She felt like crying and Nyx didn’t cry. She consoled herself with the fact that she wasn’t mortal. Mortals never found out until they were farther along. Goddesses knew as soon as it happened.
She still felt like crying. Unlike Zeus who could drop children by brushing his hair, or other goddesses who were lucky enough to have a mortal gestation, Nyx was more like an immortal elephant, she’d be pregnant for nine mortal years. That made her cry too.
Sonofabitch.
She had to call Hera.
Nyx should have listened to that voice nagging inside of her head last night. The one that warned she was going to have some sort of drama to call her best friend about in the morning. Where the hell were her shoes? Fuck it. She could make Thanatos come get them. She wouldn’t want him to run out of stuff to talk to his shrink about.
Oh, this was so, so, so very bad.
How was she going to get home? Why had he just left her there by herself? What an—oh, right. She could teleport. Nyx was feeling a little fragile and she wanted something to be pissed at Apollo about, but she couldn’t find anything. She’d been a willing participant every step of the way. Even when her knickers ended up in flying horse shit. The horses flew, not the shit. Gods, why wouldn’t her brain be still?
“Hey, gorgeous. Did you sleep well?” Apollo came around the corner with two steaming mugs in his hand. One had whipped cream on top. He handed that one to her.
“I’m not really a morning person,” she grumbled.
“Really? Because you look beautiful. I didn’t think the Goddess of Night was allowed to glow during the day.”
She narrowed her eyes sharply. Was he talking shit? “It’s too early for bad pick up lines.”
“It’s not a pick up line if I already—,” he broke off and stared at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just not a morning person. Can you take me home?”
“Only after you drink you cocoa and promise to tell me the truth later.”
Yeah, she could promise that. Nyx didn’t have a choice. She looked down at the cocoa in her hands and liked the warmth from the cup. It soothed her. He’d been paying attention. It was Godiva cocoa. She could tell by the aroma. Nyx took a diminutive sip and waited for the waves of nausea to hit. With Thanatos and Hypnos both within seconds of conceiving the smell of anything she enjoyed made her yark like a siren with a bone twisted in her gut.
“It’s a deal.” She tried to hand the cocoa back to him but he raised a brow and she brought it to her lips again dutifully.
“It’s got my signature ambrosia hangover cure, so drink it all up or your head will pound unmercifully for days.”
Well, no shit. Her head was going to be pounding for the next nine damn years. She froze—she didn’t know what he’d put in the cure. Some gods put some nasty stuff in those supposed cures.
“What’s in it?”
“Mostly extra vitamin C and electrolytes. It’s the dehydration that makes you sick.”
Okay, so he was kind of doctor-y. That was sexy too. She chided herself for thinking along those lines. It was those kinds of ideas that got her in this mess to begin with.
Then he laughed. “Oh, I actually used science to create my cure. It’s not something my mother told me. One of my sons is the God of Medicine, after all. I should have some vague idea what I’m about, don’t you think?”
She nodded and took another sip. Nyx found it made her stomach rather happy. She felt good. With a sigh, she wondered how many times he’d buy she’d overindulged before he got suspicious of how often she wanted his cure.
It didn’t matter, she had to tell him. That way, he could just make her the cure. He could at least do that. It’s not like they were in a relationship or anything, but if he wanted her to keep this baby and not starve it to death because she couldn’t keep anything down, he’d do it. She knew he would anyway and felt bad for even thinking it.
Nod had been such a bastard the first time she’d told him she was pregnant. That was why they’d had to get married. Nyx’s mother had been none too pleased and she was the scary bitch kitty deluxe in her family. Her father had just gone along for the ride.
Oh, she didn’t want to do this. Nyx had two beautiful boys who were wonderful and more importantly, they were grown. She was too old to be waddling around in a maternity toga and wiping snotty noses.
Her stomach roiled and she put a soothing hand to her belly. Whoever had taken up residence in there didn’t like the train of her thoughts. Yep, it was another boy, she was sure. Girls were never this demanding until they made it to the outside.
“Nyx, you spaced off again. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I guess. I’ll be fine.” In NINE fucking years. She took another gulp of cocoa before her little darling could protest. “This is really good. You’ll have to give me the recipe.”
“Oh, no. It’s a secret. You’ll have to come see me if you want some.”
“Double entendre much?”
“Occasionally.” He smiled and took her cup and set it down where the stable hands would see to it. “Will you let me see you to your door?”
“That would be nice.”
He put his arms around her and teleported to her temple steps. “I’d like to see you again.”
There were all sorts of quick and sharp relies on her tongue about “I’ll call you” and other phrases people didn’t mean, but she managed to keep them to herself. He’d definitely be seeing her again, but as to the prospects of another date, she wasn’t sure.
He noticed her silence and spoke again. “Really. It’s not one of those brush off things. In fact, I’d spend today with you if you’d let me, but it looks like you need some rest.”
Waste not, want not, right? If he wanted to come over later, fine. She could tell him then. “Do you want to come over for dinner later?”
“Shall I bring the wine?”
“Gods no,” she laughed. “How about some more of that cocoa?”
“I can do that.” He looked down at her tenderly. “Rest well, Nyx.” He smoothed her hair from her brow and kissed her forehead before he teleported home.
Yeah, she’d see how tenderly he felt toward her when she told him he was going to have another godling to take care of.
She flopped on her couch and noticed from the feel of the temple that Thanatos wasn’t there either. He must have had a very good night, doing whatever it was. Hopefully it wasn’t Persephone. Nyx had a feeling that would end poorly for both of them.
Knowing she wouldn’t be able to sleep until she talked to Hera, she grabbed her cell and dialed the goddess.
“Oh my gods, Nyx, have I got things to tell you,” Hera said by way of a greeting. “Can you make it to Jean Pierre’s?”
The thought of going to JP’s so early made her feel like she’d been sucking on a dirt pop. “How about a quick recap and Jean Pierre’s tomorrow? I have news too and it’s sort of made me take to my bed.”
“Spill then. If it keeps you from Jean Pierre’s it must be apocalyptic.”
“It is.” She sighed heavily. “I’m pregnant.”
“Excuse me, I think I had a something in my ear the size of a planet because you know what I thought you said?”
“Yeah, I’m knocked up. Preggo—it’s in there. Ripe. Breeding. Bun in the oven. Bringing forth life, etc. and so forth.”
“Shit.”
“No kidding.”
“So, I guess that negates the need for the question about how your date went. Did you tell Apollo?”
“No, not yet. He’s coming back over later. I figured I might as well get it over with and tell him. I have a few years before I start to show, but I don’t want to lie to him. I’m nervous though, Nod was a cock when I told him about Hypnos.”
“Do you want me to come over?” Hera said supportively.
“No, I really want to sleep, but I had to tell you or I knew I’d toss and turn until I did.”
“Wow. Makes my news kind of tri
vial in comparison.”
“Your turn.”
“I don’t want to dump on an already gianormous pile. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Hera. It’s already built up. Come on. I want to know,” Nyx pleaded.
“If you insist.”
“I do.”
“I told Zeus I was leaving him.”
“What did he say? When did this happen? How did it happen? Details,” Nyx demanded.
“Actually, it happened at the new goddess’s temple.”
“Abstinence?”
“Yeah. She’s really a doll. I like her. Weird, that. I don’t think I’m supposed to like my husband’s would-be mistress. Poor thing can’t have sex or she’ll die.”
“I’d have to die.”
“I know; me too.” Hera sighed. “Anyway, Zeus kissed her and almost killed her. Your son came to the door like a gentleman and Zeus managed to talk him into some kind of bargain.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea. Wait until I see him.”
“It gets better. All of those eons I’ve been married to Zeus he never told me he needs ambrosia and sexual energy to survive.”
“See, that would piss me off more than the cheating.”
“Right? Asshole. Anyway, he gives back the energy he took from her and he almost dies. So, he has her call me to come save him.”
“Classy.”
“Dick move, was what I told Abstinence. We had a good laugh. Anyway, you know I’ve been with Hades and the irony was just gold. It was our energy that fed him, Nyx.” She laughed. “But then he got all caveman trying to mark his territory and I told him we were done. Finished.”
“What did he do? I mean, you’re still here because we’re on the phone, but…” she let it hang.
“He acted like he was going to do something and I was ready for him. I could smite him.”
“I know you could.”
“Hades wouldn’t let him. I’ve never seen power like that, Nyx. It filled the room and wrapped around me. It was the most terrifying and sensual experience I’ve ever had. He didn’t need me to give him Zeus’ crown. If he wanted it, he could reach out and take it. He doesn’t want it. Oh, he breaks my heart.”
“Because he doesn’t want to rule?”
“No. Because even though he’s so broken, he’s still so noble. His suffering is like my suffering.”
“Hera. You love him.”
“I do. With everything that’s in me.”
“Have you told him?”
“You know I can’t. He keeps his heart in a box over the fireplace.”
“I know you, though. You’re going to do something.”
“I’m going to give him my heart. I’ll take his. It may be broken, but it’s healing. It can live in me until it’s whole.”
“What if he still loves Persephone?”
“I know he does. And that’s okay. A true, honest love never dies. If he could turn from her so easily, it wasn’t real. She’s called and asked to come back.”
“Thanatos wants her too. I don’t see the appeal.”
“Me either.” She laughed gently. “She’s a nice girl, but she’s a child and Hades is a god long grown.”
“What did he say when she asked to come back?”
“He told her he didn’t want her. I caught him forcing his gargoyles to role play so she’d think there was a woman in the room with him. He told her to be happy. Hades told me he knew she missed what was familiar and that was him, that she didn’t really love him. I was so stupid, Nyx. I asked him why that mattered. Fate has a wicked sense of humor because after we had sex, he wanted to hold me and I found the same words coming out of my mouth about wanting something real. That’s what I get for asking, right?” Hera has a tremulous sound to her voice.
“Aww, do you need me? I’ll come right over. I can sleep when I’m dead.”
“It’s okay. I’m about to leave with Hades again. You know, even if he never loves me, I love him. I hope it’s enough.”
“It’s not, but how could he not love you, Hera?”
“Zeus didn’t.”
“And we all know we should measure everyone by that goat scroat. Come on. You know better.”
“I’ve gotta go. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetpea. I’ll see you at JP’s tomorrow.”
“If Apollo lets you out of bed. You can’t get knocked up any higher, after all.” Hera hung up and Nyx was aware of just how much she loved to have the last word.
She sighed and it struck her even though they were eternal, how much their existences could change in one blink of an eye.
The door blew open and Thanatos staggered in, a half bottle of pomegranate Stolichnaya in one hand and an empty bottle of George Dickel bourbon in the other. Nyx raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t fucking ask, Ma.” He stumbled up the stairs to his room.
Nyx hadn’t even opened her mouth and had no plans to do so. She didn’t want to know. Unless he wanted her to smite someone, but he had his big boy trench coat on. He was Death, after all. She drew the chenille throw up over herself and sighed.
She’d thought she’d been done with this teenaged angst with him too. Maybe it would never end. That thought was enough to take the rest of the starch out of her knickers—had she been wearing any and hers not still baking in a warm pile of flying horse shit.
Nyx slept. Yes, when all else failed, the Goddess of Night was adept at dodging the slings and arrows of Fate by sleeping through them.
DEMETER
Demeter awoke in Eros’ arms to a beautiful Venetian dawn. Fingers of gold shot through the sky and tugged at blues and purples, the brightening sky pink with the soft, new breath of the day. She was amazed at the simple beauty. Because while Demeter had seen a million dawns, she’d never seen one where the bright colors reminded her of an artist’s palette. They were the first sure brushes of a master expertly mixing color and texture. The landscape had branded itself into her memory. She breathed deeply, hoping to capture the scents of the morning air and the fresh coffee from the cafes.
Their gondola had been anchored by the sudden burst of lily pads that had bloomed to maturity with the magic of their lovemaking. She used her power to release the life in them so as not to impede the waterways and directed it to plants blooming in window box gardens.
Ivy ripe with fruit and vegetables spread over walls and balconies and the scent of fresh herbs filled the air. Demeter sighed. She hadn’t felt this complete, this right with the world in what seemed like an eternity.
She realized she would have happily traded all of her long years for a few days such as this one. Maybe that’s what it was like for the mortals too. They knew they had an end and made better choices with the time they’d been given, because unlike Demeter, they had no way to prolong their existence.
Her power came to her with ease now. She was the alpha and omega, the energy flowing from her and to her at once. Demeter wasn’t at all tired and she knew with a certainty she could cover the world in Spring and her strength wouldn’t flag. These last years it had gotten so it tired her to make a single bud bloom. She’d thought it was from invoking an endless winter, but she knew now it was because she’d cut herself off from her source of power by denying the life cycle.
Demeter sighed and reveled in the heat of the god who held her. In his arms, she felt certain nothing but joy could ever touch her. She didn’t know why he loved her, but she was willing to accept that he did.
Last night had been his first time with a woman and he’d wanted it to be special for her. Demeter was thankful for him. He’d opened her eyes with his deeds, not words. Eros had given her so much and she couldn’t think of anything she’d ever done for him. Even making love with him had been about her, despite her better intentions.
It saddened her she wouldn’t have the time to make room in her heart for love. She wanted desperately to love him, but she knew her heart had been too full of hatred and fear to love anyone. He was already inside of her
soul though and she wanted to tell him, but didn’t have the words.
The deep, even movement of his chest signified he still slept and Demeter was content to lie in his arms and drift endlessly through the canals. She wanted to thank Venice for this morning and she called the Honeysuckle to burst into bloom over bridges and tangle itself over fountains and statuary.
It felt so good; Demeter wanted to cover the whole world in flowers. She resisted the urge, though. It wasn’t fair to them to call them forth in the deep set of winter in the frozen north, or in the desert where they would thirst and suffer.
A frantic plea interrupted her utopia and Demeter bolted from her repose to see who had called her name. Eros stirred and with a sleepy endearment, pulled her back against him. She didn’t see the owner of the voice so she settled back against her lover.
His warmth was like a blanket and she sighed again. Demeter was happy. Until she heard the damn voice again. She bolted up with such force the gondola teetered precariously. She still didn’t see anyone who could be talking to her.
She seriously considered this experience with Eros, all of it, was simply a figment of her tormented imagination. She’d wanted to be done with misery for so long now, perhaps her mind had made it happen and she was a couple pomegranates short of a bushel.
It would be unfortunate if that were the case, but if it was, Demeter didn’t want to know. She liked this new existence she’d made for herself—granted it had to end, but not yet.
“Demeter, what’s wrong?” Eros asked, alerted by her distress.
“I keep hearing someone calling my name, but I don’t see anyone.” She studied their surroundings again.
“It’s prayers.”
“No one prays to the old gods anymore, Eros. I’m not like Love, people don’t invoke me or even wish for me like they do love. I haven’t heard a prayer since 1852 when Lord Helmsely Hunsaker had a likeness of me erected in his garden and his Greek maid left honey and milk to ensure a bountiful harvest of mandrake so she could rid herself of his bastard.”
Desperate Housewives of Olympus Page 16