Apollo's Protection

by Anna Edwards

  Ambrose uses the distraction, and with a wave of his one good hand, he sends pain crashing through me. Agony sears my nerve endings, and my knees meet the marble floor—the weapon in my hand is forgotten. I hear the cries of everyone in the room, mirroring my own. With black spots dancing before my vision, though, I’m blinded to anything else.

  Fingers fist my hair, tilting my head upward, the force behind them almost ripping the strands from my scalp.

  “I’ll be waiting to take your sons when you least expect it.” The principal hisses against my ear, his breath hot against my cheek. “It will be at the moment when you are the happiest and most unaware. Everything you love will die at my hands. Your children will become devoted followers of Pluto, and the world you love so much will be consumed in flames.”

  Panic tightens my chest. Just when I think I can bear it no longer, I’m suddenly free of the energy holding me prisoner. Apollo is on his feet beside me, his very being pulsing with music. I’ve never seen anything like it. Bathing him in a golden light, it’s bright and as warm as the rays of the sun. I watch as it flows out of him in a mighty wave, roaring into Ambrose with such strength it’s like Apollo’s created a tsunami of sound.

  Ambrose screams as he’s thrown clear across the room and flies into the wall beside the doorway, blood pouring from his ears and nose. Crumpling to the ground, he lays in an unconscious heap.

  “Fuck it, just end him, Fontus,” Apollo instructs, retrieving the spear and handing it to me. “No one threatens our family and lives. I won’t risk having him come after our little ones again.”

  Eva nods. “We’ll find the other islands another way. He can’t be allowed to slither away. We must all agree to pass judgement here and now.”

  I don’t even hesitate. Powering my arm back, I aim straight at the evil man’s heart, and I let the spear loose. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a chance to meet its mark. Pluto appears out of nowhere, a scowl on his sharp features, and with a flick of his hand, he sends the missile tumbling uselessly to the floor.

  “I have use for my principal yet. You may have rescued your child, but you will not take Ambrose from me when his work is not yet completed,” he snaps, glaring as Mars comes to stand beside Apollo.

  The God of War plants his hands on his hips, looking no less intimidating than before. “Give it up, Pluto. You’re never going to win.”

  “We have a problem,” Diana hollers as Jupiter comes to join our group. “There’s a shit load more soldiers on the way. I’m not talking about the ones he’s bred. These things are monstrous and crawling up from the depths of the Underworld.”

  Pluto sneers, “Not even you will be able to fight off all my demons.”

  “Time to go!” Jupiter herds us all into a group.

  Energy surrounds us, and in the next moment, I take a breath of warm Roman air.

  Returning to my father’s villa in Rome, we find the rescued children well-tended to. Even Nalos and his son have been made welcome. Finding them a new home will be a priority as we can’t have a couple of cyclopes roaming the human world. Mankind believe us to be nothing but myths and legends, and like our ongoing war with Pluto, keeping it that way is essential to stop them from panicking.

  “They’ve lost their home,” Eva murmurs sadly, hugging our child close to her breast.

  Brushing a kiss to her forehead, I smile. “We’ll find them somewhere new to live. Diana has a house far up in the Dolomites. Humans rarely climb to that height, and I’m sure she has plenty of room with her menagerie of animals and beasts.”

  I feel Eva’s sadness as if it’s my own. The island is gone. All its magic and the creatures that lived on it have been destroyed by the anger of the volcano that Pluto unleashed. In one way, I’m relieved, but in another, I mourn the loss. Nalos helped us on the island. We won’t abandon him now. Whatever he needs we’ll provide, and we’ll welcome him and his boy into our expanding family.

  My twin’s blue eyes narrow dangerously in my direction. “Now hold on just a minute, you can’t decide who I have on my mountains.”

  “It’s the perfect place for them. There are plenty of peaks untouched by man where they can make a fresh start,” Jupiter responds.

  Our father’s not looking any worse for wear after his fight with Pluto’s men. In fact, there’s a new spring in his step and a sparkle in his eye. After their previous disastrous meeting, it looks like he’s finally regained his confidence.

  Diana huffs, palming her crossbow. She’s always been the odd one out. She finds more comfort in animals and mystical creatures than she does with the rest of us. I know she’ll eventually see it our way and let them stay with her. Under all her prickly warrior exterior, she truly has a big heart for those in need.

  The cry of a baby distracts me. Coventina appears in the room with a warm smile on her wrinkled face as she carries our other twin toward us. Looking a little disheveled, Fontus hurries to meet her, taking the fussing baby into his arms.

  “He’s been fine,” the old woman assures him. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

  Eva gives her a warm smile. “Thank you, Coventina. We owe you so much for helping us on the island.”

  Coventina waves her words away. “You are the ones who helped me. I thought I’d never escape. Now, finally, I can return to the sea. It’s something I’ve yearned to do for so long.”

  I stare down at the child in Eva’s arms that looks so much like me. It makes tears mist in my eyes. I never gave a thought to ever becoming a father, yet here I am with two sons. My gaze takes in Fontus and our second boy child in his arms. The look of awe he wears, I know, is mirrored in my expression. We’re bound together even more, and these ties can never be broken. They’re locked in my heart, and I vow never to let them leave it.

  “He looks just like you,” my father points out. “Here I was thinking Venus would produce our second grandchild. You’ve beaten Mars to it.”

  I grin at my older brother, who has an arm curved around his heavily pregnant wife. “I guess you’re not the best at everything after all.”

  Mars raises an eyebrow. “Don’t get cocky, little brother.”

  Venus laughs, poking him in the ribs. “Don’t worry, we’ll have our hands full soon enough.”

  “I already have a son,” he points out, giving me a smug stare. “You’ll have to get used to changing diapers and night feeds. Let’s see how bigheaded you are about it then!”

  Wrinkling my nose, I realize he’s right. My bachelor life has ended in the blink of an eye. I have responsibilities now to my mates and our babies. It should be a terrifying thought, but it’s not. Instead, contentment washes through me. Glancing at my lovers, I find them watching me closely.

  “We better get some practice in then,” I tell Fontus. “We can’t expect Eva to cope alone.”

  “That was never going to happen,” he points out, his attention proudly focused on the boy in his arms. “She’d kick our asses if we slacked.”

  That’s true. She might be submissive in bed, but our little sea goddess knows how to hold her own. I’m more than proud of her. Down in the Underworld, she showed us just how strong she can be. With our triad and powers entwined, we’re stronger now and unstoppable.

  Laughing, Eva offers Jupiter his grandson. Carefully scooping up the baby, who’s now awake, he cradles the gurgling infant in his arms. They stare at each other, the elder god making noises and pulling faces.

  “Have you named them yet?” Coventina asks, watching over them with a motherly eye.

  Eva, Fontus, and I share a look. With everything that’s happened we haven’t even considered names. I’m still partly in shock I’m now a father.

  “That can wait until after the ceremony,” my father cuts in before any of us can say a word.

  Frowning, I watch him hand my son to my mother. She’s cooing over the little ones with the enthusiasm of a doting grandmother.

  “What ceremony?” I ask.

  Coventina rescues the other
twin from Fontus, who’s wearing the same confused expression as I am. The next thing I know, there’s a flash of light, and we find ourselves standing on a deserted stretch of golden beach. Sapphire waters lap at the sand, and a warm breeze plays with my hair. The evening sky above is painted in reds, pinks, and golds as the sun sets on the horizon. It’s not Italy, of that I’m certain. Somewhere in the Caribbean is my guess.

  Eva and Fontus are beside me. Behind us, the rest of the family stands gathered in a group. Neptune himself is waiting for us on the beach with an entourage from his ocean court.

  “We are gathered here to see the three of you bound in matrimony,” Jupiter informs us, his expression daring me to argue. “There have only ever been three triads in existence to my knowledge. Your binding has made you powerful yet vulnerable. There is a balance you must maintain for you and it to survive. Together you will be a valuable asset in our fight against Pluto. An asset we cannot allow to fade. You must therefore complete the links you have already forged. Commit to each other fully and forever as mates.”

  Taking Eva’s hand, I draw her to me and look down into her beautiful face. Her lips are parted, and her brown hair tumbles loosely around her shoulders as her large eyes stare up at me trustingly. Then reaching for Fontus, I tug him in beside her, admiring his bronzed skin and muscled physique. His gaze is just as accepting.

  “If Eva’s father is anything like my own, we aren’t being given a choice here,” I inform them gently. “But I won’t agree to wed you both unless I know that’s what you want, and, Eva, even if you do agree, but you want something more splendid, we can wait.”

  Eva gently cups my jaw, her fingers caressing my face. “Apollo, we love you. Where you go now, we follow. I know everything has happened too fast, but perhaps, that’s how it was meant to be. I want to marry you both. Here. Now. This is perfect for me, and I wouldn’t want to change a thing.”

  Fontus nods in agreement, raising my hand to press a loving kiss to my knuckles. “A god’s heart is never fickle. When we find the one or ones we’re supposed to be with, there’s no stopping us from being together.”

  Wrapping my arms around them both lovingly, I share a passionate kiss with each. “I love both of you. You’ve become more than life itself for me. I’d die to protect you. Nothing on Earth will ever change that.”

  Never once did I think my future would be found in the sea. Yet here they are. Eva and Fontus. Two young hearts willing to beat alongside my own for eternity.

  “Let’s get on with it,” Neptune booms. “I want to meet my grandsons properly and begin the celebrations.”

  Eva rolls her eyes at her father, but the smile on her lips is filled with happiness.

  Standing among family and friends, we speak the vows of love. Our hands are bound to each other’s by silken white cord in a traditional hand-fastening ceremony. The sun continues to set, casting us all in its golden glow. Seeing them watching me so lovingly steals my breath. My thoughts turn to tonight … our wedding night. When we’re finally alone, I’m going to make love to every inch of both of them. Worship them with everything I am.

  As the rite comes to an end, a cheer goes up.

  I get lost in kissing Eva and Fontus, and the lust I taste on both their mouths is a promise of the night ahead.

  We’re quickly ushered back to my father’s villa where the servants have set out a feast in our honor. Love, laughter, and merriment follow. The trials of the island are dimmed but not forgotten and nor is Pluto’s evil scheme. With other islands and captives to discover, we’ll have our work cut out for us.

  Toasts are made. Wine is drunk, and food is consumed. At some point Mars and his wife scurry off, no doubt intending to find some privacy to have fun.

  Leaving my father’s side, I head over to Eva. Fussing over the twins, she has Coventina and my mother aiding her.

  “I think we should call it an early night,” I inform her, wiggling my eyebrows.

  Looping a lock of hair behind her ear, her cheeks heat with a pretty shade of pink.

  “The babies….”

  “Coventina and I can look after them, tonight,” my mother assures her with a gentle touch to her arm. “Go enjoy your husbands. There will be time enough to worry about your boys tomorrow.”

  I give my mother a wink, thankful she’s kind enough to look after them and also aware she’s hoping for more grandchildren soon. Her life has been empty of little ones to play with since we all grew up. I know she longs for the next generation to watch over.

  Lacing my fingers in Eva’s, I guide her away from the women and in search of Fontus. The party will continue long into dawn. These things can even run for days in my family. By the time we wake, I’m more than sure we’ll be caught up in a second round of celebrations as our guests drink my father’s wine cellars dry. Even Neptune looks like he’s having a good time and is not about to leave any time soon.

  We find Fontus with my sister. Diana looks bored as he chats away beside her. From her expression, I doubt she’ll stay at the villa much longer. She’s always been a loner, preferring open spaces.

  “Fontus, come. It’s time for bed,” I tell him with a command that makes Eva shiver beside me.

  Sliding off his seat, he eagerly hurries to take my offered hand. His grip is warm and sure as it finds mine. With no threats or danger hanging over us, I know tonight will be one we won’t forget in a hurry.

  My sister raises her glass in a salute. “Congratulations, Brother. Let’s hope your offspring aren’t as irritating as their father.”

  A chuckle escapes my lips at her comment. “Wait until it’s your turn,”

  Diana scrunches up her nose. “Never going to happen.”

  Leading my husband and wife toward the stairs to the room above, which has been specially prepared for us, I remember Fontus’ words on the beach. ‘A god’s heart is never fickle. When we find the one or ones we’re supposed to be with, there’s no stopping us from being together.’ He’s right. This was always meant to be. An island filled with beasts, magic, death, and even the God of the Underworld himself couldn’t stop us. The forces that brought us together could not be denied. Our hearts knew even before our heads.

  I’ve been blessed.

  My being is full, and I know with Eva and Fontus at my side we’re capable of overcoming anything we’re faced with in the future.

  If you plan to continue with this series, there’s an epilogue…but I suggest you stop here if you don’t like cliffhangers and don’t plan to continue.

  Thanks for reading!

  I allow the massive wings on my back to close, and I swoop down onto the burned ground of the mountain. Having landed on my hind lion feet first, my eagle claws at the front touch down and embed into the still warm earth. The air is thick with the stench of fire. It catches in my throat and brings a squawk of annoyance from it. I only flew over here a few days ago, and it was a green and colorful place, full of fruit and life. I don’t understand what’s happened. The magic I felt has also gone. It was the most powerful energy to have ever hit me. It was lust filled but sad at the same time. There was a sorrow so great that its heaviness pulled on the island.

  Was this the place my pack were disappearing to? If so, all evidence will have been destroyed.

  I’m the alpha of a pack of all sorts, as we put it. Mythological creatures from the stories of old hidden away together in the mountains of central Europe where we can’t be discovered. We have a variety of different creatures living among us from centaurs to pegasus horses. I’m a griffon. We’re not thought of as the pleasantest of beasts, but that’s old fashioned myths and legends for you. One of our kind does something wrong, and our reputation is destroyed forever. My front half is the body of an eagle and my back half’s that of a lion. Griffons have a feared reputation, but although my rule within my pack is a powerful one, I’m not a coldhearted killer like many people believe my species to be. Well, unless you’re a small rabbit, then if you don’t outrun me, you�
�ll end up as my dinner. We don’t spend all our time in our mythological form. Over the years, we’ve adapted and have developed a human side. My human state is a brown-haired, brown-eyed man with a thing for tattoos—I can’t get enough of them. Thankfully they don’t show when I shift.

  Jumping down the mountain some distance, I look for anything that could help me discover the truth of what happened here. Sniffing the air, I hope to find clues, but everything here is dead.

  “Damn it!” I cry, and the words come out as the screech of an angry eagle.

  Taking off again, I allow the winds swirling around the island to carry me higher and farther away from the warmth of the nearby volcano—the source of the eruption that destroyed the island. It seems too convenient for it to erupt when I was getting so close to finding the pack members who’ve disappeared.

  Among those we’ve lost is a female human—she’s the only one in our pack. We grew up together as brother and sister despite our obvious differences. Fern was abandoned as a baby, and my parents took her into their care. One day she went for a walk and never came back. I’ve been searching for her ever since. I should have flown down and searched when I came here last week, but something about the emotion of the island scared me off. I didn’t want to believe she was here, because it felt so beautiful but also so painful. I will find her, and when I do, I’ll destroy everyone who’s had a hand in taking her.

  The path of the jet-black lava flow leads down to the sea where having reached the salt water it stops. It looks almost magical as if the sea has rejected the fiery, molten hell of destruction. A glint from among the lava covered scenery captures my attention, and I dive toward it in an instant. The ground isn’t as hot here. When I land, I shift back into my human form. The heat of the sun on my back instantly hits me. It’s reflecting off the rocks and is causing the temperature to rise. Nothing will come back to life in this place. It will forever be known as hell. Hell … that’s what it must have felt like last week. The devil possessed this place and burned it alive. People, creatures, they all would have died here. Maybe Fern too. We’ve had several regular shifters disappear: lions and bears. I don’t know why I’m feeling the way I do, because Griffons aren’t known for their empathic powers, but I feel agony here. Agony and birth. It’s a toxic mix that leaves me breathless. People have died here and in ways I don’t want to think about.