Frank shivered as he trudged along the mountain top. The snow and clouds combined to offer only a tantalizing glimpse of his goal. A hound, golden fur white-washed by age and element, trotted toward him, eyes narrow and head cocked.

A flock of pigeons followed from the hallowed ground Frank sought, swarming down and coalescing into a woman dressed in a simple white shift. He blinked at the spectrum-glimmer that transformed her features moment to moment. Skin, hair, and eyes cycled, never creating less than perfection.

Frank’s knees found the snowy ground. “Lady!” he breathed.

She gazed upon his prostrate form, her eyes pools of sadness. “You have come so far for so little, Frank Yurek,” she said, her voice a chorus of angelic softness. “I know your heart, and she cannot be replaced within it.” The hound sauntered over to his mistress, head bowed. “I have already sent Laelaps on the hunt. If one existed that could scar the wounds you bear, he would have found her.”

She knelt, cupping his face between her warm sea-scented hands. “You have idled within my beneficence, taking for granted that which you ache for now. Even so, if I could bless you a second time, I would.” She brushed his forehead with her lips, stepped back, and burst into a spiral of pigeons. Laelaps ran underneath.

As Frank cried alone at the border of Olympus, a warm breeze carried the words, “But you will not allow me.”

For the Picture It & Write challenge over at Ermilia Blog. This week’s prompt is the above photo. It struck a chord of melancholy within me, as so many photos and prompts seem to do 😉 Head on over and see other takes, and, if you feel frisky, join in the fun with an offering of your own!

Hope you enjoy.

Happy Reading and Writing!

J. Milburn