by Katee Robert
Meg shrugs a single shoulder. “You two should get out more. It’s been long enough. Your power base is solidified. Live a little.”
Jasmine raises her brows. “I really like you, Meg, but keep your nose out of our territory’s business.” There it is, the sliver of coldness that all the powerful people in Carver City exhibit. When Jasmine took over her father’s territory, it raised a few questions about if she’d be able to hold it. But it’s been over a year now and she’s showing no signs of buckling.
I bounce on my toes a little. “What Meg is trying to say is that we’re going out for a lady’s night with Allecto and Tink tonight, and we’d like you to come with us.” I hold up a hand before either she or Jafar can speak. “Both Hades and Hook have people at the bar we’re going to—which is in neutral territory—but we’re more than happy to have a few of your security people join. We’re not being reckless.”
Jasmine glances at Jafar. He doesn’t look particularly happy about this offer, but he manages to dredge up a smile. “It’s your choice.”
She considers me. “I don’t know you outside of reputation.”
Meg starts to speak, but I nudge her with my shoulder. “Look, all the territory business in Carver City can be really isolating. We thought it’d be nice to spend some time getting to know each other, and maybe be friends.”
“Friends.”
“Sure, friends.” I give her a sunny smile.
She gives me a look like she’s not sure if I’m joking or not, but finally shrugs. “Yes, I’ll come.” She leans over and presses a quick kiss to Jafar’s lips. “I’ll make it up to you.”
He leans back, amusement lingering in his dark eyes. “I’m sure you will. Give me a few moments.” He slides out of the booth and walks toward the hallway leading to Hades’s public office.
Jasmine motions for us to slide into the booth. She looks a bit like a queen with her subjects, and I glance at Meg to see if that will irritate her. If there’s a queen of the Underworld, it’s her. Meg seems just as amused as Jafar. “How have you been?”
“Good. Tired, but good.” Jasmine smiles. “Things are going well.”
“You and Jafar seem to have figured a few things out.” She nods, and I follow her gaze to the ring on Jasmine’s finger. I hadn’t even noticed it. It’s delicate and reasonably sized, but even I can tell that it’s custom made for her. I try to imagine what it would be like to have someone love you enough—know you enough—to create a custom engagement ring. It boggles the mind.
Jasmine holds up her hand and looks at the ring. “I proposed.”
“Good for you.”
“There you are!”
We turn and look as Allecto and Tink walk up. Tink is, as always, too fucking cute. She’s styled her blond hair into something resembling a crown and she is wearing a pair of cut-off shorts and a graphic T-shirt that looks faded and soft. Her shoes are strappy and the heels appear sharp enough to stab someone in the heart. Next to her, Allecto is wearing a variation of her normal outfit—dark jeans and a dark purple tank top with boots that I have no doubt are steel-toed. Allecto likes to be prepared for anything.
Tink props her hands on her hips. “So, are you coming or what?”
“Yes, I’ll join you.”
“Good, then let’s get going.” She glances around the room. “Hook made some dire comments about me being on my best behavior, and while I kind of doubt he’ll crash ladies’ night, I also wouldn’t put it past him to show up and drag me off somewhere semi-dark.” Her sharp grin goes a little dreamy.
Something like jealousy sinks barbs into my chest. I am so incredibly happy that my friends have found happiness, but a small part of me can’t help that I also feel bad about it. They have something I don’t know if I’ll ever have. How can I? I’d have to let someone close enough to touch my heart, and I’ve long since grown a carefully curated wall of thorns around it. Friends are risk enough. But loving someone? It hurts too much to lose them. I don’t ever want to feel that way again.
Jafar strides up. He gives Tink and Allecto a quick business-like once-over and turns his attention on Jasmine. “Two of our men will meet you at the elevator. They’ll bring you home once you’re done.”
“See, that wasn’t hard at all.” She rises and he pulls her into his arms and lays a kiss on her that has all of us groaning dramatically.
Then Jafar is gone, stalking across the room and disappearing out the door. From the look on Jasmine’s face, she’s considering changing plans and following him, but she gives herself a shake and smiles at us. “Where are we headed?”
We end up at a bar down the street. Hades and Allecto don’t like us to wander far. We’ve all learned the hard way that neutral territory only really matters to the people in Carver City. Outsiders don’t respect our rules, which makes them dangerous. It’s a small risk, but Allecto is head of security because she considers all variables, no matter how unlikely. We trust her for the same reason.
Not to mention she’d mow down any threat the second it arose. She’s badass like that.
I sidle up to the bar next to her and nudge her with my shoulder. “You look tense.”
“I always look tense.”
“You know what will help with that.” I waggle my eyebrows.
Allecto gives me a severe look, but it doesn’t quite stick because her lips curve. “So help me, if you say shots and karaoke—”
“Shots and karaoke!”
She motions the bartender. “I’ll do both on one condition.”
I already know what’s coming, just like she knew what I was about to suggest. We’ve known each other a really long time at this point, and we’ve gone through this song and dance… a lot. I huff out a breath. “If you’re about to say extra sparring sessions…”
“Extra sparring sessions.” She gives me a sharp grin. “You’re spending so much time fucking, you’re getting rusty. I kicked your ass the last two times.”
“You kicked my ass because you’re an ass-kicking queen.”
“That’s also true.” She orders a round of shots and then turns back to me while the bartender gets to work pouring them. “But it doesn’t change the fact that you’re slacking.”
Combat training wasn’t really part of my deal with Hades, but like working as a submissive, it’s something I’ve started doing over the years. One more ridiculous way I can trick myself into feeling more in control, more like I won’t really follow in my mother’s footsteps. Our situations are nothing alike, but if she’d known how to fight, maybe she wouldn’t have ended up in a decades’ long coma. Maybe she’d still be her, still be able to hug and smile and follow the fierce ambition that is barely more than a faded memory for me. It might even be imagined. I was so young when she was injured, I barely remember the person she used to be at all. I only have my grandmother’s stories.
“Aurora.” Allecto taps the spot between my eyebrows. “Three times this week.”
“Three extra practices for three karaoke songs.”
She sighs, but she’s still smiling. “You drive a hard bargain.”
“I learned from the best.”
“Yeah, I guess you did.” She shakes her head. “You have yourself a deal.”
I’ll regret it when she’s sending me flying across the mat, but right now it makes me happy. Allecto doesn’t let down her guard often, so when she does, it’s a really treat. Tonight is going to be so much fun.
It starts with a round of shots. And then another. I’m delighted to find out that Jasmine is a bit of a lightweight, and that she’s rather bratty when she’s not guarding her words. She and Tink verbally spar while Allecto croons out one of my favorite karaoke songs of all time.
Meg throws an arm around my shoulder and gives me a squeeze. “You were right. We all needed this tonight. And it was a good idea to invite Jasmine along.”
I give her a long look, trying not to grin. “Are you drunk?” Meg never drinks enough to get drunk. Or if she does, I’ve only
seen it once or twice in nearly ten years. Tonight’s special, indeed.
“Of course not. How gauche.” She laughs. “I’m simply enjoying myself.”
The bar’s lights flicker on, signaling last call. I groan, and then groan some more when the door opens up and Hercules, Hook, and Jafar stride into the bar. They must have been waiting in a line outside, which strikes me as particularly hilarious. All those big, brawny men waiting to give their women the maximum time for fun before they come collect them. I’m not even sure those three like each other, but they move almost as a unit, dividing and zeroing in on their partners.
Jafar scoops up Jasmine and gives her a downright indulgent smile. “Have fun?”
“Yes.” She grins at him. “Let’s fuck in the car.”
“Let’s see how you feel in a few minutes.” He turns without another word and heads out the door.
Hook doesn’t pick up Tink, but he does slide an arm around her waist and steer her for the door. He shoots a happy smile over his shoulder at us. “Looks like you all had a good time.”
“The best time!” I realize I’m shouting and clamp my hand over my mouth.
Meg’s laughter cuts off when Hercules hauls her off her feet. He winks at me and then they’re gone, following Hook and Tink out the door.
Allecto ambles up. As always, it doesn’t matter how many shots she takes, she never gets sloppy. The only indication that she’s feeling the alcohol is how easy she grins at me. “Singles last.”
“Don’t remind me.” It just slips out. I frown at my feet. They really hurt. These heels look great, but they definitely aren’t for dancing. “Not that I care. I like being single.”
“Uh huh, Aurora. Sure you do.” She loops an arm around my shoulders and steers us for the door.
The walk back to the Underworld seems to take forever, the street stretching like taffy beneath my feet. I blink. “Shit, I’m drunk.”
“I know.” She laughs, the bitch.
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t.” Another of those laughs. “But you will tomorrow.”
Right. The sparring. Damn it, I really don’t want to do it. No matter how good I get, I’ll never be on Allecto’s level, and she barely pulls her punches. Something about it not providing a real enough experience to cut down on my reaction time. It made more sense when I didn’t have alcohol flowing through my veins, giving everything a warm, fuzzy feel. “Maybe we should fuck.”
Allecto snorts. “Yeah, no.”
“Why not?”
“One, you’re drunk as a skunk. Two, we’re friends, and while you fuck your friends, I don’t.” She gives my shoulders a squeeze. “You’re just feeling lonely after watching everyone couple up. Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Stop telling me my life.”
“Then stop hitting on me just because I’m a warm body.”
I open my mouth and my brain finally catches up to my tongue. “I hit on you because you’re hot.”
“I’m hot and I always tell you no.”
That surprises a laugh out of me. We’re almost back to the Underworld, back to something resembling reality. “I’ll stop, I promise. Sorry.”
“Nah, it’s all good.” She shoulders open the door and tows me through it. “You’re cute when you’re all drunk and flirty. It’s endearing. Like a puppy.”
“Ouch.” I press my hands to my chest and weave my way to the elevators. “A shot to the heart.”
“Something tells me you’ll survive it.” She follows me into the elevator, still grinning. “Let’s get you back to your room before you face-plant and I have to explain to Hades how I let his precious Aurora break her pretty nose.”
“Eh.” I wave that away. “He won’t care.”
“Sure he won’t. Because Hades definitely doesn’t get overprotective and growly when it comes to you.” I don’t know what my expression is doing, but she bursts out laughing. “Like I said.”
I am too focused on putting one foot in front of the other to respond until we reach my door and Allecto keys it open. I slump against the doorframe. “Hey, Allecto.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m really glad we’re friends. Like… really glad. You’re pretty awesome.”
Her grin softens. “You’re pretty awesome yourself, Aurora. Now get your ass to bed and don’t be late tomorrow. If I have to come looking for you, I’ll haul your ass into a cold shower and then you won’t be glad we’re friends.”
I gasp, but I can’t keep my mock outrage. I’m still laughing as I shut the door and stumble my way to bed. It doesn’t matter that I’m single. I like being single. I’ll even remember that tomorrow, once the alcohol has faded out of my system. I’ll remember that I’m not actually lonely. I’ll remember that I have purpose. I’ll remember that I’m really, really happy.
Tomorrow.
Yeah, I’ll remember all that tomorrow.
This short originally appeared as the July 2020 short for my Patreon. Each month, patrons nominate their favorite couples and characters, vote on one, and I write a brand new short featuring the winner. For more bonus stories, please consider joining my Patreon.
14
Honey, We’re Home
Zurielle
“You’ve done well, Zuri.”
I smile at Ursa. In the months since my auction, since I fell in love with Ursa and Alaric for real, she’s slowly started bringing me along when she goes to meetings and walking me through the backside of her operations. Ursa runs a tight ship. But then, do I expect anything different?
I lean my head on her shoulder as the car cuts through Carver City, heading back to her penthouse. “Thank you.”
She takes my hand and traces the lines in my palms with a single nail. “There’s nothing to thank me for.”
I hide my smile. “I know it hasn’t been that long, and you’re letting me see the details of something that’s important to you. I know that means something.”
Her finger pauses its tracing for a moment and then resumes. “I love you, little Zurielle. Of course I’m letting you in.”
But there’s no of course about it. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that you can take nothing for granted in this life. Not safety, not stability, certainly not love. She’s given me the gift of all three. Her and Alaric. It’s also clear that she’s still uncomfortable with my pointing out her willing vulnerability.
I close my hand over hers. “Your people will walk through fire for you.”
“Yes.”
“It’s a sign of a good leader.”
She laughs. “If you don’t treat your people well and give them a reason to feel loyal to you, you can expect a knife in the back the first chance they get. I’ve seen it happen enough times to learn from others’ mistakes. To learn from my mistake.”
“Have you thought about opening up some kind of trade with Sabine Valley?”
Ursa leans back and lifts her arm, an invitation to shift closer that I’m only too happy to take. She looks down at me, her red lips curved. “You’ve been talking with Alaric.”
Yes, but not about trade. I’m intensely curious about Sabine Valley because of how different it seems from both Olympus and Carver City. “He does have a connection there, especially now that his cousins have regained some level of power. A trade agreement might benefit both them and us. No one else from Carver City has anything like that set up.”
She smooths my hair back and tucks it behind my ear. “Malone has more than enough connections to that city to have set something up.”
Because she’s an Amazon, a member of one of the other factions. “But even if she has, there’s still opportunity there.” Doubt threatens to creep in. I thought it was a good idea, but now I’m not so sure. “Don’t you think?”
Ursa opens her mouth, seems to reconsider, and finally nods. “You’re not wrong that there’s a chance to use Alaric’s connections to our advantage. We’ll speak with him about setting up a meeting with one of his cousins.”
That perks me up. “We?”
“It was your idea, Zuri. Of course you’ll attend.” She leans down and presses a light kiss to my lips. “I’ve never had anything resembling a partner. It will take some getting used to. Have patience with me.”
“Of course.” My heart feels like it might burst out of pure joy. I still can’t quite believe that this is my life now, that I’m doing things I never dared dream. When I was young and used to imagine what my happily ever after might look like, something like this—in a relationship with the Sea Witch and Alaric. That there would be love and respect. That I would be stronger than I ever dared dream. I look out the window as we turn into the parking garage.
We’re home.
Ursa and I make our way up to the penthouse, and her hand finds mine in the elevator. She gives me a squeeze. “I have half a dozen meetings next week. I’d like you at all of them.”
Surprise and happy pleasure warm my chest. “Really?”
“Yes.” She glances at me, her lips still curved in that small, satisfied smile. “If you want to become my second-in-command, you have to learn the ropes, and that won’t happen if I keep you confined to the penthouse.” For a moment, something like doubt lingers in her eyes. “Unless you don’t want to…”
“I do!” I throw myself into her arms and press a hard kiss to her lips. It smears her lipstick, which means it’s smeared mine, too, but I don’t care. “You really mean it.”
She wraps her arms around me. “I really mean it. You’ve got a good head for this stuff, and you might be sweet with me, but you’re already learning to be hard when it counts.”
“I’ll always be sweet with you,” I whisper.
“I hope so.” She kisses me and I lose myself in her taste, in the softness of her body against mine. The elevator ding as we reach the penthouse floor is an unwelcome interruption.
