by C. M. Owens
"Delicious is the taste of impending success. No mercy to find, all hope suppressed. You'll see all good things end in time, for soon, pretty Aphrodite, you'll be mine."
A snarling, flame-consumed hound saunters through while dripping fire from his salivating mouth as he stares at the picture of the dark-haired beauty propped against the wall.
Such beauty shouldn't exist, and the power she possesses is even more impressive than her striking appearance.
Those eyes aren't tainted by fear anymore, but that plays perfectly into the hands of the ones she doesn't know exists. A dark-haired Aphrodite, who would have ever dreamt such a thing?
They knew of her though. They've been waiting on such an anomaly for centuries. They knew she'd come with her gifted green eyes and perfectly sleek, dark hair, and now they need her.
"Abaddon, I think it's almost time to meet our little prodigy girl. What do you think?" she asks the flaming mutt.
He nods as a growling emerges deep within his throat, and malice stirs in his fiery eyes as the flames surrounding his dark body grow in intensity.
"Easy, boy," she coos. "We don't need her dead just yet. Safina should have listened to me. I told her this was the girl, but she overlooked her too carelessly. That's okay though. I never liked that power-hungry bitch. She had too much handed to her. She never had to work for her abilities as I have. She never had the discipline to rule as I do either."
Abaddon releases his beastly, dark bark as he adds to the malevolent conversation.
"You'll be by my side. We just have to find a way to release the great one, and then the world will crumble for us. First, we'll need to resurrect your old friends though," she says with her ominous laughter breaking free.
The flaming hound seems to smile as he turns to walk back toward her and takes his place at her side like a rabid loyalist.
"They never thought to look for the one blocking the visions to Safina. They're too blinded by the victory, but that triumphant taste will sour soon. Safina was nothing compared to me, and she was ever barely a shadow in comparison to the great one. This girl will fall before us soon, and we'll own this world as we should. Let's get ready. We'll have company soon," she releases with more eeriness.
Abaddon nods again as she stands and drops her knitting project to the rocking chair where she sat. She walks to the far corner to start weaving a natural cage with the poison meant for only one type of goddess.
"We'll move to our new home soon. Somewhere they'll never look. Safina deserved to die for her insolence. She didn't believe in the prophecy even when the dark-haired beauty stared her in the face, and the one foreseen to kill the great one put her in her place.
"I told her to keep the Aphrodite alive. I told her I needed her, but she didn't listen. She didn't care about me or what I've seen. She didn't care about me at all even though I'm the one who freed her from her imprisoning tomb. She refused to heed my warning, and that miserable speck is now dead."
The snarling hound agrees with her as the flames part for him to pick up a vine to bring to her. She smiles appreciatively as she takes it and adds it to her weave.
"The prophecy is real, and they'll soon see. Though it won't be they who walk away victoriously. The thirst I have will finally be quenched. My power will be revived when I'm thoroughly drenched. The fountain will breathe with new life again. My true strength will return to me only then. Her fears will hide with a false sense of security, but they'll return to strip her dignity. Her worst fear is known, and all of it resides around one man's life. Soon it'll multiply when she becomes his doting wife. Though a mortal wedding is all they'll ever share, for the bonding will be forsaken when I get there.
"Little by little her insecurities will emerge, and that's when I'll dig my claws into her. She'll give me what I need while she's broken and in tears, and that will happen when reality meets her fears. Their break will come, oh, it'll come soon. Then and only then will my dreams come true."
Daughter of Kaos
Chapter 1
The mirror image of myself greets me as I lie in the bed and stare over at the reflective glass of the balcony doors.
I can feel and see Devin has already gotten up and started his day, and I frown at the empty half of the bed. I slowly rise up to beat the sun that has yet to fully rise to attention and head into the living area of the New York apartment that had become my home before the rewind.
Now it’s home again. A good, wonderful home with my Poseidon.
I smile when I see Devin casually lounging without a shirt on. His laptop has my seat in his lap, and he’s talking work chatter into his phone.
Normalcy. Ah.
“Yeah, all that sounds good. We need to debrief the foreman on the details, but I’ll have Kry handle all that,” he says with his sexy business tone.
I tune out the conversation as I stroll into the kitchen to acquire a cup of the aromatic brew that has filled the apartment with its promise of a glorious morning. I giggle to myself when I think of how we’ll be married in two days.
Devin walks over with a smile invading his perfectly chiseled face, and his body begs me to touch it. I answer the silent plea, and he grins bigger as my fingers trace the defined lines of his chest and abdomen.
“I’ll see you then. I’ll be out of town for a month for my honeymoon,” he adds.
“Have a splendid time, sir,” a chipper voice says from the other side of the phone.
“I can assure you I will,” Devin smolders, and then he places the phone on the counter before fully wrapping me up in his incredible hold.
“Working?” I muse as I draw back to stare up into his eyes while keeping my hands clasped around his waist.
“Unfortunately,” he grumbles. “They’re close to finishing Henry’s condominiums, and I’m just trying to iron out the details before he bombards me with a thousand questions at the wedding.”
“Well, I’ll just instate a rule that allows for no work chatter at the wedding,” I tease while pulling him by the band of the pants to come closer to me.
He smirks deviously, and his lips cover mine briefly before his phone buzzes again.
“Welcome back to reality,” I gripe.
He chuckles lightly but keeps one hand holding on to me as he answers.
“What do you have for me, Sheila?”
“Sorry to bother you, sir, but Adisia’s doctor called to change her appointment,” she says uncomfortably.
I blush fiercely, and Devin’s eyes narrow in confusion as he cuts his eyes toward me.
Oh crap.
“Appointment?” he inquires.
“Devin!” I scold.
“Sorry, but I couldn’t reach her, and they need an answer,” she stammers out, avoiding his obvious prying attempt.
“Tell them to cancel it,” Devin asserts, and then he ends the call.
“Devin!” I admonish a little louder. “You can’t tell me not to go to the doctor.”
“There’s simply no point in you visiting a mortal doctor,” he says with concern. “What’s wrong?”
I blush even more feverishly now, and he pulls my hand in his while trying to read my face. I roll my eyes at his silent but relentless inquiry.
“My shot runs out this week, and I’m pretty sure I can’t renew it considering needles bend against my skin, so I’m going to go on the pill instead,” I mumble out with a little bit of humiliation ringing out.
“Oh,” Devin chuckles out before walking away to let his laughter roar free.
“Oh? That’s your response? Really? That’s funny to you?” I gripe with my agitation coming out clearly.
I throw my hands on my hips as I glare at his back. He laughs even harder while shaking his head and sitting back down on the couch to sip his coffee through his snickers.
“It is. It’s very funny actually,” he muses.
“Why?” I ask in baffled embarrassment.
“Because you don’t need birth control,” he chuckles out a little loude
r. “We have the ability to decide when we do or do not have children. It’s a wonderful little ability that comes in rather handy for our world. Both people involved have to elect to have a child.”
My face is beaming the brightest shade of red possible, and he continues laughing at my lack of knowledge on the very embarrassing subject.
“Oh,” I mumble.
“That’s a fine response,” he teases.
I had just blasted him for giving me such a response, and here I am saying the same damn thing. He’s such an ass sometimes, but he’s adorable when he is.
I fight hard to stifle the insuppressible grin he’s infecting me with, but I finally give up my impossible endeavor to do so as my smile creeps up too big.
I finally roll my eyes and join him on the couch as he pulls the laptop back into his lap. I grumble a little as I plop down beside him and pull out the thick wedding folder I’ve assembled.
“I swear I’ll never eat chicken or steak again. I’m sick of both, and we haven’t even made it to the wedding yet,” I growl as I start sifting through the R.S.V.P. invitations.
The elevator opens, and Kry is the one to respond to my groaning complaint.
“Why are you serving food at all? No one shows up for the food. They come to see you say ‘I do,’ and then they stick around for the booze and dancing,” he remarks with a mocking touch.
“I’ll take care of the booze,” Deacon adds as he and Camara walk out of the elevator as well.
“I’m not sure the mortals can handle your booze,” Devin laughs out.
“I’ll get something for the weaker tolerances,” he promises with a humorous touch.
“Mortals have to have food, and there are going to be plenty of hungry people at the reception,” I say to Kry’s question. “Besides, I don’t think it’s wise to serve any booze Deacon brings without offering a huge platter of food.”
“It’s been a long time since I attended a wedding with mortals,” Kry adds with a touch of intrigue lingering on his tongue. “I still think the dancing should be the highlight of the evening. You didn’t mention anything about it on the invitations,” he scolds.
I laugh a little louder, and Devin stretches his arm across my shoulder as a smile spreads wider across his face.
He pulls me close enough to kiss my forehead, and the others begin pulling random things from the bags they carried in. My phone buzzes, and I walk away from the animated conversations sparking amongst the others as I answer.
“Hey, Mom,” I say softly.
“Well, how does it feel to know you’re not too far from being a bride?” she gleams.
I laugh a little, and then my eyes shift to meet Devin’s smoldering gaze.
“Pretty damn good,” I roll out with a touch of daringness.
“I’d think the same thing. That’s one prime cut of meat you’ve got there,” she crudely inserts.
“Mom,” I gasp as my face flushes, and everyone in the room starts to snicker, including a blushing Devin.
“Well, I’m just saying I’m proud of you, dear. Anyway, the reason I called is because your father needs to know what sort of check we need to be writing,” she insists.
“No check, Mom. We’ve already discussed this. If you want to pay for something, then you can pay for the space at the inn,” I tease.
“We get that for free,” she grumbles.
“Even better,” I chuckle out.
“Your parents are supposed to pay for the wedding,” she gripes.
“Well, not when you’re marrying someone who refuses to let anyone else pay for anything,” I lie.
“Well, I guess we’ll see you tomorrow,” she says with a grumbling tone. “I can’t believe you’re not having a rehearsal dinner.”
“I don’t want to ruin the buildup,” I snicker lightly, but Devin seems confused rather than seduced by my little tease.
“I love you, dear,” she says softly. “I’m happy for you… so happy,” she says with a choking load of emotion.
“I love you too, Mom. Thanks.”
I put the phone down, and Devin’s inquisition begins instantly.
“We’re going there tomorrow?” he says with bemusement.
“I am, but you’re not,” I menace.
He doesn’t look like the playful man from earlier though. He looks saddened, and I feel like I’ve just wounded him in some baffling way.
“Why?” he almost whines.
I smile as I walk over and pull the laptop out of my place, and then I take a seat in his lap. My arms fold around his neck, and his curl around my waist with a somewhat needy cling.
“I need to make sure everything is set up, and the groom isn’t supposed to see bride before the wedding.”
“I thought you weren’t superstitious,” he adds with a slight bit of anxiety fading.
“I wasn’t, but after what happened last time, I’m not taking any chances. So, no walking under ladders, no black cats will be allowed to cross in front of me, no mirrors shall be broken, and my incredible, sexy, wonderful husband-to-be can’t see me before I walk down the aisle,” I joke.
He finally lets a smile break free and his lips envelope mine with explosive sparks. He pulls me tighter into his arms, and then his pout reemerges.
“When are you leaving?”
“Tonight… after the bachelorette party,” I say softly.
“Will you be staying at the inn?” he inquires.
“No. I’ll be back at my old apartment when I’m not ironing out the details, as you say,” I offer with a subtle touch of humor to lighten his distress.
He’s acting as if I’m leaving him forever, and it’s really starting to tug at my gut. Now I’m regretting having said anything, and I’m worried I’ll lose my courage.
I want him to be excited to see me at the wedding though, so I think this is a good way to add a very seductive build.
“I don’t like you being away from me for two nights,” he grumbles. “Just leave tomorrow night, and I’ll drive you out there myself,” he offers.
“You’re making me go to this bachelorette party - in case you’ve forgotten - and I need to go out there tonight so I don’t lose my courage by morning. I’ll end up staying here with you until moments before the wedding, and you know it.”
He smirks a little, and his arms pull me even tighter to his sizzling body.
“I don’t see that as a problem. It’s very unlikely we would repeat the same catastrophe as last time. Lightning doesn’t strike in the same place twice, you know?” he adds hopefully.
“I beg to differ. I happen to know with great certainty that lightning can strike the same place twice, I’ve done it… You know?” I mock.
He laughs a little and rolls his eyes at my smug little remark. His lips claim mine and Kry chuckles as he sits down across from us.
“So, is Gemma really coming? I just saw her name on your seating chart.”
Devin grumbles through the kiss as he pulls back.
Oh please don’t argue with me again.
“That was against my wishes,” my sexy fiancé gripes.
“You want her to come?” Kry asks pointedly at me with disbelief etched in his tone.
“Hell no, but Ther does. That’s the only reason she’s invited, and I’ve marked her seat to be beside his for the reception.”
“Aw,” Kry mocks with a sardonic drag.
I laugh a little, and Camara groans in distaste as she plops down.
“Why do you still want me in your wedding party?” she snips.
“Because I love you and because you’ll look stunning in the bridesmaid dress I’ve picked out for you. I don’t believe in making the wedding party look lesser than the bride for vanity’s sake.”
“It’s not like the crowd is going to be looking anywhere but at you when the two of you are smoldering into each other’s eyes. The roll off from you will be enough to douse a room full of seduction. Do we have a plan to extinguish the flames?” Kry chuckles.
“I’ve already compiled a very lengthy list,” Kry rolls out with exhaustion.
I sink down from the over dramatized statement, and Devin tries not to laugh at my embarrassment.
Then Camara sighs as she grips her head.
“I’ve also sifted through an even more extensive list of guys who potentially loved her without her knowledge - according to her friends and family. They were very confused as to why I was doing it, so I told them it was to keep all drama to a minimum, since you’re so wealthy and because prominent people will be there,” she exasperates.
“You guys are kind of making me feel like a tramp,” I grouse.
“Sorry,” Kry teases with a snicker. “It’s just an unusual sort of circumstance. Most immortals get married after centuries of roaming free. This is the first time I’ve known of anyone getting married while still in close contact with mortals.”
Devin kisses me with a patronizing touch. “I liked the way you told your mortal mother I was paying for the wedding as opposed to your immortal mother.”
“I know,” I sigh. “This whole thing is just weird, and I didn’t want Mom to know Persia and Kahl are paying for everything. It’s not like I can tell her or Dad who they are.”
“I would really like to be paying for the wedding,” he adds.
“Get in line,” I murmur with sardonic intentions. “Persia and Kahl paid for everything before I could even object. They claim it’s their right, and they’re even more stubborn than you.”
“Oh really?” he muses with a seductive touch. “I am pretty stubborn, and I still don’t want to go two nights without you,” he smolders, and his hands tug at my sides as he pulls me astride him.
“And this just got awkward,” Kry grumbles while flashing away.
I laugh a little, and our moment of seduction has now been a little spoiled.
