Cimmerian Shade: A Limited Edition Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Collection

by Kiki Howell

  Endymion comes over to the back of the carrier and extends out a hand, “I was thinking about you.” I take his hand and it’s warm.

  “Why?” I ask although I was also thinking of him.

  Why was I thinking of him? The ring is one reason but is that enough? Shouldn’t there be more of a reason?

  I step off my chariot and Endymion releases my hand but not before his thumb gently rubs the back of my hand. The small space where he had caressed me is hot and tingling.

  Holding my gaze he says, “I thought maybe you could see me up in the heavens and join me on this wonderful night.”

  I could have seen Endymion if I looked on Gaea’s mirror. That is how she shows my siblings and I the visions of the earth. I don’t tell him that.

  Instead, I ask, “What were you doing?” I was curious.

  Endymion raises his eyes, “Skipping rocks on the water.”

  “Why?”

  “It helps me to think. Have you tried it?”

  I shake my head, and he gives me a small smile. “Come, I’ll show you.”

  Walking back to the shore, the lazy tide wets my feet. Endymion looks for the perfect rock and when he finds it, he positions himself and flicks his wrist. The rock skips across the ocean surface. When I try it, it sinks. I try another few times and I get the same results. Becoming fed up, I use my other hand to manipulate the water to guide the rock on the surface. Endymion catches on and lets me know that he is aware of what I am doing.

  Giving up, I sit down in the sand and bring my knee’s up to my chest. “Why do you like this?” I ask.

  “The night is soothing, the water is relaxing and-” he pauses skipping another rock. His last one goes pretty far. Endymion doesn’t answer for a while and so I ask something else.

  “Why do you leave your home during the nights,” Humans sleep during the night.

  Endymion continues finding rocks and skipping them across the ocean. “My father died a few months ago and he taught me how to skip rocks.” he begins and I remember that when humans die they do not return back to life. “When he died, his responsibilities became mine. He died without truly doing anything for himself. Everything was for the kingdom, or for me, or someone or something. Never once had my father done anything selfishly. I do not want that to be me because my father wasn’t truly happy.”

  Zeus had said that Pan only had selfish motives, which is bad. “To do something selfishly, isn’t wrong?”

  “Yes, and no.” Endymion answers and holds on a rock in his hand.

  “How can it be both?”

  “To do something that makes you happy isn’t wrong, as long as it is not at the expense of other’s.”

  I pondered on his words for a while and I begin tracing the pad of my thumb with my index finger. “And you do not want to be like your father who was not selfish,”

  Endymion nods his head before skipping the rock on water, “I want to be happy.”

  “But you want to be selfish?” I ask and continue the tracing motion.

  “Innocently so,”

  “I don’t understand,” I tell him while the water reaches my toes.

  Endymion chuckles and striding toward me, he sits down beside me. “Tell me why a goddess would want to leave her home in the heavens?”

  “I was curious,”

  “Curious about what?”

  “About life outside of what I know, or-” What I thought I knew. I don’t say that, I can’t because the mortal wouldn’t understand. How could he?

  Endymion nudges me with his arm, “You’re searching,”

  “I am not,” What would I be looking for?

  “That’s nothing to be ashamed of, you are like me.”

  Like him? I look up at the human with a frown and his eyes capture my eyes. “I am not like you,”

  “I don’t mean that figuratively,” and he frowns. “But what is wrong with me? Is it because I’m human?” Endymion demands becoming enraged and I don’t understand the sudden shift in his mood.

  “That was not what I meant,” I say.

  “Do you have a problem with humans? Do all gods have a problem with humanity? Because there are a few temples that I can dismantle.” His tone is frightening and I shift away from him, confused on how we got here when he gives me a huge grin.

  The human was trying to be funny.

  That was not funny.

  “I can’t dismantle any temples,” Endymion lets me know still smiling from ear to ear. “Honestly, that would be the fastest way for the people to lose faith in me. They love the gods but I think it’s more of a one-way relationship.”

  One way relationship? I let his words settle on my mind for a while.

  I know that Zeus and Gaea have kept my siblings and I secluded because they are afraid we will get distracted. They fear that we will neglect our responsibilities and both the mortal and Olympian worlds will be thrust into eternal chaos.

  How is that a one-way relationship?

  Still frowning, Endymion’s smile fades. “I was only jesting,”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Say what?”

  “That it’s a one-way relationship,”

  He watches me before answering, “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “You didn’t upset me,” I lie shuffling my behind further away from Endymion.

  “Says the pouting goddess,”

  “I am not pouting,”

  Another smile of his, “It’s adorable.”

  I’ll show him adorable. I move one hand and command a fraction of the ocean to rise up and I drop on top of Endymion’s head.

  He groans wiping his face. “You’re upset,” he says with eyes closed.

  “The gods have you mortals in mind, more than you will ever know.”

  Clearing his face, he opens his eyes. “My apologies,”

  “Some gods are purposely kept away, unable to experience the freedom that you take advantage of because physical pleasures are a distraction.”

  “Again, my apologies.”

  “Some gods will unknowingly live an eternity without knowing what they are protecting.” I’m thinking about Eos and Helios. My siblings who haven’t become enraptured with earth. They don’t desire it, like me.

  Why only me?

  Once again I begin tracing the pad of my thumb with my index finger.

  “That sounds like a lonely existence,” the human says to me and my first thought is that he’s right.

  Instead, I say, “It’s not lonely because I-” I have two siblings who share the same fate as me. I don’t say that, although it almost slipped out.

  Endymion was right. It is lonely, to be the only one out of Eos and Helios to be fascinated with the mortal realm. I feel like the odd one out, when before it seemed like my siblings and I was the same. In one sense we still are, but in another, I can feel the difference.

  I’m drifting.

  I squeal when I feel something touching me on the bottom of my foot and I realize that it’s Endymion’s finger. “You get lost in your thoughts a lot,”

  I pull my feet closer toward me, “The gods care about the mortals.” I tell him again.

  “I believe you,”

  He reaches over and drags just one finger along the bottom of my foot and I giggle. “The goddess is ticklish,”

  I try to retreat back but he grabs onto my ankle. Endymion begins tickling me relentlessly and a surge of unwanted happiness takes over. A burst of laughter erupts and I kick trying to set my foot free but he won’t let go. The water reaches us, splashing Endymion and me, as I wiggle and scream for him to stop.

  Eventually, he stops with his hands settling on my thighs and my dress is hiked up to my waist. I’m breathing heavily, while short breaths of laughter escape me and his touch is warm. Quickly though, he withdraws and stands up. He extends a hand out to me and I take it. He pulls me up, right into him and not wasting a moment Endymion swoops down and claims my mouth.

  Endymion’s ton
gue sweeps across my lower lip and I moan, opening for him. His tongue finds mine and we kiss for a while lost in each other while his arms wrap firmly around my body.

  He pulls away, “I need to return,”

  “Right now,” I ask and lean back into his lips.

  Endymion kisses me back, “The sun is rising and I will be missed.” Pulling back I see far in the distance, that the sky is changing colors. Meaning that the sun should be rising soon. “Tomorrow,” he says.

  “Tomorrow, can we go somewhere more secluded?” I ask as an extra precaution. I have the ring but maybe not being out in the open would help ease my mind.

  Endymion takes my hand and pulls me away from the shore. Now walking in a field of grass, he stops and points to a tall colossal hill. “That mountain is Mount Latmus and it has an abandoned temple inside. Meet me there,”

  With a nod, Endymion gives me one last kiss and when he tries to leave I grab onto him and kiss him again.

  “You’re a greedy little goddess,” he teases prying my hands from around his neck.

  “Tomorrow,” I confirm and release my hold.

  Endymion walks back to the shore, where his horse had settled down resting. Rising his animal, he climbs on it’s back and takes off into the night.

  I watch him until I can no longer see Endymion and then I head back to the shore. Climbing into my carriage, I take off into the sky and return home.

  Chapter Seven

  DAYS LATER

  Appearing on earth, my bare feet graces the luscious, soft grass, tickling my heels. Cool air fills my lungs and my sight meets a vast ocean in the distance with a full moon up in the sky. The moonlight glistens on the surface of the water.

  Mount Latmus comes into sight and walking toward it, I enter its gaping entrance. I pace through the dank, impenetrable blackness and narrow path until I see an orange glow. I step into the passage and into a bubble of warmth. Lit candles burn, scattered around the entire area. The candles are well used and had melted from our previous visits. Old wax withers against the sides, melting on top of new curves and garnishing the rugged rocks beneath them.

  The candles line the inner, circular wall and set my flesh ablaze with the sudden leap from cool to tepid. My eyes settle on a man, who stops mid-action from spreading a blanket on the cold, ridged ground of the cavern. When he notices my presence, he raises his eyes and locks his gaze with my own.

  I smile and Endymion smiles back.

  Stepping further into the room, I glance around. “Endymion, you’re here early.”

  “No, you are here early,” he muses, now smoothing out the fur blanket, which is covering most of this spacious area. Straightening to his full height, he saunters toward me and grabs my waist. He pulls me into his clothed masculine body.

  I gasp with the sudden gesture and my heart begins humming. I catch sight of his crooked smile before Endymion’s hands reach up to grasp my face. He dips his head to claim my mouth and sweeps his tongue along my bottom lip. I open for him, entangling our tongues. I melt into his aroma, tasting him and relishing in his flavor and scent. Even down to his calloused hands holding the sides of my face, I want his fingers to leave marks. I want him to brand me, much like how Pan has somehow managed to own my body.

  Since the moment I laid eyes on Endymion, there was something about him that intrigued me.

  Endymion’s lips are now on my neck, and his chaste embrace takes me away from my thoughts and into the here and now. His kisses are light but torturous.

  When he withdraws there’s an empty coldness that claims my raw flesh. I reach for him, wanting to draw him back, to fill the void but he doesn’t budge. With his lips inches away from my own, I can taste his deep-throated chuckle. He delicately brushes his lips against my own, teasing. I snag his bottom lip between my teeth and bite down lightly and then release him in another heartbeat.

  Endymion rubs his nose against my own. “You are always so greedy.” He knows that I want him but he doesn't give in.

  I pout, “It isn’t fair that you deny me.”

  “It isn’t fair that we have sex here,” he answers, still standing in front of me.

  With his knees slightly bent, his pelvis is pressed above my own. I can feel his desire for me and my sex thrusts forward, eagerness pampering my delicate folds.

  Endymion’s hands are on my waist, which isn’t helping the silent cry of my sex. He’s right, I am greedy—but recently, only for him. I'm nervous nonetheless, but Endymion makes me feel safe. Pan couldn't manage to make me feel that way.

  Why does Endymion make it sound like a bad thing? Wanting him?

  Enticing emerald eyes capture my gaze, and I stare into his pupils.

  Why does he deny himself?

  Frowning, I attempt to pull away but his grip on my waist tightens, holding me in place. He laughs. “You’re upset because I don’t want to sleep with you.”

  “That’s not why I’m upset,” I lie, trying to wiggle out from his grasp.

  His hands are ferrous and strong. “I have something for you”—I pause, for I love surprises—“but first you have to close your eyes and no peeking.”

  I ask, “What is it?” while I allow the grievance of his sexual denial to slip from my mind.

  Endymion leans into me and whispers, “Close your eyes.”

  His aroma hits my nostrils again for the hundredth time, yet it’s like the first time I inhaled him into my lungs. I hadn’t smelled anything like him before we met. Now, it’s a smell I know I will never forget. A scent that breathes happiness to my soul and relieves worries of all kinds.

  On a sigh, I close my eyes and don’t stop the deep inhales. I want to remember his scent, so when I’m back home it’s the only thing that my lungs will know.

  Endymion releases his hold, each finger ascending and leaving me to feel bereft, like a part of me is missing. I keep my eyes closed. He kisses me on the forehead before his presence disappears. I hear him moving around the cavern; he’s doing something. I hear more movement and then his hands brush against my own—Endymion is now guiding me forward. I follow without hesitation until my bare feet touch the fur blanket he had spread on the ground.

  “Sit,” he says softly and I comply kneeling. “No peeking,” and I rest my hands in my lap. “I want you to try something for me.” His voice is deep and intimate; every word that graces his lips is dominating and confident.

  “What am I trying?”

  “Do you remember you told me a few nights ago, that you do not eat?”

  “I can eat,” I correct quickly. That wasn’t a lie, I can eat and taste but I do not go hungry.

  Endymion says, “I stand corrected. Besides, your taste buds are going to love me.”

  “I do not crave food,” I remind him. Thus, what is the point?

  He commands with gentle words, “Open your mouth.”

  I comply, parting my lips. Within seconds, something firm is passing through my lips. I take a small bite and taste the sweet juices spouting into my mouth. The liquid dribbles down my chin and before I can react, Endymion’s thumb is swiping there.

  “I’m going to enjoy this,” he muses, his voice thick with avidity.

  I smile. “You can indulge in other ways.”

  No response, except for, “Open.” Endymion continues to feed me varies fruits of all kinds of textures and sweetness. A few selected fruits he would caress along my lips, teasing me and no doubt himself. I take part regardless, slipping out my tongue and stroking whatever he was trying to feed me.

  My taste buds don’t need attention, but so far this mortal is refusing anything more than a few kisses. Now he’s pampering me with flavors.

  He chuckles and says, “I didn’t think it would be so difficult to watch you eat fruit.” My eyes flutter to open but he says quickly, “Keep them closed, and”—there’s a hesitant pause—“lie down.”

  I frown. “Endymion, I swear if you’re thinking about—”

  He cuts me off with a deep kiss, and
his tongue licks at my bottom lip as if asking for permission. I allow him entrance and his tongue slips in, eagerly searching for my own. Once united, they go at each other in a violent manner and as swift as it began, Endymion presses a hand to my chest.

  “Lie down,” Endymion's voice is deep and domineering. His words resonate a fury of feather-light tickles in my stomach.

  I fall back and adjust myself with my knees bent and feet flat on the blanket. The hem of my chiton falls to my upper thighs.

  Endymion’s fingers caress the top of my feet and he warns me to keep my eyes shut. My heart begins drumming again, unsure of his next move and I feel his fingers rising up my leg. His touch is light, barely brushing the pad of his fingers against my flesh. But the residual tingles flush on the surface of my legs. Goosebumps scatter across my inner thighs and my sex pulses with eagerness. Instinct has me drawing my thighs closer.

  Biting down on my bottom lip, I can feel my senses heightened as Endymion pauses on my knees. His stare—one I cannot physically see but feel through the darkness of my eyelids—is like a heavyweight smothering me with his ravenous hunger. Excitement kindles into a small ball, growing rapidly with the single thought of Endymion finally giving in to his desires.

  My body tenses while he lingers, not moving on my knees. On an impatient exhale of my own, he expands his fingers over my kneecaps. A shiver cascades down and around my thighs, closer to my sex. Fervid tingles fester at the lips of my greedy heat. My inner walls clench on itself, throbbing around emptiness. Each desperate clench a silent cry to be filled.

  “Endymion, you’re cruel,” I whine with closed eyes.

  “I’m the worst.”

  His raspy words fiercely lick at my skin, arousing an insatiable need for more. More of his gentle, secure touches that unravel me. More of his kisses, and more of his intense stare that I cannot see but feel scorching my flesh.

  Endymion kisses my knee. “Open up for me,” his warm breath tickles my sensitive skin and I spread my legs for him. His fingers move toward my inner thighs. More. His light touch is the worst as he brushes up against my folds. More. My chest rises more quickly now, with my mouth parting ever so slightly as if trying to draw more needed air into my lungs.