by Deanna Chase
“Oh fuck,” the three goddesses exclaimed at the same time.
“I swear I’ll be a gentleman, but I want to cash in my boon and take my ex-wife to the Halloween Ball.”
“No. Hell no.” Ganymede swung around, but this time, it was Hercules who wouldn’t look at her. “Hey, I’m talking to you. No. You don’t get to ask her to make me do anything.” She popped up out of the booth, standing on the bench so that she was the same height and he had to look her in the eyes.
“Yes, I do. She granted me a boon and I haven’t used it. If you won’t talk to me, I’ll make you talk to me.”
“The fuck you say!” Ganymede growled. “We’re divorced for a reason. You’re stalking me.”
“Expecting a conversation after a divorce almost a thousand years ago is pretty damn patient.”
“I. Don’t. Want. To. Talk. To. You. Or. Look. At. Your. Stupid. Face.” Each word was its own sentence.
“Ah, Gany. Baby. I miss you. I just want to be your friend.”
“Uh, Hercules? I did grant you a boon, but that’s not how this works. Try asking her next time.” She continued before Ganymede spontaneously combusted. “And accepting her answer even when it’s not the one you want.”
Hercules eyed them both. “I’ll forgo the boon, Aphrodite, if she agrees to go with me to the Christmas Ball.”
“Again, that’s not how this works,” Aphrodite tried explaining.
“Fine. On one condition. You go away until then.”
Hercules’s expression was stony. “Agreed.”
But he kept standing there.
“Starting now. Go,” Ganymede demanded.
When he finally left, she slumped back down in the booth.
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but he does love you. Almost as much as he loves himself,” Aphrodite said softly.
“Gross,” Ganymede sighed.
“And here I thought I had problems.” Hyacinth shook her head.
“You do. You need a dress for the Ball,” Aphrodite said.
“Are you going to be my fairy goddessmother?”
“If that’s what it takes.” The Goddess of Love nodded. “And I have the perfect costume.”
“Which is?” Ganymede prompted.
“She’ll go as me.” Aphrodite crossed her arms with a self-satisfied grin.
Chapter 4
She didn’t talk to Boreas much before the Halloween Ball except for the usual things. Everyone was busy with the new baby. Nyx’s pregnancy has gone supernaturally, terrifyingly, horror-movie fast. But Hyacinth would admit to being absolutely head over tea kettle for her little sister. Where Hyacinth was golden, the baby was more like Nyx, like a reflection of sunlight in darkness—a silvery little moon fairy. Hyacinth couldn’t help but kissing her cheeks whenever she was near them.
She hadn’t had any more flaming episodes and that was good, but she was ever vigilant. She didn’t want to hurt anyone. Especially not the baby, but she had the feeling that little Ephie could hold her own.
Hyacinth wasn’t sure if it was madness to go to the Ball dressed as Aphrodite, or sheer genius.
It didn’t matter, of course, because she was doing it anyway. They decided Boreas would pick her up from her father’s temple that evening and he’d teleport them to Vegas.
After all, where else would one the Greek Pantheon have a Halloween Ball, but at Caesar’s Palace?
A secret, infinite ballroom that was hidden from mortal eyes, but it was their little joke. If they asked Hyacinth, which they didn’t, she’d have preferred it to be at the Waldorf-Astoria. But what did she know?
She’d been told Dionysus was in charge of all the party planning. So a place like Vegas would definitely be home turf and feed his power.
When Boreas showed up, he was dressed as Jack Frost. Dressed, would perhaps, be too bold of a term. He was wearing a loin cloth that was some kind of shimmery, slippery material that made her hands itch to touch it.
And that was it.
His hair was white and silver, and even his skin looked to be frozen. All of his glorious, bare, gorgeous skin. It seemed that his new coloring highlighted his musculature and the dips and contours were so much more obvious.
Her mouth went dry.
And she felt just a little bit silly dressed as Aphrodite with her seashell corset, and blond hair. All she’d done, really, was give her boobs a platform and made them a centerpiece. If Boreas would be so easily seduced, she’d have been riding him like a jockey at the dragon derby years ago.
“Aphrodite?” He arched a brow and looked her up and down. “I really hope you got permission.”
“I got the shells from her closet, actually.”
“Oh, Hades help us all.”
She put her hands on her hips. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that she has a plan. No one is safe. Maybe we shouldn’t go.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Fine. We’ll go. We’ll go.”
“Just for that, I should make you get me a corsage or something.”
“What makes you think I didn’t?” He held out a lovely pale pink bloom. The petals danced to a strange rhythm and when he set it on her wrist, the leaves wrapped around her of their own accord.
“Well, now I feel like a dick.”
“You should.” He winked at her, but then he pulled her close and she rested her hands on his broad shoulders. “We have to talk before we go.”
“I don’t want to.” She stuck her lip out. “I know what you said. I know why. This is already so bittersweet. Can’t we just pretend until the Ball is over?”
“Okay. I guess we can.” He touched her face. “It’s because I care about you, Hyacinth. You know that, right?”
She pursed her lips. If she answered him, things would just get ugly and they’d never have their dance and Aphrodite would never have a chance to set her plan in motion.
So she nodded and stepped closer to him, ready to be transported.
He tightened his arms around her and they were transported to the Ball.
It was beautiful, of course. She’d never gone before, because she’d always been waiting for him to ask her.
It was just like she’d always imagined the feasts and celebrations in days of yore. Everything was made of white marble, there were strange green vistas and fountains with brightly colored cushions, an array of wines, meats, and fruits.
And chocolate.
Dear sweet sweet Zeus, there was a chocolate wishing fountain. One had to simply throw a wish into the fountain to be rewarded with every tasty chocolate treat one could imagine. She could hang out by the chocolate fountain for the whole night.
She saw Hera on Hades’ arms—that was different—Zeus, to speak of the devil, wasn’t in attendance. Nyx and her father were there, and Persephone and Thanatos, Notus was there, but missing Ganymede.
Notus waved at her and she waved back. He nodded to where Boreas was getting her a punch and gave her the “okay” signal with his hand and a smile.
She gave him a smile that wasn’t genuine and he frowned, coming over. “Why isn’t that a real smile I’m seeing?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Why?” Notus shrugged. “It doesn’t have to be.”
“Are you here alone?” She tried to change the subject.
“Yeah.”
“What happened with Ganymede?”
He shrugged. “Not meant to be, I guess.”
“I’m sorry.” She genuinely was. She wanted him to be happy. He was a decent guy. Who was really good in bed.
“Me too. I guess seeing Hercules again really rattled her. She’s gone to Bora Bora for a few weeks. Whatever she needs, you know?”
“Hey,” he said, when Boreas rejoined them, “I want to show you guys something.”
“Uh, you don’t have to use that trick on us, Notus.” Hyacinth laughed.
He flashed them a grin. “No, really. Come on.”
They follow
ed him through a door that appeared when they approached. It was another of the fountain vistas, with brightly colored pillows and suddenly, Notus wasn’t with them. It was just Boreas and Hyacinth.
His voice echoed through the wall. “So, consider this a gift.”
“What did you do, Notus?” Hyacinth asked.
“Just what Aphrodite told me to. You’re stuck in there until you make love.”
“What?” Boreas growled. “When I get out of here, I’m going to end you.”
“No, you’re not. You’ll buy me a bottle of ambrosia and say thank you.” They could hear his snort through the wall.
“Like Hades, I will.”
“Yes, just like Hades.” Two raps on the wall and he said, “Right then. Catch you later.”
Boreas’s anger was palpable and when he faced her, his teeth were clenched. “Did you have something to do with this?”
“No.” Maybe a little.
“You were hanging out with the Goddess of Love and now she’s trapped us in some netherwhere with conditions on escape. If you were part of this, then you’re screwed. Because we will be here forever.”
Chapter 5
A Year Later
“Look, Boreas. This is ridiculous. I miss food. I miss sex. I miss real sunshine. I miss my life. My little sister is growing up without me. Just hold your breath and do it.”
“What if we do and your little sister still has to grow up without you? Do you remember the part about dying?”
“I’d rather die. At least in the Elysian Fields, my sister could come visit.”
“I warned you that we’d be here forever.”
“You’re punishing us both. You know after magic like this is set, the only way to break it is to meet the requirements.”
“You remember what I told you about my wife? Would you really make me go through that again?”
The pain on his face cracked something in her heart. “Do you really want to stay here forever?”
“If it means keeping my oath to protect you, then yes.”
That just made her want him more, damn him.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” She cocked her head to the side, studying him. “Like I love you?”
He turned away from her.
“You’re protecting more than just me. You’re protecting yourself. What if you made love to me and I didn’t die? Huh? What then? You’d be faced with the truth that you don’t have to be alone and that in itself is terrifying.”
“Wouldn’t you?”
“Of course I would. Anyone would. But it’s okay to let go of dead things. It happens all the time on earth. The trees show us how.”
“You’re not a fucking leaf and neither was she.”
“Wasn’t she? Ganymede said her mother was an elemental. They live notoriously short lives and go back to the earth spirit.” She put her hand on his back to offer him comfort and he didn’t push her away. “The life she did have? To spend it with you? Don’t you know I’d do the same?”
“Then stay with me. Here. Don’t ask me to do this thing.”
“Part of me is so tempted to say yes. But that’s not doing either of us any favors.” She touched his cheek and he turned to look at her. “I’m a goddess, Boreas. A sun goddess. You’re not going to hurt me. I couldn’t melt all of your winter and you can’t freeze all of my warmth.”
“How do you know that?”
“I just do. Look, it’s one thing if you don’t want me.”
“Of course I want you. I’ve wanted you for so long, the pain of it caused snowstorms.”
“Then end both of our suffering.” She pressed her lips to his cool cheek.
He turned into the kiss, his mouth so cold it was hot.
For Hyacinth, a kiss had never been more perfect. So full of hope, fear, and a need that curled low in her belly, the root of her flames.
She ignited, fire consuming her.
His power crackled to life, snowflakes falling and ice forming on his lashes and fingertips.
Boreas pulled back, watching in horror, but it was okay. It was good. She laughed. She laughed because the flames were suddenly gone like before, but so was his ice. Their abilities cancelled the other’s out. They couldn’t hurt each other if they tried.
Realization dawned, and he kissed her around their laughter with renewed vigor.
The landscape changed again, Aphrodite’s conditions apparently met by the revelation. Or perhaps it was the intent?
They’d been transported to Boreas’s temple and as he stripped off her clothes, she noticed that the thundercloud foundation of his temple was missing its storm.
“You know this is forever, right?” He said around a mouthful of her breast. “No sneaking out of my temple in the wee dawn hours. No hanging out with other gods. You’re mine.”
“Always have been. I was just waiting for you to see it.” She pushed on his shoulders and guided him down between her thighs. “Now, don’t talk with your mouth full. You’ve got some work to do to make up for lost time.”
As she lost herself to the bliss, she realized she’d gotten the fairytale. The happy ever after with the god of her dreams—who was much better with his tongue than Notus.
Click here for Hex the Halls, our bewitching holiday anthology. Release date: Nov 17th.
Afterward/Author’s Note
Boreas didn’t give Notus that bottle of ambrosia wine—he gave him a case.
Other Books in the Series
Desperate Housewives of Olympus (Ambrosia Lane 1)
Desperate Housewives of Avalon (Ambrosia Lane 2)
Desperate Housewives of Olympus: ARES (Ambrosia Lane 3) COMING SOON
About the Author
Saranna DeWylde has always been fascinated by things better left in the dark. She wrote her first story after watching The Exorcist at a slumber party. Since then, she’s published horror, romance and narrative nonfiction. Like all writers, Saranna has held a variety of jobs, from operations supervisor for an airline, to an assistant for a call girl, to a corrections officer. But like Hemingway said, “Once writing has become your major vice and greatest pleasure, only death can stop it.” So she traded in her cuffs for a full-time keyboard. She loves to hear from her readers.
Website | Facebook | Mailing List | Or for text updates of only new releases text SarannaDeWylde to 24587
Table of Contents
Spell of the Ball
Copyright
Contents
Spirits, Hurricanes, and the Krewe of Ghoul
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
About the Author
Other Books by Deanna
The Witch’s Halloween Hero
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
About the Author
Other Books by Kristen Painter
Bad Moon Rising
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
About the Author
A Charming Death (do us part)
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
About the Author
Also by Tonya Kappes
Mission Impawsible
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
About the Author
One Charmed Evening
Chapter 1
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
About the Author
Catatonic
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
About the Author
More Books by Liz
Desperate Housewives of Olympus: Hyacinth
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Afterward/Author’s Note
Other Books in the Series
About the Author