Mayan Lover by Wendy S. Hales Page A

Maggie said, but he
got the sentiment.
    “You will stay with my goddess?”
Arka tried to temper the anger from his voice.
    Maggie lifted a brow. “Duh. She’s
not leaving my sight, big guy.”
    He hated stepping away, but he needed to do
something. Taking one last look at Gwen as Maggie pulled the trailer
door closed, his resolve to get answers solidified. The flap of the
tent he shared with Enrique ripped when he yanked it open. Lifting
the wood slate makeshift flooring up he dug his crystal skull from
the shallow hole where he’d buried it beneath and stuffed it
into a carry bag, his motions stiff with anger.
    Ignoring the worried look on Enrique’s
face, he barked, “Guard her with your very life.”
    “You have my word, uncle.” Enrique
followed him from the tent and took Arka’s post at Gwen’s
front door despite the light rain.
    He’d never doubted his destiny until now.
Never questioned his importance in helping the Goddess of Moonlight
find her destiny. What he’d heard tonight filled
him with doubt and fury. Not at her, but at himself. Stalking to the
shore of the pond they’d swam in, he withdrew the skull and set
it to the ground. Legs folded under him, arms extended on either side
of the sacred face, he leaned to touch his forehead to that of the
cool stone and opened his mind. The early morning sun filtered
through the lifting rain clouds and tree leaves to warm his back.
    A bright, blinding light added to the vertigo of
rapid movement, then stopped just as abruptly. Arka looked around at
the glowing walls surrounding the chamber. “I expected this
visit, Arka.” A voice boomed from a man as he shimmered and
appeared. He indicated the floor, and Arka could see himself on the
shore in prayer with the stone.
    Every time he’d needed the stone in his
youth, it had enlightened his thoughts, given him a sense of purpose,
shown him images a few times. That it was also an astral portal to
the Sun God really didn’t surprise him. It was disrespectful
not to kneel, but Arka was too furious, so he paced. “Do you
know what she’s been through?” he demanded.
    To Arka’s surprise, Kinich Ahau didn’t
strike him down. The god matched his pace, pivoted in mirror image
with him. “I’ve seen.”
    Arka stopped and faced the yellow-gold eyes. “I
am her protector. Why was I not allowed to protect her? Why was I
barred from her dreams when she needed me most? Why did my Journey
happen too late for me to do my duty to her … to you …
to the Moon Goddess, Ixchel herself?”
    Kinich Ahau placed a hot hand to his shoulder.
“The Goddess of Moonlight’s trials could not change when
the merging of your destinies happened, Arka. The energy of the
universe is defined and not subject to humanity. The timing of your
Journey was dictated by universal alignment. Her prior joining was
not divinely sanctioned. It was the result of human fallibilities.
Her union with you, Arka, is divinely sanctioned.”
    “I could have been there for her in
dream.” He was still angry. Union with me? The last part
Kinich said filtered slowly through his rage.
    This time Kinich Ahau started pacing. “The
Goddess of Moonlight blocked your dreams, and only she can explain
her reasons. Perhaps she sought to protect youin her own
way.” He pursed his lips. “I will give you a word of
wisdom. Ixchel is strong, beautiful … and very female. As much
as I love my moon wife, I don’t always understand her. No
matter how desperately I want to protect my wife, some pain will find
a way to her. I’ve come to learn that the greatest protection I
can give is the unwavering haven of my love. I have faith in her
strength and her ability to face any challenge. In return, she
believes in both herself and me. The Goddess of Moonlight does not
need you to question her path to this point, nor does she need you to
hold yourself accountable. She needs you to see beyond it. Love her,
have faith in her, believe in her, enable her to see beyond