Read Online Holiday Magick by Rich Storrs - Free Book Online Page B

too much at stake, too much happening too quickly. A sharp pain pierced my chest and my hands felt numb.
    I looked into Ahasuerus’s eyes, so trusting, so full of pain and hope at the same time. This man was the key to saving my entire race of people.
    â€œYes, my king. I will be true to you, I promise. I will never lie to you.”

    Mordechai snuck into my room on my wedding night while Ahasuerus said good-bye to our guests.
    â€œI hear you are calling yourself Esther now.” She stood by the door.
    â€œAre you crazy?” I stood up from the bed and wrapped a silk sheet around my bare body. “You can’t be here. The king will be back any second now.”
    â€œWhat I have to say won’t take long.” She walked to the bed in three long strides and leaned down to hiss into my ear. “You must act quickly to destroy Haman. Time is running out.”
    â€œMy marriage is not even consummated yet, Grandmother. What can I possibly do? Ahasuerus will be…distracted tonight. Too distracted to be of help.”
    â€œYou must think of something. Haman has offered Ahasuerus a wedding present: to rid Persia of the ‘Jewish problem.’ Your groom would annihilate us all, even our patriarchal brothers.”
    â€œBut what—” I stopped, silenced by the sound of voices.
    â€œJust do something, Hadassah! Remember what I said—time is running out!”
    Mordechai slipped into the shadows and out the door.
    A few minutes later, Ahasuerus stepped inside. “Why was the new kitchen matron in here?” He did not seem angry, only confused.
    Before I could think too much on it, I blurted out, “It was going to be a surprise. I am planning a dinner for you, the food of my native people.” Inspired, I added, “For you and your closest advisor, Haman.”
    An enormous smile broke over Ahasuerus’s face, and my heart skipped a beat. “Not only are you beautiful, but thoughtful as well.” He untied the sash of his robe and slid into bed beside me. He bent his head, and my neck tingled where he nuzzled. “I might as well tell you, I have a wedding surprise for you, too, my copper-haired beauty.”
    Ahasuerus interpreted my gasp as excitement, and laughed low and full of knowing. I had to close my eyes and collect myself in order to keep up my glamour, and to speak again, all while he traced a finger down my arm. “And what, um, oh, um, what is my surprise, my, oh, uh, my love?”
    He pulled at my earlobe with his teeth. “I’ll let Haman tell you himself at your dinner. When will that be?”
    I fought to maintain presence of mind even while his silky black hair slipped through my fingers. The power of my glamour required concentration. Concentration I clung to with my entire being. “Tomorrow.”
    The last sane thought I had before Ahasuerus kissed his way around my neck was that I’d have to find Mordechai first thing in the morning, and tell her to whip the kitchen staff into shape.

    â€œAnd that,” Haman belched and ripped off another hunk of flatbread with his massive white teeth, “is what’s wrong with the Athenians. Now I’ll tell you what the Spartans do wrong.” He wagged a finger in the air, and chewed with his mouth open.
    For form’s sake, I ignored the bits of bread spraying my face and smiled politely, stifling a yawn.
    Ahasuerus chuckled and slapped Haman on the back. “I am not sure my wife enjoys talking of world issues.” I caught his wink and flashed him my best, most sincere grin.
    Haman wiped wine off his mouth with his sleeve and belched again. I blinked at the putrid air wafting into my face. “Of course, my queen. My apologies.” He studied my red hair, and I held my breath. He could not possibly see through the glamour, could he?
    Of course he could. He was over a thousand years old already, possessed of inhuman powers. My little glamour could not