"How are you doing this? Did you slip me something? Did you drug me?"
"Believe what your eyes are telling you, my sweet. I am the god Mars. And I want you for my queen."
She shook her head, and her trembling increased. She dug her fingernails into his arm, right before she collapsed. He caught her, alarm filling him. "Cupid!" he bellowed. "Fetch the physician! Come at once!"
Fog smothered her. Larissa knew she was dreaming, but it was a nightmare and she could not wake up. Her arms were like dead weights. Her legs refused to carry her. Fear speared her heart. As adrenaline flooded through her veins, she felt sleep fade away. She fisted her eyes and tried to open them.
Before her sat the most beautiful young man she had ever laid eyes upon! His chest and legs were bare, only the briefest of garments covered his trim hips. A quiver was slung across his back, and a pair of graceful wings fluttered ever so gently, calming her with a scented breeze. His hair was golden and hung in ringlets about his youthful face. It was hard to guess his age. He was not a boy, but not yet a man. His shoulders, though broad, would be broader still one day and his bare chest had not a single hair upon it. He was absolutely breathtakingly handsome, and yet, she was not attracted to him.
"You must be his son," she whispered. "Mars told me about you." Mars was insane, and now he'd dragged her into his delusions with him. That had to be the explanation. Either that, or he really was a god, and she really was in the mythical palace above the earth.
The young god smiled serenely. There was a peace about him that she did not recognize in his father. "You gave us a scare, Larissa. First, when you fled, and then when you fainted. Are you quite done for now? I know not how much more my father can endure."
"Okay. I'm done for now," she said amicably. There was no reason to be a crazy insane person. She could be reasonable.
He smiled then, and her heart fluttered. His beauty seemed to fill her and warm her, calming her like a cup of hot chocolate and a long bubble bath. If Cupid could come to live with her and Mars in their padded cell, eternity might not be so bad after all.
"So, would you like to look around? I could show you the great hall, where we will have the reception. Of course, the ceremony will be held on Earth, at the peak of Mount Olympus. But afterward you will come here for a reception worthy of the gods. Then, the morrow after your wedding, Father plans to take you to his villa."
"You may show me around," she said. His hand felt warm and real. His grip was tentative, as though he were a bit afraid, as well. Somehow that comforted her.
He led her through a palace that was grander than her grandest fantasy. She was introduced to Diana, goddess of the hunt, Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, and Venus, the goddess of love - Cupid's mother. Larissa felt her heart harden, knowing that Venus had hurt Mars in the past. She listened to a dozen musicians play on ancient instruments. The palace was strewn with roses, their delicate petals were crushed under her feet, perfuming the air with their scent. It was all too much! If she were insane, she never wanted to be cured!
"I know this can be a bit overwhelming," Cupid said quietly. He had the gentlest voice, almost like a suggestion in her mind. "But my father truly does love you. Are you convinced of that now, enough to be his bride?"
Venus laughed, shrugging her alabaster shoulders just enough to cause her full breasts to pucker and strain against the sheer fabric of her gown. "Don't be silly, Cupid. How could this ah, mortal, ever meet the needs of a god? Your wager is lost. A pity, too."
Larissa didn't want to listen to her. The other woman had a mean streak a mile wide, but something she said had a ring of truth to it. "Wager? What wager?"
Cupid cleared his throat, stammering for an explanation. " 'Tis nothing. Mama, why are you here, you know you weren't invited."
"Wager? Tell me, at once," Larissa demanded.
Venus laughed, an unpleasant sound like fingernails on chalkboard. "Why, surely you knew. What else could a god like Mars ever see in such a simple thing as you? They had a bet. That Cupid could take two people who didn't even like each other, make them fall in love, and get married. Isn't it delightful! And here you are! I must say, I have been looking forward to seeing Mars lose a bet ever since we first met!"
Cupid put his arm around Larissa to guide her away from his mother, but the damage was done. Larissa knew the truth. Anger stiffened her spine, and made her aura change from the delicate pink of confusion to a smoky black inferno. No one could fix this now. If Venus had known the conditions of the wager, she would not have interfered, Cupid couldn't believe she'd be that callus. Just self-centered. She didn't care if Mars married or not. Only that no one should be happy unless she was. And she was never happy.
"Take me home, Cupid. I want to go home now," Larissa stated clearly.
"Please let me explain."
"That isn't necessary. I want to go home. And I never want to see you, or your family, again. Now."
"Maybe it did start as a wager, Larissa. And I did stab you with my arrow, to bring you and my father together. But my arrow's magic faded almost immediately. Anything that happened between you and my father was true. Love makes its own magic, something I cannot begin to understand."
Larissa covered her ears with her hands. "I don't want to hear any more lies! Take me home!"
"What is going on, child!"
Cupid groaned, as his grandmother appeared in the hall. She had confined him to his room, and now she saw him wandering about like a disobedient child. How long would it take before she would recognize him as an adult? Maybe when Mars and Larissa's babe was born?
"Grandmother, may I introduce you to Mars's intended, Larissa Mirit Langdon. Larissa, please meet my grandmother, Juno, Goddess of the Gods."
Juno waved him off. "Go, child. Shouldn't you be somewhere else right now? Larissa, come with me."
Cupid chewed the inside of his cheek, dread pooling low in his belly. Could this day get any worse? He watched as Juno wrapped an arm around Larissa. A moment of jealously pierced his breast, wishing that he were in his grandmother's arms again. But then he turned and went sadly to his room.
Larissa couldn't speak. If she were insane, then it didn't matter if she said anything or not. But if this were true, if Juno really was the goddess of the gods, then she didn't dare speak and risk offending the all-powerful deity and quite possibly ending her very short, mortal existence.
Juno brought her into a private chamber that was softer and more feminine than the elegant cold marble beyond. Juno brought her to a window seat, nearly smothered with soft pillows, and together they sat. Larissa folded her hands in her lap nervously. She wished she could tuck her feet up under her, and get cozy, for it had been such a long day and she was exhausted, but she didn't know what was appropriate.
Juno tucked her own feet up under her. She waved her hand, and two mugs appeared, hovering in mid air, steam rising from the warm scent of hot chocolate. Juno indicated the mugs. Larissa reached out to take them, passing one to her hostess. Then she got comfortable, half turning in the seat to face Mars's mother.
"I know all about this foolish wager, child," Juno said. Her voice was not quite as soft as Cupid's. It was gentle and feminine, but there was strength behind it, and Larissa sensed that no one ever defied this woman anything. "My son, like most males, can be quite an ass. He is pigheaded, overbearing and quarrelsome. My grandson is far too impetuous, seldom thinking things through before he acts. Both of them should be punished severely. That my son truly does love you is immaterial. Now, I want you to think about what you really want. What would make you happy?"
Larissa gulped. "Do you mean that?"
"I never say a thing I don't mean," Juno said coldly. Then her lips softened in a smile. "You were a victim in this, child. I want to make it right. If you wish you had never met my son, I shall make it so. You can return to your former life, working at that smelly little diner, afraid for your safety every night as you walk to your home, and you will not remember any o
f this."
Chapter Seven
Pain stabbed her. All along she'd believed that she'd at least have the memory of that one perfect night with Mars. But maybe it would be better that way? To forget it all....
But Juno said her son really did love her! Larissa knew she spoke the truth, not because she told her she did, but because Cupid was right. What happened between them was magic. Mars loved her, and she knew it. She had fled, not because she doubted his love, but because she doubted him! He'd been larger than life, and now she knew why. He was a god! He'd lived for thousands of years! And he loved her.
Maybe she could have the fantasy after all? Maybe they could be married? And the baby! He told her she was pregnant. She touched her still flat abdomen. They'd only made love that one night - although they had made love all night long. Could it be true? How much power did a god have?
"Mars told me I am carrying his baby," Larissa whispered. "Is it true?"
Juno gave a curt nod. "My son is many things. He is an oaf and an idiot. But he is not a liar."
"What do you think I should do?"
The goddess blinked, startled by the question. "It is not for me to decide."
"I know. For some reason, you have granted me this power. But I'm afraid to make a mistake, so I'm asking for your opinion. Do you think Mars and I have a chance? I mean, he's immortal. Suppose I marry him, and I make him very happy. And I give him all those children he wants. What happens to him when I grow old, and die? Will it be harder for him to lose me then? If I chose to have you wipe my memory of the past three days, can you wipe his, too?"
Juno sniffed, dabbing delicately at a tear that hovered on the edge of her eyelid. "Why, such a thoughtful child you are! Here my irresponsible progeny have treated you shabbily, and yet you consider their needs above your own. Whether you care to admit it or not, you do love my son."
"Yes. I love him. I know that. And I'm not afraid to admit it. I'm just afraid that we're too different, that maybe we can't build a life together."
Juno nodded. Her eyes glazed over for a moment, as though deep in thought. Then she smiled. "You and Mars are not so different, after all. I should have seen it before, but I was not paying attention. If you wish to marry my son, I can give you the gift of immortality. Perhaps that would give you enough time to figure out how to live amicably with him?"
Larissa was speechless. Immortality? She'd watched her mother die. She had buried her father. She'd gone to the funerals of her grandparents, all four of them. Death wasn't something she looked forward to. And now, this stranger - this all-powerful woman who would be her mother-in-law, was offering her a way to escape death? She'd be an idiot not to accept!
Cupid was summoned, and given the message to deliver to Mars. The wedding was on again! Cupid grinned. Not even the fear of whatever retribution his grandmother had planned for him could dampen his spirits. Now if he could just get the pair of them to the alter before sunset! It was Valentine's Day, after all. What an appropriate day for their anniversary!
He flew swiftly to his father's chamber, startled by the sounds of things breaking inside. He opened the door, ducking as a delicate vase sailed past his head to crash on the marble floor. The room inside was a larger version of the shattered vase. Every table, dais, vase, and sculpture was now splintered into tiny fragments. Every tapestry, pillow, curtain, or covering was torn to shreds. The mighty warrior was in full battle mode, and nothing, save a small army was going to stop him.
"Father?" Cupid called tentatively.
Mars roared, gathering up handfuls of broken pottery to throw them, for there was nothing left unbroken.
Cupid gulped. He did not relish pain, nor attending his father's wedding bruised and broken, but there was no time to waste. Squaring his shoulders, he charged his angry father. He caught him off guard and managed to tackle him to the floor, but 'twas the last victory he could claim for his own. Mars quickly turned the battle in his favor, letting his full rage break across his only son. He tossed him about the room like an angry dog worrying a bone. Then he got his hands around Cupid's throat and nearly strangled him.
"She loves you, Father," Cupid gasped.
And that alone got through to him. Pain filled his eyes, but his fingers loosened.
Cupid did not move, lest he raise the war god's ire again. "She has agreed to marry you. It is time to get dressed for your wedding."
"Nay," he sighed, weariness heavy like a shroud about him.
"Yea, Father! She has accepted that you are immortal. She has met some of the guests - Minerva, Diana, and she had an audience with your mother. Even now she is dressing for the ceremony."
"It is not meant to be, son. We are too different. A mortal and a god - when has that ever worked out well? And what of me, a few score years from now, when she grows old and passes on to the underworld. How shall I ever recover?"
"That sounds like fear speaking. How can you turn your back on happiness, even knowing that your days are numbered? As they are for all of us. Immortality is not a guarantee of a happy future. Reach out and grab this miracle that is within your reach! Take her! Make her your wife, and treasure every moment with her! Or you are not half the man I thought you were."
Mars glared at his son, but seeing the purple bruises on his neck, felt shame wash over him. He helped Cupid to his feet, then fingered the ugly bruises. "I am sorry," he said simply. The words got easier to say with practice.
Cupid touched his neck, wincing slightly. "I will heal. But if you do not marry Larissa, you never will."
Mars straightened his shoulders. "Perchance you are right. How did such wisdom come out of the mouths of babes?"
"I am not a child!"
Mars chuckled. "Now, what is this about a wedding?"
Cupid straightened his father's tie yet again. Mars had been tugging on it anxiously, and the silk was quite wrinkled. He was quite unrecognizable in the white tux, his ebony hair neatly groomed and tied back. He was freshly shaven, and his servants had fair near dumped a bottle of scent over him, for he reeked of aftershave.
"How mortals endure this torture, I'll ne'er understand," Mars grumbled, tugging on his tie yet again.
"Hold still, Father. You're worse than a child on the eve of his birthing day. You'll have your bride soon enough."
"I have not seen her since she fainted. Mama would not allow it. How do I know this is truly her desire? What if Juno coerced her? What if I'm making a mistake?"
Cupid shook his head. "Grandmother would not force a woman into marriage. And you always make mistakes. It's one of your more endearing qualities, I'm told."
Mars cuffed his son, but not hard. Cupid only laughed harder.
At last the musicians started up. Mars had hired a more modern group than the lutes and lyres that would attend the reception. On a grassy plateau of Mount Olympus was a string quartet playing the peaceful, recently popular canon by Pachobel. There were more in attendance than the handful he had personally invited, but at least Venus was nowhere to be seen. Having his ex-lover present was just a bit too awkward, and poor Larissa had had enough of awkward to last a lifetime.
Getting her two friends there in time had been a bit of a problem. Mars had whisked them there magically, but they'd been so upset that he'd wiped their memories and implanted one of an uneventful plane ride, paid for by the groom. Then Minerva took them away, and he had not seen them since.
Ah, a sweet little girl came down the makeshift aisle, scattering rose petals as she went. She wore a full white gown and a crown of flowers in her golden curls. Mars smiled benignly, imagining what his own daughter would look like in a few short years. Behind the girl came Sally, Larissa's friend. She too was dressed in a full gown, but it was the shade of ripe plums. She wore a crown of roses, and carried more roses in her bouquet. And then, finally, he caught a glimpse of his bride. But only a glimpse, for the wedding guests all stood as a sign of their respect. Mars craned his neck, trying to see her.
Tom blocked her fro
m his view for a moment, the big oaf. He wasn't quite so oafish without his greasy apron. He wore a tux like Mars, but 'twas black.
"Go, get her," Cupid urged, giving his arm a little shove.
Mars grimaced. The modern ceremony was much changed from what he remembered. He fair near sprinted halfway down the aisle, where Tom placed Larissa's hand in his. Tom glowered at him meaningfully, and muttered something about taking good care of her, or else.
And then Mars finally saw his bride.
She was in an exquisite white gown that was so long, it trailed out behind her as she walked. It was covered in lace and tiny white beads that caught the evening sun and reflected it with an ethereal glow. Her face was covered with a bit of lace, so he could not see her eyes clearly, but she gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Let's go, sweetheart," she whispered.
Cupid's Wager Page 8
