by Staci Hart
“Keiko, I saw this doll when I passed by a shop, and she made me think of you. See her eyes? She is a jade child, just like you.” Kiki’s eyes were wide, her face rapt as she listened. Katsu handed her the fragile doll. “She is very delicate, just like you, my Keiko. Take care not to break her.”
“I won’t, Papa. I promise.”
Katsu’s face went soft. He turned back to his bag and retrieved a small black velvet box, which he handed to Kat. “Katsumi, this is for you.”
She took the soft box from him and ran her hand over the lid before slipping her fingers in the crease. It opened with a creak, and her eyes widened. The inside of the box was lined with cream satin, and on the padded side lay a fine gold necklace with a small pearl pendant. Kat touched the shiny pearl and looked up at her father. “Thank you, Papa,” was all she could manage.
“Would you like to wear it?”
She nodded. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
He slid off the couch to sit next to her on the floor and took the dainty necklace from the box, laid it on her neck, and slipped his long fingers under her hair to fasten it. He sat back, admiring her. “Kireii onna. You are beautiful, my Katsumi. Did you know that pearls have their own power? It is said that wearing a pearl will protect you from evil and bring you luck.”
Kat beamed up at him, then at her mother, who sat behind Kiki, playing with her hair as she studied her doll with wide eyes. With Katsu there, with all of them together, Kat felt like it should always be that way.
Katsu turned back to his bag. “And for my Kim … ” He pulled another velvet box out of the bag, and Kim’s breath hitched.
“Katsu, why— ”
“Kim, after all these years you still ask?” He laid the box in her hands.
She held the big flat box for a moment, her chest rising slowly as she took a deep breath and opened it. Kiki leaned in to sneak a look, and her mouth opened when she looked inside.
Kim’s eyes shot up to Katsu in disbelief.
Katsu’s lips turned up as he smiled. “May I?” He extended his hand, and she laid the box in it. Kat’s jaw dropped when he took out a necklace lined with diamonds, the largest diamond in the center. He laid it tenderly on Kim’s slender neck, the large diamond resting in the hollow of her collarbone, and he sidled in next to her to kiss her neck reverently.
“It’s beautiful, Katsu. Thank you,” she whispered, and trailed her fingers across the twinkling diamonds.
His eyes never left hers, his voice soft. “It has been too long, this time.”
She laid her hand on his cheek. “Every time is too long between and too short within.”
They sat in silence, locked on each other, and the girls were still, all of them frozen in the moment. They jumped when the doorbell rang.
Kiki jumped up, chanting, “Grace! Grace! Graaaaace!”
Kim stood and floated to the door with Kiki on her heels. When she opened it, there stood their nanny with a soft smile on her face and her gray hair twisted into a bun. Kiki threw her arms around Grace’s waist.
“Ooph! Hello, Kiki.” She patted Kiki on the back, and leaned in to kiss Kim on the cheek. “Hello, Kimberly, dear.”
She walked into the room and set down her things, her eyes twinkling as she smoothed out her shirtdress.
Katsu stood and gave her a small bow with a smile on his face. Grace waved her hand at him. “Oh, Tanaka Katsu. So polite.” Grace patted Kat on the head.
Kim pressed her lips together, trying to suppress her grin, practically glowing. “Let me go grab my things.”
“Papa, can’t you stay?” Kiki pouted.
Grace winked at Katsu as she walked into the kitchen, and Katsu bent down to the girls. “Your mama and I are going out, but tomorrow, we will have ice cream and see a movie. What do you think?”
Kiki lit up. “Can I have a banana split, Papa?”
He brushed her cheek. “Anything you wish.”
Kim came into the room with a weekend bag, and Grace walked in, tying an apron around her back. “Grace, we’ll be back in the morning to take the girls to breakfast. Could you have them ready?”
“Sure, just call when you’re on your way.”
Kim turned to the girls, and knelt down to hug them. “Be good, okay?
“We will, mama,” Kat answered.
She kissed both girls and stood. Katsu knelt down and cupped the girl’s faces, one at a time. Green eyes looked into brown, reflecting love and hope like mirrors. He stood and walked to Kim, taking a last look at his daughters before closing the door.
Kiki and Kat ran to the window seat, giggling as Katsu opened the door for their mother, pausing to kiss her sweetly before she slid into the sports car. Kat watched her father until he slipped into the driver’s seat and she could no longer see his face. Her fingers ran over her pendant, and she smiled.
“You okay, Kat? You have a weird look on your face.”
“I’m fine.” Kat smiled reassuringly. “What are you doing tonight?”
Kiki’s cheeks flushed as she grinned. “I’m going on a date with Owen.”
Kat’s head cocked to the side, and her brow dropped. “This makes me nervous.”
Kiki frowned. “Why?”
“When we’re together, I know you’re all right. Owen complicates that. You guys are going to be going on dates, wanting to stay at his place. We need to set some ground rules.”
Kiki swung her legs around and put on a mock serious face. “Okay, Mom. Shoot.”
Kat rolled her eyes. “I’m serious. Can you just humor me?”
“Okay, okay.” She leaned forward in her seat. “Well, you and I will keep working the same shifts, so that covers a lot of it. If he stays over here, does that help?”
“That would definitely make me feel better.”
“And how about if we go anywhere, we can really pretend you’re Mom, and I’ll let you know exactly where I am and what time I’ll be home?”
Kat relaxed. “That would also make me feel better.”
“So, you’re okay with this?”
“I’m okay with it. Just keep his dickbag brother away, all right?”
Kiki laughed as she sat back on the couch and pulled in her knees. “I know, right? What is his problem, anyway?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ll make nice with him for the sake of you and Owen. I can sidestep his snark, and maybe if he quits being a shit, we can get along. But until then, I’ll grin and bear it. Beating him tomorrow should shut him up for a minute.”
“You’re the best sister ever. You know that?”
“I do. You’re lucky to have me.”
Kiki shook her head and chuckled, and Kat’s phone rang in her lap. She picked it up and smiled at the picture of her mom and dad before she answered.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hey, baby. How are you?”
Kat stood and stretched. “Pretty good. How are you?” She wandered down the stairs and to the sliding door that led to her small patio.
“Oh, you know. I’m hanging in there. Things are quiet around here without you.”
“Quiet? In Vegas?” Kat sat in a low backed chair.
Kim laughed. “More quiet than you’d think. How are you girls doing? Still liking New York?”
“It’s definitely different,” Kat said, not wanting to admit how much she was falling in love with the city. “We’re doing all right. Kiki seems to be doing exceptionally well. She met a guy.”
“Oh, god. Kat—”
Kat cut her off, hearing the fear in her voice. “It’s okay, Mom. He seems to be a really good guy. I’m a fan.”
“Wow. Well, that’s a relief, I suppose.” Kim didn’t sound convinced.
“We set up some ground rules so I can keep track of her in case Eric shows up. She’s agreed to them, but I know she doesn’t really take them too seriously.”
“Honey, there’s only so much you can do. She loves you, and she’ll do what you ask, but you can’t hold her back.�
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“I’ve just realized that. She’s really happy, Mom. You would like Owen.”
“Well, maybe I’ll have to meet him. Once all of this dies down, maybe you all can come visit me.”
Kat didn’t miss the sadness in her voice. “Maybe you can come out for a little while?”
“Your father is coming in a few weeks, maybe after that. I’ve been so busy at work, but things will slow down soon. I’ve got new girls starting to take on more responsibility at the dance studio, so I’ll have a lot more free time once they’re trained. Anyway, enough about boring old me. What’s new with you?”
“Everything’s pretty much the same, aside from Kiki’s lovelife. I’ve only raced once, which has been hard. I have a race set up for tomorrow night, but it’s just to shut someone up. Owen’s brother, in fact.”
“What?”
Kat turned sideways in the chair and folded her legs in. “Owen’s brother is an asshole, and he challenged me to a race. It’s just for respect, no money, so no bookies. So this doesn’t really count as a race, right?”
“I don’t know, Kat. Does it?”
She sighed. “I guess it does. It’ll feel good to drive, and to put him in his place. I’m just so tired of having to prove myself. New city means a whole new class of pricks to school.”
“Baby, you know you’re good. You know you’re better than almost all of them. You can’t let them get to you.”
“I try not to, Mom. It’s hard though. Have you met me? Backing down isn’t exactly something that comes naturally.”
“I know, but you’ve learned a lot of patience over the years. It used to own you, and I can’t tell you how hard it was to watch you go through. I’m proud of you, Kat. You’ve come far. Just keep believing in yourself.”
“You sound like a motivational poster,” she teased, but she already felt lighter. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too. I miss you, lots.”
“I miss you, too.” Kat picked at her jeans.
“I’ve got to run. Tell Kiki to call me later. I want to hear more about this new boyfriend.”
“I will. I’ll talk to you soon, Mom.”
“Take care of yourself. Bye, honey.”
Kat hung up and looked out at the bushes and flowers that lined the high brick wall of her patio, then tipped her head up to the sun and closed her eyes. Her mom always made her feel better. Kim was the only person in her life who took the pressure away instead of adding more on, and she was so grateful for that.
———— Olympus ————
Ares couldn’t get Dita off his mind.
He pressed his hand against the cool slate tiles of his shower as steaming water ran down his back. He wanted to give her space, give her time to want him. If he played hard-to-get, she’d want him more. A little restraint was a small price to pay.
Ares was sacrificing, something he was unaccustomed to. He was even willing to lose, as much as it ate at his conscience. But at least if he was going to lose, he’d have her naked and wrapped around him along the way. Especially since Adonis was pouting.
Dita giving Daphne back to Apollo was the best thing that had happened to Ares in ages. Adonis’ tantrum was his loss, and Ares’ gain. She was his alone, for the time being. His brow knit as his smile faded.
Dita and Apollo were growing closer, and Ares wondered what that would mean for him, what it would mean for his secret. He was concerned, but only slightly. The oath that he and Apollo made would stop either of them from exposing Ares as Adonis’ murderer. Unless of course she found out on her own, in which case the oath would be broken, negated. But she’d never find out. Not if he had a say.
He closed his eyes as the water pattered against his shoulders, and in his mind he saw her, her long, golden hair shining, her eyes open to him. She was all he’d ever wanted, and to love her set him free. But the power she had over him held him captive all the same. He had always known that she would be his, but she had to be claimed.
No god or man had ever claimed Aphrodite, though so many tried. She took. She was never taken. Not until Ares.
Thousands of years before, Ares stood in his chambers and peered into the looking glass, admiring his new armor. Hephaestus smithed the golden chest plate, instilling it with magic that rendered it unbreakable. He turned to the side, and it sparkled as the sunlight beaming in from the windows touched its polished surface.
He smiled at his reflection, squaring his broad shoulders and lifting his chin before turning to leave, pausing at the table to pick up his medallion. Two metal snakes knotted together, one white and one black, each eating the other’s tail. He considered it his token for good fortune, though Tyche, the goddess of such matters, only mocked him for it.
There was little in the world Ares hated more than being mocked.
He ran his thumb along the black snake’s body before tucking the medallion away in the pouch on his belt, strutting through the halls of Olympus and into the dining hall. When he entered the wide, high-ceilinged room, his eyes found her, and he couldn’t look away.
Aphrodite sat at the table next to Persephone, her blood-red robes stark against her white skin. Her eyes sparkled behind her long lashes, meeting his gaze. She could deny her feelings all that she wished, but he knew it was a lie. She wanted him, just as he wanted her. He could see it plainly.
Persephone elbowed Aphrodite as he approached and slid in across from them, picking an apple out of the bowl of fruit on the table.
The two women eyed him, amused. Aphrodite asked, “May I help you, boy?”
Ares bristled. “I am a boy no longer, Aphrodite. A fact I would quite enjoy acquainting you with.”
Her voice was heavy with disdain. “Oh, Ares. I am quite sure you would.”
Persephone snickered, and Ares narrowed his eyes at her. She raised an eyebrow in challenge, but Persephone didn’t faze him, and neither did the threat of Hades. Ares wasn’t seeking a fight, but he wouldn’t think twice about crushing the god of the underworld, should the opportunity arise. In fact, he firmly believed he would be a far more effective ruler of the underworld than Hades.
He turned back to Aphrodite and smoothed his face. “Walk with me. A new temple has been built in my honor in Athens, it’s glory known throughout Greece. You should know its glory.”
She sighed and looked incredibly bored. “Ares, no. I do not wish to walk anywhere with you, least of all to a temple entirely devoted to you. Have you anything else to bother me with? Because we were in the middle of a very important conversation before you interrupted.”
Ares stood, his eyes intent on her as he walked around the table to stand next to her. Power rolled off of him as boldness rose in his chest. She looked up at him curiously, but tried to lean away when he bent down and whispered into her ear.
“You will be mine, and of your own volition, Aphrodite. You will want me, and you will cry my name to the stars when I take you. Trust in this.”
He stood and looked down at her, and she wore a new expression, one that his body responded to. Her face was caught in a mixture of desire and annoyance, appalled at his audacity and at herself for wanting him. He could read her like a book, even as she fought to mask her emotions.
Ares tossed the apple in the air and caught it, his eyes on Aphrodite’s as he took a bite. He tipped his head to her and turned to stride from the room, his red cloak whipping behind him. He would win her. Of that, he had no doubt.
Ares smiled at the memory as steam curled up around him. She had always been his siren, the one he couldn’t resist, the one that he would fight through Tartarus to have. He was addicted to her, and she was to him. They were Mars and Venus, Man and Woman, destined to be together, and he would show her. She would not deny him anymore. Not as long as he had breath.
He had been without her for what felt like forever, and he’d never been a patient god.
If he could have killed Adonis again, he would have. Ares would have killed him a thousand times if it wou
ld rid him of the human for good. At least, for the present, Adonis had abandoned her, and until they made amends, Dita would turn to Ares.
Ares turned off the water and dried himself, pausing with his towel in hand, naked in front the mirror. His eyes swept over his tan chest and rippling muscles. He was perfect. They both were. They were perfect together, and he would convince her, starting right then.
He tugged on pants and yanked his shirt over his head as he walked across the room to the elevator, not willing to wait a second longer.
Dita paced in the clearing in Elysium, chewing on her thumbnail. She turned again, and her white robes billowed around her like a comet tail. Adonis had not met her in her dreams since she freed Daphne, and she wondered if he would ever forgive her for freeing Daphne, given that Apollo had taken his life. Adonis believed it to be the ultimate betrayal, but Dita couldn’t see it that way.
He would speak to Perry, though, the only mother he’d ever known. He listened to her. She’d finally gotten him to agree to see Dita, so Dita was trying once again.
Her stomach twisted in knots, unsure how the conversation would go, having anticipated it since she had seen him last. Coming to Elysium had become so painful that she could barely stand it, sitting alone, endlessly waiting for him.
The brush rustled, and Adonis stepped through, his face wary and angry, his back straight. He stopped just inside the clearing and crossed his arms.
Dita reached out, but drew her hand back when his scowl twisted a little deeper. She twined her hands behind her back as she tripped over her thoughts, opening her mouth after a moment to speak, then closing it again. She finally settled on the thought that was always on her mind.
“I have missed you.”
Adonis softened, slightly. “I have missed you as well.”
“I come here every time I close my eyes.”
He hesitated. “Yes, I know.”
“Yet you will not come to me.”
He shook his head, his voice strained. “What could you say that would change what has taken place?”
Dita’s heart ached, and she took a breath before taking a step toward him, encouraged when he didn’t step back. “Will you give me the chance?”
