“They’re fine!” I said as if it was another dream.
“Of course, I healed you Keira. The flesh and skin regenerated as though it never happened but the infection was harder to remove.” He looked away briefly as though remembering the sight of me screaming in agony beneath him.
“What infection?”
“The Demon presence he left behind, but Keira I do not want you to think about it anymore. It is finished and I won’t let anyone come that close again...it is over.” I couldn’t help it, I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him.
“And how will you do that exactly, are you going to hide me away like Rapunzel?” Well I certainly had the hair for it.
“Rapunzel?” He questioned not looking at all offended.
“Yeah you know, long haired gal, lives in a tower, sings a lot.” he laughed at my description.
“Ah you mean ‘رودابه’, the beauty.” He said the ancient words so swiftly like he spoke this language all the time.
“Excuse me?” I said causing him to smile at my understandable ignorance.
“It means Rūdāba, She is or was, where the brothers Grimm got their idea from I believe.” He started to help me with my top as I was trying to pull it down over the mass of hair that went in every direction. I knew one thing...I wasn’t looking forward to trying to brush out all the knots I had created.
“Rapunzel was real?” I asked, fascinated.
“She was...of sorts anyhow. Let’s see if I remember The Shahnameh’s description correctly” He paused and looked up as though it was written on the beds canopy.
“About her silvern shoulders two musky black tresses curl, encircling them with their ends as though they were links in a chair.
Her mouth resembles a pomegranate blossom, her lips are cherries and her silver bosom curves out into breasts like pomegranates.
Her eyes are like the narcissus in the garden and her lashes draw their blackness from the raven's wing.
Her eyebrows are modeled on the bows of Teraz powdered with fine bark and elegantly musk tinted.
If you seek a brilliant moon, it is her face; if you long for the perfume of musk, it lingers in her tresses
From top to toe she is Paradise gilded; all radiance, harmony and delectation”
Of course he recited the poetry perfectly as though the one himself to have written it.
“What was that? It was beautiful” I said lowering my lashes, wishing for such beauty. Anyone would next to such a man as Draven.
“It was from The Shahnameh, the book of Kings. It was written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi around one thousand AD.” He said proudly and it seemed this was the day for learning a great deal more about Draven’s history.
“Yes and I will tell you one day who it is really about, but for now you must sleep.”
“No way! You can’t tell me something like that and expect me to sleep!” I moved out of his hold as he was trying to get me to lie back down.
“Keira you are being stubborn” He informed me but I didn’t care, I wanted to hear more.
“Alright, I will make you a deal, if you lie back down I will tell you the story until you fall asleep.” I suddenly felt about six years old! It had been too many years to remember since I had been told stories before bedtime. I nodded my agreement and shifted further down to get comfy. I knew I was still fully clothed but Draven pulled the covers around me anyway, which felt nice and safe.
“There was a great Persian warrior named Zāl who was born with white hair. He was Albino. Zāl was the son of Sām and the grandson of Nariman, both great heroes of ancient Persia but because of his defect, Zāl was rejected by his father. And therefore cast out as a child. He roamed Persia but it was when he was upon the mountain Damavand where the Gods heard his cries. They sent down a bird so large it would block the sun and darken the skies when flying. Some say it was the holy Phoenix named Simurgh sent to guard the child blessed by God.” I was nodding at him when he paused to take in my expression. He chuckled once at my enthusiasm and continued.
“The bird took him in until time past and he grew into a man, living on the land but never leaving the bird. Rumors of the silver man living in the mountains reached the ears of Sam, his father and he was soon found by the guilty man. But he could not reach him, so he prayed to the God’s that had taken in his son and begged for forgiveness. Simurgh knew at once when the man’s father would come for him that their time together was at an end. She plucked three plumes from her breast and the heavenly voice spoke in her place. "Burn this if ever you have need of me, and may your heart never forget your nurse, whose heart breaks for love of you." She said adding that when in trouble. She would appear as soon as the feathers were lit.”
“So he left with his father? Poor Sim...ugh...you know what’s her name” I said lamely causing Draven to take my face in his hands and kiss me gently on the lips.
“He did indeed return with his father but his misfortunes were no longer. His father made every effort to redress his past wrongs and when he went off to wage war he was given his father’s Kingdom.”
“So what about Rapunzel, well I guess I mean...you know...” I still wasn’t down yet with all the names and there was no way I was going to be able to say them with my accent!
“You mean Rūdāba. Well she was the princess of Kabul, daughter of Mehrab Kaboli. Zāl had heard of her immense beauty and went in search of her to bed. But he became enraptured and fell deeply in love with her. The story says, Zal came to the walls of Rudaba's palace where Rudaba let down her tresses to Zal as a rope for him to climb. Rudaba seated Zal on the roof and they both talked to each other for hours, which was unacceptable in accordance to Persian tradition. In the legend that followed, after being accepted by each father they married and when Rudaba was giving birth to the unusually large baby, he soon realized his love was going to die. Near to giving up, Zal remembered the feather of the Simurgh, and followed the instructions which he’d been given that day. He placed the feather on the sacred fire causing the Simurgh to appear and instructed him upon how to perform a caesarean section, thus saving Rudaba and the child.” He finished the story like he’d been telling it for years and I almost clapped at the ending. What a nice story, better even that the Brothers Grimm version. I was about to tell him so when he carried on.
“Of course, this is where the story that is written differs from the truth.” He looked as though still not sure whether or not to tell me.
“How so?”
“What is written is not what happened. Zāl fell in love with Rūdāba, yes but she was a Demon that had possessed Rūdāba as a willing sacrifice. Don’t look so horrified Keira.” He smirked at my scrunched up face before continuing,
“See, her past love and betrothed had been murdered in battle and she was so fraught with grief she gave herself to the Gods to be reborn. Of course by the time Zāl came to find her she was not what she appeared.” I placed my hands at my mouth and covered my shock.
“Oh no, what happened?” He smiled and pulled my hands away from my face and brushed the back of his hand down my cheek.
“When Zāl found out the truth, there was no other choice but to kill himself to be with her but it worked, as to this day they are still together, it was the only way for her to have him. She appealed to have his soul re-used once sold to Lucifer and he could see no reason against it.” Draven was talking about this part like any business man would about politics.
“They are still around? Like living together... after so long?” I could barely get my head around it.
“Yes Keira...and, well...you know them.” Ok, this was a bombshell! I was still shaking my head, thinking that I’m sure I would remember something like that, then it hit me like thunder clapped over head. I even jumped like it had actually happened. I knew who they were...My God... could it be?
“Sophia and Zagan!” I shouted making the bed vibrate.
“You are such a clever girl.” Was Draven’s only response before w
ithout warning my head hit the pillow and I fell into a misty sleep hearing the last words from Draven’s lips drift through my mind....
“Time for sleep my princess...”
Chapter 60
Making Plans.
I woke up to hear Draven’s voice and when I heard no reply I knew he was on the phone. I was in his bed as I was before and it felt like groundhog day. I seemed to have had an entire night of waking from dreams and I didn’t know what to expect from one wake to the other. I remembered my first dream and quickly shook it away. Then the next one came and I savoured it for a while, even recalling the smell of the Persian sun on Draven’s skin. His kiss, his strong desperate touch. It made my insides go gooey. I rolled over and smiled into the pillow as I stretched out like a lazy cat. It was strange, like all the pain I had endured was like it had happened to somebody else and I had a clouded memory of it all. I mean, I knew what had happened but the pain...I’m sure it had been intense but it’s hard to even compare it to anything...I just didn’t remember the feeling and I knew this was a damn good thing! Something like that could leave more than just visible scars.
“Yes, I will tell her, no she’s waking up now...alright Libby, Not to worry.... Goodbye.” I rolled around and was surprised to find Draven stood next to the bed staring down at me. From his voice it had sounded as though he was on the other side of the room. Well not anymore!
“Good morning.” I said smiling and stretching once again until my toes curled.
“Well technically, it’s the afternoon.” He said smiling back.
“Draven! You let me sleep too late, I missed classes!” I sat up and realized I was now naked, as the covers rolled off me and rested around my waist. Draven’s eyes flash purple once and then simmered down.
“Keira my dear, I hardly think today was going to be one of those days when you went to class!” He sounded exasperated at the idea.
“Why not?”
“You need rest, not history class.” He lifted the covers to my shoulders like a mother hen and I rolled my eyes.
“You gave me a history class this morning if I remember,” I said teasing him making him now the one to roll his eyes.
“That was to help you sleep so don’t make me regret it. Besides all you have been through lately, you need taking care of with some peace and quiet. Therefore, that is what you shall receive.” He sounded happy on the matter, which had me worried. Dear God, what did he have planned...knitting and sounds of the ocean on repeat?
“I’m fi...” I stopped when he tilted his head and frowned at the word I was about to use.
“I’m all good. I don’t feel tired and I feel all fit and healthy.” He wasn’t looking convinced so I tried a different route.
“I gather Lib’s rang and wanted to know where I was?”
“No, I rang her.” He said before leaving the bedside to get me some water.
“Why?” I asked without leaving the concern out of my voice.
“Drink!” He ordered and I gave up trying, so did as I was told. He wouldn’t even let me hold the bloody glass!
“I rang her to explain why you left.” He saw my face drop and hurried out the next bit.
“Don’t worry, obviously I didn’t tell her the truth. No, I merely said how you came to me in the night to give me what for and we quickly made up after that. I think she got the message because she didn’t ask me any more after that. I also told her how we needed to spend some quality time together and that I was taking you away to make up for my behaviour.” This was said very offhand, like the fact he was telling people I was going on a trip, when I clearly wasn’t, was something normal...well I guess to him it was.
“Umm...why did you do that? We both know I’m not going anywhere, well apart from home in a week’s time but...” he cut me off by banging the glass down on the side table.
“Keira! Of course I’m taking you away!” He was angry now and if this was his idea of peace and quiet then Hell must be a quiet place to live!
“Draven listen to me...I am not leaving!” I said folding my arms across my chest like a child. He huffed and raised his arms above his head in a dramatic fashion.
“Stubborn like a mule!” He said angrily. Of course I laughed which really didn’t help the situation.
“Are you calling me an Arse?” He stopped and looked at me to find humour in that question.
“NO! Look Keira I need to protect you, I cannot have that happen again. So you will just have to trust me and do as I say.” Ok, that was so not happening!
“Draven I will agree to stay here with you every night but I will not hide away from my life and I’m sorry but you can’t stop me.” He was shaking at this point with fists held tight to his sides as if trying to regain just a shred of control. He looked damn close to shaking me!
“Why won’t you listen to me, do you think I do this for my own gain? My only care is to keep you safe and if, as you say, keeping you locked in a tower achieves this then I will do it, you can be damn sure of it!” Draven was trying to push me to the point of me agreeing but my will on this matter was beyond yielding.
“We both know that will not happen.” I said calmly before continuing,
“Think what you are saying. I am not your prisoner and you would never treat me so. I know you too well and I would bet my life on it.”
“Not funny Keira.” Ok, so saying about betting my life was probably not the best way to put it but it was not intended to be funny.
“Look, I am not saying that I am about to do anything stupid. I know I still need Ragnar guarding me and I know never to spend a night away from you, not that I would want to anyway, but you have to meet me halfway.”
“And where would this halfway be exactly because no matter what I seem to do it is never enough!” At this point I really did feel sorry for him, he clearly was fighting a losing battle and with no glory in sight.
“Well, I guess halfway would be that we now know Lucius can’t get in my defected mind! So glass half full on that one.” I tried to joke but Draven was so not in the mood for Northern humour.
“Defected?” Trust him to pick up on my terminology.
“Well, there must be something wrong with my head...right?” At this he groaned and came to my side to grab both my hands in his.
“Keira, there is nothing wrong with your head!”
“Well there must be something because according to you and your brother I am the only Being on earth that Lucius can’t control.” This statement sure got his attention.
“You heard that?”
“Umm, well yeah, but at first I thought I was dreaming but now I know it must have been right after...umm...the healing.” I said this last part cautiously, not wanting to bring up what was obviously painful memories for him and me both. As expected, he winced at the flashback.
“To be honest Keira if you’re expecting answers as to why, then I am afraid I don’t have any for you. We both know you are different but just how different is still left to be discovered.” Oh great, so I was a freak without knowing why...bloody marvellous!
“Well as long as I don’t start shooting webs from my hands and glowing in the dark, I think we can class the inability of not being controlled as a plus.” At this he finally laughed making my tensed shoulders relax at the sound.
“Maybe we should get you some stretchy spandex suit to wear if you are going to be a comic book superhero, that way I get to peel it off you.” He winked at me and wore a crooked smile as his naughty thoughts came out to play. Now I was laughing and I playfully punched him.
“So do we have an understanding on the whole me leaving thing?” His playfulness quickly diminished and was replaced by yet another broody frown.
“How do you expect me to protect you if you...”
“Draven please stop. We can take precautions but I will not live a life of fear because of what might happen again. I am going home in a week and until then I have a mountain of course work to worry about...so near death exp
eriences are not even in the equation at the moment.” I laughed trying to lighten the mood but his was getting darker with every word out of my mouth. He didn’t look at all happy but must have decided now was not the time to try and reason with me.
The rest of the day went by in blissful ignorance of last night’s events and we were both happy to put it behind us and for the first time since knowing Draven this was one night that the VIP went without it’s King. We spent the whole day and night hidden away in his room like we were a pair of love struck teenagers. No one came, not even Vincent or Sophia, so I guessed this was at his orders. Well if that was the case then this was one order I was more than happy to comply with! Of course the fact that I was a human with basic needs didn’t go amiss as every time I returned from the bathroom there were drinks and a wide array of food waiting for me. It turned out to be one of the best days of my life and when the night crept in like an unwanted visitor I found myself not wanting it to ever end.
“You know if you came away with me it could be like this every day.” He hummed in my ear as I leaned against him on the couch. I sighed as the thought took me to my very idea of Heaven but I knew it was a false promise. Not that Draven wasn’t a man of his word, but for someone who controlled a world full of supernatural beings, I doubted this promise could be achieved for long. But I smiled at his tactics anyway without answering him the way I would have liked.
All throughout the day I hadn’t been successful in getting him to take his kisses further thanks to his belief that my body need time to relax and sex with Draven was definitely anything but relaxing.... mind blowing, orgasmic and truly breathtaking yes, but relaxing...umm I think not! If you asked me I think he was enjoying all my efforts more than he was letting on. I felt like some bloody leech trying to suck the life out of him! But alas every time it started to get serious and I could feel him getting worked up...and I mean all the way up...He would groan and restrain me back so as he could regain his granite like will. I was starting to feel like a sledge hammer going at it without even causing a dint.