Garnet or Garnets Curse

Robert said, scratching his head.
    “ I know someone,” Maria chirped up.
    “ Who?” I asked.
    “ Me! ” Maria said, pointing to herself. “ I could offer myself for hire as a housekeeper. If I get the job, I would be a spy from within. ”
    “ No! It could be dangerous, ” I said, hoping to nip the plan in the bud.
    “ Not very likely. They will never suspect a thing. I ’ ll tell them I moved here to be near my son in the institution. ”
    “ Maria, if you are willing, I think it is our best option, ” Robert confirmed.
    “ Fine, it is settled, ” Maria said, standing to her feet. Tomorrow morning I will go to the Dragos estate and ask for employment. Now, the wine and the hour have determined it is way past my bedtime. Good night all. ”
    With Maria gone, I was left awkwardly alone with the two men. Aaron promised his due diligence in finding out what happened to my father ’ s ship. He then looked at his watch and declared it was his bedtime too.
    “ Well, it looks like the party is breaking up, ” Robert said, moving over to sit in the chair next to me. With his knee touching mine, he pointed to the tapestry above the fireplaces. “ That is the Auro ’ s family crest. It depicts the seven sons as great warriors and hunters. ”
    “ Seven sons? I asked, feeling the fear of the curse coming back to haunt me.
    “ Yes, or that is what we were told. The tapestry was hanging here when we acquired the house. It is amazing how vivid the shades of red and gold have remained after all these years.”
    I went into a trance state staring at the tapestry. There on a golden hill were the seven hunters with jewel-studded swords. Under their feet was their slaughter—a huge horned beast.
    “ Fascinating isn ’ t it, ” Robert said, slipping his arm over my shoulder. “ In fact, this house has almost everything a man could desire, except a wife to domesticate him. ”
    I did not move or turn toward him. He lifted my hair and slowly began to softly kiss my neck. My flesh quivered with every touch of his lips and a moan of passion emerged from deep within me. He lifted me to my feet and pulled my body close to his. “ Estoy ardiendo por ti ,” he whispered in my ear.
    Spanish is a romantic language, but there was no need for words. I too, burned for him. Seeing my will was his, he lowered his lips to mine and kissed me. The world stopped turning, the floor was no longer under my feet nor did the room have walls. There was only Robert.
    We are brought back to reality by the sound of glass breaking. We turned to see that a very embarrassed servant had dropped a glass. Robert laughed and patted me on the back tenderly. “ It is getting late darling. Allow me to escort you to your room. ”
    Robert was silent as we walked up the stairs. When we reached my room, he opened the door. “ Good night my beauty. Best lock your door or someone might come in the night and ravish you. ” He kissed my hand and left me standing in the open doorway.
    I knew he was teasing me, but his words had a frightening effect on me. I locked the door behind me. Once in bed, I turned off the light and allowed the moonlight to fill the room. The food, the wine, the kiss, it had been the most remarkable night of my life. I would not allow it to be spoiled by fear of an imaginary curse. Robert was not imaginary; he was real.
    I fell asleep with ease, but sometime in the haze of the night, I heard a knock. I was not sure whether it was real or a dream. I felt my body rise and open the door. There stood Robert, dressed in full formal wear. He extended his hand to me and together we glided down the stairs without once touching the steps.
    Into the garden we floated until we reached a beautiful gazebo. There was music and the sweet smell of honeysuckle filled the air. We danced until we collapsed upon a garden swing. We ate stuffed figs and drank sweet wine until we could hold no more. He began kissing me passionately, but suddenly he disappeared. I called out his name wildly. “ Robert! Robert! ” I shouted.
    He did not answer. It was then I realized that the gazebo had turned into a cage. More and more figs appeared and I could not resist eating them. I ate and ate until my body began to swell to gross proportions. The cage was getting smaller and smaller and I was forced to lie down, all the while eating and eating. It was then I saw Robert ’ s face. He was like a giant staring down at me. He opened the door to the cage, lifted