. You did kidnap her, remember.”
Aka nodded. “I know, but I only wanted to help. She will be hurting too much when she wakes up.”
“I know, Mother. I know.” He unwrapped her finger. “Now let’s fix you up and then Yegane can finish what you’ve started. Or I can have dinner delivered from the hotel restaurant.”
Aka shrugged. “Maybe order something. Yegane might be too tired coming from work.”
***
The room was cast in shadows with the sun slowly sinking, but still Aeron sat unmoving on the sofa. Many hours have passed since Aka and Aspen had left, and yet their conversation still echoed in the room. Nothing could describe what she felt when Aspen had said that she’d made a mistake in thinking Aeron was Phage. It had felt like something inside her had crashed. She was almost sure it was her heart. It still hurt as much as it did when Aspen had uttered the words. She raised her hand to wipe at her wet cheeks. She didn’t care that she didn’t know why it hurt so much that Aspen had renounced her. She knew she wasn’t Phage. Aspen was right about that. But it would be negligent, as a scientist, to disregard the strange visions and emotions she was experiencing. She had seen and experienced things she wasn’t supposed to know of. And that from another being’s perspective. A being, she knew now was Phage.
Aspen’s Phage. And from what she’d ‘seen’ about them, they had loved each other deeply. Her eyes welled up again. Having witnessed their love first-hand, it was clear why Aspen had held on for millennia to meet Phage again. Aeron couldn’t imagine the anguish Aspen must’ve felt at her lover’s demise. All she could remember was that brief moment in the vision where Phage had died. Aspen had been so strong and Aeron could sense Phage’s pride at her spouse’s bravery in the face of such devastating sorrow. Aspen had only asked one thing from Phage at that moment. Aeron surged to her feet, her eyes wide. That’s it!
“A promise,” she whispered. “Phage made a promise to Aspen.” She began pacing, her mind a whirlpool as she shifted through her memories for that particular vision. She stopped pacing when the words suddenly echoed through her mind.
I want you to promise me that we will meet again and that we will continue this great love. Can you do that for me?
Aspen kept her promise. She had kept it for three thousand years. She swallowed hard. Maybe, just maybe, science is not so pertinent in this situation. She pushed her fingers through her hair in frustration. If not for science, then how and why could she suddenly make sense of this?”
Love.
The word popped into her mind almost as if it was planted there, just like the promise prompt. It wasn’t possible for her to have remembered the words verbatim. She felt panic rise, threatening to strangle her. Could it…?
“Phage?” Please don’t answer. Please. It would defy logic.
Yes.
Aeron felt her knees buckle and the last memory she had was of the floor rushing towards her at an alarming speed; and then there was silence.
Open your eyes.
Aeron’s eyelids fluttered as she struggled to obey the command. When her eyes finally opened, she gasped in shock. Standing before her, tall and powerful was a woman who could have easily passed for her identical twin. It didn’t take rocket science to know who the woman was.
“Phage? What…why are you here?” She looked around and quickly stumbled to her feet. This could not be! Her eyes took in the room around her. She had seen this place before. In one of her visions. It was Aspen’s Great Hall. But it looked different from the last time she had seen it. The room was semi-lit by strategically placed candles in the corners of the room, except for two torches in the centre, which lit up the large platform in the centre of the room. She turned to Phage.
“What… what is this?” She looked around nervously. What the hell was happening?
Phage sighed deeply, her powerful shoulders lifting with the heaviness of the heave. “Just wait a moment.”
As if on cue a soft keening sound filled the room and, startled, Aeron looked around. A shape broke away from the deep shadows of the room. As it stepped into the light, Aeron recognized Aspen. The woman was dressed in a black bearskin robe, her face tight and pale with grief. She walked over to the platform and with a sob threw herself onto it. Phage approached the platform and Aeron followed uncertainly, her eyes taking in the room as she trailed behind Phage. She recognized the ceremonial structure. The flowers, scrolls and small representations of a warrior in the form of busts and statues surrounding the platform, erased any doubt. It could only mean one thing.
Phage’s body was stretched out on a bed of soft skins and silk coverings. Frozen in death, the warrior’s face looked sad. Aeron’s heart clenched at the sight.
“I’ve been locked in this room with her like this for millennia. Reliving her grief with her every time; every day,” Phage voice broke and she reached out a hand to touch Aspen, only for her hand to pass right through the sobbing woman. “I couldn’t even comfort her.” Tears ran down her cheek. “She had no-one. She suffered alone.”
Aeron felt the prick of tears behind her eyelids as she looked at the other woman. No wonder Aspen loved her so. Even suspended in death, Phage adored Aspen. But it still didn’t answer her question as to why Phage brought her here.
“Why am I here, Phage?”
The golden eyes were dark with anger when they looked at her. “I wanted you to see how much it must’ve hurt her to lose you a second time.” They were the exact same height, but in her fury, it felt as if Phage was towering over Aeron. “She loved you enough to let you go. But I’m not ready to let her go.”
Aeron swallowed hard in the face of the other woman’s anger. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying to me. Are you saying that I have no choice in the matter?”
“You never had a choice to start with, doctor.” Phage looked over to where Aspen was murmuring softly to the fallen warrior. “Did you really think your thesis idea came to you out of the blue?” She smiled thinly. “Since the day you were born, I have been a part of you. Gently steering you towards your destiny, Aeron.”
Aeron held up her hands slowly. “You have manipulated me? The visions. You…you’ve hijacked my life?”
“Nothing so dramatic. I simply dangled a carrot and, up until Friday, you’ve done a great job of setting yourself up for an idyllic life.”
Aspen’s wailing suddenly stopped. She suddenly stood and tore her robe from her body. She cast her eyes to the heavens and when she spoke her voice was raw with pain.
“I have been a humble and obedient servant all my life. I respected my position and I loved my subjects fiercely. What have I done to have fallen out of favour? What have I done that had been so cruel to have you rip my heart from my chest in such a callous manner? Why keep me alive if I will never be whole again?”
Hurried footsteps sounded and an older man rushed to Aspen’s side. His expression was one of complete horror. “No, Your Majesty, your disrespect will invoke their wrath.” He threw himself at Aspe
n’s feet. “I beseech thee, my Queen, to cease these demands lest Galatia loses yet another queen.”
Phage turned away and pulled Aeron with her. Aeron followed reluctantly. Aspen’s grief was painful to behold, but still Aeron would’ve liked to see how the scene played out.
“She openly challenged the gods that night.” Phage’s tone was bitter and her eyes cold. “And they accepted.”
Aeron blinked. “They turned her to stone for that?”
“Yes, but that is the lesser of the two evils heaped upon one as young as Aspen was. They cursed her with immortality so that we could never be together in death. Their wish was to make her suffer, and suffer well.” Phage’s face was wet with tears when she looked back at Aeron. “She did it all for me. She loved me enough to summon the wrath of the gods.”
Aeron felt a tear streak down her own cheek. “What do you want from me, Phage?”
Phage took a shaky breath. “The same thing as you. I want to be with Aspen.”
With a trembling hand, Aeron wiped her eyes. “I…I don’t know what you’re…”
“You might be able to fool yourself, doctor, but you can’t fool me. I’m part of you.” Phage gripped Aeron’s shoulder. “I’ve been with you since you were born. I know your thoughts and your feelings. You’re not as immune to Aspen as you think.”
Aeron felt a blush creeping up her neck. “Well, knowing now that you were the one who induced those sex visions, I can assure you that I...”
Phage grinned unexpectedly. “You can protest all you want, doctor, but do you recall the moment when you first laid eyes on Aspen?” The blush crept higher until Aeron felt her cheeks glowing. When she deemed it safe to look at Phage again, she found the woman watching her closely. “I need her. And since we are linked together, forever, it means we both need her.”
Aeron raked her fingers through her hair. Phage was right. Maybe it was time for her to take a gamble, if it meant she would be mystically linked to an ancient warrior, and in the process win the heart of a gorgeous woman. No-one can evade their destiny, after all.
“Ok.” She nodded, mostly to convince herself. “But you need to start calling me by my name.”
CHAPTER 26
Sadik knew exactly when Aspen awakened. The air in the living room pulsed with fury, but more tangible was the gaze burrowing into the back of his head. After his conversation with his mother, he had decided to keep watch over her. After what happened at Aeron’s apartment, he didn’t want her to be alone tonight.
He continued to read the evening paper, giving Aspen the time she needed to vent silently. The Sultana was good at that. She rarely lost her cool. She was too well-trained for that. Serving as a soldier for millennia, has afforded her a rigid control. As a teenager, Sadik had seen her self-control in action. One specific incident was on his eighteenth birthday, when he had to tell her and his mother that he had gotten his girlfriend pregnant. Aka had screamed and boxed his ears for his stupidity; Aspen on the other hand, had calmly asked him about his feelings for the girl. When it was established that neither he nor the girl had really considered marriage or parenthood, Aspen had taken over. A discreet procedure at an expensive Swiss clinic and the situation was under control. Since that incident, Sadik had been in the doghouse a few more times, but it was always Aspen’s coolness under pressure that had saved his butt at the end of the day.
“Your mother is forgetting her place.”
Sadik smiled. “I was trying to tell you that since I turned sixteen and she started bossing us both around.” He rose and turned to her. His heart clenched. Deep signs of sorrow etched her beautiful face. His mother had not exaggerated. It was bad. Sadik walked over and pulled Aspen into a tender hug. He felt her resist for a moment before she caved in. An instant later he heard her taking a shuddering breath. He held her even closer. They will probably never speak about this day again. Not about the sacrifice she made, not about the wetness that touched his skin from where her face was pressed into his neck. His own eyes burned with unshed tears.
“I love you, dearest Aspen,” he murmured and felt her shaking subdue a little. “Everything will be fine. I promise you.” And he meant every word. He was going to track down the good doctor and knock some sense into her head. Even if he had to kidnap her and keep her locked up somewhere until she came to her senses, he would do that and more for Aspen. There was a soft knock on the door separating the bedrooms from the more public areas of the penthouse. He turned his head and smiled. A tall, gangly boy, came over to them and Sadik smiled warmly at him when he too threw his arms around Aspen. At age twelve, Potlemis was tall for his age, almost as tall as Sadik, and already he showed a maturity that belied his age. With dark, sombre eyes he reminded Sadik of his grandfather and namesake. It’s so sad that his grandfather, Potlemis Senior, wasn’t alive to see his grandson grow into adulthood. He would’ve been proud.
“Potlemis?” Aspen pulled away from Sadik and engulfed the boy in her arms.
“Sultana?”
“How are you doing, my boy?”
The sombre dark eyes searched Aspen’s before the boy spoke. “I’ll be better when I know you’re better too.”
Sadik swallowed hard at hearing that. He felt like an intruder watching the two of them interact. Aspen and Potlemis had a strong bond. She had told him many years ago that if she was lucky enough, the gods would take pity on her and re-incarnate her beloved servant and friend. Sadik believed that the gods indeed had taken pity on Aspen. For the moment Potlemis was born and laid in her hands, Aspen had cried as she had kissed the boy. Mina, his daughter’s birth, four years later, had been a joyous affair and Aspen adored the little girl. But there was something more when it came to Potlemis. It was as if he held her spellbound. Aspen’s wellbeing would one day be his duty, and Sadik knew that the boy would take to his role swimmingly.
“I’m already better now that you’re here.” She kissed his cheeks and stepped back. “Now, go and have fun, my heart. I’m sure you have more fun things to do than stay with a crying old lady.”
The boy gently kissed Aspen’s hand. “Please call me if you have need of me, Sultana.” He nodded at Sadik. “Father.”
“He’s growing up so fast,” Sadik said, as they both watched the boy walking away. He turned his gaze on Aspen. She had a warm glow in her eyes as she watched the boy. “It is him, isn’t it?”
Aspen’s smile turned melancholic. “There are some unique qualities of his ancestor in him; stronger in him than any of the others. We recognize each other.”
“Then he will grow into a fine young man.” He walked over to the cabinet to pour them a drink.
“You’re wrong.” Aspen opened the sliding door and walked out onto the patio. “He’ll grow up to be a great man, just like you.”
Sadik smiled, his father’s heart aching with pride. He joined Aspen on the patio. After she thanked him for the drink, she took a long sip. For a moment, Sadik was distracted by the beautiful nightscape of Ankara displayed before them. He rarely stayed over at the penthouse, but he spent a lot of time on the patio when he found himself here. But then, the beautiful sight will be there for a long time. A better moment to talk to Aspen might not come along again soon.
“Mother told me what happened.” Aspen took another sip. “I understand why you did it. I just don’t know where this leaves us.”
Aspen drained her glass. She stared straight ahead, the soft hue of the patio lights casted part of her face in darkness. The way the shadows clung to her made her look so achingly alone. Sadik quickly looked away, lest he cried at the heart-breaking sight.
“I don’t have an answer for you now, Sadik. Maybe later, when I had more time to think about all this.”
The doorbell chirped and Sadik groaned softly. He had hoped to talk more with Aspen, but he was expecting a business associate. With a sigh he pressed a kiss to Aspen’s cool cheek. “I believe that’s for me. I’ve set a short business meeting earlier. We’ll be in the study.”
“Is she here?”
***
Aspen rolled the empty glass between her hands, suppressing the urge to throw it at something. Why should everything around her look so whole and unbroken, while she felt shattered beyond repair? Just when she thought the release from her marble tomb was so close, all hope was yanked right out of her reach. It was too much to think that she would never see Aeron or Phage again. She sighed deeply and stared at her empty glass. She needed more to drink, if she was to survive this night. Tomorrow, she’ll find another way to see the day through. She turned and almost dropped the glass.
“What are you doing here?”
Aeron shook her head slowly, tsking. “Is that the way to greet your mate, suilean dubha?”
Aspen studied Aeron closely. The battle-bruised eyes were practically devouring her. “Phage?”
“Yes, my heart.”
Swallowing hard, Aspen took a careful step closer. “I don’t think I can do this anymore. It hurts too much.” With a quick step, Phage closed the distance between them, her large hand cradling Aspen’s cheek. Their eyes locked and held. Aspen knew hers were probably dark with anguish. Phage’s, on the other hand, brimmed with love.
“It’s too close to the end to give up,” Phage whispered as she lowered her tawny head, her lips already parted. “I’m not giving you up. You can’t give up on me.”
Aspen’s eyes were fixed on Phage’s as they slowly came closer. She remembered their last kiss like it was yesterday. Phage was dying then. A tear slid down her cheek at the recollection of that memory. She sighed when she felt the soft pressure on her cheek, stopping the path of the tear. With a shudder she burrowed into her lover’s body. As real as Phage felt at the moment, it was all just a farce. An illusion of her desperation. The person who was holding her was not Phage, but Aeron. Aeron, who refused to believe in her love, their fate, and the promise between them. She took a deep breath and pushed out of the strong arms. When she looked up into the amber gaze, her eyes welled up again.
Carved in Stone Page 20