Unconscious
I didn’t have my full faculties about me when I turned to my primal self. It was like my modern self was in sleep mode but my consciousness was pulled into what looked like a white room. At first, I thought I was dead because it felt like where I was what others described as Heaven. I looked around and immediately remembered this place from previous interactions with Aphrodite, “Am I dreaming or am I dead?” I saw a small purple glowing orb that flashed and manifested into a beautiful woman. She was the same height as me and looking at her closer, it was almost like looking in the mirror. The only difference between this woman and I was that she was fair skinned whereas my skin was olive toned. She smiled at me, “You are not dreaming nor are you dead, child. You are in my realm.” She spread her arms out showing me around. I gasped knowing the voice of the woman who was speaking to me, “Aphrodite?” She nodded, “I pulled your consciousness here to protect your mind from what you are currently doing.” I looked at her confused, “What am I doing now?” She pulled her hands behind her back which caused her chest to poke forward. The white robes shifted on her bosom as she started pacing, “I’m afraid that you are currently trying to feast on Derek.” A wrinkle appeared between my brow to further the look of confusion, “Why would I do that?” She sighed, “You were poisoned by The Order, they brought out the primal part of your DNA that was locked away centuries ago by the witches. I cannot stop what is happening to your body, but I can keep your soul safe.”
My heart, if it can be called that in this state, was racing in distress of my having likely harmed Derek. He was a very flirtatious guy so any suggestion of mine and he would be putty in my hands. I looked at her, “Is there a way to speak with Grand Pretre? I know she’s likely the only one you can communicate.” She furrowed her brow, “I cannot. She is touched by a very different god. I am not allowed to interfere with her.” I sighed, “It was worth a shot. Thank you, Aphrodite. I guess I couldn’t really ask this of you.” She giggled which was sweet to my ears, “Oh I am afraid that you misunderstand. As one touched by a goddess yourself, you are allowed to speak with Saraphia. I cannot.” I looked down, “And who is Saraphia?” She giggled again, “I am sorry, I forget that semi-mortals refer to her as Grand Pretre. She had a name before she was ordained.” I sighed, “How would I go about contacting her then?” She shushed me and cocked her head to the side as if she was listening for something.
She snapped her fingers, “Dear Hypnos, would you please come to me?” A light blue orb appeared in this space next to her and flashed brightly, next to her stood a tall man that could rival Derek in height. He didn’t look at me but stared at Aphrodite, “You summoned me lovely one?” She waved her hand at me, “My ward would like to appear in a dream, can you make this happen?” He swept his eyes towards me and stared at me then started sizing me up. He gave me a seductive smirk, “My, she is gorgeous. She clearly is your ward lovely one. Since she has graced me with her beautiful presence, I will grant this of her.” He stepped forward and towered over me, “I do have one small favor to ask of you, lovely.” I peered up into his face which was relaxed, and he exuded a calmness to him. I had imagined in that moment that if anyone else in my family was touched by a god it would be my grandfather by Hypnos. I drew in a calming breath and spoke, “What would that be your god…ness?” Aphrodite giggled, “You don’t have to be formal with us child. You are my ward and considered an equal here. He’s more like an uncle to you.” At those words he bristled a little, “Lovely one, saying that you make my request to lovely very hard to swallow.” He peered into my eyes and cupped my cheek, “Lovely, please grant me my wish of you.” I furrowed my brows, “What could I do for you that you cannot do for yourself? You are a god, and I am a fragile mortal.” He chuckled, “You are of the blessed children, you are not merely mortal as the humans are. You are semi-mortal. Aphrodite has been lacking in your education.”
At that Aphrodite manifested a white and gold like throne with a side table. The table then had a teacup manifested on it. She sighed, “I am not normally able to contact my ward. The witch Vanessa has placed a magical tool upon her wrist. It appears that I have endowed too much of myself in this child. Their King is getting in contact with Zebinezer to correct this.” He nodded not looking at her but staring at me, “That explains it.” He picked up a strand of my hair and kissed it, “Lovely, you must let me taste your lips. That is the toll I am requesting from you to enter the dreams of Saraphia.” My eyes widened when he essentially said he wanted to kiss me, “Can I ask why that prospect is so tempting to you Hypnos?” He closed his eyes as if savoring an experience in his mind, “Say it again.” I cocked my head to the side and looked up at him again, “Say what?” He opened his eyes and peered down at me, “My name. It is like sweet honey coming out of your beautiful lips.” I was taken back by these words, “Hypnos.” He closed his eyes again savoring my name. He opened them and smiled, “Thank you. To answer your question, I think you are the second most gorgeous creature I have ever set eyes upon. The memory of kissing you will be something I can play in my dreams over and over again. This is a price of a toll that is priceless to me. Once you bestow this experience upon me, I can help you whenever you need me. Granted, of course, Aphrodite allows it.” He looked back at her, and her violet eyes stared at him over her teacup as she sipped whatever it was that was in the cup. She pulled the cup away to reveal her rosy lips smiling back at him.
She contemplated for a little while, “I will allow it, but you must promise to ask no more favors of my ward. She may give you any gift she chooses to from her on if she so chooses but never ask anything. You said yourself that her kiss would be priceless.” He looked back at me, “I agree to these terms. Would you please bestow this favor upon me?” I looked down for a little while then looked back at Aphrodite who was still smiling, “Who was the first?” I looked up at him and he smiled, “Aphrodite of course. She would never let me kiss her and I could never ask her this favor.” I drew a small breath in through my nose, “Okay, you may have this favor.” He smiled and drew me up into his arms as if he was carrying his bride across the threshold to their new home. I gasped at the action, “What are you doing?!” He chuckled, “Lovely, I will kiss you from here and then we can go. This would be easiest if I were to carry you.” I closed my eyes to calm myself when I felt the warming calm of his lips meeting with mine. I wrapped my hands around his neck embracing the sensation. It was like kissing a dream itself, indescribable yet unforgettable.
Suddenly I heard Saraphia’ gentle questioning voice, “Alexandra?” I opened my eyes, and I was standing in a room with a four-post bed. I looked at her and she looked confused, next to me was Hypnos who was holding my hand. He looked down at me, “I can only hold this for so long and you will have to keep in contact with me, Lovely. Thank you so very much for my reward, I shall cherish it.” I nodded at him and looked at Saraphia, “Grand Pretre, I so desperately need your help.” Her eyes widened with the understanding that she was in a dream and that I was communicating with her, “What is it that you need? Are you okay?” She looked at Hypnos and then back at me, “I had been poisoned by The Order.” She nodded, “I did not know what they did to you specifically, but I knew you would need me.” I nodded understanding what she meant, “I am told that I am currently feasting on The Chalshin. Is there a way that you can contact them?” She held up a finger and said, “I need you wise one.” Suddenly a figure appeared that looked at Hypnos then at me, “Did Aphrodite put you up to this?” Hypnos nodded, “Yes, Brigit. She knew that coming to Saraphia directly would anger you since she knows that you are not really friendly with her.” Her eyes flashed a green light, “Luckily, I am quite fond of her ward. I watch over her and she is a lovely child.” Hypnos smiled and nodded, “She is. If I could, I would keep her and dote on her forever.” The smile from Brigit’s face went away, “Too bad, I have a purpose for her. She has a destiny to fulfill. Her child was promised to me by the All Mighty.” He bristled at the sternness of her words, “I am sorry Brigit, I was merely agreeing with you. I will be able to dote on her when she summons me. I am forever in her debt.” The smile returned to Brigit’s face, “As long as you know your place.” She looked at me, “Now child, I see that you are currently seducing the one they call The Chalshin.” I gasped in unison with Hypnos, and I looked up at him to see that he was horrified. I looked back at Brigit, “Seducing him? Is he okay?” She raised her arms and showed me a scene where I am leading him to his bed and climbing on top of him. Straddling him and kissing him on his neck and collar bone, I could see my sharp teeth as I sink them into his flesh. I cringed and closed my eyes. Tears started rolling down my face, “I hate this. He is such a good person that I don’t want him hurt. Is there anything to be done?” Brigit looked a Saraphia, “You will need to send Jean to Blackwood with this potion.” She looked at me and smiled, “This potion will grant you the ability to regain consciousness for a short time to speak with your dear ones. They will help you understand what to do. Once it wears off, your soul will be sent back to Aphrodite. Hypnos’ hand jerked and I looked up at him, “Lovely, I am afraid that we must go back to Eden now.”
