Chasing Destiny [SYTYCW15]

Ephesus, 403BC

Akantha walked along Curetes Street past the brothel and avoided looking at the building. Just the thought of what happened in there made the heat rush to her cheeks. She didn't want to look, but she glanced over at the building. An elderly man watched her as he loitered in the doorway. She smiled at him and continued on her way from the agora back to the temple of Artemis. Apollo was making his way in his chariot across the clear blue sky and the air was rather warm. Sweat beaded on her forehead and she wiped it away with the back of her hand.

She continued past the reliefs of Hermes and Nike, her leather sandals thudding softly on the stone of the street. Dust lingered in the air and she could almost taste it. Concentrating on getting back to the temple with the olives, she didn't notice the small group of men coming toward her. As they passed, one bumped her and she stumbled. The basket of olives she was carrying spilled onto the street. Strong hands caught her and her cheeks reddened.

"I am sorry," she apologized even if it wasn't her fault.

"I'm the one who is sorry," a male voice said. Akantha looked up to see his tanned face. Akantha was tall for a woman, standing five feet seven inches, but she had to look up to see him. He had to be at least six feet tall and had a boyish face. His dark hair was curly and deep brown eyes looked at her. "Did I hurt you?"

Akantha shook her head. "No."

He smiled and Akantha smiled in return. He was handsome, but she couldn't think about that. She was korai, a virgin dedicated to the temple, and would remain one for the rest of her life. It was an honor to serve.

"My name is Damianos," he said.

"Akantha. My name is Akantha." There were no rules forbidding her from speaking to men. She was only forbidden from having sex with them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Akantha." The smile on his face grew, his white teeth contrasting against his tanned skin. "How could one so beautiful be like a thorn?" he mused.

His compliment was slightly embarrassing and she could feel her cheeks reddening. She looked away and only then noticed that the basket had spilled. "My olives!" she gasped. She squatted and started picking up the scattered olives.

"Let me help," he said and lowered himself down to help her.

"There is no need," she said. She kept her eyes down and focused on gathering the olives.

"I insist. It's my fault you spilled them." He kept his eyes on her and occasionally looked down to find olives. His heart pounded in his chest and his stomach tightened. Her eyes looked up and he smiled when he met her gray eyes. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. Aphrodite had been made flesh and was standing before him.

Akantha looked away when his eyes met hers. Heat kissed her cheeks. Her fingers fumbled as she tried to pick up some olives.

"See how she blushes," he said. "Her cheeks rosy as the fingertips of Eos."

The heat in her cheeks increased and she dropped the olives she had in her hand.

"I'm sorry," he said and picked up the dropped olives. "I do not mean to make you so flustered."

Akantha resumed picking up the olives.

He grabbed the last one as she was reaching for it and his fingers brushed across her hand. He dropped the olive into the basket and wrapped his hand around hers. Her hand was cool to the touch and he held it tighter as if trying to warm it with his hand.

She jumped a little when his hand enveloped hers. His touch sent a shock through her. His hand was so warm and the warmth spread into her hand. The heat in her cheeks rose and she pulled her hand away from his. "Thank you for your assistance. I must return to the temple. Excuse me."

"Of course, beautiful lady," he said.

She bowed her head to hide her blushing. "Thank you," she muttered and started walking again. She didn't hear his footsteps following, but she could feel the weight of his eyes on her. Her cheeks got warmer and she was thankful he couldn't see them. She quickened her pace to put some distance between them, but thought about the dark eyed, dark haired man all the way back to the temple.

He preyed upon her mind and thoughts of him invaded her mind when she wasn't paying attention. She would stop whatever task she was in the middle of doing without realizing it and then get chastised for not doing what she was supposed to be doing. There were days when she would linger near the entrance to the temple in hopes of seeing him outside.

It was five days later when she saw him again. She had been sent to the agora for oil and saw him across the way. Her heart skipped a few beats and her knees went weak. She couldn't help but to stare at him. He must have noticed the weight of her stare and he turned. His gaze met hers and she felt the heat rise to her cheeks and her heart pounded in her chest.

Akantha turned away for a moment and when she turned back around, he had closed the distance between them and stood before her.

"Hello, Akantha."

He smiled and her knees wobbled, threatening to give out. "Hello, Damianos."

"You are more beautiful than when I saw you days ago."

The heat in her cheeks increased. "You flatter me so."

"It's not flattery when it's the truth."

"Truth is in the eye of the beholder," she countered. ""What brings you to the agora?"

"I was hoping to catch sight of you and Aphrodite blessed me with a glimpse of your beauty."

Heat seared her cheeks and she must have been as red as an apple. "I must go."

"No, please, stay a little longer," he pleaded. He reached out and gently grabbed her wrist. Akantha froze in her tracks and her head started to spin from the feeling of his warm hand on her.

"I'm sorry. I cannot." Yet she didn't pull her hand away.

"Just a few moments more," he begged. "I just want to admire your beauty for a little more."

"I really must go," she insisted. This time she did pull her hand away. "It was nice to see you." It was more than nice, but she wouldn't confess to it.

"The pleasure was all mine," he said. He brought her hand up and placed a light kiss on her knuckles.

It felt as if she were struck by one of Zeus' lightning bolts when his lips pressed against her skin. Shivers raced across her skin and down her spine. She gently pulled her hand away from his and gave him a smile. He returned the smile and she felt the strength leave her knees.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and walked away from him. She could feel his eyes following her and it kept the heat in her cheeks. Her steps quickened and she left the agora, heading to the temple and away from temptation.