by Amy Sumida
But—
Huitzilopochtli started to shake as if he were having a seizure, and I pushed away Alaric's whining and focused on my husband.
“Hold on, honey,” I said to Huitzilopochtli—Blue; that's what I called him. “I'm here, Blue; I've got you. It'll be over soon, and then you'll feel so much better. Trust me; we've been here before.” I brushed his sleek, thick hair away from his face as he went still. “Blue? Are you all right?”
Huitzilopochtli opened his eyes and stared up at me in wonder. I was so lost in that intense stare that it took me a moment to realize that it was green. His eyes had changed from blood red to jade green.
“Beautiful,” I whispered as I stroked his cheek.
“Little witch?” Blue asked softly as he lifted a hand to my face. “I think I know you.”
“You do; we were together once,” I said with a smile. “I think I may love you.”
“I know that I love you,” Blue said with sudden passion as he sat up and pulled me against his chest. “I can feel you inside me. I want to be inside you as well.”
Blue's mouth covered mine, and I moaned into the tenderness of his kiss. His fingers threaded through my hair as he eased me onto his lap, and I wrapped my legs around his waist; holding him to me even tighter. Huitzilopochtli pushed me back onto the floor and settled over me. We ground against each other through our clothing as his mouth moved down my neck to lick the trails of blood there, and his hands tore my dress open. I moaned as Huitzilopochtli yanked down my bra and flicked his hot tongue over my nipples.
Guilt shot through me as I thought of Re, but then I remembered what Alaric had said; how my reaction to my husbands would be even more powerful. That confirmed it for me; Blue must be one of my husbands, and that made this okay, right? I was reuniting with my husband; hopefully, Re would understand.
I could hear Alaric saying something in the back of my mind, but I was too focused on Blue now; his hands kneading my flesh, his heat warming me, and his mouth doing magical things to my body. I pulled at his clothing; yanking off everything that stood between us. Blue paused in his ministrations to help me and soon, we were writhing naked against each other.
Blue kissed his way down my stomach and started a sensual licking between my legs. His elegant fingers began to work at my flesh and then slide into me; gently thrusting as his tongue flicked at me.
And then, he bit me.
My back arched with ecstasy as my hands went to Blue's head; to hold him to me. I looked down and saw him staring up at me; his lips tight to my skin as he sucked and licked. Another memory superimposed itself over reality, and I saw Blue doing the very same thing to me, except I was laying across a stone altar. We had done this before, but I didn't mind the repeat.
My pleasure compounded until I was thrust into orgasm, and as I came, Blue surged up and slid inside me. We both gasped at the feeling of completion, and he lowered himself so we could hold tightly to each other as we rode the wave of pleasure all the way to shore. Then Blue rolled onto the floor and eased me in against his side. I hung a leg over his and draped myself across his chest; feeling satisfied and complete.
No! Alaric's voice finally became clear as I was coming down from the wild ride. He's not one of your husbands!
My eyes shot open, and my heart began to race.
What do you mean? I shrieked in my head. I remember him; I remember having sex with him. And I love him!
You don't love him like that, and the sex was just a dream. Blue was broken and twisted, and you fixed him; just as you did today. Alaric said. But you were meant to become friends, not lovers.
Well, it looks as if that has changed.
No shit. Alaric was silent awhile and then said. You'll have to make this work; convince Huitzilopochtli to join you in hunting Aion and Nyx.
Should I tell him everything about this time change?
Mostly everything, Al huffed. You'll have to go with the husband story for now. If we fix this, it won't matter anyway.
And if we don't?
Then you might end up with another husband, Vervain.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“I'm a cad,” Blue murmured as he sat up; cradling me to his chest as he did. “I've taken you on the floor like a harlot. Please forgive me.”
“We were both participating,” I said gently.
“Nonsense,” Blue said as he stood. “This is my home; I should have carried you to bed. In my defense; I was overwhelmed by emotion.”
“So was I,” I whispered as I stroked his sharply-angled cheek.
I couldn't understand how this man had only been a friend to me; there was so much passion between us. What happened to turn that passion into friendship? But as I focused on Blue and the feelings I had for him, I realized that Alaric was right; I just didn't feel as strongly for him as I did Re. And that ate at me. Because if Blue and I had been married once, I could have forgiven myself for betraying Re. But if we had only been friends, then not only had I cheated on Re, I had also cheated on those men who were my real husbands.
It was too much to deal with. So, I pushed it aside for the moment and made up my mind to roll with the decision I'd made. I didn't know those other men so the only man who I was truly concerned about hurting was Re. Re was a sensualist; I knew, in my heart, that he would understand. Would I be okay if the situation was reversed? Hell, no; and that really bothered me. But again, it wasn't something I could do anything about. What was done, was done.
Unless some time god screwed with me again.
Blue carried me out of the stone room and down a hallway. He took me into a luxurious bedroom done in shades of blood-red. His bed was enormous; with four posters and red velvet curtains. Across from it, there was a fireplace that seemed superfluous; what with the tropical environment we were in. But it was beautiful; as was everything else in the room. It felt very masculine despite all of the Gothic frills and wood carvings.
“Let me make it up to you,” Blue said as he gently laid me on the bed.
Blue climbed up beside me; sliding his body along mine. I rolled onto my side so I could lean over him and run my hand down the hard curves of his chest. Blue sighed in delight and started his own exploration of my body. But then I stopped myself; we needed to talk before we got distracted again.
“Wait.” I caught his hand and held it. “I need to tell you a few things.”
“This is strange; I know,” he said. “But in our world, things like this happen all the time. I think we should accept it as the gift it is, and not worry about the why or how.”
“That's the thing; I know the how and possibly the why.”
“You do?” Blue frowned and sat up. “Tell me.”
“This isn't the right time,” I started to explain.
“You just said that you wanted to talk about it,” he huffed.
“No; I mean this moment that we're in—it's been altered,” I fumbled for the words. “It's been revealed to me that my life was completely different, and in that different life, I did something to Zeus. His son, Aion, changed my past in retribution.”
“Someone changed history?” Blue frowned at me. “That can't be possible.”
“It is,” I assured him. “Think about our attraction for each other; you were about to kill me. What happened to change that?”
“I... you healed my magic somehow. I still don't understand how you were able to take it, but when I reclaimed it, it was whole again. And then there was your blood; it gave me visions,” he whispered. “I saw us together; we made love atop my pyramid in Mexico.”
“I saw us together on the pyramid too,” I said. “You did the same thing to me then that you did... with... you know.”
“When I drank from you as I pleasured you?” Blue smiled sensually. “Yes; the memory inspired that for me.”
“Memory; yes,” I latched onto the word. “Not a vision.”
“That actually feels correct,” he murmured. “I know you—I love you—and yet this is the fir
st time we've met. I don't believe in love at first sight.”
“Neither do I,” I assured him. “I believe in many magical things, but not that.”
“So, our memories are coming back, despite the machinations of this god,” Blue mused.
“I believe so.”
“And you and I; we were lovers?”
I nodded. “I have more to tell you, and you're not going to like it.”
“All right.”
“I had multiple husbands in that other life,” I explained. “You're not the first one who I've met in this new time.”
“You're telling me that you're already married?” Blue's eyes flashed bright green.
“No, but I'm engaged,” I admitted. “I'm sorry; I should have stopped you. I feel as if I've betrayed you both.”
Blue sighed deeply and stared at me a moment before he spoke. “I couldn't have stopped. Do you really think it was possible for you to?”
“No,” I whispered. “I understand if you don't want anything to do with me. Re may feel the same way.”
“Re?” Blue's eyes widened. “Your fiance is the Egyptian Sun God?”
“Yes. Do you know him?” My eyes went wide.
“Of him; we're connected by magic, and now, by you.” Blue huffed a laugh. “By all accounts, he's a playboy.”
“I'm aware,” I said. “He's not that any longer.”
“And how long did it take for that to change?” Blue cocked his head at me.
“A day,” I said. “An hour.” I shrugged. “Possibly a moment. I don't know when exactly Re and I solidified our bond, but it was fast.”
“As it was with us,” he murmured.
“Yes.”
“I find myself in an unusual position,” Blue said. “In love with a human who cannot be monogamous. Perhaps this is my punishment for forcing humans into war.”
“Right; about that...”
“I will cease my warmongering,” he said immediately. “If you can find a way to be with us both.”
“You're okay with me being with Re and you?” I asked in amazement.
“It sounds as if there may be more than just Re to accept,” Blue said as he lifted his chin. “I will do so if you will allow me the same leeway.”
“You want to take other lovers?” I asked.
“At this moment, no, but I feel that it would be less emasculating if I had the option to,” he said stiffly.
“I don't want to make you feel less of a man,” I whispered.
I told you; he's not meant for you.
Be that as it may; he's mine now, I countered primly.
Maybe.
“We can just leave this here,” I offered. “A one-time thing.”
Blue swallowed roughly and shook his head. “I don't want it to be a one-time thing.”
“Then help me find Aion and kill him,” I said suddenly. “If we can get things back to the way they are meant to be, then we'll both be happy; I'm sure of it.”
“It's been a long time since I've killed another god,” he said softly. “But for you—for us—I would kill an entire pantheon. I would sacrifice to you, little witch. I'd pour rivers of blood over your altar if it made you happy.”
“That's both romantic and disturbing,” I said with a soft smile.
Blue chuckled. “I suppose so. But as much as I try to comport myself as a civilized man, I am a savage at heart. I slaughtered my way into divinity, and blood has been my only joy for centuries.”
“I'd like to change that,” I said as I straddled his lap. “If you'll let me.”
“You've already changed it.” Blue bracketed my face in his hands. “My life was forever altered the moment I tasted you.”
Blue kissed me then, and I pressed my naked body to his; moaning into him. His skin was warm, and I luxuriated in it and in the things he was doing with his tongue. As he laid me back on the velvet, I clung to him. If we did find a way to get our old lives back, I'd never hold Blue again. So, I'd make this most of this time we had together.
Chapter Thirty-Five
“I hate to bring this up now,” I murmured into Blue's chest.
“But you have to get back to your fiance?” He asked with a smirk.
“Yes; he's probably beside himself with worry.”
“I would be tearing apart the realms to find you.” Blue kissed the top of my head. “All right, little witch; take me to meet the other sun god in your life.”
“Two sun gods,” I mused as I sat up. “That is strange.”
“It's probably the least strange thing that has happened today.” He grinned at me as he slid out of bed.
I admired the view for a moment, and then I remembered that I didn't have any clothes; Blue had shredded my dress.
“Um; you wouldn't happen to have anything I could wear?” I asked.
Blue looked back at me and laughed. “I can't remember the last time passion consumed me so much that I lost control like that.” He frowned and then suddenly looked sad. “No; I do recall. It was a long time ago, and I lost the only other woman I've ever loved because of it.”
“I'm so sorry,” I whispered. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”
“I made her a vampire,” he said. “It was an accident; I took too much blood and then tried to replace hers with mine.”
“But you saved her?”
“Only to have her turn against me,” Blue said bitterly. “Eztli was unable to accept what she became. She left me, and I haven't seen her since. But I know that she prospers; she went on to create more of her kind.”
“Wait; you only made one vampire?” I asked in amazement.
“Each one is bound to me through her, and they are a drain on my magic.” He shrugged. “It's why I resorted to such nefarious means to acquire sacrifice.”
“You have to fuel their immortality,” I concluded.
“Yes.”
“So, what will happen now?” I asked.
“I must cut them off to preserve myself,” he said sadly. “But they have lived long past the years they were meant to. I think it's for the best.”
“Whoa,” I murmured. “I don't like the thought that they'll die, but the alternative is to kill humans who have barely lived by comparison.”
“Exactly.” Blue held a hand out to me and helped me from the bed. “Don't concern yourself with it, little witch; their deaths are long overdue.”
“Do you even know my name?” I asked with a smirk.
Blue blinked and then his eyes lost their focus. “Vervain Lavine,” he whispered with a look of shock. “I think my memories return faster when I search for them.”
“It's been so for me,” I agreed.
“As far as clothing; I'm sure we can find you some in one of my guest rooms,” he added.
“You have guest rooms for your dates?” I asked.
“No; for my allies,” Blue opened the bedroom door and escorted me down the hallway; both of us still naked.
Blue was glorious naked; he had nothing that needed to be covered up. I, on the other hand, was looking forward to hiding my wobbly bits as soon as possible. It was so awkward to be striding down the hallway in the nude with my hand on Blue's arm as if we were entering a ballroom.
Blue opened the door to another magnificent suite and took me to the closet. He cast open the double doors and waved me forward grandly. I think Blue did everything grandly. There were stunning pieces of clothing inside the closet, but most of them were too long or too narrow for me to fit into. That was a bit embarrassing.
Blue noticed my flushed cheeks and smiled. “I prefer your lush figure to Aphrodite's slim one.”
“These are Aphrodite's clothes?” I asked in shock. “I'm literally trying to fill the Goddess of Love's shoes?”
“Speaking metaphorically, you would do a far better job at it, if you did try to fill her shoes,” he said. “Aphrodite is a cold-hearted creature; the love magic is wasted on her.”
I gaped at him. “That's disappointing.”
It was the perfect length, and the thick, gold knit stretched to fit my curves. I turned to look in the mirror over the dresser and heaved a sigh. Aphrodite probably looked amazing in the dress, but I looked obscene; my breasts pushed up into massive cleavage, and my ass outlined to the point where clothing almost became pointless.
“You look magnificent,” Blue growled as he slid around me from behind and began rubbing his hands over the slick material.
“Hey, now.” I pushed his hands away. “We have to go, remember? Someone is waiting for me.”
“Let him wait.” Blue bared his teeth as he shoved me down over the dresser.
“Blue!”
But he'd already rolled up the hem of my dress and was inside me. I moaned as he leaned over my back and bit my neck; right over his last bite. Ecstasy burst through me as Blue took up a rapid tempo. The dresser began to shake with the strength of his thrusts, perfume bottles rolled to the floor, and the sound of flesh on flesh filled my ears.
Huitzilopochtli released my neck and licked the wounds closed a moment before he straightened and cried out with pleasure. His hands were on my breasts; massaging and pulling on them as he used them for leverage to go as deep as he could. I glanced up and caught his gaze in the mirror. Blue looked wild and glorious; his muscles tight with exertion, and his face set in possessive lines. He licked the blood from his lips and held my gaze as he slammed into me.
“I can't get enough of you,” Blue growled. “It's as if my body has been craving you for years.”
And then he was taking us into rapture again, and I was wondering how I could ever give this up.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“I have one more stipulation,” Blue said after we were both dressed and about to trace out of his palace.
“What?”
“When you're with me, you're mine,” he said softly. “I'm a possessive man, Vervain, and I can be very controlling. I'm willing to let that go for you, but only outside of these walls. When you're here, I want your submission. Can you do that for me?”
