Lover, Divine

by A. Star

  "Do I?"

  "Your father and I love you," my mother interjected. "We are very proud of you. How could you ever think anythin' less of us? We couldn' have asked the Fates for a more beautiful and talented daughter." She took my hands in hers. "We don't give a damn wha' Garrett thinks abou' any of this. He is not the final authority. He's angry, but it's us he's truly angry at, not you. He'll get past this, but for now, you worry abou' those babies and nothin' else. Nothin' can happen to them, Marie. Do you understand this?" She looked up at my father to reaffirm her statements. He did with a single nod.

  I wrapped my arms around my belly and stared at my parents. "Wha' do you know abou' my babies?"

  "Only tha' his lordship wants them," Da replied. "Badly."

  "Why?" I breathed.

  "I don't know."

  I knew this was about more than just some war that he had prophesied my children fighting in or about finding Chaos' treasure trove. This was about more than Pythia. I couldn't even begin to fathom what Apollo's true agenda was, but it had just torn apart my relationship with my brother, possibly forever.

  So I was damn sure going to find out.

  XVI. A LOVER'S INVITATION

  "Why do you want these babies? Why are they more important than your others?"

  Apollo and I sat on the back lawn of my family's estate beneath a starry sky and a full moon. A blanket was spread out under us and I sat wedged between Apollo's legs. I had been contemplating for days how to broach this subject with Apollo. In the end, I just decided to come right out and ask him.

  "Because they are. Because I need them. Because of the Oracle." Pythia. Again.

  "You made my father out Garrett and make me his heir. You ruined my relationship with my brother and who knows if we'll ever be able to repair it."

  "Your brother will forgive you. Soon. You have my word."

  "Why do you want these babies, Apollo?" I asked again.

  "I already told you why. Make that explanation work for you because another will not come for twenty years."

  I sighed, defeated. "This will never get any easier, will it?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "Us being together. You will always do wha'ever it takes to keep me in my place."

  "Why do you always do this, Siobhan? Why do you pretend not to know why the Influential Families were created in the first place? You are our agents and Earth is your domain. The heavens are ours. Things will always be difficult when you try to deal in the divine, when you interfere in matters that are beyond you. So I ask of you, Siobhan, I beg of you. Trust me and let me take care of you and our children."

  "I trust you," I said, because it was true. It had to be. "I jus' wish you didn' have to keep things from me. It's drivin' me mad. I have to keep remindin' myself who you are and who I am, and tha' there is so much I don't understand. But you have to be patient with me, Apollo. You have to give me time to accept tha' I have no right to demand more from you when I know tha' you are incapable of givin' it."

  Apollo's lips came to rest by my ear. "Do you want more with me, Siobhan Law?"

  Deep down, I knew this was half the issue. I made it all about my children, but this had to do with me too and what Garrett had said. He will leave you. So I didn't lie to Apollo. "Yes."

  "Even though I can never marry you?"

  "Yes," I said. I'd been wise enough to always remember that. Gods didn't marry mortals. Not mortals that stayed mortals anyway.

  "It isn't because I don't want to marry you either," he said. "I could grant you immortality and make you my wife before I rise the sun tomorrow. But I won't because I don't want to hurt you. Because I see more children in the future, and they are not ours."

  My back stiffened. I felt my heart shatter into a billion tiny pieces. I tried to wiggle out of his embrace. He wouldn't let me.

  "Please, Apollo."

  "Why do you always try to run away from me, woman? What makes you even think that you can, especially in your condition?"

  "You jus' told me you're going to be with other women and tha' I have to jus' accept tha'. Well, I don't. It makes me jealous and sad, and in my condition, it's ten times worse. So please, my lord, let me go inside. I'm cold and tired, and I jus' want to go to—"

  Suddenly, we were in Sol, in Apollo's bed, naked, with Apollo's strong, warm body spooned around mine.

  "Bed, my love?" his voice rumbled in my ear as a hand cupped one of my sensitive breasts. "Is this where you want to be?"

  I nodded and didn't even try to resist him when he turned my face to capture my lips with his own.

  Apollo was gentle with me without sacrificing the fierce passion I had come to expect and adore. He loved me from behind and then I was on top of him. We kissed, we loved, we cuddled, but I couldn't get his words out of my head. I could never be his one and only, and that hurt more than words could ever express.

  "I love you, Siobhan Law," Apollo whispered in my ear as we lay together. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, but I needed you to know why I can't make you a promise of forever. I have a destiny too, but you will always have my heart, Siobhan, as black as it is. None of these others will ever be able to claim it. I make you this promise here and now."

  I didn't respond. I just curled up into his arms and fell asleep. I woke up hours later, feeling a bit better about things, though it didn't hurt any less. But this was the life I had chosen, wasn't it? Fate was all about choices and I had chosen to love an Olympian. I was having his children, who would grow up to fight in a war of the gods. This was the choice I had made and I had to live with it, no matter what.

  Rolling onto my side, my attention was drawn by the chest that still sat beside Apollo's bed. It was a lovely coffer, made of chestnut and gold, with an emblem of two golden dragons coiled around each other embedded into the lid. I wondered what was inside, but decided it was none of my concern. If the day came when Apollo wanted to share the secret of its contents with me, then I would be all ears. If that day never came, then I would never know. I had to be okay with this. I had no other choice, not if I chose to love Apollo.

  The deity walked into the room, naked and divine, carrying a tray of fruit which he set in my lap and encouraged me to eat now that I was awake. He didn't have to ask twice. I was famished and the fruit was heavenly, as always.

  "How do you feel?" he asked, feeding me a piece of melon.

  "Better," I said. It was the truth. I did feel better.

  He nodded. "I'm glad. I hate it when you're upset with me. Every time we argue, my visions fade and all I see is darkness. It is like you are the key to my destiny. That without you, Fate will abandon me and I'll be lost. An immortal being with no future. I would rather be imprisoned in Tartarus than to suffer a fate such as that."

  I reached out and fed him a grape. "None of this has been easy for me, you know tha'. Do you think I enjoy being upset with you? I don't. I jus' never expected this would end up being my life. I never expected to be chosen by a god, let alone loved by one. I never expected to be the mother of demigods who are destined to fight in a war of the heavens. It's been a terrible adjus'ment for me, especially since there is so much I don't know."

  "Siobhan—"

  "I trust you, Apollo. I'm jus' stubborn. Maybe even more so than you are. But I have to give in now. I have to let it go because if I don't, it will consume me, and I can't let tha' happen. There are two little bodies countin' on me now and I have to stay strong for them. They have a great destiny and they are going to need me to support them, to console them, and to do everythin' I can to make sure they are victorious. I say all tha' to say tha' I accept my place now, Apollo. I accept who I am and I won't fight it anymore."

  "I just wish it didn't have to be this way," Apollo said, feeding me a piece of pineapple. "I wish we weren't separated by mortality."

  "Me too," I said, understanding exactly what he was trying to say.

  We ate in silence a moment, contemplating the revelation we had both discovered. Neither of us seemed sad
about it. We were more like...relieved.

  "Can I ask you somethin'?" I eventually said.

  Apollo reached out and brushed his thumb over my bottom lip. "Ask me anything, beautiful."

  "My family is hostin' a ball tomorrow night in Dublin. All the Influential Families will be there and as the Law Family heir, my attendance is required now. But I don't want to go alone and I was wonderin' if you'd go with me." I rambled on before he could turn me down. "I know who you are and tha' wha' I'm askin' is beneath you. We wouldn' have to stay long if you don't want. I jus' have to go and mingle a bit as the future head of my family. But if you really don't want to, I understand. I can go alone. I jus' asked because I would really like to have the man tha' I love by my side."

  Apollo grinned and his entire face lit up like I had never seen it before. "I would be honored to accompany you to the ball."

  My eyes widened. "Really?"

  "Of course, my love. Why did you ever doubt me? I cannot deny the mother of my children anything." I couldn't help but notice that he'd said the mother, and not a mother.

  "Thank you, Apollo."

  "There is no need to thank me. I would do anything for you, Siobhan."

  And in that moment, I knew that he would.

  XVII. A LOVER'S HONOR

  "I look like a cow wearin' a bed cover."

  My parents had already left for the ball with my promise that I would be close behind. I believed they suspected that I would be escorted by Apollo, but they didn't ask and I didn't tell. Garrett and Melissa would also be there and I hoped with all my heart that my brother would finally speak to me. He hadn't said a word to me since losing his inheritance and I couldn't blame him. I put myself in his shoes and realized that I would have done the same thing. Melissa had assured me earlier that week over tea that Garrett would see the error of his ways soon, but I wasn't so sure.

  I stood in front of the mirror in my closet, appalled by what I was looking at. The gown I had on had at one point fit me perfectly. Now I just looked like a blimp. I looked like a blimp in all of my gowns.

  "Are you bloody serious?" Vicky said, standing behind me. "You've put on, like, two kilo. If you're a cow, then I mus' be a bloody elephant. And I'm not even knocked!"

  I smiled. "I still hate this gown."

  "Well, hell, Marie. You've only got fifty more at your disposal. How dare you be choosy?"

  I rolled my eyes. "Unzip this monstrosity and help me pick out another."

  Vicky jerked the zipper down. "The hell I will. You're on your own now. I'm going back to your room to call Rupert. Come see me when you're ready for hair and make-up." Vicky escaped before I could demand she stay and help.

  I'd barely turned around to begin my search when there was a muted flash and Apollo appeared before me.

  "My love," he said, bowing to me. I beamed. It was the first time he had ever done that.

  "My heart," I replied, admiring his stunning attire.

  His cuirass was made of a supple, deep brown leather, embroidered with a golden omega in the center and plated with gold around the hem. The same gold plating covered the leather tunic that hung from underneath it and also down the sides of his boots. Beneath his arm, he carried a bronze warrior's helmet with a red plume and hanging from his waist was a beautiful but haunting sword. There was something about the sword that unnerved me, but I couldn't put a finger on it. It was just a sword from what I could tell. I shrugged it off, taking in Apollo once again. He was breathtaking...and masculine and sexy, and if I hadn't already known that his presence alone was going to be the highlight of the night, this moment would have convinced me.

  "You look amazin'," I said. "Absolutely amazin'."

  Apollo seemed sort of uncomfortable with the compliment and actually fidgeted. "It's apparent that I love you because I don't even wear this sort of regalia at Solstice tribunals. You should feel honored."

  I grinned. "Aye, I'm so very honored to be on the arm of a mos' spectacular divine creation such as yourself for this eve's events, my lord." He could tell I was joking and smiled.

  "Get over here and kiss me, woman. Then I will give you your gifts."

  "Gifts? As in more than one?"

  "Yes."

  "Can I have one before and one after?"

  Apollo growled and before I could say another word, his lips were on mine. Like always, like forever, his kiss took my breath away.

  "I foresaw your situation," he said, stepping back.

  "Wha' situation?" I questioned, just wanting him to shut up and kiss me again.

  "You have nothing to wear, it appears." He held out his hands and a waterfall of silk appeared and cascaded over them. "So I brought you a gown."

  I sucked in a breath as he held it up for me to take a better look. "It's....it's gorgeous."

  It really was. Blue, green, and violet silk swirled together to make a stunning gown that flowed and moved and created an effect like an ocean wave even without actually being worn. It was a phenomenal garment and I was entranced by it.

  "I picked colors that I thought would best flaunt your stirring gray eyes," he said. "Do you like it?"

  I could barely keep the tears at bay. "I adore it, Apollo. I'll look jus' like a—"

  "Goddess, yes. That was my intention. You are my goddess, are you not?"

  Swallowing a sob, I nodded. He smiled.

  "Here, put it on. I'll watch and lend a hand whenever I deem it necessary." He winked.

  I laughed and let him help me put the dress on. He was as naughty as promised, but in the end, the dress made it onto my burgeoning body. I chose a pair of soft slippers to cover my feet as it would have killed me to walk in a pair of high heels in my condition. In all, it was perfect—the dress, the shoes, the colors—and I did indeed look like a goddess.

  "Thank you, Apollo," I said, turning in the mirror. "Thank you so much for this."

  "You are welcome, my love."

  The door leading from my bedroom flew open. "Lords and ladies, Marie, how long does it take—" Vicky paused mid rant. She grinned. "Well, hello there, Liam. Didn' hear you come in. Don't you look handsome?"

  "Thank you, Victoria," he replied, his Greek mortal persona taking over.

  "No, thank you for the visual stimulation. Not a man alive who could make a penguin suit look tha' good."

  Penguin suit? I frowned because Apollo was not wearing a tuxedo...

  I blinked and saw what Vicky was seeing. Apollo was indeed wearing a tuxedo, but if I stared hard enough, I could see pass that to what he was really was wearing.

  It was glamour. I sighed. Gods were pretty amazing when they wanted to be.

  "And you, Marie! You look gorgeous! Not at all like a cow."

  I laughed. "Thanks, Vicky."

  "O' course. But I've got to run now. Rupert and I are going to see a band tonight, while you get to suffer at the overdressed hooley this time. I love karma." She kissed me on the cheek, waved to Apollo, and was gone before I could remind her that she hadn't done my hair and make-up.

  As soon as the door closed behind her, Apollo's glamour wore off. His face took on its divine facade once more.

  "The devices other mortal woman may use to enhance their beauty are not needed for you," he said. "You could rival any of the goddesses on Olympus. To me, you are flawless and I love you just the way you are. Your beauty will shine tonight, just as it is, and they will all envy you."

  I beamed up at my lover. "Thank you."

  "Are you ready for your next gift?" I nodded, eager to see what else he was going to present to me. "Close your eyes."

  I did what I was told and felt him move behind me. A moment later, something heavy and cool draped around my neck.

  "Look and see what I forged for you," Apollo whispered in my ear as his arms slid around my waist. His hands cupped my swollen tummy.

  I opened my eyes and felt them widen when I saw the sapphire necklace hanging around my neck. I stepped closer to the mirror and Apollo moved with me. I raised my fin
gers to touch the necklace, hardly believing it to be real.

  "I gave you flowers but no jewels, as you stated was required for our courtship," Apollo said. "I figured tonight would be the perfect time to honor our agreement." He smiled at me in the mirror.

  "I love you so much," I said. "I don't think I'll ever take it off."

  "You don't have to. The sapphires were extracted from my own eyes. The metal is a ribbon of sunbeam that I molded and fashioned to hold the stones together. The necklace is indestructible. Nothing like it has ever been created. Nothing like it ever will be."

  It was one of a kind. I nearly choked on my sob. I was so pregnant and emotional.

  "And don't believe for one moment tha' I've forgotten abou' the candy. Tha' was also a requirement for me," I teased, wiping at my eyes.

  "Whatever do you mean?" he replied with a wink. "I'm sweeter than any treat, but you already know that, don't you? You've tasted me." His grin was positively devilish.

  I shook my head. "You are an impossible man."

  He shrugged, not denying it. "Are we ready to leave for the ball?" he asked.

  "Almos'."

  Waddling into my room, I found Apollo's handkerchief. I headed back into the closet, folding it into a cuff that I had Apollo help me fit around my upper arm. From the look on his face, I think I honored him somehow, though he never stated so.

  "Now I'm ready," I said. And it was the truth. I was ready for the world to meet my lover, and know that he was mine and I was his, and that nothing in this universe would ever come between that.

  The ball was held at the national museum in downtown Dublin. The museum had an enormous ballroom that was used for all sorts of important events. I had been there several times before and knew my way around the building quite well, so when Apollo and I appeared in the twelfth century war exhibit, which was nowhere near the ballroom, I didn't mind.

  "We should wait and make an entrance," he said, strolling around the exhibit.

  "We are already two hours late," I replied, like it mattered. Somewhere between my closet and the museum, I had become a bundle of nerves and I had a feeling that Apollo knew that. Our little detour was more for my sake than anything. It made me smile to know he cared that much.