My Tattered Bonds Read Free

deep, shaky breath and sat up just as Cadmus reached me and pulled me into his arms.   Clutching me to him, he kissed my forehead.
    “Are you alright?” he murmured.   “What is it?   I sensed your fear all the way at the palace.”
    His dark eyes were filled with concern as he studied me and shakily, I relayed what had just happened.   When I was finished, he looked around uncertainly at the sparkling calm waters and soothing fountains.  
    “How frightening for you,” he answered softly.  
    “It happened,” I insisted.   “I’m not crazy, Cadmus.”
    “Of course you’re not,” he soothed, stroking my back. “But you have had a lot of strain of late.   And that takes its toll on a person.”
    I should have felt comforted by him, but suddenly I just felt alone.   He didn’t believe me.   My shoulders slumped and I sagged against him.   He lifted my chin with a finger.
    “Harmonia, I love you more than life.   I do.   And we’ll get through this.   Do you believe me?”
    Bending his head, he kissed me, gently at first and then when I responded, he grew more passionate and fiery.   Groaning, he pulled me to him and ran his hands over my naked back, trailing down to my hips.  
      “I’ve missed you, wife,” he murmured against my lips.   “Come back to me. Please.”
    The desperation in his voice struck a chord deep within me and ignited a spark.   I pushed him backward onto the floor and dropped onto his chest, kissing him with all of the pent-up emotion that I had been holding inside.   His dark beauty caused my heart to flutter as he grinned a brilliant white smile before he raised his head to kiss a frantic trail on my neck.   The water in the pools began churning from our energy and I closed my eyes, allowing him to soothe me in the best way a husband could.
    Twenty minutes later, we lay spent on the cool marble.  
    My cheeks were flushed and I was tired, but for the first time in three days, I felt alive.   And more like myself.   As I propped myself up on one arm to tell Cadmus that very thing, a flash of color caught my eye.  
    Glancing at the back wall, I froze.   Words written in blood dripped down the stone.
    Oracle of the Dead.

Chapter Two
     
    Within minutes, my parents and Hecate joined us in the bathhouse and we examined the bloody words on the wall.  
    “Who wrote this?” Ares demanded of Hecate.   She stared back at him with raised eyebrows.
    “War god, why do you always assume that I am all-knowing simply because I am the goddess of witchcraft?”
    He ignored the question.
    “Do you know who wrote these words?”he demanded again impatiently.
    She dropped her gaze and sighed.   “No.”
    “But we know where to find this oracle,” Aphrodite interrupted grimly.
    “We do?” I asked in surprise.   “Where?”
    “She can be summoned in the Necramanteion.   It’s a temple ruins on the banks of the Acheron river in Greece. I know the place.”
    “Well, why do we wait?” I looked at them.   “Let’s move.”   I began walking toward the door when Hecate stepped forward and grabbed my arm.
    “It isn’t that easy, Chosen One,” she muttered.   “Or that smart.”
    “Why?” I stared at her.  
    “It isn’t easy because the Oracle must be paid and the price is different for every person who seeks her.   And it isn’t smart because we have no idea who left us this message.”
    “You think someone attempts to lead us into a trap?”
    I could practically see the bristling hairs on Cadmus’ neck as he spoke.   His warrior’s senses were on full alert, I could tell.
    “That’s the problem, Cadmus,” she answered.   “We do not know.”
    “Well, then, let us find out,” I muttered impatiently.   “We should go now.”
    Hecate shook her head gently.   “As I said, it is not that easy.   There are preparations to be made before we can approach the Oracle.”
    “Preparations?” I was hesitant now.    My mother stepped forward, her