- •Independence, intelligence, and unique beauty of modern women. My heroes all have one thing in common:
- •375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, usa
- •I would like to thank Mark Stelljes, the rosarian I consulted as I researched this book. Mark, your information
- •Incredibly erotic dream of my life. I really didn’t give a damn what his face looked like.”
- •Instead of answering her, Mikki twirled an errant strand of thick, copper-colored hair and bought time by
- •It was a solid friendship, founded in trust and mutual respect. And Mikki had no idea why she was so hesitant
- •Intended to turn his face to hers—to open her eyes and to finally, finally see him. Then she had touched them.
- •I was crossing the street, and I heard something weird behind me.”
- •Incredibly articulate like ‘Whoo-hoo! You are one hot mamma, Red.’ That effectively killed the fantasy.”
- •I’m more horny than horrified.” She bit her bottom lip. “Is that awful?”
- •Vibrant, deep blue. If hope had a color, it would be the blue of the old woman’s eyes, and Mikki was struck
- •Very hardy. It makes a great hedge, and it blooms for almost four straight months.”
- •Is your name, my dear?”
- •Its light. Slate blended with mauve and coral in the fading day. Mikki knew the colors would wane quickly,
- •I aothing cd hide within it for long. Mikki opened the knife. The little blade was honed to a razorlike edge,
- •Volunteers at the Rose Gardens noticed it, Mikki would simply smile her way through their admonishments
- •In the psychic? I don’t remember Nelly saying anything about that.”
- •Insightful and well educated. They create worlds filled with strong, passionate women and honorable, heroic
- •It was exhilarating!
- •Intrigued, she searched her memory for details of Medea’s story. She vaguely remembered that the play was
- •I will love my sons and daughters, and adore the gods.”
- •Into her throat, so that when she continued the invocation, her voice strengthened and magnified. Had she
- •It took several minutes for Mikki’s cheeks to cool down. She could easily imagine the blazing red of her
- •Imposingly between the archway she had just walked beneath and the second stone archway, which framed
- •It only took a second for her to work the Band-Aid free from her left palm. The cut was already scabbing
- •It was so silent that Mikki imagined a soundless bubble had been formed around her made of roses and cool
- •It’s just a delusion, she reminded herself firmly. Nothing more than a symptom of my overactive imagination.
- •Inviting suddenly beat against them in a frenzy of scent and sound. They were caught in a vortex of
- •Impossible. Home was a nice little apartment in a great location, not a room fit for a princess. Mikki’s
- •Intermingled with ornate trees, hedges, fountains and statuary. In the heart of the gardens she thought she saw
- •If that were true, then it didn’t matter whether she chose to stay or return. Either way she was screwed
- •It smelled like home.
- •If you understood who we were when Nera and I welcomed you, but surely you know who we are now that
- •I had no idea I was a Priestess of Hecate until the goddess told me so herself. So it’s not just that I don’t
- •Voluptuous. Her body was lush; the blue silk lapped around her like translucent waves. Petite Aeras wore
- •In the center of the circle near the heart of the goddess’s flame.”
- •I think of movement and invisible power. It is a contradiction—a paradox. It cannot be contained, but it can
- •Inspired by the element’s personification, Mikki continued, “Fire is passion and heat. It consumes, but it also
- •In warmth and security, as if her mother’s arms were once again around her. With a catch in her voice, Mikki
- •Impulse or hesitate until she could second guess herself. Mikki danced. Within the circle she twirled and
- •In the midst of the sacred circle.
- •In his arms as the power of the goddess transported them to Hecate’s realm. He closed his eyes and leaned
- •In response to the flexing of his muscles, pain shot through his arms and chest. He welcomed it. The pain
- •Vigilant. He had been tireless in his devotion. And he had been alone, even during the brief moments when he
- •In the casting of a circle. She would not know that she must ground herself and use food and drink to
- •It was only when she stopped dancing that Mikki felt the return of her sick dizziness. So many women . . .
- •Illuminate. Its light danced off a crystal goblet filled with dark red wine. She lifted it, admiring the elaborate
- •In the darkest shadows, washing around her and causing the hair on her body to prickle. “It is a belief to
- •It was totally fucking Loony Tunes.
- •Is not appropriate. What I did for you is out of duty. It is why Hecate called me into her service. Do you
- •Instantly, he halted. “Have care where you step. The glass can cut through the soles of your slippers.” The
- •Impossible that I was aware again. At first I sensed you, but I could not see you. I only knew your presence.”
- •It was so beautiful that it weakened the disbelief and cynicism she had learned from a very young age to carry
- •Intelligent gray eyes looked unnaturally mature and out of place in the goddess’s smooth young face. “I rarely
- •I may be older, but that also means I’ve lived through more experiences, so I suggest they watch their silly
- •Important in either her mother’s or her grandmother’s life. Not that either of them hadn’t been wonderful,
- •Interior? Now she was saying that beauty was everything.
- •Vast forest, a kind of netherworld, which is the crossroads between reality and magick. On one side of the
- •Instincts, Mikado. Allow your spirit and the knowledge held in your blood to guide you, and you will do well .
- •Various other types of mantles.” Taking a wide, soft brush from the vanity dresser, Gii fussed with Mikki’s
- •Voice rumbled intimately between them. If‘Ђfro
- •Inexperienced young girl, had called him back to her without knowing for sure what she wanted to say.
- •It’s your turn to listen and answer.”
- •I can’t do it on my own, so the women are going to have to help me.”
- •Ignored the lingering soreness in her body and the vague nausea she seemed unable to get rid of and looked
- •Ignoring Gii’s sudden surprised intake of breath, Mikki tilted her head in what she liked to think was a
- •I have to finish up here and then take a bath or something because I am definitely a mess and—”
- •It seemed that these roses were greener and healthier than those in the rest of the realm. Beyond the beds of
- •It was true, but she squelched the thought, pulling her mind from the beast to the mystery that surrounded the
- •I’ll definitely need you in the morning. I’m going to have breakfast with the four Elementals. Could you be
- •Instead of being included in one of their groups at lunch . . .
- •In handy in your line of work.”
- •If he was afraid of crushing it.
- •It’s a great resource for me. Now I don’t have to worry about not knowing my way around.” She couldn’t
- •In entering her bed, the very thought of which was abhorrent to her. The sight of me was a constant reminder
- •I should not be here with you.”
- •It was impossible between them because he was making it that way. It was as if there was some kind of
- •If she asked the goddess outright and Hecate commanded her to stay away from him, then what would she
- •In return; she had shivered beneath his lips.
- •If he would be the only one to pay the price, he would gladly do so. He knew it for truth, even though the
- •Imagined that she was preparing to summon the Elementals and begin her day. He, too, must begin his. She
- •Ink, and she’d drawn her own considerably less-attractive lines to quarter the blueprint. “As I said before,
- •In the dirt as she demonstrated exactly how the earth needed to be worked around the roots of the bushes.
- •It had taken Mikado longer to inspect the southern section of the gardens. The roses were more ill there,
- •Its shadows to him and attempt to cloak himself from prying eyes. There he would rest and perhaps drink
- •Intoxicating than wine could ever be. Then he realized what she had said and commanded himself to stop
- •It was the exact green of her eyes. She knew it flattered her, just as she knew Daphne had brought it to her at
- •It was okay for her to touch him. But his only movement was the pounding of his heart and the drawing of his
- •View of the torch-lit gardens. The north side of the hall held door after door, each ornately carved with mystic
- •If they like the wish, they turn it into a dream.”
- •Is a dream you will grant.”
- •In Tulsa when you started coming to me in my dreams—and I didn’t even know the man within you then.
- •It was not enough! The beast within him roared.
- •Into stone. She pulled away, but only by a hand’s width, so she could meet his eyes.
- •Into the marble troughs that stretched from its base outward and all the way to the four corners of the
- •Invoked the spells?” Gii said.
- •Imagine what was going to go on in the women’s wing tonight. I wish the same thing was going on in my
- •Is that Crete?”
- •Into the realm.”
- •In the middle of which sat a huge pallet covered with more pelts. This is where he sleeps. The thought sent a
- •Voluptuous swell of her ass.
- •Imagined knowing the joy of.”
- •It is your love that sustains us.” He closed his eyes and buried his head in her hair, willing himself not to
- •In the mundane world. He would still be without her, but Asterius could live with that. He would miss her for
- •Inhumanly feral grace that the comparison was jarring. She didn’t desire the golden man, but she did feel a
- •In some harmless flirtation. And why not? She felt amazingly pretty and completely loved. But that didn’t
- •It is not. Perhaps he will choose to keep you to himself while we visit the women in the rest of your pathetic
- •Instantly, Asterius checked his attack.
- •It is the goddess you must beseech in the future.” Without another word, the Titan disappeared from the
- •Very much alive. Slowly, she lifted her eyes to meet her lover’s.
- •Victory for them. If they can taint your life, even after they’ve been banished, then they haven’t truly been
- •Idiot! Do you have bandages? Ugh—some of these look like they need stitches. There has to be a doctor in
- •In the barely controlled strength of his thrusts. Mikki didn’t close her eyes. She wanted to see him, to watch
- •Violently. Mikki pulled back to see that his eyes were closed and tears were slowly tracking their way down
- •Violence was left to disturb you.” Gii’s voice shook, and her face was deathly pale. “They’re dying, Empousa.
- •Varieties, with their double blooms and abundant midseason and fall repeat blossoming. But why had these
- •Irrigation for the realm. Is that true?”
- •In the spring they would grow back and be healthier and hardier than before. Roses were survivors—not the
- •Imagine it, and so she refused to think about it. She would do what she had to do when the time came. Until
- •Into the walls of the cave and lighting more torches until the bedroom was alive with warmth and light. He
- •Into the heart of the gardens. Mikki didn’t allow her mind to wander. She hurried up the stairs, barely glancing
- •Into Asterius’s bed . . .
- •I began to hope that perhaps Hecate had allowed me to live for so longt o±ђ† for another reason.” Sevillana’s
- •Is only part of my name. I rarely use my family name—it is too difficult for me to hear it and to know that I
- •Very least, forced me back to face Hecate’s wrath. Instead, he said one small thing and then stepped aside and
- •It all made horrible sense. Asterius’s behavior when they first met and were attracted to each other . . . How
- •Into the meadow, followed by a group of young, beautiful women. Their flowing chitons were draped
- •In the shadows, Hecate smiled and patted one of her great beasts on his dark head.
- •Into eyes that were so big and blue and beautifully dark lashed that she suddenly and moronically forgot her
- •I’m not sure whether to get her another dog, get her some Prozac or take her for a visit to the pet psychic.”
- •Interested in women like me.”
Imagine it, and so she refused to think about it. She would do what she had to do when the time came. Until
then, she wouldn’t waste the hours she had with him mourning the future.
“I want to paint you.”
Mikki jumped and made a little “squee” sound.
Eyes still closed, his chest vibrated with his low laughter. She smacked his belly. “I thought you were asleep.”
“I cannot possibly sleep with you touching me like that,” he said.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize . . .” She started to pull her hand back, and he caught her wrist.
“I do not mind.” He let loose her wrist and smiled when she continued to trace a soft path over his stomach.
“I still want to paint you.”
“You already sketched me.”
“Yes, but I want to paint you, too. Just as you are now. I want your image on the walls of my bedchamber.”
He didn’t say “so I can remember you when you’re old and/or dead,” but Mikki’s mind shouted the words in
her head, along with words that whispered that he might need the painting to remind him of her much sooner
than either of them expected. She pushed down her morbid thoughts, but suddenly she wanted desperately for
him to paint her—for him to capture even just a piece of what they had so he would remember . . .
“Would you do it tonight? Now?” she asked.
Asterius opened his eyes and studied her. “Yes,” he said slowly. “I will paint your portrait tonight.”
Mikki watched as he left their bed and began gathering bowls and brushes from niches that had been carved
Into the walls of the cave and lighting more torches until the bedroom was alive with warmth and light. He
hadn’t bothered to get dressed beyond the linen wrap he’d slung haphazardly around his hips. She was struck
again by the raw power and untamed beauty of his body. He was beast, man, and god, all mixed together to
form a miracle, and there was only one thing she wanted more than to spend her life by his side.
When he had readied the paints and had a brush in his hand, she sat up and smiled at him. “Okay, how do you
want me to pose?”
He walked over to the sleeping pallet and gently pressed her back so she was lying on her side as she had
been when he’d been beside her. He spread her hair out around her so it made a copper veil on the creamcolored
pelt. He positioned her hands so one was draped over her head and the other lay, palm down, on the
pallet next to her, as if she hadven±Ђ† just caressed him. Then he pulled the blanket that had been covering
her from her waist down off her, leaving her naked. She raised an eyebrow at him.
His lips tilted up. “Are you cold?”
“If I am, will you warm me up?”
His laugh rumbled between them. “When I am finished. For right now, just lie still and close your eyes.” He
went back to the clay pots and brushes.
“Do I have to close my eyes? I’d rather watch you.”
He looked over his shoulder at her. “It will forever be a surprise to me that you enjoy looking at me.”
“I like to do more than look.” She smiled seductively.
“Do not move,” he chided, but his smile was clearly indulgent.
He began painting, working with bold, fast strokes, which he painted right over the top of the Tulsa Rose
Garden scene, causing the garden to be cast in the background, as if he was superimposing one view of reality
over another.
“Can I talk to you while you do that, or do you need to concentrate?” Mikki whispered, a little awed by the
beautiful, glistening version of her that was taking form.
“You may talk. I may not answer, though. Sometimes I forget where I am when I paint.”
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“In my old world they call that The Zone. I read an article on it once. It happens to artists and authors and
athletes. Something about brain endorphins. It’s supposed to mean you’re doing something right if you can
find The Zone.”
Asterius grunted.
“Do you always get in The Zone when you paint?” she asked.
“Yes. Usually.” He squinted as he studied her and then turned back to the cave wall and drew the long,
curving line of her waist, hip and leg.
She watched him paint and thought about his talent and the beauty he seemed to so easily create, even though
he had, for centuries, been an outcast. Please, Gii, keep your word. Then she pulled her mind from the
handmaiden’s promise, afraid Asterius would study her face too closely and be able to read her melancholy
thoughts.
She needed to think of him instead. As he was then—as he had been earlier—passionate, tender, loving and
full of surprises like the exquisite paintings he could produce. Which reminded her . . .
“Asterius, who is the woman you drew on the wall of the front room?”
His hand stilled mid-stroke. Without looking at her he said, “It is Pasiphea, my mother.”
“I thought so,” she said. And she had. Asterius wasn’t adding her picture to his wall as he would a trophy. He
wouldn’t do that—he wouldn’t even think that way. “She’s very beautiful.”
“That pa±Ђ† is how I remember her.”
Mikki wanted to ask him to please remember her as beautiful, too. To please forget her faults and the pain of
their parting after she was gone. To just remember how much they loved. But she knew she couldn’t. All she
could do was to hope that when the time came he would forgive her for being mortal. Mikki closed her eyes,
afraid if she kept looking at him she would blurt out what she was thinking—admit everything and beg him to
help her find another way out of this mess.
Somehow, Mikki slept. She only knew it because the next time she opened her eyes the room was much
dimmer and Asterius was sleeping beside her. She lay there for a few moments, listening to him take deep,
regular breaths. Then, tentatively, she eased up from their bed. Quietly, she wrapped herself in a length of
chiton she’d discarded earlier. She didn’t look at the wall until she had the material fastened at her shoulder.
Then she stared, pressing her hand to her mouth to stop her gasp. He had made her look like a goddess! Her
painted image was sleeping, with a slight upturn to her lips, as if she had been having a lovely dream. Her skin
looked touchable, her body lush and inviting. And he hadn’t painted her lying on his pallet. He’d painted her
sleeping on a bed of rose petals—specifically, Mikado rose petals.
She turned back to the bed and looked at him, wishing she could wake him up and make love to him. But she
couldn’t take the chance. She had to check on the roses. If my instincts are wrong, she promised herself, I’ll
come back and wake him up and make love to him all morning. Without looking at him again, Mikki padded
on bare, silent feet from the room.
The sun hadn’t risen yet, but the eastern sky was starting to turn from night’s black to a gray that would soon
welcome dawn. The grass was cold and damp under her bare feet as she followed the path around the base of
the cliff to the stairs that would lead her up past the hot springs baths, around to her balcony, and then down