Part 44 (1/2)
Athena's mother had tried to get the senator himself to perform the ceremony, but most every member of the government was at the king's tournament.
Mary and this particular senator had been friends since childhood. Even though he was from a royal bloodline, they had found each other irresistible, often running off together despite the laws that forbade it. They continued in secret until his parents found out and put a stop to their relations.h.i.+p.
Royals did not like to mix bloodlines with commoners, despite what the king had done seasons ago. Mary often wondered what her life would have been like with Ralton Brandor. But as she looked at Athena on the Peak of her union, she realized this was the life she was meant to have.
The ceremony was simple, and George's heart was filled with happiness. He would no longer use women for the items he sought to acquire. He would have to rely on his charisma to get what he wanted without the added bonus of s.e.xual favors. He would be loyal to Athena and give her, at least in his mind, the respect he felt she deserved. There was a child on the way, and he was not about to give this one a broken home.
The a.s.sistant kept the vows short, but sweet. The family applauded, and the after-party was held in Mary's barn. The atmosphere reminded George of some kind of hillbilly square dance, and everyone enjoyed the festivities. There was even a potluck that had been laid out on many of the tables that lined the back wall of the barn. All that was missing was a wedding cake-and a whole lot of cla.s.s. George told himself he would renew his vows with Athena once he had the moments to do it properly.
George took Athena by the hand and knelt on one knee. He handed Athena her new treasure box. ”You can use this to hold the memories of our life.”
He opened the lid. Inside was one of the flowers he had picked near the gazebo. Its petals were still glowing, despite being plucked from its bush.
” Oh, George, how did you manage to do this? It's beautiful.”
”I'll tell you later. Do you like it?”
”I do. It's perfect.”
George smiled as he listened to the ladies' comments nearby. They complimented Athena on how romantic her new mate was. George thought, It was easy to pick the flower. h.e.l.l, all I did was teleport next to it and pluck it before it realized I was there. I can't believe the d.a.m.n thing is still lit. What luck!
George took Athena for a walk just before midnight. Since the family was there, Maldwin sent his vision to them all. They saw how great it would be to live with George and Athena in the Barbarian Kingdom, and as they did, smiles appeared on their faces.
With the family occupied, the newlyweds went to the bridge that spanned the river just outside of town and dangled their legs over its side. Under torchlight, they tossed pebbles into the water.
George loved Athena's voice. He kept the conversation going as he held his wife close. Everything she said was important to him, and his love for her was selfless. They stayed there talking and laughing for most of the night.
When George decided Maldwin should be finished projecting his visions, they prepared to leave. After kissing Athena, he said, ”I've got a surprise for you.”
”Another one? What is it, honey?”
”I'm able to do something special that will allow me to see you more often as I travel. I need to show you what it is. I want you to understand how I can find my way home to you every night. But I want you to keep this surprise between us. Will you keep this secret for me?”
Athena looked puzzled. ”I thought you said your travels would take you north?”
”I did.”
”Then how do you expect to be with me if you're there, and I'm here?”
George pulled her closer. ”I'll show you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone ... not even your mother. Will you do that for me?”
Athena was hesitant to agree, but she nodded and put her head on George's chest, her favorite place to be. ”If it lets us be together, then I promise.”
George smiled. ”Close your eyes.”
”Why?”
”Trust me. Just close them.”
Once she had complied, he closed his. When they reopened them, they were standing in his mother-in-law's guest home.
Athena shrieked and backed away from George. ”What kind of sorcery is this? How can I be in my mother's home? Where's the bridge? Where's the water?”
George expected her reaction. ”Babe, please sit, and I'll explain.” He took her arm, guided her to the table and then pulled out a chair.
Athena's face twitch as the chair's legs screeched across the floor. ”Are we really here? How's this possible?”
The mage pulled out another chair and took a seat. ”I thought you'd be happy that I can come home at night. Once I get where I'm going, I'll be able to teleport back and forth until the moment arrives for you to be with me. Doesn't this make you happy?”
Athena started to cry. ”Why didn't you tell me about this before we said our vows, George?”
George was taken aback. ”Let me ask you this. If I had told you, or shown you before our union, would it have changed the fact I've always loved you and have been good to you since the first moment we met? Would it have stopped you from uniting with me?”
Athena looked into his eyes for a long series of moments before she answered. ”George, I love you. I'd die if I couldn't be with you.”
”Well, if you love me that much ... and your love is unconditional,” he said, brus.h.i.+ng his hand against her cheek, ”then why are you so upset about something that will allow us to be together? I have the ability to do so much more than what I've just shown you, but it has nothing to do with how much we love each other. I'm sorry I've upset you. Will you forgive me?”
Athena melted at his plea and then stood. She motioned for him to stand, and they embraced. With her head on her favorite spot, she cried, ”I'm happy that I'll be able to see you so often, but this scares me. Whatever it is that you can do, whatever these things are, it would be best if you showed me. I'm your wife, and I should know what I'm dealing with.”
”Babe, you have nothing to be scared about. I'll always protect our family. Just know this ... when I leave here, I'll be going to set up a wonderful home for us. I won't let you or our baby down.”
Athena whispered, ”I'm glad I have you. I've never been this happy. I want to be with you. I want you to do whatever it takes to make sure we have a happy home. Just give our baby a good life, and I'll follow you anywhere.”
George lifted his bride into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He would enjoy the night and leave in the morning for Gessler. Since he no longer had Amar at his side, he did not have the authority to fly on the hippogriffs. There were 13 Peaks left before Kepler would be in Gessler, but it would only take him 7 Peaks to get there. He wanted to become familiar with the village and then teleport back to Lethwitch.
As they went to sleep, George dreamed of Abbie. The dream was sad, and his little girl kept screaming, ”Daddy, save me!” He tried to run toward her, but was unable to. The dream was h.e.l.lish, but thanks to Lasidious, it was cut short as the Mischievous One asked to be allowed into his mind. George gave him access.
”George, we need to talk.”
”You could've shown up a little earlier. The dream I was having was awful. Are you sure Abbie is okay, Lasidious?”
”Yes, George. Like I told you, her soul is in the Book of Immortality. I've given her many good thoughts. You don't need to worry about your daughter. She's fine.”
”Then what do you want?”
”First, I think congratulations are in order. I see that you have a fine woman lying next to you.”
”How do you know I'm lying next to Athena? Are you here?” George was starting to feel uncomfortable. ”I'm dreaming, right?”
”Yes, George, you're dreaming. I know many things, and I keep track of my favorite subjects.”
”Favorite, my a.s.s. And I'm not your subject. What do you want?”
Lasidious chuckled. ”You'll always be the same old George. This visit is not about what you can do for me. It is more about what I can do for you. I have come to enlighten you on the extent of your power. You're about to become a force on Southern Grayham.”
”Force, huh? I like the sound of that. Do I need to do anything?”
”All you need to do is lie there. I'll enlighten you with everything you need to know. When you wake, you'll be famished. I know your journey to Gessler begins in the morning, but it may take a while for you to recover and feel strong enough.”
George agreed to let Lasidious do his thing. As the Mischievous One was p.r.o.ne to do, he drug the process out and made George beg for him to get to the point. Eventually, George's mind was filled with the details he needed to use the full extent of his power, and then the G.o.d left his dream.