The previous evening was the most wonderful time Cicely had ever experienced in her entire immortal life. The sun began to shine through the trees signaling it as still early in the morning. Cicely put her head scarf on as she whispered apologies to her snakes and then quietly fumbled around for the colored glass. She eventually found it hidden slightly under some of the grass bedding. She positioned the colored glass over her eyes and the put her chiton back on. She looked at her sleeping lover and a warmth spread through her as she stared at him.
Cicely stood up and grabbed the bowl for water and left her secret grotto. She moved efficiently and quietly. She knelt by the spring and filled the bowl with fresh water. On her way back to her grotto she noticed some red berries and picked them for them to share when he awoke.
Vitalis was sitting up when she made her way back to the secret grotto. She flashed him a smile and knelt down offering the bowl of water and the red berries in the folds of her chiton.
He reached out, but he didn't grab the bowl or berries. He placed his calloused hand gently on her cheek. "Hello gorgeous."
Cicely smiled like a fool setting the bowl and berries on the ground near her. She allowed herself to be taken into his embrace. "Even now in the full light?" She question nervous for his answer.
"Even more so."
This was real, right? Cicely thought to herself.
Vitalis moved his hand up and reached for the head scarf that hid the snakes beneath. "Are you sure?" Part of her wanted him to see her all and to fully accept her. But part of her knew that there was the chance that he would shun her and that was something she didn't think she could handle. No, she knew she couldn't handle if he hated her.
Vitalis smiled and removed the head scarf. The snakes were docile and apprehensive mirroring the behavior of Cicely.
Cicely was watching his eyes, waiting for the moment when disgust would envelope his face. When his disgust would squash any feelings that he may have had for her. Her palms began to sweat as she waited for a reaction that never came.
"You are still the most beautiful being I have ever seen. Absolute perfection."
She let out her breath that she wasn't even aware that she was holding! "What?" It came out without her really understanding, this couldn't be possible...could it?
He let out a small laugh, "This is no joke, you are amazing. Snakes and all." He gave her a wink and his hand started reaching towards the snakes to properly introduce himself, but then his hand paused.
Cicely looked at Vitalis with apprehension, "is something the matter?"
"No, I was going to introduce myself to your snakes, but I must admit, I'm a little nervous. Will they attack me?"
Cicely raised her eyes to her snakes, "they wouldn't." speaking to Vitalis as much as she was talking to her snakes.
Vitalis moved closer and gently touched the snakes, petting their bodies with the utmost respect. The snakes hissed almost like they were cats purring in pleasure. A wide grin crossed his face. He moved his hand away from the snakes after his proper introduction and then in leaned towards Cicely. He kissed her on the lips, "You are my bread and wine. I am complete with you and there is nothing I need when you are by my side."
Cicely blushed like a little girl, "Well, as much as I would enjoy lounging around for a little longer, we must get you safely off the island. I couldn't take it is you were captured and killed by my family or the sirens."
The man nodded in agreement. "Come with me?"
Cicely took a step back with confusion and her forehead creased with confusion, "I beg your pardon?"
Vitalis grabbed her hands and held them within his own. "Come with me."
"I don't know if that is such a good idea. I'm not human or mortal."
"Many married women wear headscarves and cover their faces. Unless." He paused, "unless you don't want to. I don't want you to do anything that you are vehemently against."
"I would go to the edge of the world with you." She leaned in and kissed him.
But the couple didn't have to think about it too long. They heard loud noises along the Eastern shore of the island. Cicely helped Vitalis up and helped him arrange his peplos quickly. Then as fast as lightening she lead him through the forest to the edge of the island and the beach. Two ships had moored and one had crashed into the rocks and was currently sinking into the watery depths.
Cicely scanned the water and the rocks looking for the sirens, but she couldn't see them, not with the chaos that was before them.
Suddenly their choices were taken from them as the 2 ships and their men made the decision for Vitalis and Cicely.