Love Lost

Love Lost, Love Found

By

Christos Kastellanos

Chapter Seven

Chris found himself drifting through what appeared to be clouds. He looked around and all that he saw were columns of white marble with statues of Greek gods, rising from clouds.

"Come forward," a voice commanded, as if thunder and Chris moved forward, cautiously.

As he moved closer to where the voice originated from, the clouds vaporized and a beautiful white marble palace rose tall and stately before him.

"Come closer, for there is no reason to fear," the voice commanded again.

His voice sounded like thunder from the worse summer storm, and yet, there was a comforting feeling as well, that permeated from the voice, assuring Chris that all was well.

He stepped through insanely tall golden gates and before him was a half circle of thrones. There were thirteen in all, with the center most being larger than the other twelve.

"Do you know where you are?" he who sat on the center throne asked.

"No, your highness," Chris stated, as he dropped to his knees before him in respect.

"You are on Mt. Olympus, my child," he told him. "I am Zeus, father of all Gods that reside here on Olympus and your grandfather."

Chris' eyes rose up momentarily and then his head bowed once again. He dared not hold eye contact with this god or any other of the gods that sat around him.

"Come here my child, let me look at you closer," he demanded, Chris rose and hurried forward until he was standing directly before Zeus.

Zeus made a twirling motion with his finger, causing Chris to twirl around in place, slowly.

"If I may, your highness, may I ask why I am here, and not down below waking up beside Alexandros," Chris humbly asked, his head still lowered in reverence to Zeus.

"You are here to be infused with your soul that was lost many lifetimes ago. The soul of Chrysanthos Nomikos has waited for over twenty-five hundred years for this day to finally arrive," he said to Chris. "Your soul has suffered long and waited patiently for the day that you would be born and grow into the man that you are, so that once again, it may live within you as intended."

"My soul, but what is that I have in me now, your grace, if not my soul?" he inquired.

"It is but an essence of what once was," he explained but Chris' face showed his bewilderment.

"Husband, you must remember that he is part mortal, and knows not of the ways of the Gods," Hera, Zeus' wife, said to Zeus.

"Yes Hera, I do forget about that at times when dealing with mortals," Zeus thankfully said, patting her on the hand and turning back to Chris. "Come and sit beside me, Chrysanthos," he commanded, motioning to a soft stool that sat at the foot of his throne.

Chris took a seat and cautiously looked up at the mighty Zeus. He had always been told that the Gods were a myth, yet here he was, sitting at the feet of Zeus, with the other gods watching.

"I can imagine that this is all very confusing to you, my child," Hera said with the comforting voice of a mother or grandmother as she handed Chris a goblet filled with wine. "Drink, it is the elixir of the gods, you were weaned on it," she told him.

"On wine?" he asked, looking from the goblet, to her, and then back at the Goblet.

"Not just any wine, but this is the elixir of the gods, which grants the drinker eternal life or eternal youth. The elixir of life was also said to be able to create life, which you will learn about shortly," she confided, looking to Zeus to continue.

"Yes, didn't your father ever tell you, that our daughter, H?b?, was your mother?" Zeus asked, Chris he shook his head.

"I don't remember Chrysanthos' father, only my present father, Christopher Sr., whom I was named after," he told him. "As for knowing the mother of Chrysanthos, no, I only knew my mother, Karen."

"Yes, grandson, H?b? was your mother and thus her blood has been passed along to you also. It's a very in-depth explanation that will take more time than you have here to explain. So you will just have to take my word on faith and believe me," he said and Chris nodded. "H?b?, being a goddess herself, could not remain on earth and raise you, so you were entrusted to your father, Darius, to be raised."

Both Zeus and Hera watched as Chris mulled around their words, and finally saw a question formulating.

"With you and Hera as my grandparents and H?b?, your daughter as my mother? well, with you being gods, does that?" he paused and gave a glance up at a smiling Hera who looked upon him with much love. "Does this make me a?god too?"

Zeus, as well as the other gods assembled laughed heartily, causing Chris to redden for his assumption.

"No, my grandson, you are a demi-god; a child born to parents where one was a god and the other a mortal. You have many of your mother's attributes, like perpetual youth, the looks of Adonis, and longevity, but not immortality unfortunately," Hera explained.

"But Alexandros has converted me, so I won't die, but live for all time as he has, or so he told me," he explained as he looked from Zeus to Hera.

"That is true, his conversion has given you immortality, but it has also given you another gift, and that is also why you are here. You see Chrysanthos, there is a complication, so to speak, that is created when a demi-god and a Lamia mix bloods," she turned her attention to Zeus, and left it to him to explain the facts of life to Chris.

"It's not a problem for a human and gods to mix, but the Lamia are completely different."

He rose from his throne and helped Chris to his feet.

"Come grandson, let us take a walk while I explain the facts to you," Zeus said, encircling Chris' shoulder with his arm and leading him out of the throne room and into a breathtaking garden.

The garden was beautiful, too beautiful for mortal words to describe and they walked casually down the gold paved path as if on an ordinary walk. Colors seem to explode with vibrancy, and a fountain in the middle of the garden bubbled over and fed all around it.

"The perpetual fountain of youth, your drink is from that fountain, which was a gift from your mother to the garden," Zeus explained, as he motioned with his hand to a bench and after Chris took a seat, he too sat down beside him. "Its water is the very breast milk that your mother fed you as a babe," he added, causing Chris to take a deeper look at the water.

He looked around him at the garden, which seemed to have no end and noticed many different fountains throughout it as well as flowers that he had never seen before.

"It is a very serine and beautiful garden, grandfather," he commented and Zeus nodded with a smile.

"Chrysanthos, now the facts about your life, and I am afraid that there is no simple way to say or explain it other than just coming right out and saying it, your part female now."

Chrysanthos went white with shock, he half expected him to tell him that he would live to be a thousand, maybe more, but not that he was part female; he could not believe what his ears had just heard. He looked up with a perplexed look in his eyes and Zeus hugged him to him.

"I know that this fact alone, added to everything else that you've been told and seen thus far, can be a bit much to understand, much less believe, but it's true. Your reproductive organs will be reborn upon conversion and instead of just being able to make babies as you earthlings say; you have been recreated to also have them."

"I? can? get? pregnant," he stammered out finally, and Zeus smiled and nodded. "But how, grandfather?"

"Surely a young man of your age and intellect knows the facts of life when it comes to reproducing," Zeus said, quickly standing and causing a rumble beneath their feet.

"Well yes, I know how a baby is made, sperm and eggs, but that is between a man and a woman. Grandfather, Alexandros and I are two men, so how can this be?"

"It happens in much the same way, when Alexandros fills you with his sex, his sex will find your recently created vagina deep within you, and when he shoots his seed, you can become impregnated."

"Damn, this was not what I originally bargained for when I gave my heart to Alexandros," Chris said, rising and walking over to another fountain, where he paused and turned to look at Zeus. "Will I sprout breasts and bleed once a month like a woman?" he asked.

He dipped his hands into the sparkling water and put them to his mouth, drinking liberally of the refreshing water.

"Noooo," Zeus shouted, "you should not have drunk from that fountain," Zeus warned, but a bit too late. "Well, what's done is done, so now you have been blessed with not only a long life and perpetual youth, but also fertility, for the waters of this fountain gives fertility to those who drink of its water," he said.

"A warning plaque would be appropriate here, grandfather," he sadly mused as he sat down abruptly on the bench again, his elbows resting on his knees and his head resting in his hands. "Well this is just great," he whined.

He looked up at Zeus and asked, "will my? you know what? will it fall off or disappear?" he asked and Zeus roared with laughter.

"No my innocent one, you are still a man in all of those ways. The only difference is that you can now conceive and bear children."

"And just how do I ?"

"All shall come to you naturally when the time comes and that knowledge is needed. Now come, for it is time that you awaken on earth, but do not despair, for you will remember all of this when it is needed, as will you're your husband, Alexandros. While I was talking to you, I sent him a dream telling him much of what I told you, and like you, he'll remember it when it's deemed necessary to remember.

Go now, my precious grandson, and know that your grandmother and I shall watch with great pride and love as you continue your life's journey," he turned and then turned back, looking at Chrysanthos with pride.

"What about my soul or rather Chrysanthos' soul, don't I have to be reunited with it?"

"Once you awake and feed, all that was once Chrysanthos', his mind, heart and yes, his soul, will be reborn in you as it once was and joined once again with its essence," he concluded and as he walked away, he waved his hand, and a gentle breeze caused Chris to fall into a deep sleep.

Once again, he felt his body floating, but this time, he felt as if he were falling also. Suddenly he felt two arms around him, loving arms, familiar arms and he stirred.

''Sweetheart awaken,' Alexandros whispered in his mind, causing Chris to open his eyes. 'How do you feel, my love,' he asked, still holding him as he had when they had fallen asleep.

'Thirsty,' he confided, looking at the throbbing pulse in Alexandros' neck and licking his lips. 'Alexandros, while?'

'I know, for I was given a dream also,' he confided, with a smile as wide as the horizon. 'I thought that my blood was special because I was of the royal House of Michelakakis, but your blood runs with that of the gods,' he said in awe.

'Gods or demi-gods, I am still your Chrysanthos, in love with the hottest man in all of Greece," he said smiling up at Alexandros.

'Sweetheart, you called yourself Chrysanthos, and not Chris,' he stated, surprised with the sudden change.

"And why wouldn't I, Alexandros, for that is who I am,' he said warmly. 'Husband, a lot has happened to me, and having my soul reborn within me is just one of them,' he explained. 'Now what must I do to complete the conversion and quench this horrible thirst,' he asked as his thirst again made itself known.

'All you need do is drink of my blood and all will be done. Now drink my husband and I shall stop you when you have had enough,' he said and pulled Chrysanthos to his neck, inviting him to feed.

Chrysanthos bit down hard, his teeth sinking deep into the vein and he began sucking and drinking the rich blood from Alexandros. He felt a stirring deep within him as the blood began filling his veins, and within his mind he smiled, for he was being made whole again.

'Now my love, simply kiss the spot, for your first drink is done,' he instructed Chrysanthos, his voice much softer than a whisper.

It caressed Chris, from the inside, out and it also ignited a fire. The fire was but a spark at first, and as the fire took hold, it began to grow. And grow it did, because it soon became a raging inferno, consuming all as it flowed through his veins from head to toe. His body trembled and shook violently, and he cried out in pain as his insides reformed. It was a pain like no other that he had ever experienced, and yet, it was pleasurable pain. It was pain and pleasure at its purest form and it was flooding his body and senses. The royal blood of Alexandros' family now flowed with his own, causing a change in his body.

His eyes flew open; he reached for Alexandros, and pulled him to him. He knew all, who he was and what had happened to his body. The one thing that mattered most, was that he was no longer Christopher, but Chrysanthos, husband to Alexandros.

'I've returned to you, Alexandros, I am fully Chrysanthos,' he told him, as he gently ran his knuckles along Alexandros' cheeks. 'How I have yearned for this day, when I would be reunited with you.' he sighed, feeling a surging wave of love flooding his emotions as his soul spoke once again.

He wept softly against his husband's chest, feeling so loved that words could not express it.

'Chrysanthos, I have waited millenniums for you to be mine once again,' he too cried and he looked down into his husband's eyes and his need showed deep in his eyes.

Chrysanthos nodded his approval as if reading Alexandros' need. He pulled Chrysanthos' body beneath him and with a knee, Alexandros gently parted Chrysanthos' legs, lifted them high and while engaging each other with their eyes, he thrust his sex deep into his velvet sheath.

Chrysanthos arched his back and cried out at the sudden pain, never had it hurt like this, he thought, but then a whisper of knowledge spoke to him that it was his virginity being taken, for he was no longer the same man as before. Again, he wept, but they were tears of joy, and what was pain now had become a sweet sense of pleasure.

'Are you alright, my love,' Alexandros asked, fully seated in Chrysanthos, but waiting for his approval to continue.

'I never felt better, sweetheart, now make love to me,' his voice a gentle caress, assuring Alexandros that all was well.

Alexandros lifted up on his hands, and soon found a rhythm that had them moving harmoniously. When one would thrust downward, the other would heave upward, repeating their rhythm of love until they reached that edge, that precipice of rapture, and with their hearts and souls as one, together they journeyed over the edge and fell headlong into the abyss of ecstasy. Alexandros shot his seed deep into Chrysanthos' warmth, while Chrysanthos spewed his between their entwined bodies.

'I love you, Chrysanthos, more than life itself,' he said, and his words seem to be caressing Chrysanthos' mind and soul.

'You are the air that I breathe, without you, there is no me, I love you that much, my darling Alexandros.'

Acanthus and Gergeli stood before King Michel and hundreds of Lamia that had assembled in the great hall. Acanthus had asked to have an audience with the king, to air grievances over who should be the next king, Demetrious or him.

"As you know ma'lord, the king's blood must be pure and of the House of Michelakakis, of which you and I are both of," he reminded Michel as his eyes gave a sideways glance to Demetrious.

"I am quite aware of the requirements of kingship, Acanthus," Michel countered. "More specifically, the law reads that the bloodline must be either of the House of Michelakakis or of the gods, Acanthus."

"Exactly ma'lord and that is why I hesitated to say anything about Demetrious' heritage, or to be specific, his bloodline. You see your grace; Demetrious is not of the seed of Alexandros, but the bastard child of Chrysanthos and a local human wench."

"How dare you speak of my lineage as if I were nothing more than gutter trash," an angry Demetrious shouted, standing, ready to lunge at Acanthus.

"Sit Demetrious, it is I that he is addressing, not you," Michel calmly addressed Demetrious.

"But it is my heritage and parents that he is attacking," he countered.

"As I said, he is addressing me, not you, and I shall handle this as king," he said and turned his attention back to Acanthus. "If you hesitated, Acanthus, then why now, when we as a people prepare to change kings with the new millennium?"

"Because he is not fit by law to be king, and as the next in line, the title now falls to me for you have yet to produce an heir," he said smugly looking with a smirk on his face at Demetrious.

Suddenly the room erupted with mumblings that rose to such a crescendo that Michel stood and with fury in his voice, demanded silence.

"You Acanthus, you have never been the next in line to be king, just like your father, who thought it his birthright to be king," Michel stated, retaking his seat.

"My father, Abaddon, is your brother and should have been king instead of you?" Acanthus accused.

"Your father sits in the dungeon awaiting execution for his act of treason against the rightful king, Alexandros," he said.

"And just where is this elusive uncle of mine, ma'lord," he asked looking around the room as if Alexandros was sitting somewhere and had yet to be noticed. "If I'm not mistaken, he's not been around in what, nearly twenty-five years?"

"I have seen my brother and he shall make himself known when the time is appropriate."

"How convenient, now that it's time to hand over the reigns from one king to the next, he decides to appear."

"I was named king in his place because he went out to seek your father and justice for the crimes that he committed." Michel argued back, his own temper was rearing and he fought hard to control it.

"According to law, and I am quite sure that you, as well as his lordship, Alexandros, knows that his time to reign has passed and that the throne falls to his legal blood heir."

"How dare you stand there and with such insolence, remind me of our laws. My brother's heir is Demetrious and he will be our next king," he sternly stated.

"But he is not of his bloodline, ma'lord," he again dared to challenge.

"Richard," he called out and Rickie hurried forward, kneeling before the throne. "Go and find my brother and?"

"I am right here, Michel," Alexandros called out as he walked into the throne room followed by Chrysanthos and the room erupted with applause.

"Well, well, well, the elusive Alexandros has finally graced us with his presence, and how appropriate, just when his so called son's right to rule is being challenged. And look, his human whore is by his side," he added with a smirk, causing Alexandros to lunge at him.

Alexandros slapped Acanthus' face with great hardness for his rudeness and slander against Chrysanthos, and also for his disrespect of his royal position. Once he regained his control over his anger, Alexandros got directly to the point.

"To address your challenge, nephew, if that is truly who you are to me, I will first say this, had it not been for your father, Abaddon, I would have been king and there would have been no questioning of my son's heritage, because Chrysanthos would have never died," he defended.

"That's right uncle, if that is who you truly are," he mused loudly from the floor with Alexandros about to strangle him. "You have been gone so long, how do we know that you are truly who you say you are, the rightful king of the Lamia," he countered. "After all, we are quite good at shape shifting."

Alexandros waved his hand and his clothes disappeared, causing the room to erupt with gasps. He held up his hand, turning slowly around and addressing those in the throne room.

"Look upon my nakedness and see the royal birthmark of a rightful son of the house of Michelakakis," he commanded, showing the bright red crest of the house of Michelakakis on the small of his back. "Only the heir apparent has this birthmark," he added.

A deafening silence filled the room as all, Acanthus included, looked upon the birthmark. After all had seen the birthmark, Alexandros waved his hand and again, his clothes appeared.

"Then you are who you say you are, but just try and silence the truth about your so called son, for he is the bastard son of your whore there and a human wench," he said, looking around the large throne room as if seeking support.

"Again you call my mate a whore and for that you deserve to die," Alexandros threatened, lunging at Acanthus and crashing to the floor.

"Enough, you both forget that I am still king and that you are still under my rule," Michel shouted and Alexandros stood up, going to stand beside Chrysanthos.

"May I remind our elusive guest, that his presence makes no difference when it comes to Demetrious' right to be king," Acanthus shouted and stood challenging Alexandros to counter.

Before he could speak, all went quiet when a bright light filled the throne room. The silence was deafening as all around, the Lamia fell to their knees in worship.

"Who dares to challenge my great grandson's birthright to be king," Zeus demanded as he moved around the room and came to a stop before groveling Acanthus.

"I?I had no idea that Demetrious was of your bloodline, your worship," a prostrate Acanthus said, not daring to raise his head or eyes.

Zeus motioned to Demetrious to come to him, as well as grandson, Chrysanthos. Both men hurried forward and fell to their knees before the mighty Zeus.

"Arise, for it should be them bowing in submission to you two," he said motioning around the throne room with his hand. "Demetrious behold your father, Chrysanthos," he said, motioning to Chrysanthos.

"Father, how I have longed for this day," Demetrious said, rushing into Chrysanthos' outstretched arms. "I have heard so much of you as I grew up," he added.

"I too have longed to hold you again, my son, because the last time I did, you were but a babe, and a beautiful one at that," Chrysanthos said, holding him out so that he may see him better.

"Now Acanthus is this sufficient enough proof for kingship? Or would you rather he too strip and show his birthmark to all," Michel asked and Acanthus nodded.

"Now why did I think it would be sufficient," Michel mused as he stepped down from his throne and embraced his brother.

"I am home to stay, Michel," Alexandros said, hugging Michel warmly.

"You know, it is your right to ascend the throne, as it was before you abdicated it to me," Michel said.

"I have a much better service to perform, catching up on all the years that I missed loving Chrysanthos. No, my brother, you have led our people well and have taught my son wisely. Demetrious shall make a good king," he proudly said, stepping over to embrace both Demetrious and Chrysanthos.

Zeus stepped away and slowly vanished, as if he had never been there. Acanthus stood, gave the royal family and evil glare and he too, vanished.

"Tomorrow night a royal masque will be given in honor of my brother's return as well as his marriage," Michel announced and the room roared with approval.

Rickie, having witnessed earlier the reuniting of the Michelakakis family and feeling the loneliness of having no family, stood gazing at the water. He watched at how the moonlight danced upon it, oblivious to the fact that someone was coming up behind him. The night was balmy, and a gentle breeze blew off the water, gently tossing about Rickie's hair, giving him a sensuous appearance.

"You were not among those gathered today in the throne room to celebrate, Richard," Demetrious said, causing Rickie to startle and turn about quickly.

"Ma'lord, I did not hear you approaching," he said as he dropped to his knee, and casting his eyes downward. "I am a stranger to your land and family, and not worthy of being there," he added.

Rickie lowered his head further, he never felt so unworthy as he did right there, right then in Demetrious' presence. Demetrious knelt down in front of Rickie and placed a finger below Rickie's chin, raising his face to meet his own.

'You Richard, not worthy, when the very blood of my father runs in your veins,' he asked.

'But I am but a created servant and?' Demetrious held up his hand to silence him.

'No buts and certainly you were not about to call your future king a liar, now were you,' he asked and Rickie shook his head. 'I did not think so,' he added with a smile.

'I truly appreciate your suggestion that because of Alexandros' blood, I am more than a slave. But can we both be honest here; you know very well that your slaves are made like I was, serving whoever made them.'

'This is true when it comes to our slaves, but you were created by two Lamia. One took and the other gave, which by law makes you Lamia and not a vampire,' he concluded.

'But?' and again Demetrious held up his hand to quiet him.

'Again you come back with the but. Then let me ask you this and before you answer, think hard about your answer.'

'Ok ma'lord, I promise to think before answering.'

'What did my father tell you about mind links?' he asked and Rickie stood there scratching his head as he gave the question much thought.

'The mind links can only exist between slave and master as well as the one that he is intended for you,' he proudly said.

'My father taught you well, Richard, now think about this also. Am I your master or are you my slave?'

'No ma'lord, your father created me so I am his slave," he confessed.

'Exactly Richard,' he smiled smugly, knowing that his next question would confuse Rickie. 'Then tell me, how is that you and I can converse in the intimate way of my people?'

Suddenly, Demetrious was not standing before him as the future king, but as a man, just like himself. His words sounded sincere, and they appeared to be the same age, although Rickie knew that Demetrious had him beat by a few thousand years, but still, Demetrious didn't care that he was illegitimate born or once human, he treated him as his equal.

'You and I are intended for each other,' he asked more than stated and Demetrious nodded with a warm smile on his face.

Then it happened, blame it on the moonlight or just them being in tune with one another's heart, but Demetrious was standing there so handsome and full of self-assurance, that Rickie pulled Demetrious to him and kissed him, tenderly.

It began soft and soon intensified, deepened, when Demetrious wrapped his arms around Rickie's neck and leaned into the kiss. A voice inside Rickie cautioned him, 'apologize, you have overstepped your place', but just as he was about to break their kiss and do so, Demetrious' fingers entwined in Rickie's hair, holding him there and more so, kissing him back.

Rickie pulled Demetrious flush against him, their bodies melding as one, and their hearts slamming hard in their chest.

'Ma'lord, I am so?' Demetrious placed a finger to Rickie's lips, silencing him.

'I see that I have my work cut out for me, if I am going to make a prince and husband out of you,' he spoke and Rickie spoke not, but pulled Demetrious to him and kissed him heatedly.

'Was that a proposal, De,' he asked, looking with loving eyes at him.

'It would be an acceptance if you were asking me to marry you,' Demetrious countered.

Rickie broke their kiss and with Demetrious' hands in his, he fell to one knee and looked up attentively, lovingly, at Demetrious and with tears in his eyes, he asked, 'Would you do this humble man the honor of being my mate and husband, ma'lord,' he asked sincerely.

Demetrious was quiet for a long moment, his heart pounding so hard that he thought that even those in the castle could hear it.

'Ma'lord the future king has no response, Richard. But the man, Demetrious, the ordinary man that is now standing before you, he says yes,' he replied, pulling Rickie to his feet and kissing him.

'Really De? you really will marry me? I love you De, I have from the moment I first saw you on the tower walk and watching me with the guard,' he confessed.

'I love you so much more, Richard, and my heart I freely give to you,' he said.

Rickie went to kiss him again, but he suddenly went limp in his arms. Rickie panicked, yelling for a guard as he lowered his lifeless body down to the ground.

'Don't you dare die on me, De? please honey, come back,' he begged holding Demetrious to him. 'Alexandros I need you? please come quickly,' Rickie mentally cried out.

'What is it Rickie,' he replied back.

'Demetrious is dead?"

To be continued?