The Awakening Read online

  “I would recommend going easy on the wine,” he cautioned with a smile as she looked up at him. Her face was flush and her eyes round and warm, and just being near her seemed to sooth one’s soul in some odd way he could not define.

  “Where I was raised, children are given wine at an early age. Watered, true, until they are older, but wine, none the less.” She pushed the hair back from her face and crinkled her nose as she teased. “Unlike most, our kind does not suffer to any great degree the effects of wine and spirits, except perhaps to help our mothers’ mothers sleep better at night.” She smiled at him with the early stages of genuine affection, and he laughed at her easy rebuff. She was not so timid as she appeared, he thought. Perhaps she would be well-suited to their Lord after all.

  “As you wish,” he replied and took up the large bottle of wine himself to refill her glass. Vardra watched him with doubtful eyes.

  “Thais,” she said, “The wines here are not like those of your home. Our wines are made to grace the halls of the Gods. The fruit is cousin to Ambrosia, and the process of fermenting can make it just as potent. Perhaps you should listen to Dominic.”

  “Will you dance with me?” Thais said, as if Vardra had not spoken at all. It was not rudeness or disrespect but rather the effects of the wine she’d already consumed, and her jubilant excitement of experiencing so much so quickly. Vardra laughed with genuine fondness and shook her head, then stood up.

  “I would be honored,” she answered, and grabbed Thais’ hand. “If it pleases our lord?” she said as she turned back to look at Dominic. He smiled and nodded.

  “Do not be gone too long. Aramis is not the only one who desires to keep you both close this night.” His eyes locked with Vardra’s, and his words caressed her need. She would lie with him this night, she knew, and the anticipation of it made her heart race.

  “We will not be long,” she answered with a slight bow. Then she, too, giggled with as much excitement as her young charge, and the two of them locked arms and made their way to the large fire below, where already others had gathered to join the dance.

  “Do you plan to hide among the bushes all night like a frightened girl?” Dominic asked once the Thais and Vardra were well out of ear shot. He turned as the foliage behind him began to rustle and stir, and then Aramis was there, looking down at him and grumbling.

  “I didn’t want to scare her,” He chided as he watched Thais and Vardra join the others below, but Dominic only laughed and stood to join him.

  “Do you remember when we met as young men? Your father had sent you to my world for a time to learn the ways of mortal men, and your abilities there were quite restricted.” Aramis cut his eyes at Dominic, not sure he liked where this was going.

  “It was at Pariah’s Temple - we called it the temple of the whores.”

  Aramis grinned, then, at the memory.

  “Diometi,” he said quietly.

  “Diometi,” Dominic echoed.

  Diometi had been a talented, beautiful courtesan who had introduced both boys to manhood, and the two had met when she had made the unfortunate mistake of scheduling them both for the same block of time on one of their subsequent visits. It had been on the verge of coming to blows between them when the whore’s husband had shown up to carry her back home and away from the temple, amid her screeching protests. He had been a large, brutish man who had almost killed Aramis and Dominic both with little more than a knife and his bare hands, before the two had managed to take him down and render him unconscious so that they were able to make their escape with all haste.

  “You look as scared now as you did when that brute had you by your balls, my friend,” Dominic said after a few moments of private reverie.

  Aramis began to laugh.

  “I thought the bastard meant to have them for a trophy,” he said as he shook his head, and immediately felt his mood begin to lighten considerably.

  “What do you think of Vardra?” Aramis asked, changing the subject.

  “I think you knew what I’d think of Vardra when you asked her to care for our guest.”

  Aramis nodded, a proud grin on his face.

  “She’s a lovely soul in need of healing, Dominic. She still hurts from the loss of her husband after all this time. I sense the pain that still hides in a small portion of her heart. I know you well enough to know you would be moved to help her remember how beautiful she is, within and without.” He narrowed his eyes as he turned to meet Dominic’s level gaze. “Though in truth, I did not know you’d find yourself dumbstruck like some inept young man who could barely manage his way around a courtesan’s skirts.”

  “Come morning, we’ll see who manages what manner of skirts, I think.”

  And so the easy banter between them continued for a time as they stood and watched the dance, enjoying the familiar pulse of the music. It rolled across and around them, and the spirit of the evening carried those who danced along with it, their movements easy and graceful as they danced within one another’s arms.

  It was an odd relationship the two men shared, more brothers than Master and servant. Certainly they could not be called lovers. Outside of those times when the bloodlust demanded the connection, Aramis felt no physical desire for Dominic, only a strong sense of love and camaraderie that transcended so much of what could be understood. It had simply been an unfortunate mistake that Aramis had bonded Dominic to him when Aramis had been so young and inexperienced in such things, creating a connection so strong that his body routinely demanded Dominic’s for both feeding and physical release that he could get no from no one else. Over the course of time he became more skilled in the art of bonding those who chose to serve him, but to Dominic alone he had given the gift of immortality, in those early days of coming to understand his abilities, not realizing at the time what such a gift would mean to them both.

  Aramis had never again bestowed such a gift, once he understood and realized the strength of the feelings and emotions it invoked, the depth of need and spiritual connection it would intone. He had never felt moved to do so.

  At least, not until now.

  He watched her silhouette move with a new-found sense of her own womanhood, and he felt his soul stir and his body respond with a hum, wanting not simply to know the feel and taste of her, but to know all those things about her that made her so uniquely her. Her aura was a warm blend of colors, forest greens and ocean blues, which seemed to cling and caress around her like a lover. Even through the din of laughter and music, he could separate out the sound of her, soft and warm as she danced and breathed, lost to herself and to the moment. Those around seemed drawn to her, responding to the brightness of her spirit with a natural desire to be close to her.

  And then something deep and dark began to stir, for he came to see how she was being touched, fondled and caressed, becoming one with the others. The Dance of Serpentine was a slow, sensual blending of movements meant to entice and arouse, to stroke the flames of desire, and compel those who danced to couple and come together. And now she was a part of the night, a part of the dance, and already he could feel the heat of others as they moved close to her, not knowing who or what she was. His eyes began to grow dark and his body hard and tight, and a low, soft growl begin to build and swell within his chest.

  As soon as Dominic sensed his Lord’s shift in mood he responded, suddenly realizing his mistake in letting the two go below to dance.

  “Stay here,” Dominic said firmly, “I’ll go and bring them back away from the others.” Aramis nodded, knowing it best to let Dominic go below lest the beast surface and react to how so many seemed to be trying to get close to her.

  Unaware of what was happening, Thais continued to be swept away by the rhythm of the music, the nature of her being such that she could not help but become consumed by the outpouring of love and acceptance that seemed to call out from all around her. She was aware that the mood had changed, a subtle shift from that of jubilant celebration to one that was undeniably erotic, but she c
ould not seem to separate herself from it all. She felt free and light, and knew that for the first time in her life she was actually drunk. The wine she’d had earlier had been sweet and cool, unlike any she’d ever tasted, with no hint of bitterness of fermentation, and so she had gulped it down like water, finding an ill-placed sense of security in having drank wine for most of her life.

  But now, she was fast finding that she should have listened to Vardra and Dominic, for her head seemed to swim and her thoughts were quickly becoming entangled and confused. She could think only of the music, and the heat that was growing deep inside of her, and how desperately she needed to ease the ache that seemed to be demanding something more than an innocent caress. She was aware of hands on and around her, gentle, inquisitive, seductive and arousing, and she moved against them, desperate to know their secrets.

  And then Dominic was there, larger than life. For a moment she thought him angry, but then he smiled and took her hand in his to pull her gently along behind as he searched for Vardra. He found her quickly, moving to pull her almost aggressively against him, and Thais stared in wonderment as his lips found hers and the two of them kissed. It was enchanting, endearing, and arousing, and Thais smiled, sharing their connection and feeling her own heart swell with love for them both.

  “Come, our Lord has finally decided to make an appearance and prefers we share his company alone for a time tonight.” Dominic’s voice was warm and thick. Thais could feel his desire for Vardra, and could also feel the woman’s heated need as her body responded in kind.

  “You are both so beautiful,” Thais blurted out, her voice laced with awe and wonderment, and they each turned to look down at her where she had been forgotten for a moment.

  And then Thais hiccupped.

  Vardra could not help herself at all, and began to giggle as she pulled Thais into her arms to hug her, seeing the younger woman weave and sway from the combined effects of the wine and the celebrations.

  “I think we’ve already had this discussion,” Vardra teased, and she eased Thais between herself and Dominic as they moved to walk back up the gentle slope of the hill, that they might support her better. They made their way slowly and carefully through the blankets and bodies scattered among and within one another, laughing softly at Thais’ whispered comments along the way.

  “There are three of them there,” she exclaimed as she pointed to one blanket where two men and one woman were making love. She stopped and would have watched, mystified and moved by the genuine emotion that surrounded them all, but Dominic and Vardra gently ushered her along.

  “It is all just so very - beautiful,” she breathed as they continued, a word fast becoming her mantra for the evening. She could not hide her fascination as they moved quickly and quietly like wraiths among so many men and women coupling without fear of curious eyes, lost to themselves and the night. It was natural and moving to the spirit to feel the purity of it, and it seemed to her that their journey ended all too soon when they at last came to stand before Aramis, who was waiting none too patiently for their return.

  He raised an eyebrow when he noticed her current state, and could not help but indulge in a small grin.

  “I see she has been sampling our wine,” Aramis said, and the moment he spoke Thais felt the power of him brush against her soul. She came to an immediate stop so abrupt that Dominic and Vardra both almost tumbled over.

  It took her a moment, but once Thais finally managed to steady herself *an act accomplished only with a generous amount of help from Dominic and Vardra*, she tilted her head back that she might finally look upon his face. He was a giant of a man who towered over her, and she found herself holding her breath as she took in the magnificence of him. His hair was as black as the Darmouth Mountains back home, smooth and thick as it frame his face. His features were strong and masculine, a firm mouth and full lips, and a visible shadow of beard that only seemed to enhance his appeal. His eyes were a brilliant shade of blue that blazed with such intensity she felt the need to shade her own from their brightness, and it was only the effects of the wine that allowed her to endure his scrutiny without cowering away. His chest was a broad expanse of muscle, his arms like massive columns and his legs corded steel, and the very air around him rippled with sexuality so raw and real that it threatened to rob the very breath from her lungs.

  “My Lord,” Dominic said, and she could hear the smile in his voice as the world around her began to spin dangerously. “Allow me to introduce Thais Mousa, daughter of the house of Thoran on the world of Kandar. Long has her family served the ancients and their ways.”

  “Thais,” Aramis said with a slight bow. “A most beautiful name,” he purred, doing his best to appear charming and friendly. Her eyes, almost as bright a blue as his own, grew round and wide with fear, and he thought her about to cry before she covered her mouth and ran for the bushes. She barely managed the indignant act of bending over a log before she began to empty the contents of her stomach with all the grace and charm of a sailor coming off a three day drinking binge.

  Aramis turned to look at Dominic, unsure if he should be angry or amused.

  “Make a note,” he said as Thais continued to wretch and heave, her small bottom bobbing up and down as she remained bent over. He watched, definitely amused now as Vardra went to her aid. It was a very nice bottom, he thought.

  “What note is that, my Lord?” Dominic asked, cringing a bit from the awful noise that managed to escape so small a person.

  “No more wine for Thais.”

  Dominic chuckled then as Aramis went forward, gathered Thais into his arms, and immediately faded into nothingness.

  “I suppose this means our duty is done for the evening,” Dominic said as he turned to Vardra. “It would be an honor if you would join me on the beach tonight,” he whispered as he suddenly pulled her up against him, Aramis and Thais quickly becoming forgotten for a time. Her eyes were almost level with his and he found he liked the way the softness of her mixed with her strength to tease and confuse him into a mind-numbing state of arousal.

  “The honor would be all mine, my Lord,” she answered back before sighing and losing herself to the addictive taste of his kiss. If Aramis were a kind God at all, she thought in passing before Dominic’s hands began to enflame her need beyond reasonable thought, he would never allow this night to end.

  ~ III ~

  Thais slowly opened her eyes, grateful to find her surroundings bathed in the muted colors of that ‘in-between’ time, though whether it was morning or night that waited on the other side, she wasn’t quite sure. Moaning quietly at the ache in her head, she eased into a sitting position, squinting against the soft glow of the fire that blazed in the hearth just beyond the bed where she now lay. As her vision came into focus, she could see that she was in a large, open room, the corners hidden quietly within shadows of undefined lines. The increasing lightness told her it must be morning, and the sudden, mildly intrusive songs of birds that dance along the boughs of the trees outside the opened doorway confirmed her suspicions.

  It was indeed morning, and she had no recollection of the night beyond finally coming face to face with Aramis before promptly turning and hurling up both dinner and wine in a most unladylike fashion. She felt her cheeks stain with color at the harsh memory and began to think she might be sick again.

  “Good morning, little one.”

  His voice was deeply erotic, darkly melodious, and deliciously rich as it tickled against her ears, and she felt her blood stir at the immediate, intimate connection. “I am glad to see you awake at last.” She turned to find him lounging beside her in a large, cushioned chair, his massive frame relaxed and at ease, and with the hint of a smile playing along full, sensual lips. “You snore like the devil himself,” he teased. “I hardly slept a wink last night.”

  She gaped at him, forcing her eyes to focus and her ears to comprehend. Was he teasing with her?

  “I do not snore!” she quipped, and started to push the cov
ers away when she realized she had nothing on underneath. She turned to gape at him once more, and suddenly found herself wanting to throw something at him, unnerved by that smugly amused smile of his. She shook her head as if to clear away a great fog.

  “My clothes,” she said at last, trying to sound cool and dignified in spite of the obvious situation she had found herself in.

  What had she expected, she chided herself as she struggled not to cry, if not to find herself seduced by the very being that had called her here? He WAS a God of virility, after all, and she had come crashing into HIS world. Of course he would have felt he had the right to bed her. She felt her chest grow tight at the thought, and began to tremble beneath the thin sheet that she now clung to as if her very life depended upon keeping it close. Oh, why hadn’t she listened to Braddock?!

  “Relax, Thais,” Aramis said with a chuckle at her obvious dismay, knowing her thoughts. “Your virtue is still quite intact. It may shock you to learn that I’ve no need to get a female drunk on wine to coax her into my bed.” If it was possible, she was sure her face was now flushed an even deeper shade of red. She suddenly wished she could hide beneath the covers until he finally gave up staring at her and went away!

  “My Lord, I meant no disrespect!” she corrected in an embarrassed rush of words, finally remembering that this was not one of her unruly brothers waiting to have a spar of words with her. This was a God – the very creator of this world in which she now found herself – and it was ill-advised to disrespect him, she reminded herself. One never really knew with a God where his mood might turn from one moment to the next. “I’m sorry, It’s simply that - well, it may shock you to learn that I’m not accustomed to waking up unclothed and in a stranger’s bed!”

  Ok, so perhaps that was pushing the respect thing a bit, but she didn’t want him to think this situation was common to her. After all, she did still have some small part of her pride left.