Blind Fury

Ares sat in a red velvet covered chair next to the large picture window in his bedchambers, watching over Eden and thinking. Suddenly Eden began screaming and jerking in bed.

“Cashius! Cashius, nnnooooo!!!” She was having another nightmare. There hadn’t been a night that passed since she had awoken when she hadn’t dreamt about her son. Some dreams were worse than others. This one seemed particularly bad.

Ares rushed to her side and restrained her wailing hands. “Sshhh. Eden, wake up. You’re safe now. You’re not in the fire,” he said calmingly.

Her struggle subsided and she slowly opened up her teary eyes. A natural response for her, even though she couldn’t see.

“Don’t worry, baby. I’m here now. I’m not going to leave you.”

“Aaron?”

“It’s me, baby. You were having a nightmare.”

Eden broke down and cried. That all she could seem to do lately. “Oh, Aaron. I miss him so much.”

Ares pulled her into his arms and caressed her lovingly. “I know, hun. Me too. I thought I’d lost you both. Thank the gods that you survived, at least. I was so miserable without you.”

“I’m glad you came for me. How did you find me?”

Ares held her by her shoulders, gently whisked a wild lock of hair away from her face.

“Well, it seems like your father looks after you even from the other side,” he answered.

Eden looked confused. “My father?”

“I thought you had perished in the fire and I was devastated. And so I went to one of Aphrodite’s temples to vent my anger. I guess I held her partially responsible for your death.”

“Aphrodite? Why?” Eden asked.

“Because I had found this beautiful woman, finally had a loving family, and then suddenly you were both gone. I couldn’t understand how the gods could be so cruel. She’s the Goddess of Love, why hadn’t she intervened on our behalf? Anyway, while I was there, I had a confrontation with a bandit named Etor. This Etor fellow was robbing the temple and then tried to rob me. Once I had disarmed his men, he came at me brandishing your father’s sword – the one I gave you. I captured him and that’s when he told me that you were still alive and staying at his compound with that slim ball. I immediately went to get you and take you home.”

“Home? Where is home?” she asked.

Ares paused for a moment while he thought of what to tell her. “We are at my family’s estate, just outside of Thrace. It’s a large castle with plenty of servants to look after you.”
“Where are your parents? Do you have any brothers or sisters living here?”

“My parents are dead. The estate was left to my siblings and me, however none of us currently reside here. We decided to keep on the staff so that the place wouldn’t get rundown. They do a good job. And every so often, one of us stops by to check up on things.”

Ares was really digging himself in a deeper hole than he had been with this new set of lies. But what choice did he have? He truly believed that, even in the face of death, Eden would not want “Ares” help. And he wasn’t about to let her go. Not after he had just found her again.

“Eden, can you tell me what happened? How did the fire start?”

“I don’t really know. But I remember it rig right after you had left the last time you visited. I had just laid Cashius down for a nap when I heard noises outside. I grabbed my sword and went out onto the porch. There was a crowd of people from the village gathered around my cabin. They accused me of being in league with the God of War. Can you imagine? Ares and me? How totally preposterous. Anyway, they wanted me to summons the god to show himself. Apparently they had a bone to pick with him and wanted to confront him. I told them I had nothing to do with him but they didn’t believe me. They started calling me a liar and a whore. The next thing I knew, I was engaged in a swordfight with a couple of the locals. Then everything went blank. I must have been knocked out. When I awoke, the fire was blazing all around me and I could hear Cashius crying in horror. I tried to save him. I tried to get through the fire, but… but…” She started crying again.

Ares took her in his arms. “It’s alright, baby. I know you tried to save him.”

“Gods, Aaron. It must have been a horrible death for him. He was just a babe. A helpless child.”

“Shhh. Don’t worry, my love. I’m sure he’s playing happily in the Elysian Fields. You’ll see him again one day, I’m sure of it. Tell me what happened next.”

Eden wiped her eyes and nose and continued. “I remember knocking out the wooden door, trying to make a path to the crib. I was about a quarter of the way there, when there was this spectacular flash of some kind.”

“An explosion?”

“Yes. I believe so. It must have knocked me back out of the fire. When I woke up again, everything was black. I felt around, finding my sword and then felt my way back to the cabin to look for Cashius. I must have crawled around for hours, but I knew I wouldn’t find him. I knew he was gone.” She paused, getting control over her emotions so she would start crying again.

“I finally decided to try and find help, but I must not have gotten too far before I passed out. After that I don’t remember anything until waking up at that man’s place. Thank the gods you showed up, Aaron, or he was going to rape me. I never felt so helpless in my entire life. I couldn’t even see to run away. What is to become of me now?”

“What do you mean, Eden? You’re still the same woman. Nothing’s changed.”

“Nothing’s changed? How can you say that? I can’t see, Aaron. I can’t see you. Oh gods, I’ll never see your beautiful face again.” The tears flowed.

“Eden,” he said sharply. She didn’t respond. “Eden. Snap out of it. Give me your hand.”

She slowly lifted her arm in front of her. Ares grabbed her hand and brought it to his face. He took her fingers and ran them over his mouth and beard, then his nose and eyes.

“Eden, what are you touching?”

“Your face,” she sniveled.

“Can you see it? Can you see it in your mind?”

“Yes.”

“Can you picture me sitting here next to you?”

Her hand moved to his shoulder and down an arm. “Yes.”

“Then you can still see me.”

“It’s not the same,” she complained.

“I know it’s not the same. But you can do it. You’re a smart girl, a survivor. You are going to get through this, Eden. I’ll be here to help. It will take some time, but I know you can do it.” He took her hands in his and leaned forward, placing a tender kiss on her blistered lips. “Now get some rest. We’ll talk more about it later. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Ares stood up and covered Eden with the bed sheet. After he tucked it in under her chin, he began to walk back to his seat by the window.

“Aaron?”

“Yes, love?”

“Will you lay here and hold me?”

“Of course I will.”


*******

Several weeks had passed and Ares had spent most of his time with Eden, only tending to the things of utmost important during the night while she slept. When petitioners and warlords arrived at the temple, they were sent away. The servants had been instructed not to say they were in his temple – or any temple, or mention any gods. So far, things had gone pretty well and no one had spilled the beans.

Eden had made progress in getting along with everyday life. Ares had conjured up a seeing eye dog that Eden named Leader, since he lead her around from room to room. Her burns had completely healed and she also seemed to be in better spirits. But she and Aaron had not made love since he found her. He had tried a couple of times, but she would shy away from him. At first, he didn’t understand why, but he didn’t push the issue. He thought that maybe it was too soon after the fire, after losing Cashius.

The real problem was that Eden knew she did not look as she had before. She learned rather quickly to see with her hands instead of her eyes and she could feel the scars on her face and body left from being burned in the fire. She didn’t think that Aaron would love her anymore if he had to touch such an ugly body. She didn’t understand how he could even kiss her.

She lost a part of herself that day in the fire. She lost her self-esteem. Ares finally figured it out one day when he walked in on her while she was bathing. As soon as she knew he was in the room, she yelled at him to get out and tried to hide her body from him.

“Why? It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before,” he probed.

“Please, Aaron, just go.”

“No. I want to know why you don’t want me to see you. I’m not going to leave until you give me a good enough reason.”

Eden started to cry. “Fine. Then look.” She turned around and stood up in the tub, showing him her scarred body. “There, are you happy now?” she said angrily.

“What’s wrong with you, Eden? Like I said, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”

“But… but…” she stumbled.

“But what?”

“But I’m so ugly now. How can you bear to look at me?”

“Is that what this is about? You think because you’ve got a few blemishes that I’m not going to feel the same way about you? That I won’t want you anymore? Eden, you’re as beautiful to me now, then you have ever been.”

He made his own clothes disappear with a thought. He walked around to her side of the tub and put his hands on her shoulders.

“Really?” she said, not yet convinced of his sincerity.

“Yes, really,” he said, his honeyed voice dripping with lust. “Let me prove it to you, my sweet.”

He got in the tub, sat behind her, and gently kissed the nape of her neck as he massaged her shoulders. He worked down her backside and then up again, getting her to release all the tension she had built up recently.

Although Eden was not completely comfortable, she allowed herself to relax into his magic touch. Soon enough, she heard little moans escape her lips as he broke up a knot at the base of her neck.

“Does that feel good, love?”

“Oh, yeah. I didn’t realize that I was so tense.”

“Well, it’s only understandable with all you’ve been through recently. Are your arms sore, too?” He moved both hands from her shoulder down her arms.

“Um-humm,” she slurred. “That feels nice, Aaron.”

“How about your chest? We wouldn’t want to neglect your chest.” He slid his hands under her arms to her breasts and gently started rubbing them. Instantly, her nipples became hard under his touch. He nuzzled her neck at the same time, whispering in her ear.

“There, now doesn’t that feel better? I knew just what you needed.”

After a few minutes of sensual teasing, Eden took one of his hands and moved it down between her legs.

“I think I need a little massaging right here,” she told him, giggling slightly and wiggling her butt back against him.

“Is that so?” he chuckled. “Well, I best make sure that it gets paid special attention, seeing how you’ve so kindly alerted me to your ailment.”

He stroked her pussy with the palm of his hand and continued to nibble and lick her neck and ear. Then he pushed a finger inside of her and could feel her excitement even in the water. She flexed her inner muscles around him. He hummed sexily; glad to see that she was responding to him.

He suddenly grabbed her by the waist and guided her upwards. “I think you need to sit up here,” he said, moving her to the edge of the tub. Then he spread her legs and moved between them. “Much better!” he commented.

He picked up one of her feet and rubbed it, slowly working her toes and calf, and then did the other. He stood and faced her, both hands on her thighs, rubbing them gently, moving closer and closer to her lower lips. He soon reached them and parted them with both hands.

“Oooww, baby! You’re so wet and juicy,” he moaned. He kissed her cheek and then her lips, quickly probing his tongue inside her mouth while he rubbed her clit. “You look good enough to eat, and I’m sooo very hungry. I’m hungry for you, Eden - and I’m gonna lick and eat and snack on every single part of your delicious body,” he said hotly.

As he kissed and nibbled down her body, he gently laid her on her back. He reached her pussy and blew his hot breath over it. She moaned. He snaked out his tongue and lapped up her moisture and she moaned more. Music to his ears! Then he dove in and feasted on her womanhood. Sucking and kissing and licking to his heart’s content.

His erection was growing painfully hard and anxious to be tended to. He got out and took her by the hand, leading her away from the tub. He grabbed all of the thick bath sheets that were folded off to the side, and threw them on the floor. Then he sat and pulled her down next to him.

She hadn’t said a word the entire time he tasted her in the tub. She just allowed him to do as he wanted. He knew she was feeling self-conscious, and he was determined to chase away all her doubts. And even though she wasn’t participating as she normally would, at least she wasn’t rejecting him.

He took her hand and placed it on his cock. That sparked a small smile from her and she started stroking him.

“He’s missed you, baby. Can you tell?” he teased.

“Uh-huh!” she agreed.

He let her continue for a while, and closed his eyes while enjoying her touch. But when she didn’t take any further initiative, he stopped her.

“Eden, I want to make love to you.”

“Why?”

The question caught him by surprise. His first thought was to tell her because he cared about her, but he knew that wasn’t the issue here. The issue was about her body, about sex, so he answered her more appropriately.

“Because, you drive me crazy with desire. You turn me on. Your touch, the way you kiss, the feel of your body beneath mine, the sensation of your skin to my fingers. Everything that makes you who you are: mind, body and soul, the whole package drives me wild. Eden, you are a wonderful and erotic lover. And I want you!”

“You really think so?”

He moved on top of her again. “Oh, gods, woman – YES! Can’t you tell by the way you make me feel every time that we’re together? It’s so hot that I melt like wax in your palm of your hand. I can never get enough of you, babe.” He kissed her with such passion, conveying his feelings of desire and lust for her, for her body, reassuring her, reconfirming his connection to her, until she finally gave in and began to respond.

He kissed every thought of self-doubt out of her mind and then made love to her for hours.


*******


With Eden’s confidence back in place, he thought it might do her well to take up her training once more. He approached her with the idea and she jumped at it. She needed something to do, a goal to pursue. Sitting around all day left her much to much time to think about things that she shouldn’t.

“Do you really think I could learn to fight again, even though I can’t see?” she asked curiously.

“Of course, my sweet. I wouldn’t have mentioned it, if I didn’t think you could handle it. It will not be easy, mind you, but most of fighting is instinct anyway. Sight is only an added benefit. You can do quite well without it.”

“When can we start?”
“Well, you know the routine. Warm up exercises first. Then we can start with some basic moves. Eden, I also think you would benefit from some kind of meditation. Something to help you heighten your other senses. I know someone who can teach you this. Perhaps I can ask him to stop by and meet you. Would you be open to that?”

Eden hesitated with a response. Her entire world as of late revolved around Aaron. She didn’t have any contact with the outside world, other than with the servants, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for the rest. Although she felt better about herself, that was only with Aaron. She trusted him and knew he cared about her, but other people may not treat her as kindly.

“I don’t know, Aaron. I’m …”

“I really think he can help, Eden. He’s very skilled in his craft, has studied with some of the most devoted monks.” Ares sensed her reasons for hesitating and added, “He’s not going to pass judgment on you, Eden, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Well, I’m going to have to deal with people eventually. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to meet him.”

Ares smiled and cupped her chin to tilt her head. “That’s my trooper. I will send word for him to join us as soon as possible.” He kissed her softly. “Come on. Let’s go outside and start your exercises.”


***************


Even after a week of practice, Eden wasn’t having any success in learning how to defend herself without the use of her sight. She couldn’t tell which direction Aaron would approach her and he took her every time. She was just about to give up on the entire idea when Aaron’s guest arrived.

Ares went to the main throne room and took his seat. When the man entered, he stood and greeted him.

“Seth! I’m so glad you could come. I hope the trip wasn’t too hard.”

The tall, lank man was dress in layers of fine silks in greens and browns with detailed golden embroidery throughout. He had golden brown skin and long, straight, dark hair. He was Egyptian in decent, however, he had spent much time studying in Asia Minor, whose influenced was shown in his garb.

“Well, Lord Ares, I didn’t have much of a choice, did I?” he said, sounding emotionless.

Ares took a seat. “You knew that one day I would call in my marker. I’m just glad that you were honorable enough to keep your promise to me. I would have hated to have had to find you myself,” Ares said sarcastically.

“Mmmm, yes. I guess you would,” Seth answered, stroking his long beard with one hand. “So tell me, why have you called for me?”

“I need your help with something. I need you to spend some time with a young woman who has recently lost her sight.”

“Ares, I’m a priest, not a sorcerer. You are better equipped to help her than I. Can’t you heal her?”

Ares face contorted in r. r. He didn’t like his motives being questioned. “Yes, I can heal her, and will. Eventually. But right now it’s suits me that she can’t see.”

“For what purpose?”

“That is none of your business, Seth. All I want you to do is to teach her how to meditate. She needs to learn how to be aware of her surroundings, without her eyes. Once you’ve accomplished that, you are free to leave. Your debt will be paid. Do you think you can handle that?”

“That shouldn’t be too hard. Not unless the girl is incapable of conceiving the idea.”

“I assure you that is not the case. She is an extremely sharp young woman, however, she now lives in constant doubt of herself because she must rely on others to get her through the simplest tasks. I want you to teach her to rely on her own senses, to trust herself.”

Seth nodded his head. “I can do that. When do we start?”

“Right now. I’ll take you to meet her.” He paused, and then continued, “There is another condition that you need to be aware of, though.”

Seth sighed deeply. He did not trust the God of War. But he did owe the god a favor for sparing his son after the boy had traveled to Greece and gotten involved with some bad people. Seth followed after his son to bring him home and eventually found him at one of Ares’ temples. He had joined Ares’ flanks and, after much convincing from Seth, the god released the boy to his father to return to Egypt, with the condition that Ares may one day call on his favor. That day had come.

“What is it?” Seth asked.

“She doesn’t know that I am Ares, the God of War, nor is she aware that we are in one of my temples. She believes that my name is Aaron, that I hold a high position in the god’s army, and this is my family’s estate outside of Thrace,” he said with a motion of his hands.

Seth was curious about the deception, but knew better not to question it. “Fine. I will not say anything about it to the girl, Ares.”

“Make sure that you don’t.”


***************8

After Ares introduced Seth and Eden, he informed Eden that he had to leave for a few days, but assured her that she was in good hands with Seth. She was disappointed, but not surprised, knowing that he would have to return to work at some point. She put on her best smile and told him she understood and that she would be fine.

Ares returned after a week in Crete, tending to a civil war between the residents of the island, and found Eden and Seth in a small room that Seth had converted for meditation. There were pillows scattered across the floor and candles burning everywhere. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine incense. Eden and Seth were both seated on the floor, facing each other, with their legs crossed in front of them, and arms at their sides. Neither one moved, nor made any sound, except for their rhythmic breathing. Ares silently stood in the doorway and watched them for a while. He was just about to announce his presence when Eden spoke.

“Hello, my love. I’m glad you have returned. I’ve missed you.”

Ares was taken by surprise. “Eden, how did you know I . . . “

“I could feel your presence close by. Seth has taught me much since you’ve been gone.”

“She is a good student,” Seth said.

“Really! I’m impressed. With both of you! I look forward to hearing all about it at dinner tonight. But right now, Eden, I need to see you in private. Will you excuse us, Seth?”

“Certainly, my Lord.” He bowed quickly and left the room.

As soon as he was gone, Ares pulled Eden into his arms and kissed her passionately. She moaned into his mouth, her hands moved to his hair and pulled him tighter against her. Ares noticed right away that she seemed to be even more responsive to him than before. He was pleased that Seth was having such good success with her.

He kicked the door closed with his foot and pulled Eden down with him on to the floor of pillows. They were not seen again until dinner.


***********


The following day, Ares took Eden onto the patio to see how her new skills worked in coordination with her fighting abilities. He was astonished that in such a short amount of time she was able to fend off his attacks most of the time, especially since she had not spent any time practicing while he was in Crete.

“My, my, love. You are really getting the hang of this. Before too long, even I won’t be able to beat you,” he said while thrusting another attack her way.

She quickly knocked his sword to the side with her own. “Oh, I highly doubt that, Aaron. But I am feeling much more able to participate with some success. However, I do not wish to have it put to a real test any time soon.”

“Why not? I think that would be a good idea.”

Eden laughed. “You must have a death wish for me. You can’t honestly believe that I could perform in a real battle?”

Eden had avoided nearly all of Ares’ attempts to disarm her, which slightly frustrated the god. He knew the girl had potential, he just hadn’t realized how much. She was extraordinary. Finally, he used his power to disappear and reappear behind her, holding his sword to her neck.

“Oh, but I do, my love,” he whispered in her ear.

She rammed her elbow into his side and spun out of his grasp, then swung her leg around and knocked him to the ground. She quickly jumped on top of him, straddling his body and held her sword to his neck.

“Perhaps, you are right, my love.” She tossed aside her weapon and kissed him brutally. The fighting had gotten her blood flowing, as well as his, and their passion and need for each other was growing rapidly. She bit on his lower lip, sucking it into her mouth, while she held his head still by his hair. He growled and started ripping at her clothes, moving them out of the way so he could get at her breasts.

She slapped his hand away. “No! You beast! Not here. Anyone can see us!”

“I don’t care, I want you. Now,” he growled.

She sat up and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Well, that’s just tough, lover boy. You can’t have me!” she teased.

“Oh, yeah?” he said as he stood. Then he picked her up and threw he over his shoulder. “We’ll just see about that, n!” n!”

Ares carted Eden off down the corridor towards his bedchambers. She was laughing hysterically, pounding her fists against his back and yelling, “Put me down, you brute.”

“Never! You are mine!” he played back.

They disappeared behind closed doors.


************


Eden lay sated in Ares’ arms, listening to the pounding of his heart in his chest. She lazily ran a hand over the hairs of his chest, the sweat that had gathered there collected on her fingers. “I’m“I’m really glad that you introduced me to Seth, Aaron. He is amazing! I never realized that there was this whole other world inside me. And although it would be nice if I could see again, I’ve realized that it is not necessary to have my sight in order to live my life. As a matter of fact, I feel more in touch with myself, with the world around me, than I ever have before.”

Ares stroked her back. “See, I knew you could do it. You can do anything you set your mind to, Eden.”

“You are so good to me, Aaron. I am very fortunate to have you.”

“Well, savor me while you can. I need to return to my army in the morning.”

“But you just got here!”

“I know. I’m not real happy about it myself. But I have taken so much time off recently that I’m left with no choice. I’ll be back again, before you know it. Besides, you have Seth to keep you occupied while I’m gone.”

“Seth, yes,” she sighed. “I’m going to ask him if he thinks I’m ready for the next level of awareness.”

“What’s the next level?”

“Well, it’s sort of like leaving your body in flight and seeing beyond your immediate surroundings.”

“Sounds intriguing! Then maybe you can come visit when I’m away,” he joked. Ares found the idea much more amusing than he led on. Only gods could do such things as travel in spirit. However, the thought of her joining him on the battlefield excited him.

“Maybe I’ll do that. You never know,” Eden teased.