“Perhaps she likes it as well?” Spiridion asked.
“I’m sure of it,” Ariston nodded. Now that Thea’s affection for the boy was confirmed, his mind could wander to that night… the night he and his lady wife heard this song. It was their first night together…the first in a handful of nights. He’d ached with need for her, wanted her for so long. Yet she was a maid, rarely touched by any hand and never touched by that of a man. Her words rolled over him.
“Do I not please you?” she whispered.
His eyes grew wide.
“I…” she faltered.
“You please me,” he spoke softly. “You please me greatly, lady.”
She placed her hand on his chest, “Too long I’ve wondered how it would feel, to have your arms about me…”
“Wonder no more.” His arms came around her, pressing her to him.
“She likes me,” Spiridion was laughing, Thea had climbed onto his head and was rooting through his hair with her beak.
Ariston shook the memories from him, smiling. “It would seem so.”
The owl stopped when he spoke, hopping back onto his arm and clicking. Her yellow eyes peered into his.
Spiridion yawned.
“To bed,” Ariston nudged. “I leave in the morning.”
Spiridion frowned. “When will you be back?”
“When it is time to bring you to Rhodes.”
The boys smile was broad. “Then hurry back.” He hesitated, then slipped one arm around Ariston’s neck and pressed himself close. “Please.”
“And you attend Ektor, Elpis’ husband—learn from him. And the lady Xenia.”
Spiridion stepped back, nodding. He looked at the owl. “I wonder how she will fare on a sea voyage.”
Ariston regarded Thea. “Know this, Spiridion, Thea is from Olympus.”
“Truly?”
He nodded. “She was given to Medusa by Athena herself. In the name of love, she has survived captivity, starvation, and cruelty in the name of love.”
Spiridion looked at the owl, reverence and respect clear upon his young face. “I will love her dearly.”
Ariston nodded, the lump in his throat hard to speak around. “Then she will never leave you, for as long as you have need of her. Won’t you, little one?”
Spiridion’s hand stroked the owl once. “Little one?”
“My lady called her such.”
“I will see you in the morning, mighty Thea.” Spiridion’s hand offered another stroke. “Safe journeys, Ariston.”
Ariston nodded. “Sleep well, boy.”
Spiridion smiled broadly before scampering back to bed.
He leaned back against the tree, holding Thea high, so their eyes could meet.
“Oh the secrets you keep,” he murmured. “I would know them. You keep the answers I seek, I know. And yet, I wonder if you would tell, if you were able?” He stroked the feathers on her breast. “Little one. I am glad you were with her.” His voice broke.