Grace of Gods Boxset: Reincarnated Greek Gods YA/NA Series

by Kyleigh Castronaro

  “It means you’re free to have the next dance with me.” He held the offending hand out to me. I stared at it before looking up at him with an expression that allowed him to read my mind on exactly what I thought about that. His smirk faded fast for a minute as he scowled at me before he leaned in, pressing his lips too close to my ear.

  He hissed hotly, “I would play along Savannah lest anything unfortunate happen…” He leaned away again, his eyes deliberately jumping across the room to where Valentina was still flitting between parties innocently. The maternal protective instinct I felt towards her reared its head in the form of disgust and hatred. How he could even imagine using her to threaten me?

  But it worked. I wasn’t selfish enough to not play along and risk him following through on his word. All sorts of scenarios of what he could do to Val ran through my head, each one making me feel sicker than the last.

  “Sure, one dance can’t hurt.”

  I said through gritted teeth, holding out my hand to him. I could see in his eyes how pleased he was that he’d won as he led me from our spot on the outskirts of the dancing crowd and weaved through until we were in the center.

  My stomach knotted tightly because I knew he was doing this that everyone could see, especially Aidan. Sure, I wasn’t happy with him right now but I didn’t want him thinking I was making bedfellows out of his enemies.

  “Ah, I like this song.” He said, slipping one arm tight around my slight waist and resting his hand on the lowest part of my back to keep me pressed close and intimately against him. I felt like a marionette doll, commanded only by the strings of her puppeteer, with no mind of her own.

  For the first time since entering the room I realized there was almost a static energy in the air like everyone had been waiting for something to happen. I didn’t exactly know what an “open court” was or what we were going to do after we introduced our Gods to everyone but everyone seemed on edge like they knew no matter what something was going down tonight. Disinterest shone on my face and he frowned, shaking his head, “come now Savannah, look like you’re enjoying yourself.”

  I glanced back up at him, staring up at those dark brown eyes, which were nearly black, suitable for the soulless man who possessed them.

  “Why is this necessary?” I asked, not giving him the pleasure of a smile or a flicker of enjoyment.

  “This isn’t necessary, I wanted a dance with the most beautiful woman in this room tonight.”

  “That’s not true. You wanted to dance with Hera, not Savannah. That unto itself is a political statement.” He smirked, pride flashing through his eyes.

  “You were always my smartest daughter. The apple of my eye: to speak. Beautiful, intelligent, witty, and resourceful…”

  I saw now that Lincoln’s eyes weren’t naturally that dark color but they now reflected the darkness that Cronos had embraced. Lincoln had failed to control it, and this is what happened to Gods who turned. They lost their mortal conscious. A shudder of fear ran through me, I never wanted to lose myself because Hera craved that dark, all-powerful feeling.

  “Cronos. Well, this changes everything.” I shifted, trying to loosen his grip on me but he was steadfast as he continued to spin me around the dance floor.

  “Does it? I like to think of it as history repeating itself, minus the eating part. I’m terribly sorry about that. This time I don’t intend for Zeus to fulfil his prophecy, and he won’t trick me either. Which is where you come in, my love.” He whispered to me, the coolness of his tone forming a block of ice in my stomach.

  “What prophecy?” I couldn’t help myself, if Atlas wasn’t going to tell me maybe I could get it out of Cronos. But he looked down at me like I was a child playing an adult’s game and shook his head, smirking down at me.

  “It doesn’t matter anymore because, tonight, you and I are going to change the course of fate.”

  I clenched my jaw, forcing a smile tight it made my entire face ache, “if you want the throne, take it. Neither of us thinks it’s important enough for all these games, threats…”

  “Now, now. We both know that’s not true and we both know that it’s not as simple as walking up there and sitting down. I’m sure you’ve realized this is a popularity game, and no doubt you’re aware you’re losing as much as I am.”

  I looked back up at him, glaring as much as I could despite the growing fear.

  “I’d rather lose then side with you if that’s what you’re getting at.”

  “Savannah… Savannah… Don’t be petulant. Think of the power you could have if you were my Queen.”

  “Why is it important to you? Why does it matter now? The world is different, don’t you see? It’s not fit for an almighty God anymore. They tried that, even he’s starting to lose his faithful following.”

  “Because it was mine to begin with!” His voice raised a decibel in anger before he composed himself again, taking another sweeping side step and then pausing to remain in the same spot.

  We turned around slowly I could see Aidan staring at both of us from where he was grouped with Charlotte, Nicola, Zane and Royce. If looks could kill I was positive Aidan was murdering me a hundred times over right now.

  Unable to bear it any longer I looked away from him, craning my neck to look back up at Cronos.

  “And say you win it back, say you usurp your power and return as the God of the Gods… What are you going to do with it?”

  “Why – whatever I want.” He sounded surprised I needed to ask this question, “whatever I desire will be mine, and yours of course. They’ll bow down to us, give us their power and we’ll rule as the most powerful Gods of all.”

  “You’re going to… steal everyone’s powers?” I said slowly, my fingers instinctively tightening to form a fist.

  “To put it crassly, yes. That is exactly what I intend to do.”

  “I don’t want any part of it.” I struggled to free myself from him but he pulled me closer, and to my horror let his hand slip over the curves of my form possessively. Aidan must still be watching.

  “I think you’ll find you’ll change your mind Savannah… Soon enough.”

  The ominous tone of his voice frightened me but to my relief he let me go. I turned to leave him when he suddenly swept down in a grand gesture, capturing my lips with his. He held me there against him for a moment, his hands holding my head tightly I feared he was going to crush my skull.

  The kiss was bruising and dizzying and as he pulled away to release me I felt drained, exhausted. Panic seized me as he walked away leaving me like that on the dance floor and my mind raced through the possibilities of what he could have done.

  Something deep within me reassured me that whatever it was he had done, he hadn’t been taking my powers. Hera was still there.

  Stumbling through the crowd I sought somewhere to sit down. Almost instinctively I made my way toward the thrones, collapsing into one of them as the room began to spin around me. My fingers clutched the arm of the chair for support, willing myself not to pass out or whatever it was that was happening. I took a moment to let my eyes close, leaning back against the chair.

  Cronos was up to something tonight. I had been distracted with the dramatic dealings of Aidan and Charlotte I had completely forgotten about Lincoln and Aidan’s fight earlier in the week. I had forgotten about Atlas’ warning and my own fears that something bigger was going on.

  My selfishness had clouded my entire perspective on this whole King and Queen of the Heavens thing that I forgot the ‘King and’ part.

  It didn’t matter which Queen made it to the top throne but who would be sitting beside us. I could only imagine how disastrous it would be if Charlotte were to descend the throne with Lincoln at her side. Yet, I could see her giving into his advances considering she was desperate enough for power.

  I hated Charlotte, but I didn’t want to see her driven to slave status at the side of Lincoln. No less to see her drained completely of her being and left as a shell of who she was –
ugly as that personality could be.

  I needed to figure out what Cronos was up to and I needed to stop it. I didn’t know how I was going to, or what would happen but I knew that I needed to stop focusing much on the pettiness of Charlotte and I or Aidan and me.

  This wasn’t about us anymore but our Gods and the threat to our safety, everyone’s safety. I also needed to get the prophecy out of Cronos; I needed to know what Aidan and I were up against.

  My lips were still stinging from the force of his kiss and after a moment or two I felt a little better.

  As my eyes scanned the room I couldn’t see Cronos anywhere, which was worrisome. Before I could dwell on it my eyes found Valentina again. She was standing at the drink table, holding a cup in her hand as a man spooned out a helping of punch for her.

  I rose quickly from the throne, something inside of me telling me to go to her. Although I knew she was old enough for boys, there was something else that wasn’t right about this in the pit of my stomach.

  My concern for the younger girl replaced the uneasiness I felt after Cronos and frankly, the distraction was welcome even if perhaps I wasn’t going to be. As I drew closer to the pair, the man’s voice hit me first, making me stop short in my steps toward them.

  I could recognize that English drawl anywhere. It had, after all, threatened me once.

  “Griffin.” I said coldly, moving to Valentina’s side with haste. “Nice of you to show up.” I said with false nicety, one arm looping through Valentina’s. “Enjoying yourself? I think every man in this room has been watching you, vying for a chance to ask you to dance.” I teased lightly with a smile, the other girl blushed and shook her head.

  “Well, if that’s true they haven’t asked.”

  “I, uh, I’m not much of a dancer but…” Griffin started to speak and I glared at him, “I think that’s simply because you intimidate them. Royce asked if I could ask for him, that’s why I came over to get you. Nice to see you Griffin… enjoy your night.” I cast one last lingering hate filled look before leading her away.

  “We didn’t have to go, I was having a nice time talking to Griffin…” She said softly, setting the empty punch glass on a passing waiter’s tray.

  “Promise me you’ll avoid Griffin. He’s dangerous… His God…”

  “Is Hades.” She said simply, not fazed by this information. “He told me. He doesn’t like him, but he says it’s hard to ignore a God powerful. I feel bad for him, I wish there was a way I could help. No one seems to like him because of Hades.”

  I shook my head, “It’s not because of Hades. It’s because he lets Hades have control… He needs to get a spine and take control of his God, not let his God take control of him.”

  Valentina frowned; obviously, she wanted to say something else but dropped it as the room suddenly quieted and Atlas appeared before us.

  “Welcome, Gods and Goddesses of Olympus. How exciting it is to see my family back together once again with the prospects of a glorious future ahead of us. It wasn’t long ago that in this room we stood and decided to place ourselves in eternal slumber until the moment in which we could arise and begin again. The time is now brothers and sisters! Together we shall work as one and lead the world into a new era. Join me in welcoming back the Olympians.”

  Everyone clapped and I looked around in surprise. No one seemed phased by the tumultuous waters we’d been set in upon our revival.

  No one seemed to worry about the dangers of a Cronos versus Zeus war and no one seemed to care that Atlas most certainly hadn’t brought up the prophecy again and warned us of it.

  Atlas began to call the Gods up one by one to take their seat in the thrones as I scanned the crowds looking for Cronos. Something told me that if he was going to make some big brazen move it would be now, when everyone was watching Aidan ascend his throne for the first time.

  “I’ll be right back Val, if he gets to me… please stall.” Valentina looked up at me in surprise, frowning before she nodded slowly.

  “Okay… Savannah, are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Please stall.” I started to make my way through the crowd, cutting and weaving in between people as I tried to find Cronos. Despite wanting to, I slipped up behind Hunter and grabbed his arm gently to take his attention off the thrones.

  “Do you know where Lincoln is?” He turned slowly, taking me in before shrugging.

  “No, last I saw him he was going to have a smoke.” Smoking… if we were home he would have to go outside to do that. But maybe he didn’t care about second hand smoke in a room full of immortals. I wouldn’t have.

  Though as I looked around the room for any sign of cloudiness the air was clear, I knew he couldn’t be here. Shaking my head at Hunter’s uselessness I pushed further through the crowd making my way to the edge of the room.

  Maybe this is what Cronos had meant when he told me I’d come around to the idea. Maybe he knew if he messed with my head I’d find myself having little choice between joining the dark side and protecting Aidan. I hated that I could be easily manipulated but I wasn’t going to stand at Val’s side while Cronos did whatever it was he was about to do. Try as I might to find him he was not in this crowd.

  I found the first door out, concentrated on finding the Titan and pushed through.

  Chapter 24

  “I knew you’d come.” Cronos was leaning against a balcony, slowly dragging on the end of his cigarette, “the temptation of power too much for you? All too aware that Charlotte is the masses’ pick?”

  My jaw tightened, forcing my teeth to rub hard against one another as I glared at him. “No. I still don’t want anything to do with whatever it is you’re up to. I’m here to make sure that whatever plans you have don’t come to light. I’m not going to let you take away their throne from them, if that’s how it’s meant to be. You can’t change fate Cronos. Yours was to lose the throne to your son for good.”

  The words came out with such conviction that for the first time in my life I felt confident about what I was doing. Yes, I was willing to give up my throne if it meant protecting Aidan’s.

  Cronos started to laugh, leaning back against the rail of the balcony to brace his self as he continued to laugh uncontrollably at me. I knew I should’ve been more scared, a voice in the back of my head telling me to be cautious but I felt powerful. I was still riding the high Valentina had given me and with all those recent lessons from Atlas I felt indestructible.

  “Oh, Savannah… You’re naïve.” My face fell into a frown and I leaned back into the doorway to make sure it was still propped open enough that I could slip through if I needed to get away from him quickly.

  “It’s amusing for me to see you sure that you can stop me. You speak of fate like you understand it, like the Moirai are your friends and over tea you gossip about me. Can’t you see that that line of destiny has been played? Our awakening has begun a new set of paths for each of us and Aidan’s as King is not one of them. Atlas said it himself: he awoke us early he changed the course of history and in its wake a prophecy was revealed... Zeus will never return to his former glory, you and I will see to that.”

  “That isn’t the prophecy.” I said, trying hard to keep the uncertainty out of my voice. I wanted badly to believe it was true, but a seed of doubt was still planted in the back of my mind. At the end of the day both Atlas and Cronos were Titans and to whom would Atlas feel the most duty? His former King or his “true” King...

  Maybe he had told Cronos the prophecy where he kept it a secret from the rest of us. But “Zeus will never return to his former glory” wasn’t exactly the kind of life changing statement I had expected from Atlas’ speech.

  “Ah but it is: Through dark and dust do yet they rise

  Once more may they cast their eyes

  Yet from their slumber did they wake

  A demon whose powers shall retake

  The heavens and earth must fall

  A new King intend they to install

  The su
n of one and King of all.”

  It didn’t seem complete to me. Like there was a part missing or had been conveniently left out by Cronos. Nonetheless however it did sound awfully like someone intended to overthrow Zeus from his throne. Except “demon” was a strong term, could Cronos think of himself in that light?

  I looked up at him and he was grinning at me like the Cheshire cat, “What do you think Savannah?”

  “I’m still not going to help you. My loyalties will always lie with the true king.” I turned back to the door, the sounds from the other side reaching me.

  “She’ll be back in a moment! She had to do something…” Valentina was protesting desperately in my favor.

  “Why am I not surprised she wouldn’t show up tonight? Do you know she didn’t even come to apologize to me for what she did? I’m sure her not coming is because she knows everyone here hates her.”

  Charlotte’s nails on a chalkboard voice floated through the air to me. Silence followed her statement and I waited for someone to say something in my defense, but not even Aidan said anything despite all the secrets we’d shared in the last 48 hours.

  “Do you see now Savannah? You need me because I’m the only one left who is willing to side with you. You fight for your King but he would never fight for you.”

  “Siding with you is like siding with the devil.” I said coldly, not even turning around to face him. He laughed though, still bemused by my resistance.

  “Well, the prophecy did say a powerful demon would retake the throne...” He grinned again and my entire body tensed. A dangerous little voice in the back of my mind agreed with him: I was useless and I wasn’t wanted.

  “Don’t sit there, that’s Savannah’s spot.” Someone spoke out finally for me, but I knew it wasn’t Valentina. As kind as she was, and however much she wanted to be my friend, I knew too that she wanted to be everyone’s friend without upsetting or hurting anyone even the vindictive and cold Charlotte.