B) A THOUSAND NIGHTS
Night, high moon. The penthouse studio saw the silver light filling every inch of it’s manor-like interior, bathed in gradual pale touches as the steel blinds opened with a hum.
“You overslept, love….” – she said, as he pressed on the controls.
“I’ve earned it, dear Dejah.” – the blonde, pale man contemplated the white towers of this new-century Dubai, raging lights against a clear nocturnal sky.
“Do you remember the days of youth, lost so long ago, love?” – Dejah embraced the other one from behind, watching stars as they vanished behind the skyscrapers. A smile crossed the other one’s face.
“Yes, I do, geliebte. How we wandered, how we came to know intimately the myriads of light that measured our steps!” “Do you miss it, love?”
He turned towards her, contemplative and soft in his manners. He was in love once more, as he had been a thousand nights before, for a thousand years.
“You know me very well…. I do. You know I do.”
Silence fell upon the couple.
“The Sheik enjoyed your observations. Jon is downstairs…. Feeding.” – another moment of silence.
“We should leave, Markus. Leave this place behind…. There is nothing for us here. Nothing. The sheik…”
“The sheik can’t protect us forever, I know. Nevertheless, he has something we still need.”
“There are other blood diviners around the world, Markus…”
“But only one to be called prince of Dubai, geliebte! I promise you, in due time…”
A shadow of resentment fell upon her face.
“In due time… What happened to the bold knight that defeated his assassin so many years ago?”
“He fell in love for his assassin… And he wishes for her to come to no harm…”
As he approached her, Dejah held a heavy disposition. Still accepting his caresses, her thoughts returned to the last contract she ever took under the banners of her bloodline, as well as her failure... Slowly, her body tensed, thinking about the future and what it had in store for them.
“What is it, Dejah?” – she could not escape his gaze. They never escaped each other.
For seconds, she hesitated, as if trying to find a way out of that conversation. They were tied together, he embraced her. By now, he could feel her subtle, distant trembling and apprehension. They never escaped each other… She rose her eyes towards him and saw only anticipation. He knew it already. No words were needed.
He smiled slowly, relief and satisfaction resting upon his visage.
“I knew it. Solomon’s treasures would buy Sheik Vathek’s cooperation! Now, where is it, my darling?”
“Somewhere in Vienna, my dear…” – her voice was heavy. Markus’ smile vanished slowly, but resolve did not leave him, she could see it.
“Vienna, of all places… I could not bring myself to call it home, but the harsh memories it holds make it appropriate… Soon, my love, soon...”
“We don’t have to do this….”
“The Champion of Blood guarantees your survival, my dear…. None of your fellow clansmen will dare approach you with ill intent once you hold it in your hands. We’ll be free, geliebte! We’ll roam the world once more, side by side… As you wished for so many years!” “Only if you….. we…. Survive.”
His eyes shone moonlight as he rested them upon her visage. They were so impassionate about each other, a love beyond explanation or measure! A thousand nights, in a thousand years, and never an ounce of doubt!
“No peril is too great… As long as it gives you eternity.”
Ah, Fortune... Such misery as love can only be true as it unfolds its own tragedy…
