BOUND

by Elisabeth Naughton

  Titus slowly sat up. “I know this story. Io. The nymph who was turned into a cow was Io. You’re Io’s daughter?”

  Natasa swallowed hard. The sheet fell against his waist. Light from the edge of the curtains glinted off his strong, solid chest. Faintly she wondered what time it was—what day—but the shock and awe alive in his features kept her from asking. “Being the father of foresight, Prometheus has the gift to see into the future. He also told my mother that one day she’d reach Egypt, and there, far from Hera’s sight, Zeus would eventually break the wandering curse. To thank him for the hope she’d given him, my mother, uh, eased his…um, suffering.”

  “Hold on.” Titus held up a hand. “While Prometheus was chained to a rock, your mother…”

  Fucked him blind?

  Natasa’s cheeks burned. “Ah…yeah. She, um, relieved him…as much as she could while he was bound. I was the result.”

  Titus chuckled. “Gives new meaning to the title of that ancient Greek play, Prometheus Bound.”

  He was cracking jokes. A little of her embarrassment ebbed. “I guess you could say that.”

  She swallowed. “My mother eventually reached Egypt, and Zeus did rid her of Hera’s curse. And there she married an Egyptian king—Telegonus—my stepfather. But when Zeus found out what had transpired between Prometheus and my mother, he came looking for me.”

  “Wait. I know this one too. Prometheus foresaw that a descendent of Io’s would lead to the downfall of Zeus.”

  She nodded again. He didn’t look shocked anymore. Just…interested. And that calmed her anxiety. “I was in my late twenties by then. I had only recently been told about Prometheus. When Zeus appeared in the form of a dove, I wasn’t afraid. I mean, doves aren’t scary, right? It was only after—after he took me away from my home—that I realized why.”

  “So he froze you in some kind of perfect state for more than three thousand years? Why didn’t he just kill you?”

  “Because by killing me, he’d also kill the fire element. And he knew he’d one day need it.”

  “How did you get away?”

  “I have no memories of that time. It was like being in a coma. One day you fall asleep, the next you wake up and years have gone by. Only in my case, it was thousands of years. I don’t know what changed, but for some reason, I came awake. I was in a cave high in the mountains of Greece. I didn’t wait around to see who—if anyone—had saved me. I got as far from there as I could. Then, after I’d adjusted to the changes in the world—which I’m still not totally accustomed to yet—I went looking for my father.”

  “To fulfill your destiny,” he said quietly.

  His eyes were so intense, his gaze so focused on her face, her heart bumped again. “No,” she whispered. “I’m no hero, Titus. I’m not looking for Prometheus for any reason other than to find out how to stop the fire inside from consuming me.”

  “Destiny’s a fickle thing to play with.”

  “I wouldn’t know. At the moment, I’m just trying to make it from one day to the next.”

  “That’s why you were with the Amazons, isn’t it? Because you were hiding from Zeus.”

  She drew in a breath, then slowly blew it out again. “Yes. The Amazons don’t have any particular love for the gods. Though Aella and her warriors have their own issues, they were more than happy to help me so long as I helped them.”

  “What were you going to do for them?”

  “Find a way to stop Zagreus from bugging their tribe.”

  “That didn’t work out so well.”

  No, it hadn’t. And a sliver of guilt whipped through her when she thought of what had happened at the Amazon city. Though she was pretty sure Zagreus being there was not her fault. “I wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. That guard in your realm…I didn’t even know I could do that.”

  “I know.”

  His utter faith in her shook her to her core. No one else had ever believed in her. Why him? And why now? She stared into his hazel eyes. And saw that flash of worry again.

  He was holding something back. Her pulse picked up speed. Her skin grew hot all over. She searched his eyes for answers.

  He was a smart guy, the descendent of Odysseus. Even if he wasn’t willing to admit it, he already knew what would happen if the fire consumed her first.

  Her heart clenched. “You should get as far from me as possible,” she whispered. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  He reached across her body, hooked a hand over her hip, and tugged her beneath him, until her body was flush against his. “You said that before and I didn’t listen. I’m not listening now.”

  She pressed her hands against his chest and tried to push him away. “Titus—”

  “Stop.”

  She stilled beneath him.

  His eyes were intense as ever. His stare, unwavering. And gazing up at him, her heart took a hard, painful tumble. “I told you you’re not getting rid of me, and I meant it.” He brushed a curl away from her temple. His voice gentled. “We’ll figure this out. We’ve still got time. I’m not letting you go, Natasa. Understand? You’re mine now.”

  His…

  He bent his head, brushed his mouth over hers, and kissed her gently. Deeply. And her entire body responded. Not just to the kiss, but to him. To what he was willing to do for her. To his steadfast vow to protect her.

  She knew it was wrong. She knew it was selfish. But she didn’t want to give him up either. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him close and arched against his strong, muscular body.

  No one had ever wanted to help her before. She hadn’t even considered that someone like Titus could be out there. She hadn’t thought to wait for him. But maybe there really was a chance they could do this. Maybe he could help her find her father and get rid of this blasted element.

  And maybe…just maybe…she wouldn’t have to go through with the deal she’d made with Poseidon after all.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Demetrius flashed into the courtyard of the Argolean castle. Memories of seeing Nick and Isadora here the day before bombarded him, but he pushed them aside. Right now he needed to get to Theron.

  “Hold up, D,” Orpheus muttered at his back.

  He ignored Orpheus and headed into to the castle. At this hour—nearly six a.m.—the castle was quiet. Guards glanced their way in the main foyer but barely paid them any attention. He headed for Theron’s office.

  Light spilled through the doorway into the darkened corridor. Voices echoed from inside. Theron’s and Zander’s.

  He stepped into the room. Z and Theron were studying what looked like a map on a virtual screen near Theron’s desk. Both looked his way when his boot steps quieted.

  “Well?” Theron asked. His gaze flicked from Demetrius to Orpheus at his back. “Anything?”

  “More than you may want to know,” Orpheus muttered, stepping around Demetrius. “We just had ourselves a nice little chat with Epimetheus.”

  “The Titan?” Zander asked. “How in Hades did you end up there? I thought you went to see about a witch.”

  Demetrius moved into the room and told them about their visit with Delia and how that had led them to the elder god. When he was done, Zander’s shocked expression said it all.

  “Skata,” he muttered. “And I thought Krónos was the one we had to look out for.”

  “So did we. ‘Things are going well for you?’” Orpheus mocked in his best Zeus impersonation. “‘Here, bend over and I’ll fuck you in the ass a few times to liven things up.’”

  Theron ignored his sarcasm. “We need to get to Titus and stop Natasa before its too late.” Urgency formed deep lines in his forehead. He looked back at the map. “Based on what little we were able to get from the portal’s records, we’ve narrowed it down to the western half of the US. Cerek and Phin are searching this area here—”

  “Dad?”

  The voice of Zander’s eleven-year-old drew their attention. Zander’s brow wrinkled with concern. “What are you doi
ng up this early, son?”

  Max rubbed his left eye. Blond hair stuck out all over his head, and his pajamas hung off his slim frame, looking two sizes too big. But the Argonaut markings visible on his hands proved he’d soon grow into his lineage. And since he was Zander’s son, and a descendent of Achilles, he’d grow into it well. “I couldn’t sleep. I went to see Mom, but she’s not in bed. I thought maybe she was with Aunt Isadora, you know, because of the baby and stuff, but she isn’t in her room either.”

  A shot of unease echoed through Demetrius. Theron turned toward Zander. “Go find out if everything’s okay. D?”

  Demetrius looked over. “Yeah?”

  “Go with him.”

  His heart pounded hard in his chest. He should. But so much else hung on finding Titus. He knew Isadora wasn’t in danger—because of the soul mate connection, he’d feel it if she was. Right now, he’d be far more help to her by finding Titus than on dealing with what had happened between them earlier. “No. I’m sure everything’s fine.”

  Liar.

  He pushed down the thought before it could run away from him and stepped toward the desk. Zander and Max left, and Orpheus moved up to the table. Demetrius tried to stay focused while Theron ran through what he and Zander had figured out while they’d been gone. Contacts on the west coast had reported a fire burning in the redwoods and an Amazon tribe completely decimated. Though there was no official confirmation, Theron obviously thought Titus and Natasa were somehow involved.

  Footsteps echoed from the hall. Demetrius turned when Zander poked his head back under the doorway. And the anger that flashed in his blazing silver eyes put Demetrius on instant alert.

  “What’s wrong?” Theron asked.

  “Ask her.” Zander tugged Casey into the room behind him. Max shuffled in after them, eyes wide and, this time, very alert.

  “All right, all right,” Casey said, jerking her arm from Zander’s grasp. “You don’t have to get so bent out of shape.”

  “Acacia?” Theron’s eyes hardened. He stepped away from the desk and pinned Zander with a look. “What the hell’s wrong with you?”

  Casey moved between her mate and Zander and placed a hand on Theron’s chest. “It’s okay. I’m fine. Don’t get mad at Zander. I expected you’d all find out sooner rather than later.”

  Theron’s confused gaze snapped to her face. “Find out what? What’s going on?”

  She pursed her lips and looked down at the floor.

  “Meli?” Theron prodded.

  “Okay. Promise not to get mad.”

  Everything inside Demetrius went cold.

  “Tell us what’s happened,” Theron said, trying for patience with his soul mate but not quite getting there.

  “Well…” Casey wrung her hands together. “I couldn’t sleep. And I had this feeling that Isadora couldn’t either. So…I went to see her.”

  Panic spread through Demetrius. “Where is Isadora?”

  Casey’s worried gaze skipped from one face to another, then finally settled on Demetrius. “At the colony. With Callia. We pooled our gifts to find Titus. He’s there. With Natasa. Isadora went to talk to them and find out what’s going on. And…”

  His heart nearly stopped. She’d gone to the human realm. Without him. Without any kind of security. To face someone who could quite possibly be working with Hades. The god who still held a contract on her soul.

  The darkness inside that Demetrius fought to keep down bubbled to the surface. His voice turned to ice in his throat. “And what?”

  Casey sighed. “And to see Nick. “

  * * *

  Nick scrubbed a hand over the prickly hair on the top of his head. He needed to shave his damn scalp again. Thing grew like a weed. “Okay, let’s seal off that tunnel. I don’t want anyone else getting hurt in there.”

  Kellen rolled up the map detailing the tunnels beneath the colony. “Will do.”

  He turned away from Nick, signaled to the other men he’d brought with him, and headed for the far end of the cavern. Lantern light shimmered off rock walls and stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Water dripped somewhere close, and a chill spread straight down Nick’s spine as he watched them go. From the castle entrance, numerous tunnels fanned out under the high mountain lake. They were meant to disorient any who ventured too close to the colony. But they weren’t all stable, and this was the second tunnel collapse they’d had in the last month. Thankfully, this time, only a sentry running patrol had been caught in the falling debris, and his injuries were minor. Next time, they might not be so lucky.

  “I expected you to hide from me. I didn’t expect it to be way down here.”

  Nick’s stomach lurched into his throat when he recognized the voice. Slowly, he turned and looked toward the silhouette behind him. And the female he’d been dreaming about and cursing this whole last day.

  Isadora perched her fisted hands on her hips. She wore loose gray pants and a tight –fitting black shirt that accentuated her breasts and the swell of her belly. But even in the dim light he could see the glow of her blonde hair, the tilt of her jaw, and the fire in her eyes that he both hated and admired. “What are you doing here?”

  “You have one of my Argonauts. I want to see him.”

  She’d come because of Titus. Not because of him. He should have expected as much and yet…disappointment dropped like a stone weight into his belly. He shifted his feet on the uneven rock floor and hooked a thumb through his belt loop. “Can’t keep track of your heroes, huh? As I recall, you lost the last one as well. Effective leadership there, princess.”

  “And I see being an asshole runs in the family. Where’s Titus?”

  She must have had an argument with his brother. Demetrius never would have let her come here alone. A small thrill rushed through him. “Ask me nice and maybe I’ll tell you.”

  Her eyes flared, and she stepped forward. “I’m done playing nice with you, Nick. Some things are more important than your petty problems.”

  He leaned close. So close he could smell her sweet scent. “You’re my problem, princess. You always have been.”

  Her eyes softened, just a touch. Just enough to tell him she pitied him. “I know. And I’m sorry. But you’re going to have to suck it up and deal with it, just like I am. Your people are in trouble, Nick. Big trouble.”

  His people. He was sick and tired of his people. Of serving them. Of leading them. Of making all the tough decisions like what the hell to do with the damn tunnel that had caved in. What he wanted was to let someone else deal with the shit. And to take what was standing right in front of him.

  “Regardless of how pissed I am over what you did,” she went on, “I don’t want anything to happen to you. I care about you. You’re family.”

  Family. As in, the blacklisted, good-for-nothing brother-in-law. Not the man she loved.

  And yet…she was here. Of her own free will. On his turf. Maybe he could still convince her this was where she was supposed to be.

  He reached for her elbow, closed his fingers over the delicate bones, and tugged. Anger and arousal swirled in his stomach and fired through each of his veins. A tiny voice in his head screamed don’t do this again, but he ignored it. Just as he had the last time. “Why don’t you show me just how much you care, princess?”

  A tiny gasp escaped her lips. Her body brushed against his, the swell of her belly preventing him from feeling all of her like he wanted. He tipped his head and leaned down to kiss her.

  Her fist met his stomach. And the force of the blow doubled him over with a grunt.

  “I told you not to touch me like that again.” Isadora’s angry voice met his ears. “I wasn’t kidding.”

  Nick wrapped a hand around his middle, rubbing at the sore spot. He was more shocked than hurt. But for a girl—for a pregnant girl—she hit pretty hard. Demetrius had obviously taught her something. “You came to me, princess. Don’t forget that.”

  “Trust me. I won’t. And I won’t be so quick to do so
again.”

  “You will. You and drama seem to go hand in hand. I think you like stirring the shit. In fact, I’m pretty sure that’s the whole reason you’re here now. Not to warn me about any so-called trouble, but because you just can’t stand not being the center of attention.”

  Her face paled. “That’s a terrible thing to say.”

  He huffed and pushed aside the guilt that tried to creep in. “No, terrible is you throwing yourself at me, then playing hard to get. Tell me, does your shitty husband know you’re such a cock tease?”

  Footsteps pounded the rock floor, and before Nick could look past Isadora to see where they were coming from, a fist slammed into his jaw, knocking him off his feet.

  Isadora shrieked. Nick stumbled backward and knocked into a stalagmite. Rock and debris broke loose from the tip, crumbling to the cave floor at his feet. Hands grasped the front of his shirt and hauled him around, slamming him against the cave wall.

  “Demetrius! Stop!”

  “You son of a bitch,” Demetrius growled, ignoring Isadora. “I was going to give her to you, you bastard. But not now.”

  A gasp echoed through the cave, but all Nick could focus on was his brother’s enraged eyes. They were roughly the same weight, but Demetrius had him by at least an inch, though at the moment, Nick didn’t give a fuck. The coppery tang of blood slid across his tongue. And with that darkness roaring in his veins, urging him on, one corner of his mouth twisted in a sneer.

  This was better than kissing Isadora. Or tormenting her. This was the bloodletting he’d been hoping for for months.

  “Even you don’t want her?” Nick grunted. “Yeah, she’s turned out to be a real catch, hasn’t she?”