Page 6 of Deliverance
“How can you save me?” Mateo asked.
“The details are intricate, Mateo. It will require drastic changes, but know that I will save you.”
“You honestly believe that we can be together?” Mateo asked, his eyes studying Eloy’s intently as if searching for any sign the god was being untruthful. The stakes were too high for Mateo to believe in lies.
“Yes. I will have you by my side and in my bed… my arms,” Eloy said, then captured Mateo’s mouth with his, giving him a kiss that spoke what his heart wanted to say.
When they broke the kiss, Mateo had to catch his breath. “Then I will wait for you, Eloy. I will fight my hardest to survive for you.”
Hearing those words coming from Mateo ignited something inside Eloy. A passion he’d long since thought was non-existent. He felt… he felt human. He felt what humans feel when they know they’ve found their soul mates. That one person who would become the other half of their heart. This was what life was about, finding true happiness, and he felt that every time he was with Mateo. Eloy knew there would be no turning back. He’d risk it all for this human who challenged him and made him a better being.
Again, Eloy kissed him, he couldn’t help himself. This one fragile human, this mortal that was susceptible to all things, was one of the strongest beings he’d ever known.
When they ended the kiss, it was because Mateo pushed back. “Wait… I have a letter for you from my Dominus,” he said, then handed Eloy the letter Rama had given to him.
Eloy took the sealed envelope and opened it up immediately. His eyes read over the words and he raised both eyebrows as he took in the offer being made.
“Is it good news?” Mateo asked.
“It seems as though your Dominus is willing to give you to me for a seat with the Elite,” Eloy said.
“Really? That is very fortunate. It is what we want, right?” Mateo asked as he stepped behind Eloy. Gently, he placed his hand on Eloy’s right shoulder.
Eloy placed the letter down on the table where several silver covered platters were loaded with succulent food for them to devour. He turned to face Mateo. “It is. But again, the timing is wrong.”
“Timing… why?”
Eloy smiled. “It’s because of you, Mateo. You have opened my eyes, forced me to see the flaws in myself and in my fellow gods. Well, not Simeon. You got me to look at what we have done wrong and it is because of you that I know how to remedy it. But I cannot do that if you are with me.”
“Why not?”
“I can explain why later, not now. I need you to trust me. Trust in me to not abandon you.”
Mateo stared up at him, then nodded. “I trust you.”
“Thank you.”
“What are you going to do to remedy this world?” Mateo asked.
“Ahh, yes, you will be pleased.” Eloy gestured to a seat at the table. Once Mateo was seated, he took his own. “I had my chef prepare this meal, have you ever had roasted duck?”
Mateo shook his head and lifted one of the lids to the food that was smelling so good. He was starving and this meal was right on time as far as he was concerned. “Never.”
“Please, enjoy, indulge,” Eloy said, then reach over, lifting the lids off the other platters that contained roasted pork, string beans, and mashed potatoes.
The two began to pile the food onto their plates and ate in silence for a time, savoring every morsel. After a few minutes had passed and the initial hunger had been satisfied, Mateo presented his question again. “Eloy,” he paused to lick the juices from his lips, a gesture not missed by Eloy, whose eyes followed the trail of Mateo’s pink tongue.
“Yes?” Eloy smirked.
“My question, can you answer it now?”
“I have to get a majority vote. That is how we have done things all this time. We will start with the Games. After this last tournament, it will no longer be to the death. The gladiators themselves shall be freed and paid for their volunteer participation. Whores in the brothels will no longer be bound by slavery,” Eloy said, which he hoped would bring great happiness to Mateo.
He was right as Mateo’s smile grew even wider as Eloy had spoken. “You mean this?” he asked as he leaned forward, both hands on the table.
Eloy nodded. “Every word. It has been discussed by us. However, these changes will only happen if the goddess Odessa and god Kijani agree to them. You see, they enjoy the world as it is now. We have to convince them that we failed to do what we came here to do, Simeon and I.”
“Why can I not be at your side?”
