by T M Caruana
I took a few steps backwards and let my body sink onto the bed. Memories crowded my mind from behind my closed eyes. It had been a hot summer’s day, no clouds in the sky, no wind, and I could hear the rumble of voices. We had been at a fair in the town neighbouring Gibraltar; La Linea. The teddy had been hanging in a market stall where six sand jars had to be tipped to win the first prize. Tarus hadn’t missed, not even close. I smiled and felt that same feeling in my stomach. I really was in love with him even then. He had carried the teddy around the entire evening whilst we had shared ice cream, churros and pink candyfloss – I could remember the sweet smell of the candyfloss that I adored and had to have every time I was at the fair. We had been followed and so were careful, not to be seen. I felt my way into the little pocket on the teddy’s stomach where the little teddy bear, Novus, had once been.
“It was that evening I had won my teddy. How did he end up in my ward? Tarus must have broken into the ward and placed it on my bed, where I found it,” I whispered to myself.
I could appreciate now why it had felt so special to me. The return of a few memories made me feel more secure, even when looking around the gigantic room, which felt overwhelming. Grand to the extent that, even in Tarus’s dragon form, he would have had enough space to fly through one of the five windows to circulate inside the room, unless he become entangled in the four bedposts. Tarus had good directional skills though, so I was sure he would have succeeded perfectly in all his landings. The bare room didn’t at all remind me of his cluttered residence in Switzerland. There was only the green handmade dresser, two bedside tables and the marble table under the middle window, from where he had retrieved the rose. That was it. And the giant crystal chandelier, or emerald crown more specifically, I thought impressed as I lay on my back on top of the bed looking up at the ceiling.
<><><>
When I opened my eyes again, I saw the same room, but in daylight. It was a good sign. It was the same place and I remembered why I was here. I had fallen asleep and had woken up in the same position, with my back on the bed and my legs hanging down the side. My body felt rested and I stood up easily. I rubbed my eyes, stretched my arms and went to the window to peer out. The landscape was barren. All I could see were craters of lava rock. Big, dark clouds surrounded the fortress and I could hear the odd rumble of thunder in the distance with the occasional flashes of lightning. There was a dry moat around the fort with the entrance via a long stone bridge, which seemed to be the only way in…and out. The fort had towers sprouting everywhere. I didn’t find it an especially beautiful place, although I suppose it was appealing in some way. I looked across the room, which wasn’t as scary in the daylight. There were two packages on the desk that I hadn’t noticed before. After a closer look I found a message under the big purple ribbon on the bigger of the two white packages:
Good morning my rose.
The big package is a surprise for tonight but you can open the smaller package. When you are ready, go out the door to the left, down the grand staircase and straight up to a large dining room. I’m waiting for you.
Tarus
My fingers released the patch with the message and groped over the large package. I wondered what was in it, as I wasn’t allowed to open it until tonight. What were his plans for me? Would I like them? I pulled a little at one end of the ribbon.
“Oops…” I hummed innocently to myself.
I placed the band on either side of the package and looked around to reassure myself that I was alone. Ridiculous really, who would be there? My heart began to pound as I lifted off the lid and found a second message.
You haven’t changed a bit. I knew you wouldn’t wait. Hope you like it.
My cheeks blushed whilst my heart skipped a few beats in shame. Shame was perhaps not the right word, for it made me love him even more, knowing that he in turn knew me so well. I had acted as he had expected, with impatience and curiosity. I held my breath and with a firm grip lifted up a creation of surreal, adorable and detailed craftsmanship. I had never seen a dress so beautiful; my dress, given to me by someone who thought it did me justice. A purple dress with a train adorned with crystals, which made it almost too heavy to lift. Small stones were embroidered in the fabric and shimmered in the light. They ran down the train in narrow lines with larger stones that glittered between them. Not surprisingly, it was in two different shades of purple – my favourite colour. The deep purple colour parted at the waist below a V-cut crystal ribbon, to display a lighter-coloured triangle in the skirt. The sleeves had a wide swing, in the medieval style. Complementing the dress was a long cape with a hood in the same deep purple colour. Trying to not wrinkle the fabric, I gently placed the dress on the bed and opened the smaller package. It was a simpler cream coloured dress, also in a medieval style with a green belt. I pulled it on, together with a thin green cape, the same style as the previous one; floor length and with a hood. I brought out my silver key with the yellow power stone to wear round my chest and I was ready.
I sauntered slowly down the long corridor. It was carpeted in green, with suits of armour and weaponry on the walls. All was faintly outlined in black and grey from the torches that dimly lit the windowless walls. The stairs didn’t disappoint - twenty soldiers could have stood across the width of them. I counted the steps: fifty-two, as many steps as weeks in a year. Down at the bottom of the stairs, I gathered myself, and took a deep breath, knowing that I would soon lay eyes on Tarus again. My new attire made me feel brave, even beautiful. My long hair was carefully tied into a sideways knot that made it dangle down on one side. I straightened my back, lifted my chin and strode into the dining room.
Tarus was sat at the end of a table, on a stone throne. The table in turn was placed in front of an entrance into a courtyard. Surprisingly, there were fresh flowers on the table, red roses. In the courtyard I could see green trees and rose bushes.
As my eyes rested on Tarus, a smile spread across my lips at his matching clothing. A beige shirt with ruffles and beige trousers, a long green vest coat with his initials ‘T’ on the chest and high leather boots. A large sword hung from the leather belt at his waist, making everything feel even more unreal. If I hadn’t noticed it before, I could now see how stately and royal his figure was. He had a certain bodily poise, which had obviously become well honed over centuries that he had spent as a ruler.
I rushed to gratefully embrace him, but was stopped by his long figure, rising politely at my presence as he took my hand in greeting. The kiss on my hand meant that I had to stay silent.
“Good morning, Your Highness, I trust you slept well,” he said without a note of any affection in his voice.
It was as if his passion had been blown away, or had never even been there from the start. What had happened during the night? What had happened since he wrote the loving messages? Fear slowly crawled over me. I heard heavy footsteps approaching behind me.
“May I introduce you to my personal advisor Nomnat and his younger brother Nicholas?”
He introduced me to who I gathered were his closest minions. I turned toward the two men and held my breath to avoid releasing a deep sigh of relief in case it was misinterpreted as a lack of interest in his closest men. Nomnat’s high hairline made his green eyes look more prominent, making my skin crawl as they stared straight at me, fixed on the key I wore around my neck. Why hadn’t I kept it hidden under my dress? I had been so stupid to assume that we were alone in this big fort. How could I divert his gaze without attracting more attention? To put it back under the dress would make it more obvious. Maybe he was just fascinated by it and didn’t know its history. I quickly assessed how bad my situation was. If it turned out that the three men were to betray me now, they were all large, well-built men. But I knew Tarus. He would never hurt me. Or would he? Had it all been a game to him? I drew uncertainly back closer to Tarus.
Nicholas reached forward to kiss my hand. He had a moustache that tickled with a stinging sensation over my skin and I dared to gig
gle and blush that almost seemed to make Tarus jealous.
“Nice to see you again.”
Nicholas’s greeting was polite and his head bowed, whilst his eyes sized me up from beneath his grey hat.
His clothing wasn’t at all in the same style as Tarus’s. It was casual, with his shirt flung to one side almost showing one shoulder. It seemed as if Nomnat wanted to make a grander entrance. Even when Nicholas’s greeting was completed and I awaited his, he took his time with slow steps, his eyes now looking straight at my face, increasing my nervousness.
“Creator of the Universe…the most powerful force in the world…with the power to control any form of life…but…can’t remember how to use your powers. And now you’re in the hands of the most dreaded ruler of the seven worlds. Tarus you are a genius,” he said, his words sounding evil and they put fear into every bit of my soul.
I looked up at Tarus for reassurance, but found nothing more than a sneer directed at Nomnat.
“Your greatness has never let me down Tarus, let’s discuss your future plans at the ball tonight. I can hardly wait to hear what fate you have decided for the young lady,” he smirked as he took my hand.
I wanted to pull my hand away, but Nomnat held on firmly and released it only when he was finished with his greeting.
“The stubbornness is written in your genes, or should I say the atoms, I see. I love a woman full of pride.”
I looked at him in confusion. It was a nasty mind game where I wasn’t at all able to read the situation. Was he planning a disgusting betrayal, maybe give me up to Eutychia or was he just being sarcastic, as he still greeted me with a gentle kiss on my hand? I was so confused. Tarus took my wrist in a firm grip as if I were his prisoner.
“That is enough. Nomnat, I trust that you are getting all the preparations ready for tonight,” his voice was darker than usual, almost angry.
Nomnat obviously didn’t like to be reprimanded, but didn’t start a battle with Tarus, which I was sure he wouldn’t win anyway.
Suddenly, half a dozen scantily clad women swept into the hall and broke the tension. Without hesitation, they surrounded Tarus with whispers that drowned each other out in a muddled murmur. I was pushed a few feet away whilst they stroked their hands over his body and played their fingers over his clothes. Tarus looked angrily towards Nomnat, then towards me, appearing not to want to lay eyes on the women, but at the same time not rejecting them either.
“Well now, girls, you have to wait with your understandable desires, I’m in the middle of business here. You know how I can’t mix business and pleasure,” he teased.
I wanted to vomit; anxiety, fear and jealousy were mixed and shaken like Yatzi dices inside my stomach. What had I done? Had I mistaken Tarus’s feelings for something else? Was it all an evil plan, and had I walked right into the trap? I had deserted the people who were there to help me and abandoned Noah. Could I escape? Would it help to scream? Would anyone hear me? I saw Tarus watching me. His scrutiny wasn’t as firm, it was more impatient, as if…as if he were scared. I tilted my head gently as I did when I thought hard about something, or in this case analysed.
“Dismiss…leave us! That’s an order!” he shouted at the women.
They pattered out on bare feet so fast that their black curls were in disarray and their breasts almost fell out of their dresses. Both Nomnat and Nicholas bowed before Tarus and left the room.
“Susy…”
His arms pulled me against him and he kissed me on my forehead.
“I was afraid that you would leave me, I saw that you glanced at your stone. Susy, listen to me, my feelings are true, I would die for you and I would die without you. Feel with your heart, you know how I feel for you, even though I find it difficult to express myself.”
His panicked voice tried to convince me of his honesty and his submissiveness made him more beautiful than I could resist. My pride however made it hard to forgive so I stood silently and listened to his begging for forgiveness, which I was beginning to think, sounded more like an excuse than an apology.
“In order to rule this kingdom I must be a feared ruler. I have a pre-determined lifestyle. Nomnat had, even before you were kidnapped, started to sense that we were having secret meetings and was always trying to test me.”
He spoke as if he were a prisoner behind bars.
“I guess women also belong to your lifestyle,” I commented, locking my wounded eyes with his.
“If I had feelings for someone else, you’d be dead by now.”
My impatience cornered me as I was tired of arguing, but I wasn’t satisfied with his harsh answer. Even though I knew he was right.
“Would that resemble a compliment?” I snorted and soon turned it into a giggle that made me smile at the confused man who stood with his bared heart, trying his best to assure the woman he loved that his feelings were genuine.
“I guess…you are the fire that makes me burn…could perhaps have been more charming.”
His laugh was delightful to listen to and the first I had heard. I shared the joy with him and let my fingers play over his tattoo under his shirt that the first of the scantily clad women had undone.
“Susy, whatever happens, you must trust me. I want you to trust me, promise me that?”
He prayed silently with his lips tickling the tip of my earlobe. However, I didn’t promise anything further, not before I would fully regain my memory.
“You were going to impress me with your fort,” I said abruptly, changing the subject in order to avoid answering.
“Yes, your transportation is waiting outside.”
He took my hand to lead me out into the little garden.
As I walked next to him, I hesitated and I didn’t understand how any means of transport could fit in the garden – I couldn’t see anything from where I was standing. Tarus broke into a sprint and threw me onto his back. His ribcage folded up underneath me as his wings opened out and his spine stiffened as the spikes were erected all the way to his tail. I had to change my grip from his clothes to one of his spikes, as the fabric was ripped apart. The lizard-like skin covered his body from the tip of his nose to his gnarled feet with their long black claws. Still sprinting, he suddenly released his eight claws from the ground and his wings beat the air until we went with the wind over the wall of the fort. His tail dislodged some rocks and they bounced down the wall, echoing all the way and smashing into a thousand pieces before reaching the dry moat. He seemed unaffected by both a potential sting in his tail and the destruction of his fort wall. My cape strangled me a little around my throat due to the wind before I had a chance to put it right. The freedom was total. I dared to keep my eyes open and spread my arms out to catch the wind. My hair was torn from my knot and played around my face.
“Are you afraid?”
The question wasn’t out of concern, but a challenge.
“Huh? Can you talk?” I said, more out of amazement, as the answer was already given by his voice.
“Yes, of course, don’t the dragons in your stories talk?” he joked.
I rolled my eyes at him even though I knew he didn’t see me.
“No I’m not afraid, I trust you, I’m also a very skilled dragon rider,” I replied sarcastically, even though I had never ridden on a dragon before that I could remember.
My brash answer just made him increase his speed.
“Hold on!” he bellowed.
We soared off with a metallic sparkling sound. When I opened my eyes again, we were far from the fort. Tarus filled the landscape beneath us with fire from his jaws. His face was far from mine, but I could see his sharp teeth and narrow tongue as he played with the flames. The flames were beautiful in red, orange and yellow. I was impressed and wondered if I might one day be able to do the same. Would I be able to use my powers to do exactly what I wanted? The world passed us as Tarus flew over mountains and through valleys, past villages and under bridges without stopping. I paid attention to every detail without becoming tired of
the sights. Time was immaterial until I realised that dusk had settled.
“Did you recognise anything at all?” he asked.
The trip had been for me. He had wanted to help me find my way back to my old self. I could hear in his voice that he though it was time we headed back to the fort now, but I ignored his question since I had one of my own; one I had been thinking about since the conversation with Nomnat.
“What do you do at a ball if you don’t need to eat, other than dance I mean?”
The question surprised him. He wasn’t prepared for it. I knew he had already told me that these details were best explained by Hunter, but I still had so many unanswered questions. Why didn’t I have to eat? Why hadn’t Tarus eaten since I met him? Tarus had probably expected that my question would relate to what I had in common with him, although no one had explained the food situation and I needed to find out more about myself. I suppose he must have thought that I would figure it out on my own because of his earlier comment in Gibraltar and the fact that we hadn’t eaten for several days.
“Susy, just because we don’t need to eat to survive, it doesn’t mean that we can’t eat because we enjoy it,” he said tenderly.
The fort was getting closer and as I had already guessed previously, Tarus was aiming for one of my wide-open windows…or were they his windows…or ours. Tarus’s dragon wings with their spear-like tips smoothly carried us in to land in the big room, without getting tangled up in the bedposts. “The bathroom is in the room next door. You have an hour before I take you to the ball,” he said as I climbed off his back.
Without waiting for objections, he flew back out of the window and I watched as he rose into the sky above and circled the fort. I kept the window open although I assumed he would collect me up from the door in his human form. It would be nice to take a bath and I was eagerly looking forward to wearing the beautiful dress on the bed.