Painted Blind Part 35

"You're sorry that he lost him, or you're sorry that you killed him?" I would not pretend I didn't know why Thomas was here in the Underworld.

He moved to the other foot. "I'm sorry he's dead, and that justice isn't always just."

Maybe it was true. Centuries of slavery was a severe punishment, but Thomas slept in a palace and dined with a queen, while t.i.tus's father had long ago rotted in a grave.

Thomas's hands moved up my calf.

"Don't!" I tried to pull my foot away, but Thomas held on, and he had a firm grip.

"You don't let t.i.tus rub your legs?"

"It's bad enough he's always rubbing my shoulders."

Thomas looked up, utterly confused. "You should let him. Your muscles are knotted."

"Thomas," I said firmly. "You may not touch my legs above the knee."

"As you wish, Lady." He poured oil on my shins and rubbed it in. It smelled of lavender and cinnamon. "I'm a slave, you know." He gestured to the gold band around his bicep. "You can require anything of me. Have I nothing that you want?"

"Nope." It sounded pretty harsh, but this was the Underworld, after all.

Thomas bit his lip and rubbed more intently. It wasn't the knots in my legs that bothered him.

"Why do I get the feeling I have something you want?"

"You do," he replied, and a cold chill ran down my spine. "But it's not what you think."

"Amaze me," I said flatly.

"May I touch your hand?" he asked. When I didn't answer, he a.s.sumed it was permission. He took my hand, turned it palm up and set it against his cheek. He let out a low murmur, and his eyes closed in pleasure. "You're so warm. I'd forgotten what it was like to be near a woman who wasn't cold."

"Why are you cold?"

"Human warmth comes from within. We don't have it here. I was warm like you when I arrived, but now I'm as cold as the rest of them." He lifted his head and stood. He tugged on my hand until I stood before him. "If I swear on my allegiance to my Queen that I won't press you, will you allow me to hold you?"

I shook my head.

"I'll stop the moment you ask me to." He bowed his head. "Just for a little while, I want to be warm again."

Cautious as I was, somehow I couldn't refuse him. Most likely I was being beguiled, but some innate sympathy made it impossible for me to be unkind to him.

"Don't let this scare you." He untied the cord at his waist and freed the scarlet sash. He dropped them on the floor, a pool of crimson and a golden snake next to our feet. He shook with antic.i.p.ation and he tentatively stepped forward and slid his arms around my waist.

Touching him was like being doused with cold water. I gasped as he pressed me against his bare chest.

"It's a shock, isn't it? I remember that about the first time I... uh... attended Persephone. She was positively giddy over my warmth." He sighed and dropped his head so his cheek rested on my shoulder. "Now I know why."

"How does it leave you?" Giddy wasn't the word I would use to describe Thomas. He was enthralled. He took my hands in his and moved our arms so that they touched from shoulder to wrist. He even put his neck against mine.

"It slips away little by little," he explained. "Every time you're beaten or burned. Every time you lie with a woman who doesn't belong to you. Every time you speak falsely or seduce a maid, you get a little colder. Then one night you realize you're just like all of them, worse maybe, and your blood is clear, but it's cold."

Truthfully, I was hot after the banquet, and he cooled me off. I was less faint, and surprisingly, less afraid. When he finally let me go, I saw the change in Thomas's face. A hint of sparkle shone in the gold flecks of his eyes. Human warmth was a powerful thing. Kindness even more so.

"You look exhausted," he observed. "Will you sleep?"

"Not with you here."

"I won't harm you, and I see you have no interest in using me."

"You make it sound like what I want matters." Though I was no longer terrified, I still had to be careful.

Thomas pulled back the covers on the bed and fluffed the pillows. "You are unlike any woman I have ever been sent to attend. Everyone who comes here wants something from Persephone. Some come seeking riches. Others want to learn to be powerful. Maids come to learn the art of seduction so they can unlawfully ensnare their masters. She treats all her guests the same. She hosts a banquet for them; she offers her best wine and her attendants to fulfill their every desire. However, they all fail to grasp this one simple truth: to deny themselves is to gain what they want most, and if they cannot deny themselves pleasure for a single night, then they belong here with the rest of us." He gestured me into the bed. "I've rarely seduced a guest. On the contrary, they command me, and I obey."

"So, I can command you to leave?"

Thomas dropped to his knees at my feet. "Please, don't do that! It will make her unhappy." He gathered my knees into his hands and pressed his forehead against my kneecap. "Please, let me stay."

I stood at a dangerous crossroads. I couldn't willingly send him to be burned. However, letting Thomas stay put me in grave danger. I stepped out of his embrace and sat on the bed to think. I didn't know what to do.

"You're just trying to lower my defenses," I said.

He shook his head. "I would rather burn than destroy such strength and innocence." He kissed the hem of my dress. "And, I know what awaits you if you fail tonight. Let me stay, and I will pay you in honesty."

I wasn't the real prize. Persephone hoped Thomas's charm would make me falter in my determination to return to Eros. Once declared property of the Hades court, I was to be beaten and used by the Royal Guard. When word reached Eros, Persephone knew he would come to bargain for my freedom. She wouldn't be able to keep him forever since he was an advisor to the Ruling Council, but she could submit him to her will. He would allow himself to be degraded and abused to keep me from further harm. In fact, Thomas informed me, Eros already had permission from Zeus to buy my freedom if I failed to return by the end of the week.

I slumped against the pillows. My body was exhausted, but how could I sleep in a place like this? All around me lay pain and deceit.

In the high pitch of the ceiling was a mural of a battle with mountains burning in the background. It was the overthrowing of the bandits, the battle that led to the creation of the Underworld. I looked up at the billowing smoke, so real it seemed to reach down to me, and I was so grateful that Eros had sent t.i.tus to prepare me for this journey.

"You really should sleep," Thomas offered. When I shook my head, he asked, "Do you mind if I do?"

"Go ahead."

He crawled to the foot of the bed and curled up next to my feet. When he said he slept at Persephone's feet, I didn't know he meant it literally. I was willing to bet he was a light sleeper, too. One couldn't exist in a realm such as this and not have very deep-seated defenses. "No, Thomas." I leaned against the headboard and set a pillow in my lap.

"Merciful beauty," Thomas murmured and snuggled close to me.

I thumped him on the head. "Just go to sleep, and don't tell anyone I babied you."

I nodded off only to be awakened by the giving way of the bolt on the door. Someone was coming into the room. Thomas was still sound asleep with his hand resting on my knee. I set a hand on his shoulder, but he didn't awaken.

The guard who entered the room was the one who was welcomed home last night. His mouth dropped open in surprise when he saw me sitting up and Thomas sound asleep.

"My lady, Psyche. It looks as if you haven't slept."

"Is it... morning?" Without the sun, how could they tell?

"The queen is up, if that is what you mean." He couldn't take his eyes off Thomas, still sound asleep with his head in my lap.

I shook Thomas's shoulder, and he woke with a start. He greeted the guard with a nod. "Are you back in her favor?"

"I am. She's awake."

Thomas rubbed his eyes. "We'll be down." He waited until the guard was gone, then he turned to me with a yawn. "Congratulations. You've won your freedom." As he put on his sash and corded belt, he chattered cheerfully. "You'll never guess what I dreamed about last night."

"You're a guy," I said flatly, "Gee, let me think."

He ignored my sarcasm. "You and I were walking through a valley full of flowers. The gra.s.s was so deeply green, and it was damp from dew. I could feel the sun warming my skin." He closed his eyes for a moment. "I'd forgotten how beautiful the sun was."

The dream didn't depress him. On the contrary, it lifted his spirits. Now dressed, he kissed my hand. "You are such a beautiful woman, and it has nothing to do with that pretty face."

"I'll be right back," I told him. I went to the bathroom to find my own clothes. After he washed them, Thomas hung them on hooks to dry, but they were gone.

I searched behind the loose cupboard for my satchel. My fingers found the strap, and I pulled it from its hiding place. To my relief, it still contained the coin, my GPS watch and the food.

"Psyche?" Thomas knocked on the door, then slid it open. When I told him my clothes were missing, he said, "That's not surprising. The maids would have taken them while we were at the banquet."

"Will I get them back?"

"I doubt it. We should go now. It's rude to keep the queen waiting."

This time Thomas led me through the main hallway and down the grand staircase at the center of the castle. There were no sentries outside the throne room, but when Thomas opened the doors, we found the entire Royal Guard waiting with Persephone. My knees wobbled. Thomas took hold of my hand and led me down the long red carpet to Persephone's throne.

Persephone stood. I couldn't read the expression on her face. Was she angry or merely disappointed? Would she order the guards to take me captive anyway?

I tried to curtsy, my body somewhat numb. At my side Thomas knelt on one knee.

"Arise, Thomas," Persephone commanded.

He obeyed, and she came forward. The queen took his face in her hand and brought his eyes to meet hers. Persephone turned to me. "My dear girl, I sent you my favorite attendant. Look what you've done. Instead of letting him tempt you, you've warmed him to the very soul." She touched my hand. Her skin was like ice. "Now, touch him." She placed my hand on Thomas's arm. It was cool, but not cold.

Thomas trembled very slightly, and my heart ached for him. He had protected me, and now he would be punished.

I fell to my knees at Persephone's feet. "Please don't punish him. It isn't his fault. I didn't mean to anger you."

She laughed and tugged on my shoulders. "Angry? I'm delighted. You are welcome in my house anytime." She instructed an attendant to fetch the wooden box. As he placed it into her hands, I noticed the golden lock was missing. She opened the box and offered it to me. "Aphrodite's reward."

Inside the box was a vial of clear liquid. Atop the cork was a rose carved from frosted gla.s.s. "What is it?"

"Ambrosia. Drink and be immortal."

I took the box and thanked her, but closed the lid. "I didn't ask to be immortal. I just want to see Eros again. I'll take the box and this vial to him, and I'll let him choose my fate."

"That's a lot of faith to put in a man," Persephone said flatly. She dispersed the guard, except for Thomas, and bade me to sit with her awhile.

The only other chair in the room was the king's throne. "Yes, sit there," she commanded. "He never uses it anyway." Thomas stood beside her, and she brought his hand to her cheek and felt of his warmth. "I want to give you a gift," she declared. "What will you have?"

"I'd like Thomas to give me safe pa.s.sage to the portal."

"That's all? I'll only let him go as far as the river Styx, but your request is granted. Tell me about your journey."

I told her how we flew by jet to Nepal and stayed in the city. I wasn't sure how familiar she was with the modern mortal world, so I tried to explain as best I could. Thomas was absolutely captivated. The world had changed a great deal since he tilled the earth as a child.

"I'm very surprised that Aphrodite sent t.i.tus to accompany you," the queen said.

"She didn't. t.i.tus abandoned his post. He grew tired of Theron's jealousy and his punishments."

Persephone nodded. "Would you like to trade?"

Confused, I clarified, "Thomas for t.i.tus?" Knowing I couldn't lie to her, I had to speak carefully so I didn't offend her. "t.i.tus has been with me a single week. I've only begun to explore his talents. And he's committed no crime."

Persephone gazed up at Thomas, who rubbed her shoulders "The innocent ones stay warm the longest. It took Thomas a full two ages before he went cold."

If I understood her correctly, she just admitted Thomas was innocent of the crime for which he was sent here. If she knew he was innocent, why wouldn't she set him free? Of course, the answer stood right there in front of me. Thomas was her favorite. Knowing he was undeserving of his fate probably made her like him more.

If an innocent man had been punished for the murder, what happened to the killer? I looked up at the soft light in Thomas's eyes. I should have known the first moment I saw him that he was innocent. The man who killed t.i.tus's father had always been free. He'd nearly killed t.i.tus, and he'd nearly killed me.

To Persephone I said, "You probably wouldn't enjoy t.i.tus all that much. I'm led to believe he's not Aphrodite's best student. If you want the real prize, it's Theron you're after."

This piqued her interest. "Oh? What dealings have you had with Theron?"

"I've met him after each task. He's volatile, to be sure, but..." I repeated t.i.tus's words exactly, so that it wasn't a lie. "...when he wants to be, he's as gentle as a summer breeze. At least, that's what I'm told."

She made me recount all my dealings with Theron from our first meeting at the Fortress. I worried she would find me insincere, so I was as honest as possible. I explained how I was sick from the dust when I went to get the second task, and that Theron had a small feast waiting for me. I told her that he offered me the white fruit if I accepted his bed, and that when I refused, he beat me so severely I could barely call for help.

She made me recount the story a second time and repeat to her every word exchanged between us. I was embarra.s.sed to tell her that I called Theron a "boy toy," especially with Thomas standing right there. Surprisingly, he wasn't angry. He just shook his head and muttered, "Suicide."

"So, let me make sure I understand you," Persephone said. "He offered you the sacred fruit with the condition that you allow him to consummate the bargain?" When I nodded, she asked, "Do you have any idea what you've just told me?"

I shrugged. "He wanted what most guys want."

"I see." She turned to Thomas. "Our guest has been through quite an ordeal, and it looks as if she's hardly slept. I think you should escort her back now." She asked what was in my satchel.

"An Olympian coin and food for the mutt," I replied. I carefully stowed Aphrodite's box in the satchel, too.

"Go, then." She squeezed my hand in a friendly way. "I look forward to hearing the news of your wedding."

When we were out the gates of the city, I asked Thomas what happened the night of the murder, and I wasn't surprised by the story he told. He had stolen into the palace, desperate to see Aphrodite. She neglected him for months, and he didn't know why. He went to the palace unarmed hoping to sneak into the upper rooms and catch her alone, but the palace guards were alerted of an intruder before he cleared the main level. He fled down a dark set of stairs. It led into a forge, where Thomas found a man pounding steel into a breastplate.

Beyond the forge were cave pa.s.sages. Thomas fled into these, but by then two of the guards were after him. When they caught him, he expected to be killed, but the tall blond guard stabbed the older man, then dragged Thomas back into the forge, where the rest of the palace guards were waiting. They all knelt around the unconscious blacksmith, who had been stabbed in the back three times.

"I caught him," Theron said. "Here is the murderer."

The trial before Zeus boiled down to Theron's word against a mortal, and Thomas was declared guilty.

"Is there any way you could be freed from this place?" I asked.

"Not unless Zeus himself ordered my release." Thomas kicked at the dirt sadly. "You know what I would wish for if I could leave?"