by Unknown
“Vhich sharp-dressed man are you talking about?” Kirill sauntered past Trevor and struck a pose, setting his hands casually in his pant pockets.
“Oh,” my eyes widened.
Kirill had gone for a full suit; black on black, with a slim, pale blue tie for color. His hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, making it appear short from the front and bringing out the angles of his face. Although his lion heart was just as wild as Trevor's, Kirill didn't exude the same ferocious appeal. His allure was more subtle, seeping in slowly, like scented oil massaged on skin. You meet him and think; wow, he's attractive. But then five minutes later, you realize he's addictively gorgeous. The kind of charisma infused beauty that keeps pulling you back without an effort at all. You end up staring at him because there simply is no other option.
I think it had to do with the twist my magic had put on his lion instincts and the fact that Kirill had been born a human prince, son of Peter the Great. He exuded the confidence of a man who was secure in both his place in the world and his attractiveness. He was powerful but too satisfied to be ambitious, deadly but too reserved to display it, and strikingly handsome but too modest to use it to his advantage. A lion, born to be king but content to let his queen rule so that he could do what truly made him happy; protect her.
“Are they voguing?” Azrael asked Odin as they strode into the large (thank goodness) dressing room.
Azrael was wearing an angelic shirt, one enchanted to split around his wings. It was a wrap style that should have looked feminine but on him, it was pure wicked masculinity. It fell in a deeper V than my bodice, showing off an obscene amount of thickly sculpted chest. Midnight black, the shirt played up his sinister new facial hair; a goatee which gave his angelic face a villainous twist. The only thing that saved him from looking like sin incarnate, was his slacks. They were the same sky blue of my dress.
Odin had apparently got the pale blue memo too but he'd upped the ante. He was dressed completely in the color. However, he'd also gone totally Norse. He wore a heavy cotton tunic with leather pants. Yep, even the leather was baby blue. Around his waist was a black belt from which was hung an elaborate sword, and on his feet were black boots. He was the tallest of my men and had the thickest build, as you'd expect of a Viking god. But he didn't look barbaric, not even with his shoulder-length hair and full beard. The hair had golden highlights and the beard was neatly trimmed but what really gave him a civilized look, was the look in his color-shifting eyes. He stared out at the world like he'd been studying it for centuries but still wanted to learn more. I guess, at heart, Odin was really more of a scholar than a warrior. Of course, that didn't mean he wasn't capable of kicking some ass.
“I think I'm going to faint,” I fanned my face dramatically. “Why don't we just stay home and have dinner in bed?”
“Uh-uh,” Azrael gave me a devilish grin. “You talked us into this party and we all got dressed up for it. We even color coordinated. We're going.”
“Alright,” I laughed. “But I don't know whose arm to take.”
A flurry of movement erupted and suddenly both of my arms were claimed. Kirill, who had been closest to me, had the left and Azrael got the right. I just shook my head and let them lead me out while Odin and Trevor fell into line behind us, grumbling.
Chapter Eight
“I haven't seen this many people here since...” I trailed off as I realized what I was about to say.
“Since I abducted you and had a Ball to present you as my trophy?” Smooth and low, Anubis' voice slid over me and I turned to see the God of the Dead smiling at me regretfully. “I hope I haven't forever ruined any chance of you enjoying Duat.”
“Not at all,” I went forward and gave him an awkward pregnant-woman hug. “The ballroom looks amazing... as usual.”
“Thank you,” he smiled sweeter as he nodded and the little gold beads in his straight, ebony, shoulder-length hair clicked together. “All of you are most welcome,” his oil slick eyes shifted to include my men before settling on me again. “I've invited my entire pantheon tonight. You've met most of them but I doubt you'll remember.”
“I was a little stressed the last time,” I gave him a small smile.
“Yes,” he sighed deep. “Hopefully this time you'll be able to focus more on enjoying yourself and socializing. Still, may I be so bold as to ask you for a dance later?”
“Nyet,” Kirill said immediately and my other men shifted together behind him in support.
“You can't blame a god for asking,” Anubis chuckled and held up his hands. “Your lions are waiting to see you,” he indicated a section of the massive room, where the souls of my dead Intare waited, looking completely corporeal. “They've been excited for days.”
“Their brothers have been too,” I nodded to the group that was already being enveloped in lion hugs by their living brothers. “Thank you, Anubis,” I laid a hand on his arm. “It was nice of you to invite us.”
“As long as the invitation truly came from you,” Trevor added.
“What does that mean?” Anubis frowned.
“They think that this was Re's idea,” I said in a low voice.
“Re?” Anubis frowned deeper. “Why would he want me to invite you in particular?”
“He didn't tell you?” I blinked in shock.
“Tell me what?” Anubis' eyes narrowed. “What did he do now?”
“Nothing,” I shook my head. “It's a long story but basically, I've recently had some trouble with the future.”
“The future?” Anubis' angry look went blank.
“I had to use my ring to go into it and change a few things,” I took a deep breath and then forged on. “I had lost Odin and needed a new lover. You were married, so-”
“I was married?” His face turned hopeful.
“Yes,” I stopped to smile. “I told you, you just need to be patient and keep looking for her.”
“You did tell me that,” Anubis' eyes softened. “And I am still looking, though maybe not patiently.”
“Anyway,” Azrael rolled his eyes and came up beside me.
“Anyway,” I slid Az an irritated glance before going on. “I ended up with Re.”
“You what?” Anubis went back to being angry.
“It's all in a future that will never happen,” I assured him. “I changed it.”
“Then why is it an issue?” He asked shrewdly.
“Because Re somehow remembers it,” Odin answered grimly. “And he's determined to steal our woman.”
“What?!” The jewel tones over Anubis' black irises started to swirl.
“Can we all just relax please?” I huffed. “I saw Re recently and we've worked it out. He's going to leave me alone. He promised he wouldn't even attend this party.”
“Well, that explains why he's not here,” Anubis growled, his eyes shifting around the ballroom. “Even though he was the one who suggested this party; said we needed to liven things up around here. I thought nothing of it.”
“Did he tell you to invite Vervain?” Trevor went on.
“No, but he'd know I would,” Anubis went back to searching the room. “I don't like this. Re can be tricky. He'll keep his word, he always does, but swearing to not attend the party isn't the same as swearing to not show up in my palace. He could still be lurking around here somewhere. Don't go anywhere unattended, Vervain. I'm going to have some jackals search the palace and grounds for him. If he's here, we'll find him.”
“Darling, what's upset you?” Anubis' mother, Nephthys, had sashayed up silently. Her voice was as melancholy as usual but it had nothing to do with her emotions, she was simply the Goddess of Mourning and she couldn't help it.
“Nothing, Mother,” Anubis said instantly. “I've just remembered something that I need to take care of. Will you do me the courtesy of introducing Vervain and her fiances to the family?” He kissed her cheek and hurried off.
“Of course,” she frowned after her son and then transferred her dark gaze to me. “Ve
rvain, you are blossoming.”
“Thank you, Nephthys,” I gave her a hug. “It's good to see you.”
“You as well, darling,” she sighed. “I just wish it were my grandchild within that belly.”
“Um,” I glanced at my suddenly snarling men and gave Nephthys' hand a pat. “Why don't we go and meet everyone?”
“Oh, yes,” her eyes slid out to the crowd. “You at least recall meeting my husband, Set?” She asked as she waved a hand in the direction of Anubis' father.
“Oh yes,” I cleared my throat. “I don't need a repeat of that.”
“He is rather boorish sometimes,” she gave a light laugh. “Ah, how about Isis and her husband, Osiris,” she indicated a stunning Egyptian couple who were talking with my friend Horus.
“They attended Odin's funeral,” I glanced back at Odin. “Horus said some very touching things about you.”
“That was nice of him,” Odin brightened. “I hope his parents recognize me in this new body.”
“Sweetheart,” I laughed. “You look exactly the same. Well, except now you have two eyes again.”
“Yeah,” he huffed a laugh. “That's magic for you.”
“I'm afraid, I don't remember actually meeting them at the funeral though,” I admitted. “I was a little distraught.”
“Let's change that then,” Nephthys offered as we made our way through the crowd.
“Vervain!” Ma'at, Anubis' sister, came up on my left and grabbed me.
She looked magnificent; pearly hair done up in complicated curls and her dark skin dusted with opalescent powder. A gown of deep green silk flowed around her, a step away from being scandalously sheer. Ma'at was supermodel thin and very graceful, twirling into her mother's embrace after hugging me.
“Mother, what are you doing with Vervain?” Ma'at asked Nephthys.
“I'm going to introduce her to Isis and Osiris,” Nephthys said.
“Oh no, not them,” Ma'at rolled her eyes. “They'll monopolize Vervain as soon as they get their hands on her. You know how Isis is with magic wielders. Best to leave them for last. Come this way, Vervain, I have something better in mind.”
“Actually, I think I'd like to go and speak with Isis and Osiris. It's been a long time since I've seen them,” Odin edged away. “If you don't mind, love?”
“No, go ahead,” I kissed his cheek and he started off in their direction.
“Who are you intending to introduce her to?” Nephthys frowned at her daughter.
“The twins of course,” Ma'at smiled wide.
“Oh!” Nephthys looked relieved, which made me wonder who she thought her daughter was going to take me to. “Yes, she'll love them.”
“The twins?” I asked as Ma'at led us to the side of the room.
“Here we are,” Ma'at waved her hand at a couple of strikingly beautiful Egyptian women.
The first had tawny gold hair flowing in waves down to her rounded rump. Her eyes were deep chocolate brown and her skin was a pale gold. Elegant fingers were tipped in vicious looking talons and when she smiled, her full lips parted to reveal a set of fangs. She was wearing a gold, slinky gown and she filled it out way too well.
Next to her stood a more subdued beauty. This woman had pitch black tresses and deeply tanned skin, which seemed to mute the harsh color of her hair. Her body was sleek but still curved in the right spots. I knew this because she was wearing a skin tight, black, mini dress. Golden cat eyes smiled at me before the grin reached her lips and revealed that she too had fangs.
“Sekhmet, Lion Goddess of Healing and War,” Ma'at waved to the golden goddess, “and Bastet, Cat Goddess of War and Protection” Ma'at waved to the dark lady. “I'd like you to meet Vervain, Goddess of Lions, Love, and... what is it now, Vervain?”
“The Moon,” I chuckled. “I know, even I get confused sometimes.”
“Ah yes, the Moon,” Ma'at went on. “She's also the Queen of the Faerie Fire Kingdom, and my dear friend.”
“This is the one Re saved from Anubis?” Sekhmet lifted a brow and looked me over.
“Well, he helped but it was more Ma'at who rescued me than Re,” I shot a quelling look at my guys, who had immediately tensed at the mention of Re. “But it's all good now, I don't hold a grudge towards Anubis. He's provided an afterlife for my lions and that goes a long way toward making up for things.”
“That's wise,” Bastet held out a hand to shake mine and I noticed that she had claws too. “It never does you any good to hold a grudge. Especially against gods who could be powerful allies. Plus, you never know why people do the things they do. Perhaps they have a good reason but you just can't see it at the time.”
“Yeah, Anubis had a good reason; he wanted my woman,” Trevor growled.
“Trevor,” I whispered. “Please.”
“Sorry,” he huffed.
“No, don't apologize, Handsome,” Sekhmet purred. “I like a feral man.”
“You did catch that I'm taken, right?” Trevor narrowed his eyes on her.
“I didn't say I wanted to bed you,” she clucked her tongue at him. “Just that I like you. Down, Boy.”
“Oh my damn,” I exclaimed and laughed at Trevor. “She just put you in your place.” I reached out and shook her hand. “It's nice to meet another lion goddess.”
“Yes, it most definitely is,” Sekhmet agreed. “We cats gotta stick together.”
“I guess I deserved that,” Trevor sighed and held out his hand to Sekhmet too. “My apologies.”
“Again, I say,” she shook his hand, “do not apologize. Not ever. It's a waste of words.”
“Anyway,” I cleared my throat before I started to laugh again.
“I can be feral,” Aidan, one of my Intare, declared from his spot against the wall, a few feet down from us.
“Mmmm,” Sekhmet looked him over thoughtfully. “I'll bet you can. And I happen to love lions.”
“And I happen to have been searching for a lioness lover,” Aidan waggled his black brows at her. “Care to dance?”
“Love to,” she licked her lips and took his hand.
“Oh, you were so right,” I said to Ma'at. “I like them both.”
“I knew you would,” Ma'at nodded.
“Well, I guess my services aren't needed,” Nephthys kissed my cheek. “Have fun, my darlings. I'm going to find my husband before he insults someone more powerful than himself. Again.”
“Good idea,” Bastet gestured behind us and I turned to see Set talking to a tall man with a regal and stern face.
“Oh dear,” Nephthys hurried off.
“Who's that?” I asked Bastet.
“Ptah,” she said and shared a look with Ma'at. “Sekhmet's husband. He's a bit volatile and carries this scepter that can do unpredictably powerful things.”
“Sekhmet's husband?” I asked and looked over to where the lion goddess was dancing with my lion.
“Oh, they have an open marriage,” Bastet waved a hand. “You're not the only lioness who likes multiple lovers.”
“Oh, alright then. As long as Aidan isn't getting himself into trouble,” I sighed in relief. “Let me introduce you to my fiances. This is Trevor, Azrael, and Kirill.”
“A pleasure,” she nodded to them but kept her claws to herself, so different from her sister.
“Wait,” I looked back and forth between Bastet and Sekhmet. “You're twins?”
“Fraternal,” Bastet laughed. “Not that it would matter, the magic made us as we are.”
“How stupid of me,” I rolled my eyes. “Of course.”
“Not at all,” Bastet said graciously. “We've been in these forms for so long, even we forget that they aren't our original bodies.”
“Oh,” I grimaced. “I'm so sorry but I'm afraid I need to use the restroom. Please excuse me.”
“I need to go too. I'll accompany you,” Bastet offered.
“Just like human women,” I giggled and Bastet giggled along, sliding her arm through the crook of mine. We began to hea
d for the ballroom door and my men followed behind us.
“I think we'll be okay, gentlemen,” Bastet stopped to look back at them in surprise.
“We're on high alert, I'm afraid,” Trevor explained. “We can't let Vervain go anywhere unattended.”
“She's not unattended, she has me,” Bastet huffed. “And my claws are just as sharp as yours, Froekn Prince.”
“What's wrong?” Sekhmet was suddenly beside us, trailing Aidan.
“Vervain's men won't even let her go to the bathroom by herself,” Bastet reported to her sister in a horrified tone.
“Shut up,” Sekhmet laughed, waving her hand like it was ridiculous.
“No, I'm serious,” Bastet insisted.
“I'll be okay,” I whispered to my men.
“Look, I'll go along as well,” Sekhmet offered. “Then she'll have two war goddesses with her, and may I just say that we both kick ass... major ass. She'll be perfectly safe, I promise.”
“What about our dance?” Aidan pouted.
“We'll dance later,” Sekhmet purred and drew a claw down Aidan's cheek. “I promise.”
“Okay then,” Aidan gave her a goofy grin.
“Well,” Trevor frowned and exchanged looks with Kirill and Azrael.
“I guess it's alright,” Azrael looked worried so I gave his hand a squeeze.
“I think we're getting a little paranoid,” I said. “I'll be fine.”
“Alright. Five minutes,” Trevor finally said.
“I'm not making any promises,” I teased. “You know how it goes with pregnant women.”
“TMI, Honey,” Sekhmet waved her long nails in my direction. “Come on, let's go.”