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Chapter One
“I’m pregnant! I’ll get them for this!”
Julie was angry.
There were several responses I could make to that. I could have observed that ‘Osiris’ and ‘Isis’ were already dead and beyond our reach. I could have observed that The Mad God, who stood behind them, was just a little out of our league. Neither of those would help. I could have commiserated with her. That wouldn’t have made any real difference, and would have been cowardice as well. So I did something else. “Then you need to come with me,” I told her.
“Why? Do you know some Voodoo priest who can make it not happen? I’m on the pill, Mark! I never missed a dose!”
It had been a couple weeks. She’d been mostly sleeping at my place – and in my bed – since the night of the solstice, but in pajamas. An old set of woolen pajamas I’d forgotten I had, and they fit her like a tent. They were also warm as hell, and I had to blast the air conditioning to compensate. She wanted to be held, but for comfort and to make her feel safe, not for anything more. Truth be told, I was a bit apprehensive myself since what happened. Men don’t like to think it can happen to them, but I’d found out personally that it could.
I locked the house, opened the door of the Porsche for her, got in myself, and headed for Beverly Hills. Maybe I could keep her distracted long enough if we talked it over on the way, so, “No, and even if I did, I’m pretty sure The Mother would be upset. I seem to recall that’s what started the whole thing rolling.”
“So tell me how being on the shit list of some nature-freak’s Earth goddess can make things any worse right now! I’m pretty sure her inability to do anything about it was why they approached us!”
I thought about that for a minute, then, “Just because she couldn’t do anything when opposed by The Mad God doesn’t mean she can’t do anything to ordinary mortals. However perverted, it was The Mother’s fertility ritual that we were part of. I still don’t know anything about magic beyond the fact that there have to be rules of some sort, but it seems likely she was constrained by our participation. When The Margrave asked us to investigate, there was no mention made of personal participation. The ritual is for the Elves and those of mixed blood, who have trouble conceiving naturally. Forcing us into it was on The Mad God and his acolytes.”
“So how did it happen?”
“Well, if the ritual’s magic wasn’t strong enough to overcome impediments to pregnancy, it would be pretty pointless, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes, it would. Why are you trying to distract me, Mark?”
Busted. “I don’t suppose it would help to say you’ll thank me later?” When you like your women with brains, sometimes they short-circuit your plans.
She shook her golden brown head, “Good lawyers don’t play that game. Give.”
“This doesn’t concern the lawyer. Could you be Julie and trust me and enjoy the ride for a few more minutes?”
“When somebody says it doesn’t concern a lawyer, they’re wrong. Talk.”
“Alas, fair maid, if you would behold your wronger, look upon…”
“When you start talking Shakespearean dialog, the blarney flows like a river in springtime. Just tell me what’s going on.”
Damn. Nothing left but throw myself upon the mercy of the court. “What’s going on, fair lady, is me unsuccessfully trying to distract you while I set up a marriage proposal.”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Well, yes. Out of my mind with love for you and fear you’ll turn me down. This is not how I wanted to ask you and nothing else is anything like I hoped, but it needs to be done now, so here we are.”
“I meant I’m not certain I’ll ever be able to be touched in that way again. Judging by a couple nightmares I overheard, you’re not exactly over it yourself. So again, are you out of your mind?”
“I haven’t thought about much else these past couple weeks. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Judging by the fact you’ve spent all but two of the nights since it happened in my bed, you want it too.”
“Mark, I’ve been trying to convince myself to try and seduce you every night, and then when it comes time, all I can do is run to the spare bedroom and pull on those damned pajamas. You haven’t tried to start anything either. So one more time, are you out of your mind?”
“If this is out of my mind, milady, I don’t want to be in it. As to sex, I’ve been telling myself you weren’t ready, and so I’d be a selfish boor to try. I have this fetish; I only enjoy it when you’re enjoying it, and you wouldn’t be enjoying it even if you consented. I’m not going to pretend I’m perfectly okay and the events of the solstice never happened, but I will get over it. If we’re married, I’ll have the best incentive possible to get over it. I’m hoping it’ll give you motivation, too.”
“Suppose I say yes, under the condition you’ve got to get it on with me tonight whether I want to or not?”
“I can’t accept that. I know what happened, but we both know neither one of us was responsible. This time, I would be. I can’t do that. More to the point, I won’t.”
She heaved a relieved sort of sigh, and I knew I’d passed some sort of test. “Suppose I ask you to do one thing I’m terrified of? Just one thing to help me over the hurdle?”
“I’d rather suggest visiting a therapist. I can afford it if you can’t.”
“If I visit the therapist and she says it’s okay? Remember, I mostly got over being touched because I kept touching people that night and nothing bad happened.”
“I’d want the therapist’s word on that, but so long as you don’t ask me to use force. That’s what happened to both of us and I can’t. Or at least I won’t. That’s most of what I’ve been having nightmares about.”
“Oh, Mark,” and her voice was full of concern, “Here I’ve been going on about my problems, and you’re determined to face yours down for my sake.” I noticed she didn’t mention she’d been doing the same thing for my sake most every night since the solstice. She continued, “I think you might want to make use of the therapist, too. Or maybe both of us together.”
“Who are we going to get? If she doesn’t understand what really happened she’ll be required to report it.”
“I suppose that would be a problem. Can we ask RaDonna if she knows of any therapists who understand about magic? Or maybe her great-grandmother?”
“That would be an idea. I suppose if the Elves have been studying our science for years, they’ve likely got people who’ve studied psychology.”
I saw a parking place, as close as I was likely to get, and pulled into it. I shut off the engine, got out and went around for her door. Not because she was incapable, but to demonstrate I thought her worth making a little more effort. Either I had her well-conditioned or she’d decided she enjoyed it; either way she waited for me to open it. I gave her my hand and she got out; then pulled me to her and planted a real kiss on me. I could tell it wasn’t easy for her; her entire body was rigid with tension. But she did it, without any prompting from me. “Alright. Yes, I’ll marry you. Foolish man.”
“Happy foolish man.”
“Happy foolish woman as well,” she smiled, “Now where were we going?”
Copyright 2023 Dan Melson. All Rights Reserved.
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