by JoAnna Grace
“Commanding Officer for the North American Thracians. It’s a pleasure to meet you, General.” Avery said with a smile. Ryse’s hand tightened on her nape while the General made direct eye contact with her.
“The pleasure is all mine, dear Princess.” He stood to formally bow as he spoke.
Yankee moved to sit beside Nikki on the bar stools. “So, peeling potatoes?” he said picking up a knife and a spud.
“Jeez, Yankee.” Brenden rolled his eyes. “I hope to hell that wasn’t your version of a pickup line. That was smooth as a cheese grater.” Brenden took a seat beside the blushing girl. “Go away,” he waved off Yankee.
“Watch it, mutt.” Yankee delivered the punch line with a glare and a cunning grin.
Ryse turned to Avery and asked if she could fix enough for the rest of the men and she was most happy to do so. It put her in her element, cooking for a lot of people. It was very entertaining to see Cutter, who was aptly named for his knife and sword abilities, show the rest of them how to peel potatoes. He had two, six-inch knives that were moving at speeds her eyes could not follow. He sliced potatoes into paper-thin sheets and Avery put them into the frying oil spices.
“I must say Cutter, you’re very handy to have around. That slice and dice job would have taken me three times as long.” Cutter nodded and saluted her with a knife. “But I have to know, where do you hide those knives?”
He simply smiled. Avery figured she didn’t need to know after all.
Minutes later, the ladies set out the food for all the men. Philippe smirked at her affectionately when she asked him to put out his cigarette.
A dish piled high with fried chicken was quickly plucked down to only a few pieces. The fried seasoned chips were devoured as fast. Nikki filled glasses with ice and drinks. Conversations were replaced with compliments on the food that Hayden took with no humility. It made her laugh.
For a nostalgic moment, Avery felt a sense of home. She watched the men sitting around the table. Some teased, some talked, and some nodded while chewing. Hands moved with sentences and eyes shone in understanding. Many times she had observed her café the same way she did this group of men. Food brought people together and bonded them on a foundational level. It gave her a sense of pride to know she had the power to produce such a scene with her skills here in this new life.
Before sitting down to her own plate of food, she walked over and gave Ryse a kiss on the back of his neck. The wink she received in return was all the payment she would ever need. Avery spent the afternoon learning about each of the men, laughing at Hayden, taking pride in how much chocolate Nikki could put away, and trying desperately to convince herself she could acclimate to this world.
“What in the name of the gods happened in my kitchen?” The outraged scream cut through all the talking and laughing going on.
“Oh, dear,” Nikki whispered under hear breath. “That’s Valarie.”
Avery watched the plump woman walk in with an armload of groceries. Valarie was another striking redhead and her face was dotted with freckles. Her olive colored eyes widened when she saw the inhabitants of her messy kitchen.
“My apologies, your Majesties. Might I ask who is responsible for this mess?”
“That would be me.” Avery slid off her bar stool and walked around to grab a bag from Valarie.
The lady furrowed her brows, looking down her nose at Avery. “And you are?”
Avery was taken aback by her tone. She had gotten nothing but respect and kindness since she arrived, and this woman was not continuing on that track. “Well I’m—”
“Valarie, Valarie, Valarie.” Hayden intervened just as a very protective Ryse rose from his seat. “Why don’t you and I take a walk?”
He looked at his brother and waved him off. Ryse nodded and then took his seat before his quick temper could get the best of him. Avery didn’t meet the eyes of the woman who was now being escorted by Prince Hayden into a butler’s pantry. Avery looked instead to Ryse. He motioned for her to finish her meal. Since she didn’t feel like rocking the boat, she obeyed.
The kitchen phone rang and Valarie came out of the butler’s pantry with Hayden to answer it. “Yes…yes…I shall hurry,” she said into the receiver and looked at Avery. “Pardon my previous disrespect. You, milady, are welcome in my kitchen at any time.”
“As long as I clean up my mess?” Avery smiled.
“Even then. Right now, I have to prepare the English Lady her meal.”
“You mean the European Princess?” Avery said glancing over at Ryse. “By all means, Valarie, let me help. The Princess can try my chicken.” Avery jumped up and fixed a plate full of food including some of the brownies she had made. Hopefully Salina choked on the food.
Nikki whined, “Don’t give away the chocolate.” Brenden put his brownie onto her plate and she was happy again.
Thirty minutes later, while Avery was cleaning up, much to the maid staff’s surprise and Ryse’s aggravation, one of the staff working Salina’s room brought back an empty plate. “The Lady sends her compliments to the chef. She says the brownies were delicious.”
Valarie looked over at Avery with one lifted brow. Avery smiled brightly then said, “Please tell the Lady that the meal was compliments of the farm girl.”
That comment abruptly ceased the conversation Ryse was having with his men. He turned in his chair to face her. Tension suddenly thickened in the room. Ryse stared at her as if he were a predator getting ready to pounce. She continued to tidy up the already immaculate kitchen.
“Avery.” Never had her name been said with such power behind it—and restraint. Suddenly, all the Elites had somewhere to be. Brenden gently tugged Nikki out of the kitchen with the rest of the group.
Ryse stood and slowly walked over to her, took her by the arm. “I think you and I need to speak.”
RYSE WATCHED AVERY closely. She sat across from him in the living area of her room having no problem holding his stare. Not many people could do such a thing. He was a pro at intimidation, had spent centuries perfecting the art. But Avery sat there with her arms casually resting on the chair, her legs crossed, chin up and eyes glued to his. The confidence was turning him on. If they didn’t have something very important to discuss, he would have been all over her.
“Something you need to tell me?” He mirrored her body language.
“No, darlin.’ What has you in such a mood?”
Damn he loved that sexy southern accent. And it distracted him for a moment. Which was probably what she intended. Ryse gave a growl. “You didn’t pull the term ‘farm girl’ randomly out of your vocabulary, Avery. Explain yourself.”
“Why are you angry with me? You were the one with One-Trick Barbie’s hands on your crotch.”
Ryse blew out a huff of air, let his head lean back against the chair. “Salina did not touch my crotch and what the hell were you doing there anyway?”
Explaining how she came across him and Salina, she told him what she had overheard. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but you can see why the conversation held my attention.”
Ryse waved her off, finished talking about the subject. “Ancient history.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were both a Thracian and a Deity?” Her tone held firm, but he caught the slightest hitch in her breathing.
Ryse looked back into her eyes. “Pardon?”
Her chin lifted. “Why didn’t you explain to me that you were also a Deity Prince? I’ve been walking around all day thinking you had seduced me to get me here. And now that I was safely behind Palace walls you were done with me.”
By the gods! How could he have left out such a detail? He thought back to their encounters, the good and bad. Had he not made his intentions clear? For the life of him, he would never understand the female species. “Is that why you’re angry? Because I didn’t formally claim you?”
“Formally claim me? Like I’m a tree and you’re the dog. No Ryse, that’s not why I’m angry.” Avery rose from her chair
and began pacing about the room. He couldn’t have been more confused. He groaned with a deep breath just as she launched into him verbally. “I’m angry because you forgot to mention a vastly important detail about yourself. One that changes the course of my life. I’m angry because if I am somehow betrothed to you and not someone else, Salina’s actions are twice as aggravating. Especially since she knows you have a Grace.”
“Avery, love, I think you are blowing this all greatly out of proportion.” Ryse rubbed the bridge of his nose. He wasn’t used to dealing with people arguing with him. How did his father get anything done? “I apologize for assuming you knew about me—”
“That sounds so sincere, thank you very much.” Sarcasm dripped off her words. She rolled her eyes and turned to the fireplace. What the hell did she want if not an apology?
When she looked back, the moisture in her eyes nearly killed him. “You know what I really don’t understand?” Avery crossed her arms over her chest. “The rules ’round here are sexist shit. Your laws state that I have to be pure, having never willingly had sex with another man, but you get to run around screwing at will?”
“That’s not what it says.” Ryse leaned over to rest his elbows on his knees.
“And how would you explain it then? I’m pretty sure that you and the blonde bombshell did more than have afternoon tea while talkin’ politics and yet no one’s accused you of being defiled.”
Damn. That was a fair enough. And yet he didn’t have a good answer. Rubbing the bridge of his nose again, Ryse closed his eyes and tried to figure out what to say. “Avery, I understand your confusion. You have a valid point.” He spoke slowly and that only earned him dirty look. “But I will not attempt to explain my entire past to you. There is far too much of it. Salina and I had a one-time thing many decades ago. It was a mistake and it meant nothing. Do not make it more than it was.”
Avery’s eyes widened, her nostrils flared and her mouth dropped open. Shit.
“Get out,” she ordered as she picked up a couch cushion and threw it at him.
Ryse gawked at her. “What is wrong with you?”
Her shocked expression and passionate anger were beautiful. How could he be thinking how amazing she was when they were fighting? “What’s wrong with me? Are you serious? For a demigod, you sure are dumb. Leave. I’d prefer to be alone.” She turned her back and looked at the fire. He could see the tension in her shoulders, feel the anger radiating off her.
In a blink he was behind her, hands on her shoulders, lips to her ears. “Avery, baby.”
“Oh no, you don’t,” she said, brushing him off. “Don’t try to order me around like some dog and then get all sweet on me now. I’m not one of your soldiers.”
“I realize that, Avery. But you can’t possibly be jealous of that—that troll.”
“I’m not blind, deaf, or dumb. That woman is no troll. Why are you trying to make light of this?”
“Why are you trying to make it more than it was? I detest her. She’s nothing.”
Avery rounded on him and he tried to keep his hands on her body. “Any more nothings you want to tell me about?”
With an exasperated sigh, Ryse stepped away. “Believe it or not, Avery, no. By the gods, you women are so damned maddening. Why waste the energy?”
Avery glared at him. “You should really stick to bein’ the strong silent type.”
Ryse knew he’d royally screwed up, though he wasn’t precisely sure how. Avery was pissed. There was no bother trying to argue with her when her accent was this heavy. He didn’t want to leave, but she made the decision for him.
“Good bye, Ryse. I’m sure you can make your way out the door.” Avery went out to the balcony, effectively dismissing him.
AVERY HUFFED AROUND her suite. Nikki had come in after Ryse left, but she stayed out of the way.
“Don’t do that,” she pointed a finger at Nikki. “You don’t get to hide under that I’m-just-the-assistant blanket. You’re my only friend and you have to give me advice.”
Nikki tilted her head over to the side and sighed. “Avery, relationship advice is far beyond my scope of expertise. I’ve never had one.”
“What?” Nikki was beautiful and funny, and a true delight to be around. Avery had seen how Yankee and Brenden—even Hayden—had been flirting with her today while they ate. Especially Brenden.
Nikki shrugged. “Yes, I am a twenty-eight year old virgin. Much like you, so you can’t make fun of me.”
Her words were a lighthearted joke, but for some reason they tore Avery apart. She was nothing like Nikki. Avery was not a virgin. And that is what upset her even though she hadn’t known it until this moment. She collapsed onto the couch, head in her hands. Fat tears dripped down her face.
“Oh dear!” Nikki threw her arms around the Princess. “I’m sorry. What did I say? I was trying to tease but I’m not much good at it.”
Avery inhaled a shaky breath. She met Nikki’s eyes and gave her a sad smile. “Eight years ago, my choice was taken. I was twenty and much like you—never had a real boyfriend, never been past second base with a guy, and hadn’t ever wanted to. I chose to be alone. I chose to be single, didn’t have to be. I did not, however, choose to give up my virginity.” Anger permeated her words as she remembered the sickening torture of that day. “They took it,” she sneered. “My innocence was stolen by the filth of the earth, for no other reason than to keep me from powers I might or might not possess.” She blinked back the moisture from her eyes. “Then we have Ryse, able to have sex with a woman completely of his own free will. No sacrifice on his part whatsoever. Hell, seein’ the woman he had slept with, he dang sure enjoyed it. The thought of sex doesn’t churn his stomach, doesn’t make him physically sick with memories.” She leaned her head back, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “The thought of a man’s hands on me made me nauseous,” she turned her face to Nikki. “Until I met Ryse.”
“May I speak candidly, Avery?” Nikki rubbed her knees as they sat on the couch together. “Without the fear that my words might leave this room?”
Avery wiped the tears from her eyes. “I don’t have anyone else to tell, Nikki. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t have any other friends.”
“Then I am very lucky that you have chosen me.” Her hazel eyes gleamed with pride. “From what I understand, when Salina propositioned Ryse, he had lost one of his Elites. The man had been with Ryse since his childhood, over two centuries worth of companionship. I don’t know too much, only that the death of him hurt Ryse deeply.”
“Do you know how he died?” Avery whispered.
“No. No one speaks of it. But you can imagine what the murder of an immortal could do to someone. She came to him when he was weak, Avery, using her magic as a poison. Salina is a telepath. She can put any thought into a person’s mind. Perhaps we will never know if it was by her telepathy or by his own pain that he allowed her into his bed.” Nikki stopped talking and lifted her head, listening. “Brenden comes now to bring you the dogs.” She stood up and fiddled with her ponytail, straightened her clothes as she went to answer the door.
Avery caught the flirtatious look they exchanged before Nikki’s eyes went to the floor. Castor and Pollux ran into the room and jumped up on Avery. The story would have to wait for a better moment.
Damn women. Ryse paced the floor. He had ducked into a suite right down the hall from Avery, not wanting to get too far from her but needing to be alone to think. Over and over, he sorted through Avery’s words. What did he do to make her act like this?
Damn Salina. Given the permission from Ares, he would love to rip her a new one.
As if courting Avery wasn’t going to be hard enough with all her trauma from home, now he had to worry about Salina using her telepathy to manipulate the situation. Her presence alone had caused Avery to be troubled.
This was why he had embraced the Thracian side of himself and not the royal. There were no emotions, no feelings, and no intimacy in being a soldier.
When he spoke, his words were obeyed without question. The only men who were ever allowed to contradict him on anything were the Elites and his Generals around the globe. Even then, if the gods told him to do something, there was no one that could stand in his way.
But this woman—this woman frustrated him. She argued and challenged him even in public. Avery was stubborn and mouthy and hard-headed…and…and…He let out a sigh and sat on the bed. She was exactly the kind of woman the gods knew he would need, because a mouse would annoy him even more. If Avery obeyed him like a lifeless robot, he wouldn’t be as entertained and enthralled as he was.
Her jealousy over Salina did anger him, but it also made him feel special. If Avery didn’t have feelings for him, she wouldn’t have cared at all. But she did care. He cared.
So what was he doing sitting on his ass? Why wasn’t he going to claim what was his?
Stalking into the Avery’s bedroom without knocking, he found her and Brenden sitting on the couch, holding hands. Brenden jumped to his feet at seeing Ryse.
“It seems that I have interrupted something.” Ryse stared down Brenden until the boy’s eyes fell away in submission.
“I was just leaving,” Brenden said firmly. He turned to Avery. “We can continue this conversation later. Good night.”
“Thank you,” she said, touching his forearm before he left.
The movement caught Ryse’s eye and he felt the fury build up inside of him.
“For everything.”
Everything? Just what had Brenden done in his absence?
“It’s my job, milady,” he said stiffly.
“No,” Avery smiled. “It’s more. Thank you.” Then Avery shifted her gaze to Ryse.
“Goodbye, Brenden,” he said while looking at her. “I will see you in the training pit in the morning.”
Brenden’s form went rigid and he stopped mid-step, lifting his chin, jaws tight. He spoke through strained throat and clenched teeth, “Yes, Master.”
Ryse nodded towards the door and Brenden obeyed the unspoken order. Then he focused his attention on Avery.