City Of The Sun

Chapter 4

*Warning for harmful content*

Gia wore her best gold robes. The Day of Blessing happens every seven days. It has been from the beginning and will occur until the end. Her family has long reigned over the weekly ceremony. A silent burden, the weight of it all felt heavy on her shoulders. She walked into her grandmother's small prayer room, where the old woman sat in her golden robes.

"How is your womb?"

She shrugged. "I don't know."

She stood up. "You have not tried?"

Anger bubbled up. "I have tried. I have tried until my knees are bloody. I have done as my husband requests. If it is a problem, it is not mine."

"Insolence. You have always been insolent."

"Then maybe I am not worthy of being Priestess."

Her grandmother got to her feet and grabbed Gia by the front of her robes. "You will be Priestess. I will not let another bloodline take what is mine from me. They will set us free if you cannot produce an heir." She shook her hard.

"I've tried," she said, as angry tears fell from her eyes.

She released her. "Try harder. Clean your face. It is time for blessings."

She went to the washbasin, washed her face, and as she looked at herself in the mirror. The water dripped down, awakening a memory of a dream. She was laughing as she floated in the most significant area, covered in nothing but water. Was this the ocean? It shocked her. Water is scarce in the City, and she thought she had never seen so much water before. Johnny popped up from the sea, making her screech. He grabbed her and pulled her under.

What are these daydreams?

"Gia!"

She dried her face. "I am coming!"

She took her place behind her grandmother, and the gate opened. The people of the City stood in long lines from the Priestess gates to the temple. Men on one side and women on the other. Those who wished a blessing had their hands on their forehead. As she and her grandmother made their way slowly to the temple, they kissed blessings. As she neared the temple, Johnny struggled through the men. Their eyes met, and he placed his hand on his forehead. She glided over to him and laid a kiss on his forehead. It looked like he wanted to say something, but she gave him a sad smile before she wondered over to the next blessing.

Grandmother entered the temple, she followed, and their acolytes followed . Next came the richest of people, then the workers, and finally the slums and bastards. Her eyes looked for Johnny as she stood behind her grandmother, and she finally saw him way in the back. He made a small hand motion. He remembered she smiled; they had created small hand signals to chat when she stood up on the platform. She made one easily.

"Sun greetings!" Grandmother shouted.

"And you too," the people echoed.

Priestess started in on her sermon from the Book of the Sun. For the next hour, she made slight hand movements as she chatted with Johnny. She didn't want to be Priestess. She would have liked to be anything but this. It just screamed, not hers, but this is the world she was born into. It wasn't fair. But she had learned that life wasn't fair early.

"The sun is setting, my children. Please be safe as night falls." Her grandmother told the City people as she touched her forehead and saluted the sun.

"Thank you," the city people replied and mimicked the salute. They waited for her and her grandmother to leave. Gia followed her to the priestess gate that surrounded her home beside the wall. It was an elaborate gaudy with golden suns. Hard to miss.

"Grandmother, did you hear there were demons in the City again?"

She waved it off. "The Mayor advised it was nothing."

"Nothing? They ate my neighbors and then tried to come into my home."

She stared at her granddaughter. "Unacceptable. Follow me." They walked next door to the Mayor's house. When the servant answered, her grandmother pushed herself inside. The Mayor looked at her, surprised. "Priestess." He bowed. "Shall I get you tea?"

She flew at the little man, her anger clear on her, as she pinned him against the wall. "How dare you lie to me? You said there is nothing wrong with the attack last night. But it was NOT nothing. It was my heir. What are you doing to protect her?"

"She has the best protection and a bodyguard."

Grandmother looked around. "Where is this bodyguard?"

Johnny stepped from the shadow of the living room. "Here, Priestess." He dropped to a knee. "I have made an oath to protect the heir of her Sun or I shall die."

She made a disgusted face. "You chose a bastard to watch my heir?"

"I chose him," Jessup said, coming in, "He survived the wasteland. I think he is the best choice. Who else would be more worthy?" Johnny nodded to his brother, who didn't even look at him.

"Good, you are here, Jessup," Grandmother said. She shot Gia a look. "Go home, girl."

Gia lowered her head. "Yes, grandmother," she said, turned to the Mayor and her husband and lowered her head to them.

"We have matters to speak of," she heard her grandmother say as she left the house. She felt Johnny behind her.

"I’m sorry she is so cruel to you," Gia finally said.

"It’s okay."

She looked at him. "It is not! You do not deserve it."

He shrugged. "Want to go take a walk in the gardens?"

She nodded. "Yes, but it’s closed on Blessing Day."

He gave her a small smile. "Not for me." She walked with him to the giant greenhouse. He pulled out something from his pocket and fidgeted with the lock until it clicked open. Gia looked around as he pulled open the door and pulled her in.

She had never been to the gardens when no one was there. It was beautifully quiet. She took in a deep breath and reached out to touch the flowers. The only plants in the world. Like them, the last beings on this dead planet. She could not help as the tears fell. It was all so sad.

"Hey," Johnny said, and took her in his arms. "Why the tears?"

"I just thought that these flowers were the last like us. Are we dying?" She asked into his shoulder.

"Shh, let's not get too philosophical and enjoy the gardens."

She nodded. Sniffling, she picked her head up and looked at him. How she wanted to kiss him. He made her heart race when they were so close to each other. But then the sprinkler system came on. Johnny laughed, and the sound made her heart smile. He threw his head back and twirled them in the mist. They danced to unheard music, laughing. When the system stopped, they were soggy.

He removed his robes, leaving him in just shorts. "Come on, Gia. For a little while, be free."

She knew better, but his enthusiasm infected her. She undid her layers of robes until she was in her slip. It was white and sheer, and he looked at her with a heat that made places in her clench. He came to her, grabbing her hand, and pulled her along.

He stepped off the path. "We can't," Gia gasped.

"Says who?" she laughed as they ran into the bushes. They chased each other as they had done as kids. The dirt under her feet was wet and soft, and before she knew it, she tripped and she fell. His arms came out to grab her, but he lost his footing on the small incline, and they both went down.

She landed on him. "Are you okay?"

He smiled. "Just my ego was bruised."

She felt his body then. He was hard in all places that he should be. He rolled her over onto the grass, and she looked up at him. His blue eyes held that heat that he had just for her. She knew this was wrong, but he felt so right. Her slip had ridden up, and the only thing between them was his shorts.

"I love you," he said and kissed her jaw.

"I- We can't."

"No one will know. Just this one time. Let me worship you." The need was there in his voice.

"Please," she whispered. She couldn't bear her own needs anymore and wrapped her arms around Johnny's neck, pulling him to her lips. His fingers slid between her legs, and she was undone. There was no going back. Her vows broke as she freely gave herself over to him.

He knew where to touch her, and he brought her pleasure effortlessly. When he sheathed himself in her, they were finally whole. They were one, as their bodies moved. She screamed her release, and he followed, whispering his love for her. Shivering, they held each other.

"I love you too," she whispered.

The warning bell of the curfew siren wailed. "Crap," he said, rolling off and helping her to her feet. She looked at the roof. How stupid were they not to notice? They ran to get their clothes.

"I can't walk out like this?" she said as she shrugged her wet robes on.

"It's okay, follow me." He led her to the door. Before they opened it a screech so inhuman split through the greenhouse.

"What?"

He grabbed her, putting his hand over her mouth. "That was a demon," he whispered. He pulled the door open and closed it, flipping the lock. "Take my hand, don't look back, and don't let go."

She nodded. Johnny ran, and she followed. He knew the alleyways better than most people. They finally stopped at the back of their property. He hit the gate boards until he found the loose ones and moved them, pushing her through. He made her stay there as he slipped into the kitchen. A few minutes later, Sherri came out with a new robe.

"I was so worried," she said as she removed the soiled robe. Leaving the slip, she looked around and wrapped her in the clean one. The warning sound of curfew cut through the evening as darkness fell, and that inhuman screech followed it.

"Both of you inside now!" Johnny said. He pushed them in and followed, slamming the door and bolting it tight.

"What was that?" Sherri asked, shaking in fear.

"It's a demon. I need to clean myself," Gia said.

Sherri shook her head. "No time." She turned to another maid. "Give me the wet clothes." The girl handed her the clothes, and Sherri cleaned the dirt and grass from her visible skin.

"You two must go out to dinner," the girl said in a small voice. "The master is angry."

Sherri looked Gia over and nodded. Gia walked from the kitchen to the dining room, where her husband waited. His enormous face was red as he screamed. "Where is my wife?"

"I am here," she said, taking her seat.

"And where have you been? Our food is getting cold."

"I am sorry, husband. I was reading the book per Priestess orders."

Johnny slipped in and took his seat. "And you? Where have you been?"

"I was checking the house for soft spots."

"Because of the issues with these demon sightings, I will stay in the house from now on. Mayor says it is to be and I will do as he says. Let's eat. I need more drink."

His manservant poured the bottle. "Stay close," he told him. “I will need more soon.”

"Husband, do you know how the demons are getting in?" All the servants stared at them.

His face got redder as he swallowed the food in his mouth. "We do not have to worry about that. That is the guard's duty."

"We have a duty to our people to protect them."

His hand crashed down on the table. "Woman, I will not repeat this. It is none of our business. Now let me eat."

They sat in silence for a while. The alcohol was finally kicking in because Jessup's anger was gone, and he was now openly flirting with his manservants. Gia didn't want to watch it anymore and stood up.

His eyes darted to her. "Where do you think you are going?"

"To my quarters."

"I have not dismissed you yet."

Her hands turned into fists on the table. "Dismiss me? I am not a servant in your house. I am your wife. I will not wait to be dismissed."

He got up and walked past her. "I want to speak to you in my office." Johnny was already up, too. "Just Gia!"

She followed her husband to his office. Once inside, he turned on her. "You DARE raise your voice to me!"

She gathered her strength. "I will not be treated like a servant in my household."

His hand came out of nowhere, slapping her. Her cheek stung instantly, shocking her. Only her grandmother had ever hit her. "My household! I make money. You are nothing."

Her hand covered her cheek. "I am Priestess."

He laughed. "No, you are not. You are a troublesome little girl whose parents were traitors."

"And you are a closeted homosexual!"

His eyes bugged. He hit her again, knocking her down, and then kicked her, knocking the air out of her. "You say that word again, I will kill you." He grabbed her hair, pulling her up. "Sit the f**k down."

He went to the door. "Sherri!" he called out the door.

She ran to the door. "Yes, sir."

"Prep the f*****g room." Gia held herself together. She would not give him the satisfaction of crying. "Gar!" he screamed.

His manservant ran to him. "Get Chim."

The door clicked, and she heard him walk back to her. He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back. He held a letter opener in his other hand. "I am being forced to stay in because of your f*****g grandmother. She said I was not doing my duty. I will continue not to do my duty. I will stay in my office, and I might have other men over. But I will not touch you."

He let go of her hair. He straitened his robes and went around to his side of the table and sat down. "I am a good husband."

She wanted to scoff. Maybe she should. Perhaps it would be better if Jessup ended her life. She didn't want to be a puppet for these mad people anymore. She wondered if he slit her throat. Would it hurt?

Chim and Gar entered the office. "Do me a favor, boys, get my half-brother."

They nodded. Johnny came in as if he was right outside the door. He looked at his brother and then to Gia. Noticing her messy hair. "You asked for me?"

He nodded. "Privacy, boys." The men closed the door.

"My father told me I have thirty days to impregnate Gia." Her eyes slid to Johnny, saw the tension building up in his body. "Of course, that will not happen. But he said if she is not with the child by the end of that time, they will set us free."

Gia's breath caught, and her chest tightened. That is the worst. Surely, he wouldn't. "I am sure Priestess does not agree with that?" Johnny said.

"It was her idea, as well."

Her world fell to the bottom of her stomach. She had thirty days, and then she would be set out from the City to die like her parents. But this would not be her fault, it would be his. When she looked up at Jessup, she wondered if he saw the contempt in her eyes.

"Gia will get pregnant, and you will do it. I know you both had a thing when you were younger. Once she is with a child, you will leave our home and go to the mines. There you will die unwed and never see my child grow. Now get out. And get to work." He leaned closer to them on the table. "I will kill you both if a child is not growing in her belly in 30 days."

He sat back, watching them leave. Johnny opened the door for her. Once she moved out, his servants rushed in. He grabbed her hand as they walked to the meditation room. Sherri c****d an eyebrow. "He is not allowed in."

"Jessup has permitted him to take his spot."

"Do you need my help?" Even now, her friend knew how much this meant to her. How much he meant to her.

"I do not."

She gave a curt nod and a smile. "I will wait out here."

Inside the room, Johnny grabbed her. "What did he do to you?"

She shook her head. "It doesn't matter."

"It matters. You matter."

She touched his face. He closed his eyes, rubbing his cheek into her palm. "We will do as he says." Tears fell from her eyes. "I will at least have thirty days with you before I can never see you again."

"If you are set free, I will go with you."

She shook her head. "It will not come to that. He will kill us if I am not with child. His father will make it happen."

He looked around the circular room. "I have never been inside a meditation room. I do not have the stature to be allowed. What do we do?"

"Undress."

His dark eyes watched her remove her robe and darkened when she pulled the slip over her head. She stood naked before him. He shrugged off his robe and removed his shorts. "I guess we could have waited," he said and gave a little laugh.

She nodded, smiling, taking in his handsome body. "You take this cloth, and the oil, and you will anoint me with it."

He sniffed it. "Smells warm."

"It is a drug. It is supposed to bring fire to women. I will then anoint you with this one." She showed him another bottle. "This is to increase your stamina."

"I do not think we need it."

"It is procedure."

They got down on their knees, facing each other. They each rubbed the cloth over one another. Their skin slick with it. Already she knew there was too much on her body, it was aflame. Her n*****s hardened, and she needed him between her legs badly. She jumped at him, kissing him down to the ground. She sat astride him, savoring him filling her emptiness. She let the drug take over as she rode him.

Afterward, she lay on the ground breathing hard. Between Johnny and the drug, she wanted more. For the first time in her life, she felt empowered, and it had unlocked more of the dreams from her. Johnny had always been in them. They were happy. They sometimes wore strange clothes, and sometimes they wore nothing.

Johnny touched her back. "Are you okay?"

She rolled over on her back. "More," she purred.