by M. W. Muse
I smiled and took them from him. "Thank you. You're very handsome yourself. I think I'm going to have to change my favorite outfit that I've seen you in. The swimming trunks with no shirt just dropped to second place," I said with a laugh.
He laughed, too, and then I took his hand and led him into the house, so I could put the flowers in water. When I finished with that, Don leaned down and kissed me before leading me to his car. I used the ride to his new school as my opportunity to tell him my latest theory.
"You know, if everything isn't always as it seems, then maybe the prophecy isn't real. Chrys has helped me by telling me about Greek Mythology. Maybe he wouldn't have done that if he didn't believe he would be with me. Plus, he's helped me by bringing out some strong emotions. When I was happy with you, the weather was beautiful. Then as our relationship heated up, so to speak—" I blushed at the thought "—so did the weather. When you were gone, I was sad, and the weather was rainy. But these are typical characteristics of summer in the south. The anger Chrys brought out of me ignited my fierce reaction, which triggered the lightning. I probably wanted to hit him, so my aim must be off." I laughed.
"True." Don chuckled.
"So maybe there's a reason behind the prophecy—that it was meant to bring Chrys and me together to help us with our emotions during our changes, and it isn't really literal."
"That's an interesting thought," Don said, smiling. "I'd like that very much." "I'm sure you would." I stroked his leg. "I just wish I understood why Melissa
said I may already know who I want but that there were other factors to be considered.
Factors that haven't presented themselves yet, and once those elements are considered, my destiny will become clear."
For that, Don didn't have an answer.
When we pulled into the full parking lot, my butterflies from earlier reappeared. "I wonder why I'm so nervous."
"You're probably just worried about making a good impression."
"Maybe." He was probably right. Don and I had gone out many times, but this was the first time he'd be showing me off.
We walked into the hall, and everyone was dressed up. Don introduced me to the dean and the faculty that he remembered from his orientation. There were sororities and fraternities present, trying to recruit new freshmen. I figured even though we were not of true Greek descent, Don might embrace our Greek god ancestry and pledge to one. Though, most who joined did it for the parties. I wasn't an idiot.
As we watched the crowd, I noticed all the beautiful women. There were a lot of them, and I caught several of them eyeing the man on my arm. Seeing all these beautiful strangers reminded me of something from long ago.
"I remembered you used to come to dances with beautiful girls, and you never brought the same girl twice." There was no doubt he could have any woman he wanted.
Don laughed. "It's not what you think." I looked at him with pursed lips. "Those girls were family."
"What? You could've asked anyone you wanted. Why did you bring family?" "Because by the time I got to high school, I knew who I wanted to be with." Don
smiled and brushed my cheek with his fingers. "But I wasn't ready. Since I couldn't ask you, I didn't want to bring the same cousin to all the dances—you'd think I was taken if I did that." He laughed again.
"You are taken," I whispered and leaned over to kiss him. "Yes, I am."
We spent the rest of the banquet shaking a lot of hands and meeting a lot of the entering freshmen. I couldn't remember anyone's name, but thankfully Don could..
The evening went really well, so I felt kind of silly for getting the butterflies earlier. As it drew to a close, I stepped away from Don to use the restroom before we left. When I stood in the bathroom, I couldn't help looking at my face. I was glowing.
I was happy.
My life really was crazy, but I was complete as long as I was with my Don.
As I walked out of the restroom, I saw Don talking to one of the women we had spoken to earlier, but I couldn't remember her name. She was stunningly beautiful, though. She had long, thick hair and a body so perfect that it'd make even the most committed man do a double take. I guessed she grabbed the first opportunity to speak to him alone. He seemed like he was being polite, but she seemed a little domineering. She was laughing and touching his arm. It was obvious to me that she was flirting with him, so I wasn't going to sit back and let her have her fun. I was going to walk up there and put a stop to it.
As I walked over, Don spotted me and grinned. I smiled back, and he put his arm around me when I reached him.
"Season, you remember Rota."
"Sure." I was glad Don threw her name out there. "Apparently, we have several classes together."
Rota stuck her hand out to me, and I shook it. "It was a pleasure meeting you tonight," I offered.
"Likewise. Don is going to love this school. My parents went here, and they brag all the time about how much fun they had here with each other."
She seemed very polite, and I felt silly again for the initial reaction I had to her flirting with Don. But still, it was good for her to see he was not available for her to have fun with.
She turned to face Don. "Are you going to pledge?" "I haven't decided." He shrugged.
"I am. My parents are legacies, so I don't really have a choice. They're really into this Greek stuff. That's why they named me Rota. It's short for erotas—the Greek word that describes intimate, passionate love."
I took in a quick breath, trying not to gasp. I felt weak in the knees, but I also had a sense that I needed to run. Don flashed his eyes over at me and tightened his grip around my waist. I was sure he caught the same thing I did.
Her name meant love, and she had her eye on Don. After everything I learned this summer, I knew what this meant. Don said Aphrodite was happy and not looking for an alternative. And I believed him. I still did. Rota wasn't Aphrodite, the goddess of love. She was Aphrodite's likeness. Just like Don was Adonis's likeness. Rota came here to get Don. I knew it. I was positive.
I was sure because I knew the one rule that seemed to be constant in my mind since the beginning of summer.
There were no coincidences.
~The End~
Also by M.W. Muse
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Goddess Secret
Goddess Sacrifice
About the Author
Mandy Harbin is an award-winning, bestselling author of several books across multiple romance genres ranging from contemporary to paranormal erotic romance. She is also the number one bestselling author in teen romance under the pen name M.W. Muse with her popular Goddess Series. She is a Superstar Award recipient, Reader’s Crown and RWA Passionate Plume finalist, and has received Night Owl Reviews Top Pick distinction many times. She studied writing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, earned several degrees, and even pursued an MBA until she realized becoming an author did not have to remain an unfulfilled dream. Mandy is a PAN member of the RWA, serving on the board of her local chapter, and lives in a small Arkansas town with her family. Although she is a direct descendant of British royalty, they still refuse to call her princess. When she’s not penning her latest book, you can find her hanging out online where she loves to connect with fellow readers or stalking Mickey Mouse at Disney World.
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