"Thanks for saving me the trouble of having to go through the process of dying it back to my natural hair color," she mused, turning her head one way and then the other as she stared at her reflection. "I can buy, like, so much new makeup with that money saved."
Aphrodite's smile faltered as Sage's grew. "What?"
"I don't have self-esteem issues. I'm also confident in my sexuality. So how about you leave me alone so I can get ready to go bone Adonis so hard his hooves fall off."
The goddess smirked, attempting to gain the upper hand once more. "And what makes you so certain that will be a possibility?"
"I love him."
Sage barely masked her expression before she revealed that she hadn't meant to say so out loud. Okay, so the goddess had some of her fears figured out. Maybe she was kind of worried Adonis would leave her after he became human or if the curse couldn't be broken. That he'd find her too difficult to keep satisfied either way things went. Maybe her feelings bordered on foolish, but the attraction she'd had for Adonis had been swift and true. Lust had overshadowed it at first, but the more time she spent with him, the more she felt a connection. He felt it too—at least, she thought he did.
"Foolish child." Aphrodite released her and threw her head back, laughing. "You poor simpering fool."
Now Sage was getting annoyed. "What's so funny?"
"I'm the goddess of love, you idiot child," she pointed out. "You only love him because I want you to."
With that, she flashed away, leaving Sage dumbfounded and staring at her bewildered reflection.
Jacen sat on the couch, holding London's hand as Pan took a seat in one of the adjacent armchairs, setting the syrinx on his lap. What a crazy forty-eight hours it had been. It proved a good reminder that, even when immortal, he wasn't infallible. If this worked, he'd be even more fragile, more breakable. And while he had healed enough to move around and walk without wincing, the soreness in his ribs made him realize all he would give up if he were human.
As if sensing his unease, London squeezed his hand. "We can wait if you want. Or keep going how we have been."
"What?" Momentarily stunned, it took a moment to register her words. "I want to break this curse, and I want to be with you. Bruising more easily is part of the territory." It would be an adjustment, but he would adjust. All he wanted was to be normal again, human, and have a woman he loved at his side. He used his free hand to push one of her dark brown locks over her ear and she smiled up at him, radiant as ever.
London leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Whatever you decide, I am on board with. I love you."
"And I love you, too."
A clearing throat reminded him that Pan was still present. "Are you sure Atropos thinks this is a good idea?" Then, to London, the god added, "And are you certain you want to chance becoming a nymph? This is as much a choice for you as it is for Jacen. Your sex drive will kick up, and I know that sounds great but it's not necessarily a good thing."
London chuckled. "I've had several long talks with Daphne on the subject, and I'm willing if Jacen is. Plus, with Sage and Lily being nymphs, I have a whole support system if I need help." She tilted her head to the side, mulling something over in her mind. Finally, she said, "As for Atropos, she basically told us we wouldn't know if we didn't try, and I think that's the way life should be lived anyway."
Pride filled him that he'd found such an amazing woman. Even if making her a nymph failed, having her in his life was the best gift he could have. Speaking of which…
"Oh, before I forget." He reached over and pulled a gift bag out from between the couch and end table. "Cops took my gift and receipt for you back to the store. After finding it where I dropped it, they figured they could track down the person who had purchased it since they put customer names and info in their system. Had to speak to the cops as well, but Pan took care of getting me out of going in for a statement and saved this from an evidence locker." He winked at Pan who took an elaborate bow.
He held out the gift he'd bought from her the day Theron had jumped him. The bright pink giftbag and silvery tissue paper made for a better presentation than he'd been planning on—also Pan's doing. Jacen owed him one.
London might be selfless and giving, but she did not shy away from presents. She squealed with delight and accepted the gift. Quickly ripping the paper out and retrieving the item, she gasped as she took in the little handbag shaped like a stack of books. "It's perfect! Oh, I love it."
Pan laughed. "I think you're being replaced by a purse, Jacen."
"Oh stop," London said, giggling. "I love him more than the purse, and he knows it. Unless I'm mad at him for something he's done, anyway." She winked.
Now Jacen joined the laughter. "You can't stay mad at me, and you know it."
"You know why." She glanced at his lap and then back to his face.
"Oh, so you're using me for sex." He turned to Pan. "Can you believe this woman?"
His friend grinned widely. "I respect a lady who knows what she wants. And since she chose you, I know she has a good head on her shoulders. Even if she cares more about your dick than your personality. Sadly, can't say I blame her."
The three of them were laughing so hard that they didn't hear the door open. A woman with red hair and a black dress that fell to her knees gawked at them as she realized she wasn't alone. Jacen straightened up. Did they forget to lock the front door? The inn wasn't open to guests yet, but that didn't stop stragglers from trying to get in and book a stay.
"Oh, Sage!" London exclaimed. "Did you dye your hair?"
The other girl smiled and touched the ends of her hair. "This is my natural color."
"I see." London replied, beaming. "You should keep it natural. It's so pretty!"
Ah, so this was the infamous Sage that Adonis had found. "Finally, we meet. I'm Jacen. Sorry I've been hidden away since you got here. Not a great first impression."
"Hi," she said timidly and looked at them all, clearly uncomfortable. Either something had happened, or she was nervous. Maybe about the ritual that night, and if so, it was understandable. Hell, even he was nervous. "Pan, quick question."
"Yeah?" Pan was instantly alert, one hand falling protectively over the syrinx in his lap. Jacen missed his panpipes already. The others hadn't gotten it back, and now Calix's was gone as well. Pan could make new ones, but they took a long time to feel natural. Afterall, they went through so much together, a satyr and his panpipes.
Jacen nearly smacked himself in the forehead. What was he going on about over here? If Pan successfully could recreate what he did to turn Syrinx into a nymph, he wouldn't need panpipes anymore. How weird would that be?
Sage brought his attention back to the present as she asked, "Can you ward a goddess out of buildings?"
Adonis chose that very moment to come upstairs, and everyone turned to look at him. He froze when he saw Sage. "What goddess?" He shook his head. "Aphrodite again. Are you okay?" He crossed the room quickly, and once he reached her, he ran his fingers through her hair."
"She un-dyed my hair thinking to shame me. Joke's on her since I don't dislike my hair color." She visibly swallowed, worry crossing her expression. "Do…you hate my hair?"
Adonis blinked as though in disbelief she'd ask such a thing. "Why could you even think that? Your hair doesn't define you, and even if it did, red suits you. I like it even more than the purple because it is your hair." He pulled her into a kiss and Jacen glanced away from the intimate moment. Adonis deserved a bit of happiness after all the drama. Hell, they all did. The only thing better would be to have Calix come home. Or give them a phone call.
Pan spared them a few moments before interrupting, "I can't keep Aphrodite from entering as long as she isn't attempting physical harm. I can, however, keep her from being able to flash herself or anyone else in or out of a location."
"What's the difference?" London asked.
Pan shrugged. "They can't enter by magical means. But could still walk in if they aren't meaning h
arm. There are other Olympians who can block them completely, but it's a specific skillset to them."
Sage pulled away from Adonis and took a deep breath. "Inside or outside?"
"Both."
She bit her lip and considered her options. "I'll text you when we get there and give you the address." She laughed. "Well, Adonis will because I don't have your number."
"Hand me your phone." Pan turned in the chair and made a gimme motion. Hesitantly, she handed it to him and waited as the god entered his information. "See you in a bit, I guess."
"One more thing," Sage added as she took her phone back. "When do I get to meet Dr. Silverton? My roommate and I watched that Jersey Devil documentary together."
Pan's eyes grew wide, and Jacen bit his lip to keep from laughing.
"You…uh…saw that, huh?"
"Yup." Sage nodded. "I can't wait to meet her. Big fan." She looped her arm through Adonis' and smiled widely. "Finally, I understand why you tried so hard to get in my good graces by taking me along and not making me return to the B&B to hide. She gave you absolute hell for flying off with her, didn't she?"
The god blanched. "You have no idea."
Sage looked up at Adonis. "See, I knew it. I'm gonna like her a lot."
When they were alone once more, Jacen settled back into the cushions next to London, releasing her hand to wrap his arm around her. "They'll make a cute couple. I've never seen Adonis so…"
"Calm?" Pan supplied, worry evident in his expression. "Yeah. She's really good for him. I hope I haven't ruined his chance at happiness though. Hermes always said I made a mistake by not living in Olympus and fine-tuning my abilities. I might have legitimately fucked Adonis over."
"Hey," London said, sitting up a little straighter. "You were sticking up for Ariston and Lily. You did it by accident, but the punishment was not totally undeserved."
Jacen agreed. But still—tough break. Some men learned from the mistakes of their past, and then some became worse monsters than before. Adonis had matured more in the past few months than he had over their entire stint of immortality. If that wasn't enough to cut him some slack with this curse, he didn't know what would be.
"Now," Pan said with some finality. "Are we ready to try this?" He held the syrinx in his hands, raising it to his lips.
Now or never. Even one of the Fates believed in blind faith, and they wove the life threads for every being on the planet, knowing exactly when they would cut them short. London was all he ever wanted, and he was in this with her until the end. Whatever fate—or the Fates—allowed.
20
Sage had always believed in things coming full circle. Returning to the spot in the woods where she and Adonis first met would check that box. After Aphrodite left her apartment, and Sage had woken up Darcy to ensure she was in fact alive—only to get a huge lecture on disappearing for days on end with some strange dude—she had headed back to the inn. She'd wanted to talk to Pan about warding Aphrodite away from them for the night, and maybe forever, because she wanted to spend the rest of her day with Adonis. Even though his crazy ex-girlfriend was still hanging around. Pining.
What she didn't tell him now was the last thing Aphrodite had said to her before she disappeared. The goddess couldn't be making her love Adonis, could she? If she wanted him for herself, what would pushing Sage on him gain? Other than being cruel…
She is the goddess of love though.
Those words had plagued her all day. Through the lunch she'd packed at her apartment, Pan showing up to ward the property and the woods around it, and through the pizza she'd had delivered by a very confused driver. Now, she and Adonis reclined on a blanket in the woods, surrounded by her witchy candles from the first night, and gazing up at the sky above. The sun had set two hours ago, and the full moon lit the ground like a softer, paler sun. Out here in the countryside, the bright stars surrounding it sparkled as far as the eye could see.
Sage sighed. It was so beautiful out here, yet hurtful words from a jealous ex continued to make her doubt her own feelings. That, she supposed, was Aphrodite's whole intent.
Bitch.
"Any stirrings yet?" She patted Adonis' chest and he chuckled.
"I am not sure when these pills wear off. Supposedly, natural arousal isn't suppressed, so I should know if it happens." He had taken a pill when she left to go to her apartment, but that had been over twelve hours ago.
"Don't you mean when it happens? Don't say if." She had enough doubt that she didn't want him to have any of his own. No point in both of them being a mess. "I could get naked, and see if that helps."
"If you do that, I'll only want to lick every inch of you until the eclipse starts. Besides, I haven't noticed…" As his words trailed off, his body tensed. Sage turned her head to look up at him. Something was wrong.
"What happened?" she said, sitting up. She quickly scanned the surrounding woods, searching for any sign of Aphrodite trying to ruin this night for them. While she wasn't barred from the location, she could walk into it from a point outside of the perimeter.
"Whoa, are you okay?" He sat up with her, rubbing a hand up and down her back, attempting to calm her. "Nothing is out there. What did you think…? Ah, Aphrodite." He pulled Sage against him, draping his arm around her protectively. "She won't ruin this night for us."
"How do you know that? She is circling you, waiting for you to be human again, trying to help you be human again."
"Well, she can try all she wants, but I don't want her. She hurt me bad, and what we once had can never be rekindled. Sometimes, where women are concerned, it takes a while for a man to learn his lesson, but he does eventually learn." He frowned. "I never want to see her again."
Birds shrieked and burst from the trees and into the air, squawking as they flew in all directions. Somewhere, in the midst of the sound, a wail of frustration and sorrow shot through the night. And then, as suddenly as it started, it stopped, bringing with it silence and tranquility.
"Aphrodite?" Sage asked timidly.
Adonis nodded. "I have a feeling she won't be bothering us again."
Hesitating over if she should even bring it up, she turned to face him, moving out of his embrace. "She said she was the reason I was falling in love with you."
He sucked in a breath, opening his mouth like he was about to say something, changed his mind, opened his mouth once more…then shut it again. Finally, he said, "She doesn't have that power."
Tears welled in her eyes. "What if she does?" Sage tried to stand, but Adonis grabbed her hand and held her steady.
"Look at me." When she didn't, he tried again, "Look at me, Sage."
She did as he asked and the swell of emotion in his voice made her heart ache. Did he feel the same for her, or was all of it a ruse by a jealous goddess who deemed herself too good for a satyr, but still wanted the man?
"Aphrodite does not have the power to make a person fall in love with anyone else. That's Eros' power, not hers."
"She's the goddess of love." Was what Adonis saying true? Had the words only been said to hurt her and make her doubt her feelings? It wouldn't be surprising, but she had to know for sure. That doubt couldn't be allowed to linger, or it would fester.
"Aphrodite, above all else, encourages vanity over true love. She can rekindle dying flames of the emotion, incite lust, but she cannot make one person love another. Only Eros can do that with his bow and golden arrows."
Sage closed her eyes and took a long exhale of relief. What she felt for Adonis was true. When she opened them, all she saw was his handsome face. She reached out and brushed a lock of hair from his brow. "I love you, Adonis. I might have from the moment I saw you, even though at the time I was too preoccupied trying to get into your pants."
Adonis couldn't believe how much his life had changed over the course of a few months. His penchant for making mistake after mistake seemed to be, at long last, over. He had found the one person he was meant to be with. She loved him, and he was pretty sure he felt the
same. "I could never fault you for wanting to get in my pants, and I love you too." He swooped in and claimed her lips in a kiss that went from sweet to steaming hot in mere heartbeats. He broke away from her and grinned as an all too familiar heat coursed through his body, blazing to life. It started when she'd teased about getting naked, before Sage's fears of Aphrodite came to the surface. "Pan's curse is gone."
Sage's eyes popped open wide and she immediately glanced down at his crotch. "Like, for real?"
He nodded, heat licking up his spine at her perusal. "It might have been for the whole day, but with those stupid pills, I couldn't tell."
"Wait…what?" She shook her head. "How?"
The words of the curse were never far from him, but he'd never fully examined what it could mean after the extent of it had become clear. "Pan said, 'I hope one day you find a nymph who desires you more than anyone else ever will, and your own hubris prevents you from reciprocating it.'" It became painfully obvious now. "Once I broke out of my cycle of hubris, my pride, I stopped blaming others and feeling sorry for myself. Stopped expecting things to be handed to me without fighting for them. I could feel desire again."
"You did it all on your own." She smiled and kissed him lightly on the lips, but he shook his head and pulled back enough to catch her gaze.
"No, Sage. Without you, I never would have realized what I wanted, what I needed, in life to fix it. I owe everything I am and will be to you and you alone."
She rolled her eyes. "That's sweet, but you need to take some credit where it is due."
All Hallows' Satyr (The Cursed Satyroi Book 5) Page 18
