Adam nodded. `Yes, I know. And when Cortes landed, as one his Captains Pedro de Alvarado I think it was had a golden beard and hair, the Indians thought he was Quetzalcoatl and fell on their knees and worshipped him.'
`That's right. But they soon found out their mistake and they are still hoping that the real Quetzalcoatl will return to them.' `But I thought that for a long time past all but a very few of the Indians had become Roman Catholics.'
Chela hesitated. `Well… as I told you on the day we drove it to the pyramids, from the beginning they identified many of their gods with Christian saints. For example, St. Patrick is always presented with a snake at his feet and, as one of Quetzalcoatl's many attributes was power over snakes, they assume that the two
were one and the same. But that doesn't matter in the least. What
does is that they are deeply religious and observe the ceremonies of the Catholic Church.'
After a moment's silence, Adam said, `From my childhood I have had dreams and visions of my previous incarnations, both as a Viking in Norway and as a Prince here in Mexico; but they are always disconnected episodes, so I really know very little about the life I led. It would be wonderful if you could fill in some of the gaps.'
`My returns to the past have been very patchy too, and there is really not much that I can tell you. I was the daughter of a Prince and became a priestess. The first I heard of you was that you were the King of Tula. My people defeated yours in a great battle outside Teotihuacán and you were captured. Weeks later the whole nation was mustered to witness a great ceremony. You were brought out from the Pyramid of the Moon, and I was one of the priestesses who scattered flowers in front of you. At the sight of you I nearly fainted. I had never seen such a wonderful man and I wanted to fall flat on my face at your feet.'
`Oh darling, did you?' Adam gave her a long kiss. `And I felt just like that about you. In all my life I had never seen such a beautiful girl. And, although your features are quite different now, the same beauty radiates from you. But you didn't appear to be at all distressed that I was on my way to be sacrificed.'
`You weren't.'
`I believed I was. I thought my last hour had come and they were going to tear the living heart out of my body. My God, I was terrified!'
`Then you showed tremendous courage. You didn't look the least frightened. You kept on smiling at me and I was thrilled to death.'
`It was looking at you that helped me keep my courage up.'
`What an awful ordeal it must have been, walking all that way while believing you were going to be slaughtered. We, of course, all knew that it was only a ceremony to ask the gods whether they were willing to accept you. When they did, the jubilation was immense, and afterwards there was feasting for days.'
`My vision came to an end before that. Do you know what became of me then?'
`Only vaguely. When a Man God was discovered by the priests, he was kept alive for a year after his ceremonial acceptance and lived in the greatest luxury, but was allowed no women until twenty days before the end of that year. Then he was given four brides with whom to enjoy himself until the twenty days were up. Having planted his sacred seed, as it was hoped, in all four so that
thy had children, one of whom might in due course prove acceptable as another Man God, he went willingly to be sacrificed. I have no memories of what happened towards the end of the year, although I have an idea that I schemed like mad to be selected as one of your brides. The next thing I remember was being presented to you.'
It wasn't till then I had an idea that they intended, after all, to sacrifice me. When I found out, I decided to make a fight for it. I would never have got away if you had not thrown your shift over that bearer's dagger. You saved my life.'
Knowing I had done so was worth it. That was the only thing had to cling to when they took me to little bits afterwards.' Oh my darling, how awful.
Fortunately, I don't remember much about it, as I passed out soon after they started on me. But what happened to you?' I don't remember anything after I got away in the canoe. When I came to, I was lying in your arms in the car. For a few minutes I didn't realise I was Adam Gordon, and thought you were Mirolitlit. If the legend is right, I suppose I somehow managed to get back to my own people on the coast.' She turned and kissed him. `I'll tell you one thing, though. I terribly disappointed to miss those twenty days. I'd made up mind to tear those other girls' eyes out, so that I could have all to myself.'
With a low laugh he pulled her to him. `Then now's our chance to make up for lost time.'
When they had rested after another glorious bout, Chela said, I’m hungry.'
So am I, and thirsty,' he agreed. `It can't be much after one o’clock so there must still be people about. You pop into the bathroom, my sweet. Then I'll ring for the floor waiter and see what can be done.'
As Chela slipped out of bed and stood up, Adam for the first had a full view of her without a stitch of clothing on. `Stop he cried. `Don't move. No, turn round. I want to look at you.' As she stood there smiling at him, he took a deep breath. Then whispered, `Darling, you're marvelous. Many girls have pretty faces, but I would never have believed that any woman could have such an absolutely perfect figure. The legs of most girls are short for their bodies, or their shoulders are too narrow for their busts. Some are spoilt by thick hips and fat bottoms; others so stupid that in some way they manage to make their breasts stick out so much that it ruins their curves. But you! My God! In you
I could believe that Venus has come to earth again.'
`For your especial pleasure, my dear Lord,' she laughed.
Scrambling out of bed, he took her hands, raised, dropped them and slid his down the satin of her sides and hips; then he closed his eyes, drew her to him and kissed her, meanwhile endeavouring to register the fact that he was the luckiest man in the whole world.
In due course the waiter brought Adam a bottle of champagne off the ice, some slices of galantine of chicken, white rolls and a plate of fruit. Laughing, they shared the single glass and fed one another with bits from the fork and spoon.
What Chela had said about Adam being a reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl had given him plenty to think about; for he saw now how his resemblance to the semi mythical Man God might be used to stir up a rebellion. But he did not believe for one moment that Chela had come down to Oaxaca and given herself to him on that account; so he was loath possibly to spoil things by telling her that he knew of her secret relations with Alberuque.
Instead, he put that out of his mind and surrendered himself to pure delight in her lovely presence, the feel of her smooth skin against his and the rich tones of her low voice.
They made love again, then slept; but Adam did so only fitfully, to rouse now and then and enjoy the sublime satisfaction of feeling Chela's warm body in his arms.
When first light came through the curtains he woke her to tell her that she must soon go back to her own room. Only half awake, she clung to him, glued her mouth to his, then murmured that she wanted to stay there for ever. Gently he turned her on her back and brought her to full consciousness by making love to her again. Afterwards, with happy sighs and many endearments, she slid out of bed, put on her night dress and dressing gown and left him.