the chance to touch these proud, these agonizingly beautiful shoulders?” He put his hands upon my shoulder blades, his fingers finding my tension, seeking my release. “No, my good man, you are dismissed. These particular honors I wish to do myself.”
“As you wish, Lord Mars.” The servant shuffled away, leaving me alone with him. I moaned softly as I leaned back into his hands, letting him knead my skin into ecstasy. I turned my head to face him, and in his eyes I saw the shining power of love. This man loved me – he wanted me – his desire so intense it seemed to radiate like beams of light from his eyes. I wanted to sink into his desire, to let it wash over me like a warm bath. How could I resist this joy, this feeling of absolute pleasure that came over me the moment his fingers touched my smooth, bared skin.
“You are my love,” he murmured softly, “my one, my only. The two of us – twin flames. We are destined...” And here he kissed my shoulder. “To be together for always. We are destined to be united, the two of us. I shall never let you go.”
I laughed, shooting him a flirtatious smile. “And if I ran away?”
“Then I would spend eternity finding you again,” he said, his smile belying a strange gravity to his words. Although we joked, I had no doubt that he meant every word.
“Fear not,” I whispered back, sinking into his kiss. His lips were sweet and spicy at once, like cinnamon. “My love for you shall not allow us to be divided. Neither time nor place shall ever divide us. We are one, and destiny has decreed it. We are to be together for eternity. For we know the ancient magic, and its ways are great. Only together can we command the power of the Flame. Only together can we command the world – the great power of life. Destruction and rebirth – the sacred power of fire.”
Chance pulled me in for another kiss, this time rougher, more savage. His desire was stronger now. He looked up and pulled my hand over to a basin of fire, over which a clear glass bowl was being heated. No matter how hot the fire grew, I knew, it would not burn us; the bowl would not shatter. We had command over it. And in the bowl I saw five gemstones, each burning more brightly than the last, composed of five different colors – each glowing brightly, as if a storm were brewing beneath the smooth surfaces of the gem. I touched each of the stones in turn, feeling their warmth against my skin. “If you ever lose me,” I said, smiling. “If ever fate should separate us – then fear not. These five stones will lead you back to me. Always.”
Chance looked at the stones, feeling them in his hand, turning each one over in turn. “I know your ways, my love,” he said. “I know how it amuses you to transform rocks – mere stones – into things of great beauty. You hold a pebble in your hand and it becomes an amethyst, or else a garnet, a sapphire, an emerald, topaz – all splendid creations, but none so beautiful as you. But today, my love, you have outdone yourself. These stones are brighter than even the sun itself. Look – they are shaped like the full moon, whose pale whiteness fades in comparison to your dark beauty.”
First I picked up the emerald. Green flames burst from its core. “All stones have power,” I said. “This is the power of vision – its magic will provide those who hold it with the second sight. The holder of this stone will have the power of clairvoyance, the power to ward off trouble before it comes. But it has another power, too.” I smiled seductively. “The power to enhance love, to create joy.”
Chance kissed me and pressed the stone to my breast. “Then you must wear it always.”
I picked up the second stone, a glimmering red garnet. “The color of my heart's blood,” I said, Vesta's power coursing through me. “It is the symbol of my love. When you are afflicted with pain, with anger or sadness, this stone will offer you relief. When we meet, this stone will you possess, for our meeting, like the stone, will destroy any sadness. A stone of protection and affection.”
I picked up the next stone, a shining