by elda lore
“Callie, how could you?” The first girl questioned but there was something more to her tone. “You know how I feel about him.” Hurt. Pain filled her words as she admonished her friend.
“You two were over,” the deeper voice of said Callie spoke. “Besides, we were drunk.”
My head snapped back at this admission: worst reason ever to be with a guy. Silence hung in the air and my heart softened for the misunderstanding among friends. Thankfully, Persephone and I had never had these issues. When she learned I made-out with Tripper Grant last summer, she wasn’t upset with me. She worried. She didn’t want me to get hurt. I sensed each girl’s emotion for this mystery man. Sunshine and sin? They could only be discussing one guy.
“Solis just has that damaged goods thing about him.” Screeching girl attempted to smooth the waters between the three. “I heard he killed his father.”
My eyes opened wide and I stared upward to notice I could see all three girls in the reflection of the mirror. The entire glass spanned three banks of lockers, and two sets down, another girl stood listening intently, her forehead pressed against the closed locker door.
“I heard that’s not true. It was his stepfather, anyhow. Zeke’s his biological father.”
“Zeke?” Claw-girl snorted. “Well, that explains a lot. Like father, like son.” She huffed air as she closed the wooden door to the locker near her head.
“Mel, why do you care? You said you were over him.” Callie asked.
“I am,” she said in an exaggerated tone. “I just hate that he’s such a player.”
“You hate that you got burned by how hot he is,” screechy girl admonished.
“Di, that’s so not true. I told you. I used him.” Claw-girl-Mel looked up and met my eyes in the mirror. She flipped her brown hair over one shoulder and exited the area.
“We both know she’s lying,” screech girl Di said. “Was he good?” The screeching sound softened. “I heard he’s really patient and loving.” Callie was a larger girl, and I sensed from the fall of her shoulders that she didn’t know how to respond to her friend.
“Yeah, he was gentle. A bit sloppy, as a drunk, but he was decent enough.” Callie’s voice matched her previous friend. There was something in her tone combining pain and pleasure. She may have hoped he’d choose her as his next lover instead of another conquest.
“He hasn’t really been interested in me,” Di offered, brushing her long red hair.
“Di, you don’t ever want it to be like that anyway. One night stands aren’t bragging rights. You want it to be special to a guy. Special for you.”
My shoulders slumped. Callie spoke wisely. One night stands weren’t worth the emotional defeat the next day. My eyes searched out the girl two locker banks over. She leaned on her shoulder, her head facing the mirror. She had raven-black hair and pale skin for someone living under sunshine. Tears streaked down her face, and I knew with certainty she’d been another conquest of the infamous Solis Cronus.
There was no denying Solis was a fine specimen of the male gender: gorgeous, chisel-faced, and sculpted perfection, but I’d noticed his back held a nasty-looking scar. It zig-zagged over his spine, fiery and raised, in the shape of a poorly drawn lightning bolt. My heart softened—though I’d never let on to him—for the pain inflicted to cause such a scar on his glorious skin. Nor would I admit the strange sense of loss when he left us earlier at the pool. Immediately, I disregarded it as relief, as his nearness unnerved me. It made no sense to me.
“Hi, Ionia,” Persephone said out of nowhere, and the cheerful tone carried through the bath house. Crying girl swiftly swiped her cheeks and turned in the direction of Persephone, who continued past the middle bank of lockers. The two gossip girls straightened and stared at one another. I took a second peek at Ionia. She didn’t look like a cow to me. She was pale with dark hair, thin and delicately hourglass in shape. She looked sweet, with big eyes, and like someone who might be a friend to me, if I didn’t instantly hate her for having slept with Solis. Jealousy, that’s what I felt when I realized what she’d done. Of course, Solis Cronus, sunshine and sin, would pick on a girl so innocent. She gave in to him, with heart, soul, and body. I had the need to scorn her for stupidity and hug her for the inability to recognize that sunshine blinds and sin burns. Solis Cronus was a force to be reckoned with. Thank goodness my heart was safe from such a storm.
SOLIS
I wished Letty had been enough for me, but attempting to bury myself in her didn’t bring the relief I needed. Closing my eyes brought visions of turquoise-ringed, dark blue orbs, surrounded by green, and I couldn’t get Veva out of my head long enough to enjoy Letty against me. After a weak orgasm on her part, I withdrew from her, feeling incomplete and incapacitated. Taking matters into my own hands, I took a shower before dinner.
The weekly feast was a mandatory meal my father prepared to honor his guests and display his wealth. So many women and their daughters filled his palace, particularly on the weekends. My own mother had once been here, and I swallowed the thought each time I entered the glorious dining room. Zeke wasn’t the father I knew when I was a child, nor was this place my original home. My inheritance was still new, compared to those of my siblings.
A set of fraternal twins sat split to the right and left of our father. His treasured daughter, Athena, graced the opposite end of the table as if she were the queen. Interspersed among the guests sat Hermes, Dionysius and Heph. These other guys were more like me, sons of random women whom came to live with the mysterious sperm provider after their mothers disappeared, died, or demanded Zeke take responsibility for his children. We weren’t his only ones, but the seven of us made up the older portion of his children. Perpetually appearing in our twenties, our true age remained irrelevant among the mass number of his offspring.
“May I sit here?” Despite asking, I took the empty seat next to Persephone anyway. Veva sat on the other side of her, engaged in a discussion with War, a military hero. He attracted women despite his temper, and I didn’t care for him. A strange clenching at my chest struck me at his interest in Veva. I could only hope the truth of his numerous relationships would be revealed before Veva could be tempted by him. Oh, the irony.
“What brings you girls to the estate?” I asked as I passed the salad to Persephone. Invitation was the only way for mortals to enter the gates.
“Summer break from Central Valley. Taking the summer off to figure out what to do, I guess.” Central Valley was a university about an hour away. Persephone’s sad tone hinted at being lost.
“What do you study there?”
“Horticulture. I love beautiful plants. Silly major, right?” She admired the large floral arrangements set intermittently along the long table. My father was nothing short of over-the-top with decoration. Flowers of bright yellows and deep oranges highlighted the golden color of the dining room.
“If you like flowers, that’s cool.” I kicked myself under the table, sounding ridiculous in my response. While one ear listened to Persephone, the other caught the laughter of Veva. The sound bubbled around her, and then tenderly popped, like soap bubbles.
“And what about Veva?” My head nodded in her direction and I noticed her sit a little straighter in her seat. She faced War, and with her acorn-colored hair piled on her head, I noticed the soft, downy wisps on the back of her neck. Swallowing hard at the desire to run my nose over that space, I noticed Veva’s back prickled and her head tilted just enough to emphasize one ear listened in our direction.
“She’s studying to be a midwife and getting a second degree in counseling.”
One brow shot up at the combination.
“She wants to help migrant workers with health care and women’s rights, especially in marriage.”
Both eyes opened wide in reaction.
“That’s so…noble.”
Veva visibly bristled behind Persephone. Turning to face her cousin, she pointed at a carafe of olive oil on the table.
“Exc
use me, could you pass that, Pea?” Persephone handed the dispenser to her cousin without addressing her.
“So,” Persephone swallowed hard, side glancing left to right. “Don’t you have a cousin named Hades?” For a moment, the world stilled around me. It’s as if those most immediate heard her, and she’d said a dirty world. Conversation resumed with a whirl and chatter rose quickly. Sucking in a deep breath, I willed the conversation not to happen.
“I do.” I stuffed my mouth with too many greens and chewed hastily, hoping to give her time to pass on the conversation.
“Have you seen him lately?” Her voice softened to tinkling bells, and the soothing sound thumped at my heart. I shrugged. Defining lately was difficult. When you live centuries, time becomes irrelevant.
“I wanted to thank you.” Her voice barely above a whisper, I leaned in to hear her better. To others, our position appeared as if we shared a secret. Her eyes scanned the close surroundings. My brow rose in question, as if I didn’t know what she referenced.
“For giving him light. And letting him visit me.” She swallowed hard and liquid filled her eyes. Don’t cry, I begged. It would break me. I’d confess everything, if tears fell. They weakened me.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lied. My father didn’t know what I’d done last summer to help my cousin. Hades’ father knew when he returned home to the underworld. The distant relationship between the elder brothers prevented any fear on my part that Uncle Hades would tell dear old dad. Persephone wiped briskly at her cheek. She turned and smiled weakly at me.
“Of course, you don’t.” She kept my secret, and I held hers. The pained expression showed she loved someone forbidden to her, and the broken heart still lingered. She paused for a long moment, chewing slowly, and silence grew between us. That popping-bubble laughter rose over Veva’s head, surrounding her and War. My annoyance grew that he provoked such a sound. Mine. My lips clamped tight as the desire to yell threatened to escape. War wasn’t a funny guy. Spiteful in nature, I couldn’t imagine what he said that would make Veva laugh like that.
A gentle tap on my shoulder turned my attention and I came face to face with Mel. Shit.
“Hello, darling.” Her terse tone nipped at me. She’d forced her body between myself and the guest to my right. I hadn’t properly introduced myself to our other guest as Persephone drew my attention and Veva lassoed it to my left.
“Hello, Mel.” My jaw clenched. Please, don’t make a scene, I begged. Mel Selgos was the daughter of another conquest of my father. Thankfully, she wasn’t his daughter. Difficult to distinguish at times, I had to confirm my female encounters were not siblings of mine. The thought made me shiver. Mel’s breath on my neck did as well, and not in a pleasing manner.
“I’ve heard you slept with that cow, Ionia, and Callie told me you seduced her when you were drunk.” Her teeth snapped just below my ear.
“Perhaps we should step into the hall,” I offered, placing my napkin to the side of my plate and pushing back my chair. The extra wide smile of this once-tempting brunette beamed at me. She’d gotten what she came for: my attention. Leaving the dining room with her made a statement to the others in the room, particularly any females. I’d been played by a cunning girl. She held out her hand for mine, but I shook my head. My eyes fell first to Persephone.
“Please excuse me.” I dipped my head and Persephone responded, “Of course.”
Next, my eyes drew to Veva. She’d been watching the interaction with this girl, but when my eyes drifted to hers, hardened blades of royal blue met me. She immediately twisted away, exposing that subtle neck of hers. My fingers twitched to touch the curls loosely escaping at the base of her neck. Her back remained rigid, though. Her posture informed me she wasn’t interested in any petty lover’s quarrel.
Fortunately, Mel and I were no longer lovers. That was last summer. Mel’s return reawakened her desires, but I had long since moved on. Several times over. She was a silly girl, looking to nab a rich man, but she could not bait me. I wasn’t a rich man. Slippery, I refused to be hooked by her. Once in the hall, I rounded on her and a repetitious argument began. How could I sleep with her friends? Why didn’t I call her? Why was I avoiding her? I wasn’t interested in Mel, and after my attempt to have Letty earlier, I realized I wasn’t interested in any of my previous lovers. I only had eyes for one, and she sat with a bristled back to me, shutting me out of her bubbly laughter and mesmerizing eyes. My body began to tremble with subtle jealousy. I was never jealous. I didn’t have to be. I didn’t know what was happening to me, and a shaky hand wiped my forehead as my thoughts drifted off while Mel reprimanded me.
VEVA
Oh my God, I screamed inside my head. I couldn’t believe he left with that selfish girl. All buxom brunette and nails-on-a-chalkboard sounding, her presence grated on my tender nerves. My blood surged within me. I’d already been on edge as he spoke intimately with Persephone throughout the salad course. Their heads bent to whisper with her sweet smile and his bright one returning it. The conversation seemed intense and when Pea wiped a tear, I noticed the pained expression on Solis’ face. Tears were his weakness. If that bumbling brunette let the waterworks fall, she’d be under him in the hall. My heart jackknifed in my chest.
“What’s wrong?” Persephone reached for my hand under the table.
“Nothing,” I snipped, retracting my own. I loved Persephone. Loved her, like a sister. We’d grown up down the country road from one another, raised by single mothers on a bustling farm, where we were nearly female soulmates. I didn’t want to be jealous of her, but my heart raced with envy that Solis confided in her. He could have been telling her a grocery list for all I knew, but I couldn’t take Solis falling for Pea. Everyone loved her. Why wouldn’t they? She was blonde and beautiful, sweet and sensual, but I hated that guys fell for her first. Tripper loved her first. Harris Black appeared on the farm, and instantly they were a couple. She had magnetism, while I repelled men after they got what they wanted from me.
My mother, Hera, hated men. She believed they were evil and her bitterness rubbed off on me at times. Her feelings came from jilted love. My father left her, but it was more than that. I saw it in her eyes. She wanted Zeke Cronus at one time, and deep down, I think he had loved her, but he couldn’t keep it in his pants. He’d flirt with Demi, Pea’s mom, as well, but Demi had no interest. It was all flirtatious fun, and I understood that nature, but not for my mother. I could see the pinch each time he touched Demi. The clenched fist. The hurt heart. While I fantasized of Zeke being my father, I worried about it, too. My mother assured me he wasn’t mine or Persephone’s. He had enough children of his own, she retorted, adding insult to the injury of her broken heart.
I wasn’t upset with Persephone. In my heart, I knew she’d done nothing wrong. In fact, I blamed Solis instead. He wanted to seduce her. I could read it in his expression each time he looked at her. That look of comfort he wanted to bestow on her. Without knowing she’d lost the love of her life, he wanted to wrap her in his arms and give her sympathy. Well, I’d sympathize him, I cursed in my head. I stood abruptly.
“I’m no longer hungry,” I said to Pea.
“I’ll come with you,” she offered, pushing back her chair.
“No.” The word said too loudly, lingered in the air, and War looked up at me. He smiled at the aggressiveness of my tone. “I just need air,” I said to neither of them. I spun away from the table and headed toward the hall.
+ + +
Zeke’s home was a sprawling, ranch-style estate, roughly appearing as if it was built in the 1970s, but inside contained top of the line amenities. Many hallways were lined on both sides with floor to ceiling windows. The main entrance housed a grand door, gilded with gold, and two side panels of glass that balanced with panels on the opposite wall, allowing one to view the back patio from the front stoop. A massive, mosaic-tiled sun filled the circular space of the floor. The foyer marked the division between the main wing an
d the guest wing, where Persephone and I stayed. It was here that I found Solis and his friend, Mel, in a deep argument.
“How could you touch her?” The clawing voice retorted.
“I’m not having this conversation with you.” His gruff voice surprised me, but I had no sympathy for the whining nature of the girl before him. I just wanted to get past them.
“Excuse me,” I snarled, briskly passing over the marble tile with the click-clack of my heels echoing off the walls. My arms pumped at my side as I hurried down the guest hall. Turning left for the adjacent wing of the room I shared, thick fingers grasped my upper arm and I was yanked backward to face my assailant.
“Where are you going?” Solis demanded, breathing fire in my face. His warm breath assaulted me, blurring my senses as the electric touch of his heated skin wrapped around mine. I was shocked to stillness. I’d felt this current before, when he rubbed my ankle. Sparks of energy shot up my leg straight to my core; the intensity made me pulse with instant need. I’d squeezed my thighs to stop the beat, but the rhythm increased and I ached for relief. The sensation attacked me again.
“To my room,” I snipped in reply. I had a problem that needed tending to. The mention of my room lit up his honey eyes.
“Why?”
“I was no longer hungry.” With the mention of hunger, his eyes scanned my lips. My tongue snuck out and licked the dryness. His eyes widened, and that strange honey color shifted to deep, caramel brown. Warm and gooey, I could get lost in that glare. Blinking rapidly to rid the thought, I stared at him.
“Why do I sense that you don’t care for me?”
“Because I don’t. I hate that you’re blindingly beautiful.” Shit, shit, shit. The words tumbled out of my mouth, as if he drew them from me. He blinked and smiled slowly.