Part 58 (2/2)

Of course he recited the poetry perfectly as though the one himself to have written it.

”What was that? It was beautiful” I said lowering my lashes, wis.h.i.+ng for such beauty. Anyone would next to such a man as Draven.

”It was from The Shahnameh, the book of Kings. It was written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi around one thousand AD.” He said proudly and it seemed this was the day for learning a great deal more about Draven's history.

”Yes and I will tell you one day who it is really about, but for now you must sleep.”

”No way! You can't tell me something like that and expect me to sleep!” I moved out of his hold as he was trying to get me to lie back down.

”Keira you are being stubborn” He informed me but I didn't care, I wanted to hear more.

”Alright, I will make you a deal, if you lie back down I will tell you the story until you fall asleep.” I suddenly felt about six years old! It had been too many years to remember since I had been told stories before bedtime. I nodded my agreement and s.h.i.+fted further down to get comfy. I knew I was still fully clothed but Draven pulled the covers around me anyway, which felt nice and safe.

”There was a great Persian warrior named Zl who was born with white hair. He was Albino. Zl was the son of Sm and the grandson of Nariman, both great heroes of ancient Persia but because of his defect, Zl was rejected by his father. And therefore cast out as a child. He roamed Persia but it was when he was upon the mountain Damavand where the G.o.ds heard his cries. They sent down a bird so large it would block the sun and darken the skies when flying. Some say it was the holy Phoenix named Simurgh sent to guard the child blessed by G.o.d.” I was nodding at him when he paused to take in my expression. He chuckled once at my enthusiasm and continued.

”The bird took him in until time past and he grew into a man, living on the land but never leaving the bird. Rumors of the silver man living in the mountains reached the ears of Sam, his father and he was soon found by the guilty man. But he could not reach him, so he prayed to the G.o.d's that had taken in his son and begged for forgiveness. Simurgh knew at once when the man's father would come for him that their time together was at an end. She plucked three plumes from her breast and the heavenly voice spoke in her place. ”Burn this if ever you have need of me, and may your heart never forget your nurse, whose heart breaks for love of you.” She said adding that when in trouble. She would appear as soon as the feathers were lit.”

”So he left with his father? Poor Sim...ugh...you know what's her name” I said lamely causing Draven to take my face in his hands and kiss me gently on the lips.

”He did indeed return with his father but his misfortunes were no longer. His father made every effort to redress his past wrongs and when he went off to wage war he was given his father's Kingdom.”

”So what about Rapunzel, well I guess I mean...you know...” I still wasn't down yet with all the names and there was no way I was going to be able to say them with my accent!

”You mean Rdba. Well she was the princess of Kabul, daughter of Mehrab Kaboli. Zl had heard of her immense beauty and went in search of her to bed. But he became enraptured and fell deeply in love with her. The story says, Zal came to the walls of Rudaba's palace where Rudaba let down her tresses to Zal as a rope for him to climb. Rudaba seated Zal on the roof and they both talked to each other for hours, which was unacceptable in accordance to Persian tradition. In the legend that followed, after being accepted by each father they married and when Rudaba was giving birth to the unusually large baby, he soon realized his love was going to die. Near to giving up, Zal remembered the feather of the Simurgh, and followed the instructions which he'd been given that day. He placed the feather on the sacred fire causing the Simurgh to appear and instructed him upon how to perform a caesarean section, thus saving Rudaba and the child.” He finished the story like he'd been telling it for years and I almost clapped at the ending. What a nice story, better even that the Brothers Grimm version. I was about to tell him so when he carried on.

”Of course, this is where the story that is written differs from the truth.” He looked as though still not sure whether or not to tell me.

”How so?”

”What is written is not what happened. Zl fell in love with Rdba, yes but she was a Demon that had possessed Rdba as a willing sacrifice. Don't look so horrified Keira.” He smirked at my scrunched up face before continuing, ”See, her past love and betrothed had been murdered in battle and she was so fraught with grief she gave herself to the G.o.ds to be reborn. Of course by the time Zl came to find her she was not what she appeared.” I placed my hands at my mouth and covered my shock.

”Oh no, what happened?” He smiled and pulled my hands away from my face and brushed the back of his hand down my cheek.

”When Zl found out the truth, there was no other choice but to kill himself to be with her but it worked, as to this day they are still together, it was the only way for her to have him. She appealed to have his soul re-used once sold to Lucifer and he could see no reason against it.” Draven was talking about this part like any business man would about politics.

”They are still around? Like living together... after so long?” I could barely get my head around it.

”Yes Keira...and, well...you know them.” Ok, this was a bombsh.e.l.l! I was still shaking my head, thinking that I'm sure I would remember something like that, then it hit me like thunder clapped over head. I even jumped like it had actually happened. I knew who they were...My G.o.d... could it be?

”Sophia and Zagan!” I shouted making the bed vibrate.

”You are such a clever girl.” Was Draven's only response before without warning my head hit the pillow and I fell into a misty sleep hearing the last words from Draven's lips drift through my mind....

”Time for sleep my princess...”

Chapter 60.

Making Plans.

I woke up to hear Draven's voice and when I heard no reply I knew he was on the phone. I was in his bed as I was before and it felt like groundhog day. I seemed to have had an entire night of waking from dreams and I didn't know what to expect from one wake to the other. I remembered my first dream and quickly shook it away. Then the next one came and I savoured it for a while, even recalling the smell of the Persian sun on Draven's skin. His kiss, his strong desperate touch. It made my insides go gooey. I rolled over and smiled into the pillow as I stretched out like a lazy cat. It was strange, like all the pain I had endured was like it had happened to somebody else and I had a clouded memory of it all. I mean, I knew what had happened but the pain...I'm sure it had been intense but it's hard to even compare it to anything...I just didn't remember the feeling and I knew this was a d.a.m.n good thing! Something like that could leave more than just visible scars.

”Yes, I will tell her, no she's waking up now...alright Libby, Not to worry.... Goodbye.” I rolled around and was surprised to find Draven stood next to the bed staring down at me. From his voice it had sounded as though he was on the other side of the room. Well not anymore!

”Good morning.” I said smiling and stretching once again until my toes curled.

”Well technically, it's the afternoon.” He said smiling back.

”Draven! You let me sleep too late, I missed cla.s.ses!” I sat up and realized I was now naked, as the covers rolled off me and rested around my waist. Draven's eyes flash purple once and then simmered down.

”Keira my dear, I hardly think today was going to be one of those days when you went to cla.s.s!” He sounded exasperated at the idea.

”Why not?”

”You need rest, not history cla.s.s.” He lifted the covers to my shoulders like a mother hen and I rolled my eyes.

”You gave me a history cla.s.s this morning if I remember,” I said teasing him making him now the one to roll his eyes.

”That was to help you sleep so don't make me regret it. Besides all you have been through lately, you need taking care of with some peace and quiet. Therefore, that is what you shall receive.” He sounded happy on the matter, which had me worried. Dear G.o.d, what did he have planned...knitting and sounds of the ocean on repeat?

”I'm fi...” I stopped when he tilted his head and frowned at the word I was about to use.

”I'm all good. I don't feel tired and I feel all fit and healthy.” He wasn't looking convinced so I tried a different route.

”I gather Lib's rang and wanted to know where I was?”

”No, I rang her.” He said before leaving the bedside to get me some water.

”Why?” I asked without leaving the concern out of my voice.

”Drink!” He ordered and I gave up trying, so did as I was told. He wouldn't even let me hold the b.l.o.o.d.y gla.s.s!

”I rang her to explain why you left.” He saw my face drop and hurried out the next bit.

”Don't worry, obviously I didn't tell her the truth. No, I merely said how you came to me in the night to give me what for and we quickly made up after that. I think she got the message because she didn't ask me any more after that. I also told her how we needed to spend some quality time together and that I was taking you away to make up for my behaviour.” This was said very offhand, like the fact he was telling people I was going on a trip, when I clearly wasn't, was something normal...well I guess to him it was.

”Umm...why did you do that? We both know I'm not going anywhere, well apart from home in a week's time but...” he cut me off by banging the gla.s.s down on the side table.

”Keira! Of course I'm taking you away!” He was angry now and if this was his idea of peace and quiet then h.e.l.l must be a quiet place to live!

”Draven listen to me...I am not leaving!” I said folding my arms across my chest like a child. He huffed and raised his arms above his head in a dramatic fas.h.i.+on.

”Stubborn like a mule!” He said angrily. Of course I laughed which really didn't help the situation.

”Are you calling me an a.r.s.e?” He stopped and looked at me to find humour in that question.

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