by C. Gockel
‘A couple of weeks. What of it?’
Apollo rubbed his chin with his thumb, looking troubled. ‘Oh.’
‘What is it? This is good news, Apollo. This is all I’ve ever wanted for him.’ There was a glint of happiness in Aphrodite’s eyes.
‘You’re right,’ he said slowly. ‘It’s good news. Of course it is. It’s just…’
‘What?’
Apollo shrugged. ‘It’s really not my place to say, you know. You should celebrate your good fortune.’
‘Apollo,’ Aphrodite said with a hint of steel.
He pasted on a look of embarrassment, while Coop glared at him suspiciously. Clearly Apollo was out for revenge; Coop just had to work out what he was planning so he could stop him in his tracks.
‘We don’t want to embarrass him further, Mother. Why don’t we let Apollo get back to his busy lifestyle and you can come out and meet Skye properly?’
Aphrodite, however, wasn’t paying attention. ‘Come on. Speak up,’ she insisted.
The Sun God shrugged. ‘It’s just, well, we know that Cupid – sorry, Coop,’ he corrected, ‘has made a few mistakes lately.’
Coop growled. ‘What of it?’
‘Well, if I’m not mistaken, true love on its own needs time to develop. Isn’t that right, Aphrodite? Obviously you are far more of an expert on the subject than I am.’
‘You are right,’ she answered slowly. ‘There are exceptions but without an arrow or bullet from Coop, it does usually take time. Sometimes a long time.’
Apollo gave her an innocent smile. Her eyes widened and she gasped. ‘Coop, you didn’t!’
‘Didn’t what?’ he said, not entirely sure where Apollo was heading.
‘You shot yourself!’
His mouth dropped open. ‘No. Absolutely not.’
‘How did it happen?’
‘Mother, I did not bloody well shoot myself!’
Apollo shook his head. ‘There’s no harm in admitting your mistakes, Cupid. You’ve been under a lot of pressure lately. But with the fact you shot the wrong person a couple of weeks ago, then missed someone entirely yesterday…’
Coop couldn’t help himself. He lunged towards Apollo, launching a tightly clenched fist in the direction of his face. Even though the Sun God must have known it was coming, he didn’t attempt to get out of the way.
‘Cupid!’ exclaimed Aphrodite.
‘I’m sorry,’ said Apollo. ‘Clearly the passion he feels is strong. It can only mean it’s not real.’
‘It’s bloody real, you wanker!’ Coop thought quickly and switched tactics. ‘And do you know what? Even if it’s not what you call real, it doesn’t matter. You keep telling me, Mother, that the love bolts are meant to be. That they create true love. Well then, here you go. True love. What does it matter either way?’
Aphrodite looked troubled. ‘Yes, but Fate decrees…’
‘Not for gods,’ he interrupted. ‘We make our own fate.’
‘That’s true,’ said Apollo. ‘And there is, of course, another way to find out whether this is meant to be or not.’
‘What’s that, genius?’ snarled Coop.
He smiled. ‘The girl.’
Coop’s stomach dropped. The last thing he wanted was for Skye to have to deal with Apollo any more than she already had.
‘You’re right,’ Aphrodite said. ‘Has she told you she loves you?’
‘Of course she has!’
‘Are you sure?’ asked Apollo. ‘What were her exact words?’
Coop thought back, then cursed inwardly. Damn it to hell. ‘She said she thought she loved me this morning.’
‘Thought?’ There was an unpleasant gleam in Apollo’s eyes.
He sighed. ‘Yes. But I know she does. She’s shy. She wouldn’t have wanted to say it outright. She was prevaricating and thinking out loud…’
‘I don’t like this,’ said Aphrodite.
‘No,’ Apollo added. ‘Neither do I. And she is human, as well.’
‘What the fuck does that mean?’
‘Coop! Language!’
Apollo shrugged. ‘Humans have been known to twist the truth from time to time to get close to us and the seat of power. To obtain immortality. They can be very manipulative.’
The rage inside Coop boiled over. ‘She is not like that!’
Apollo met Aphrodite’s eyes; she nodded back at him, concerned.
‘There are many humans who would do almost anything to avoid the fleeting nature of their lives. The prospect of immortality is a desirable one.’
‘You can’t believe this idiot, Mother!’ Coop yelled. ‘Skye is the kindest, most trustworthy person I’ve ever met. She’s not after sodding eternal life!’
Aphrodite tapped her mouth thoughtfully. ‘Far be it from me to stop the course of true love. Especially when that love involves my son.’
Coop breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness.
‘But,’ she continued, ‘we need to be sure she is genuine. That this love is genuine. There have been too many mistakes lately, Coop. I don’t need to spend any more time picking up the pieces after you. And I don’t want to see you get hurt.’
Stung, Coop took a step back and folded his arms. Let his mother and bloody Apollo do whatever they wished. All they’d discover was that he and Skye were in love. He tried to push away the tiny voice of doubt that was whispering inside his skull. She did love him; she had to.
‘So what do you propose?’
Aphrodite paused. ‘Has she ever seen you? I mean, you met her after Zeus put on the invisibility spell, right?’
‘Right,’ Coop said tiredly. ‘She doesn’t know what I look like.’
‘Well then, we use that. I’ll lift the invisibility for the next three nights between the hours of dusk and dawn only. If she can avoid sneaking in to catch a glimpse of you, then we’ll know it’s true love. It’ll mean she trusts you completely and you can trust her.’
‘She’ll have to know the spell is lifted,’ said Apollo sternly. ‘And most definitely not realise that this is a test.’
Aphrodite nodded. ‘Yes, you’re right, Apollo,’ she said.
Fuck off, Apollo, thought Coop. ‘This is ridiculous,’ he said aloud. ‘It will prove nothing.’
‘No, I think it’ll prove a lot. If she can overcome her fallible human nature, I think we can safely say her love is real.’
‘And if she fails the test,’ Apollo interjected, ‘you’ll have to agree to leave her to live out the remainder of her human life without you.’
A twist of pain wrenched at Coop’s heart. ‘What’s to stop me from leaving right now, taking her with me and never returning?’
‘You’re a god, Cupid,’ Aphrodite said softly. ‘You’ve got responsibilities. You know things don’t work that way. Sooner or later you’d be forced to return. And things wouldn’t be pretty for either you or your girlfriend. Zeus would see to that.’
Coop clenched his teeth, avoiding the expression of smug self-satisfaction on Apollo’s face. ‘Fine.’
‘Give me your word.’
‘Do you really need me to say it? By Olympus, you have my sodding word. But in three days’ time, you’ll be sorry you ever made this happen.’
Aphrodite sighed. ‘I hope so. For your sake, I really hope so.’
Chapter Nineteen
When the door finally re-opened, Skye was dismayed to see Apollo striding out. She had no idea what he’d been doing with Coop’s mother but considering how angry he’d been when Coop had lifted the love spell, she was pretty sure that whatever he’d been up to, it wouldn’t be in either her or Coop’s best interests. He walked right up to her with a smile plastered on his handsome face. Skye pressed herself against the wall and wished she were as invisible as Coop.
‘Ms Sawyer,’ he purred, taking both her hands in his. ‘What a pleasure to see you again.’
A hot flush began at the base of Skye’s neck and started to spread upwards. She’d not been expecting this level of
congeniality; antagonism would probably be easier to deal with.
She inclined her neck stiffly. ‘Mr Apollo.’
He laughed. ‘Oh, I’m hardly a “mister”. Dear me, I dread to think what darling Cupid is telling you about our little world if you’re addressing me as such.’ He paused for a moment and eyed her curiously. ‘Isn’t it strange that you can’t see him?’
Skye eyed him nervously. ‘I’m used to it now,’ she said finally.
‘But how can you possibly trust someone you can’t see? They say the eyes are the window to the soul, don’t they? If you can’t ever see what’s in his eyes, I don’t understand how you can stand to be around him. He could be rolling them to the heavens whenever you speak. Or making faces behind your back.’
‘I don’t need to see his eyes to know that he’s trustworthy,’ Skye spat back. ‘Unlike you. I can see your eyes perfectly well and I don’t trust you an inch.’
Apollo threw back his head and laughed again. She had the distinct feeling that he was laughing at her, rather than merely her words.
‘He’s terribly good looking, you know,’ he murmured, leaning in to speak closer to her ear. ‘I wonder if he’s too handsome for you. I mean, you’re pretty in a human kind of way, I suppose, but if you saw him you might start to wonder whether you’re really good enough for him.’ He reached out and touched her shoulder. ‘Perhaps you’re right and it’s better that he stays invisible, after all.’
Skye wasn’t sure whether she was being insulted or Coop was but, before she could reply, the Sun God had released her shoulder and was smoothly walking away.
Coop emerged from Aphrodite’s chambers after staying behind to inform her just how little he thought of her efforts to test Skye. He caught sight of Apollo leaning into Skye’s taut frame, his eyes travelled to the hand that was resting lightly on her shoulder and he scowled in annoyance. He stalked up to the pair of them, reaching them just as Apollo took his grubby paw off her and left.
‘What did he want?’ he snapped.
Skye jumped. ‘I wish you’d put the bell back on. I never know where you are.’ She sighed and tugged at her hair. ‘I think Apollo was trying to wind me up. Knowing that doesn’t make it easier though. He still succeeded in completely riling me.’
Coop felt immediately guilty. ‘I’m sorry. He’s an arse.’ And a scheming, manipulative prick, he added silently to himself.
Skye glanced over at the open doorway. ‘Is your mother coming back out?’
Coop gritted his teeth angrily on Skye’s behalf. Aphrodite had stated in no uncertain terms that until Skye passed – or failed – the test, she would have nothing to do with her.
‘I’m sorry. She’s,’ he paused, unwilling to tell a lie, ‘being difficult.’
Skye winced. That didn’t sound good. The note of worry and underlying rage in Coop’s voice meant she had to make sure he was okay, though. ‘It’s alright,’ she reassured him. ‘Mums are often protective of their sons. Just give her a bit of time. Besides,’ she said, trying not to fish too hard for information, ‘how many other girls have you brought to meet her?’
Coop barely registered her words. ‘She just doesn’t understand!’ he burst out. ‘She’ll put absolutely no credence in the way I feel. She’d rather believe Apollo and his lies than listen to what I have to say.’
Skye reached out gingerly, her fingers brushing against his cheek. ‘Oh, Coop,’ she murmured, unsure of what to say. ‘I’m sorry.’
You’ve got absolutely nothing to be sorry about. It’s the rest of us who should feel sorry about what we’re doing, Coop thought, his anger continuing to grow.
He took Skye’s hand and gently squeezed it. ‘Come on,’ he said. ‘Let’s just go home.’
Feeling ridiculously relieved, Skye nodded vigorously. Thank goodness. She’d had quite enough of Olympus and its machinations and marble. If she never came back here again, it would probably be too soon.
Coop kept hold of Skye’s hand as they walked back through the airy, impressive halls of Olympus. Even now, back in his own home, he seemed reluctant to let go. Skye was enjoying feeling protected by him, although she finally extricated her fingers from his when they entered the kitchen. For some reason the visit to Olympus had made her absolutely ravenous. It must be a reaction to all that stress, she mused.
‘I’m going to fix a sandwich,’ she announced. ‘Would you like anything?’
I’d like us to run away together and never deal with any of this crap ever again, Coop thought miserably.
‘That would be nice,’ he said aloud.
Registering the unhappiness in his voice, Skye paused and looked in his direction. Now that they were away from the confines of Olympus, Aphrodite and her concerns seemed very far away.
‘What’s really wrong, Coop?’
‘Nothing,’ he grunted, immediately regretting his terse reply when he saw a hurt expression flit across her face. ‘It’s just…’ He sighed, and watched her carefully. ‘My mother is going to lift the invisibility spell every night between dusk and dawn.’
Skye’s eyes widened. ‘That’s brilliant! I’ll be able to see you! We’ll be able to…’ her voice trailed off and her cheeks coloured at the thought of the new carnal delights offered by actually being able to see Coop. Not to mention the fact she’d feel closer to him when she knew what he really looked like.
Coop sat heavily down on a nearby stool. ‘We also have to stay apart from each other during those hours.’
Skye blinked. ‘What? Why?’
He ran his hands through his hair. ‘We just do. I can’t explain it right now, Skye. I just need you to promise to stay away from my rooms during those hours.’
Skye stared at the space occupied by his voice. ‘I don’t understand,’ she said in a small voice.
Coop could see why. But considering the restraints placed on him by Apollo and his mother, there was little he could do to explain. Inwardly cursing the pair of them, he reached out and drew Skye to him. ‘It’s only for three days,’ he murmured in her ear. ‘Then we’ll be free to be together. Just trust me.’
Clouds of suspicion floated through Skye. ‘You mean we’re not free to be together now? Even though we’re here together now?’
‘As I said, my mother is being difficult.’
Skye frowned, trying to sort things out in her head. She’d heard of men who were tied to their mother’s apron strings, but she’d never imagined Coop would be one of them. Maybe it was a good thing, she mused. If he was respectful of Aphrodite, it showed how important family ties were to him. And that could only be positive, right?
‘Okay,’ she answered slowly.
‘Really?’
‘I don’t really have much choice in the matter, do I?’
Coop swallowed and moved back slightly so he could look into her face. Despite what he’d just told her, the trust in her eyes made his blood sing. He didn’t deserve her, but he was damned if he was going to ever let her go. A sudden thought hit him and he grinned. Nobody had said she had to stay with him over these three days. If she was out of country then there would be no chance of her slipping into his rooms during those hours when he was visible. He trusted her implicitly but he was still concerned about what Apollo might do to force the issue. He wouldn’t put it past the Sun God to do something sneaky to have things work out in his favour. This way, there would be no chance of that happening.
‘Actually, Skye, why don’t you take this opportunity to go back home? See your parents and your friends? Because I’m not sure I’ll be willing to let you out of my sight after these three days are over.’
There was the slightest edge of glee to Coop’s voice which made Skye pause. She wanted to yell about the fact that he was never in her sight so this was hardly fair. But it would be good to see her family and catch up with Emma and the girls. She just wished she understood more about what was happening; there was definitely something else going on and Skye didn’t like being kept out of the loop. Didn’
t Coop trust her? She gnawed on her lip then made a decision. If this was what he needed her to do right now, she’d do it.
‘Okay,’ she said, ‘I’ll go back home until the end of the week. After that…’
‘After that, I’m going to tie you to my side so you never leave again,’ he whispered in her ear, before his lips moved down her neck and began planting little kisses along her nape.
Skye shivered. She hoped this was some weird thing he had going on with his mother and not a convoluted way to get rid of her and get back to all his other girlfriends. Then Coop’s mouth found hers and she stopped thinking entirely.
Chapter Twenty
Later that day, when Skye stepped out of the airport and realised just how cold and wet and grey the weather was back in Britain, she was too focused on keeping her head down to avoid the freezing rain to spot Apollo’s golden head on the other side of the road, watching her and smiling unpleasantly to himself at Coop’s predictability.
The Sun God knew that, without Coop in tow, it would take the girl several hours to get back to her parents’ house. That gave him plenty of time to put his own plans into action. If there was a flicker of guilt inside him, then he squashed it quickly. Both the girl and the stupid cherub had conspired to humiliate him in front of all of his friends. He’d made a complete fool of himself and there was no way he was going to let that slide. Coop and Skye were going to pay for what they’d done to him.
Less than an hour later, he caught sight of Skye’s mother entering the small local supermarket. Following her in, but moving quickly across a couple of aisles to wait for her to catch him up, he began perusing the wine section, selecting a bottle at random to pick up and study. It was cheap plonk but it would serve his requirements.
Fortunately, the woman was a fast shopper and it didn’t take long before she was wheeling her trolley past him. He cleared his throat and aimed for a congenial tone.
‘Excuse me?’ he said.