Part 8
In the moonlight Moonflower recognized it as a mountain lion. She pulled Anthony's head to her lap and held him tight as she hid her face in his hair, she did not wish to watch her executioner take her life. A brilliant flash of heat and light made her look up to see a woman brandishing a flame torch fight of the lion.
"Back" She hissed at the creature before taking hold of its tail and swinging it around. She seemed to enjoy playing with death, eventually the lion either too afraid of her or too tired left with a growl.
"Aren't you far from Kansas Dorothy" She smiled as she offered Moonflower her hand.
"I do not know of this Kansas you speak off nor am I Dorothy. My name is Moonflower, and this is Anthony, we were fleeing a mob, he was shot, and he needs medical help" Moonflower pleaded.
"I can see you need medical help as well. I am Akeela Calypso – priestess of the temple of Hecate." She said as she helped Moonflower up.
"Diomede, Zeflar come help this man into our cabin" Akeela called as 2 Mediterranean men came to Anthony's aid.
Moonflowers wounds weren't too severe and all she required was a few stitches. Anthony on the other hand was almost completely drained and required blood. Moonflower donated hers without any hesitation.
"He must love you to put his life at risk for you" Akeela said idly as her helpers worshipped her. Moonflower shook her head unsurely
"No Zeflar tonight is Diomede's turn in my bed. You will keep guard at the alter of the Goddess." Akeela said as she motioned Diomede to her quarters.
"It isn't guilt Moonflower, I feel it in your Auras… it is clear as day in him, you have it deep inside your heart as well. Let go of the hurt and anger Moonflower, the negative energy will never allow you to be happy" Akeela said as she closed to door to her room.
Moonflower ran a damp cloth over Anthony's face and neck. She sat vigil at his side thinking about the time he saved her and nursed her to health, giving up his freedom for her, then saving her life by taking the bullet for her. She held his hand to her cheek – and that is how Akeela found them the next morning. Anthony was wide eyed and awake watching Moonflower as she slept with her head in his palm.
Anthony was still shaky on his feet and grunted with effort to move on his own to the lunch table. Moonflower tried helping him, but he was too pig headed for assistance.
Zeflar came in breathless announcing that a mob was searching the mountains for a native girl and a pale face, they were 5 clicks away from Akeela's cabin. Akeela gave them food and water to carry on their journey to the shelter her brother had set up.
"Stop and rest whenever you need to, your wounds are still quite serious. I wish there was a place we could hide you. Please come back when things are… settled" she announced as she sent her men to escort them past the thicker foliage and protect them from any wild animals.
Zeflar and Diomede had left them on the other side of the mountain by sunset. Moonflower estimated it would take them another day before they reached their destination. They made it down the mountain and found a lake to camp at for the night.
"You've been awful quiet" Anthony rasped.
"Just thinking"
"Don't worry we'll make it. I won't allow any harm to come to you, I'd die before that happened" He said as he grasped her hands.
"I'm not worried about that"
"Then what is it?" He asked as he studied her face
"How do we work out? Look at what happened with Lillian and Running Wolf. My tribe accepted Lillian because of her son with Running Wolf – they would never accept you as your parents would never accept me" She said as she looked down at their entwined fingers. She looked up at his face and was taken aback by the love that burned in his eyes for her.
"We'll cross those bridges when they come my love" He whispered in her ear as his lips descended on hers.
He kissed her softly at first, warming his lips against hers before swiping his tongue across her bottom lip. She allowed him access to her mouth as they battled for dominance with their tongues. Anthony came up for air and planted kisses on each eyelid and her nose.
"Anthony" She rasped before she opened his first button.
His eyes widened in shock as he moved to stop her.
"If we must die tonight, tomorrow or the day after… I want us to have this" She said as she kissed his neck gently. He assisted her in doing away with his shirt; Moonflower kissed his wounded shoulder, as she opened the string at the back of her dress. Anthony lay her back on the grass as he kissed her neck, trailed down her arms and kissing each fingertip. His lips blazed down her chest towards her belly button where he lay a lingering kiss on her womb. He worked his way back up to her full lips.
They woke up to the sparrows' song safely entwined in each other's arms.
Bella felt sick to her stomach. Deep down she knew after the old woman's tale was through, she would have to be exterminated.
