The Goddess Gets Her Guy

by Ashlyn Chase

  Also by Ashlyn Chase

  Strange Neighbors series:

  Strange Neighbors

  The Werewolf Upstairs

  The Vampire Next Door

  Flirting with Fangs series:

  Flirting Under a Full Moon

  How to Date a Dragon

  Kissing with Fangs

  Boston Dragons series:

  I Dream of Dragons

  My Wild Irish Dragon

  Never Dare a Dragon

  Phoenix Brothers series:

  Hooked on a Phoenix

  More than a Phoenix

  A Phoenix Is Forever

  Stand-alone Title:

  The Goddess Gets Her Guy

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  Books. Change. Lives.

  Copyright © 2019 by Ashlyn Chase

  Cover and internal design © 2019 by Sourcebooks

  Cover design by Caroline T. Johnson

  Cover image © bondarchik/Adobe Stock, Anne Kitzman/Adobe Stock

  Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered trademarks of Sourcebooks.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from its publisher, Sourcebooks.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders. Sourcebooks is not associated with any product or vendor in this book.

  Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks

  P.O. Box 4410, Naperville, Illinois 60567-4410

  (630) 961-3900

  sourcebooks.com

  Contents

  Front Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Author’s Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Back Cover

  To the Ashlyn Chase Champions—readers who follow me, encourage me, and share my book news with the world. Well, okay…maybe not the whole world. They might have missed a few remote corners, but I know they spread my bookmarks, links, and other promotional goodies everywhere they go. Hang in there, Antarctica… You’ll get some book-related goodies soon too.

  Author’s Note

  A reader, who has read all my books, finally asked me what the ether was. Oh, crap. I wasn’t expecting that question. Hey, I knew what I meant, so I figured everyone else would get it from context! Apparently not.

  Without blowing your minds, let me say that the concept of a fifth element has been bandied about for centuries. Here it is in a nutshell.

  According to Merriam-Webster:

  The ancient Greeks believed that the Earth was composed of earth, air, fire, and water, but that the heavens and its denizens were made of a purer, less tangible substance known as either “ether” or “quintessence.”

  Okay, so that’s where the ancient idea originated. Want my explanation? Of course you do, because where there are facts, myths, or traditions, there are writers willing to bend them a bit to make the story more interesting. So keeping in mind that I’m kind of a spiritual gal, here’s what I mean by “the ether.” There is, or may be, a realm that houses the stuff we can’t touch or see, but on some level, we open-minded (some would say gullible) folks intuit its presence.

  Enough people have had near-death experiences and described a similar tale of soul travel, a bright light, etc., to make me think the afterlife is more than wishful thinking. Where do souls go? Is that the ether? Did you know about 60 percent of the population claims to have had visitations from the spirits of loved ones?

  We artsy types speak of a muse being with us when things are going well or deserting us when our creative wells go dry. And what about those “coincidences” that seem like anything but? Perhaps “they” can see our needs from the ether and pull a few strings. Or not. You decide.

  Chapter 1

  Powerful Gaia, also known as Mother Nature, entered the courtroom in a whirlwind, and everyone rose.

  Her makeshift court was fashioned out of a giant cloud, so standing would have been impossibly dangerous for some of the accused. Even though shapeshifting birds and dragons could have hovered, she didn’t believe in death sentences for those without wings—especially before the trial. So she’d had her gods create a temporary solution. A small section of Fenway Park’s bleachers was missing, but oh well, it was off-season, and they served the purpose. When she had taken her gilded throne, everyone sat on the floating benches.

  Gaia surveyed the gallery. In attendance were werewolves, dragons, a vampiress, and a whole flock of phoenixes.

  “Welcome to my tribunal. Some might call it a kangaroo court, but you will have representation. As you’re aware, there are several cases to be heard, but all of them are for the same crime.”

  One of the younger phoenix boys glanced at a nearby dragon and whispered, “What’s a kangaroo court?”

  His friend answered, “I think it’s an Aussie version of Judge Judy.”

  Gaia folded her arms and glared. “You will be silent until asked to speak. All of you. Is that clear?”

  Several voices answered, “Yes.”

  She huffed. “All right. Now, even though you will be represented, it is my tribunal, because I’m the superior commander of everything and everyone. I’m the goddess of all. See this throne? Mine. See this ether? Mine again. You will treat me with the utmost respect—as is my due. Got it?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” someone said.

  She shot to her feet. “Who said that?”

  No one fessed up.

  “I hate being called ma’am. It makes me feel old. Even though I’m literally older than dirt. I’m vain. Deal with it.”

  “Sister, shouldn’t we get on with the trial?” Fate asked from the front row. The delicate brunette goddess seemed nonplussed.

  Gaia sighed. “Yes. You’re right. I should begin with introductions.” She pointed to the sister who had just spoken. “My sister Fate will be the voice of the defense.”

  “They couldn’t help it!” Fate shouted and jumped to her feet. She wore a light-blue toga that matched her eyes.

  “Not yet, you idiot!”

  “Oh. I thought you said… Never mind.” She sank back down on the front bench. “Carry on.”

&n
bsp; Gaia rolled her eyes. “And for the prosecution, my sister Karma.” She swept her hand to the other side of the aisle, where a red-haired beauty with catlike green eyes and a slightly evil smile rose and waved. She wore a smart black suit with a sparkly shoulder pin.

  Barely audible groans met Mother Nature’s ears. Ha! Fearing Karma is a sure sign of guilt!

  “And now I will read the list of defendants. Please rise when your name is called. Werewolf Nicolas Wolfensen, dragons Drake Cameron, Rory Arish, and Shannon Arish, Vampire Ruxandra…” Gaia glanced up from her list. Locating the youthful-looking vampiress in the red dress, she asked, “What’s your last name?”

  “LeBlanc,” she said. “But I haven’t used it since I—”

  “Yes. Since you fake-married a human. I know. That’s why you’re here, dumbass.”

  The blonde bombshell clenched her fists and leaned forward, looking like she was about to object, until Nick, the werewolf, clapped his hand over her mouth. Drake, the dragon, grasped her arms so she couldn’t land the punch she was aiming at Nick’s head. She struggled against their powerful grips, her loud protests muffled.

  “Thank you, Wolfensen, Cameron. Your cooperation has been noted. Another outburst like that, Ms. LeBlanc, will land you in my ethereal jail—indefinitely. Understood?”

  When Ruxandra finally calmed down, Nick tentatively removed his hand. As he wiped the blood from two puncture holes in his palm onto his suit pants, she whispered, “Ass kissers.”

  Mother Nature cleared her throat. “I will now continue reading the list of the accused. Phoenixes Antonio Fierro, Miguel Fierro, Gabriel Fierro, Dante Fierro, Noah Fierro, and Luca Fierro.”

  “What did we do?” Luca, the youngest, asked.

  “I’m getting to that part. As I said, you’re all accused of violating the same law. My number one edict. Does anyone remember what that is?” she said with syrupy sweetness.

  “Revealing our paranormal powers to a human,” Antonio, the elder of the phoenixes, supplied.

  Mother Nature tapped her nose. “Since you’re the patriarch of the large phoenix brood in front of me and you know the law, I wonder why so many of your offspring violated it? Did you keep the law to yourself? Did you forget to teach it to them?”

  “No, Goddess. I did teach them the law. But when young men reach a certain age, they need a mate. Since no paranormal is allowed to expose their special status, finding a compatible being who isn’t human becomes very complicated.”

  She crossed her arms. “And yet some managed. Two of your sons aren’t here.”

  “Ryan and Jayce. They were fortunate—sort of. Ryan died and reincarnated in phoenix form during a fire. His mate, Chloe, wouldn’t leave him. She was able to survive because she shifted into dragon form. They witnessed each other’s paranormal powers during a life-and-death situation.

  “My other son, Jayce, has paranormal hearing that afforded him the ability to eavesdrop on a telephone conversation that identified his potential mate as a dragon. In both cases, they revealed themselves to a fellow paranormal being accidentally. Some would say they were lucky.”

  “Yeah. Dragons and phoenixes. And now they can’t have children. Half a dragon and half a phoenix do not a creature make,” Gaia said.

  Phoenix Gabe groaned.

  “Ha! Your middle son knows what I mean. Don’t you? How many of you remember that he became a dragnix for a few harrowing moments?”

  All the Fierros raised their hands.

  “And how did that work out for you, middle child?”

  “Not very well. The top half of me was a huge dragon trying to balance on the bottom half, consisting of my phoenix bird legs and tail. I tipped over a lot, and when I tried to fly, I couldn’t control my direction.”

  Antonio cleared his throat. “May I point out that his situation wasn’t the result of interspecies mating. I believe that was your mis—”

  “Be quiet!” Gaia roared. “Did I ask you to speak?”

  Antonio shook his head.

  She rose and began to pace. “Yes. Mistakes were made. And that happened because I was trying to be nice! I should have known better. I don’t usually listen to my children griping and moaning. It seems like that’s all they do. Well, no more Ms. Nice Guy.”

  She took a deep, fortifying breath. “And some of you have found out the hard way how serious I am about mating with poor unsuspecting humans. For instance, Werewolf Nick, what did I say I would do if you revealed yourself to a human?”

  “You said you’d send me to an island the size of a postage stamp.”

  “And what did you do?”

  “My animal instincts took over, and I marked my mate before telling her what I was. Then I had to tell her everything.”

  “And what happened?”

  “I found myself balancing on the ball of one foot on an island the size of a postage stamp.”

  “Correct. Be warned, everyone. I have many more creative punishments up my floppy white sleeves, so you should remember that.”

  Fate rose. “May I speak, Sister?”

  Mother Nature stared at her a moment, then shrugged and returned to her throne. “Since I’ve named the defendants and mentioned the crime they’re accused of, I suppose you can. But please state the crime they’re accused of again. I’m afraid their little pea brains might not have retained the information.”

  Fate bowed slightly. “Even though the paranormal entities present are accused of revealing their supernatural powers to humans—”

  “Unsuspecting humans. Don’t forget that part.”

  “Yes. Regardless, I do not believe they had any choice in the matter.”

  Mother Nature leaned her elbow on the armrest, supported her cheek on her fist, and tried to look bored—but she was listening. The problem had grown to epic proportions, and Gaia didn’t want a repeat of the last time a group of humans realized the city of Boston harbored several paranormal creatures.

  Fate implored her with outstretched hands. “They are healthy para-humans with healthy sexual appetites. You created them that way, Sister.”

  Gaia waved away the logic in front of her face, saying, “Yet many manage to do without mates.”

  Fate jammed her fists on her hips. “Forgive me, but if I were able to put you on the stand…”

  “Which you are NOT.”

  “Yes. I know that. I just said if I could, I would have to ask why you gave them this catch-22?”

  “I made them catch what?”

  “No. It’s an expression that came from a book. You must have seen the movie…”

  “The only movies I watch are what’s happening right outside my ether. I just wish there weren’t so many horror movies.”

  “Yes, well…you made them want to mate. You even set up mating rules. For instance, dragons are only fertile for one month every five years. Then you make them rare as fuck and scatter them around so it’s hard for them to find each other. Do you know how difficult you made my job as a result?”

  Gaia smirked. “What is your job, by the way? I don’t see you doing much at all.”

  Fate narrowed her eyes. “You create beings with souls. I find them mates. Therefore, I create soul mates. Many of your children are happy because of my work.”

  “And who told you to make their soul mates human? Maybe I should put you on trial?”

  Fate stopped her oration and appeared to be thinking. Good. She needed to think about what the hell she was doing.

  Fate lifted her chin. “Might I remind you how you were complaining about how useless your ancient muses were? How you wished you had some modern muses who could help the others to navigate these changeable times? And now, you have those modern muses—because they were once humans and are now mated to a paranormal.” Fate raised her voice. “I call Amber Arish, the muse of air travel, to the ether.”

&nbs
p; A pretty young woman with green eyes and honey-colored hair appeared and stood next to Rory Arish. The dragon wrapped an arm around her and returned her warm smile.

  “I call Bliss Russo-Cameron, the muse of email.”

  A confident brunette appeared next to Drake Cameron and took his hand.

  “Brandee Wolfensen, the muse of photography and videography.”

  A feisty redhead slid in next to Nick Wolfensen, offering him an unapologetic grin.

  “Misty Carlisle Fierro, the muse of modern parenting.”

  A petite brunette with big blue eyes appeared next to Gabe and tucked her arm around his waist, fitting perfectly under his arm.

  Gaia gave a brief nod to her minor goddesses. Each young woman, previously human in every way, answered with a respectful bow.

  Gaia sighed. “And your point is?”

  “Without the mating of these women with one of your accused, you’d still be drowning in a sea of email, trying to sort through pictures of kittens and videos of dumbasses trying things at home that they were specifically told not to do, all the while watching for planes, helicopters, and drones about to crash. And if that weren’t enough, you’d be dealing with frustrated, overworked, or immature parents who forgot to tell their kids not to play with matches or lighters and stuff going up in smoke!”

  Karma spoke up. “Don’t forget trying to use those little rectangles people put in their pockets.”

  Gaia frowned. “Handkerchiefs?”

  Strawberry-blonde dragon Kristine—the muse of mobile communication devices and wife of Jayce Fierro—appeared on her own. “Um, I think she means cell phones, Goddess.”

  “You see how out of touch you are?” Karma cried. “These modern muses are saving our butts.”

  “And we wouldn’t even have them if not for your rule breakers here.” Fate gestured toward the bleachers of the accused with a sweep of her arm.

  “Wait a minute. Karma, you’re on their side?”

  “What goes around comes around isn’t just for the bad stuff, Sister. You did them a favor by granting them minor goddess status, and they do you many favors every day. I don’t see the problem here.”