Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,162

foliage to a hidden gazebo that was made of hardened clay. The gazebo was large and sat at the center of the pool that was created by the spring. It was covered with an array of blooming flowers. A quaint bridge made of treated wood led to the structure. The natural enchantment of this spot was intoxicating as dusk was approaching.

George reached for a torch.

“Not yet, honey,” Athena whispered as she placed a single finger across his lips. She led him across the bridge to the gazebo and continued to whisper. “Just watch. The torches are for later. We don’t need them now. Shhh.”

As the pitch-black of night fell across the land, George could not see a thing. He reached over, found Athena’s ear and leaned in. “What are we waiting for?”

Athena covered his mouth. “Shhh.”

Eventually, the flowers growing on the gazebo and the trees surrounding the pool began to illuminate. The surface of the pool mirrored the warm glow as the flowers produced a light that exuded their natural color.

Staring at the reflections in the water, George felt as if he was standing in the middle of a galaxy, floating amongst stars of many colors.

The petals of the flowers began to wave back and forth in a soothing, massaging manner. Small puffs of pollen were released. A plethora of fragrances filled the air as each radiating puff drifted, some of them against the breeze. One by one, the puffs worked their way to their destinations. It was as if the flowers were in the middle of some sort of mating ritual.

George watched as a blue puff found an opposing yellow flower. The flower opened, allowed the puff inside, then closed its petals. The color of the puff merged with the color of the flower, and soon the flower reopened and radiated a vibrant green.

With this new color reflecting off the pool, a melody filled the night like the flowers had voices of their own. As their song progressed, George opened his mouth. “I can’t believe this,” he blurted. As soon as he spoke, everything went black.

Athena punched George on the arm. “I told you to shush! Now we have to use a torch. You ruined the mood.”

“Aahhhh, man, I’m sorry. That was freaking cool. We’ve got to do this again sometime.”

An awkward silence followed. Athena was not sure how to respond. She was confused by how George phrased his words.

Seeing her confusion, George changed the subject. “I’ll get us some light.” George fumbled in his pocket and pulled out his lighter. As soon as the flame appeared, Athena’s eyes widened. George smiled, lit a torch and then placed it into one of the brackets that was molded into the side of the gazebo. He waited for the questions he knew were coming.

Their conversation would be without pause as he explained how the lighter worked. Athena was intrigued by the many, subtle differences in their speech. Their conversation bounced from one subject to another as they held each other while they cuddled at the center of the gazebo.

Before the second torch extinguished, Athena led George to a quaint cottage. Twice the size of George’s old apartment on Earth, it was lit with many oil-filled sconces. He held their last torch high and examined the stone masonry. Meticulous work and great care had been put into every detail.

Athena walked to the door and opened it. “Mother!” she shouted, “I brought home that adorable man I was telling you about! Can he stay in the spare room?”

George was taken aback by Athena’s forwardness, but after a moment of thinking it through, he stepped inside and shouted, “Mom, we’re home!”

After talking with Athena throughout the night, they decided to get some sleep. George leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. One kiss led to another and before the two of them knew it, they were tickling each other on Athena’s bed.

For the first series of moments in George’s pathetic life, other than the day of his daughter’s birth, he felt truly happy. He knew his goose was cooked—this woman had stolen his heart. All he had to do was figure out a way to ensure she ended up in his life. He knew this would be a challenge, a challenge he looked forward to facing. He pulled her close and spooned her as they drifted off to sleep. He would make no further advances.

Lethwitch Arena

The Next Morning

When the sun rose, Shalee and Helga were still sitting next to Sam who remained unconscious