Cursed By The Gods Book 1 and 2

Chapter 60

Robos sat on a glass throne watching the priests deliver the blows to Octavius'n***d back, on his face was a smug smile and his eyes were ruthless. The nobles had relegated to the shadows for fear of angering the god. They watched with fear as Octavius received the lashes without a single sound, he grimaced and clenched his tied hands but refused to openly make a sound to indicate the pain he was going through. With every rise and fall of the whip blood flew from torn flesh still Octavius refused to make a sound.

When the beating was over the old priest took a bowl and placed it below Octavius' bowed body so that the blood that ran from his back fell into it. At Robos' behest the priest took the bowl to the statue and poured the blood out on the feet of it. Robos eyes glowed and on his skin ran white light that climbed all the way to his neck and around his mouth. He smacked his lips with a satisfied smile and stood up approaching Octavius.

"Now your sins are forgiven. But remember, you worm, that no one speaks lies about gods. We are more superior than you maggots will ever be." He kicked Octavius' limp hand. "You may go back to being king and rule your kingdom right." Then he disappeared just as he had come, in a whirlwind. As soon as he was out of sight the nobles came forward to lift their king to his feet. Even though he was part Daemon he still stumbled as pain ripped through his body almost forcing him to retch the content of his stomach. He let Aprolos take one of his hands while Gtori took the othere. They led him to the a place to sit and threw a coat over him.

"Beg your pardon, Highness," the young priest who had delivered the beatings said in a shaky voice. "I would never have done that to you if I wasn't so scare for my life. I have nothing against Your Majesty but Robos would have killed me and left my wife a widow had I not done as he asked."

Octavius barely heard the man but he lifted his hand to him to grant his permission to live but even as he did so he knew Aprolos was going to have the man punished even though what he did was not his fault. He couldn't even object, he just wanted to go back to his chambers and wait for his body to heal.

The nobles called for the horses, placed him on his and asked that a young fit priest should ride with him so he could watch over him while they rode to the palace. As they moved down the street Octavius watched the people, his responsibility, through half closed eyes. They were hailing unaware of the punishment he had gotten for being a goddess' obsession. He barely raised a hand to them but he could hear Aprolos tell them that he, the king, had come up with a solution to their problems. He hardly believed that the blood that had run from his back would bring help to the people but he did not stop Aprolos from encouraging the people. As they passed a certain place he saw Festus, former army commander, the one who envied his place on the throne watching him with resentment. He bowed mockingly and saluted him but on his face was a sly smile and a look of satisfaction. No doubt he must know about what had just happened.

When they got to the palace Amelia hastened to send the servants away telling them that they would take care of him themselves. Even the stable hands were sent away. Aprolos dismounted and approached the horse on which he sat, slid his arms under his hand and helped him down. Weak and devoid of strength Octavius leaned to him for support. They managed to get him into his chambers without raising too much suspicions and when they had laid him on the bed Amelia sent the priest off to find a servant.

"The king will need someone to look after him tonight," she told the priest who eagerly listened to her. " You shall stay here tonight, by tomorrow send for a healer to look after him."

The priest nodded and hurried to do her bidding. When he was gone Amelia helped to peel the soaked coat off his back and turned him over to expose his wounded back. They curled their lips at the sight of his torn flesh and oozing cuts. 

" You will need a lot of rest, Your Majesty."

"I don't need servants around me. No one should know about this, I will heal."

Amelia went to the washroom to dump the bloodied coat and came back with a wet cloth which she used his cleaning his back.

"No one in my knowledge has ever accused a god the way you have, my king. It is unheard of that anyone should"

Octavius looked up to see the doubtful looks on the faces of his own court. He considered pulling his hair aside to show them Ashterah's brand but decided against it. If they could not take his word then there was no use seeking to convince them. Besides if he were to show them and they believed his story there was no telling what other kind of punishment Robos would inflict on him.

"Believe what you want."

Silence loomed for a long time, the only sounds heard were those made by the people outside as they went about their activities. 

"It is our hope that things will get better in this kingdom we call home. Your father was a wise man, Your Majesty, I know you are too and you love the people. When you're better you must lead us well again."

Octavius nodded at Aprolos but there was something else in the man's eyes, a certain kind of understanding passed between them with words. But it was gone the moment Aprolos looked away.

" We should go now," he said to the other members. "We shall come again to see the improvement in our king."

The others followed him as he went out leaving Octavius alone in his pain and thoughts. He slipped his legs out of the bed and stood up but soon dropped down when he felt a familiar stirring and tightness in his chest. The clutched his chest dreading what was to come and wishing it would go away but it didn't. The next moment when he opened his eyes he was in a red and gold decorated room, a room he hated so much. 

Ashterah stood before him with large watery green eyes and her hand clapped loosely against her mouth. Her body was clad in a red gown that showed her curves.

"I am so sorry, my love." She reached for him to lay her head on his chest but he moved back away from her. She pulled back to look him in the face but the hardness of his eyes made her look away. Without a word she moved to his back a d healed him, even though he gritted his teeth against it he let her heal him.

"You almost exposed me to my father."

"And I got injured for your sake," he countered. His voice was hard.

"I know," she said softly. " I wish you would not speak like that though, I did nothing wrong. I just don't know how to tell my father about you."

" You speak of love, Ash, but you know nothing about it. It is not pain and denial and s*x. It's more than that..." he wiped his hand against his face in anger. His chest heaved, now that he was here he really wanted to squeeze her throat but he knew that was foolishness. He may be half Daemon but she was full god and could easily kill him here in her abode.

" I know a lot more than I need to know about love, you will not educate me mortal man." Her voice was firm and her eyes sparked fire but soon she relaxed and pushed her soft breasts against home. "I don't want us to go at each others throat here. I am sorry for what you had ti endure but you're healed now and the only thing you have is the memory of been beaten, no scar. So come let's make love, let me show you how sorry I am."

She snapped her fingers and the cloth on her body melted away leaving her gloriously n***d. Against his will Octavius found himself hardening. He clenched his teeth so tight they almost broke. When she slid on the covers a d spread her thighs crooking her fingers at him he lunged.