Cursed By The Gods Book 1 and 2

Chapter 29

Only the priests were allowed to stand before the gods, the people sat below the last step except of course the royal family; Octavius, Emilia and Angus, who sat at the left side of the temple with the nobles a few steps below them. The priests laid the offerings the people brought on the altar they had made in front of the gods. Helena taking the place of Robos laid her hands on the fruits, wine and bread and blessed them after that the priests took the items to a fire pit beside the temple and burnt them, the wine they poured on the ground.

“The gods have blessed us,” the head priest shouted.

The people cheered.

“They have blessed our lands and seas. More harvest and more fish.”

The people cheered.

“They have blessed our soldiers with strength, made them unequal in battle that we may win our wars and return home victorious.”

The people cheered louder.

“And our women,” the priest turned to Emilia, as he did Willa goddess of purity and fertility stood and touched Emilia’s shoulders “will be fruitful, blessed by the goddess Willa with much children that will fill our lands.”

Emilia cheered the loudest. She felt a slight cool feeling on her shoulders where Willa’s elegant hand lay. Willa leant closer to her ear and whispered.

“I have heard your silent prayers, Emilia, you will have a child of your own this year.”

Relief filled Emilia at the words that made her heart leap with hope and joy.

Ashterah stared daggers at Willa who was oblivious to her death stare. She looked scornfully at Emilia who was blissfully smiling at Octavius at Willa’s declaration. She had no choice but to renounce her curse on Octavius’s fertility.

When the blessings were done and over the old wizened head priest approached Helena, wife of Robos, queen of all gods and knelt before her. She touched his shoulder lightly before stretching her hands forwards, all the other gods placed their hands around hers forming a circle with a hollow space in the middle. The villagers held their breaths and waited and then it appeared, an affirmation that Octavius could sit on the throne of Camelorn. A bright yellow light shone from space the gods had made with their hands, as they each withdrew the people of Camelorn gasped at the sight of the golden crowns with jewels of every kind embedded at the rim. The crowns were placed in the hands of the old priest before Helena, he took them and stood before Octavius and Emilia, whispered a silent prayer of thanks and placed the crowns on their heads.

The crowd hailed and shouted with joy for a new king had been crowned. The soldiers, all under the command of Angus, stomped their feet on the ground, pumped their fist in the air and hailed.

"I crown you Prince Octavius King Philip IV from today."

Everyone cheered.

Octavius stood, reached for Emilia’s hand and yelled with a clenched fist. The people echoed him and hailed the gods approval and their new king. As the people began to feast and celebrate, the gods rose in stormy clouds back to Mount Kpamos, few people watched them go while the others followed their new king and queen back to the palace to celebrate.

The gates were thrown wide, tables were set with plates and goblets and smaller cups for the children. Food was in abundance, each table was overfilled with bowls and bowls of hot, sweet smelling dishes, fruits, bread and wine.

The king’s table had been moved to the front of the palace, placed on a raised platform to serve as the king’s dais and on it were silver utensils to be used in serving the royal house and the nobles. After the king’s table were other tables with similar precious utensils meant to serve soldiers and captains.

People took their seats. It was a busy and loud affair, everyone called for food and drinks on their tables even though there was enough to go round and more. Some musicians had moved their pipes and drums to the side of the palace and were playing a beautiful upbeat rhythm with children and dogs dancing around them. A few young lads pulled shy maidens to join the musicians and they danced and laughed.

Octavius grinned wide at the apparent happiness of the people. He knew they loved him but to see their happiness at his crowning it was reassuring, a king was never to be the enemy of the people.

He glanced at his wife, his queen Emilia sitting beside him at the king’s table, she looked so beautiful with her golden crown that rested on her fair head. She looked up at him, her blue eyes shining with laughter and slipped her hand in his. His parents never had the kind of love her shared with her, his mother had loved his father to death, King Philip had loved his wife but it hadn’t stopped him from dallying with women from time to time. Although Octavius considered himself lucky to be in love with his wife he couldn’t help but feel that he wasn’t any different from his father, he also had a woman who claimed him, one whose insanity drove her to believe she was in love with him.

As those thought entered his mind he looked away from his wife in case she read him too much. It would break him if she ever found out he was a slave to a goddess. As he swept his gaze around the open ground and the festivities of the people his eyes fell on one in particular who carried himself with a familiar arrogance.

Festus.

Festus stood afar from the celebrations with his eyes on Octavius. Once Octavius caught his eyes his expression turned to one of condescending snare.

Octavius gestured for one of the lower ranking soldier to come and muttered to him while pointing in the direction of the fool, “Get rid of that dog.”

Festus laughed soundlessly, the celebration of the people drowned out whatever evil laugh came from his lips before the soldier could get to him he quietly slipped away. Octavius sighed, not even a single day in office as a king and he already had an enemy at his back. He felt Emilia touch his arm and turned his attention to her.

“Is everything alright?” she asked

“Yes,” he answered. He lifted her hand and kissed it. Suddenly he wasn’t in the mood to celebrate with people, he wanted to be with his wife - inside his wife. He took hold of his goblet, held Emilia’s hand and stood up with her. He raised the goblet and cleared his throat loudly, the music tempo died down and the people stopped talking.

“I thank everyone for being a part of this special day,” he said in a loud voice that carried throughout the entire crowded space. “I know now that I have the loyalty of the people and the help of the gods and with these I am sure I will lead this kingdom to greatness.” His expressions turned playful. “But I fear I will have to retire with my wife now after all how else are we supposed to produce and heir if we don’t start putting in the efforts.”

The crowd laughed and cheered.

“So, people of Camelorn, carry on with your cheer and celebrations while my queen and I retire for better ways of celebrating.”

The whole village cheered and hooted. Emilia’s face turned a vibrant red but she willingly let Octavius lead her away from the table. Once they were inside the palace she pulled her husband to a stop and tried to glare at him with reproach but failed miserably when he pulled her close for a kiss that stole her breath.

She pulled back and chuckled. “You are such a scoundrel.”

“Anything for my beautiful queen,” Octavius vowed. He pulled her close for another kiss and this time lifted her in his arms and carried her up to his chambers. He kicked the door open and went in with her then kicked it shut. Emilia slid down his body still kissing him. Octavius pulled the straps of her tunic down her shoulders until it landed in a heap around her ankles, her squeal of excitement was concealed by the loud noise of the people outside.

Octavius lifted her by the waist and walked to the bed with her, laid her on the bed and kissed her, trailing his lips all over her body to kiss every inch of her. Emilia writhed and tried to reciprocate but he held her off and explored her body until she could barely move, only then did he rid himself of his tunic. He slid himself between her legs and entered her, a deep moan escaped her lips as she wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. Octavius pulled her legs up and wrapped them around his waist as he continued with his thrust, kissing her neck and murmuring words of endearment to her.

In his heart as he made love to her this time he prayed Willa’s proclamation would come to pass and he would give Emilia a child.