"Yes, I am a gorgon." Cicely said as she fingered the colored glass over her eyes. "But, I mean you no harm. I cannot speak for my family or the sirens." She finished as she looked out towards the gentle waves lapping up on the beach. It almost felt like time had frozen as she waited for his answer.
Vitalis stared at her, he knew about gorgons. He had heard great heroic stories regarding the slaying of gorgons and of course the most famous of all was the story of Perseus and the beheading of Medusa. However, he knew the gorgon that was in front of him was no threat, she could have killed him when he was unconscious. Instead she saved him and her concern was endearing, but he also realized the truth to what she had said. He would have to find a place to hole up for the night for his safety. "Where shall we go?"
Cicely's attention snapped quickly back to Vitalis, "We?" She asked him as much as she was asking herself. Did she hear him correctly?
He flashed his smile and he leaned in close kissing her gently on the cheek. Cicely was too stunned to react outwardly. Inwardly she was a mess of emotion she was unequipped to handle. Cicely stood up and reached for his hand, "I'll take you to my secret place, my grotto. It is a place that only I know about. You will be safe there, I promise. Then first thing we will find you a way off the Island."
Vitalis grabbed her hand using her assistance to stand up. "You are a goddess, sent to me by the gods. Thank you."
Cicely blushed furiously and shook her head slightly, "Come let us go now, before it gets too late."
He nodded and he picked up the bag of fruits and she picked up and carried the water container. She held his other hand and escorted him safely through the forest. Cicely knew the forest well but the poor human male would stumble every so often and she could hear the the thump of some of the fruits as they hit the ground.
Cicely took the long way to her secret grove, far way from her home and where she knew her mother and sister would be. She often spent her time away from the family home and her mother and sister would think nothing of her 'disappearance'.
The sun had long since set when Vitalis and Cicely made it to the hidden grove and the moon was but a sliver in the sky. The grove was dark and Cicely had no fears of showing her eyes to the man (he wouldn't be able to see her eyes in the darkness) and she therefore removed the colored glass. She whispered an apology to her snakes and she kept the hair covering upon her head.
"Cicely, I want to thank you again. Without you I would have died."
She was eternally grateful for the darkness because her reddened cheeks could remain hidden with the shadows. "I am happy to do so." Truly she spoke from her heart, she was glad that she had found him and even more satisfied that she could save him. "I think I have a cloth around here, somewhere." Her eyes searching to and fro for the blanket she knew that she had stored here previously. The poor man may be cold.
"Um." Vitalis muttered. "There are other ways to keep warm on cool nights." He said as he leaned in close to Cicely.
Cicely's head shot over as she looked over to the young man. "I'm sorry, I don't follow." She noted, but that was only partially true. She wanted to confirm with him before her mind shot off in the potentially wrong direction.
Vitalis reached out blindingly for Cicely's hand and when he found it he pulled her in close, whispering into her ear. "We can lie with one another."
His warm breath on her ear and cheek sent shivers throughout her body and an intense warmth down her body. She shuddered in response, how did she have no control over her body? What was happening to her?
Vitalis could feel her pulsing heart as he held her wrist. He gently guided her down on the grass bedding. He moved his hands up to the the cloth that hid her snakes upon her head.
Cicely pulled away momentarily. "Don't." She called out.
"I'm not afraid." He said as he pulled her in close and removed the head covering. He could hear the snakes hissing, but he knew he was safe. He knew she meant no harm.
She blinked and tears welled up in her eyes. Could this be happening? Is this real or is this a dream? He moved on top of her and she bit her lips to keep from moaning out. The heat between her legs was all consuming and her heart was beating out of her chest.