To Remember

To Remember

“What can you hear Brighid ?”. Brighid clenched her eyes shut so that even the light from beneath her blindfold was cast in to shadow and all became blackness.  She listened intently to the earth.

“I hear the sounds of the brook yonder, the water caressing the stones into passing, I hear the sounds of the lark of the forest calling to his mate, I hear the sigh of the wind as she passes through the valley carrying the soft voices of lovers, I hear the earth sighing for the love which it feels for all things, I hear the silence of the spaces in between.” Brighid moved her head to her lovers chest. `I hear the steady beating heart of a lion` she paused `I hear quickened breath, I hear nothing but love` she smiled. Solomon raised her head gently planting a small kiss on her cheek.  His breath was hot, she smelled the faint trace of stag and ale on it, she could smell the flowers at the side of the clearing everything was clear, everything was as gold, bright as the morning sun, fresh as a morning frost in October.

`Why are we here ?` she whispered afraid that any sound may shatter the illusions of the moment.

`I have a surprise for you` Solomon whispered back , his lips and mouth gently brushed the side of her neck as he moved, she shuddered beneath his touch. `Hold out your hands`. Brighid did as she was instructed.  He waited.  Her impatience screamed at her insides as though it would knock it`s way to the outside, yet she also waited.  She felt something cold in her hands. `What is it ?` she begged. Unable to contain her excitement any more she tore away the blindfold to find in her hand a copper coin bent in to a small bowl, a token of love and proposal.

`Brighid, my heart, my soul and everything I have to give, I give to you unconditionally and for all eternity. Do you so swear ?` Brighid looked at her love,  his soft brown eyes pleaded with every once of his being, his blonde hair gently blew in the soft breeze from the brook, around him the haze of floral spores created a halo, he was ethereal, his chest fell and rose in steady rhythm, his hand trembled only slightly. `Solomon, my heart, my chastity, my soul and everything I have to give, I give to you unconditionally, I grant you sons and daughters and peace for the rest of your days` they rose together in a kiss, he pressed himself against her and she against him and they became one amongst the sounds of the forest. `We are betrothed` he whispered, `Carry my token with you always` Brighid clenched the token in her hand `I will`.

 

I woke with a start, sweat had formed on my body, it clung to me like an icy blanket, I kicked off the covers, steadying my breath, I clutched at the chain around my neck, the penny dug in to my hands but I was compelled to keep hold until I was calm. The room was dark but I could hear the familiar sounds of sleep beside me.  His soft blond hair shone in the moonlight, it shaded the muscles of his body as an artist and he was a work of art.  I wiped a silent tear from my cheek, he reminded me of him, the softness of his smile, the joy in his voice, in his laughter.  It had been a long time since I had remembered my first life, perhaps over a thousand years, yet the pain was still fresh as a mortal wound to the heart. I could not be here it was more than I could bare.  I dressed quickly and silently and left his apartment, only pausing to delete my number from his phone and sigh in longing for the warmth I already missed.

The corridor carried with it the faint sounds and smells of early risers, papers rustling, coffee brewing and the first smoke of the day. It would soon be light, another day was just beginning, for most another day of promise, of wonder, of excitement, for me another day to survive.

`Are you trying to wake the dead Gabriel?` I enquired  turning to see him in the shadowed hallway behind me. `Are you spying on me again, this is getting very tired now, isn’t it?`

`Mistress, please forgive me, I meant no harm, I am your protector it is my duty to keep you safe at all times therefore I often find myself in the unkindly position of spying on you, yes`. He flapped and flustered, I smirked, I liked this game we played with each other. Noticing my smile, he too gave up the ghost and burst in to a grin, a grin that could always lift the blackness of my hearts secrets.

`You don’t have to worry about this one` I motioned to his apartment `I have had my fun with this one but there is no harm done here, we can leave well alone`

`For you maybe my lady but you have cast your spell now, he will be trouble and you know it, I should really deal with this now`

`Gabriel, leave him, I have deleted my number from his phone, he has no other way to contact me, we will be fine, he does not know where I work, where I hang out, we just hooked up in a bar last night, there is no threat here` Gabriel gave a look that was so utterly unconvinced I nearly gave in but he had to be spared, I could not bare to loose him twice. `Gabriel that is a direct order, do you understand, he is to be spared`. I glared now to send the message home and Gabriel bowing his head in submission conceded. `Besides I said` in a lighter mood `you owe me breakfast`

`I know a great place on Bridge Street, fancy waffles?` His cheeky grin was yet again infectious.

`Why not` 

I only glanced back for a second.