Origin of the Sphinx by Raye Wagner Page A

and straightened.
    “Hello, Damon.” She said in a voice as smooth as silk.
    He looked confused, as though he trying to place this beautiful woman, alone on a hill far away from civilization.
    “I’m sorry,” he stammered. “I can’t seem to remember you. Do we know each other?”
    An idea had come to her as she looked at the handsome man. “Come here, Damon.” Her voice was compelling. “I want you to help me with something.”
    She knew he would come. She could tell this would be easy. And, she thought, probably quite enjoyable, too.
    ~ προχωρήσουμε ~
    The next year, when the days began to warm, Damon put his things together to go to the higher pastures. It was still early in the year, but he couldn’t help reflect on the previous summer– and the beautiful stranger he had spent it with. He wondered if he would see her again, and his heart skipped with anticipation.
    He had spent the surreal summer living with her, as man and wife. She had walked with him, slept under the stars with him, and fed him food unlike anything he had ever seen or tasted before. It had been…magical.
    And like magic, the Grecian beauty disappeared as abruptly as she had appeared. He awoke one day, toward the end of summer, and she was gone. He waited two weeks in hopes that she would return. Waited until it was almost too late. He returned to the lowlands just weeks before the first snow.
    Years before, Damon spurned the traditional government appointment after completing his education. His older brother had been more than happy to see Damon leave Athens and settle in the distant country. When their father died, Damon inherited the country estate, and communication between the brothers had ceased. Damon felt free to enjoy the life of a shepherd, the life he had always wanted. That had been three years ago.
    Damon had not married, as had been expected. He accumulated enough of a herd to pay a suitable bride price, and his land was more than adequate. But he waited. He bought two slaves, who became more like loyal friends as they helped tend the land and care for the sheep. But still he waited.
    And then last year…
    There had been speculation that Damon would marry Thalla when he returned from the summer grazing. It would have been an excellent match for both families. Thalla’s family had been in Belen for generations, they held both wealth and prestige. And it wasn’t that he didn’t like Thalla, he had even thought himself in love with her…
    But his heart and soul had been captured and consumed with the mysterious woman. And he couldn’t get her out of his mind, or his soul.
    When Damon made it back up to the grazing land, he was only slightly surprised to see her. He had hoped he would, had anticipated the meeting, ran through what he would say if she were there. But when he saw her, he was speechless.
    “Hello again, Damon,” her voice was soft, subdued.
    He could hear the underlying sadness. If he had looked in her eyes, he would have seen the pleading for forgiveness, for understanding. But he wasn’t looking at her.
    All of his attention was focused on the bundle in her arms. He walked slowly, his heart full in his throat. When he stood at her side, she pulled back the blanket to reveal a creature so beautiful, she took his breath away.
    “This is your daughter, Phoibe.” The woman’s head bent over the little one, and she crooned a lullaby. When she looked up there were tears in her eyes. “Damon, I need you to care for her. I can’t…” Her voice broke, and her emotions spilled down her cheeks. “Please, Damon?” She leaned over her daughter again, kissed her once, and laid her into Damon’s arms.
    He was overwhelmed. This just couldn’t be. Before he could respond, the blanket fell away from the young infant. His protest caught in his throat. She was so fair. Her skin was cream and roses, dark lashes framed hazel eyes that could only be his. The soft downy of her hair was a dark honey, and her