Chapter 1: The Same Old Story
#1 of The Mating Season 5
The Mating Season 5: The Final Chapter
Part 5 of a six part series
Chapter 1: The Same Old Story
Fifty-six years old. Had time really passed so quickly? Kel entered the gloom of his bedroom - this shadowy room where he had kissed and caressed Aliona any number of times - and paused to smile at the scene: Aliona sleeping on her side in their bed, her big bosom crushed under the covers as her arm draped itself across them. Her long, gray mane was a wild and tangled mess in her sleep. Snatches of it reached across her face, which was still so beautiful to Kel despite the new lines of age around the eyes and the mouth. Kel smiled as he climbed into bed with his wife. She had fallen asleep waiting up for Zaldon. They had been waiting for him all night (for he'd promised to come) and it seemed to Kel that, over the years, Aliona came to look forward to Zaldon's visits as much as he! She had fought desperately to stay awake, and in the end, after much scolding from her husband, had gone to bed, where Kel had checked in on her only moments ago to find her sitting upright almost stubbornly.
Kel laughed softly to himself as he snuggled in against his wife. Sometimes . . . sometimes he thought Aliona was his soul. He kissed her ears, thanking goodness, thanking sheer fortune itself that such a creature, such a goddess as she had fallen in love with him. He thought of her fear so many years ago and sighed sadly. How could she ever doubt his love for her? Yes, he loved Zaldon. But what was a heart if it could only love one? Hearts were not so easy. They were complex and frail, always pushing you to yearn for things you could not have and breaking you to pieces if you got them. Story of everyone's life.
Kel buried his nose in Aliona's mane, and drinking in her sweet scent, he thought he was falling asleep too when a noise made them both jerk awake. Aliona dragged herself upright, strands of dark gray mane in her confused sapphire blues. Kel sat up, and with a toned arm, shielded his eyes against the sudden blast of light that had erupted in their room.
What sorcery was this? His heart beating fast, Kel reached for his dagger on the bedside table, but before he had barely snatched it, the light died down, and standing in its place . . . was Zaldon.
Well. They thought it was Zaldon, anyway. It certainly looked like Zaldon. But the handsome white face they had come to love so dearly was sad and drawn, almost gaunt. And the white fur they had both snuggled against so many times over the years . . . was glowing.
Kel and Aliona glanced at each other, confused. With their ears back flat, they sat up and stared in wonder at the apparition. No, it wasn't really Zaldon - just some magical projection of him! A message? What was the matter? Why hadn't he come? A feeling of dread washing over him, Kel clutched Aliona without even realizing.
The sad apparition stared past Kel and Aliona, stared at the wall above their heads with unseeing - but deeply grim - eyes.
"Kel," came Zaldon's voice, deep and pleasing to the ear as it had always been, "and my dearest Aliona. I'm not telling you face to face because . . . you know how I hate arguing with you, Kel. I've borne it all too much in the past."
Kel felt a wave of sadness when the apparition smiled almost bitterly. But it continued, and Kel's heart pounded in his chest.
"What I mean to say is . . ." The apparition paused to swallow, then continued. "I've been falling out of love with you for years, Kel. You know how I feel about Julyan, and . . . I didn't know how to let you go. But the time has come. It's time I told you the truth: I don't love you anymore. This is the last you'll hear of me. Please don't attempt to contact me."
The apparition looked down and swallowed, then lifted its head, and looking straight ahead it said, "I never want to see you again."
Then the apparition vanished, taking with it the light and the warmth . . . and the love.