Scales Between Pages

Chapter 12

     "Okay, Epsilon. We need to discuss this sooner or later. How did you get here?"

     "Well it's a long story..." Epsilon started, reluctant to even begin. With a deep sigh and a show of surrendering to the curious look on Tasha’s face, he started again. "I guess I'll start with when you first, um, were hit with that book and disappeared. You were gone and Toni and I got into an argument. Well, it was more of him ranting about how it was my fault that you disappeared and things of the like. I just went back to trying to find my way home, when I ran into Hecate and Aphrodite, as well as a few other Gods and Goddesses, they told me that she would help me and took one of my scales. They asked me what filled my heart and I said, well, as cheesy as it sounds, I said you. They took the scale and sent it off and I haven't seen it since."

 Tasha looked at her hand. It still had the initials in the heart burnt into it. “Yeah, I had it for a while, and then it was burnt into my hand, it was… I probably never let go of it until it was burnt into my hand.” She showed him her palm, marred with the scars of chiseled letters within the heart.

Epsilon flinched at how it looked a rubbed a callous thumb over the shiny, pink flesh. “I’m sorry, I hope you weren’t hurt because of it. I…” He paused as he placed a gentle kiss on her palm. With a silent gesture to continue, he obeyed. “After that, I went into a new direction, mostly to ask directions, but everyone had just disappeared. I went to look around in markets, temples, all over the place and that is when it started." Epsilon stopped. "The screams of all the people being caught and their agonized voices as they were dragged away. It was absolutely shattering. Let me tell you something, the desolation and fear seemed thick enough, that you could cut it with a knife.” He laughed slightly in a hysterical manner. "I left the empty streets and moved between buildings only after it was all over. For a couple hours I wondered, but when I saw an amphitheater I entered and became trapped in a dark hallway and decided to rest there. Then you came in, knocked yourself out and woke me up. I was ecstatic that you were there.”

 “Sorry.” She cough out bashfully what suppressing a sticking laughter.

“Sure you are.” Epsilon teased, as he rolled his eyes. “Back to the story. I took you back to my house. I finally find by the way. That was the house where I hit you in the face with a door. Not that you need any help getting hurt what with you tripping all the time!” He chortled

     “Shut up!” Tasha laughed alongside him.

     “Okay now we will skip to when I left be a distraction." Epsilon continued. "When I got to the dining hall, Toni was there, waiting with a sword. He charged and attacked, leaving me seconds to dodge!” Tasha gasped and became enthralled with his story. “I jumped back, to prevent myself from getting terribly hurt. I did shove him and to my surprise and fortune, he fell and I used it to my advantage. Wrapping my tail around him, I constricted my coils tightly, making him cry out like a little girl. After that I tied him up and went to find you. I did, but you were already bleeding on the floor and I was unable to help you.”

    “Oh.” Tasha was now on the edge of her seat.  “What… What happened next?” She asked numbly, enraptured by every word.

 “You words killed me, and when I stood up with you in my arms, I put every ounce of energy in carrying you back. I was a mess.” Epsilon pulled Tasha off of her chair and into his lap. “But a few people came to pay respects and thank us. Eventually, I was offered a deal. I took, even with the ominous warning that came with it. I would do anything to be with you.” Epsilon said.

“Aww, I feel the same, nothing would keep me from you!” Tasha said.

Epsilon leaned down and kissed her. “Well. Just know that I'll be a snake all through tomorrow, and probably shift soon. I just want you to know that is the downside of me being here. I’m sorry that I can’t avoid it, but…” Epsilon gave Tasha one more kiss before, hunching over and slowly becoming a gigantic boa, that was gray with dark blue splotches. Reaching down she gathered up some of his front end and supported his head, however, before she could react, his tail was being dragged up and over her shoulders, as scales ran over her hands. Tasha braced herself against the couch as all 18 feet settled across her shoulders and snuggly around her waist. Wobbling towards the bedroom, Tasha sat down quickly and felt Epsilon move to take up a majority of her bed and lap. Laughing she laid down after making a small spot.

“Will this be okay?” She cautiously asked him. He bobbed his head gently and pulled most of his body to drape across her. “What do you think you're doing?” Came an unanswered question as she pressed a quick kiss to his snout.

A slight hiss was the last thing she heard before falling asleep contently. Epsilon admired her for one last moment before joining her in the quiet embrace of sleep.