Arcadian Nights

by Marie Medina

  “Your destiny is to be happy, Eris. You’re heading down the path already. I just wanted to talk to you.”

  “I’m not fighting my feelings. I love fucking Hermes, that’s it.”

  “Then why do you run from him?”

  “He can see me whenever he likes. We’ve been together once, and I certainly didn’t turn him away.”

  “Emotionally, you push him as far away as you can every time he touches you.”

  “Have you been spying on me?” She tried to keep her voice even, but she felt ready to explode.

  “Eris, you know we don’t do that, but we can see the thread of your destiny. Yours has become entwined with his, but you try to pull away and unravel what you two could have.”

  Eris wanted to leave. She didn’t want to sit and listen to her friend saying the same things Hermes had said. She wanted everyone to leave her alone. She’d been happier then.

  “You can’t make me follow your plans. That’s why you need me. You can’t make things happen just because you plan them.”

  “But you and Hermes have a faith in us others have lost. Why wouldn’t we want you above all others to be happy?”

  “Love doesn’t make you happy.”

  “How do you know that? How can you say it doesn’t bring great happiness to everyone it touches?”

  “Does it always last? Does it always work out? It hurts more than it helps.”

  “That’s not true.”

  Eris glared at her. “You won’t tell me what to believe any more than you’ll tell me what to do.”

  Lachesis stood up. “I see this was futile. You’ll do what you want, no matter what. Just know this. I’m the assigner of fate. I see farther than anyone. I know what will come of a life or a destiny before Clotho spins the thread, and I know what will happen before the moment Atropos cuts it. It’s different with the gods, yes, as you don’t have the beginnings and ends of mortals, but you still have a destiny, many in fact. I see happiness. If you don’t want it, I’ll never bother trying again.”

  Eris knew Lachesis was angry, although she rarely raised her voice or showed her feelings in any way. “I’m not being disrespectful.”

  “You’re being stubborn. We shall make Hermes happy whether you wish to be a part of it or not.” She disappeared.

  Eris looked down at her hands, which she’d balled into tight fists. She knew she wouldn’t see any of the Fates for a long time, but she was so angry she didn’t care. Something else was settling in her heart though. It was another emotion she wasn’t used to.

  Fear.

  What had Lachesis meant? What would they do if she didn’t pursue a happily-ever-after ending with Hermes? They couldn’t make him feel any different, that she knew, but what other action might they take? She thought of Aphrodite. Was Hermes still confiding in her? It seemed unlikely, as she doubted Aphrodite would be supportive, but what if he became so frustrated he turned to her for “comfort”? Eris felt her anger rising again, but she held back. Lachesis might have intended for her to think this way and run to Hermes’ arms.

  It sounded like a good idea, but she wasn’t going to go to him and pledge her undying love. She had every intention of bending him to her will and showing everyone that she was in control of her own destiny.

  * * * *

  Hermes awakened the instant he felt the hands on his neck. Warm, soft hands ran down his chest, and hot lips teased his ear.

  “Eris?”

  “Yes?”

  He turned to look at her, but she kissed him hard before he could say anything. She deepened the kiss and made every thought fly out of his head. She caressed his chest as she moved closer to him, her kiss becoming softer, more teasing. She nipped at his lips with her teeth, and he tried to pull her close to kiss her again. She moved her lips down to his chest, and he didn’t see any reason to object.

  “You’ve changed your mind about wanting to see me.”

  “I wanted you.”

  He watched her as she unbuttoned his shirt and kissed and licked his chest. He wanted her to look up at him and say that, but he didn’t push. His body had ached for her since their one night together. His emotions had been in turmoil as well. He’d told himself to forget about her several times since then, but his heart and his body refused to forget how she had touched and possessed both of them.

  “I’m glad.”

  She looked up mischievously. “Have you been thinking about me?”

  “Yes.” For a moment, he felt guarded. He knew he had broken through her defenses, if only a little, the last time. But how had she felt afterwards? Was she here to tease him now? Did she know he felt so much more for her than she felt for him? Had he misjudged how cruel she could be? He feared he might have put too much faith in the idea that she was not what she appeared to be.

  “Have you been remembering what it was like?”

  Hermes swallowed. “I’ve thought about it.”

  Her hands moved down to his cock. “So have I.” She undid his pants quickly, pulling his cock out and taking it into her mouth.

  He gasped in surprise. “I’ve thought about how good you felt when you came.”

  She swirled her tongue around the head, then began working the shaft with her hand. “You liked fucking me?”

  I was making love to you. I’m falling in love with you. He wanted to say so much. Instead, he only replied, “Yes.” He couldn’t be sure what she wanted, but right now she was the one pursuing him. If he began to push his emotions on her, he might make her angry or scare her away. He wanted her so much he was willing to take the chance a fevered coupling was all she wanted.

  She moved up to kiss him. “I love the way you made me come.” She straddled him, taking his cock partially into her hot, wet pussy. “I love your cock.”

  He held her by the hips and thrust up, but she wouldn’t let him go more than halfway into her. He wanted to fill her, make her come again, but she only smiled down at him as she held him at a distance. Then she pulled away and climbed off him.

  “You want me?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Will you do whatever I want?”

  He paused for a moment, and then said, “Yes.”

  She led him through the door, and they emerged in her bedroom, both naked. She went to the bed and picked up a blindfold.

  “You’ll put yourself completely in my hands?”

  He looked over at the bed, noting the black straps tied to each of the four posts. He’d expected as much, but now he knew he’d been right. He had touched her, but she still wanted to keep him at a distance, even though she couldn’t resist her desire for him. If she could blindfold him, he wouldn’t look at her tenderly. If she tied him down, she was in control of how and if he touched her.

  He looked down at her. “Yes.” When she put the blindfold on, he whispered, “I trust you. I know you won’t hurt me.” He couldn’t tell exactly how she’d reacted, but she had moved away quickly. It seemed she hadn’t missed the double meaning in his words.

  She took his hand and moved him over to the bed. “Lie back in the middle. I’ll take care of everything.”

  He couldn’t resist teasing her a little as he settled back on the bed. “Are your other playmates so cooperative?”

  She laughed. “I’ve never met a man I couldn’t subdue.” She ran her hand over his cock before moving down to restrain his ankles. She tightened them both then moved back up to his side and ran one finger over his lips. “Did you think I wouldn’t be able to subdue you?”

  “No. I knew you’d be able to.”

  She was silent, but after a moment she tied his left hand to the post, then she straddled him and moved over his body, her wet pussy caressing his stomach for an instant.

  He sighed. “Has anyone ever fucked you the way I did last time? Has anyone ever made you feel that before?”

  She tightened the last strap, giving it an extra tug she hadn’t given the others. “I’ve had good sex before, Hermes. Many times.”r />
  “That’s not what I asked.”

  She ran her hands over his chest. “So you want to know that you’re special? Or better?”

  “Different, at least.”

  “Maybe so. I typically call all the shots.” She paused. “You were different. You were very … clingy.”

  He refused to let the comment anger him. She was trying to hurt him to stop him from being “clingy” and emotional again. “What man would want to let you go?”

  She laughed. Her hands moved to his cock. “Did you find it hard to stay away?”

  “Yes.” He knew what he wanted to say, but instead he tried a different assault. “I couldn’t stop thinking about your pussy.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Yes. I didn’t get a chance to taste you.”

  She giggled, and he could tell he was turning her on. “Do you want to?”

  “Yes.”

  She came closer to him. After a moment, she brought two of her fingers to his lips. He licked them, enjoying the tangy sweetness of her arousal, but deriving far more pleasure from her contented sigh. He sucked them into his mouth, biting them gently.

  She giggled again and pulled away. “Do you want more?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tell me what you want.”

  I want you. “I want to eat your pussy.”

  She kissed his stomach, moving up him slowly. “I’m not sure you deserve it.” She ran her tongue over his right nipple. She moved up to nibble on his neck, rubbing her pussy against him. She brought her lips to his. “Say it again.”

  He bit her lip, gently. “I want to eat your pussy. I want you to come on my face.”

  She kissed him and ran her fingers through his hair. “You are being a good boy.”

  “Get up here, and I’ll be even better.”

  She moved up him, positioning herself over his face with her knees on each side of his head, her legs beneath his arms. She leaned forward and moved close enough for his lips to touch her.

  He swirled his tongue over her clit and she trembled just a little before pushing herself closer to him. He licked her slowly, trying to find her most sensitive spots. Her taste intoxicated him. He probed inside her with his tongue, and then focused his lips and tongue on her clit.

  Her breathing was heavy and deep, and he wanted to hold her. He sucked on her clit, causing her to cry out in pleasure.

  He took the chance. “Let me see you. Just let me see you when you come.”

  She rubbed her pussy against his lips. “Make me come first.”

  He ran his tongue over her slowly, seeking to tease instead of satisfy. “Let me see you.”

  She groaned. “You said you’d be a good boy.”

  “Why can’t I see you?” He sucked on her clit, and she sighed.

  “Why do you want to?”

  He ran his tongue between her pussy lips, taking his time and enjoying her taste. “You’re so sexy. So beautiful.”

  “No.”

  He was growing tired of her games. With a thought, his hands were free and his blindfold was gone. He took her by the hips and pulled her close, relentlessly stroking her clit with his tongue, teasing it with his teeth.

  She moaned, then cried out as her orgasm hit. He leaned his head back, his hand replacing his lips, his fingers inside her as his thumb worked her clit. He saw her leaning over the headboard, the pleasure on her face blatant. She cried out again as she rode out her pleasure on his hand.

  When she opened her eyes, he saw that the emotion he’d been longing for had replaced the lust he’d always seen there. She tried to get away from him, but he held her, sitting up and dropping her into his lap, her legs still around him. One tear rolled down her cheek, and he wiped it away.

  “Eris, I will never hurt you. Why do you think I want to?”

  “I don’t.”

  “Then why hide this from me? Why lie about what you feel for me?”

  “I’m not looking for love.”

  “Maybe it’s looking for you.”

  She looked away. She seemed so vulnerable, her skin heated and her heart pounding after her orgasm, her breath coming in heaves. He wanted to cradle her in his arms, but he knew she’d pull away.

  “Eris, I’m not declaring anything, but I have very strong feelings for you. They aren’t going to go away because you don’t like them. I think about you every day. I dream of you at night.”

  She looked back at him, but still remained silent. He kissed her gently, and she didn’t pull away. “I think about holding you close, and you don’t pull away. You let me hold you. You let me make love to you gently. You look at me and let me tell you how beautiful you are.”

  “What makes you think I can love anyone?”

  He shook his head. “Why do you think you can’t? There is no reason. None at all. I can’t understand why you feel this way.”

  She shrugged lightly, and he smiled as she looked down. She looked so sweet and innocent, so cute and almost shy, resting there in his arms, unable to meet his gaze. He knew, however, he’d get thrown through the wall for saying any of those things.

  “Will you give me a chance? I know you wanted my body. Can you see what you think of the rest of me?”

  She met his gaze. “I can. Please don’t expect anything though.”

  “We’ll leave it up to the Fates, then.” He kissed her quickly, but she had stiffened in his arms. “What is it?”

  She smiled. “Nothing. This is new to me.” She laughed a little. “A boyfriend instead of a boy toy. How quaint.”

  He laughed and fell back on the bed. “You’re amazing. Get used to hearing that.”

  She leaned down to kiss him. “Okay. Get used to how insatiable I am.” She rubbed her very wet pussy over his cock, which quickly became hard.

  “I promise I won’t find it that taxing,” he whispered as he pushed into her, hoping he would learn how to possess her heart as quickly as he’d learn to please her body.

  * * * *

  “I challenge you to a duel, sir. You have compromised my sister’s honor, and you must marry her at once or face my ire.”

  Hermes tried to maintain his composure as he turned to face Ares. The god of war held a breadstick against his neck as though it was a knife.

  “You dare laugh at me, sir?”

  Hermes smiled. “It’s hard not to. If you’d chosen a harder breadstick, I might have taken you seriously.”

  Ares threw the breadstick into a trashcan by the bar and grabbed a napkin to wipe his hands before sitting down next to Hermes. “It was funny, you have to admit.”

  Hermes looked around Iris’ restaurant. A few people had looked up and laughed, but the excitement had been short-lived. “Yes, I guess so. You want something in particular?”

  Ares shrugged. “Just wanted to talk. Not sure what about really.”

  That confused Hermes. Ares always got right to the point, no matter what the subject. And unless he’d missed something, Ares should still hate him. “I guess maybe I should ask who you want to talk about.”

  “Good point. Aphrodite isn’t speaking to me, but that’s okay. It just makes me wonder what she’s up to.”

  “She’s really not talking to you at all?”

  Ares shook his head. “She wrote a note on my mirror about you and Eris hooking up, but that’s been all I’ve gotten from her.”

  That was surprising. It had been almost three weeks since Eris and Aphrodite had fought. “She’s not talking to me either, not since she had a good rant about you and Eris.”

  Ares smiled. “She probably doesn’t trust you. Everyone knows you two are going at it.”

  “Maybe so. She definitely lost her objectivity after that little encounter. She likes thinking Eris is out to get me so she can come to my rescue.” Hermes noticed Ares’ expression darken. He decided to take a chance. “It’s just possessiveness. I’m an old toy so she doesn’t want anyone else to have me.”

  Ares took a breath and almost smiled. “You broke i
t off with her though.”

  “You did too. I’d say choosing your sister over your girl is breaking up with someone.”

  Ares laughed. “You could say that, but you were different.” He leaned forward. “I think you’re Eros’ father.”

  Hermes shook his head. “No. It was too long after we were together.”

  Ares shook his head. “You expect me to believe you didn’t sleep with her again, not at all, after you two stopped your affair?”

  “Yes, I want you to believe me. It’s true.”

  “But she told me that when she and Hephaestus had their fight, she had sex with both of us.”

  Hermes stared at the other god. So that was where it had all started. “And this was right before she became pregnant?”

  “About a week.”

  “Well, by the end of that week she’d had him already.” He shook his head. “We didn’t have sex. I swear. It has to be you or Hephaestus. I have no reason to lie.”

  “But you might not want to be Eros’ father. That’s a reason.”

  “I had no reason to deny it at the time.”

  Ares crossed his arms, staring at the bar for a moment. “You’re very hard on him.”

  “He deserved it most of his life. He’s very different now, since meeting Iris.” He nodded to her, standing at the bar. She’d been watching them, but he knew she wouldn’t eavesdrop on them.

  Ares looked at her and smiled. “I’d change too. She’s certainly unlike any other goddess. She doesn’t go around trying to wrap every male in sight around her little finger.”

  “Believe me or not. I don’t care. I wouldn’t be ashamed to be his father, but I know I can’t be. She was pregnant for eight days. This was nearly six months after we finished. They can all think what they want. I found people left me alone when I didn’t bother to deny the possibility, so I kept quiet.”

  Ares leaned forward on the table and narrowed his eyes. “You know, you’ve got me thinking. If you really were the father, she wouldn’t keep it a secret.” He hit the table. “She’d shout it from the rooftops.”

  He looked up to see Iris coming over to them, and then turned back to Ares. “Hey, look, I didn’t do anything. I think you’re getting too worked up over this.”

  “Yes, you did do something, something very important. You just made me realize I am his father.”