Love's Forge

by Marie Medina

  “You’re in love with him too,” Alala said suddenly.

  “No, not yet, but—” she said.

  “Just shut up!” Ares said. “You are! That’s a pretty adamant speech about someone you’re not in love with.” He looked stunned, but she saw a smile creeping up. “I never thought I’d see the day. I had no idea!”

  “Oh, you shut up!”

  Ares laughed. “I would not have believed this otherwise. That oh so articulate reaction confirms it. You always tell me to shut up when I’m right!” He laughed again.

  She huffed at him. “Well, your anger has evaporated it seems.”

  “I do believe it has.” He snickered. “You know, now that I have all the context, this is kind of funny. The part about me getting thrown against your house and sitting in a cage for two days while Alala was scared half to death could have been omitted, but otherwise it’s kind of entertaining.”

  “Is it now? Is it really?” Aphrodite asked as Alala rolled her eyes at her soon-to-be husband.

  “Yeah. Kind of kinky. Kidnapped by a dark, mysterious stranger—”

  “Ares!” Alala said. “Gods, you can be so tacky! That’s enough!”

  His smile faded. “Oh, come on.”

  Aphrodite’s face was flaming, and she wanted to punch Ares right in the gut.

  “Why don’t you go?” Alala said. “Our news has been conveyed, so why don’t you amuse yourself elsewhere?”

  He looked between the two of them for a moment and threw his hands up in surrender. “Fine. I’d think you’d be happy I’m not angry at him.”

  “I am,” Aphrodite said. “It’ll just be slightly longer before I find this quite as amusing as you do.” She turned away from him.

  “Sorry. I’ll behave better in the future.”

  She looked back. “It’s all right, but I can’t laugh about this yet. Please consider that the next time we talk?”

  He nodded and kissed Alala on the cheek. “I’ll see you both later.” He vanished.

  Aphrodite gestured for Alala to sit down on a bench. The last time they’d sat down together, Aphrodite had told her about her secret marriage. She’d been confused about what she wanted then. Did she really have a better idea now?

  Alala spoke first. “Interesting week it’s been.”

  “I’m sorry about your wedding.”

  “It’s fine. It’s just a ceremony. We’re going to exchange vows on the beach and then throw a big party. Layla and Iris have worked really hard planning it, so we decided to go ahead.”

  “Really? That’s great. Are you still going to do it tomorrow?”

  She nodded. “Ares wants to.”

  “Eros hasn’t blessed a wedding in a long time.”

  “How did you know I asked Eros?”

  “I would have if I were you.”

  “Is that all right?”

  She laughed. “It’s your wedding. Of course it is. And it’s a nice touch in a way, having his son bless your vows. Much less awkward.”

  Alala smiled. “I’m glad you think so. I know this isn’t your fault, but at times it feels like—” Her smile faded.

  “Like his past won’t go away?”

  She nodded.

  “I wish I could find a spell to fix that, but I can’t.”

  “After Hephaestus released him, we talked.” She took a deep breath. “It drives me crazy sometimes thinking about how many times you two made love, but I know in my heart he loves me. I have to work through my insecurities on my own. My heart will line up with my head soon.”

  “You are far too good for him. I’m glad you feel this way. I’m sorry I made him unhappy for so long. I’d hate it if I were still in the way.”

  “Don’t worry. It will get better. I know he loves me, and I know you certainly don’t love him.”

  “Do you? I’m glad you’re so sure because it’s not exactly something I could prove to you otherwise. ”

  Alala’s eyes widened in surprise. “Did you hear anything you said a few moments ago? Did you notice how every ounce of blood in your body rushed to your face when Ares was teasing you?”

  She blushed again. “I suppose—”

  “I suppose you had a far better time being held captive than Ares did.”

  “Alala! Weren’t you just getting on to Ares for saying the exact same thing?”

  Alala considered her for a moment, but she didn’t answer Aphrodite’s question. “There’s something about him. I noticed it at the wedding. He’s quiet, and he’s not great at socializing, but there’s a pull there. I can’t explain it.”

  Aphrodite wanted to say something, but she was completely at a loss. She’d never heard another woman talk about Hephaestus before, and something about it annoyed her. Her heart thudded. Was she jealous? That seemed impossible.

  “And he’s very strong. His muscles are amazing. I could tell just dancing with him. And his hands are so warm. And they’re bigger than Ares’.” She smiled and giggled.

  “Excuse me?” She couldn’t believe her ears.

  Alala burst out laughing. “Sorry. I know I sent Ares away for the same thing, but I’ve been around him too long. I wanted to get a reaction. I didn’t mean to tease you that much, but you should see the look on your face.”

  Aphrodite tried to compose her features. “I’m glad everyone finds this amusing. Gods forbid I stop entertaining everyone.”

  She touched her hand. “Hey, I’m sorry, but I think you love him, and not because of sex. You can have great sex with anyone. You don’t get as many chances to make a real connection with another person.”

  “I know, but…” She couldn’t go on because Hephaestus was walking toward them.

  “This is a much nicer scene to walk in on,” he said.

  He and Alala smiled at each other as Alala stood up. Were they all crazy? How could he joke about that? How could he smile about anything? Lachesis had toyed with both of them, and Harmonia’s confession had complicated their relationship even further.

  She stared at the ground. He was apologizing to Alala, and she was telling him not to worry about it. Not to worry about it? Imprisoning her fiancé? She looked up at the two of them smiling in complete disbelief.

  Alala was already walking away by the time Aphrodite came back to reality. Alala waved over her shoulder. “I hope to see you two tomorrow.”

  “We’ll be there,” he said.

  Aphrodite looked at Hephaestus. “You do realize you’ve all gone mad, right? How can you be so calm? How could she just forgive you and smile at you?”

  “Why are you being so melodramatic? You forgave me. You even came for me.”

  She blushed furiously. “You don’t think I have good reason to be confused and angry and upset right now? I think you should watch what you say.”

  “Who are you angry with?”

  Aphrodite didn’t reply. She couldn’t be mad at Harmonia. She didn’t blame Ares and Alala for teasing her. She knew she should be glad they were going through with their vows. They seemed happy. She couldn’t be upset because they wanted her to be happy too. Lachesis, however, deserved a huge chunk of blame.

  “Are you angry with me?” he prompted.

  She shook her head.

  “It’s a given you’re angry with Lachesis. I am too. I told her there would be consequences if she interfered again. Zeus has warned her, and even if she doesn’t like it, I think she’s gotten the message.”

  “How could she do this?”

  “I think it was more about power and having her own way than anything else. Her motivation wasn’t bad in and of itself.”

  “What?” He believed that? He thought what she did was justified? Aphrodite couldn’t justify it at all.

  “I’m taking too long. I should have fought for what I wanted long ago.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “I love you. I will never love anyone else. You can tell me you don’t love me, but I can’t believe that.”

  “Why not?”

  He pulled her closer and
looked down into her face as he stroked her cheek. “I see everything when I look into your eyes. Everything you think, everything you feel. I am tired of watching you fight this. The world isn’t going to end because the goddess of love has fallen under her own spell.”

  “You been working on that?” She didn’t know if she was criticizing him or teasing him.

  “Been thinking about it for a long time.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I think it’s time I laid down the law with my errant wife.” He kissed her deeply, his arms winding around her.

  She returned his kiss. She resented everyone for assuming she and Hephaestus would work out as much as she hated all the attention they had received. They’d all be gossiping about her for weeks and would all be staring at her at the wedding the next day. She couldn’t take it anymore. She wanted it all to go away, and being in his arms made it all fade into the distance. The more she’d fought, the more pain she’d caused. She put her arms around his neck as he pulled away to gaze at her.

  “That feels like surrender to me,” he said.

  “Maybe it is.”

  “Maybe? That’s not what I was hoping for.”

  “What were you hoping for?”

  He pressed her body against his. His cock rubbed against her belly, and his eyes blazed with passion. “It’s time this marriage was consummated.”

  “You said I had to ask you. You promised.” She spoke so softly she wasn’t sure he’d heard her. She wasn’t all that sure she wanted to protest even that much.

  He smiled. “You’ll be asking me very soon.” He lowered his lips to her neck.

  She trembled at the contact and gasped when his teeth grazed her shoulder. His hands massaged her breasts. Her nipples responded, and he groaned. He ripped her dress open and pinched them between his fingers. He captured her mouth again and lowered her to the ground.

  “Here?” she asked.

  He moved above her and nodded. “Here. I want a happy memory to replace a bad one.” He kissed the hollow between her breasts and then his mouth moved to her right nipple. He suckled there, his tongue sending bursts of pleasure up and down her body. Her pussy was already damp when he began kissing her stomach. “Tell me to go and I will.”

  “I don’t want you to go.”

  He finished ripping her dress off. He kissed her through her panties. “Ask me.”

  She shook her head as he removed his shirt.

  “You will.”

  He kicked his pants off and slowly pulled her panties down and ran one finger over her sex. He met her gaze as he slid two fingers into her. Her pussy clenched, and he smiled. He kissed her knee and moved slowly toward her eager pussy. His fingers moved in and out of her in a steady rhythm. He ran his tongue over her clit, and then replaced his fingers with his tongue. He spread her and explored more. He licked her and toyed with her clit, holding her hips down when she started to squirm.

  “Ask me,” he said before covering her clit with his mouth. He sucked hard and ran his tongue around it in circles.

  She needed to come. Running her hands into his hair, she pressed him against her. He intensified his efforts, and she cried out. She’d spent so many hours lying in his arms complaining and talking about her troubles, and he’d never once objected. He always forgave her, always came back. Despite everything, he was there when she needed him. He loved her completely, like no other man ever could or would. He wanted her heart and her soul as much as he wanted her body. She knew it. Always had. She’d had her own way for so long, and it had brought her nothing but unhappiness. She wanted to be loved and cherished. She longed to be wanted for more than her body. Above all, she needed a friend who would never leave her and a lover who knew how to take care of her in every way.

  “Make me come,” she said.

  Instead of arguing, he slid his fingers back inside her as his mouth continued its sweet hold on her clit. His tongue felt amazing, and her body moved closer and closer to release. She felt like she was losing control, but she didn’t care. She wanted to give it all to him. She cried out when her release came, the coiling and tension inside her exploding like fireworks. Her legs trembled as she shuddered. His fingers slid deep inside her as she arched up. He continued sucking on her, though she tried to get away. Pleasure continued to ripple out from her core as she shook. She fell limp from exertion and tried to pull him up to face her.

  He moved up above and kissed her forehead. She gazed up into his eyes as he took her into his embrace. “We’ve made fools of ourselves for too many years. I’m tired of doing this wrong.” She kissed him gently. “Make love to me.”

  He stared down at her and smoothed her hair across the grass. “Will you marry me?”

  She needed him inside her. “I already did.”

  “Then I guess I mean will you stay? Forever?” He settled onto her, and his hard cock rubbed against her pussy.

  She arched against him. “Yes. I do love you. I hope you’ll never regret that.”

  He held himself very still above her. “I know I won’t. You don’t have to be afraid anymore. You’re finally where you belong.” He slid into her. “I’m never going to let you go.”

  She sighed as his cock filled her. “Promise?” she asked softly.

  “Promise,” he said before pressing her against the ground and kissing her passionately.

  She gasped when he was completely inside her. He felt better than she’d remembered. He thrust gently, but she needed more. She broke their kiss. “I thought you were going to lay down the law? I think you should give me the fucking of my life.”

  He groaned deep in his throat and pushed into her roughly. “I’m yours to command.” He grabbed her hips and pounded into her wildly. “Gods, I’ve missed you.”

  She exploded beneath him and cried out over and over again. She fell apart completely and clung to him. Everything swam around her as she gave herself over to the molten pleasure that spread over her entire body. He held her face still and gazed into her eyes as he came as well. The look in his eyes made her heart surge with joy. She’d never felt so secure or complete after sex. He’d truly made her his, made love to her as no other man ever could. She didn’t try to hide the tears in her eyes because she knew he would understand they were happy ones.

  He rolled off her and pulled her into his arms. “I’ve waited so long to make you mine.”

  “Perhaps that makes it sweeter. We’ll never have any doubts. We saw how unhappy being apart made us.”

  “You were worth it.” He kissed her gently. “Never forget that.”

  She rested her head on his chest. For years, she’d tried to convince him she wasn’t, and as she fell asleep listening to his heart beating, she rejoiced she’d never been able to convince him.

  Chapter Six

  Hephaestus rolled over to look at Aphrodite. The setting sun cast a pink and orange glow over the garden, and her golden hair reflected all the colors of the roses around them. Finally seeing her let go had been amazing. She’d admitted she loved him as much as he loved her, loved him the way he loved her. That had been a wonderful surprise. He’d been sure she would surrender and allow him to make love to her soon, but he’d expected more time to pass before she’d say she loved him.

  He kissed her cheek and held her close. He’d been so glad to find her still there when he awoke. Judging by the sun, they’d slept about two hours. He still had an evening of romance planned, and he couldn’t wait to see her enjoying it. Her eyes fluttered open, and he touched his lips to hers as she focused on him.

  “Hi,” she said. She put her hands on the back of his head and brought him close for a longer kiss.

  His cock twitched as she sighed beneath him. He wanted to make love to her again, but he pulled away instead. “I’d planned on seducing you much later tonight.”

  “I do mess up men’s plans sometimes.” She ran her hands over his chest and averted her eyes.

  “Don’t get shy with me already.” He put one finger on her chin and turned her
face to his. “I want to be sure you’re happy. Every single moment, I want to be sure.”

  “I am. It’s embarrassing for me. It’s making me nervous. I can’t explain it.”

  “What’s embarrassing?”

  “Screwing my love life up for so long when it’s so obvious what the right choice was.”

  “If anyone judges you like that, they don’t know you and aren’t worth the worry. No one suspected the truth all this time. Lots of people were surprised. I’m sure half of them thought you were crazy for sleeping with an ugly social misfit like me, and half thought I was crazy for pining after a whiny, childish bitch.”

  She’d opened her mouth to protest, but then she burst out laughing. She ran her hands into his hair and tugged gently. “You aren’t ugly.” She sighed and giggled, but then she grew serious. “Look at how beautiful our daughter is.”

  He could tell she was going to cry if he didn’t say exactly the right thing. He took both her hands and kissed them. “When she told me, I was hurt and upset and very angry with you. But I was angry because I missed so much. I was angry because that connection could have kept us together all these years and saved us both loneliness and unhappiness. I can’t blame you for being afraid or feeling trapped. I am very happy that I know and very pleased with how beautiful, kind and loving our child is.”

  A sob still escaped her lips, but it was followed by a smile. “You forgive me?”

  “I already have, my love. It’s all over now. No more tears and regrets. I’m sick of wasting my time being upset and arguing. If Ares can be satisfied about us, I’m sure Eros will accept it in time.”

  She laughed as she wiped her eyes. “I wanted to punch Ares for teasing me earlier.”

  “I met him on my way here. He says he doesn’t hold this against me. He understands. He said he’d have killed any man he found with Alala and asked questions later.”

  “I’m sure he would have. See, you are the better man.”

  “Maybe. I still laughed when he said he wished me all the luck in the world because I’d need it living with you.”

  She hit him playfully. “He’s probably right, but you shouldn’t have laughed!”