Chapter Text
Test of Wills
Coriolanus came storming into the master bedroom having torn past Odessa’s guards. She stood from where she had been sitting staring at him. “Do you honestly believe you are going to banish me from this house.” The General was positively seething.
“Your purpose with me is finished; there is no more reason for you to impose upon me or my house.” She said calmly.
“This is MY house!” He roared as he stormed towards her, “And you are MY woman, and as long as I am here, until I return to Rome you and everything else you still have by my good graces belongs to ME!” His voice was stern and his eyes were burning as he looked down into hers.
Odessa clinched her jaw, her back straightened. “General Coriolanus.” She began. “I can do nothing about the fact I carry your blood in my womb.” The princess’s voice remained even and calm even though her own rage and anger was welling inside of her. “But I refuse to be your entertainment any further. If you want a woman then take those who would willingly give themselves to you and leave me be!”
The General raised his hand as if to backhand her, but instead he clinched his fist and lowered it. “Then I can assume you have decided to break our agreement.” His voice lowered. “Your care for your ‘people’ has ended, and I may return to insuring they understand their place before the new governor arrives.” Odessa felt as though a knife was plunged into her heart when he said it. “I have been far too lax in that area because I gave you my word that no innocent blood would be split. But it seems you no longer care one way or the other so I may now resume the customary acts required.”
Her heart trembled inside of her as she stared into his eyes seeing no mercy or compassion for the ones that were beyond defeated and crushed. “There is no need for more brutality.” She said seriously. “They have been obeying you, following the laws and edicts which you have set forth.”
“There are always those who break the law Odessa.” He said seriously. “And Rome is not in the habit of leaving those who might get foolish ideas of revenge in their heads.” He was talking about friends and families of those who broke the law now. Having already demonstrated that numerous times.
“What MORE could you want of me!” She cried. “I carry your child, why must you take what is left of me!”
Coriolanus reached out and snatched her by the shoulders, his teeth grit as he stared into her eyes. “Why must you continue this behavior?” He demanded. “Why must you continue to resist what you know, in your heart, is right?”
“You cannot have my heart.” Odessa stated in a definite tone, Coriolanus’ breath seemed to stop as he stared into her gaze. “I have known for some time that is what you have been trying to take from me. But you murdered my family. You crucified friends that I grew up with, that I loved, that I thought of as my family.” The Princess pushed his hands off of her.
“I did not kill them, Odessa. Your brothers died in battle. They were soldiers the same as I. But I did not kill your other brothers, your sisters, or your parents.” He stated.
“Perhaps it was not your sword. It was your tongue, your word which has been far more damaging to my country and killed thousands.” Princess Odessa had been listening, she had been enduring what happened to her country in silence, but no more. If he could not see what he had done was wrong, she would lay it all out before him to see.
“I am a solider!” How could she not understand that? “Your brothers were warriors; you told me yourself that they were. They shared their skills with you which is why you can wield a sword as well as you do. Why can you not understand that this is what a conquering nation does? This is what happens when it expands its territory and keeps its power! You are a Princess of this country and you cannot tell me that your family did not do such things at some point in its history.”
“It was my family that ended such barbarity! Before my people fell under Rome’s lust for ‘power’ and more land, we were a country and people of peace. Our warriors were trained to protect our people, to defend us from invaders and keep us safe! We have had such a long era of peace that when you and your forces arrived, . . . . we were unprepared. We were not as practiced as you and your soldiers and you took full advantage of it!” She countered.”Such a noble victory to destroy a peaceful people! Is that what you have told yourself, General!”
Coriolanus let her speak, but he was less than happy that her resolve and defiance was stronger than ever. “Perhaps you are right.” He stated. “Perhaps your country was unprepared for an attack. In your quest for peace, you invited this to happen.” Odessa felt a knot in her throat as her chest grew tight at his words. “It was a mistake that had severe consequences. But you and your people have been conquered and made part of the Roman Empire. That is well versed in such things. This is not going to happen to your people again, because they are Rome’s people now.”
Odessa’s jaw quivered as she looked away. The General reached out taking her hands in his, still angry but doing his best to keep a steady calm approach.
“I said I would protect you, and I will. But before I can do that, you have to surrender to me. You cannot continue to fight me like this. You have to let yourself accept that the war is done. There is no battle left for you to fight.” His statement as plain and as clear as possible. “You will never feel happiness again, if you do not accept what has happened and allow your new life as a Roman to begin.”
“I am NOT Roman!” She shouted trying to pull her hands away but he wouldn’t release her. There were tears, and she was struggling hard to keep them from falling.
“The child growing in your womb is.” Coriolanus stated.
“NO!” Odessa tried to push him away but it was completely futile. “No!” Coriolanus pulled her against him wrapping his arms around her.
“Allow yourself to weep, Princess.” He said, “To grieve for your past life. But understand that is over now, and you can never go back.” She struggled again but he kept his hold on her tight. “Surrender Odessa.” He said again. “It is the only way your pain will end.”
House Arrest
The Princess sat in silence looking out of the large window, watching the sunset in the distance. The sunsets here were always so beautiful, so breathtaking. The colors that the sky would change in purples, pinks, oranges and yellows against the blue sky and white clouds. Having lived in such a place, it was easy to forget and take for granted the beauty of the country that was her home. The land itself didn’t change, nor did the sky, or the plants, the trees and the animals. It was the people who had. The ones who lived in the country and build their homes and lives within it.
The General had given the order that she was not permitted to leave the house and was always in the company of someone. Allowing of course for her to choose her companions from her own ladies, but he did not want her left alone with how incredibly upset and distraught he had left her. Giving her some time to consider and accept what he had told her.
“I miss my mother.” Odessa’s voice was quiet when it broke the silence. Her lady stood and walked over sitting down next to her so she knew she was listening. “I wish I knew how she wanted me to conduct myself in this nightmare.”
“How do you mean?” She questioned in a gentle tone.
Odessa’s eyes turned away back towards the sky. “There was a time when my family wanted me to enter the order. To become a priestess and live a life of peace, and love, and harmony.” She said softly. “But then they considered what a lonely life that would be for me. To never know the love of a man, to marry and have a family of my own. But I cannot imagine that . . . they would want me to attempt to make such a life with that murderer.”
“But, he will leave soon? Is that not what he has said? When the new governor arrives, he and his legions will return home to Rome. To his wife and son?” She inquired. “You need only endure his presence a little longer.”
She fell silent her eyes watching as the stars began to appear in the skies above. “I do not think this is the kind of man that will leave his child behind.” The Princess was terrified that he wouldn’t leave them at all. He had been trying so hard to conquer her heart, however handed it was. “I do not want him in this house. I do not want to feel his hands on me, nor his kiss, nor his . . . attentions. I just want him to leave us in peace.”
The lady reached out taking Odessa’s hand gently in her eyes knowing she was struggling with this and was in pain. Knowing there were really no words of comfort she could offer her princess who was trying her best not to allow herself to break under the pressure he was putting on her.
“I miss my family, so very much.” Odessa said biting back her tears.
Feasts and Celebrations
Coriolanus sat at the head of the table, his officers and commanders of his legions all in attendance, and of course Odessa at his right side. The occupation was almost complete, the governor had left Rome and would be arriving in a few short weeks, and Coriolanus proudly declared that the Princess would soon bare him a child. All cheered at the news as they laughed, celebrated and congratulated each other. Odessa sat quietly, not joining in their revelry and wishing the night was over so these monsters could leave her house and it could be quiet again.
As the men enjoyed themselves, Coriolanus grinned proudly as he gazed at the beautiful creature before him. Like a goddess had fallen to earth. Her posture was perfect; she was young, beautiful, and royalty. Everyone who saw her couldn’t help but gasp at her radiant loveliness. It was no wonder she was the favorite of the royal family. Reaching over her took her hand and kissed her knuckles gently. It cause her to look at him he smiled kissing her knuckles before holding her hand closer stroking her skin with his thumb.
“General?” Coriolanus looked over to see one of his seconds approach. The man leaned over and whispered something in his ear and his light expression disappeared. His eyes turned towards Odessa a moment before he gave a simple nod and the man stood straight motioning towards the guards at the door.
The Princess wasn’t certain what was going on but a strange and eerie feeling washed over her entire being. The doors of the hall burst open and guards brought in several women that were apparently prisoners. Coriolanus stood, his jaw tight as he looked over the terrified women.
“Cyril.” Odessa’s breathed, her heart frozen in her chest, her eyes were huge as she stared at the sisters of the order that she had studied with and was once thought to be admitted as a priestess. A guard grabbed the woman and drug her over throwing her down to her knees before the table where Coriolanus stood.
“Seems we have at last gathered the last of you. I commend you and your ladies, for having eluded our patrols for so long. But I am afraid that your fleeing is at an end.” He stated. “All of you have proven yourselves unwilling to accept the new faith, and renounce your false one. You were given the chance to do so, and rejected this. The punishment for which, is death.” He stated passing judgment on them. “You, all of you, will be taken to the square to be flogged for your crimes and then executed by way of crucifixion at dawn.”
“NO!” Odessa shouted starting to throw herself forward. However, having been anticipating her reaction, the guard that stood nearest to her wrapped his arm around her forcing her back into her seat. Coriolanus hardly acknowledged her outburst.
“We are a peaceful order, General Coriolanus. We have done nothing to warrant such punishment.” Cyril said, speaking for the others as their leader. “These women are young, many are new to our order. They know of no other way but to abide by the teachings and words set down for us by our high priestess many years ago. I will accept whatever punishment you deem necessary for me, as they have followed by direction and sought my guidance since the war. Yet I ask you . . . I beg you to show them leniency.”
Odessa’s tear filled eyes turned to Coriolanus who remained silent for several moments as his eyes remained on the woman. The Princess felt as though time itself stopped and she was unable to draw a breath. A spark of hope that his heart would soften, that he would see these young women were no threat to him or his precious Rome and he would not steal their lives from them.
“Take them.” Were the only words he spoke and instantly all the women were gathered up by the guards and hustled out of the hall.
“No, NO, You cannot! Spare them! Please I beg of you, spare them!” Odessa cried. “Have mercy! General!”
“Get her out of here.” His second told her guard who immediately did as was told, nearly dragging the young woman from where she had been seated.
“They have done nothing to earn such a death! Hear me, HEAR ME!” Her voice cried as she was taken away from the hall and it faded in the distance. Coriolanus said nothing, and once silence had settled over the room again he returned to his seat and the meal and feast resumed.
The General reached out picking up his wine glass taking a deep drink, not a word passing his lips as he had never heard nor seen the Princess throw away her pride and actually beg for anything. He couldn’t let himself be swayed by her weakness. She was a woman and he was a warrior, a warrior of Rome.
Desperate Circumstances
Odessa paced in her room next to the window, and could see the crucifixes being set in the square. Tomorrow morning, at first light, the women who had taught her, that she had lived with, admired, and cared for . . . would be strung up to slowly die in the hot sun.
Shaking her head she retrieved her cloak and called her ladies to her.
Prisons
“Cyril.” The Priestess stood from the floor where the other maidens were laying; having cried until they were exhausted and now were quietly waiting as the hours dwindled until their public humiliation and execution in the morning.
Walking to the window she looked up seeing the Princesses familiar eyes looking down in the darkness. “Princess Odessa.” She said softly, “You should not have come.”
Tears escaped her eyes, “I am sorry Cyril.” She whispered.
The priestess smiled and reached up her hand which Odessa took and kissed gently holding it to her face. “Do not let your heart be burdened Princess. This was not of your doing.” She said gently. Odessa could see that the woman had made her peace with her death, and was choosing to walk to it with dignity, rather than cower away from it in fear.
“There must be something I can do. Perhaps . . . perhaps there are enough left who are loyal to my family that will help you and the others escape . . .” She whispered in a broken voice.
“Princess, you must not provoke him further. I know that you have done everything in your power, the power he has left to you, to protect us. We have reached the end of this journey but there are still so many others who will benefit from your still being in the world.” She counseled.
“He is not a good man. He will never be a good man, to condemn women who mean neither him nor anyone else any harm.” Her voice quivered in her throat. “How can I bare the child of this monster, knowing the depravity its father has shown from the first day he arrived on our shores?”
The priestess reached up holding the young Princesses hand with both of hers. “You are stronger then you think Odessa. In body, mind and spirit. Perhaps you have a way to get through to him where no one else can. He has allowed you close to him, close to his heart, and perhaps . . . you may be able to soften it and save the lives of others now under Rome’s rule.” She shook her head, “I know it is hard for you, I know that you despise this man for what he has done to you, to your family, to our home and country. But you are fighting the wrong battle Princess. You have a heart that over flows with compassion and love. He does not come from a people who understand such things. You can teach him. Perhaps stay his hand from further acts of murder and callous cruelty.”
Odessa’s tears flowed more freely, “I cannot bear the thought of you and the sisters in the hot sun, beaten and stripped bare to die such a humiliating and public death. It is wrong.” She whispered.
“We will be rewarded for our sacrifice in the next life my dear one. The Goddess will open her arms and take us to her bosom. All the pain and suffering will be forgotten, and we will finally enter paradise. Do not be sad for us my Princess. We go on to a better place. We are captives tonight, but soon we will be free from all.” She reassured her.
“I wish to go with you.” Odessa whispered. “I wish to follow you and my family into paradise and leave this nightmare behind. I want to know peace and happiness. Please, if you must go . . . allow me to accompany you.” Odessa’s eyes closed as she clutched her hand desperately. “I miss my family . . my brothers, my sisters, my parents . . . so very much.”
“You will see them again in time Princess Odessa. But your work here is not yet finished. Be strong, courageous, and brave . . . . you will be rewarded for your efforts in paradise.” Cyril reassured her. “Teach him, Princess. He has given you an opportunity . . . you must take it. Show him what love and compassion and forgiveness are.” She said.
“How. How do I show such tenderness to a man with no soul?” Her eyes turned downwards, “He wants this child, and he wants me to be subjugated. I am his property and nothing more. How am I to be his lover and still hold my beliefs in my heart?”
“I have always have had faith in you, for you are far more special and valuable then you give yourself credit for. This, this is to be your one opportunity to take a monster and turn him into a man.” She suggested.
“I prayed for each of his past wounds that he has sustained in wars and battles since he became a soldier. As I touched each one, I could almost sense the pain and horror when he received them. But none of that absolves him of his cold as stone atrocities.” She explained.
“Perhaps. But through your eyes, he may begin to see himself, and what he has done. Awaken his conscious, his empathy for others . . . and you may then save those that may not survive otherwise.” Cyril knew the Princess was hurting and felt that she was more alone than ever. “You are to be a mother soon, Odessa. It will be up o you to protect them, guide them, and teach them your values, your beliefs. Do everything in your power to ensure he does not become another tyrant, like our captors.”
“Once Coriolanus leaves us, and returns to Rome . . . the child will be mine to raise. I will teach them that every life is precious, every life is valuable, and to take a life is wrong. I will teach them every day.” She vowed.
Cyril smiled and squeezed her hand, “Do not fear my child. You have the heart of a lioness that can never be broken. You will emerge from this time in your life victorious, stronger, and the better for it.” She said softly. “Now you must return, before he finds that you have slipped from the Palace and his guards.”
“I do not want to leave you.” She said quickly.
The priestess shook her head, “He must not have cause to punish you for such an act against his words.”
Odessa kissed the woman’s hand again holding it tight to her cheek before looking into her eyes, “Safe journey.” She whispered.
Cyril smiled, “My journey has at last come to an end, but I am afraid, my Princess . . . that yours has just begun.”
Agreements
“I know you are angry Odessa.” Coriolanus said sitting behind her on the bed.
“You gave me your word, and then you broke it. How am I meant to accept that? How am I ever to trust you?” she demanded.
“I did not break my vow to you.” He said seriously looking into her eyes; she couldn’t believe he had just let another lie pass his lips.
“You promised me that no more innocent blood will be spilt.”
“Exactly. Those women are all fugitives, not a single one can claim ‘innocence’ otherwise they would have turned themselves into the guard as soon as they knew they were to be arrested. They have remained in hiding, they have escaped the patrols, and they have done everything they can to keep from being captured. Innocent? Not when they continue to spread lies.”
“They teach of peace, love, and forgiveness. They are not inciting disobedience, they have been desperately trying to encourage others of my countrymen to forgive and cooperate with the Roman occupation so that no one else will get hurt.” She tried to explain.
“Odessa. You will never understand things that must be done. All threats, no matter how small or fleeting they may seem, must be dealt with. Quickly, cleanly, and without regret. Otherwise we would lose our power, and more would be encouraged to rebel against their rulers. This cannot be permitted to survive and certainly not thrive to incite insurrection against Rome.” He explained.
Odessa took a breath, “Then grant them mercy. Please. If you will not spare their lives . . . please . . . show them mercy. If they must be executed . . . they need not be stripped naked and beaten marched through the street. Allow them to meet their fate with dignity. Allow them to peacefully walk to their executions. Give them that much. They will not run, or fight you. Allow them dignity in death.” She pleaded on their behalf. “Allow them to surrender their lives, rather than take it. They will cooperate and not fight you or your petorian.” She begged. Kneeling down before him submissively so he knew that what she was saying was the truth and she wasn’t trying to trick him.
The General’s eyes turned towards hers, “What is it that you intend to give me in return, Princess?” he demanded, “Hmmm? What do you possess that you intend to trade for this act kindness. Or did you come to me with nothing hoping that I would comply with your silly whimpering?”
She shook her head, “I will not fight you I will not argue with you any longer. I vow to you, I will be your obedient woman, and I will do as you command me.” She swore. “Please . . . General . . . show them mercy.”
Coriolanus stared at her for several long moments, “This.” He began, “This is what finally breaks your foolish pride.” He stated.
“There is nothing else left to me!” Her words jumped out before she could taste them or stop them. “Everyone else I knew and loved is dead. Cyril taught me the ways of the order. She was my guide and my teacher. She is a wonderful woman, with so many years of experience and compassion. She has lived a life of service and faith, and she deserves more than the horrid fate that you have condemned her to.” Odessa said feeling her passion growing inside of her.
“Odessa, how many times must I tell you that I am a soldier. This is what Rome requires of me. There are traditions, actions, demonstrations; it is up to me to make sure that this country is ready to be taken into the Roman Empire. There is no room for mercy in a soldier’s life.” He said seriously.
The small gleam of hope that Odessa had was completely disappearing fast. She stood from where she had been kneeling and walked over to him resting her hands on his chest as she looked up into his eyes. Coriolanus arched a brow resting his hands on her waist. “Mercy is the sign of a great man. You have already proven time and time again that you are a great leader leading your legions into battle and emerging victorious against your enemies.” It was hard for her to say, as her people were not enemies of Rome so much as victims of their lust for power and expansion.
“You are just a child, Odessa.” He said taking her hands and pulling them from his chest. “You do not understand these things.” The General looked into her eyes and sighed slightly, caressing her cheek.
“But . . . you will.”
Desolation
Odessa shrieked as she had slipped past Coriolanus’ praetorian, rushing towards the square only to be stopped by the guards posted around the crucifixes. After what had happened before, the General wasn’t about to make the same mistake again.
They held her fast, as she struggled with everything in her to break free and get to the women who had been slowly dying. Far too slowly, painfully, for far too long. Two of them were just children. No more than seven or eight at most. Odessa hadn’t known about them until she approached the execution site. Seeing the two little girls tore her heart and she couldn’t simply stand by.
She had heard one of them cry out for water, and some had gone to give them a drink, but the Roman’s had stopped them. They were just children. Had they not suffered enough?
Coriolanus was told when she had left the palace and had been expecting her to come here. “Release her.” He commanded. Instantly they let her go and she fell forward to the ground. Yet instead of remaining, she flew up with her hand around a dagger she had stolen from his weapons chest. She lunged towards the crosses where the children were strung.
But before she could reach them, the General caught her around the middle pushing her away. She struggle at him with her dagger only for her attack to be blocked by the General’s sword. He twisted the sword around the blade in her hand throwing it away. The tip of his sword pressed at her chest just over her heart.
“I told you princess. How things were to be. Why these things are done in such a manner. I have seen you be graceful and mature about such things in the past. I had hoped your foolishness would decrease with time. Not increase. Have you learned nothing in our time together?” He demanded.
“No more have I learned from you.” Her eyes turned towards the two suffering young children, “Then you have learned from me.”
Coriolanus looked at the pain and sorrow in her eyes, and across her face. He wasn’t a fool, nor as heartless as he projected himself to be. And this young woman had had her whole world torn apart, shredded to bits, burned to ashes . . . by him. Most of all . . . she now carried his blood in secret deep inside of her.
“You have taken everything from me, and still you demand more.” She held out her arms, “I attacked you. A Roman citizen. By your own decree, I have earned my place on a cross with my sisters.” She said as tears escaped her eyes.
The General clinched his jaw, how difficult she was continuing to be even though he explained to her at great length why these things had to be done.
“If my defiance angers you so, then strike me down where I stand. End my life as you have countless others.” Her back straightened and she pressed her chest hard against the sword, causing it to cut into her skin. His eyes widened as he saw her preparing to run on the blade.
Thoughts and feelings he hadn’t expected ran through him when he saw her hurting, suffering in her heart so much that she was ready to end her own life to make the pain stop. To end herself and his child as well. It was upsetting to find he felt this way about her. Horrifying to feel pain at the thought of her lifeless beautiful body laid out for burial.
His eyes darkened, his breath deeper in his chest. Before she could throw herself forward and impale herself on the weapon, he stepped back, his anger growing. Odessa felt as though it would soon be the end of her life in just another heartbeat.
With an angry roar, he raised his sword. Yet instead of dispatching the Princess Odessa, he swung around ending the life of one child, and in a blink of an eye, he swung around ending the life of the other.
Odessa’s eyes were wide, her heart stopped as she dropped to her knees on the ground starring at the horrid scene before her. The blood of children dropping from his sword, sprayed across his face and down his arms.
His chest heaved a moment before he turned walking to the distraught Princess. He reached down and pulled her up from the ground, his eyes still dark and burning as he looked at her.
“I have granted you your wish Princess. Delivered the ‘mercy’ you so adamantly begged me for.” He jerked her closer and smeared the blood across her face and lips. “Now you will give me what you promised me in return.”
Looking to his guards he made a motion as he turned marching her back to the palace. As he did, the final cries and screams of death of the ones who were left that still lived on the crosses.
Amendments
“Where is she?” The General demanded when he returned to find that Odessa was not in their room.
“Bathing sir.” The guard answered. Coriolanus had a feeling that was going to be the case. Clinching his jaw he turned leaving the room to go find her. The princess was sitting in the marble bathing pool in silence. She was by herself having dismissed her servants just wishing to be alone. Odessa had washed the blood he’d smeared on her dozens of times. Yet still it felt as though it marked her skin.
Coriolanus went inside seeing the far away look in her eyes. Completely unaware that she was no longer alone. The scene that had played out before her repeating over and over in her mind. Crouching down, he laced his fingers together studying her for a moment.
“They would have lasted much longer. All of them.” Odessa didn’t respond. Coriolanus reached out to rest his hand on her head but she shied away, never wanting that had to touch her again. The General sighed, “I told you. Did I not?”
“I am the last remnant of a defeated and broken people. An outlawed faith. Yet still . . you keep me alive.” She said not turning her eyes towards him.
“I showed them mercy as you requested of me.” He stated.
Odessa turned in the bath looking up at him. “Show me the same mercy. Do not force me to remain behind, when you have dispatched everyone I have cared for.”
Tears escaped the princesses tired and red eyes, as she stared up at him, wanting him to slip her throat and end this misery and sorrow. The General saw the small cut, where she had broken her own skin on his blade. Reaching down, his fingers traced the mark that he discovered was quite tender when he touched it. “It would not have brought them back.”
Odessa’s lip quivered, “It would have delivered me to them.”
“It would undo nothing that has been done, Odessa.” Leaning down into the bath, he took her arms and pulled her up out of the marble bathing pool into his arms not even seeming to give notice to his own clothing becoming wet. “Nor would have taken your own life been as noble as you would have hoped. Taking your own life would have stolen another’s. How would you have answered for that in your afterlife?”
“How can you speak to be of stealing lives . . .” The Princess’s voice raised as she started to pull away horrified and angry at his words.
“I am a soldier.” He said turning her face towards his own, “I take lives because I am a soldier of Rome, and it is what she commands me to do.” Coriolanus looked into her beautiful eyes, the wounds of her heart shining through them. “You are not a soldier. Your hands . . .” He took them looking at her long delicate fingers, feeling the softness of her skin, “were never born . . . never meant to deliver death as mine were. You hurt so much because your heart is so young and soft and gentle.” He rested his hand over the wound on her chest where her heart beat deep inside of her. “You have lived a sheltered life, Princess.” His words trailed off as though there was much more to say that he couldn’t allow himself to speak.
“And you wish for my heart to turn to stone as yours has? A heart like ice that can condemn, and murder innocent children that have done no harm?” She said in awe of how dead his heart must have truly been to allow such a horrid thing to happen.
“They bare the mark of the order, they were ordained and being instructed as priestesses Odessa. There was no redeeming them.” He said seriously.
“They were children!” She exclaimed. “Children are innocent! They did not make such a choice for themselves, their families gave them over to service!”
“Odessa, listen to me.” Coriolanus said in a stern tone, “You must put this behind you. As I must put it behind.”
“How can you say that . . .”
“Because it is what must be done. If you dwell on the past constantly, you will never be able to live in the present or look to the future. You wonder if the demons I create in my past ever haunt me. They do not, because I will not allow them to.” He explained.
“What do you want of me, General Coriolanus. What is it you want?” She said in desperate frustration.
Coriolanus reached up gently wiping the tears from her eyes with his rough calloused thumbs. “I want you, to stop fighting me. Stop fighting a battle that is long over, and be an obedient and dutiful woman to your lover. Odessa remembered way Cyril had told her, her counsel just hours before she was executed. “What else do you have left to you princess. I am your only ally. I have given you the gift of a child, that will be here in the spring. Can you not find some compassion for the man who fathered your baby?” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles.
Odessa didn’t know what she was meant to do. All she truly knew was that he was right. The only family she had left grew inside of her. His being the father, was irrelevant. He would leave them behind, and she would be its mother.
After a moment he drew her wet body against him and held her tightly. He felt remorse that he had hurt her so, but could never express it. Odessa lay her head on his shoulder starring at the wall. What on Earth was she meant to do now?
(To Be Continued . . . .)
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