OF WAR Anthology Novels 1-3

by Lisa Beth Darling

  Drying her off, he materialized her favorite nightgown and was happily surprised when she let him slip it over her head, raising her hands high in the air with a yawn.

  In the bedroom, Ares pulled back the blankets next to his sleeping Wife so Rose could crawl in next to her. As always, Alena sensed the baby, her arm drew out to the side of her body, Rose curled up beside her laying her little head on Alena’s breast, and Alena’s arm closed around her. “Your Mother loves you too.” At the sound of his voice, Alena gave out an unexpected twitch; although he wanted to believe it was because she heard him, it hurt his heart too much to do so.

  “Da…da…da,” Rose wiggled her sleepy arm over Alena’s chest to motion to the empty side of the bed.

  Up until the other night, it had been a year before he slept in this bed with Alena. Contrary to Aphrodite’s accusation, he hadn’t moved out of the bedroom because he was tired of despondent pussy. Ares moved out of the bedroom last year because of the horrible dreams that plagued him, dreams in which he took unfathomable liberties with his comatose Wife. He’d wake up in a hot salty sweaty with a hard-on that wouldn’t quit. It wasn’t long before he stopped trusting himself to lay next to her and not indulge himself. Up until then he’d gone three years without her or the company of any woman and it was starting to show.

  He moved out of the room and into one across the hall where he could jackoff without feeling guilty or have Onya visit him in the night. Raven was quite right about that but Ares didn’t screw Onya or any other woman. He just used her for a little visual aid from time to time. Although he tried to tell himself he wasn’t cheating, he was keeping to his vow, that didn’t seem to ease his guilty conscious when he sat with Alena. As a consequence, he spent less and less time with her every day. That only made him feel guiltier. “All right,” he sighed, “I promised, didn’t I?” Rose nodded even though it was hard for her to keep her eyes open. Morpheus was well on his way to the little girl tonight. Dismissing the heavy boots on his feet while telling himself that he’d stay until Rose fell asleep then return to his own bed, Ares pulled back the blanket and climbed in bed next to Alena.

  Sliding one arm around and over Alena to cradle both of his girls, Alena’s body gave out a violent spasm at his touch almost as though someone hit her with a cattle prod or a Taser gun. Ares began pulling away but Rose grabbed his wrist and stared at him with eyes no longer sleepy, but wide as saucers filled with urgency.

  Following the little girl’s lead he settled in again, and Alena gave out another start, stronger this time. The tingling sensation jumped from her to him as though they completed a circuit. He felt it running in a never-ending circle between them but the sensation was strongest where his bare skin touched her. Maybe out of instinct, maybe out of curiosity, with a blink of his onyx eyes Ares made his vest disappear so that he lay in the bed with a bare chest and more of their skin met. Sparks of crimson and deep purple arced between them lighting up the blankets like fireflies. He didn’t stop to think about it or about Rose when Ares made Alena’s nightgown disappear along with his leather trousers. Ares brought both arms around his Wife and Daughter. “Alena?”

  II

  In the Dream World, Alena had been lying on the tiny bed in the tiny room looking up at the mirror hoping Rose would sneak into the bedroom as she often did late at night. When she saw Ares walk through the room with the little girl she was surprised. After all tonight was the big Bacchanalia and Ares was expected to play his part. She expected no less of him. In fact, although it made sorrow fill her heart, she’d been sure he would be off enjoying the night to the fullest. Yet he was here instead.

  When he settled into bed next to her, she was shocked, stunned, and amazed as she felt his ghostly arms wrap around her. Then the mirror began to spark, it twinkled with dots of light even as the reflection rippled like still water after someone’s thrown in a pebble. “Ares?” She reached up toward the mirror to touch the wavy image and find not glass but something more akin to quicksilver beneath her fingers. At first she drew it away, she looked at the tips to see them covered with a deep gray goo that stuck to her fingers and spread down toward the knuckles.

  In the mirror, Ares’ face deepened in a questioning expression as he reached up to touch his bearded cheek where her hand had been.

  III

  Rose looked at her Mother with a very puzzled expression and then up at her Father. “Anseo. Cén fáth?” (Here. Why?)

  Ares was elated to hear Rose speak for her Mother again, and very glad they were alone, although the question thoroughly confused him. “What do you mean why?” He waited impatiently for an answer but Rose just stared at him as though he were speaking gibberish. “Cad atá i gceist agat? Cén fáth go bhfuil mé anseo?” (What do you mean? Why am I here?)

  Rose’s childish eyes gave way to her Mother’s womanly stare. “Bacchanalia,” she whispered, “Aphrodite.”

  If it hadn’t been for that little shit, Hunter, Ares might have stayed at the party to see the orgy through to morning. Might have carried out his Fatherly Duties for the evening but he wouldn’t have enjoyed it no matter how much it boiled his ichor.

  “Is breá liom tú. Leat. Tá mé ag fanacht leat. Ba mhaith liom aon bhean eile.” (I love you. You. I am waiting for you. I want no other woman.) “Ní fiú Aphrodite.” (Not even Aphrodite.)

  IV

  In the Dream World, Alena could hardly contain herself. She wanted to shout, she wanted to jump for joy, climb through the mirror and into his arms. That was not possible. On the tiny bed, she rolled over onto her side, grabbed up the pillow, rested her head on it as though it was Ares’ chest. She held on tight imagining she heard the pulsing rhythm of his strong heartbeat.

  V

  Ares’ heart starting soaring just before he felt it freeze in mid-beat when Alena’s head rolled toward him, rose up a short way, then lay itself on his chest over his heart. He let out a harsh rush of air at the small miracle only to have his breath completely sucked away by the unexpected rush of energy that followed his declaration. It was enough to make his eyes swell in their sockets until they would burst. His whole body went rigid as a man in the Electric Chair. Every hair stood up so high and tight it made him grunt in pain. Skin to skin, the growing energy bolted through her from his arm, down her shoulders, and then spread out through her slumbering body like wildfire in a drought-ridden forest. The whole room seemed to blaze a mighty inferno threatening to cook them from the inside out. The flittering crimson and purple fireflies under the covers turned into a small lightning storm that soon began to rage.

  The covers billowed upward as the air in the air in the room began to gust and then blow a gale, knocking books off shelves and knick-knacks from the mantle over the blazing hearth. The fresh roaring rush of oxygen made the fire leap out of the marble hearth and reach into the room in scorching tendrils.

  In his arms, Alena sucked in a hard breath of charged air and let out steamy breath in a low heavy pant. The jarring sensation faded leaving behind a warm tingle running between them. Looking down, wondering what was happening, he swore he heard her sigh and then saw her smile. “I know you’re here, you’re close, I feel you. I feel you. Alena.”

  At the sound of her name falling from his lips, the raging energy threatening to burn or topple everything in the room reached its crescendo. Ares held an arm up to shield his eyes from a large stream of fire erupting from the hearth and the whipping wind until it created a tornado of fire spinning its way to the bed. Ares tried to harness it, disperse it, but it wouldn’t answer his command. Instead, it whirled and roared until it consumed the bedroom floor to ceiling then made a beeline for Alena.

  “No!” Ares bellowed as he tried to shield her but some force pushed him away as the fiery whirling dervish descended and then consumed his Wife, wrapping its way around her like a snake. It seemed alive with a mind and will of its own. It even seemed to look at him as he held her in its blazing embrace. Just when he was sure it would turn Alena to
ash, it bored its way into her body, lit her up from within in a glowing halo and then extinguished itself in a mighty puff of smoke.

  VI

  In the Dream World, the mirror on the ceiling ignited in a great ball of fire that came rushing straight through it at her. Alena held up her hands to shield her face as the candle fell to the floor and extinguished. Feeling certain that the end was near for her as the flames reached out to lick her flesh she was dumbfounded when the fire did not burn. It was hot, it made her sweat, but it did not sear or char. Instead, it settled around and then into her making her head feel fuzzy and lighter than air. As the fiery tendrils wrapped around her, she felt as though she could fly so high as to touch the sun or even the Face of God. Lost in the blazing embrace, Alena smiled wide as she opened herself up to flames, allowing them free rein to explore every cold and tired inch of her.

  When they went out and all that lingered was the heady scent of smoke, she felt revitalized, re-energized, and renewed. “I love you, Ares, my Lord, my Love.”

  VII

  Time stood still as her voice lingered in Ares’ ears. Her mouth didn’t move but neither did Rose’s and it was clearly Alena’s voice he heard telling him that she loved him. He swallowed hard trying to get his bearings before the moment passed. “I love you too,” he whispered. The sound of his own voice seemed to bring him around.

  With his heart thundering in his chest—and heedless of his nakedness— Ares scrambled to his knees to behold the miraculous sight of his unburned Wife and Daughter. Not even the sheets were singed. To his astonishment, Little Rose was completely unfazed, she didn’t even seem to notice the spectacle that took place around her. She just lay there cuddled up next to her Mother staring up at him with eyes growing heavy with sleep. Then she grinned and pointed a little finger at his crotch. Ares grabbed the blanket to cover himself as she tittered.

  Alena, if Ares could believe his eyes, looked a bit more youthful. Some of the deep creases and lines on her fading face disappeared ,leaving behind soft supple skin. Hovering there, looking at down at her in amazement, the smile grew wider even as a single tear dropped from the corner of her eye. He wiped it away with the side of his thumb as he cupped her cheek tenderly. “Tell me, tell me what to do to bring you back. Is it Raven? Don’t be afraid of him, I’ll protect you from all of them. Just come back, Alena, come back.”

  VIII

  Alena wanted nothing more than to tell Ares where she was and who had her but she was terrified Ares would have none of his Olympians powers in Morpheus’ Realm, afraid he would be harmed if he came storming in after her. She couldn’t risk that not with Rose up there on Olympus. If Ares were hurt or even, Gods forbid, he died in this cold place, who would take care of their Little Rose? Who would look after her and make sure no harm came to her?

  Not Raven, that was for sure.

  “Just stay with me,” Alena whispered to the glass, “don’t go.” Wishing she were at his side, Alena turned the pillow long-ways and curled up with arms round it. So much communication in one day left her spent, her heavy eyes closed as her body grew oddly light and her mind drifted away to the first night they made love. She fell off to sleep with a smile.

  IX

  “Fanacht liom. Ná téigh.” Rose yawned as she patted the mattress before closing her eyes to lay her heavy head to rest on her Mother’s breast.

  “I’ll never leave you again,” Ares muttered with disappointment, sensing the same retreating electricity of earlier in the day. He lay down with them again, took them both up in his arms. “I’ve been away from you too long.” Ares kissed Alena’s forehead. Given the Ritual that Hera performed to give Alena back to him and save her life, moving out of the bedroom may have been the worst mistake he could have possibly made. In his desire to protect her from his baser instincts, he may have been starving her of the energy she needed most in order to fulfill his heart’s desire. “Have I done what I said I’d never do? Have I turned my back on you when you needed me most? That changes tonight, I promise I won’t leave you alone in the dark anymore.”

  On the other side of Alena, Rose reached over with a tiny hand to pat him on the head with a sleepy grin. “Good, Daddy, good,” she muttered with clarity then mumbled a little ditty as she drifted off to sleep. “Moon, moon, moon, shine, shine, shines.”

  Chapter Eight

  Oh, What a Night

  Both Hera and Aphrodite found themselves deflated when Ares left, knowing they wouldn’t have a chance at sharing in his intense passions tonight. Neither blamed him for walking out either; if they were in his shoes, they’d probably do the same. Hunter’s display was disgraceful. That left the Guest of Honor, Master Raven, and it was his most special of Special Nights. The two Goddesses were determined to make the best of the remaining night and let tomorrow take care of tomorrow.

  Becoming a man meant more than just dipping his wick for the first time. Raven was seated upon the golden chair by the hearth while, one by one, each Olympian came up to him and paid tribute. They gave him pots of precious metals; gold, silver, titanium, and chests overflowing with jewels to help him stake any future claims he may wish to make. Each one bowed, wished him luck on the morrow, and laid their offering at his feet until the bottom of the pedestal glittered with booty ankle-deep.

  Raven thought he’d have no trouble at all becoming accustomed to such treatment. When he was a full-fledged Olympian, he would see to it that the pots of gold surrounding him never ran dry. He was surprised and intrigued when Morpheus stepped up to him empty handed.

  The King of Dreams smiled slyly and then let his eyes wander around the quizzical faces, waiting to see what he was going to do. “Master Raven, I’m afraid I have no monetary gift to offer you on this night but that doesn’t mean I am empty handed.” Morpheus waved a hand high in the air and Erato ushered in a young woman who’d been sequestered during the evening’s prior events. “May I present, Jilios, daughter of Daphne, Queen of the Nymphs.”

  The majority of the half-naked crowd gasped, they oooo’d and ahhhh’d over such an extravagant gift. Aphrodite let out a loud whimper and stomped her barefoot on the ground, making the tiny golden cymbals adorning her waist jiggle.

  The young woman was led to the pile of gold and jewels. Using a great bit of magick, Morpheus turned his hand solid so that he could drive the girl to her knees before Raven. “Once it was custom to offer a man such as you a Fey on a night such as this, but since there are no more Fey, I offer you this prize instead. I promise she is untouched, ripe, and very willing.” Moving behind the young woman, who wouldn’t raise her eyes to meet Raven’s, Morpheus used his solid hand to caress the girl’s bare shoulders and continued over them to the young woman’s perky bare breasts as she sucked in hot air over her teeth. “She’s beautiful, no? Tell me, does she please you?”

  It was hard to say no. Jilios was young but very well developed, she had wide hips leading to curvy thighs between which lay a tempting patch of coarse sandy hair falling away to long tan legs. A stout waist, good for grabbing without fear of breaking, and tits double the size of his palm stood up proud and bold. Her sandy hair fell about her heart-shaped face, past her deep doe eyes, and to her shoulders. “Come here, girl, let me get a better look at you,” Raven invited, holding his hand out to her as he lounged across the sturdy golden chair with the blazing hearth warming his back while it lit up the gold and jewel path at her feet. “What a gracious offer, I accept.” Raven’s hand closed around Jilios’ and he pulled the girl to him and touched a finger to her lips. “You ever suck a man’s cock?” Jilios’ sun-kissed face reddened as she shook her head. Sweeping her by the waist, he sat her on his lap already beginning to bulge and shifted his eyes to speak to Aphrodite who was already sulking. “Why don’t you show her how to give a proper blow job?”

  Suddenly the air caught in Aphrodite’s ample chest as she began to make the short journey up the glittering pedestal to where he sat. “On you?”

  Raven dashed her hopes.
“Apollo will do.” He beckoned them forward with two fingers. “Come closer so she can get a good look.” He felt a rush of power when they came to him without question and Aphrodite began removing Apollo’s clothing as she sank to her knees before him.

  Raven sat up with Jilios on his lap and his hardening cock pressing into the fat of her ass. “That’s it, a little closer all of you. That’s good. You see that, sweetheart?” he whispered in her ear as his hands roamed along her back. “That’s Apollo’s cock, the one that gives your mother, Daphne, so much delight. Tell me, do you ever watch them? Listen to them when they screw?”

  “Sometimes,” Jilios confessed as the curiosity and tension within her grew, making the space between her legs drip with dew. Looking at the pulsing member before her, she licked her lips in anticipation.

  Raven eased her hair away from her shoulders so his lips could rest there as he spoke again, “Well go on then, go on, touch it, show me how you’ll touch my cock when I let you.”

  Aphrodite wrapped an expert hand around the base of Apollo’s cock and pointed it toward the girl who reached out for it but didn’t go all the way. Aphrodite grabbed the girl’s hand and clamped it around Apollo. “Like this, honey, do it like this.” Closing her hand over Jilios’ Aphrodite began pumping Apollo up and down while he let out a little groan. “Good. Now like this,” her mouth opened so wide that she nearly swallowed Apollo whole. The Lady of Love pushed the girl’s hands further down the hard shaft, toward those waiting lonely balls. While she sucked, building up a heavy vacuum with her tongue twirling and dancing around the May Pole in her mouth, Apollo’s hands closed down on the sides of Aphrodite’s head as he rocked on his feet letting the bliss overtake him.