“Thank you for watching him.”Toemeka leaned down and kissed the baby’s cheek, then hurried toher bedroom to get ready for the evening. She wanted to lookbeautiful for Michio. He still seemed distressed about her abduction,so tonight she wanted to take his attention off everything butrelaxing and enjoying himself.
After a lady’s attendant helpedher dress, she sat at the vanity while a hairdresser did her hair. Onthe vanity lay the evening bag she’d used at the party the nightshe escaped from Cadmus. She felt a compelling urge to look at theruby ring she’d tossed into the evening bag after Michio removed itfrom her finger. The large red stone sparkled when the light hit it.She lifted it up, feeling oddly drawn to it. The ruby seemed to pulsewith energy and beckon to her to wear it. The stone was a perfectmatch for the red gown she wore. Impulsively, she slipped it on thering finger of her right hand.
“What a beautiful ring,” thehairdresser said.
Entranced, Toemeka stared at it,studying the ruby and etchings on the gold band. Power seemed toradiate off the ring. “Yes, it is.” Her stomach twisted as sheremembered Cadmus sliding it on her finger. Her stomach turned andshe frantically tried to pull the ring off, but couldn’t slide itover her knuckle.
“I’m finished,” thehairdresser said. “How do you like it?”
Toemeka looked in the mirror. Herhair was swept up with curls falling to one side. “I… I hadn’trealized you were done,” she stammered feeling confused and out ofsync. “It’s perfect, thank you.” She glanced at the clock androse. “Oh dear, I’m late. I’d better go.”
Toemeka entered the dining room,flush from hurrying, to find Erling, Koriann and Michio alreadyseated at the large, cherry table. Michio’s eyes lit up when he sawher. “You look lovely.” He and Erling stood and he pulled out herchair.
“You both look beautifultonight,” Erling said, putting his hand on top of Koriann’s. “Weshould take you two out more often.”
Servants brought out a series ofsavory-scented dishes and Toemeka was struck by Erling’s newlifestyle. “How does it feel to live in a palace after spending somany years as a Coalition operative?”
“I’m managing to adjust.”Erling’s eyes twinkled. “There’s no doubt I’m getting softand lazy. I might even get fat.”
Koriann scowled. “You’dbetter not.”
“Maybe if you let me go on amission once in a while, you wouldn’t have to worry about that.”
Michio tactfully changed thesubject. “So, how is setting up the governing council going?”
“It’s going well,” Koriannsaid. “All the positions are filled now. The country will onceagain be governed as it was for hundreds of years under the MarsindiDynasty.”
Michio set down his knife.“Governments always run better when advised by a council ofspiritually evolved ministers.”
Koriann gazed at him. “Youknow, you could have a position on the council any time you want.”
“I’m honored, Koriann, but Ihave responsibilities elsewhere.”
Toemeka lifted her glass and aflash of red light radiated from her ring.
“Isn’t that the ringCommander Rochambeau gave you?” Michio asked with a sharp edge tohis voice.
Toemeka felt her cheeks heat upand slid her hand under the table, uncomfortable with his tone ofvoice. She should’ve realized Michio wouldn’t like her wearingthe ring. It sickened her as well. She didn’t want anything thatreminded her of Cadmus to ruin the evening. Why had she felt such astrong impulse to put it on? She yanked at it, trying to remove it.
She still felt Michio’s eyes onher, though she didn’t look up. “I’d rather you didn’t wearit,” he said.
She felt a heaviness in her chestand close to tears. “It’s… it’s just a piece of jewelry. It’snot like it was a gift.” As she said it, she realized it wasn’ttrue. Cadmus had given it as a gift. He’d taken off her weddingband and replaced it with the ruby ring, as if claiming her. IfMichio knew that, he’d be even more upset. .
“Can I see it?” Koriannasked.
Toemeka’s hand trembled as sheheld it out. Koriann examined the ring more closely. “It’s anexquisite ring.”
“Let her wear it,” Erlingsaid in a conciliatory voice. “It can’t hurt anything. You’renot showing your usual detachment about this, Mich.”
“I suppose you’re right. Ioverreacted. Leave it on, Toemeka, if you enjoy wearing it.”
“It’s lost any enjoyment itmight have given me,” Toemeka said, sliding her hand back under thetable.
***
Toemeka stood on a bridge,looking into the dark water flowing swiftly by.
“I’ve come for you,” achilling voice said.
She swung around and gasped,“Cadmus!”
“I’ll never let you go.You’re mine.” He reached out for her and she screamed.
In the next instant she was in alarge ceremonial room. Cadmus stood beside her. The room smelt ofburnt flesh and blood, and it pulsed with magic. On a stage, womendanced around a firepit. Samrat Condor stood at the front of thestage in a floor-length black robe. He raised his arms and one of themaidens jumped into the firepit.
“No!” Toemeka screamed.Samrat Condor turned. “Bring her forward, Cadmus. I’ve waitedmany years for this moment. She’s a worthy sacrifice.” She triedto scream again, but her throat constricted with fear.
Toemeka jerked awake, the soundof her heartbeat pounding in her ears. It’sonly a dream! Just a dream. Breathe.She sat up and took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself. Herbody was cool with sweat and she rubbed her bare arms for warmth.
“What is it?” Michio asked,his voice thick with sleep. “You cried out in your sleep.”
“I had a nightmare.”
Michio sat up and drew her intohis arms. “What was it about?”
After she told him, he said,“It’s no wonder you’re upset, but you’re okay now. Try torelax.”
Her breathing and heart rategradually returned to normal in the shelter of his arms. “Thenightmare felt so real, like being in a dark region of the astralworlds. Stay with me, Michio. Promise me you won’t get up early,like you usually do, and leave me alone. Wait until I’m awake.”
“I’ll stay close as long asyou need me. Try to relax and get some more sleep.”
They both lay back down. Toemekarested her head rested on Michio’s shoulder, feeling comforted byhis closeness. She closed her eyes
