Olives, Saltwater, and Honey

6

As my seventeenth year grew closer, so did another year of my marriage with Permenides. He felt it necessary to throw a party to “celebrate” our marriage. But I knew very well he only wanted to throw a party so that his rich buddies could sit around and stare at me. He took great pride in all of his possessions, including me.

He asked me to work alongside the servants to plan a grand party. I was unexcited. He wanted the party to be held in the month of Pyanepsion which was only two months away, leaving little time for planning. I bought mantle pieces and pretty decorations at the market place, planned a grand four course meal, and hired the most talented musicians. I made it my personal responsibility to pick the foods that would be used from the marketplace, and I found myself only coming home with one or two meats or vegetables at a time, as I was unsatisfied.

One particularly hot afternoon I went to say goodbye to Permenides.

I told him I was leaving, he demanded a kiss, and I left the house with goosebumps.

My main concern that day was to get at least four fish for a fish stew I planned to serve along with the second course.

I made my way to the marketplace stopping only to smells the wildflowers that grew in the path I took. I thanked Antheia for all of the wonderful flowers she placed in my world. When I made it to the market I stopped by the spice cart to buy a few aromatic spices, and then made my way to the fish cart.

“Ay, what can I do for you today lass?” The fisherman asked when I approached the cart.

“I’m looking for the biggest, freshest fish you have today.” I smiled.

“Let’s see what we can do for you.” He winked while moving around the fishy carcasses.

He pointed out some fish that were mediocre at best.

“Now, I know that you can do better than that for me.” I joked.

“You’re a tough one,” He laughed a booming laugh, “Alright, alright, how about this lovely fish? Quite a few people have been eyeing her.” He pointed at a large silver fish.

I walked over and smelled it, and nodded my head.

“Perfect.” I flashed a smile.

The fisherman and I debated over the pricing, and I left with a freshly wrapped fish in hand and a smile on my face. I walked around going from cart to cart looking at the various wares being offered.

"You bought the fish I was eyeing." A deep voice resonated to the left of me.

"Excuse me?" I said turning to face the person who spoke.

A beautiful man with sun kissed golden skin, eyes colored like the sea, and hair as dark as night was smiling and pointing at the bag I held.

"The fish," He chuckled, "I wanted it."

"Oh! I apologize, but I think you came a little too late."

"I guess I did." He said thoughtfully.

I smiled and nodded my head awkwardly. His eyes pierced mine making my heart jump into my throat.

"Very well then, I suppose I should get going." I nodded again, stiffly.

I scurried away but felt a rough tug on my shawl. I turned to see the stranger, hand on my shawl, mischievous smile on his face.

"Yes?" I said while lightly tugging the red fabric from his grip.

"Name?" He inquired.

"I'm sorry?" My eyebrows pulled together quizzically.

"Your name, miss. I'd like to know your name." As he spoke a loose black curl bounced on his forehead.

"Eos." I said lightly.

Before he could speak I turned on my heels and made my way through the thick crowd. My heart had risen from my throat to my mouth and I struggled to breathe.

When I regained myself I walked slowly to my home. I dropped the package of fish and spices on the kitchen counter and made my way to the living quarters.

The rest of the day went by quickly, and although there was much to do party planning wise, the thought of the blue eyed man clouded my thoughts.

I made it a point to visit the market at least once a day at the same time I had seen the blue eyed stranger. I knew I was in risk of getting in trouble with Permenides but I wanted to catch at least a glimpse of him. But I did not for many days.

I was feeling very disheartened but I still made it a point to visit the market. Then one day as I was browsing the spice cart a merchant who sold items made of very fine leather motioned for me to come to him.

"You are looking for someone, are you not?"

I looked at him for a long time. His dark eyes were warm, his hands dry and cracked, his graying hair bringing with it a sense of wisdom and comfort. Deep wrinkles etched into his face aged him gracefully. I had a sense of déjà vu as if I had seen him before.

"Yes, I am." I said finally.

"He works for the merchant who sells fish, a sort of an internship I believe. His name is Theas and he wants to be a fisherman. Working in the profession, you know everything about everyone else who works here too," He said with a wink, "I believe that he has been looking for you too. His eyes wander, and light up when he sees long brown hair, such as your own. Perhaps, instead of looking here, you should go buy some more fish?"

I smiled deeply, "What do I pay to you for such kindness?"

"My kindness is not repayable; I give it to you because I have seen the spark between you two. I know what that is like," He pulled a locket from under his shirt and opened it, "I had that same spark many dawns ago with my wife, Athanasia. I know you are married, but a spark such as this only occurs once in a lifetime. I pray to the Gods that they lead you in the right direction." With his final words he pointed in the direction of the fisherman’s cart. A lump rose in my throat as I struggled to thank him.

I did not yet understand what this beautiful soul had done for me. And I also did not yet understand why I was so magnetized to a man who I had only seen once. Who had been living in my thoughts, who made my soul thrive. A man whose face I had memorized before I even knew a whisper of his name. But there was something unexplainable about the way I awoke in a sweat just before dawn, having dreamt of drowning in his deep sea blue eyes.

I had decided that the next day would be the day that I would visit the fisherman’s cart. The remainder of the day went painfully slow. Each second ticking away slower than the last. My stomach in knots at the thought of speaking to my stranger, to this Theas, again.

At dinner Permenides noticed my strange aura.

"Is there something bothering you, woman?" He sniffed into the air before biting into a particular juicy olive.

"No." I answered as indifferently as I could manage as I dipped my freshly baked bread into the dish of olive oil in front of me.

"Do not lie to me. Your Gods look down upon that sort of behavior do they not?" He snickered.

"My Gods, Permenides, do not look down upon telling the truth, which is exactly what I am doing." I retorted coldly.

"And do they not look down upon speaking to your husband in this manner?"

Before I could answer he cut me off, spit speckling his mouth.

"Well, I do you insolent woman. No supper for you, go to bed."

I met his gaze, and did not falter. Scooting my chair back daintily I began to walk away.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" He snarled.

I sucked up my pride and walked to his side. Laying a barely there kiss upon his hideous lips, and then laying a kiss on his hand, I could feel my skin crawl.

"And?"

"I love you, my king." I lied through gritted teeth.

"Very well, off to bed with you then." He smiled.

A tear rolled down my face as I lay in a bed that never felt welcoming, imagining a paradise where Permenides did not exist.