Echo in the Hall
Page 16
She grabbed his arm. “Alex, he’ll kill you.”
“I won’t let you return to the statue, and I won’t let him fuck you. If that means I fight him, then I fight him.”
She tried to hold him back, but he easily broke the hold of her one arm. The two men faced off in the middle of the grassy yard, Pan exuding confidence, Alex showing no fear, only determination in his face. If it weren’t for the fact that he was behaving like an idiot, she would’ve been proud of him.
Yes, he was six inches taller than the god, but that didn’t make him stronger. Bigger wasn’t better, not when your opponent could shapeshift if he chose.
Nina pulled on her left arm, and drew her away from the fight. “We better keep out of the way.”
Chloe struggled ineffectually to break her grasp. “No, Nina. Alex will get hurt.”
“Pan won’t do more than give him a good lesson. Your human should know better than to challenge a god.”
“Pan doesn’t even look like a god right now. Alex doesn’t know how strong he really is.”
Nina chuckled. “He’s about to find out, real fast.”
The two men charged each other, coming together with the sound of two solid bodies hitting hard. Both men let out a grunt as their arms wrapped around each other’s waist, struggling to pull the other to the ground. To her surprise, Alex actually held his own in this first round, feet planted firmly on the ground as Pan tried to pull him off-balance.
The god’s eyes narrowed in consternation over his failure, but he didn’t let up, simply changed his hold on Alex, slipping his hands up to the bigger man’s shoulders. With almost practiced ease, Pan flipped Alex around, driving him to his knees onto the ground, one arm locked around Alex’s neck.
He squeezed tight, cutting off Alex’s air. “Give in, human.”
Alex pulled ineffectually on Pan’s arm. “I won’t let you have her.”
“It’s her choice to make.” Pan looked up and called to her. “What do you want, Chloe? Shall I break his neck, or will you serve me as I’ve asked?”
She stepped forward. “I’ll do anything you want, Pan. Don’t hurt him, please.”
From the corner of her eye, Chloe saw a flash of dying sunlight on something metal. She glanced over to see Nina, armed with a bow, aiming a metal tipped arrow right at Alex’s heart. The open guitar case lay abandoned on the ground nearby.
“No!” she screamed and snatched the arrow from her sister’s grasp. She held it up to Nina’s startled face. “How could you?”
She marched toward the two men, holding the arrow in her hand.
Nina called after her. “It’s not what it seems, Chloe!”
Ignoring her, Chloe brandished the arrow in front of Pan. “Is this how you do things, Pan, using others to kill your rivals? You’re a god, shouldn’t you be acting like one? Using your power to get me into bed, tricking Alex into fighting you. And now this, getting Nina to shoot him.” She tossed the arrow to the corner of the garden.
With a growl, Pan released Alex, taking a step back. He shook himself and the glamour fell off him, leaving him dressed in his usual loincloth, his horns and goat legs back in place. Alex’s eyes widened at the god’s appearance.
“I knew nothing of Nina’s treachery. As for the other, I wouldn’t have forced you into my bed. If you’d refused I’d have still remade you back into a nymph. I just wanted you to know your rightful place.”
“My rightful place is with the man I love, Pan, even if he doesn’t love me back.”
Alex staggered to his feet and coughed once, then twice. “Who says I don’t love you?” he said when he finally got his voice. “I’ve been nuts about you since you came to live with me.” He held up his hands. “You think I’d let that screwball sister of yours drag me to an alternate reality so I could talk you into coming back if I didn’t love you?”
Alex loved her? Chloe burst into tears and rushed into his arms, burying herself in his chest, feeling his warm strength hold her close. He kissed her forehead and the top of her head, his words lost in her hair.
Finally she had to know what he was saying. She pulled her face out of his shirt and gazed up. Alex chuckled, then pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and tenderly wiped her face.
“Chloe, babe, I’m going to have to work on keeping you from crying. You really are a mess when you cry.”
“You really love me?”
He smiled and all the love she could hope for was in that smile. “With all my heart, babe.”
There was still something wrong. Chloe still couldn’t feel her right arm. “I don’t understand. The goddess said that the spell was based on love, and would break if we didn’t love each other. Why is my arm still gone?”
She turned to Pan. “Could you fix it again?”
He held up his hands. “What I did was temporary and it faded faster than I’d expected. This is Aphrodite’s spell and I’m not going to interfere with it.”
“Nice to hear that, Pan. Too bad it’s a little too late.”
From the corner of the garden Aphrodite appeared and from the expression on her face she wasn’t any too happy.
Chapter Eighteen
“Doesn’t anyone knock anymore?” Pan grunted in disgust, hands on his hips.
Ignoring him, Aphrodite glared at them. In one hand was the arrow Chloe had tossed away. As she watched, the goddess slapped it against her palm.
Chloe dropped to her knees. “Mighty goddess, please forgive us.” Maybe a show of humility would make the goddess happy, or at least keep her from firing any lightning bolts at Alex or her. Nina and Pan could fend for themselves, especially Nina after she tried to kill Alex.
She tugged on Alex’s hand, and reluctantly he knelt next to her. “Yeah, goddess. What Chloe said.”
Chloe closed her eyes and hoped the goddess’s sense of humor hadn’t completely disappeared.
Aphrodite approached them, still holding the arrow. “Please stand up. It’s hard to see your faces when you kneel like that.”
Alex stood first and helped Chloe to her feet. She was still off-balance from the loss of her right arm.
Aphrodite tapped both of them on the head with the arrow. “I see that you two have finally declared your love. Excellent, I’m pleased with both of you. You have my blessing and wishes for a long happy life together. Lots of babies, I adore babies.”
Alex cleared his throat. “About Chloe’s arm, goddess. Could you fix it?”
For an instant the goddess seemed confused. “Her arm?”
Chloe held up her transparent limb and the goddess seemed to blush with embarrassment. “Oh, good heavens. I really need to work on that spell. It is forever doing something unexpected.” She waved the arrow like a magic wand and immediately Chloe’s arm returned to normal.
Chloe grasped Alex with her returned right hand. “Oh thank you, goddess.”
She smiled beneficently at them. “My pleasure, children.”
Aphrodite beckoned to Nina, who approached reluctantly. She pointed to the bow. “I believe that isn’t something that belongs to you.”
Looking sheepish, Nina handed the bow over to her. “I just borrowed it, goddess. I hadn’t planned to keep it.”
The goddess glared in response. “Borrowing an item like this without permission is a serious offense, Nina.”
“But I didn’t mean any harm…all I wanted…”
Aphrodite interrupted her. “You were interfering with my plans.” She glanced over at Pan who was watching with increasing concern. “I’ve said before I won’t stand for interference.” She pointed to a part of the grass not too far from where Pan stood. “Stand over there.”
Eyes wide, Nina moved to where the goddess was pointing. Her eyes widened further when Aphrodite fit the arrow into the bow and drew it back, taking deadly aim right at Nina’s heart.
“Goddess, please,” the nymph cried out.
“I told both you and Pan not to interfere with my plans, maybe this will teach you a les
son.” She let fly the arrow.
“No!” With a shout, Pan jumped in front of Nina, the arrow piercing his back. He arched in agony as it tore through him, exiting through his chest to hit the nymph between the breasts. For a moment the pair stared at each other, pinned together by the arrow’s shaft. Then the rod seemed to melt away and the arrowhead fell.
As the arrow disappeared Chloe realized what Nina had tried to do for her. “It was one of Eros’ bows and arrows,” she said softly. She stroked Alex’s arm. “She wanted to make you love me.”
Pan overheard her. He stared down into Nina’s astonished face.
“You tried to save me?” she asked, her voice full of wonder.
“That was one of Eros’ arrows?” he bellowed at the same time.
Both took a deep breath. Pan’s eyes narrowed. “How could you be that stupid? Interfering with the goddess, stealing from Eros. Do you know what you’ve done? I’ve been hit with Eros’ arrow when I was staring right at you. Now I’m going to be infatuated with you for gods know how long.”
Nina’s eyes narrowed in response. “No one told you to jump in the way, you big oaf. And for your information, that arrow hit me, too. You think I want you wanting me, or me wanting you? This is as bad for me as it is for you.”
He stared down at her. “You’re a mouthy little wench, aren’t you? I probably ought to put that mouth of yours to work doing something useful for a change.”
She glared up at him. “Oh, yeah? Like what?”
Seizing her shoulders, Pan pulled her into his arms and kissed her long and hard. As Chloe watched, Nina’s knees buckled and she seemed to faint when he finally let her up for air.
Absolute satisfaction was in Pan’s expression as he stared down at the swooning nymph. “That’s more like it,” Chloe heard him murmur as he threw the semiconscious Nina over his shoulder. He turned to face them. “Please show yourselves out. I’ve got something to attend to.” Then he took long determined strides for his bower.
Alex stared after the god. “Did you see the size of that package? He must be as big as a horse.”
“More like a donkey,” Chloe told him and at his sharp glance she raised a placating hand. “Nina told me.”
Just before they passed through the door, Nina lifted her head and Chloe saw a smile of sheer delight on her sister’s face. She suppressed a giggle. It didn’t look like her sister was as upset by this situation as she claimed.
Aphrodite clapped her hands, regaining their attention. “Well now,” she said brightly. “I guess that wraps things up here. If you’ll hold hands, I’ll transfer you back to the museum.”
Alex reclaimed her coat and helped her into it. “It’s cold back there, you know.”
“I know. But it will be spring soon.”
He watched her face. “Nina told me it was always spring here. Are you sure you want to come back with me?”
Chloe took his hand with both of hers, holding it over her heart. “I know what I’ve done, Alex, what I’ve given up, and what I’ve gained in return. I’d rather have a few seasons with you than centuries alone.”
He stroked her face lightly. “Come home with me, Chloe. I’ll keep you warm, always.” He covered her mouth with his, wrapping his arms around her back to support her when her knees buckled.
They were still kissing when Aphrodite waved her hands and sent the pair back to the museum.
Paying no attention to the odd cries now coming from the Pan’s bower, Aphrodite stared around the garden. The empty guitar case she ignored, but she collected the silver arrowhead from where it had fallen. After passing through the god and hitting the nymph, it had transformed into the shape of a heart. Pretty. It would make a nice pendant. Carefully the goddess put it into a pocket.
She then stepped to the statue and examined it, the slender nymph figure hiding behind a tree gazing at…well, nothing now. Originally the piece had been paired with the statue of Narcissus, staring at his own reflection.
The sculptor who’d created these pieces had been a genius, helped out by a little influence from her. Both statues had held magic. Narcissus’s statue had come to life and Echo’s spirit had found the strength to become solid, leaving behind her stone home.
Both had found their true loves. Now Echo’s former haunt was just a statue once more, beautiful even without her spirit inhabiting it. It was now just a work of art to be appreciated by many. She waved her hand and sent it back to the museum.
From the bower came a low-pitched, passion-filled cry. Aphrodite smiled in amusement. This pair was going to be a handful, she could tell. When should she tell them the truth about the arrow? Not now, that was for sure.
The goddess chuckled softly. “See Pan, I did get the last laugh.”
She twirled the bow like a cheerleader’s baton and flicked her fingers once more. Moments later another cry came from the bower, but there was no one in the garden to hear it anymore.
Epilogue
Unaccountably anxious, Alex waited outside the kitchen of the Mythology Inn. The newest restaurant in town, it had become a major success during the past six months, attracting the folks from the university as well as the local townsfolk with its mixture of old Grecian recipes and wide range of prices.
It was said that anyone, even the poorest student could afford a good meal at the Mythology Inn.
The restaurant was Chloe’s brainchild. She’d used her cooking and organizational skills to attract the backers. Now that it was a success, there was talk of creating a franchise out of it and opening branches in other cities.
That was one of the reasons he was nervous. The other had to do with the letters he needed to show her, and a question he needed to ask.
It was well after midnight. The kitchen staff would be going home soon.
It still seemed odd not to be going to work at this time of night. He’d quit his job at the museum, instead doing the odd portrait work to bring some money in. Not as much money, but he could stay in bed with Chloe after they made love.
Between the two of them they were doing okay. Well, actually, they were doing better than okay, and it was time he did something to make sure things stayed that way.
The kitchen door opened and men and women filed out, tired but happy, looking forward to going home to the special people who shared their lives. They smiled and nodded at Alex, knowing whom it was he waited outside the door for.
When the last of them were gone, he slipped into the kitchen.
Her long hair pinned up in a neat bun, Chloe sat at one of the counters, still doing paperwork. She glanced up when he walked in and smiled warmly, a touch of surprise in her face. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I couldn’t wait to talk to you. Something happened today.”
“Oh?” Her gaze took in the letters in his hand and her eyes widened. “You heard from the big studios you applied to,” she guessed.
Alex grinned at her, and grabbed a seat next to her. “I certainly did. Have a look.” He passed her the papers and watched as she read each carefully.
“Oh, Alex, this is wonderful. New York, San Francisco, Chicago. They all want you.”
“That they do. And that causes a problem. Now I have to pick which offer to accept and for that I need your help.”
Chloe looked up at him with those beautiful green eyes of hers. “Why do you need my help, Alex?”
He leaned forward onto the counter. “Because I need to know where the investors want to put the new Mythology Inn.”
She caught her breath. “They were talking about San Francisco.”
“Then that’s the offer I’ll take. That way we can move together.” He grinned at her. “You didn’t think I was going to let you get away from me, did you?”
Chloe threw her arms around his neck. “Oh Alex, that’s so wonderful.”
“Hey, babe, it’s all right.” He stroked her back and lifted her chin. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “No crying. You remember what I said.”
“No you don’t, so I need to keep you happy. Hmm, I wonder what would make you happy right now.”
Laughter bubbled out of her. “Oh, I don’t know. What would you suggest?”
He grinned at her. “You remember that night we first met in the museum?”
She blushed furiously. “You mean when I sneaked out of my statue and watched Nick and Violet making love?”
“That’s it.” He toyed with her blouse, pulling it out of the waistband of her skirt reaching around to stroke the soft skin underneath. “Ever since that night, I’ve had a wild desire to make love to a woman on her own desk.” Alex glanced over at the office door in the corner of the kitchen. “Why, I believe there is a desk in there.”
Chloe giggled as he hoisted her into his arms and carried her into the office, placing her on the edge of the desk. He pulled her skirt up, revealing the sweet little panties she’d worn that day. Bright pink, and he bet she had the matching bra on. Slowly Chloe undid her blouse, one button at a time.
Alex grinned as soon as he saw the pink bra. He’d won his bet.
He undid the fastening at the front and the bra split open, spilling her breasts into his hands. Nice, maybe even nicer than when they’d first met. She’d gained some weight and a lot of it had gone here, into these beautiful globes. Alex leaned in to taste the nipples, first one then the other.
They might have gotten bigger, but her breasts tasted the same. Still Chloe-flavored with plump nipples that he loved to hold between his lips. He indulged himself, sucking on her breast, pulling the tender tips with his teeth, while Chloe’s hands tangled in his hair.
“Chloe, you taste like dessert, you’re so sweet.”
She giggled. “Really? You want dessert?” With a mischievous grin she hopped off the desk and headed for the kitchen. Alex waited, wondering what she was up to, until she returned carrying a familiar metal can with a nozzle top.