Solis: Modern Descendants

by elda lore

“My grandmother lived there,” I blurted, pointing to the area. “My father was very protective of his mother. He wanted the world for her, but he despised his father. They were continually at odds with one another. Something about his siblings and the greed of a parent to remain the center of attention.”

  Being up in the air gave me the freedom to tell Veva my story. Maybe it was the lightness of the thinning oxygen.

  “I inherited the cottage when I came here. Zeke said I was special to his mother, even though I never met her. She wanted me to have the space, Zeke told me. She wanted me to know someone believed I would not repeat the sins of my father. I don’t think my father was convinced. I think he just wanted me close where he could watch me.”

  “What happened to your grandfather?”

  “I told you, Zeke killed him.”

  Veva spun in my arms. Her hands gripped my biceps, holding onto me to support her fear as well as balance the irritation in my voice.

  “He grew tired of his father’s jealousy and rage, much like me.” My voice lowered. “For my stepfather.”

  “Solis?” The pain present in her tone encouraged me to continue.

  “He hurt me.” My eyes lowered. I couldn’t look into the depths of those crazy blue colored eyes and see her pity for me. “One night, we were outside. He’d locked me outside. I thundered and roared at the door, hoping the house would protect me. I screamed and pounded at the wood. A crackle and a spark and lightning struck the yard. It hit the tree but the current carried. Something most people don’t realize. Standing under a tree is dangerous in a lightning storm.” I sighed. “Anyway, the electricity crawled up my legs and settled on my back. My body burned. My skin prickled. I screamed and he hit me. Rage I’d never felt before rippled through me, and I…I just instinctively knew what to do. I took the burning energy of my back and pulled it from me. I struck him.” My voice caught and my heart raced. Veva’s fingers dug into my skin, holding me steady as I finished my tale.

  “I killed him.” A breath swished out of me. “Zeke found me. He said he knew I didn’t mean to do it, but I had to. I couldn’t take the beatings anymore, Veva.”

  “Shh, I understand,” she whispered, tugging me toward her, but I pressed her back. I had to finish.

  “He explained who he was and what I was, and then I came here to train. I’ve been restless and reckless, on the verge, always waiting, wanting something more. I thought it was the prophecy. I thought it was the lingering doubt that I hadn’t fulfilled it with the man I called father.” I sucked in air. “But I realize now, after this morning, what I’ve waited for is you. The missing piece to me is you, Veva. You’re life to me, and I don’t have to fear that I’ll kill again as long as you’re with me.” I pulled her to my chest, pressing her against me, holding her as tight as I could. Her arms circled my neck and she rose up on her toes to match my height. The need to make love to her, to show her how I felt consumed me, and I cursed the pilot’s presence.

  “I love you,” she whispered, meek and hesitantly. I pushed her back to look at her face, but her eyes lowered.

  “Veva?” I questioned, my heart soaring with hope. Slowly, her lids rose and the brightness of those peacock blues blinded me. Lightning struck in a different way, and my heart nearly burst from my chest. “Were you scared to tell me?”

  “I was.” Her lids lowered again, but I tipped her chin, forcing her to look at me.

  “Even before we met, I loved you. I’ve been waiting for you, I just wasn’t certain you would recognize me, but then we kissed. It was you. You and me. Destiny.” My mouth took hers, wishing to invade her, wanting to crawl inside her and complete both of us again. Her lips responded in kind, matching my desire, understanding my struggle. I needed Veva, like the earth needs the sun; like the clouds rule the sky; like a rain storm refreshes. I pulled back abruptly, her mouth still rounded to kiss me.

  “I love you, too, Vee. I love you.” My emotions poured out of me. I was a new man after Veva gave me everything, and confessing my sins to her, absolved me of them. My mouth returned to hers, breathing her in like the oxygen surrounding us.

  A gentle cough behind me reminded me, we were not alone. Veva lowered her head and giggled into my chest. I leaned down to kiss her hair.

  “I want to take some pictures. Hold onto me, if you’re scared, but I need my hands.”

  “I’m not scared.” She circled her arms around me as she stood at my back. Her head rested on my arm, peeking around my bicep to see the direction of my camera. I snapped photo after photo of the valley, the mountain ranges, and the olive groves. I spun to face Veva and clicked madly one image after another of her peachy cheeks and loose hair and swollen lips. She laughed and the film would never do justice to the sound floating out and popping in the thin air.

  “Storms rolling in, Solis. We need to head down.” I turned back to see the heavy darkness of clouds travelling toward us. My brow pinched, questioning where the angry gray had come from and what caused the argument of those puffs of deep black. The pilot released the pressure and the balloon began to descend. I held my hands over Veva’s as she returned to standing before me. My mouth couldn’t resist her skin and I peppered her neck with kisses. Her subtle moan told me she enjoyed the attention. A crack of lightning made her flinch.

  “Did you see that?”

  “It’s beautiful.” My voice faltered. The vivid yellow ripped the sky, reminding me of the first painting Veva designed in my cottage. “But not as beautiful as you.”

  She laughed heartily. “You’re rather romantic.”

  “Me?” I chuckled in response. “Don’t tell anyone. It will ruin my reputation.”

  She spun to face me and stumbled as we dropped again.

  “And what reputation is that?” Her lips twisted, and distrust teased from her.

  “The reputation of being a player. I’m not. Or at least not anymore.”

  Veva’s brow pinched. Her eyes roamed my face.

  “Why?”

  “You, Vee. I only want to paint with you.”

  “I only want to paint with you, too.” Her tone dropped and her hands slid down my chest.

  “I want to love you. Let me be the one to love you.” I tipped her chin so she’d see me. I wanted her to read it in my eyes. I meant what I said. I wanted her to trust me.

  She smiled slowly and my mouth fell to her lips again. How little did I know the impending storm was a warning, a foreshadow for the hell we descended upon as we landed back on earth.

  VEVA

  We landed with a jolting bump and I laughed at the jostling, until another clap of thunder straightened my spine. The negative energy rippled through the hovering, dark sky. My skin prickled with things unknown, and that thing was Mel, waiting for us.

  “Solis,” she shrieked. “You must come quickly. It’s Letty.”

  “I don’t see how Letty is my concern. We’ve discussed this.” Solis stated as he hitched a leg over the gondola and slipped out of the basket. He turned back, placing his hands on my hips, and lifted me as if my weight was nothing to him. He set me on the ground and my knees shook like sailors’ legs. His hands did not release me. I stood positioned before him, as if a shield from Mel with her crossed arms, her tapping foot, and a stern look on her face.

  “She’s in a lot of pain, Solis.” Mel’s voice spoke of more than a heartache.

  “What happened?” I stepped forward.

  “Letty’s pregnant.”

  The air swooshed out of me as Mel’s words cut deep. I couldn’t breathe. Great gulping gasps for oxygen choked me further. I was drowning in air.

  “Veva, Vee?” Solis’ panicked tone did nothing to soothe me. Suddenly, I didn’t want him to touch me.

  “I’m training to be a midwife. I might be able to help. Have you called a doctor?” Two pairs of eyes stared at me. I didn’t understand their confounded glare and I no longer wanted to. My concern was the girl.

  “Can you take me to her?” I directed to Mel, ignor
ing Solis’ hand on my back, ignoring his presence next to me, ignoring the racing promises of love. I stepped forward as Mel’s eyes softened, and she nodded once, trusting me. The heavens opened, and rain teemed down on us. I followed numbly. My shoulders straight, my head high, I would not let them see the ripping of my heart.

  A small row of cottages stood near the migrant housing. Inside, Letty lay in the fetal position, knees pulled up to her chest. She shook violently, sweat pouring down her forehead.

  “Letty?” My hand touched her arm, the heat of her skin burning, and she flinched. Wide eyes filled with fear stared at me over her shoulder. “Letty, honey, tell me where it hurts.”

  “My-y-y-y stomach.” Her teeth chattered. “No-o-o-o. Lower.” Shaky hands slipped down her body to her lower abdomen covered by a blanket.

  “Okay, honey. I’m going to examine you. Can you trust me to do that?” I pulled Solis’ sweatshirt over my head, suddenly shaking myself, itching to remove him from me. This was Solis’ child. How could he ignore this poor girl? How could he play me like he did? I tossed the clothing to the floor and turned to Mel. Solis stood behind me, staring down at Letty.

  “Mel, can you go to my room? Get Persephone. I have a small medical kit. It’s not much, but she knows where it is. Have her bring it to me?”

  “I’ll go,” Solis offered. He spun on his heels and stalked out the door. I turned back to Letty. A door to the left opened into a small bathroom and I rose to clean my hands.

  “Don’t leave me,” the girl whimpered, gripping my wrist with weak strength. I sat again. The wait would nearly kill me. My thoughts raced too much.

  “I’m sorry, Letty. Can you tell me what happened?”

  “I’m-m-m-m pregnant. Or I was. I went to a priestess Solis-s-s-s recommended.”

  “She cursed Letty, hexing her like a spell.” Mel interjected, and I shook my head. I couldn’t really believe this happened. “She started bleeding instantly. It looked like a crime scene.” Mel’s face turned paper white. Her eyes closed, sealing off the vision.

  “Okay, honey. I’ll fix this.” I rubbed her warm leg as the time ticked slowly before Solis returned with both Hades and Persephone.

  “Veva.” Persephone’s concerned voice did not surprise me. She knelt instantly next to the bed. I opened my bag. Removing a syringe, I injected Letty with a pain reliever, hoping to subdue the aches and chills.

  I heard Solis suck in a breath when I removed the blanket from Letty’s waist. Blood stained her dress. Separating Letty’s knees, I gently forced them to spread and found blood on her inner thighs.

  “Okay, everyone out,” I commanded.

  “I want to stay and help.” Solis’ offer pushed me over the faltering edge I stood on.

  “I think you’ve done enough.” I stood taller, my tone low.

  “Veva!” Persephone admonished as Solis’ eyes opened wide in disbelief. The honey color I’d seen turn to molten caramel lightened to a fierce gold. Letty moaned, and our stare broke.

  “Okay, Letty. Let’s take a look.” I separated her legs again, as I heard a door slam to my side. I allowed the flinch to rattle through me, then got to the business of helping a woman in need.

  + + +

  Vomiting was the first thing I did upon leaving Letty. My nerves shot to hell, I trembled uncontrollably. I’d not experienced anything like what I’d done. Certainly, I birthed calves on the farm, and assisted my mother in delivering babies, if necessary, but Letty had miscarried. I didn’t understand the purpose of a priestess. Why hadn’t they sought out a doctor? The healing process would take a while, both physically and mentally. I cursed Solis over and over, setting a hex on him for his dismissal of this girl. A second wave of nausea released with that thought.

  Solis. How could he have done such a thing? And how could he justify all those pretty words in the sky knowing this girl suffered at his expense? How could I have been such a fool to believe what he said to me? My body vibrated with the need to hit something or race a million miles. Anything to rid my mind of the damning thoughts and the hollow spot where my heart once beat.

  After cleaning up, I asked Persephone to take my bag back to my room.

  “Vee, you don’t look so good. Maybe you should come back and rest?”

  Rest was the last thing I’d be able to do.

  “I just need to walk a bit. Let my mind clear.” Concerned brown eyes focused on me. Her brow pinched, but she didn’t argue. That was the great thing about my best friend. She knew when to let me be. Hades took my case from her and wrapped an arm around her, escorting her back to our room. Jealousy pinched my chest. Not at my friend and her love, but because of what she had, and I never would.

  I wandered around the pool deck and out across the expansive field. Hours ago, it was covered with large air balloons and a dozen baskets. In the growing darkness of night, the space lay barren and open like my chest. A female wandered toward me and I recognized the shape of my mother. Regal and suave, her grace displayed poise and wisdom for a woman who worked a farm field. Next to her walked a large man with a subtle limp.

  “Mother,” I greeted her. “Heph.”

  “Veva, darling, I’ve been looking for you.”

  I nodded without answer. I had nothing to offer my mother. I couldn’t explain where I’d been or what I’d seen, or even how I’d helped heal an ailing woman. I had no fight left in me, and I braced myself to take any admonishments my mother prepared to sling at me.

  “We’ve spoken.” She addressed Heph whose eyes remained lowered. I didn’t ask for more information. I didn’t need to know what she said. Nothing could change my disappointment in her for doing what she did to him, especially in my fragile state. After seeing the loss Letty suffered, my arms wrapped tighter around my abdomen. I’d never want to lose a child by any means. My body would become a machine. I would be the protector of children.

  “He’s trying to understand, but I don’t think I have the right words to explain decisions made too long ago.” She offered without my asking, still staring at my brother. His continued silence, and her reference to him in the third person, crawled over my skin.

  “Is it ever too late?” I questioned without thought. “Can it be too late to fix things?”

  “I’d like to think, no. I’d like to believe that time heals wounds, and actions speak louder than words.” She spoke directly to me. I thought of pretty words spoken to me. My stomach roiled. “What actions will you provide?”

  “I’ve invited Heph to come to the farm.”

  My eyebrows shot up at the invitation and I looked at Heph. If my mother had rejected him all those years ago, an invite to visit was a big step for her.

  “He refused.” My shoulders plummeted as I stared at him, waiting for some reaction. He tilted his head and looked off in the distance. His large lips twisted. Pain written at the corner of his eyes spoke volumes. He appreciated the invitation but didn’t trust it. Saying he refused was harsh. Heph needed time to accept my mother’s sudden interest.

  “I’m headed north to Hestia’s.” He spoke off to the trees on the edge of the property. “I visit every fall.” Hestia was my aunt. Hera and Demi’s oldest sister lived a reclusive life in the northwest. Her home was cozy, I recalled, although it had been years since I’d been there. To think Heph had visited as well gave me hope of a shared history. I could only look toward to the future to build our sibling relationship.

  “Hestia was always the perfect mother,” my mother snipped bitterly. I didn’t appreciate her tone, and Heph closed his eyes before responding.

  “She’s the only mother figure I’ve ever known.” The words cut deep. My mother’s eyes opened wide, abashed at the tone of his voice, but she bit her lip, holding back a sharp retort.

  “I think I’ve had enough fresh air today.” She nodded to him and looked at me. “Come back to the house with me.” It wasn’t an invitation but a command.

  “I’m going to walk a bit longer. I’ve decided to return to
school tomorrow.” Heph’s eyes sought mine, questioning me. My mother’s tone bit. “I just got here, but I’ll drive you.”

  “I’m going alone.” To soften the rejection, I added. “I need to get some things in line for my fall clinicals.” My mother didn’t argue with my education. She agreed that an educated woman was a wise woman, one who could fend for herself in the world. How long had my mother held this attitude? How long had she been lonely? I wondered. While I wanted to obtain a skill, I didn’t wish to pass my life feeling incomplete. Thoughts of Solis flitted through my mind, but I shut them off.

  “You shouldn’t be out here alone. It’s almost dark.” My mother’s fears for the darkness were unfounded, I knew. Persephone was my best friend. She loved the darkness, literally. Nothing would harm me while Persephone had Hades.

  “Heph can walk with me,” I volunteered. Dark circles of deep chocolate set wounded in their sockets. My mother reached for me and embraced me. My arms did not leave my stomach. Her touch did not comfort me. She pulled back and kissed my forehead like I was a child. Abruptly, she stepped around me and left us without addressing Heph further.

  “I’m so sor–“

  “Don’t.” Heph’s gruff tone didn’t startle me. He had every right to be upset. He looked away again. My shaking hand reached out for his forearm, resting tenderly on the thickness.

  “I don’t want to be angry with you.” He turned back to me. “I’m not angry. I just can’t wrap my head around everything.”

  “I totally understand that feeling.” Heph’s eyes fell on me.

  “What happened?”

  “Solis got a girl pregnant.” I sighed. I didn’t think I could tell the story.

  “He did not.”

  “He did.” I snorted in response.

  “Are you talking about Letty?”

  “Yes.” I dragged out the word, irritation filling in as more secrets were kept from me, suddenly angered that Heph knew such a secret and kept it from me.

  “Solis didn’t impregnate her.”

  “Are you sure?” I elongated the words again, frustration adding emphasis.