Goddess in the Middle

by Stephanie Julian

  When he’d buried himself to the hilt, the tight grip of her ass squeezing him, he knew he couldn’t move or he’d go off like a lit firecracker.

  But Amity wouldn’t stay still. She shifted her hips, making him groan as friction shot quicksilver through his balls and up his spine.

  “Rom. Now.”

  Rom was already pulling his shirt over his head and kicking off his sneakers when Remy gritted out that command.

  His jeans and boxers followed just as fast, and he crawled onto the bed, lust making his hands shake.

  Spreading his body down the length of hers, he wrapped his hand around her head and brought her forward for his kiss. Their lips met in a hard crush but he couldn’t stop to be gentle. And she didn’t seem to want gentle.

  She ate at his lips, her hands cupping his jaw to hold him to her before running down his chest and straight to his cock. Wrapping her hands around him, she began to stroke him with a strong, impatient rhythm.

  If she kept that up—

  He reached for her hands, moving one behind her back, where Remy caught it in a gentle grip, and guided the other between his legs. She knew what he wanted and gathered his balls into her palm, testing their weight. His head kicked back as he soaked in the sensation but he couldn’t let her continue or he’d come in her hand.

  And that was not gonna happen.

  Just a few more seconds.

  Damn, he loved feeling her hands on his body, especially between his legs.

  Maybe…

  Remy groaned and he felt Amity’s lower body shift, trapping his cock between them.

  “Now, Rom. God dammit.”

  He heard the raw hunger in Remy’s voice and knew he couldn’t last much longer.

  Sifting his fingers through her hair, he tugged her head back until he had a clear shot at the sensitive skin of her neck. He lapped up her taste as he nudged his cock between her thighs.

  She was so tight, with Remy already lodged inside her. Each centimeter he invaded was a victory his body craved. Just as he craved the sound of her voice moaning his name, Remy’s name, urging them to move, to make her scream. To love her.

  “Always,” Rom said as he came.

  “Love you,” Remy groaned.

  Amity went limp between them, allowing them to hold her up. “Forever.”

  Chapter 16

  “So we still don’t know where they’re holding Kari.”

  Cole shook his head, his mouth set in a hard line.

  “No, I’m sorry, Lady Amity. We haven’t been able to get them to talk at all. But we won’t give up. We’ll find her.”

  Amity had to continue to believe that. If she didn’t… well, no sense thinking about that just yet.

  Not when the two men she loved so desperately had vowed swift and painful retribution to anyone who so much as mussed Kari’s hair.

  She still sensed her sister, though the bond they usually shared was muted. Dulled. She had no idea why or even how, but at least she knew Kari still drew breath.

  “I’m sure we will.” Amity gave Cole a brief smile.

  She stood, prompting Cole to stand as well. They’d met in the tiny house in the den that she was beginning to think of as home. Mainly because of the two men who shared it with her.

  A smile tugged at her lips as her gaze transferred first to Remy then to Rom, standing on either side of her. They hadn’t let her out of their sight all morning, shadowing her every step.

  Which, she had to admit, she liked. Being alone for so many centuries would do that to a person.

  “Lady,” Cole started then paused, as if he knew he shouldn’t bring the subject up again but couldn’t help himself. “I really wish you would rethink this meeting.”

  “I appreciate your concern, but I have to go.”

  Not even Remy and Rom had tried to talk her out of the meeting Charun had asked her to attend. Both of them had gritted their teeth… and started sharpening swords.

  She could live with that. She couldn’t live with herself if she didn’t attempt to bargain for Perrin’s release from Aitás.

  Hours later, she stood by the gate of Aitás. Only Cal accompanied them, though they were met on the other side by a tall, quiet man whom Cal called Diritas.

  Amity didn’t even guess until Cal introduced them that the man was his father.

  Diritas bowed his head to her, gave Remy and Rom a quick, dismissive glance then took them straight to the gate.

  Where Perrin stood between Culsu and Charun. In Aitás.

  Amity wanted to reach for Perrin and drag her out, but Perrin’s expression stopped her.

  “Hello, Amity.” Perrin gave her a smile, as if still trying to remember how to do it.

  “Perrin, are you okay?”

  “Actually, I’m fine.”

  Amity tried to read any undercurrents the woman might be sending her, tried to read between the lines, but Amity sensed nothing other than calm in Perrin’s emotions.

  “And… I’ve decided to stay for a while.”

  Amity’s mouth dropped open as Perrin’s meaning sank in. Was the woman under a spell? Had Charun somehow entranced her?

  Her startled gaze flashed to Charun, whose hard-edged features held absolutely no emotion. Was this another move in whatever game he was playing?

  “Perrin, I don’t think you understand what that means. Do you really—”

  “I asked her to stay, Munthukh. I am not keeping her here against her will.”

  Charun’s even tone struck no false notes at all. Still, Amity couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  “Perrin, why?”

  Perrin’s lips curved in a slight smile and her gaze flashed at Charun then held. Amity’s mouth dropped open for a brief second before she could close it.

  “Because I… I find it peaceful here.”

  “I’ve given her my word that she can depart at any time,” Charun said. “She’s not a prisoner here.”

  Amity turned to Culsu, the Goddess of the Gate, who nodded, pale white hair flowing around her shoulders. “She’s staying of her own free will. I’ve told her the risks she incurs if she stays.”

  “Amity, I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me but,” Perrin paused to flash another look at Charun, “I’m staying. For now.”

  Amity opened her mouth several times, trying to find the right argument, the right words to get her to leave. But she could come up with nothing.

  Instead, she turned to Charun. “Should I continue to be afraid to sleep?”

  Did she sense a hint of amusement in him? No, she couldn’t quite believe that.

  “No. And neither should any of the other goddesses. I’ve decided to stay where I am for the time being. But the time will come when we’ll revisit the situation. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be content to remain here.”

  And when he finally decided to leave his post, to leave Aitás… nothing would stand in his way. She knew that.

  Then Perrin reached through the gate and Amity stepped forward to take her hand, squeezing tight as the other woman nodded. “I’ll be fine, Amity. I’ll see you soon.”

  “I’m going to hold you to that. Be safe, Perrin.”

  ***

  Amity stared at the night sky from her chair on the tiny patio at the back of their house.

  In the forest, she knew Remy and Rom were off for a run so she wasn’t surprised when a huge gray wolf stepped out of the trees. The girl at his side, however, was a bit of a shock.

  “Hello, Lady Amity.” Cat stopped several feet away, as if she didn’t want to come any closer without leave.

  Amity smiled at the girl, even though her chest tightened. So stupid to be jealous of this girl, who was still trying to find her way in a world that had shifted so drastically under her feet.

  “Come sit with me, sweetheart. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

  Cat sat next to her, so close Amity could feel the warmth of her body. And sense the soul-deep fear she kept hidden so very we
ll.

  Wrapping her arm around the girl’s shoulder, Amity pulled her closer as the wolf melted back into the trees.

  “I don’t want to make them choose between us, Amity. But I sense that I need them.”

  Ah. Seems they shared this fear. Good thing she’d already made up her mind about a few things. “Then you have nothing to worry about. We’re staying. Our people need us, Cat. We won’t desert them.”

  Cat physically softened against her. “Thank you, Lady. I think I’m going to need all the help I can get.”

  “And you’ll have it, dear. I’ll see to it.”

  Remy and Rom walked out of the forest only minutes after the girl left, Tivr glued to her side.

  Remy sprawled on the ground at her feet, still wearing his pelt, as Rom shifted before her in a moment of blurred reality. He bent down to kiss her, before lifting her into his arms so he could sit on the chair with her in his lap.

  “Did you have a good run?”

  “Yeah, until Remy decided he wanted to chase rabbits. Damn things are fast.”

  A low growl made her laugh as she wrapped one arm around Rom’s naked shoulders and let her other fall to the side so she could run her fingers through Remy’s pelt.

  “You’ll need to keep on your toes. I don’t want anything to happen to either of you.”

  Rom kissed her as Remy shifted beneath her fingers until she felt warm, satin flesh. As she kissed Rom, Remy laced his hand with hers and brought it to his lips, pressing a kiss to her palm.

  “As long as we’ve got each other at our backs,” Rom said, “we’ll be fine.”

  Amity smiled. They’d be more than fine. “We’ll be together. And that’s all that matters.”

  Read on for an excerpt from Book 1 in the Forgotten Goddesses series by Stephanie Julian

  Now available from Sourcebooks Casablanca

  Dying was so beneath her.

  Of course, she hadn’t done much living lately, so if he caught her now… Well, that would just suck. Because she’d recently decided it was time to change her ways. Get out more. Live a little. Get laid.

  How pitiful was it that she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had sex? Or if it had even been any good.

  Pretty freaking pitiful.

  Thesan, Etruscan Goddess of the Dawn, Lady of the Golden Light, was sick of being a pretty, useless deity. Much less a pretty, useless one usually just called Tessa.

  For centuries… millennia… she’d brought light and beauty to the world. She’d guided the sun into the morning sky. She’d seen the rise and fall of empires. Gods had lusted after her. She’d worn out her share of mortal men in her bed.

  She’d been worshipped by millions. Okay, maybe millions was stretching it just a bit. Still, she’d had a following, people who’d adored her and who’d worshipped her.

  Now she was being chased by a crazed god intent on consuming her powers and leaving what was left of her soul to rot for all eternity in the dreary Etruscan Underworld of Aitás.

  That totally sucked.

  So did this. Her lungs heaved as she ran through a dark forest, the night sky black. No moon shone above. No stars twinkled. No reflected sunlight gave her even a hint of power.

  Her legs shook like wet noodles, threatening to collapse at any moment. The underbrush swiped at her calves, and tree limbs caught at her hair, yanking and pulling.

  Peering over her shoulder, she saw a dark shape weaving through the trees behind her. Her heart hurt as it pounded in her chest. Her bare feet bled and ached as she stumbled along.

  Oh, she knew she really wasn’t running. She was actually asleep in her lonely bed in her home in the quiet hills of eastern Pennsylvania. She knew that because she’d had the same dream for the past three weeks.

  Charun, that blackhearted bastard, was taunting her like a high school bully picking on a weaker kid. But Charun’s intent wasn’t to merely frighten her, though the bastard did get a kick out of it.

  No, he was wearing her down, waiting for her to make a mistake so he could pinpoint her location. So far, she’d been able to keep her whereabouts a secret. But when he broke through her defenses, he’d send one of his demons to drag her down to Aitás. To him.

  The bastard couldn’t come himself. He was tied to Aitás by bindings even he couldn’t break. At least, not now.

  But if he found her, if he managed to accomplish what she thought he had planned, then soon, maybe, he would be able to break those bonds. And this world would suffer as the demons and the damned escaped with him.

  And she’d never get laid again. Damn it, she’d much rather go out with a literal bang than a figurative one.

  With a gasp, she broke free of the dream and sat straight up in her bed, blinking at the bright light even though it was… three o’clock in the morning, according to the clock on the bedside table.

  She’d left all the lamps blazing in her bedroom. An infomercial blared from the television, and the stereo on the nightstand blasted Puccini. None of it had been able to keep her awake. Probably because she could count on both hands the number of hours she’d slept in the past three weeks.

  Damn it, she needed help.

  Her nose wrinkled at the thought. She, a goddess, needed help. Wasn’t that a real kick in a perfectly fine ass?

  “Which won’t mean a damn thing if Charun gets hold of it,” she muttered to absolutely no one.

  Hell, if she survived Charun, she needed to get out of the house so someone could see her fine ass again. Playing the hermit didn’t suit her. She’d been one of the original party girls in her day, playing all night before hurrying off to meet the lovely sun each morning.

  But now she was a forgotten goddess, her main reason for being usurped by that bitch of a Roman goddess named Aurora—

  She took a deep breath. No, she couldn’t think about that. Those thoughts led to teeth gnashing and sore jaws.

  Still, she’d become a goddess without a true calling. What should she do with her never-ending life?

  Oh, she delivered a baby or ten or twenty every year. In addition to being a sun goddess, she also helped bring new life into the world, one of the more pleasurable aspects of her life.

  But that left her with a whole hell of a lot of time to fill. A girl could only do so much shopping and have so much sex before it all became so very… mundane.

  She wanted to be useful again. She wanted the remaining Etruscans, those who still followed the old ways, to remember that she even existed. And she most certainly did not want to be eaten by Charun.

  She needed help. And she knew just the person to help her find it.

  ***

  “Hang tight… I’m coming. Just give me a minute.”

  The voice came from the second floor as Tessa stood in the entry hall of the small townhouse in Reading, Pennsylvania.

  In front of her, a stairway led along the right side of the house to the upper floors. To the left of the stairway, a hall led straight down the center of the house. To the far left, a doorway led into the front sitting room.

  Every inch of the place looked like it belonged to an inner-city Brady Bunch, from the ’80s-era paisley wallpaper to the colonial blue paint on the trim. Cream carpet covered every inch of the floor, and an umbrella stood next to the small half-round table in the entry.

  It all looked so normal, Tessa thought. So middle class.

  Until Salvatorus began to stomp down the stairs. Then what would have seemed completely normal to any eteri, any nonmagical human, made a complete left turn into mythology land.

  At four foot nothing, Sal had the fully developed upper body of a grown man. Wide shoulders, strong arms, nice pecs.

  His face was a true marvel of his Etruscan heritage, handsome and strong. And those brown eyes, so dark they looked almost black, held a knowing warmth that always made Tessa smile.

  As did the two shiny black horns sprouting from just above his forehead to peek through his glossy, black, curly hair. On any other man, those horns wo
uld have been enough to make a grown man choke on his own breath.

  On Sal, well, the goat legs stole the show.

  Beginning just below his belly button, those legs were covered with hide, a silky chestnut brown fur that was not a pair of pants. No, Sal had the actual legs of a goat.

  “Hey, sweetheart,” he said as he clomped down the stairs. “Haven’t seen you for a while. What’s up?”

  His deep Noo Yawk accent made her smile grow. But her fear must have shown in her eyes because Salvatorus’s gaze narrowed.

  “Are you hurt, Tessa?” He descended the rest of the steps on those small hooves so fast she worried for his safety. But he made it safely to the bottom, took her hand, and began to lead her through the house.

  “No.” Not yet, anyway. “I’m fine.”

  “Well, you let me be the judge of that.”

  Salvatorus led her to the kitchen at the very back of the house and pointed her toward a seat at the small table there. He didn’t speak, not right away, but set about making her hot chocolate, the rich scent of it making her stomach rumble.

  Tessa had been here many times before, mainly for parties. She did love a good party, and Salvatorus threw some of the best. But his home also served as a safe house for anyone of Etruscan descent, including those deities who needed his aid.

  She’d never sought aid from Salvatorus before. Really, a goddess who needed help? It sounded ridiculous.

  And yet, not so much now.

  Sliding into a straight-backed wooden chair, she let her gaze wander out the window over the sink and into the courtyard in the back. The August garden burst with color and fragrance that wafted in through the open window, enticing her to draw a deep breath. Roses, herbs, perennials, bushes, and trees bloomed and thrived in Sal’s garden, no bigger than twenty feet by twenty feet.

  It was beautiful, a testament to the sun’s nurturing power and Salvatorus’s skill.

  Tears bit at the corners of her eyes. She tried to blink them away before they fell, but one escaped and plopped right into the mug of hot chocolate that appeared in front of her.

  “All right, babe.” Salvatorus slid into the chair opposite her. “Spill. And I don’t mean tears.”