Greece - 50 BC
Nyx awaited her lover Kallikrates at the Temple of Aphrodite. Their love was forbidden for she was a slave girl belonging to his sister and he was a highborn soldier of much acclaim.
When he had first gone away to distinguish himself in battle, Nyx had been little more than a child, a handmaiden to his sister Penelope. In Kallikrates absence, Penelope had been chose as a priestess of Aphrodite. She had taken her slave girl with her when she had left her father’s house. So devoted was Penelope to her goddess, she had even sacrificed Nyx’s virginity to please Aphrodite.
During the intervening years, Nyx had blossomed into a stunning, alluring young female. Despite being a mere slave, Nyx had admirers from all stations of Greek society. It was rumored she was as promiscuous as she was beautiful. She never wanted for any material thing. All she needed to do was hint at the lack to one of her drooling paramours and it was hers. Spoiled, beautiful, and prized, Nyx was the envy of many – including the priestesses of the temple.
At Kallikrates’ triumphant return, the arrows of Eros’ bow immediately struck him when he set eyes on Nyx. He declared himself to the girl, promising the one thing her many other devotes had not dared. He would gain her freedom from the temple and a life of servitude. If Penelope refused to release her, he planned to spirit her away and they would be married.
Nyx had believed herself ever the practical girl, but something about Kallikrates’ suit was like no other. Yes, he did promise freedom at all cost – a very precious commodity to a girl who had never known a life other than that of a slave. Still it was the man who made the adventure one she could not refuse.
Strong arms enveloped Nyx waist from behind. “My beloved,” he sighed into the shell of her ear.
The girl sank back into the embrace of her lover. Kallikrates truly was a most handsome male. Unlike the bulky coarse bodies of many soldiers, he had the slender look of aristocracy. Shoulder-length dark curls framed his chiseled cheekbones and jaw line. His ever-changeable eyes gave witness to his deeply felt emotions: bright blue when pleased, storm cloud, gray-blue when crossed. In passion, his remarkable eyes were a smoky blue with flashes of lightning. Nyx amused herself! Had the impish Eros finally struck her with one of his love-arrows? Since when had she ever waxed poetic about any man?
“What brings such a radiant smile to your lovely lips?” Kallikrates asked. “Tell me so I might see it more often.”
“Eros has been shooting his wicked arrows into my heart.”
Dare he believe the spoiled Nyx was saying she loved him? Taking her shoulders in hand, he turned the girl to face him. The truth was there, sparkling in her emerald eyes. When had this glorious event occurred? He’d not been fool enough to believe she had loved him. To test her sincerity, he said, “Penelope has refused to release you. She would not consent to my purchase of you. If you come away with me, we shall be forever outcasts.”
Nyx did not disappoint. Her arms went about his strong neck as she made her own declaration. “We shall have each other, my love. I shall be forever happy.”
Kallikrates snatched her up, spinning her about in his joy. And such joy makes a tongue very loose and careless. “Aphrodite shall be well rid of you, my beautiful one, for you rival her in all manner of things. You are more lovely—“
“HOW DARE YOU!” The walls of the temple shook with the thundering anger of the Goddess Aphrodite. She appeared to the lovers in all her blinding, blonde perfection.
Knowing the petty rages of the supercilious gods, Nyx feared for her beloved Kallikrates. “He knows not what he says, Divine One. His mind is befuddled by the arrows of Eros.”
“You blame this atrocity on my son?” the goddess roared.
“Please, my goddess—“
“And you, Nyx, you think yourself better than my loyal priestesses. I have tolerated your arrogance until now for Penelope’s sake. I know longer feel the desire since the two of you planned to wrong her.”
“You are the Goddess of Love. Can you not see the love I have for Nyx and she for me?” Kallikrates asked the vengeful divinity.
“Do not speak of love to me. Ares is the one you to whom you sacrifice,” the goddess sneered.
To protect the man she had come to realize meant more to her than life itself, Nyx sought to appease the deity. “Divine One, whatever punishment you believe should be visited upon us for offending you, I would beg it be mine alone.”
Her lover’s protest was immediate. “Nyx, no!—“
“Fear not,” Aphrodite assured him. “You shall both suffer.” The goddess circled the lovers, deciding what cruelty to mete out. Even though Kallikrates had been one whose words had offended her sensibilities she was less inclined to he harsh with him. After all, he was a very lovely male. She could have uses for him – and she was her loyal Penelope’s brother. Nyx, with her haughty pretense of being better than her station…Ah, yes…Nyx would be in torment – for eternity.
“For Kallikrates, I deem he shall never know the happiness of human love.”
“No!” Nyx cried.
“And for you, a fitting transformation.” Snapping her fingers once, Aphrodite turned the raven-haired, green-eyed beauty who dared to rival the goddess into a sleek, exquisite cat. “You shall live eternally as a woman’s in a feline’s form. You shall know all the hungers and desire and passion of a woman – and have no man’s love. Your curse of immortality can only been broken by the love of a man. He who would desire to make love to you as a cat.”
With an angry yowl, the black cat launched herself at the deity’s face, clawing at her perfect features until she was thrown brutally to the cold marble floor.
Accepting his lonely fate for it was less than his beloved would suffer, Kallikrates picked up the dazed feline he would cherish his entire life.
“A human male, not yourself, must fornicate with your beloved.” Aphrodite’s cruel laughter echoed off the walls long after she disappeared.
“I shall still love you,” Kallikrates promised Nyx as he stroked her soft fur. “I remain faithfully your love, beautiful.”
Poor, crazy Kallikrates.
The people of the village where the strange old man lived pitied him. He had nothing save his black cat. Lonely and unloved, it was rumored he did unspeakably intimate acts with his faithful pet.
And when the once handsome, wealthy soldier died in a squalid alley way, it was said the mournful yowls of his cat was heard for many days and nights – even the inhabitants of Mount Olympus were aware of pitiable Kallikrates passage to the Underworld where Hades ruled.