Securing Melior Vitae

The night was long as Shishak talked with his friends. The sun would be rising soon and he had not yet come to bed. Melior Vitae was about to get up and check on him when he came in and lay heavily on the bed.

"Shishak?"

"I'm okay," he said, rolling to face her.

Melior Vitae snuggled closer to him and he rested his hand on the back of her bald head. It slid off when he fell asleep. She too fell asleep, having stayed up all night waiting for him to come to bed.

When she woke again, Shishak was still asleep. Getting up, she showered. Most of the iodine came off, but left behind a yellow tint that would not fade for a few days. She dressed in Shishak's baggy clothes then went into the kitchen to make breakfast.

There were several apples on the cupboard and she sliced them up. Then she pulled a few eggs from the egg carton and whipped them up in a pan. The burner was turned on low as she cooked the eggs. The smell brought in Tril and Naj. She let them eat what she had ready then cooked a few more. Shishak came in, hair disheveled and only his pants on. He sat at the table barely coherent. Melior Vitae set the eggs and apples in front of him then kissed his forehead.

"Where's Arei?" Melior Vitae asked.

"Still in bed, I think," Naj replied.

She nodded and ate half of the left over eggs. Shishak just stared at it. Arei came in a short while later and ate before she and Tril left. Naj had started the dishes. Melior Vitae sat next to Shishak and held a piece of apple to his mouth. He didn't take it.

Shishak?" Melior Vitae asked.

He didn't respond.

"Shishak, look at me." She turned his chin, but his gaze moved through her. "Shishak, please." She kissed him and still didn't get a response.

Naj turned and snapped his fingers near Shishak's ear and didn't get so much as a muscle twitch.

Melior Vitae placed her gloved hand on the back of his left shoulder and he flinched. Then he shook his head and took a bite of his eggs.

"Shishak?" she asked.

"Morning," he said, kissing her tenderly. "Thanks for breakfast."

She just nodded, trying to blink back tears.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

Tears slipped from her eyes. "Why wouldn't you respond?"

"What do you mean?" He turned to Naj.

"You've been unresponsive since you came in, Shishak," Naj replied.

"I'm sorry," he replied, wrapping an arm around Melior Vitae's shoulders. "I had the most vivid dream last night. Guess I just wasn't awake yet."

Melior Vitae nodded.

"Where are Tril and Arei?" Shishak asked, not yet letting go.

"They left already."

"Okay." Shishak gave Melior Vitae a hug and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Shishak. What was your dream about?"

"I can't tell you."

Naj turned to finish the dishes. Shishak ate his cold eggs and browning apple slices. When he was done, Naj took his plate to wash and Shishak took Melior Vitae into the library. He held her close on the couch. She shifted so she could lean against him more. One of Shishak's hand rested on her shoulder while the other rubbed her back. His chin rested against her forehead.

"I love you, Shishak."

"I love you, too, Melior Vitae."

He felt her body relax more and her soul and body united a little more. Her breathing deepened and she was nearly asleep.

"No matter what happens," he said softly. "I'll always love you."

The library doors opened and Arei, Tril, and Naj came in.

"Is she asleep?" Tril asked.

"Yes." Shishak sat up carefully and moved out from under her as not to wake her.

"Naj, there has been a slight change in plans," Shishak said, as Tril picked up Melior Vitae.

"What's that?"

"I won't be going to the main square. There's another place I need to be; so, I'll need you to intercept Tril and Arei and direct them to the village."

"Okay. Be careful."

"You, too." Then Shishak left.

He needed to get to the village before everyone else. He didn't understand why this was important, but in order to protect Melior Vitae from John, should he discover she was still alive, this needed to be done. Shishak drove his car to the edge of the village and entered. He had to consciously slow his steps as he walked the winding trail to the center of the village. Several people came out and ran ahead of him. The village leaders gathered. Already this was differing from his dream, so he would have to tread boldly, yet carefully.

"What are you doing here? Men from the city do not belong here."

"I have traveled from the city, but was born to members of the village."

"The tattoo on your shoulder is unlike the ones we have here in the village. There are three flowers instead of two."

"Because I felt it appropriate to bear the flower of my wife's father's house."

"There are no daughters in the Bluebell family."

Shishak closed his eyes momentarily. "I beseech you leaders, on behalf of the shamans, to hear my petition."

"No city boy can pull off a power play," one of the villagers cried. "Throw him out!"

"Then by the delicate Cherry Blossom do I bank my plea!"

The villagers were still and an old couple approached. For a moment they faced each other before the woman circled him once. Her fingers touched several places on his tattoo and he felt his muscles relax, but he stayed standing. The man approached then and ran his hand down Shishak's spine. His knees weakened, but managed to keep him upright.

"Shishak," the man said. "Is it you, Shishak?"

His dream returned to him. "Yes, Father. I have returned."

Everyone in the village cheered and a feast was thrown together to celebrate his return. He was seated between his parents as the food was gathered and presented.

"Shishak," his father asked, "why have you altered your tattoo?"

"Out of respect for my wife's father's house."

"But the Bluebell family has no living daughters."

"They have one and that is why I have come. I seek assistance in binding her to me so no man, villager or city dweller, can take her from me."

"That will require an alteration to both tattoos, but as we said they have no living daughters."

"How soon can we perform the alteration?"

"As soon as the two of you are together, but Son…"

"Father, do not question my words. I know to whom I have bound myself."

"City men!" the cry came.

The women and children fled for the houses and the men ran for the edge of the village. Shishak went too. If it was Tril, Naj, and Arei, they were early.

Tril's truck was there, but it was empty. Behind it was a car he recognized as John's. There were several trees around, but where would they hide?

"What is your business here?" one of the leaders shouted as John got out of his car.

"Chasing a city girl. Ran off into the trees. Once I have her, I will go."

"Arei," Shishak whispered.

Several shouts were heard and Tril and Naj were brought out of the trees. Tril was wearing a dress and a long wig. Arei and Melior Vitae followed behind them.

"There is my girl," John said, approaching Tril.

He didn't get far before Arei knocked him to the ground only semi-conscious. The villagers didn't interfere. The girl and Naj put John back into his car and the woman that had come with him drove away. Tril took off the wig and Arei took off her hat. Then she took Melior Vitae by the arm and brought her to Shishak.

Each step Melior Vitae took was forced as Arei walked with her to the edge of the village, but her movements smoothed out once Shishak touched her arms. Her face was hidden in his chest.

"Be careful going back," Shishak told his friends.

"We'll be okay," Naj said. Then the three of them jumped into Tril's truck and left.

"This is your wife, Shishak?" his father asked.

"Yes, Father."

"You say she is part of the Bluebell family. What is her mother's house?"

"The Violet."

"Are you mad?! Don't…"

"What is the meaning of this, Coure?" one of the village elders asked. "Your son comes without his wife to ask for your assistance and you deny him when his wife is returned to him?"

"The Bluebell and the Violet, Eris. Only one female bore that mark. Or have you forgotten what she did to this village?"

"Coure, enough. Your son has returned, happy with his choice. Let us feast!"

The men escorted Shishak and Melior Vitae back to the center of the village. The woman and children came out of their houses and the feast continued. Shishak held Melior Vitae close and was able to get her to eat out of his hand. Naj had given her a hat to cover her bald head and she kept it on, hiding her face from the villagers.

At the end of the feast, Melior Vitae and Shishak were taken to a single room house for the alteration of their tattoos. They knelt in front of each other. All upper clothing was removed including the hat Melior Vitae wore. Her skin still had a slightly yellow tint to it from the Iodine she had used to disguise herself. Then their hands were placed on each other's arms.

"Please remove the glove," Leader Eris requested.

"Forgive me, Leader Eris," Melior Vitae said, "but I must decline."

"We cannot proceed if the glove is not removed."

Melior Vitae shook her head and tried to pull her hand back, but Shishak caught her wrist. She tried to pull away.

"Be still," he said. Then Shishak slipped the glove off her hand before placing it back on his bare arm. His hands were placed once more on Melior Vitae's arms and the ritual began.

Melior Vitae could feel life flow into her cursed hand from Shishak, but it felt different than life she had taken before. Was it because of Shishak's curse? The leaders chanted and something was painted over the tattoo on her left shoulder. It burned and her fingers gripped Shishak's arms tighter. His hands tightened slightly as well.

Cold water was poured over them and the burning stopped. Then an ointment was spread across their left shoulders causing the skin to turn cold. The cold soon turned to burning as needles and fingers reapplied the tattoo. As the minutes passed, Melior Vitae's head lowered more and more. She was killing Shishak, and for what? Just so the city people would recognize their marriage?

Shishak watched her head lower and the Poppy Bud on her chest grow in size and start to open. The roots on her right shoulder continued to extend. But she wasn't taking life from him. Because both hands were on him, he was able to circulate her own energy thought him and let the curse take back what his curse was taking from her. Her soul was crying and her body caught between crying with her soul and the desire to love him and make him forget her cursed hand.

The process took several hours and the moment Melior Vitae could let go, she balled up her right hand and curled on herself. The flower on her chest had bloomed fully and the roots extended to nearly her waist. Tears burned her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. Shishak lifted her enough that he could hold her close.

"Let them fall, Melior Vitae. It's okay."

She just shook her head.

"Shishak," Eris said. "You and Melior Vitae are free to stay the night to recover, but you must leave with the dawn."

"Yes, Leader Eris."

When all the leaders had gone and they were alone, Melior Vitae cried.