Isadora scowled her sister’s way, then immediately regretted her aggravation. She was getting worked up over something that wasn’t even real, but she knew how Demetrius thought. Knew, even after their binding ceremony and everything they’d been through, that he still didn’t believe he deserved her. Didn’t believe he was worthy. Didn’t believe she could love him. When was he going to get it?
“Ilithios,” she muttered.
The babe in her belly kicked out several times, as if he agreed, and Isadora rubbed a hand over the growing bulge to soothe the kid. Even their baby got it, dammit.
A knock sounded at the outer door. Isadora said, “Come in,” without bothering to ask who was there.
Her other sister, Callia, moved into the room. Disheveled auburn hair hung to Callia’s shoulders, and her light blue cotton pajamas were rolled up on one leg as if they’d been twisted in sleep. But it was the look of distress that showed clearly in her eyes that forced Isadora to take a breath and calm her temper. “I felt something. Is everyone okay?”
As they were all three connected through their link to the ancient goddesses, the Horae, they could each feel when one was in trouble. Or frustrated, as was the case now. Casey crossed one leg over the other, looked toward Isadora, and shrugged. “Okay is a relative term at the moment.”
Callia’s worried gaze darted to Isadora. “What does that mean?”
Isadora sighed again. “It means some men in this family have no brain. Or refuse to use the tiny one they were born with.”
Relief spread over Callia’s pretty face. “Oh, just that? Their brains tend to run due south more often than not.”
Casey laughed.
Isadora rolled her eyes. She wished that was what this was about. The fact Demetrius hadn’t touched her like that in weeks was another reason she was nearing the edge of her sanity. Every time she made a move, he wiggled out of her grasp, muttering something about not wanting to hurt the baby.
At least he was calling it a baby now and not a thing. That was an improvement, right?
Callia rested her hands on Isadora’s belly the same way Casey had, but because Callia’s gift was a healing one, not vision centered, she only smiled. “Baby seems good. Pulse is a little high, but nothing to worry about.” Her gaze lifted to Isadora’s. “What did Demetrius do this time?”
“The question is what didn’t he do?” Casey said.
When Callia glanced her way in question, Casey relayed what she’d seen in the vision. And when she was done, Callia’s gaze snapped back to Isadora. “What are you going to do?”
“What can I do?” That anger and frustration she’d worked hard to tamp down came steamrolling back. “If he wants to brood, I can’t stop him. And I’ve got other things to worry about right now, like where the hell Titus is and what this Natasa person was doing in our realm.”
“Cerek and Phineus were able to get the portal working again.” Casey swung her foot and pursed her lips. “But there was no location logged in the data stream. And Theron told me earlier that Skyla wasn’t having much luck with Titus’s computer. Though this is of interest… She was able to figure out that he’s been searching satellite images of Maelea’s house on Vancouver Island and the forests outside the colony since they brought Gryphon home.”
“Searching for what?” Callia asked.
“Not what,” Casey answered. “Who. Skyla thinks he’s been looking for Natasa. They met at the colony.”
“I know.” Callia lowered herself to the window seat next to Casey. “I was there.”
Her sister was lost in thought. About what, Isadora didn’t know. She’d been in the room too when Titus had brought Natasa to see Nick, but she didn’t remember anything weird happening then. Or Titus’s reaction to the redhead, for that matter. Then again, she’d been distracted at the time.
She sighed and resumed pacing. “So we’re no closer to learning anything.”
“Maybe not, but…” Casey bit into her bottom lip.
“But what?”
Casey looked up. “I wasn’t going to bring this up, but I overheard a conversation Theron was having with one of the guys via com unit.”
“About what?” Callia asked, tuning back into the conversation.
“I guess when Orpheus and Demetrius left here, they went to see Delia.”
“The witch?” Isadora asked in shock. “Demetrius went to the coven?”
He’d gone without her. That hurt almost as much as the fact he hadn’t tried to talk to her after the party. She’d supported him through so much, was the one who’d encouraged him to embrace his heritage. The fact he could so easily push her aside sent her temper through the roof.
Casey nodded. “I couldn’t make out much, just Theron’s side of things, but he mentioned something about an unquenchable fire.”
Everything inside Isadora stilled. Even the baby slowed its frantic ballroom-dancing jig. An icy chill spread down her spine. “Say that again. Are you sure he said unquenchable fire? Those exact words?”
“Yes.” Casey’s brow furrowed. “Why?”
Isadora reached for the arm of a nearby chair and lowered herself into the seat. “Oh my gods.”
Callia pushed to her feet. “Isadora? Are you okay?”
Isadora held out a hand to keep her back. “I’m fine. It’s not me or the baby. It’s…” She dropped her hand and looked at her sisters. “Unquenchable fire. Some call it Armageddon, others the Apocalypse. Whatever the term, it’s a reference to the end of days. A fiery inferno that’s supposed to spread all across the entire human realm and destroy every living thing in its path.”
Casey and Callia exchanged holy skata glances. Quietly, Callia said, “How do you know about this?”
“When I was in school, studying to rule just in case our father was never able to produce a male heir, it was covered in the ancient texts. Prometheus, as you know, is the one who gave fire to humans. But he was worried Zeus and the other gods would one day lay claim to what shouldn’t belong to them. It is written that should that day ever come, he would rather see the end of all things than the human realm in the hands of the gods.”
“What are you saying?” Callia asked. “That Prometheus is planning to destroy the earth? How could he even do that? He’s still imprisoned by Zeus.”
“He could if he planned this long ago,” Casey said quietly. “He’s the father of forethought. Who’s to say he didn’t put a time limit on things. If the Orb wasn’t found by a certain date, if its pieces weren’t uncovered by a specific time... He could have even put conditions on power shifts within the heavens. These are gods we’re talking about, not humans or Misos or Argoleans who live in a finite universe.”
Shit. That made a lot of sense. Isadora’s pulse picked up speed.
Silence settled over the room. Then Callia said, “If that’s what this is... If the guys have found evidence it’s coming…”
“Then Titus isn’t the only one in danger.” Isadora’s thoughts skipped to the hundreds of colonists at the Misos Colony. And to Nick. Though she was still pissed at him for what he’d done, she didn’t want him harmed. And she’d never forgive herself if she didn’t do something—anything—to save the people her father had forsaken.
She pushed to her feet.
“Where are you going?” Casey rose too.
“To get dressed. Someone has to find Titus before it’s too late. Our heroes aren’t getting the job done.”
“No.” Callia’s eyes widened with understanding. “It’s too risky this late in your pregnancy.”
Through their link with the Horae, and with the help of the Orb, the sisters were able to see into the present. They’d used that gift once, and it had worked, but there had been repercussions.
“What other choice do we have?” Isadora asked. “Maelea said she sensed great power within Natasa. Stronger than any god. I’m not going to sit back and do nothing when we can harness our gifts together and find Titus. The Argonauts aren’t making any progress. Th
ey’re only wasting time. And contrary to what you both think, I’m not a piece of glass. I’m stronger than I look.”
Casey pursed her lips, then looked to Callia. “She does have a point.”
Callia frowned. “Don’t do that. You’re supposed to back me up.” Then to Isadora, “Look, even if I wasn’t worried about the effects on the baby—which I am—I’m more worried about you. I know you’re strong and tough, but you’ve been through so much. And you’re the only heir to the throne we have. Casey and I can’t rule. The Council will never recognize Max. If we lose you, the Council wins. And Zander, Theron—all of the guys, especially Demetrius—will be pissed if we take the chance.”
“Leave the Argonauts to me.” Confidence swelled inside Isadora. A confidence she was growing more accustomed to with every passing day. If nothing else, her father had taught her how not to rule. “This is a matter of life and death. Some things are bigger than one person.”
When Callia frowned, Isadora softened her expression and added, “If I feel a twinge of anything, I’ll pull away. I promise.”
Casey pushed to her feet. “Promising and doing are two very different things.”
Isadora knew that better than anyone. She lived with it every day.
She pushed aside thoughts of her mate, squared her shoulders, and glanced between her sisters. “As queen, I promised to protect my people. And those people include the Misos. No matter what, I’m not about to fail them. Now hold out your hands. It’s time we stop letting the men screw everything up and find that Argonaut once and for all.”
* * *
Natasa’s pulse raced as she rested her head against Titus’s shoulder and fought to slow her breaths.
Sweat slicked her skin, and his arms held her tight, but for once she didn’t feel claustrophobic. There was no heat. Just cool, tingling sensations that reverberated all through her veins, into her limbs, even down her fingers.
“I…” His voice echoed against her ear. “Wow.”
A smile spread across her lips. Wow for her too. She could still feel him inside her, softening slightly but still there. Still long and thick and gloriously naked. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
He chuckled, and the sound resonated from his chest into hers. Felt so damn good. “Next time I promise to do all the work.”
“How soon can there be a next time?”
He stilled beneath her, and she felt something—a shift in him somehow. Confused, she pushed up on one hand and looked down.
His hair was mussed, his features relaxed, but there was something in his eyes. A doubt. A worry. A fear that hadn’t lingered there before.
She rolled off him, tugging the sheet up over her body. Nerves ignited in her stomach, reminding her they might have this incredible chemistry, but there was an ocean of things between them they needed to discuss.
“How did I get here?” she asked, figuring starting with easy was the best bet all around. “And where is here? I have a vague recollection of a hospital room, but this doesn’t look like the same place.”
“We’re at the Misos Colony. I called Nick, their leader, and asked him to pick us up.”
“The colony?” She tensed. “Does anyone else…?”
“No.” He smoothed his hand down her arm. “No one else knows we’re here and Nick promised to keep his mouth shut.”
“Oh.” She relaxed back into him and stared up at the ceiling’s intricately carved wood beams. “And this room?”
“We moved you here after your temperature cooled. Thought you’d be more comfortable. Well—” a smile curled through his words “—I think Lena and the other clinic staff though we’d both be more comfortable. We didn’t fit well in that single bed together.”
She was comfortable with him. Very. The memory of him pressing deep inside made her hot all over again. She bit her lip.
He rolled to his side, facing her, and chuckled. “I might not be able to feel your emotions but I can definitely feel your body temperature heating up. Give me a minute to recover, okay? I may be a hero, but you have a tendency to overwhelm me.”
She smiled, the tension inside her easing. She closed her hands over his forearm lying against her belly. “I suppose since you haven’t had sex in a hundred years, I could cut you some slack.”
“Oh, I have sex.”
Her fingers stilled against the Argonaut markings on his arms. “You do?”
“Yeah. Why? Does that surprise you?”
“No. I just thought… Well, you said you couldn’t touch anyone.” Except for me. “That it had been a hundred years.”
“I haven’t. But I’m not celibate. A guy has needs.”
She froze beneath him. Didn’t know what to say.
“Ask me, ligos Vesuvius.”
She looked his way and narrowed her eyes. “Are you reading my mind?”
“No.” He smiled. “But you’re getting hot again, and I can tell this time it’s not from arousal.”
He was right. She was heating up. She hated that her emotions were so closely tied to that damn element inside her.
“I just…I saw the way you reacted when the Amazons touched you. You were in pain. How do you…you know…deal with that and keep it…hard…enough….to have sex with other”—shit—“people?”
His cheeks turned the slightest shade of pink. “It’s a complicated process of clothing and condoms and making sure they don’t physically touch me.”
“They who?”
He glanced away, and his cheeks grew pinker. He was embarrassed. The knowledge sent an odd thrill through her. “There are a couple regular females back in Argolea who know what I like.”
That thrill turned to a quick shot of dislike. Had she done what he liked? She didn’t know. Suddenly, she wanted to know a whole lot more. And who these females were who were throwing themselves at him. “And what is it you like?”
His arm tightened around her waist, and he nuzzled her ear. “I like being inside you. Naked. Feeling every part of you. Gods, your whole body melts like liquid fire when you come.”
He was being cute. And sexy. And he was damn good at both. But she suddenly couldn’t stop thinking of him with those “regular” females.
She literally felt her temperature rising. It was stupid to get so worked up. She hadn’t known him before a few days ago, and back when he was fucking these other females, she’d been frozen anyway.
“Tasa.” He lifted his hand from her belly, used his index finger to tip her face his way, and forced her to look at him. “They can’t touch. That’s the rule. And usually they’re restrained because I don’t trust them. They agree to it not because of me, but because of the bragging rights for sleeping with an Argonaut. I hate it. It’s clinical at best. But it’s the only thing I’ve found that works. I wasn’t built to be celibate.”
She could feel that. He was still semi-hard against her thigh, even in the middle of this fucked-up conversation. He was obviously built for pleasure and release. And though her anger had subsided, the thought of him giving that pleasure to someone else burned a path of fire straight to her gut.
“I’m sorry.” She looked down at his lips. Couldn’t meet his eyes. “I told you before I’m…” Emotionally volatile. A raving lunatic. Pathetically jealous.“…unstable.”
His luscious lips curled. “And I told you I am too.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “Being with you… It’s not even a comparison. Just thinking about the sounds you made, the way you climaxed… The way you felt coming around me… Skata, it’s making me even harder, right now. Can’t you feel that?”
She smiled because she could feel it. And because this conversation was off-the-charts insane. Burning with embarrassment, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close.
He kissed her throat and breathed cool against her skin. “You’ve ruined me for anyone else, you know. There’s no way I’ll be able to go back to that after this.”
The thought eased the sting. Made her sex clench. But
then she realized what it meant. And guilt slithered in. Guilt for making such a big deal over something that—in a few weeks—wouldn’t even matter anymore.
If she were normal, if she had any kind of future, he’d be the sort of guy she’d want to spend it with.
She couldn’t tell him what his words meant to her. But she could give him something he’d been waiting for.
“Titus, the element inside me… It’s getting hotter. I went to Argolea in the hopes maybe Maelea could tell me where Zeus chained Prometheus. He’s the only one who knows how to stop it. He gave it to me. He’s…my father.”
He pushed up on his arm and stared down at her. “Your father? But how…?” His gaze raked her features. “That makes you like…four thousand years old.”
“Technically, yes.” She rested her hands against his shoulders, loving the way his muscles flexed beneath her fingers. “But chronologically I’m only twenty-nine. I was trapped in a frozen state for over three thousand years.”
His brow wrinkled. She could see he was working through the probability of that. “Run that by me again.”
She pushed against his shoulders and leaned back in the pillows. Explaining all this when his touch was a teasing chill she liked too much made it hard to focus. “My mother was a nymph who was seduced by Zeus. They had a love affair, but when Hera found out, she flipped. To protect my mother, Zeus turned her into a…well, a cow. People say a beautiful white heifer, but really, she was a cow. I think he did it because he’s an ass. I mean, he could have picked anything, but a cow?” She shook her head, pulled her knees up, and wrapped her arms around them. “Hera was so pissed he’d tried to protect her, she banished my mother from Greece and cursed her to wander the wilds as a beast.”
He didn’t say anything, just leaned on his elbow and stared up at her, dumfounded. Okay, springing the Prometheus card on him probably hadn’t been the smartest thing for her to do, but now that it was out there, she couldn’t take it back. And part of her didn’t want to.
“Zeus did nothing to stop Hera, and my mother had no choice but to leave the only home she’d ever known. She wandered for years. What Zeus didn’t plan for though was that during that wandering, she’d accidentally come across Prometheus, whom he’d already imprisoned. I guess she felt bad for the elder god—they were basically in the same kind of prison but with different walls, both exiled and alone. Whatever she said must have resonated with Prometheus, because though he was still chained, he retained the power to ease at least part of her suffering. He changed her back into a woman.”
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