12-28-2017, 05:33 PM
With one hesitant phrase and Nikolai was acutely aware of the vast differences in their ages. Being a little too busy what with conquering the world and becoming a master channeler, he didn't have much time for a love life. Nor could he afford romantic relationships, with relationship being the key word. What was women compared to the powers befitting a god? The power was more addictive than sex. What was the body when the soul could soar? What was dominance over a single woman compared to controlling continents? They hardly compared. Yet he liked to think himself honorable. The most desired women in the world threw themselves at his feet. Those whom he found most attractive were not desperate for his attention. He was always drawn to women of a certain style or bearing. Strength and independence, like in Evelyn, he respected, as did beauty and grace. There was a certain timelessness about her that he appreciated.
If she wasn't ready, then he wasn't going to be upset about it. Except the charm of her youth now felt foolish. She was twenty-eight at most? He was sixty-four. In the long span of immortality, thirty-six years would be the blink of an eye. Until now he found her passion and energy to be charming. They still were, but he felt ancient and tired now. He didn't want to wait for her to be ready. When would that even happen? He would never commit to a relationship, even if one with Evelyn was possible, which it wasn't. She was a congresswoman. My virtue of Constitional law she had to reside in her home district or else forfeit her seat in the House. Should he even deign to convince her of such, for the simple pleasure of keeping her close when he wanted her, then he would forfeit his own chance to win the hearts of DC in the arena of political battle.
There was no answer. "I would never pressure you, Evelyn. I am not that kind of man. But I will tell you that I will never be free to give you what you wait for."
He stood and swat a few of the circles of light aside, irritated. He felt foolish, now. Having shared so much of himself only to be rejected from receiving the same. What of her had she shared? When their flows entwined, balance settled his soul. Peace washed over him. He wanted that with her as with their powers.
He took a deep breath, thoughtful frown darkening his features. "I still want you to stay. I still want you to know I am not evil. I want you on my side."
She peered up at him with such innocence and charm, he melted to his knees before her and clasped her hands in his, squeezing them tight. "I want you to believe in me."
His eyes fell to her lips, parted so softly as though she drew hesitant breaths. Her hands were soft in his. He stroked her knuckles with his thumbs, easing her into trusting him. Had he shared too much? Aidoneous, the painful memory of the Ijiraq's voice blurred with that of her's. While her's was on the tip of his tongue, but no sound would form.
His eyes fell to the necklace at her neck again. The cross was hidden behind her shirt, freshly buttoned. He drew a deep, careful breath. "You do believe in the God. I see that now."
He was never religious. Why pour his soul into a deity that poured nothing back. Religion was organized hypocrisy, for all he believed. But neither would he judge another for partaking. Mankind needed symbols. He appreciated that after all he'd done. But what religion lacked, he could provide. How to make her see? Should he even try?
"You believe God takes you where you should be. Do you believe he has led you to me? To this moment? Right now, with me knelt before you, grasping your hands in mine and offering you what I have never offered anyone else? To come to know me, as a man, for who and what I really am? For trust me, Evelyn, you have had more of me this night than all the other women that came before you."
He tilted his head like he may kiss her again, but instead, his hands trailed up her arms to pull her close enough to hug. He closed his eyes and savored her with every sense. Through it all, his heart beat true. Their path was clear.
"You realize there is only one way we could be together?"
He pulled back and silently beckoned for the answer.
If she wasn't ready, then he wasn't going to be upset about it. Except the charm of her youth now felt foolish. She was twenty-eight at most? He was sixty-four. In the long span of immortality, thirty-six years would be the blink of an eye. Until now he found her passion and energy to be charming. They still were, but he felt ancient and tired now. He didn't want to wait for her to be ready. When would that even happen? He would never commit to a relationship, even if one with Evelyn was possible, which it wasn't. She was a congresswoman. My virtue of Constitional law she had to reside in her home district or else forfeit her seat in the House. Should he even deign to convince her of such, for the simple pleasure of keeping her close when he wanted her, then he would forfeit his own chance to win the hearts of DC in the arena of political battle.
There was no answer. "I would never pressure you, Evelyn. I am not that kind of man. But I will tell you that I will never be free to give you what you wait for."
He stood and swat a few of the circles of light aside, irritated. He felt foolish, now. Having shared so much of himself only to be rejected from receiving the same. What of her had she shared? When their flows entwined, balance settled his soul. Peace washed over him. He wanted that with her as with their powers.
He took a deep breath, thoughtful frown darkening his features. "I still want you to stay. I still want you to know I am not evil. I want you on my side."
She peered up at him with such innocence and charm, he melted to his knees before her and clasped her hands in his, squeezing them tight. "I want you to believe in me."
His eyes fell to her lips, parted so softly as though she drew hesitant breaths. Her hands were soft in his. He stroked her knuckles with his thumbs, easing her into trusting him. Had he shared too much? Aidoneous, the painful memory of the Ijiraq's voice blurred with that of her's. While her's was on the tip of his tongue, but no sound would form.
His eyes fell to the necklace at her neck again. The cross was hidden behind her shirt, freshly buttoned. He drew a deep, careful breath. "You do believe in the God. I see that now."
He was never religious. Why pour his soul into a deity that poured nothing back. Religion was organized hypocrisy, for all he believed. But neither would he judge another for partaking. Mankind needed symbols. He appreciated that after all he'd done. But what religion lacked, he could provide. How to make her see? Should he even try?
"You believe God takes you where you should be. Do you believe he has led you to me? To this moment? Right now, with me knelt before you, grasping your hands in mine and offering you what I have never offered anyone else? To come to know me, as a man, for who and what I really am? For trust me, Evelyn, you have had more of me this night than all the other women that came before you."
He tilted his head like he may kiss her again, but instead, his hands trailed up her arms to pull her close enough to hug. He closed his eyes and savored her with every sense. Through it all, his heart beat true. Their path was clear.
"You realize there is only one way we could be together?"
He pulled back and silently beckoned for the answer.