by Jamie Begley
“Prepare yourself,” she warned.
* * *
Zandra woke up coughing. Her frightened eyes couldn’t see anything in the darkness, and the overwhelming smell of smoke was making it hard to breathe.
The kitten jumped on her bed, frightening her even more as it mewed helplessly. Zandra slowly reached out to stroke it, wanting to soothe the only friend she had.
“Mommy? Daddy?” Her scratchy voice first came out as a small whisper, almost as though she was afraid of drawing their anger as the smoke filled her room. They would be mad and punish her if she woke them, but her fear of not breathing overruled her fear of them.
Her voice rose in volume. “Mommy? Daddy?”
The small house was already engulfed in flames when Broni and Rhys arrived. With a glance, they took in the gasping couple catching their breath on the grass, making no attempt to save their daughter within the inferno taking over their home.
Broni looked at the husband and wife, wanting to slap them silly for the indifference they were showing while the tiny child’s screams could be heard over the night air above the crackling and hissing of the flames.
Broni knew exactly where the child was, and while still holding Rhys’s hand, she transported them there in an instant. The child had stopped screaming; whimpers now were the only sound to escape her lips. Broni could not touch the child, yet she could give her the knowledge of how to escape and that time was slowly drawing to a close. If the child didn’t get out soon, she would die.
“Zandra, get off the bed and slowly crawl toward me.”
The little girl didn’t move.
“Zandra!”
Still no movement. The little girl didn’t even turn her head to acknowledge Broni’s presence.
“Rhys, she can’t hear me. I don’t understand.” Broni turned to him frantically. She had been called to save the child, yet she was powerless to do so.
Rhys’s voice boomed out, startling Broni with its intensity. “Zandra!”
The little girl cried out in fright at the sound of his voice.
“Who are you? You’re not my daddy.”
“No, but I am here to help you. Slowly slide off your bed and crawl toward me. Hurry, Zandra, there isn’t much time,” Rhys urged.
“I’m scared.” Her little body scooted to the end of the bed. She turned onto her stomach, edging off until she was able to reach the floor then Zandra began to crawl across the room.
“I know, baby, but I am here to help you. Just a little farther.”
As the child crawled, the flames began to slide under the closed door, running across the carpet toward the little girl. Someone was directing the flames, wanting to destroy her.
Broni stood by helplessly. She wanted the girl to hurry, but Zandra was unable to hear her, and Broni wasn’t even able to direct the flames away for the few precious seconds it would take to save the girl.
The child screamed when the flames reached her.
“Roll toward me, Zandra. Roll.” Rhys remained calm, giving the directions to save her life.
When Zandra lay helplessly at Rhys’s feet, he reacted by trying to pick her up in his arms, but they passed through her. At that point, her screams of pain were driving all thoughts from Rhys’s mind.
Fate appeared. “Focus, Rhys. You have the power to save her, or she wouldn’t have heard you. She must survive.”
Fate turned toward the flames, waving her hands, and they fell back a few inches, though they did not disappear.
Rhys knelt down next to the sobbing child. “Zandra. Get up, baby.”
“I can’t,” the little girl whimpered.
“Yes, you can.”
Broni pointed at the window, drawing his attention and showing him how to manipulate the little girl.
“Your kitten needs you to get her out.”
“Max?”
“Yes. Max needs your help, okay?”
“Okay.”
Whimpering, the trembling child managed to get to her hands and knees, crawling toward Rhys who had moved to stand by the tiny window.
“Now what the fuck do I do?” Rhys yelled. There was no way the girl could reach the unopened window.
Opening his senses, he disappeared outside, leaving Broni with the little girl in the bedroom. He transported himself to the girl’s father.
Kneeling by the son of a bitch, Rhys threatened him with a cold, deadly voice he hadn’t known he was capable of. “Get your ass over to that window and save that child or I will tear you apart limb from limb.”
Will had never been much of a man, led by the nose by his domineering bitch of a wife, but the voice in his ear threatening him with violence sent fear coursing down his spine.
“Now!” Rhys yelled in his ear.
Spooked, Will jumped up, going to his daughter’s bedroom window.
“Get something to break the fucking window!” Rhys wanted to strangle the stupid man, however he tried to remain calm, giving the man directions until finally, the sound of glass breaking fell on Rhys’s welcoming ears.
“Reach in and pull her out. She is by the window.”
Wanting to pick the man up and throw him inside, Rhys watched as he slowly reached in and pulled out the girl. She was unconscious but still breathing. Sirens could be heard drawing closer. The mother ran to grab the father, moving him away from the now flaming house.
The kitten flew through the window just before flames began billowing out.
When Broni and Fate materialized beside him, Rhys, unable to help himself and knowing it would do no good other than to make him feel better, walked to the man and kicked him in the ribs. Expecting his foot to pass through him, he almost tripped when his foot connected with a meaty thunk. The man’s scream of pain brought a vindictive smile to Rhys’s face.
“Get her away from the house.”
Watching the man stumble toward Zandra holding his ribs, Rhys noticed Fate’s huge smile and didn’t need to wonder further how he had managed to kick the neglectful father.
“If you could let me kick that no good piece of shit, how come you wouldn’t let me help her?” Rhys snapped angrily.
“That kick couldn’t change the future; her life will.”
They stood and watched as a fire truck and ambulance arrived. Despite the worthless parents wanting aid first, they were ignored while the girl was stabilized. The only one not ignoring them was the police officer and fire chief wanting explanations of how the fire had started. They looked more frightened by the questions than they had of the fire.
Rhys and Broni left then, materializing back in Rhys’s room without Broni having to touch him.
“I no longer need your help to transport?” Rhys questioned.
“Apparently not.” Broni shrugged, unsure of how or why he was able to do so without her aid.
“Jericho does. I’ve seen him,” Rhys said.
“Yes, but he’s a demi-God. His power was inherited, yours are not,” Broni explained.
“Then why?”
“Mother must have decided that will be one of the powers she gifts you with,” Broni said with a frown that Rhys didn’t understand.
“Will Zandra be all right?”
“I don’t know. I’ll ask my mother, however she may or may not answer my question.” Broni wrinkled her nose. “You smell like a chimney.”
“You’re not much better.”
They undressed and took another shower, this time each lost in their own thoughts.
Broni couldn’t understand how her powers had failed her and been switched to Rhys. Was it to be in just this instance or would it last longer? Broni was frightened to learn the answer.
Rhys felt a small weight lifted off his chest, making him breathe a little easier. Saving the child had eased a tiny part of the pain he’d felt at being unable to save his own children. The guilt had been eating him alive just as much as the grief he felt at missing them.
They got out of the shower, drying themselves off, and once they
were in bed, Broni turned off the light with a wave of her hand. Before she could lay down beside Rhys, he was leaning over her, pressing her down into the soft mattress.
Rhys felt like a part of him that had been asleep was reawakening. He was filled with the inexplicable need to fuck Broni. His mouth claimed her nipple, his teeth rubbing the tender bud until it tightened into a hard nub. Rhys had fucked numerous women since Deena’s death, but none had aroused the passion that Broni did.
He skillfully built their desire upwards until her pleas for release had him sliding deep within her body. His fingers rubbed her clit until he felt the gasps at his shoulder where she had buried her face. He lazily stroked inside of her while feeling her nails bite into his back when her greedy pussy needed more than he was letting her have.
Rhys stared down into her striking face, seeing that she enjoyed the feel of him inside her. Her long legs were wrapped around his waist, trying to control the tempo of his thrusts and keeping her under control was undermined by his own rising desire. He gave in to his own demands, his strokes becoming faster, deepening until he felt her tightening pussy clench.
Her ecstatic expression sent a burst of lust straight to his cock. Unable to hold himself back any longer, he pumped deep within her, feeling as if there was no part of her that wasn’t his.
“See me. Rhys, please see me.” He barely heard the faint whisper.
Her hands slid back to his shoulders, soothing the muscles bunched with tension. She rose up to kiss his mouth, but Rhys turned his head to the side, denying her the intimacy. Not deterred, her mouth went to his neck, placing gentle kisses against his flesh.
Breathing hard, he collapsed back on the sheets. Broni went to lay her head on his chest, but Rhys moved until he lay on his side with her at his back. It wasn’t actually spooning, as their bodies weren’t touching. She got his message, though.
Rhys’s hand clenched on the mattress, keeping himself from rolling over to take her in his arms.
Broni buried her face in the pillow, forcing the lump in her throat back down. She refused to cry. She had to accept the truth; she was just a fuck to him. That was all it would ever be between them.
During the time she had spent with him the last few weeks, Broni had begun to hope. Not for more—she was well aware he would never love her like Deena—but she had hoped he would want to become more intimate with her. Little things like holding her close after sex, getting her a drink, maybe even flirting with her a little. Anything to show that she was more than just a fuck.
Broni swallowed hard when realization hit that this would was all she would ever be to him. Eventually, Rhys would grow tired of her, find other women to fill the void Deena had left behind. It would not take long with his new ability to transport; a new world would be open to him. The Goddesses would be eager to add him to their list of lovers as well. The body he had developed within the last few weeks would draw them like a moth to a flame. Without a connection to her, he would see no reason to deny himself. They would have his body, no more able to earn his love than her. Only one woman would have his heart—Deena.
Broni waited until he slipped into a deep sleep before she left, sensing it would be the last time. He no longer needed her. His nightmares had almost ceased now, often ending before she could soothe him. He was healing, so it was her who held on to the fallacy that he needed her to sleep. A misguided hope.
He had become used to her presence, but never once in the weeks they had slept together had he reached out for her. If he woke up with her beside him, they would have sex. If she had already left, he did not search for her.
She lingered for a moment longer, staring down at Rhys with her heart breaking.
“You win, Rhys. May you find the peace you’re searching for. My love goes with you.”
Chapter 18
Dawn was lightening the sky when Rhys woke with a start. The room was icy, but not with the temperature, it was with the frigidness coming off the woman sitting by his bed.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” He quickly gathered the sheet to cover himself, staring at Fate’s expression. It did not take a genius to see she was furious with him.
“I told you I would not interfere, but the time has come where I will no longer tolerate how you treat my daughter.”
Rhys angrily started to rise from the bed with the sheet around his hips. A flush rose in his face at her disdainful expression as he tried to keep his cock covered.
“I don’t think this is the time or place for this discussion. I’ll get dressed and meet you downstairs for breakfast.”
“Get dressed. I will wait outside.” Fate rose regally, walking to the balcony off his bedroom.
Rhys dressed, determined to get the next several minutes over with. He knew that Fate was going to give him hell for Broni, but he was just as determined that she realize Broni was the one who had initiated their sexual relationship.
Minutes later, he stood outside with Fate. She was watching the sky, strain etched on her face. She was a beautiful woman, but worry over Zerina was beginning to take its toll. Rhys felt guilty since he had added to her stress because of Broni. Perhaps it was time to stop whatever was happening between them. Rhys ignored the burning ache he experienced at the thought.
Fate turned at his approach, staring at his face. Her gaze sharpened on his resolved expression.
Rhys began before she could voice the disapproval he could see in her furious eyes. “I understand your concern for your daughter’s feelings. I’ll make sure we stay away from each other’s rooms.” He was determined Fate would know he was no young boy about to be reprimanded by an angry mother.
“Is it so easy for you to give her up, Rhys?” Fate’s gaze became glacial.
“What do you want me to say, Fate? That I am in love with her? I’m not. And I won’t lie to you or her by saying I am or that there is a chance in the future my feelings will change.”
Disdainfully, Fate curled her lip at him in disgust. “You arrogant prick! I know better than you what your feelings are for my daughter—she’s your personal fuck-toy. She’s not good enough to replace that perfect wife of yours who you spoiled rotten with a lavish home, expensive jewelry, and even a nanny to help with the children. She never turned her hand to clean a speck of dust; you hired a maid to clean your home. The only thing she did that made her a wife was share your bed and bear your children. You couldn’t even fuck her the way you wanted, could you? Her delicate sensibilities would shatter if you treated her the way you treat Broni!”
When Rhys jerked as if she had struck him, Fate took a step forward, grasping his arm. Rhys thought she might actually strike him, instead he found himself in a huge dining hall with a throne. He recognized Odin who was sitting with a goblet in his hand, surveying the room. A woman who was wearing only a blue, gauzy skirt with her breasts bare sat at his feet.
Odin stiffened when he saw them standing in the middle of his dining hall. He spoke quietly to the woman at his feet, and she rose to her bare feet, leaving the room through a doorway to the side of the throne.
“Fate, I see you finally decided to bring him home.” Rhys was confused by his words.
Broni’s mother’s grip on his arm tightened. Tugging him forward, she led him to the front of the room to stand in front of Odin.
“You can have him.” Fate released his arm. “Give him the homecoming you think he deserves. I should have known he would be no better than you, but because Broni loves him, I wanted to give him a chance.”
“I don’t—” Rhys turned to Fate at her words.
“If you tell me one more time that you don’t care for her, I will stab you in that black heart of yours,” Fate threatened him.
Odin laughed. “You’ve really pissed her off, haven’t you?”
Rhys remained quiet, not wanting to cause further argument with Fate.
“Wise choice,” Odin said as if reading his mind.
“Enjoy yourself,” Fate said snidely before sh
e disappeared.
Rhys turned back to Odin who was gazing at him with a smile of welcome. Standing to his feet, he raised his hand, and the room grew silent.
Rhys turned, taking a good look for the first time at the men sitting around the tables filled from one end to the other with food and pitchers. Men of different time periods stared back. One after the other, they began banging their goblets on the table.
“I welcome you home. Take your due; it’s well deserved,” Odin’s loud voice boomed through the room.
A chorus of cheers brought a surge of emotion from deep within him. Rhys didn’t know how or why, he only knew that, at long last, he was home.
* * *
Broni stood in the corner of the room alone, observing the crowd her mother had gathered to pool their thoughts on how Zerina had disappeared from their view. Not far away, Athena and Aphrodite were seated, discussing their latest conquest.
“Don’t let those bitches see they are hurting you.” Her aunt’s advice was already too late.
“Destiny, Rhys has the right to share their bed. I should have left the table when his name was first mentioned.”
“The spiteful whores are taking their hatred of your mother out on you.”
Broni reached out, taking Destiny’s hand in hers. “They can give him what I cannot.”
“What? A migraine?” Her disdainful voice brought a smile to her lips despite the agony tearing through her soul at the women describing how wonderful a lover Rhys was. Athena had shared his bed on numerous occasions, making sure Broni was aware of the fact. Aphrodite, who had only managed to snare him for a single night, was jealous, stating a need for him again. Both Goddesses had vengefully monitored her reaction to their talk. She had risen from the table with tears in her eyes, unable to listen to more.
“Freedom to be with anyone he wants,” Broni answered.
“You should take another to your bed. Maybe—”
Broni was already shaking her head. “I won’t repeat his mistake. You can’t forget the one you love in another’s arms. I’ll be fine. Go to my mother before she loses her temper. I’ll see you in the morning.”
