"My husband is not inherently evil. How do I know this? Quite simple, really. Because he loves me. Evil, true evil, is incapable of the emotion, as it is a virtuous thing. Pure and simple in both heart and mind. He treats me like a queen, both protects and honors me. One does not hold such emotions close to their heart were it blackened with sin and misdeed."
"Is he misjudged? Indeed not. He has done some terrible things in his life, by his own account. He does not ask forgiveness nor understanding. His reasons are his own, those I am alone privy to. I alone understand where he has come from, what he has done, and what I myself must do."
"I too, have my reasons."
Athens, Greece - Years ago
Have you ever been to a Greek street market? Called the Laiki, or the "people's market," it is one of the most simple but delightful of attractions to both tourist and local alike. Every Greek city has at least one, and some major cities, Athens for example, has more and much larger. They generally begin early in the morning and last until early afternoon. Those who know of these markets know that the earlier one arrives, the more variety of goods you have the option of purchasing. Foods such as produce, fresh fish straight from the sea and cheeses made locally. Clothing. Spices. Freshly made Greek delicacies. There was something for everyone who had a desire in mind.
And a certain someone with desire in his heart, stood within the crowd, remaining inconspicuous as the object of his attention wandered slowly from stall to stall, her green eyes straying from one delicacy to the other.
Rinoa Mavropanos, long before she took another's name for her own, walked along the market street, her eyes taking in one delight after another. She wore a black, pleated blouson gown with red accents, the milk white complexion of her skin on display with no sleeves and a neckline that would drive a sculptor to madness. A scarf, red in color so deep it was almost black, draped over her head just enough to shield her scalp and eyes from the sun as she went about her pleasure.
As in most Greek markets, the sample of the foods offered were freely given to display to patrons the freshness and quality in taste. He watched as her lips bit into the fresh pulp around the seed of a pomegranate, before she smiled and nodded, purchasing three from the vendor before moving on. He watched with a smile on his lips as she purchased several lamb Souvlaki to eat as she wandered the shops, the scents of the roasted meats tantalizing to the senses.
As she leaned over a stall that had traditional Greek pastries and desserts, he decided that this was the time. A "now or never" moment that neither would look back on without gratefulness.
"Try one?"
Rinoa glanced up, and saw a man of such unearthly beauty that it took her breath away. Under most circumstances, she considered herself a woman that was always capable of keeping her faculties in complete check. Her family thought her devoid of emotion if she were to be completely honest, but this man; his chiseled cheekbones, molded to perfection. His eyes and smile. That long, silky black hair that extended well past his shoulders. A scent that was part sandalwood, part 'morning after rain.' To her eye, he was perfection.
And in his fingers, offered up to her, was a Loukoumades, a Greek honey ball. He had plucked one right from the basket, knowing she had eyed them, and held it to her in invitation, his lips turned upward to show the white of his teeth in a delicious smile and eyebrows risen almost to his hairline. In hopefulness or wonder, she might never know.
She stared between the offering and his eyes for a seemingly unending eternity before she finally found her voice.
Rinoa Mavropanos: I've ... never had the pleasure.
Kedron Williams: Truly? A wondrous Greek woman such as yourself and you've never sampled a Loukoumades?
To this, she deemed a challenge of sorts and her face went slack of emotion, as it had been known to do.
Rinoa Mavropanos: What makes you think I'm Greek?
Kedron Williams: You speak the language to perfection.
Rinoa Mavropanos: As are you. Are you Greek?
To this question, Kedron could only laugh.
Kedron Williams: Gods, no! I am American. Through and through.
Rinoa Mavropanos: But you speak perfect Greek?
Kedron Williams: Not exactly, no.
Curious. He tilted his head to the side, and again offered her the Loukoumades in his fingers with an impish smile. She answered easily be reaching out with her fingers and picking her own from the basket and took a bite. Only after savoring the sweet flavor for a moment did she gift him with a smile, one in which he returned in earnest.
From that moment, she had been his.
Lachania - Many days later
A small village roughly five miles from the sea, and on the largest island of Rhodes. Lachania was the host to a quaint, old fashioned restaurant called Platanos Taverna that catered to Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, and although some locals state that it is not for tourists, that warning falls faint to most ears as they also say this is where you will find the best of Greek food if visiting. It had a comfortable atmosphere, the most popular of which was the outside patio, surrounded by pomegranate trees and vines that wound about the wicker awning.
Platanos Taverna rested in a lovely square beside a church, an ironic circumstance given just who had visited this place so often in the past several days. Rinoa had returned to this small village, where she had called home since birth, and she was pleasantly surprised when she discovered that her handsome suitor had followed her. Each evening after, she had found his invitation to dine with him at her favorite establishment, and she was only too pleased to accept. The sun was now set, and even from five miles away, the scent of the fresh, sea salt air wafted through to delight the senses.
He watched as she brushed the flock of hair that drifted from her scalp across her eyes, back over her earlobe as she picked up her glass of red wine.
Rinoa Mavropanos: How much longer will you be in Greece?
He raised his brow in question, as if the querie from her had caught him off guard and he did not understand. She shook her head.
Rinoa Mavropanos: Do you not have to go home? To the States?
To this, he smiled and leaned back in his chair, reaching his long, slender fingers for his own glass.
Kedron Williams: I have no one waiting for me, if that is what you are asking.
Taking a sip from her glass, she looked over the crystal rim and her eyes twinkled.
Rinoa Mavropanos: I can't say that I am disappointed. I am, sorry, though that you will have to leave eventually.
Kedron Williams: Then come with me.
She blinked, and slowly lowered her glass to the table. Not quite certain she had heard him or his implication correctly.
Rinoa Mavropanos: Excuse me?
He leaned forward in his chair, his hands clasped together on the edge of the table as he implored to her.
Kedron Williams: Come with me. To the States.
Rinoa Mavropanos: I-I can't simply leave Greece. My family would not approve...
Kedron Williams: Perhaps they would, if you were to leave as my wife?
Rinoa Mavropanos: Wife? But, we've known each other for days. Less than two weeks.
Kedron Williams: And yet in that time I have felt for you like I have felt for no other in my lifetime. And between us, that has been a very long time. Longer than perhaps you could ever truly understand.
When she failed to answer him immediately, he continued on.
Kedron Williams: Perhaps I am overextending my charm, but I believe you feel the same for myself as I am feeling for you.
But before any further words could be spoken, Kedron stood up and walked around the table. he lowered himself to one knee at her side, not to propose formally, but rather to confide.
Kedron Williams: But before you answer, we must talk. Even were you to not consider this, I would want no lies or hidden truths to exist between us. And there is something about myself that I would hope that you understand.
Rinoa drummed her fingers lightly on the edge of the table, before she leaned over in her own chair to draw closer to the man that had so recently captured her attention in both heart and soul. She did so, so that nobody near their table would overhear what she whispered into his ear.
Rinoa Mavropanos: I imagine this has something to do with your being a warlock, dear?
She could not have shocked Kedron more had she physically assaulted him, judging by the way he jerked back and stared up at her, rendered seemingly speechless. But she too said not a word, allowing him a brief moment's respite from her knowledge until he slowly shook his head and finally found his voice.
Kedron Williams: How ... when did you know?
To this she smiled in a simple manner.
Rinoa Mavropanos: I've known since the moment you were watching me from across that market. I knew from the moment you offered me that Loukoumades, tainted with just a touch of fíltro agápis.
Fíltro agápis ... roughly translated to 'love potion.'
Kedron Williams: You knew?
He frowned.
Kedron Williams: And yet you....
Rinoa Mavropanos: Found myself succumbing to your charms anyway.
She gently took his face, those jawline that lasts for days, in her fingertips and they stared into one another's eyes.
Rinoa Mavropanos: Like attracts like. I suspect you knew also what I am. Perhaps that is why you pursued me....
She did not give him a chance to protest nor agree, whatever, as she continued.
Rinoa Mavropanos: For now, I am satisfied enough that with your company, I have lived a lifetime in a matter of days. It just makes me wonder what you could possibly bring me next before we find a name for this fine feeling between us.
He searched her eyes, but she was able to remain far more hidden from him than he was from her.
Kedron Williams: Does-does this mean...?
She nodded.
Rinoa Mavropanos: Yes. It means exactly that...
And that easily, he was on his feet, drawing her up by the arms in his own strong hands and their lips met. Assuming a marriage proposal, the patrons around them applauded, some raising their glasses in a toast. None of them the wiser.
"And I have never looked back from that moment a single time with regret in my heart. My family did not understand. My father, perhaps the strongest man I have known, actually expressed fear of Kedron, and a fear for me. As a traditional Greek family, he attempted to forbid me from this union, but Mother spoke to him, and fearful too as she was, she implored it was my life to do with as I wished."
"And I wished to be at Kedron's side, from here until eternity. Although he has a better chance of lasting that long than I dare say I do. Did he attempt to ensnare me with a Fíltro agápis? Indeed he did, although I bear him no grudge for this. Perhaps it was the only way he knew how to approach me. Perhaps he was simply lonely. In the end, he did not even need the scent he wore that would have worked the same. Not that it would have, mind you, because I had long ago taken special precautions against subtleties such as those. But I stand by him in all things, and even if I do not always agree with his actions, I understand them and why he does what he does. I have questioned him, as is my right, and implored him to undo some things but he remains steadfast that he knows what he is doing, and must finish all things that he has started. I stand by him."
"It is why I am here, now, and find myself in quite unfamiliar territory. But to that I acknowledge that I have only myself to blame. But I make no apologies for what I have done, or what I will do in order to protect and save the love of my life. Ben and Evie Jordan see him as an abomination, a creature of evil incarnate, but nothing could be further from the truth. Ben sees me I am certain as little more than even that, and one day he will understand just how mistaken he is on all accounts. But you, Evie...?"
"I would think that you, of all people, would understand why I am doing this. Understand where I am coming from. We are, after all, in this to defend the man that we are joined to in (un)holy matrimony, yes? And while all blame has been laid at my doorstep for my involvement, all that proves on your part is either a poor memory or a severe case of a hypocritical nature. I mean, when all of this first started, it was man to man. Our two husbands; Kedron versus Benjamin. Until Benjamin decided to retaliate, which even I acknowledge to have been his right. What did he do? Whom did he bring along?"
"Oh that's right; it was you, Evie. You stood inside of that ring when Ben returned fire, quite literally. It was you who spoke up with a threat against my man, my husband, my love. It was you, who stated he was to be hunted. Did you truly think that this would go unnoticed? Or unremembered? Or are you the type of woman who feels she should be allowed to make threats against any she chooses without fear of repercussion? And once that repercussion strikes, she believes herself the victim, in the wrong? And all blame lay on the other woman who rises to that threat?"
"Look me in the eyes, Evie Jordan. I am not a wrestler. I have never trained for any form of physical contact sport, but I am not afraid to fight to defend the one that I love. This could have all too easily remained simple between our men, but you were the one who upped the stakes when you stepped into that ring and threatened Kedron. You brought my attack on yourself when you made that threat against him, and now here you are. Laying blame at another's doorstep when you were the first of the brides to become involved, not I! I simply answered back, and opened your eyes to see that you will not threaten my man and walk away unscathed!"
"Am I nervous? I am not a liar enough to deny this fact. You are a former champion many times over. I am not a wrestler. I have never set foot in a ring. And I am not foolish enough to believe that I am superior to you in any technical aspect, given your own glorified history. What I am, is a loving wife. What I am, is an angry woman. You will never lay a hand to me. You will never threaten Kedron, ever again!"
"And Benjamin? As I said once before; I am a patient woman. You will understand everything soon enough. Kedron is not evil, but he is a touch wicked."
"And wicked always wins."