Issue # 18- A Shattered Clasp

A Shattered Clasp
*~~~~~*

She enters the library on small silent slippers, his robe clasped tightly to her neck with a petite hand bejeweled with rings on each finger and thumb. Ephra finds him where the ancient hag had told her to look. Standing before the leaping fireplace he strikes an ominous picture indeed. Proud head turned to the flames, Dante resting on his muscular right shoulder, his magnificent body both dark and light, shadows and flame.

The man slowly turns quicksilver eyes to her. She tosses her golden hair back over her shoulders before she approaches him with calm assurance. His obsidian other twists its sleek head to follow her with a soulless eye. Her lips part to ask what he hoped to find here in the dark alone but his next words stall her planned opening gambit.

“Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore.”

It should bring him no pleasure to see the petite thing wince as he straightens to his full height to look down at her. But it does.

”That IS what you were going to ask me was it not? What I was doing in this hall of literary greats,” he sweeps a hand at the well stocked walls,” Alone? Now you know witchling. I am here commiserating with Poe for we are both men adrift in dark waterways without the woman we love as safe harbor. And,” he snorts derisively,” We both speak to ravens. So now that you know what, or whom, it is I seek in……”

“Why do you always do that?” she asks. His face is lost in shadow but she can envision a brow rising at her question so she digs in deeper not about to let him wallow in memories of the past, and of HER. ”Why do you turn to a memory for solace when I can comfort you?”

She nearly gasps aloud when his hand tangles in the sweeping fall of her yellow hair and he tugs her against a chest of stone.”Are you offering me your body Ephra? What kind of whore would lay beneath a man when she knows it`s another women he envisions with each thrust into her?” he snarls tilting her head back so she would see into his eyes.

“A woman that loves you.”

She feels his exhalation on her face. “I am not the man for you little witch,” he says as his tight grip lessens.” I am nothing but pain and banishment and I will NOT allow you to….”

“You don`t get to make that decision,” Ephra whispers dropping her hand from his robe to her side.” My heart already made the choice. Let me offer you safe harbor.” She rolls her delicate shoulders and his robe slides down silken arms to puddle atop her slippers.” Let ME shelter you Mikel.”

Dante leaves his perch feeling the fierce internal battle his master wages.