He nodded tightly.
"Give her to me now," he said. "And I'll let you have them."
"I don't trust you," she replied. "I think I'll just take this thing with me.
When Sabiniano and Kalliara are safely off Naxos and in my care, you'll get her back."
"You can't do that," he said, his voice filling with anguish. "She's very fragile. You could easily hurt her. She needs special food. I can't let her leave my temple."
Aphrodite laughed again, beginning to enjoy herself. How ridiculously amusing, that the mighty Dionysus might be brought low by a spider.
"You should have thought of that before you tried to take my children," she said lightly. Carefully cupping the spider in two hands, she jumped off the bed, still nude. She strode across the room, then nodded purposefully at the door.
"Why don't you open if for me, Dionysus?" she asked politely. "I think it's time for me to go home. You can keep the gown. I no longer associate it with fond memories."
He did as she said, then stood to one side, clenching his fists. She felt a momentary qualm; she was making a powerful enemy. The spider ran around the inside of her cupped hands. Disgusting creature, she thought, shivering.
But she didn't drop it, though the temptation was strong.
Instead, she walked through the temple, ignoring the stunned faces of Dionysus' priests.
It was time to go home, and arrange for a boat to go to Naxos.
Kalliara and Sabiniano were about to start a new life.
Chapter Thirteen
Sabiniano kissed Kalliara lightly, then fed her another piece of sweet citrus fruit. She sighed in satisfaction, flicking her tongue out to catch the juice that rolled down her chin. His finger chased the droplet too, and she licked him. Then he touched her lip; she sucked his finger into her mouth. She was filled with languid pleasure, and for a moment she considered rolling over toward him to do more.
But they had been making love all day. She was exhausted, and she suspected he was as well. He'd been like a man possessed at first, taking her again and again. Then he began to tire. Eventually they'd wound up simply holding each other, connected through their sexes.
It was so intimate that just thinking about it made her want to cry.
Now they were lounging on low couches in a lovely dining room. Nymphs brought them light fruits and meats, as well as crusty bread and wine. Kalliara sighed. It had been such a wonderful day.
"Thank you for today," she said softly, leaning her head against Sabiniano's shoulder. "I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed this time with you. Will every day be as good as this one, do you think? If so, I might die again, only this time of happiness." She laughed a little at her joke, but Sabiniano stayed silent.
"What's wrong?" she asked, reaching up to rub his back gently. He had been quiet all evening, ever since that last time they'd made love.
"Kalliara, there's something I have to tell you," he said finally. He set down the piece of bread he'd been holding and rolled onto his side to face her.
"Dionysus has asked me to do something terrible," he said finally. "And I'm going to refuse to do it. But there are some consequences for you…"
"What?" she asked, concerned. He seemed to be having trouble meeting her gaze.
"He wants me to give you to the Maenads," he said finally. "I'm sorry, but there's no easy way to say it. He wants you dead again, and I'm supposed to do it."
"Why?" she asked, shocked. "He won, didn't he? I abandoned Athena for him!
What more does he want?"
"You didn't abandon Athena for him, you left her for Aphrodite. And Dionysus suspects that Athena was a willing conspirator. He wants to hurt her and you're his best tool for doing that right now. But I won't let him."
"What do you mean?" she asked quickly. "How do you plan to stop him? He's a god!"
"I plan to stop him by taking your life tonight," he replied, his face filled with pain. Shock hit her, and she stared at him. He spoke quickly. "It's the best way, Kalliara. We can't escape him, and if he catches you, your death will be slow and terrible. This way is better. In a few minutes you'll go to sleep, and then I'll remove the collar he used to bring you back to life. I'll take your soul to the underworld myself, and see you reunited with your family. It's the only way."
"What about you?" she asked tightly. "What happens to you when Dionysus finds out? He isn't gong to be happy."
He gazed at her, a strange expression on his face.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I don't know," he said slowly. "I guess I expected a different reaction from you. I just said I'm going to kill you. Do you understand?"
"Well, of course I understand," she said. "But I'm not particularly afraid of dying, Sabiniano. I'm sad, because I don't want to lose you, but I've known this day would come. I'm mortal; I couldn't keep you forever. I just wish I could have kept you a little longer…"
Her voice trailed off. He stayed silent, and she shivered suddenly.
"What's he going to do to you?" she asked again, her tone urgent. "He's going to be terribly angry if you kill me."
"He'll get over it," Sabiniano replied, his voice determined. "Don't worry about that. How are you feeling?"
"A little tired…" she said, swaying in her semi-prone position. She looked around, realizing objects in the room seemed to be swaying with her. The colors were strangely bright, and she laughed. Her voice seemed to be coming from far away. "Did you put something in my food?"
"Yes," he said softly. "I'm sorry, but I wanted it to be as painless as possible. It was in the wine."
"That's the second time your wine has messed me up," she said, giggling. "I don't think I should drink with you any more…"
He nodded, his face sober. He looked so silly and strange like that. And sad.
Why was he sad, she wondered? She knew she should probably know the answer.
Oh yes, he was sad because he was going to kill her.
"I won't let you do it," she said abruptly. She swung her feet off the couch and stood, pointing her finger at him threateningly. He jumped up, reaching out to steady her. It was a good thing he did, because she couldn't quite remember how to stay standing up…What had she been thinking? Oh yes…
"I won't let you do it," she said again, her words slurring. "I think you're lying to me. Dionysus is going to be really mad at you; he'll punish you. I don't want that to happen."
"Kalliara, let's not spend our last few moments together fighting," he said softly. Carefully, he lowered her back to the couch, then sat beside her, cradling her body with his protectively. "May I kiss you one more time?"
"Sure," she said. She turned suddenly; her lips bumped against his. She giggled. Then he was kissing her, exploring her mouth slowly and steadily. She let her tongue meet his, and sank into his arms.
He was wonderful, she thought. Against her will, her eyes closed. Everything was dark, but she felt safe and protected in his arms. Nothing would go wrong.
Everything would be fine. Sabiniano was taking care of her now…
Her body went limp in his arms, and a wave of sorrow washed over him.
He would never hear her speak again, never be able to kiss her. She was mortal; death was her destiny. But why did it have to happen now, right after he'd found her?
He hated Dionysus.
Even if the lies he'd told her were true, even if his god would forgive him, there was no way Sabiniano would ever serve Dionysus again. The ties between them were broken.
Lifting her small body into his arms, he walked out into the main hallway of the temple. He ignored his people's curious stares. Nothing they did mattered to him now; they belonged to Dionysus. He stepped out on to the porch where the evening air was cool and crisp. The sun was fading into shadow in the distance. It was time.