Apple of Fate

by Elle Beaumont

  Delia

  * * *

  There was something so… so naïve and innocent about Conner. The glint in his eyes, though playful, wasn’t full of wickedness. Delia had seen her fair share of devious glances from others and knew one when she saw one. More than that, he was so nice. Or at the very least, seemed nice. She was judging by what he’d shown her in a day in Selçuk and now at breakfast.

  Delia knew she was getting ahead of herself, but it just felt good to have something fun. A fling, maybe? But whenever she glanced his way, there was a lack of hunger in his eyes. A part of her was disappointed because she found herself longing for something easy, simple, with no strings attached. Nothing permanent.

  After they’d reached the parking lot, Delia suggested she drive, since Conner spent all morning traveling. It turned out he had far better taste in music than her father did.

  Moments away from the beach, Jason Derulo came on the radio, and Acontius turned the volume up. What she expected was the sound of a goat screaming; what she heard, as Acontius opened his mouth to sing, was the same honey voice as Jason himself. Great gods. This guy could sing. He sounded better than Jason.

  “Okay… you have that voice, but you work at a museum. Why?” Delia gaped at him as they pulled into the parking lot.

  Conner turned the volume down and shrugged. “I’ve known my boss for a long time. Arty is like family to me. I’ve known her since I was born, and when she gave me the opportunity to work for her… I took it. Besides, I know more than a person should about ancient history and civilization.”

  It dawned on Delia then: she hadn’t asked if he was single or not. “And you don’t have a girlfriend?”

  “No,” he answered quickly. “I’d use the work excuse, but I guess when it comes down to it, I’m just a little out of my element.”

  How? This man was gorgeous. She didn’t want to laugh at him, but it was difficult to wrap her head around it. He had to be lying—or gay, which was fine, but she would be lying if said that wouldn’t be disappointing.

  She wanted to ask how, but Conner looked as if he longed to crawl under a rock and hide until the conversation passed, so she let it go.

  Delia opened the door and waited for him to exit the SUV before locking it. “Do you come up here often, or do you stay down south?”

  Rounding the vehicle, he stood beside her and glanced up from beneath his lashes. “I stay down south mostly, but I travel to Greece a lot. Most of my family is from Kea Island.”

  “When was the last time you saw them?”

  Conner paused, twisting his lips. “A year ago. Although, I have a feeling I’ll be seeing them really soon.”

  “I hope so. Family is important.” A pang of guilt clenched her heart. She’d ditched her father to spend time with a guy she barely knew. However, aside from lecturing her about safety, he’d seemed fine with it. “After we’re done in Turkey, we’re off to Athens.”

  In front of the car, a pair of concrete stairs led the way to the beach. Delia descended and gazed out over the sand. It was filling up already, even at only ten o’clock in the morning, but it was one of the better beaches that wasn’t private.

  She closed her eyes, absorbing the smell of the ocean, the feel of the sun, and the knowledge that Conner was with her. When she went home to her nothing, she’d want to remember this blip in time.

  “Are you all right?” Conner asked, moving to stand in front of her.

  “I'm fine–no–I’m perfect.” As she looked up at him, her stomach fluttered. His light hazel eyes were still full of concern. “Today is all about fun. So let’s get to it.” Delia reached her hand out for his and squeezed it before tugging him through the sand at a jog.

  She laughed, truly laughed, like she hadn’t in so long. She felt like a girl—like the bubbly teen that she once had been—carefree and wild. Like before her mother was sick, when she could simply focus on being a playful teen. When she could spend time with her school friends, go to the mall, and just be ridiculous.

  Conner’s dark hair fell into his eyes as a breeze kicked up. It only added to his boyish innocence. Where had he been hiding from life, to have not become jaded?

  One moment, Delia was walking backward; the next, she was tumbling toward the ground as her foot sank into a hole.

  Conner’s arms slid around her middle, suspending her mid-fall. He pulled her upright, which positioned her against his chest. This was the second time he’d saved her from colliding with the ground.

  Butterflies flapped their delicate wings in her belly, and a rush of warmth colored her cheeks. “I’m actually not a clumsy person,” she offered quietly.

  Conner’s lips spread into a warm grin. “Really? You could have fooled me.” He lifted his hand, brushing loose strands of her hair out of her face.

  A strong urge to kiss him filled Delia. She didn’t really know this guy, but the whole point of this vacation had been to live and forget the troubles at home. Thinking was the last thing she wanted to do.

  This close to Conner, she didn’t have much distance to close between them. He also didn’t pull away the closer she drew. And when their lips met, something in her sighed. His arm drew her closer so their chests were flush against each other. Why she thought he’d stiffen and pull away was beyond her, but gods… his lips tasted like peppermint, and they felt silky smooth as they collided with hers.

  Tentatively, she dragged her tongue along his, and Conner sucked in a breath, groaning at her boldness. She shivered despite the warmth of the air against them as his hands slid down to her hips, pulling hers into his.

  She felt as he hardened against her lower abdomen, only intoxicating her further. Conner must have tasted the desperation on her lips, on her tongue, because he lifted his hands and cupped her face, and the kiss became frenzied, desperate.

  They were still out in the open, amongst the beachgoers. None had set up their towels near them yet, but Delia wanted more of Conner. More of his body, his skin. She dragged her nails up his back, then into the soft, dark waves at the nape of his neck.

  “Delia,” he murmured against her lips. Pulling away, he left a fiery trail of kisses down the column of her throat. “There is nowhere to go.” His light eyes opened, taking in the long, stretching beach.

  He was right. No caves, no rocks to obscure the view. Just sun-bleached sand and the cold water lapping at the shore. Too cold for them, wasn’t it?

  Clarity entered Conner’s gaze. When he pulled back, his lips were kiss-swollen and red. “Not here, not like this. You deserve more than the discomfort of sand…” His words trailed, replaced by a husky chuckle.

  Still, she wanted that. But she wanted to take her time, committing every dimple, angle, and noise Conner made to memory. A gem taken from this vacation to recall on dreary days back at home.

  “We’re at the beach,” Conner mused out loud, withdrawing. “We may as well get some swimming in, no?” Unbuttoning his shirt, he discarded it on the sand.

  Without his shirt, Conner’s torso was on full display. She’d felt the muscles against him but seeing them was different. Lean, cut, tan muscle flexed as he leaned away.

  Delia removed her shoes, toeing them toward his shirt. She shook her head, grinning like a fool. She hadn’t brought a bathing suit, which meant it would be a very damp ride back home.

  “Let’s go, I guess!” Delia ran toward the water, leaping over the waves and diving beneath the surface. Instead of the cold water she’d expected, it was warm. Not as warm as she was used to, but also not frigid. As she surfaced, she looked around for Conner. He was nowhere to be found. She twirled around and felt bubbles brush against her legs. Moments later, Conner surfaced behind her, arms around her midsection.

  If this was just the start to her vacation, she would take it a thousand times over again.

  The day was full of stolen kisses, bold caresses, and carefree fun. Delia couldn’t remember the last time she’d truly enjoyed herself.

  They spent time
in the water, then patrolled the beachside snack shops, eating and drinking until they couldn’t any longer.

  Inevitably, the day turned into early evening, and it was time to return to the hotel.

  Acontius

  * * *

  Despite not having swimming trunks, Acontius was fairly dry thanks to the hours spent talking and eating beyond the beach. He was stuffed, sunburnt, and “happy” didn't quite describe how he felt. His one regret was that the night must end.

  He sat in the passenger seat of Delia’s SUV, not wanting to watch her walk away. Not wanting the night—or the feeling—to end. But what were the terms of the vow? Did they mean Delia was bound to him for eternity, or for a mortal’s lifetime?

  Delia turned the car off. She didn’t turn to look at him, which was a punch to his gut. “I don’t want to go in.”

  Acontius smiled. He didn’t either. “Well, this isn’t our goodbye, not yet. It’s just a goodnight.” Leaning across the center console, he pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth, and then found her lips against his in a slow, mind-numbing kiss.

  Kissing. Something he’d never done before. At eight years old, when Acontius had taken his vow, it wasn’t as if he’d had an opportunity to kiss girls. The women around him were of Artemis’ Order, and it was forbidden to touch them, or else she’d turn him into a hound—or worse.

  But it was no wonder the other gods spent so much time fooling around if a kiss was only a fraction of what sex could elicit from him. Gods. Delia’s mouth was sweeter than any honey mead he’d ever tasted, and the feeling that sparked deep inside him was a primal urge.

  This was what he’d sworn to never partake in. This was breaking a vow. But Acontius wanted more. He wanted it never to end.

  Sighing, he withdrew. “Good night, Delia.” He opened the car door and stepped out, waiting for her to do the same. His arms encircled her as she sprung at him, and their lips sought one another’s out again, drawing out the inevitable departure.

  “Good night,” Delia echoed, pulling away. Halfway toward the entrance, she spun around to wave at him, then disappeared into the hotel.

  Mid-turn, Acontius’ smile dropped as a woman’s silky voice rang out coldly.

  “Acontius. I was wondering where you were.” Artemis approached him, cupping his chin with her cool fingers. “You broke your vow.”

  Not wholly; it had only been a kiss. But hadn’t he done so much worse with the vow? His length ached in need. Every nerve ending crackled to life as he recalled how she’d felt pressing into him, touching, and tasting him.

  “Artemis, I can explain.” He cast his eyes downward. “I... I…”

  “You were lonely and gave in to baser instincts.” Artemis curled her lip and shook her head. “You’ve broken your vow just the same, and you must pay for that.” She turned her head toward the hotel, lifting a dark eyebrow. “Or someone must.”

  “No!” Acontius stilled himself from leaping at her or dropping to his feet to grovel. “Not that. She doesn’t know. It isn’t her fault I… I screwed up, Artemis.”

  She said nothing, instead waiting for him to continue. Although he didn’t want to, it came spilling out. “Last year, when she was at your temple, I threw an engraved apple at her feet. She read what I wrote: ‘I swear by Artemis to marry Acontius.’”

  Artemis hissed, releasing his chin as she withdrew. “You…” Her expression fell from fury to disgust. “You dishonor your oath to me in such a way?”

  “She doesn’t know. I am sorry, I just… I was tired of being alone.” Tired of the quiet apartment and the same existence day after day. “She is going back to the states… She doesn’t need to be a part of this.”

  Artemis pursed her lips. She turned her back to him, then laughed. “You are a great fool. If you know she is bound to you, you know the only way to sever that bond is death.” She stuck her hand out, summoning her bow, and an arrow appeared in her other hand. “Shall I assist?” They both glowed a warm hue, which illuminated Artemis’ pale skin as she nocked the arrow.

  Panic lanced through Acontius, and he darted in front of the arrowhead’s line of fire. “No! Please, Artemis.” He crumpled to the ground at her feet, bowing his head. “You know what it is like to love and lose,” he whispered softly. It was a low blow, but he was desperate. Artemis had loved Orion with every fiber of her being, and when he died, she swore an oath never to love again—never to be with anyone else.

  Acontius didn’t blame her for that. Apollo had plotted against Orion. Seeing him as an unworthy match for his sister, he unleashed a giant scorpion on the skilled hunter. The stealthy creature wound up being the demise of Orion, and in Artemis’ misery, she begged her father to set her beloved amongst the stars.

  Artemis stilled, but her demeanor grew colder. “You dare use him against me?” She lowered her bow, glowering down at him. “I’ll grant you leniency, since it was but a kiss, and the girl is ignorant of the situation.” As she released the weapons, they dissipated into flecks of gold. “Because of you, that girl will grow sick every time she becomes close to another man, and should she wed them, she’ll die.” Artemis lifted a finger as Acontius wailed. “I believe that is payment enough, but I’ll sweeten the pot for you. If you can earn the heart of that mortal girl, I’ll lift your immortality so you may spend a human lifetime with her. But if you cannot gain her love, you’ll be a hound for all eternity, and that girl will either be alone for the rest of her life, or die.”

  Tears stung Acontius’ eyes. If he’d known how dire the circumstance would be, he’d have never acted so impulsively.

  Delia wouldn’t be in Turkey much longer, just over a week. Could a person fall in love in two weeks’ time?

  “Thank you, my goddess, for allowing me a chance,” he murmured, keeping his head bowed.

  “I will see you tomorrow.” Artemis walked away without another word, leaving Acontius with his shame, worry, and guilt.

  * * *

  By the first week’s end, Acontius had developed a rapid texting relationship with Delia, and when he wasn’t at work, they FaceTimed one another, or met halfway in Balıkesir.

  Acontius glanced down at his phone, smiling at their rambling texts and recalling their day-trip adventures to the Kaz Mountains and Kazdagi National Park.

  Delia: I’m in a small tour group… This guide isn’t nearly as fun as you.

  Conner: No stories of loyal hound dogs?

  Delia: Nope. I’m at the Hippodrome.

  Conner: Beware of flying wheels. They hurt when they fly into the stands.

  Delia: Hahaha. So funny.

  Conner: Ya... miss you too.

  Delia: Wish we were hiking again.

  Conner: My next day off before you leave for Greece?

  Delia: YAS!

  He scrolled through to their last conversation before he arrived at the temple.

  Conner: Delia, you know I’m not a priest, right?

  Delia: OMG. I hope not… I just thought I’d confess a few of my sins… ;)

  Conner: You stole a Furby? What even is that?

  Delia: Basically a cute demon-possessed furball that talks and moves its eyes.

  Conner: That’s horrifying… Why are you telling me this and where did you unleash the demon?

  Delia: IDK you’re easy to talk to. Also, last I saw it was terrorizing Goodwill patrons.

  Conner: Only slightly concerning… but tell me more about how easy I am to talk to.

  Delia: I can tell you anything, and I feel like you listen and see me for me. You don’t judge me. You’re kinda perfect so far… I’m waiting for the dream to end.

  Conner: LOL far from it, but you’re worth listening to.

  Delia: FaceTime me after work?

  Conner: Always.

  * * *

  As Acontius forced his gaze away from the screen, an intrusive thought entered his mind. The deal with Artemis hung over his head like a guillotine, and while Acontius knew he was supposed to make Delia fall in love, he w
as the one tumbling head over heels.

  Everything about her lit his nerves on fire: her laugh, the light in her dark brown eyes, and her hunger to live.

  It hadn’t just been a week for him; it had been an entire year. He’d watched her from afar and felt a tug, enough to toss the apple at her feet. And now they were here. Talking, laughing, and sharing those kisses on the beach.

  “Acontius.” Artemis tore into the turmoil in his mind. “We’re opening positions here at the museum. Emin is retiring at the end of the month, and Nihat is leaving for the states next week.” She frowned, holding up a stack of papers. “We need more people.”

  “What positions are open?” He glanced up from his lax position at the front desk. Eyes clouded with boredom, his body hunched over, and his chin propped up with his palm.

  Pulling a printed paper from the pile in her arms, she slid it across the desk. “Here.”

  Acontius scanned the open positions. Over the past few days, he’d learned of Delia’s need for a job, something flexible for her health in case it plummeted. And knowing what he knew now… it wouldn’t, unless things became serious with another.

  “I’ll see if I can drum up some interest.” Acontius’ eyes flicked toward the doorway, where Jonas, one of Artemis’ hounds, stood in human form. He was stocky, with dark hair and nearly black eyes. His hair consisted of curls wound tightly against his scalp. In short, he looked the part of a Greek god without the power. He was a servant to a goddess, after all.

  “What is he doing here?” Acontius’ voice raised an octave.

  “We need help, I told you.” A smile tugged at Artemis’ lips, and she turned away without saying another word to him, leaving Acontius to glare at Jonas.

  Jonas was beneath him in every way. He’d also been turned into a hound for attempting to force himself on one of the hunters. Five hundred years as a hound wasn’t enough of a punishment in Acontius’ mind.