Goddess of the Rose (Goddess Summoning #4)(69)

"Come to me," she whispered into the night.

She could feel him approaching. Like an electrical storm, he was a great gathering of energy and force.

"Good evening, Mikado."

"Hello, Asterius." Still nervous, she gestured to the table. "Would you like some wine? I hope you've already eaten. The handmaidens wanted to have dinner with me at the baths, and they'd worked so hard today I didn't feel like I could tell them no."

"That is as it should be. Your Elementals need the presence of their Empousa. Do not be concerned, I ate as I awaited your call."

"But you'll join me in a glass of wine?"

"Of course."

Again, when Mikki lifted the goblet to her lips she found a rosebud swimming in the wine. She savored the delicate fragrance as they drank.

"You'll spoil me," she told him with a smile. "I won't be able to really enjoy a glass of wine unless it has a rose floating in it."

"That is as it should be, too."

She watched him sip his wine. Tonight he seemed more relaxed than the night before, and she was able to look at him openly. He was such a paradox - monstrous strength and a body that melded man and beast, yet he was humane enough to conjure a rose for her wine.

"What do you think when you look at me thus?"

Mikki jumped guiltily at the question.

"You need not answer that," he said quickly, looking away from her.

"I don't mind. I just . . . well . . . I know it's rude of me to stare at you."

"I am accustomed to women's stares."

She felt a rush of anger for the kind of stares he'd had to endure. "Then I will tell you what I was thinking. I was thinking that it's amazing that you're so powerful and at the same time so kind."

"Kind?"

"Oh, don't sound shocked. Of course you're kind. Who ordered my dinner the first night I was here? And you told them to put a blanket and slippers out here for me, not to mention the rose blossoms you never forget to add to my wine."

"That doesn't make me kind. That just shows that I'm fulfilling my duty in caring for the Empousa."

She snorted. "Please. You're not just kind to me. You're like that with all the women. I watched you today. Even though they act weird and skittish around you, you're completely patient with them."

"Mikado, that is my duty. Nothing more."

"Are you telling me that you never get frustrated or annoyed at them?"

"I do," he said.

"Then why don't you show it?"

"That would be dishonorable, and it would . . ." He stopped suddenly, realizing he was saying too much.

"It would what?" she prompted.

"It would be wrong," he said.

"Would it be wrong, or would it be proving that what they say about you is true?"

His dark eyes found hers, and she read her answer there.

"What they say about you is not true," Mikki said softly.

"You don't know that."

"Yes I do. I know it here." She pressed a hand to her heart. "And I know it here." She reached across the small table and placed her hand gently on the leather breastplate that molded to his chest. Through the pliable leather she felt the strong beating of his heart and the way his breathing deepened at her touch. They stared at each other. Mikki wished he would return her touch, cover her hand with his own, do something that told her it was okay for her to touch him. But his only movement was the pounding of his heart and the drawing of his breath. Reluctantly, she took her hand from his chest.

"It went well today, Mikado." His voice sounded unnaturally loud in the stillness that had settled between them.

"I think so, too. Tomorrow we're just going to work until midday. Then I'm going to try some spell work.

His lips tilted up. "That should prove interesting."

"Especially because I have no idea what I'm doing."

"You will. Just listen within. And remember, the Elementals are there to assist you. When you cast a spell, you can call anything within their power to aid you with the spell."

Mikki perked up. "For instance?"

He sipped his wine and considered. "For instance, let us say a maiden comes to you because she has been cursed with terrible pains in her head. She asks for a spell to cure this pain. Lavender has long been associated with health, peace and relaxation. So you command Gii to provide you fresh lavender and Aeras to fill the breeze surrounding the maiden with the scent of the herb."

"That does make sense," Mikki said enthusiastically. "So all I need to do is to think about what each Elemental can provide to support whatever spell it is I want to cast."

"Then you complete it with your words and Hecate's power."

"Wow," she breathed. "Incredible."

"And, you'll find, very effective. Hecate's High Priestess wields great power. Your spells will be strong and binding."

"In other words, I better think before I speak."

"I have no doubt that you will be wise, Mikado."

"I wish I was as sure," she muttered. Then she sighed. "There's just so much I don't know."

"You will learn," he said.