Page 10 of Elegy of Twilight
A fluttering sensation came again, and I leaned forward, my eyes dragged inexplicably to his lips.
His thumb brushed my chin, sending a shiver down my spine. “When you look at me with your soul in your eyes, it makes it difficult to resist.”
“Yes,” I said. “You should resist. I am a priestess, called to a higher purpose, and you should not tempt me with your lust and desire for physical pleasure.”
“Was I the first to kiss you?”
“I don’t have to answer that?—”
“So I was, and it makes me want you all the more.”
“You shouldn’t have kissed me,” I whispered.
“But you enjoyed it, didn’t you? And you want more.”
I dropped my head, words falling to the forestfloor. “It’s wrong.”
“That’s what the darkness is for, and who says it is wrong to indulge in pleasure?”
I crossed my arms, putting distance between us. “Easy for you to say when you’re the epitome of what is wrong. I’ve chosen to live a different kind of life, one that is not built on satisfying fleeting pleasures nor indulging in activities that lead to darkness.”
“Oh, wise one, teach me your ways.”
“Dare you mock me?”
“See, this is why I look forward to our nights together. But go away now. I am ravenous, but I’m determined not to ravish you tonight.”
“Nor any other night,” I tossed over my shoulder as I walked away.
I waited for the breath to be knocked out of me, to find myself sprawled on the ground again, but this time there was nothing, just silence.
Only when I reached the gate to the garden did I dare to turn around, but I was alone, as though he’d never been there at all.
5
LUCIA
The emerald green feathers of hummingbirds glittered in the sunshine as they flittered to the crimson blossoms in the flower garden. I walked the stone path, a basket in my arms, letting my bare skin drink in the heat of the summer sun.
Last night had almost been a dream, except for the spot on my neck where Titus had sucked my skin. While the skin wasn’t broken, it had swelled up, and I’d wrapped a scarf around my neck to hide it.
Kneeling near a patch of vines, I picked ripe squash to take back to the kitchen. This morning, Faith, who managed the kitchen, had given me a list of herbs and vegetables she wanted from the garden.
Usually, she came with me, but today, she wasbaking and had no time to assist with the gathering. It was peaceful, though, alone with my thoughts, and occasionally, I stole a glance up the hillside, where the vineyard stretched toward the summit, pale grapes already glistening on the vines.
“Lucia.”
I lifted my head, relieved to see Edith twirling down the garden path. She wore a loose linen dress, her hair in two braids, a hat on her head, and a basket tucked under her arms.
“Edith!” I dusted dirt off my hands. “Did you come to help?”
Edith pursed her lips together, then knelt on the ground beside me. Placing a hand on her head, she scanned the garden and then lowered her voice. “There’s been news.”
I squeezed the handle of my basket and searched her face. Had Titus already broken his word? “More bad news? What happened? Tell me, Edith.”
“A runner arrived this morning. He went straight to Captain Elroy with a request for help.”
My heart squeezed. Runners traveled between villages, often on horseback, although originally, they used to run from one village to the next. Veilix was one of three villages set in the mountains, each with an abbey—some with priests, others with priestesses—and garrison. The closest one was a three-day ride away, while the furthest one was seven days on horseback.
