3.
Mikon and Aura returned from the temple in the morning, both deadly pale and with dark shadows under their eyes from being awake all night. Mikon put Aura to bed, covered her and kissed her forehead. Then he came to me with trembling knees.
"I promised to tell you about the goddess's appearance so that you might be prepared," he said, wiping his forehead, "but it is so bewildering that I can find no words to describe it. I suppose she appears in different ways to different people and to each according to his needs. Besides, I had to swear that I would never reveal the manner of her appearance. You probably noticed that Aura was completely silent upon our return. All this may be similar to the tranquilizing of the sick in Aesculapius' temple, but I have only to touch Aura with my hand to silence her so that I may contemplate supernatural matters."
Late that afternoon Aura awakened and began to call Mikon. He winked at me, sat on the edge of her bed, pulled down the cover and with his fingertip touched the tip of the girl's breast. A deep sigh escaped her, her face grew even paler, her eyes stared into blankness, her body twitched and became still.
"You see, Turms," said Mikon proudly, "what powers Aphrodite has given me. But the person on whom the goddess lavishes such gifts will die young. I don't mean myself but Aura. I feel no physical enjoyment whatsoever; merely spiritual satisfaction in knowing that I have control over her body."
"But how do you know that you and only you affect her like that?" I asked. "Perhaps any other man could do the same; in which case I truly don't envy you."
Mikon stared at me. "I am the one she has pursued ever since I initiated her into the embrace of Aphrodite of Akraia. Now Aphrodite of Eryx has shown her power by making Aura so susceptible that the mere touch of a finger induces an erotic exaltation. It saves me much trouble and time which I can utilize in the meditation of divine matters. But I can't understand how anyone else could produce the same effect."
Blinded by the goddess, I suggested, "It would be wisest to make sure, if only for scientific reasons. I don't know why you should be any different from other men if Aura is once so sensitive."
Mikon smiled a superior smile. "You don't know what you are saying, Turms. You are younger than I and less experienced in these matters. But why don't you test it if you wish? Then we shall see."
I assured him that I did not mean myself and suggested that we let someone else, for example the innkeeper, make the experiment. But Mikon said that he was reluctant to let a stranger's hand touch his wife's breasts.
The more I protested, the more anxious he was that I try, swelling like a frog in sheer smugness. Thus, when Aura's lids began to flicker and she sat up in bed, asking in a weak voice what had happened, Mikon thrust me to her side. I extended my forefinger and hesitantly touched the tip of her breast.
The result of the unhappy experiment exceeded all expectations. A spark flashed from my finger and I felt the flick of an invisible whip on my arm. Aura's body twitched, her mouth opened, her face darkened as the blood rushed to her head, and she fell back in the bed, her limbs jerking convulsively. A rattle sounded in her throat as the air was ejected from her lungs. Her eyes became lifeless and then her already weakened heart failed and she passed away before we even realized what had happened.
But even in death the glassy eyes and open mouth were touched with a smile of such an agonizing ecstasy that I can never forget the sight. Mikon hastened to chafe her hands but soon realized the futility of his effort.
Our cries of distress brought Tanakil and Dorieus, and the servants fetched the innkeeper. At first he wrung his hands and shouted and cursed, but then came to his senses, indicated Aura's face and admitted, "No one could hope for a happier death. Her face shows of what she died."
While Mikon sat with his head bet…
