Not Today, But Someday(57)

Arcite, who prays to Mars for strength to win the battle– to win her hand. Palamon, who prays only to end up with Emily, however Venus chooses to make it happen. Venus, Mars – Zeus himself – I’d pray to whomever I needed to, but above all, I’d fight for her. Not today, but someday, I will fight for her.

Emi had told me that she thought the princess in the story would have picked Palamon. She said he loved her more, but I don’t believe either man loved her more than the other. They were equal suitors, comparable men who did everything for her love. By doing that, they’re both respectable, both worthy of her.

In the fable of these two deserving men, though, Palamon was defeated and lost his right to be with her – at first, anyway. Arcite fought a good battle, and he won his fair maiden. Even though his fate was sealed, Emily would be by his side all the remaining days of his life. How had he beat Palamon?

He abided by the rules.

I’ll play by her rules.

Arcite knew the prize, and never forgot how cherished she was.

I know that I need her. I think that I love her.

Arcite knew how to win her.

I know what I have to do. When she’s ready for love, I’ll fight for her.

It was courtly love, and chivalry, honor and bravery and patience – such patience and perseverance – that brought Emily and her rightful knight together. I am capable of all of these things. I’m capable of them all today, but patience is what will bring Emi to me, the man who will love her best...

Someday.





1Concrete Blonde. “Joey.” Bloodletting. IRS Records, 1990.

2Ackroyd, Peter. The Canterbury Tales: A Retelling. Viking, 2009. E-book.

3Radiohead. “Punchdrunk Lovesick Singalong.” My Iron Long. Parlophone, 1994.





SPECIAL THANKS TO


From the Beginning

John T. Perry

Shirley Otto

Clarinda Alcalen



Book Cover Design Goddesses

Christi Allen Curtis

Katrina Boone



Beta Readers and Psychologists

Angela Meyer

Nikki Haw



The rest of my Street Team

Melissa Dean

Annie Walsh

Audrey Kay

Casey Corn

Cheryl Dent

Christen Fiermonti

Courtney Smith

Diana Arnau

Erin Spencer

Jamie Taliaferro

Jo Ann Stevens

Kelli Spear

Lea Burn

Michelle Ochoa

Stacy Bundy

Stephanie Cobb

Tiffany DeBlois





ABOUT THE AUTHOR


After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1997 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Lori L. Otto worked in the billboard industry for ten years. Frustrated with trying to communicate entire messages in “seven seconds or less,” she decided to leave outdoor advertising and return to her love of creative writing.


Emi Lost & Found Series