She quivered, and a bolt of hot need shot through him. In that instant, he realized that if he touched her even once more he would take her. Fuck her without mercy. It wouldn't matter if she screamed for him to stop, it wouldn't matter if Athena herself came to Kalliara's defense. He had to get away from her. Now.
With a shudder, he stepped back and turned away from her. He strode across the room, grabbing a robe and throwing it at her without looking. He grabbed another for himself, wrapping it around his waist without bothering to dry off.
"Put that on and follow me," he said curtly. He had to get out of there; had to find a safe place for her. He didn't trust the naiad not to hurt her if he left her alone in the bath…
He could tell she wasn't moving, there was no sound.
"I said put it on and follow me," he growled, trembling in his need. "If I was going to rape you today I would have by now. I'll show you somewhere that you can sleep."
"All right," she said softly. Her voice, so soft and human, caressed his ear and his anger faded slightly. He strode out of the room shaking his head. What was it about this woman that touched him so?
Kalliara followed him, trying not to stumble. He was walking so quickly she could hardly keep up.
She could still feel the tingles of pleasure drifting through her body. She wanted to lie down, to savor the sensations he'd given her. Instead she was running after him through the temple, trying to keep up and not fall prey to the creatures she knew must live there. She'd had enough contact with satyrs and nymphs to last a lifetime, she thought grimly.
What an incredible feeling his touch had inspired in her. She shivered, remembering. It was part of sex, although he'd only penetrated her with his finger. She was fairly certain she was still technically a virgin. She certainly hoped so—Athena deserved more devotion than her daughter had shown that day. Guiltily, she wondered why it was that Athena forbade her followers this physical joy. It was hard to understand, but it wasn't Kalliara's place to question a goddess, she reminded herself. Athena had cared for her since birth, and through one death, she thought wryly. It wasn't time to question the goddess' rules.
All she had to do to remain faithful to her mistress was survive the festival without succumbing to Dionysus' pleasures. It would be hard. Sabiniano, while still frightening to her, had shown her something new today, something wonderful. Something, if she were honest with herself, she enjoyed. It would be so much easier to give in to him.
If she did, she wouldn't have to die at the end of the month.
But she had already died once. It had been horrible, frightening, unpleasant.
But the underworld was a good place. Her parents were there, and Athena's love for her had remained constant throughout her ordeal. As long as the price of survival was betrayal of Athena, Kalliara vowed to remain strong. Nothing was worth betraying the goddess.
Nothing.
Chapter Six
She awoke the next morning feeling alive. Alive and wonderful.
She was in his bed, alone in his chamber. He had promised her the night before that he would stay away, and he had kept his promise.
Although she knew she must be within the temple, Kalliara could hear birds all around. They were singing in a new day, new life, and for once she imagined she could understand what they said.
They were expressing joy in life, and she felt like jumping up and dancing to their music. Whatever might happen to her at the end of the month, she was going to enjoy this last chance to experience the world.
First things first. Time to find some food…
She sat up, still wrapped in the cloth from the bathing room, and walked across the room to a cabinet. She found clothing inside, and while there were no women's dresses, one of Sabiniano's tunics was large enough to more than cover her. She could tell that nymphs had spun and woven the fabric as soon as she pulled it out. It was fine and smooth, far lighter than anything she had ever owned. She dropped the drying cloth to the floor and pulled the tunic over her head.
It was soft against her, and to her embarrassment she could feel her nipples hardening in response to its smooth and silky touch. What would it be like to wear such garments all the time, she wondered? No wonder Athena preferred coarser clothing…This was far too distracting for comfort.
There was nothing else for her to wear, however, so it would have to do. She found another strip of cloth and belted the tunic around herself tightly. Time to find something to eat, she reminded herself, and perhaps find her way out of the temple. She had no idea if Sabiniano would allow her to return to the village, but she wanted to try. She wanted to see her friends again, and perhaps give away some of her possessions. She had one month left; she would use that time to finalize her business in life.
But the first challenge would be simply finding a way out of the chamber.
There were doors at one end, but they looked vast and heavy. Enormous slabs of carved wood, they reached all the way to the ceiling, and she doubted she would be able to budge them. Assuming they weren't locked…
On the other end of the room was an archway covered by billowing drapes. A balcony? It looked like it. She could hear the birds outside and sunlight seemed to be filtering through. Perhaps there would be a staircase down into a garden. She walked over to the opening and pushed aside the fabric. Her breath caught at the beauty of the site before her.
She stepped out to the railing, marveling. Spread before her was all of Naxos. She could see the forests, the oceans, the hills. This was a view fit for a king, and for the first time she understood the breadth of Sabiniano's power. There was nowhere she could go he couldn't easily find her. She could even see the village from her viewpoint. It looked small, unprotected. There were several little fishing boats in the harbor, but nothing capable of helping her escape to another island. She was well and truly stuck here…
"Are you hungry?" Sabiniano asked, his voice low and smooth in her ear. She turned to him, startled. He was dressed in a tunic similar to the one she wore herself. But a light cloak was draped across his shoulders, colored a brilliant purple, and a thin gold circlet crowned his brow. The combination was utterly simple, yet regal at the same time. It took her breath away.
"I just returned from Mount Olympus," he said quietly. A chill ran down her spine. He radiated power; he traveled with the gods. How would she ever find the courage to stand up to him? But she had to, if she was to stay true to Athena. She shivered again.
"Good morning, Lord Sabiniano," she said respectfully. She dipped in a graceful curtsy of respect, frantically trying to figure out what to do next.
"Good morning," he replied, an amused smile playing across his lips. It was hard not to stare; he was so handsome. She blushed, remembering the way he had touched her in the pool the night before. Who would have thought such a thing possible?
No wonder so many of the villagers worried about their children being swept away by Dionysian lust, she mused. Had the nymphs and satyrs really felt like that? They had been like animals when she'd seen them in the woods…but so had she. She had had no more control over her reaction to Sabiniano than an animal. Would Athena forgive her for what she had done?
"You didn't answer me," Sabiniano said softly, breaking through her thoughts.
She looked at him blankly.
"I asked if you were hungry," he repeated. "Are you?"
Her stomach rumbled loudly, and he laughed at her.
"I thought you might be," he said. "After all, it's not every day you come back from the dead."