“Everything,” Alena bemoaned. “Why?” She looked up at her Husband with tears spilling down her alabaster cheeks. “If I was here I could have helped, I would have known he was up to something…I’m his Mother!”
Ares shook his head and looked at her sympathetically. “No, you wouldn’t have known. He would have conned you like the rest of us, because that’s what boys his age do. They lie. And they do it well.”
“He wouldn’t have lied to me.”
“Yes, he would have and you would have believed him. You would have had your heartbroken even worse than it is now. That’s not what you’re upset over, is it?” He turned her to face him. “No, it’s not, I see. It’s that he’s all grown up and having sex, hummmm?”
Alena cringed and pulled away from him. “Stop saying that. Oh god, my Son, my little boy.”
This probably wasn’t the right time to tell Alena she was about to be a Grandmother twice over but he thought that he should try to open the way to it. Sooner or later she was going to find out. “He’s a man now, Alena. He does what men do; he has sex. You have to let him go even if you don’t think he’s ready.”
“I can’t. It’s not fair. It’s not right!”
Ares kissed the side of her head. “No, it isn’t. But you can’t change it. You can’t control him and you shouldn’t try, he’s an adult. He’s responsible for his own life and his own actions, you can’t take that on your shoulders.” He ran his hand down her weary back feeling her sorrow and confusion. “I’ve got something for you. It will make you feel better. Why don’t you put on your most comfortable nightgown and hop into bed. I’ll be right back.” Ares got up from the bed.
“Where are you going?” Alena asked hurriedly as she reached for his hand and brushed the tears away from her eyes.
“Not far, go on, get your nightgown and into bed with you.”
Ares wandered down to the kitchen shaking his head and feeling the sorrow in his Wife’s heart. He grabbed a glass jar of popcorn and dumped it into a cast iron kettle hanging over the fire.
“What are you doing?”
“Making popcorn,” Ares said without turning around to look at Onya. “Aren’t you going over to Eros’? Don’t you want to spend this night with him?”
“No.”
Ares looked back over his shoulder. “No?” He took in the sight of her standing there; she looked tired, weary to the bone with dark circles under her emerald eyes. “Are you sick?”
“Just tired.”
“Of all of it? Like Alena?”
“Yeah,” Onya nodded. “Be nice to get back to the sun again.” She rubbed her sore shoulders. Lately it seemed everything was sore, every single muscle in her body ached all of the time. “Good night, my Lord.”
“Get some rest, Onya,” Ares advised.
With a huge bowl of popcorn nestled in his arms along with two big bottles of Coca-Cola that Alena rescued from the Mortal World, Ares went back to the bedroom where his Wife was waiting for him. “For you,” he handed her the bowl and the sodas.
“What’s this?”
“You’ll see.” Ares strode over to the far side of the room where he hid the big screen TV years ago. Now he brought it over to the foot of the bed. Stripping off his clothes, he watched her sad eyes light up at the sight of his naked body before he slipped under the covers with her. “All right, it’s Home Movie Night.” Ares snapped his fingers and the TV turned on. There was Raven running around naked on the shore of the island as he caught fish for the first time.
Alena’s face broke out in a wide smile as she looked up at him. “What’s this?”
“My memories. I know one day you fell asleep and he was merely an adolescent then you woke up the next day and he was a man. Maybe this will help fill in the gaps.” Ares took a handful of popcorn from the bowl and popped the fluffy buttery kernels into his mouth one by one. “Watch.”
For the next two hours, they lay cuddled up in bed watching Ares’ memories play out on the TV and Alena was finally able to see her Son grow up. Munching on popcorn, warm and safe in her Husband’s arms, Alena laughed at some of the images and fell silent at others as began to feel reconnected to the little boy who was now very much a man. “You’re an angel,” she sighed when the screen went black. “That was perfect.”
The bowl between them empty, Ares put it on the nightstand along with the drained bottles of Coke. Turning back, he saw her still gazing up at him, her stormy eyes full of love and gratitude. “I’m no angel, woman, but I try to please you.” A familiar sparkle lit up those eyes staring back at him. “I see. Might there be something else I can do to please you, my Queen?”
“There might, my Lord.” Alena bit down on her bottom lip covered with bits of salt and butter, she licked them away and moved in for the kiss. “Why should Raven be the only one having fun tonight?”
“Excellent question,” Ares whispered in return feeling as though he’d done some good tonight and helped her come to terms with her new reality. There was no anger in her eyes or her voice he hoped that meant to was coming to accept all of it. “Why should he?”
Just before their lips met, Alena held her hand up between them. “Ummmm, about those whips?”
Ares smiled wide. “I don’t think so.” He looked down at the curve of her waist and then at the shape of her legs under the blanket feeling their smooth skin rubbing against him. Slowly he brought his dark eyes back to meet her gaze. “There’s nothing wrong with our sex life.”
“You’re sure there’s nothing missing? Chains? Whips? Pokers? Leather masks?”
“Shut up,” Ares cooed, pushed her hand away and brought her to him for that kiss.
II
“She’s your Mother, Raven, she loves you.”
“You shoulda seen the way she was looking at me, like, like, like, like I dunno know,” Raven railed as he paced Aphrodite’s bedroom.
The Lady of Love shook her head and held her hands out to him. When he showed up at her window, she expected him to be in hilt deep in her by now but instead she was counseling him on his relationship with Alena. “This is very hard for her, she’s your Mother.”
“I’m a grown man!”
“Yes, exactly, can’t you see how difficult that must be for her to comprehend?”
“That I grew up while she was sleeping?”
“Yes that but more importantly that you don’t need her anymore.” She patted the side of the bed. “Come sit down with me.” The Lady of Love waited for Raven to calm down enough to take a seat next to her. “All Mothers want to feel that their children need them, to some extent, no matter how old or grown they become.” She watched the confusion swim around in his strange eyes.
“Eros still needs you?”
“Yes,” Aphrodite smiled warmly, “he still seeks out my advice sometimes and he often comes by for dinner and to spend the evening with me playing chess by the fire and talking.”
Raven couldn’t envision himself ever doing something like that with his Mother. He shook his head. “It’s different.”
“I know you have very mixed emotions where Alena is concerned, so do I. But she’s your Mother and she loves you, can’t you try to understand how she feels? Watching your Son grow to manhood and then having to let him go off and live a life of his own is hard enough but to have to do it overnight, the way she did, is intolerable.”
It made sense and he thought if he just thought on it for a while then yes, he could come to understand how his Mother felt. “So what do I do?”
“Give her some of your time and attention then give her some space,” Aphrodite advised. “Once she gets to know the real you, she’ll come around.”
“The real me? Yeah, what a prince.” Raven snorted so hard it made his nose tingle as he thought of what Ares said in the Dungeon that he was the only Dark Fae Prince ever to walk to the Earth.
“You’re not all bad.” Aphrodite entwined a long strand of his hair around her fingers. “In fact the older you get, the wiser
you become. I dare to venture, my dear Nephew, one day you will grow into a very fine man.”
Raven’s eyes narrowed on her. “This isn’t what I was expecting. I thought you’d badmouth her up one end and down the other.”
“Believe it or not, I have a great respect for her,” Aphrodite confessed. “She’s a very strong and intelligent woman. Not only can she live with your Father, who is insufferable to live with! She loves him with all of her heart and Ares loves her the same way. If it hadn’t been for Zeus and his half-assed scheme, I never would have slept with Ares again. As much as it would have pained me, I would have stayed out of their marriage. I would have caused them no trouble.”
Staring deeply into those sapphire eyes, Raven was amazed at what he saw. “You’re telling the truth.”
“Yes, I am.” Aphrodite moved a little closer to him and ran her hands over his bare shoulders. “But you, you’re another matter altogether. I see no ring on that finger.” She picked up his left hand and put it on her full breast.
“I’m an acceptable substitute for Ares, is that it?” Not that he’d mind, he just wanted to know.
“If you’re asking if I’m in love with you the answer is ‘no’ but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun, does it?” She pushed his hand further into the softness of her bosom until Raven felt her heart beating away. “And you did offer me your services in exchange for my vote. I held up my end. Your turn.” The hand in his hair traced along the curve of his face as she stared wantonly into his eyes. “What do you say?”
“Baby, I’m gonna rock your world.”
“Oooo,” Aphrodite squealed and let him push her down onto the bed.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sunrise
Just as Eos made Her way over the horizon, Ares’ household kicked into high gear as they prepared for the move to the island. Alena was in a frenzy packing up Rose’s toys when Ares gently reminded her that they could come back for whatever they left behind. “We don’t have to take everything,” he said in an exasperated tone, “just what we need.”
“My ‘oys!” Rose protested and stamped her foot on the ground. “Need.”
“Oh, yes, you need all five hundred stuffed bears?” Ares challenged. “Pick two. Two of everything. That’s it. Two.” He walked out of the room shaking his head as he went.
“Better do what he says,” Alena offered Rose, “just get your favorite things together. But we’ll take all of your clothes.”
Rose nodded that it was an acceptable deal then went out tossing toys from the box and stuffing a new one with her clothes.
In the front hall, Raven strode into the Fortress just before the sun fully emerged. “Look what the cat dragged in,” Ares sneered. “You stink.”
Raven took a good whiff of the air and then cracked a smile. “You don’t exactly smell like roses.”
“Not today, huh?” Ares demanded as he took a step toward Raven. “Just pack your shit and let’s get out of here.”
“Aye-aye, sir.” Raven snapped a salute that made Ares’ growl before he sprinted away.
Ares made his way down to the basement and the armory. The world was a fucking mess and he’d like to take it all with him. So that’s what he decided to do. With a wave of his hand, he sent every gun, rocket, mortar, knife, bullet, grenade, sword, spear, dagger, and bit of armament he had to the armory on the island. There was so much of it that the act left him dazed and weak on his feet for a few long moments. Holding on to the table, his eyes swimming behind closed lids, he felt slightly nauseous and was slightly annoyed. Taking in a deep breath and clearing his throat he stood to his full height and made his way back upstairs on wavering feet. Coming through the doorway the bright glare of sunlight streaming through the window made him cringe and throw his hands up over his eyes. “Grrrr,” he grunted and felt the warmth of a sour taste rise in the back of his throat. Passing by the kitchen in a foul mood, he looked into the door and saw Onya drinking a large glass of water. “You ready?” he barked.
Onya nodded but didn’t lower the glass of cool water from her lips until it was empty. Instead, she held up a finger to keep him waiting in the doorway while she drank it down. “That’s better,” she said happily, “so thirsty lately.” She smiled for him but it was a wan thin grin. “All packed. Everything’s ready, my Lord.” She gestured to the sealed boxes on the counters. “Whenever you’re ready they can go.”
Ares wasn’t much for water but that glass looked tempting so much so that it made his mouth moisten. He strode over, plucked it from her hand, and filled it from the tap. To quench the dryness at the back of his throat it took three full glasses. After that, he felt ready to tackle the task and he sent the dozen boxes of food and utensils to the island kitchen. “Get your personal possessions and meet us at the door.” He swiped the back of his hand across his lips as he stared out the window. Looking above the outer walls, he had a perfect view of the Golden Palace. Ares wanted to get out of here before Zeus could try stopping him.
Striding past the Throne Room Ares shot his hand out to his side as he passed the door, his Throne of Bones along with the Throne he made for Alena vanished as he sent them off to their new home on the island.
Alena and Rose met Ares at the bottom of the staircase. “We’re ready,” she told him as she held on to Rose’s hand with one hand and her staff with the other. “I’ll take the boxes.”
“I’ll do it.”
“No, let me,” Alena asserted. Ares looked tired already. He wasn’t accustomed to asserting his powers any longer and he was finding them draining. It wouldn’t last long. Soon he’d be firing off those balls of flame like nobody’s business and wreaking havoc but, until then, there was no sense in tiring him out. Especially not after all of the physical energy he spent last night making her toes curl. Although it had been a while since she tried to pull off such a feat, Alena waved her staff over the six sturdy boxes and made them disappear. “I’ll get the rest of them too.” She glanced toward the stairs that had almost taken her life. “Better take one last look, make sure you’ve got everything you want.”
“I’ll meet you at the Gate in a few minutes.”
“We’ll be waiting.” She turned away from him and walked off toward the front door meeting up with the women as she went and moving their personal belongings back to the island. All of them dressed in their warmest coats and boots made their way out of the Fortress door and through the deep snow to the Gates of Olympus without looking back.
Inside the Fortress Raven cornered his Father in his bedroom. “You sure you know what you’re doing?”
“You’re questioning me?”
“I just want to make sure you really think leaving here is the best idea.”
Ares turned around to look at Raven as he folded his brawny arms over his broad chest. “She got you pussy whipped already, boy? Don’t want to leave your Lover behind?” Ares raised his hand and shook his head. “No, wait, which Lover? You’re so free with that thing.”
“I don’t need a lecture from you, you’ve fucked more pussy than you can even remember.”
The glare on his face turned to a sly grin. “Well, when ya got it, ya got it.”
“Yeah, whatever, Pop.”
“I still got it,” Ares intoned smugly, “just ask your Mother.”
“Yeah, I know, it stinks in here. Like honeysuckle and wild tart cherries.”
“You should see the sheets,” Ares bragged.
“You really wanna do this?” Raven chuckled. “OK, I slept with Aphrodite last night and it was good. Satisfied?”
“Was she?”
“Left her cum drunk,” Raven cooed. “Out flat.”
“Good for you,” Ares congratulated. “She’s not coming with us.”
Raven rolled his eyes and groaned. “Are you ready?”
Ares took one last look around the grand bedroom and knew he wouldn’t miss it except for the memories he’d made here with Alena. “Yeah, let’s get this show on th
e road.”
II
Strolling through the outer walls of the Fortress, Father and Son both heavily armed, took in the sight of the women waiting for them standing clustered together against the cold as they watched Rose play in the snow. Father and Son were unpleasantly surprised to take in the sight of Hera, Eros, Apollo and Zeus also standing by the Gate. “What is the meaning of this?” Ares demanded as he walked up to them with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Hera took a nervous step forward. “I had to tell him, Ares, he would have known the instant you opened the Gate.”
“You intend to stop us, Father?”
Zeus stood silent a moment as the bitter winds blew back his long white robes. He spent all last night thinking of what he should do when this moment arrived. Standing looking at the rag-tag troop, he felt pity for them. The women were clearly ill but Ares didn’t notice because he was too busy and they didn’t yet smell of the disease. Ares himself was affected to some degree and that didn’t please the God of Gods, Apollo swore none of them would contract it, they would only carry it forward to Mortals who lacked a drop of watered-down Ichor in their veins. Yet the God of War’s complexion was sallow and he was out of breath from the walk though he was trying to hide it. Perhaps the wolf in him left Ares vulnerable to Major Falls. Zeus could only hope his Son’s Ichor was strong enough to overcome that; for once he found himself wishing no harm to Ares. All of them squinted against the sunlight and their throats worked endlessly as though they suffered from a great thirst.
Raven looked healthy. Athena did as well. Rose showed no sign of being affected. Alena looked tired and the wound on her arm was weeping through the thick sheepskin coat though she was trying to hide it from them. “No,” Zeus answered finally knowing that he would never see some of them again and the others would go on to infect more Mortals below. In the end, Zeus felt it possible they would do more good than harm if they could pull it together and act as one. The plan he came up with had the added bonus of pissing off Apollo and Alena. Zeus settled his eyes on Raven’s stare. “I came to give you something.”
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