The Original

Prologue

Rhea stood on the edge of the cliff, the soft melody of the ocean waves hitting the softened lower rubble enough to lure her in. The shrill screeches of the seagulls irritating her eardrums of her somewhat smaller than normal ears. Two sapphire pendants laid on the softened ear lobes, their gleam blinding when warmed by the sun's rays. Strands of her chestnut brown hair flared around her heart-shaped face, enhancing the light freckles that decorated her honey-colored skin.

Her curvy figure was lost within the field of Ravenna grass and wild daisies. The bark of her small spaniel friend, bringing a smile to her warm skin. His hair, unlike hers, was a darkened gold that shimmered in the break of dusk. The droopy ears of her companion covered in curled locks, his black snout raised to capture all the new scents.

Rhea took a seat on the moist soil, her fingertips raking over the spine of her loyal friend who laid beside her crossed legs. Arms wrapped around her waist, the soft stubble of her lover raking over her exposed neck. The silkened blue fabric of her dress shifted to mold the indents of the one who held her close.

Together, they sat in silence, relishing in the lullaby of nature. The distant sound of children's laughter tugging at Rhea's heart. Her lover gently lowered his hand to the small round belly forming. The love for their growing child deepened as her stomach grew.

"What do you believe our child will be?" Curiosity wove into her question, her dark eyes lifting to stare at the bright blue orbs she had grown to love.

For the first time since he had joined her, Abraxas spoke. "A male."

Rhea smiled at the short answer Abraxas gave her. "How do you know he will be male? Our child could very well be a beautiful little girl."

"I doubt it," he smirked, a small dimple forming on his right cheek. "I have a feeling that your growing belly is carrying our son."

For the first time since Rhea had met Abraxas, she stopped to admire his beauty. His round-shaped face heightened the definition of his sharp jaw. Braids decorated his ink-like hair, decorated with his slim Viking heritage. Golden hoops intertwined into each braid as they laid on the back of his head. His nose pointed slightly but remained smaller than most of the noses the men in her village inherited.

"If our child is indeed male, Aelius would be his name." Rhea couldn't help but admit the name she had spent many moons thinking about.

"Aelius?" Abraxas raised a brow, questioning the uniqueness of his heir.

Rhea rubbed her belly, her eyes shimmering in adoration. "He will brighten my days much like the sun."

Abraxas rubbed a finger down the jugular of his beloved, her golden skin radiating from her pregnancy. His inner shadow howled to be released, the night growing closer with alarm of his disappearing from the sky. The irises of his eyes glowing a bright blue the faster the darkened clouds roweled above them.

"We have to go, my love." He warned Rhea, his body pulling her up along with him. Thunder began washing in, the ocean growing impatient as the moon rose.

Rhea's eyes sought the moon for answers, her attention shifting back to Abraxas shortly. Creases had formed on his handsome face, worry lines alerting her to his distress. "Is something wrong?"

Abraxas shook his head and forced a smile, whistling at Rhea's spaniel friend to follow after them. Together, they rushed down the cliff, the grass weaving into the trail of Rhea's blue dress. "I am needed back home."

Rhea knew of Abraxas heritage. She knew the man who she loved never belonged to her to begin with. The warmth of his skin ignited the memory of their meeting. His blue eyes lured her in when she was just eighteen. They had met in the weekly market of her village, where she had made the mistake to run into Erik, the man after her hand. She could recall the rough and unwanted hands of Erik on her arms, restraining her from moving an inch away from him.