by S. E. Babin
“You’re not going to like what I have to say.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that? I haven’t liked much of what anyone has had to say lately. I’m a big girl, though. Do you want me to call everyone else in?”
He shook his head slightly. “Abby, it was Ares.”
“What do you mean it was Ares?” I said.
A grim look stole onto his features. “He has betrayed you. I saw him with Eris when I returned to Olympus. “
“Impossible,” I scoffed. Ares wouldn’t betray me. I knew the man with a bone deep certainty. But Hermes’ words stung. Why would Ares be with her? Yes, they were siblings, but Eris’ banishment resulted in her being shunned by all of the Olympians.
“I know it’s difficult to hear, but I was there. He’s involved with her. I stumbled across them and overheard their conversation.”
“Wait, wait, wait.” I made a stop hand gesture. “Ares is involved with Eris. That sounds like a conspiracy theory. There is no way he’s involved in whatever game she’s playing. It doesn’t make any sense. He was the one who came here to help.” My brain struggled to comprehend what he was telling me. When Eris came out of Orpheus’ house, the look on his face told me everything I needed to know. He was devastated at the thought of her committing murder.
Hermes said nothing and waited patiently for his words to sink in.
I hated the way he was looking at me, sympathy mixed with pain. Ares did not betray me. I refused to believe it. All of those experiences we had shared and the time we had spent together. I had once loved him deeply. I always wondered if he had fallen as hard as I had. If he was in with Eris and plotting against us, I had my answer.
“Who is responsible for your injury?”
“Eris,” he said. “Somehow she knows we are on the same side. I would advise you to stay away from Ares for the time being. I don’t know if Ares filled her in on our plans, but what I overheard led me to believe Ares is fully aware of Eris’ plans for those apples.”
“It’s hard for me to accept. I need time to digest this. Ares and I have a…past.”
A pained laugh escaped Hermes at my hesitance. “Everyone on Olympus knows you two have a past. No one could forget about the damage some of your more memorable fights caused.”
I blushed. Zeus had never been a fan of our union. Looking back I could see why. We were like a match and powder keg together. No wonder we never worked out. Hermes squeezed my hand.
“We’re gods. We all have a past, not all of it rosy. It’s one thing I envy the mortals for. Their life span is shorter. They search for that one person to fall in love with. We aren’t so lucky. Immortals have millennia to screw things up. Very few of us stay with those we fall in love with.”
He was right. I could name only a few immortals who had withstood the test of time. I wasn’t one of them. An ironic fact considering I was responsible for most of those matches. “We need to go see Zeus as soon as you’re well.”
He inclined his head. “Yes. Prepare yourself, Abby. He knows I’m injured, but he doesn’t know why. If we don’t get there first, he’s bound to come looking for us.”
Just what Marshall’s house needed. Another Olympus visitor. Hermes’s voice interjected into my thoughts. “I should be well by tomorrow. We can go then.”
I doubted he’d be up to travel back to Olympus by then, but I nodded and patted his hand. As I stood up to leave him to rest, he jerked me toward him in a show of surprising strength. I stumbled and fell into the side of the bed. Strong arms circled me and he brought my chin up toward his. Soft lips pressed against mine, tender yet unyielding. I broke away, sighed, and leaned against his shoulder, fearful of hurting him. With that show, maybe he would be well by tomorrow.
“Don’t underestimate me, Abby,” he said as he stroked my hair. “I will be well by tomorrow. We cannot wait any longer to bring Zeus in. He knows something is amiss. The faster we get to him, the better.”
He loosened his arms, allowing me to get up. I straightened my clothing and mussed hair and bent down to touch his arm. “Sleep well.”
A soft smile touched his lips. His eyes glittered with unspoken words. “You, too, lovely goddess.”
I swept out of the room, my fingers touching my lips, lost in thought.
Artie lounged on Marshall’s couch, looking like she owned the place. She had changed into her ratty old Tweety pajamas and held the remote control loosely in her hand. She flipped through the channels like a zombie. I stifled a smile. It was hard to keep her entertained in the best of times, but I’d bet money it was even worse because she was missing Keto. I hoped he made it back soon. I normally wouldn’t worry about him, but after my talk with Hermes, Bird Man could be at risk.
I walked over and slapped her feet away so I could sit next to her. She took one look at my face and flourished a finger – not the usual middle one. I felt the cool wash of Artie’s magic flow over me and smiled when I realized what she had done. I looked down and was greeted with SpongeBob’s smiling face. Artie knew just what a girl needed. The table also held another bottle of wine and two glasses – already open of course. I raised my hand for a high five, one Artie reciprocated immediately, and reached for the bottle.
“Where’s Marshall?” I didn’t sense him when I’d walked into the living room but could still feel his presence in the house.
I poured wine into both of our glasses and handed her one of them.
“He went to bed already. Said he had a long day coming up tomorrow. Plus, I’m sure he didn’t want to see you coming out of Hermes’ room freshly mussed.”
I tried to show no reaction to that one, but she was right. I had been feeling a little flustered when I’d walked out of there. She grinned knowingly. “I take it messenger boy is awake?”
I cleared my throat. “He sure is.” Artie laughed aloud.
“He said he’d be ready to travel by tomorrow.”
Artie frowned. “Really? He looked rough when Asclepius was treating him.”
“That’s what he said. I think he’ll be up to it. If he’s not, we may have to travel to Olympus without him. There’s something else, too.”
Artie saw the look on my face and set her wineglass down on the table. “What is it?”
I steadied my breathing in order to keep from crying. “Hermes said he saw Eris and Ares together.”
She didn’t react, but the frown deepened. “Okay. What exactly does that mean?”
“He said he overheard the two of them talking and suspects Ares knows the reason she took the apples and Eurydice. He believes they’re working together now.”
A frown appeared on her face. “Huh,” was all she said. Silence rang in the room while she processed this new development until she finally said, “That rat bastard. I’ll have his ass for this.”
Good ol’ violent Artie. I was glad she was on my side. I grasped her hand. “I’m not sure if I can believe it. Should I believe something like that? I really loved him once.”
Her face softened. She squeezed my hand, reached for her wineglass, and took a long swallow. “There is lots you don’t know about Ares, hon. I’d tend to trust Hermes on this one.”
“What do you mean there’s lots I don’t know about him?” Artie was keeping something from me. I could smell it.
“I know you loved him at one time, but I don’t think you ever knew the person he was deep inside. We all have a dark side. Ares is the God of War. He’s a master of strategizing and politicizing. He has a reason for everything he does. When he brushes a lock of your hair away from your face, he does it fully realizing the emotional impact it has. Don’t think for one second he has a shred of tenderness in his heart. If Hermes believes they’re working together now, I’d tend to believe him.”
The venom in her tone took me by surprise, but it also angered me. How dare she judge him like that? If she knew him so well, why didn’t she ever say anything to me before my heart was broken?
At my look of anger, sympathy bloo
med on her features. She reached over and patted my hand.
“I know what you’re thinking right now. Why didn’t I say anything? Honey, you should have seen your face when you were with him. He was your rising sun. Saying a word would have jeopardized our friendship. And that is something I’d never be able to bear.”
Just like that the anger evaporated. Although the words hurt to hear, Artie’s point was valid and I knew it. Being the Goddess of Love didn’t mean I was always smart when it came to my own love life. I was as fallible as other women seeking love. Making matches was easy for me. Securing my own love match was a struggle and always had been. What man wanted to compete against someone legendary for love? Not many.
Ares’ betrayal, if that’s what really happened, stung deeply. I wasn’t yet ready to accept it and needed more time to digest everything that Hermes and Artie had told me. I took a long swallow of wine and tried to relax. Artie nudged me with a toe and offered me a hesitant smile. I nudged her back and held my wine glass up to her in a toast.
“To friends,” I said.
She grinned. “To best friends,” she added. We clinked our glasses together in solidarity, took another swallow of wine, and settled in to watch television together, for the moment not worried about the problems that lay ahead of us. There would be plenty of time to worry soon.
I awoke the next morning and noticed an arm slung across my chest. The only problem was the arm wasn’t mine. I stiffened and my brain ran back everything that had happened last night. None of it should have resulted in me sharing a bed with anyone. I tried to slip out of the bed, but the mystery arm tightened and squeezed me against a rock hard body. One that was very happy to see me. I twisted my neck around knowing it could only be one of two people in here with me.
A satisfied grin twisted around Hermes’ face as he took in the surprise on my face. “Told you I’d be well by tomorrow.”
I felt my mouth drop open. “How in the–?”
“Asclepius,” he interrupted. I’ve seen his work firsthand and it’s borderline miraculous. I don’t know how he does it, but his cures are renowned for how quickly they work. I’m surprised Father hasn’t ordered him to be sequestered to the palace for his own protection.”
I scooted away from him and examined his chest. There was no trace of the gaping wound from yesterday. Smooth and unblemished skin was all I could see, along with a smattering of golden chest hair and a fantastic set of abs.
I gulped audibly, glad I was still fully clothed. Hermes’ grin widened and he flexed one of his pec muscles. “You like?” he asked.
I choked on laughter and pointed at the door. “Out.”
“Now come on. We have at least an hour before we need to be anywhere. I have lots of things we could do in an hour.” He patted his side of the bed in an inviting gesture and waggled his eyebrows.
He could charm the pants off a nun, I thought. I steeled myself against accepting his invitation, especially with Artie and Marshall in the same house. “Out,” I repeated.
A heavy sigh and rustling were all I needed to hear before I turned my back to him. I prayed he had on pajamas, otherwise I’d be sorely tempted to get back into the bed. As it was, it was taking a substantial toll on me to stand here turned away from him. “It’s all right, love. I do have some sense of decorum.”
I turned back to him and wished I hadn’t. He stood at the edge of the bed with bare feet and a pair of pajama bottoms on.
“By the way, why are we at Marshall’s house?”
I knew that question was coming, but I still didn’t have a decent response for it. “It was the only place I could think of that no one else would know about.”
He gave me a long look and I prayed he accepted that answer until I could come up with a better one.
“Is that the only reason why?”
I didn’t answer, both of us knowing it wasn’t. We stood there in the bedroom in a strange kind of impasse. Neither one of us budging. I felt a longing to go to him. I’d bet money he felt it, too, but we stood apart staring at each other. There was a mortal somewhere in this house that prevented me from acting on my impulses. Hermes and I both knew it. Rationally I knew I would be much happier if I could forget about Marshall and the way my pulse leapt when he was around.
Hermes affected me as well, but it was in a different way. As I stood there staring at him, I realized I could love both men, something that didn’t sit very well with me. I knew neither of them would ever go for that. They were both alpha males, ready to stake their claim. I knew Marshall wanted me. I could feel it in the heat of his gaze every time we were together. But Hermes…there was something about him that made me think he could love me. And I him. The way he stared at me when he thought I wasn’t looking and the way his lips met mine all told me he was serious about his feelings for me.
I shouldn’t be torn, but I was. Hermes dropped his gaze first, and my heart plummeted in disappointment. He said nothing and brushed past me on the way out of my room. I had officially blown it. Being the Goddess of Love didn’t mean I wasn’t an idiot sometimes. Gritting my teeth in frustration, I padded to the bathroom to get ready for the day ahead.
Looking at myself in the mirror brought me a grim surprise. I looked horrendous. The events of the last couple days were catching up. I needed to get this over with so I could move on with my life as soon as possible. Normally I knew what men saw in me when they looked at me. Today, my curls lay in disarray around my head and deep circles ringed my eyes.
“Ugh,” I muttered and leaned down to turn the faucet onto cold.
When I had managed to get my appearance under some semblance of control, I padded out. Soft voices trailed down the hallway and I could tell everyone was already up and dressed. The smell of bacon and pancakes assailed my nostrils and my stomach growled in response. I was starving and hoped they had saved enough for me.
Marshall and Hermes sat across from each other devouring their breakfast. Artie stood beside them, plate in hand. When she heard me come in, she turned around and smiled. “Just in time, Abby. We made enough for everyone.”
I smiled gratefully and headed straight for the coffee pot. The men were so involved in their breakfast they didn’t acknowledge me. After fixing my coffee and taking a long sip, I turned to Artie. “No sign of Keto?”
Her smiled faded. “No. I’m getting worried about him.”
So was I. Not one to bring her down, I told her he would be fine. “He’ll show up soon. I’m sure of it. We both had some steam to blow off. He won’t stay gone for long. With everything going on, I’m sure he’ll make it back today. He wouldn’t let you go off to see Zeus on your own.” At least I hoped not.
She nodded, unconvinced. I vowed if Keto wasn’t back by the time we returned home from Olympus, we’d go searching for him. I grabbed a plate from the cabinet, piled it high with food and walked over to the table. I motioned Artie over to sit with me. This could be the only meal we had for quite a while so we needed to make sure we ate well. Tension at the table was palpable even though there was no conversation. I tried to break the silence by making small talk but the only thing I received was noncommittal grunts all around. I gave up and dug in.
Marshall, who had just finished a huge plate, was the one who spoke first. “I have to go in to work today. You are all welcome to stay here, but try to keep a low profile. The last thing we need is more questions.”
Artie swallowed a mouthful of breakfast and told him we were planning to head into Olympus today. Hermes merely nodded and continued shoveling food in his mouth. It was fascinating to watch. For such a lean guy he could sure put away a lot of food.
Marshall turned his attention to me. “I want your word you will take care today. I know nothing about Olympus or Zeus, but seeing Hermes when he came here makes me think you all are in much more danger than you’re letting on.”
He didn’t know the half of it so I tried to make light of it. “We’ll be fine. It’s where we’re all from. Hermes�
� injury was a fluke. Once we request Zeus’ hospitality in his court no one would dare touch us. Not even Eris,” I added.
Somewhat mollified, Marshall wiped his mouth with a napkin and scooted his chair back. He grabbed his jacket, threw it on, and put that sexy hat on before he exited the house. I let out a deep breath and felt my shoulders relax. Hermes felt it and gave me a dirty look before he tossed his fork down.
Artie, sensing the tension between us, put her fork down and grabbed both of our hands. “Look, kids. We’re about to head into a very dangerous situation so we all need to make sure we’re playing nice with each other.” She glared at both of us and squeezed our hands hard enough to be uncomfortable. “Got it?” she asked.
We both sneaked a glance at the other. I felt like I had been chastised by my mother, so I nodded and muttered, “Got it.” Hermes also nodded and Artie dropped both of our hands.
“Good,” she said. “You’re lucky I didn’t force you two to kiss and make up, but I figured we’d never get out of here if you got your hands on each other.”
I chuckled uncomfortably and saw Hermes’ lips twitch. “All right, kids. Let’s get dressed in our best togas and get our asses to Olympus.”
12
Chapter Twelve
One does not simply show up for a meeting with Zeus. After all, he was King of the Gods and loved pomp and circumstance. Showing up without the proper dress or frame of mind could be disastrous. I managed to get my hair somewhat under control. It now lay close to my head in an elaborate crown of braids. My magic was still sluggish, but I had conjured up some gardenias which I entwined with the braids. Every time my head moved I could smell the intoxicating fragrance. It brought a smile to my face and relaxed me.
I’d chosen a royal blue toga, one that brought out the color of my eyes and enriched the healthy gold of my skin. One shoulder lay bare and the other displayed a sapphire and ruby brooch that held the two sides of the toga. One never knew what would happen in these meetings and today was more important because Zeus was bound not to like the news we would be bringing him. It was entirely possibly we would be forced to run out of his palace with our tails tucked between our legs.
