by Luc, D. X.
“Don't worry about it, brother. Just take the lead arrow. Much simpler.”
“It is not, Ares! Stop telling him that. Besides, I wouldn't have given it to him anyway. Don't think I am not aware of what you're thinking either.”
The look that passed between them worried me, but Eros didn't clarify. Instead, he strode over to where I stood and held out his hand.
In his palm was a purple and black swirled, ceramic vial.
I’d waited for something, anything that would fix what I’d done, but sweat prickled on my brow at the realization of what the object suggested. I couldn't weigh the pros and cons, both being substantially monumental.
My nephew said nothing, just stood offering me a new choice that would change not only my life, but Vanessa's if I chose it.
Ares' face was nonchalant, the only giveaway that he was emotionally tied in all of this came from how his eyes sparked.
“This is ambrosia, Eros. You can't be serious.”
“Woo her, your woman, uncle. Remember when I said that everyone has a someone? Well, it would seem Vanessa is yours.”
“But, this? Ares is right, the arrow would be easier.”
“It'll also make you hate her, something I can't reverse. He just wants to find a way to win this, even by cheating.”
Shooting my brother with a steely gaze, he turned his head away and took a sudden interest in my wall paneling. Why I ever believed he wanted to help without there being a price to pay was stupid on my part. Apparently, when it came to Vanessa and the feelings tied with her, I’d lost any form of common sense.
The vial was still before me and the temptation rang in my ears like the morning bells in a Roman Cathedral, yet I still hesitated. Perhaps, despising her was the better idea at least then, I could forget about her and lose my endless hard on.
“Stop being a fucking fool, uncle!”
It was obvious Eros had read my thoughts. Even so, I wasn't prepared for his outburst, having never been cursed at by the young man. I blanched and took a step closer to the door. He placed the vial down on my coffee table and I kid you not, the damn thing sang to me. Begged me to take it and use it on Vanessa. What about the side effects? I questioned it. It didn't respond. I was really losing it and the constant ringing didn't help make me feel any better.
“Gods, man! Where is your head? Answer the damn door!”
I blinked and as realization dawned on me, I felt foolish. If this was the curse that was making me so distracted, a very unusual occurrence for me, a stab from either Eros's arrow or Ares' sword would have been good ideas. Muttering under my breath, I turned while sniffing to make sure it wasn't Vanessa, and swore outwardly when the scent determined who it was instead.
With a calm breath and a sincere hope that my family members would disappear, I opened the door to see a small, but furious Willa.
When her eyes darted behind me, they widened. Her reaction confirmed for me that Karma was indeed a bitch and trust me, I know her personally.
“What did you do? What did you do to Vanessa, you alien bastard?” She stormed passed me, snarling all the way until she reached where Eros stood.
He looked bewildered and I couldn't understand why he was so transfixed by her, knowing that he only had eyes for Psyche. Then again, Vanessa's sister was the type that drew attention her way, rather easily. In my case, it wasn't in a good way. Her eyes stabbed at me like icy daggers, making me feel even crappier.
Ares wasn't as affected as my nephew and I, so he spoke up with ease. “Alien? You, a mere mortal, dare to speak to gods that way? If you didn't come with such a cute, little ass, I'd turn you into a toad.”
“Wait? What? Gods? Like, God?”
“No, sweet cheeks, Gods as in multiple. The big guy who you seem to want to castrate at the moment, is Hephaestus. Mr. Stare-A-Lot there is my son, Eros. I, the obviously handsome one, am Ares. Lover, fighter and I could be yours, if you'd like.”
If I could explain the face Willa made, you'd get why Eros and I burst into laughter.
Ares' responding countenance to our laughter was beyond ridiculous. He balled his fists and like a toddler throwing a tantrum, he stomped his foot. Glaring at us all, he burned away like a supernova on the crazy train.
Eros had backed off, but kept his eyes targeted on her as if she were an interesting experiment.
Willa ignored him and glared at me, still accusing me with her gaze.
Can't say I was surprised that finding out what I was didn't phase her a bit. More than likely, it justified her hatred of me even more.
“So, did you hurt her?”
“Never. I desire her.”
“Then, what’s wrong with her? My sister may not be the most spirited of women, but she's talking crazy. I fear she's going to die.”
It was wrong, but I wanted to lie. The urge to say yes, I caused Vanessa's pain and torment, did not want to come out easily. How could it? How could I explain to this woman that my lusty touch was a curse which created a craving so deep, her sister would cease to live without having it on a constant basis. It was impossible, this truth. A very hard pill to swallow. Yet, as I looked into her hazel eyes, with the same color as my beloved neighbor, I knew I had to be brave and honest. “I touched her, Willa.”
“I know, I was there.”
“Wait, what?”Eros's voice was a mere squeak of surprise. Great to know he was still alive and present.
Too bad I couldn't answer him. I was airing my dirty laundry.
“No, not in the backyard, it was later in the evening.”
“That's impossible. She said it was a dream.”
“What happened in the backyard, uncle?” Eros had found his voice.
“It wasn't a dream. Nor, was it a fantasy the second time.”
“So what? You snuck into her room and gave her a good time, which led to her becoming bat shit crazy? Sounds like some bad Mojo!”
I didn't say anything and after several seconds, the silence told her all I didn't.
She turned away from me then, her shoulders shaking, telling me that she was crying.
One woman, lay in her bed in the dark, waiting for me in a deranged stupor while another wept, because I was the cause for the pain. Not a month in this world and I've destroyed two lives.
Through her quiet sobs and my loud guilt, Eros spoke calmly, but with an underlying urgency. “Since no one wishes to discuss the 'backyard' incident. I will say this uncle, you must make a choice. Leave her to perish or make her yours, eternally.”
“But she could still perish!”
“Have faith, Hephaestus. That’s what true love is all about.”
“Eros, you have helped me so long. I know you’re disappointed. What if I fail?”
Though his face was kind, he couldn't answer, he only shrugged.
He still believed in me, even when I didn't trust in myself.
Willa had stopped crying, but kept her back to me, her fingers touching the small bottle resting upon my table.
I had been in the home of Death before and the silence that stretched around us went from tragic to awkward, the only sound being the cars of returning husbands outside. With a deep sigh, I could tell from his flickering body that it was time for Eros to go. “I'm sorry I took you from Psyche, nephew. I will figure this out on my own. Thank you for coming down.”
“Uncle---”
Raising my hand, I cut him off from any emotional speech he was about to give, because I knew it would have broken me.
He flashed and returned once more, as a rumble of thunder rolled through the sky. Zeus was calling for his return.
I’m not sure why I did this spur of the moment kind of thing, but I pulled him close into a hug, ruffling his hair in a loving manner. Eros was a good kid with a pure heart and he tried to bring that joyous spirit to so many. He even fought to fill it in the hearts of his parents.
“You are a great man, nephew. You do so much, and ask for so little. I understand you more now than ever before.
Love isn't a right, it's a privilege.” I continued holding him close, making sure he knew he was loved back by someone in the family. He would know, once he left here this night, that no matter what happened, I was grateful for him believing in me.
We stood that way a moment longer, before I finally let him go.
Tears shimmered in his eyes, hovering on the edge of falling down his timeless face. Taking a deep breath, Eros nodded and began dissolving in a whirl of gold dust.
The tears that stung my eyes, did fall when he whispered a parting message that I knew I'd never forget.“Eíste o patéras to pnév̱ma mou. S'agapó̱.” You are my spirit father. I love you.
A small hand, holding a white tissue appeared by my right side and I took it, wiping my tears. Peering down, I saw that Willa was grinning at me, holding the very thing that I was trying to avoid. “Well, Mr. Hephaestus, ready to get my sister?”
She had the right idea, though. I had to have faith that this decision would work and I'd be with the woman I knew belonged to me, since the first night I passed her house. “Oh, I am, dear Willa. I very much am.”
“Call me, sis!”
For the first time in a lot of miserable nights, I gave a true smile.
Chapter VIII
Vanessa
My world didn't matter anymore, sounds were muffled and any scent seemed disgusting. I didn't want to eat or see anyone, even when they came to check on me. Calvin had only left an hour ago, begging me to seek help, but I knew that the best professional couldn't save me. For all of my life, I was the fat one, the boring girl. My sister stood out like a rose and I was the dandelion, needing to be plucked and thrown away. This pathetic conclusion was the only thing I could figure that had happened to me.
It's hard to say they were dreams or figments of my imagination, because they were so real. So much so, that when I reached out to touch him, I felt the silkiness that was his hair. I could even feel the way his baritone voice vibrated against my thighs.
My vacation had started and each night I waited for him to return. He said his name was Heph, and that I was the most beautiful creature he’d ever laid eyes upon. He called me a Goddess above even the mighty Aphrodite! But he never returned, like he said he would. He promised and he didn't. “He promised me!”
Most of the glass vases in my house had been broken, victims of my endless ranting, so I had nothing left to throw. Somewhere, in the dark recesses of my mind, I remembered being a different woman, I‘d been independent loved by friends and family. Where had that Vanessa gone? My phone rang, but it was all the way across the room, where I had tossed it. It was probably my sister, asking if I had finally left my bedroom. The answer would be no. The small, square sanctuary with the maple brown furniture and blue walls had become my prison.
The colors were picked by Willa to promote peace and tranquility. Now, all they reminded me of was my neighbor's beautiful eyes. Just when I didn't think I could, more tears fell down my face, spilling until they began drenching the collar of my shirt. Reaching, without looking, I felt around my nightstand for tissues, and my hand came upon something I had nearly forgotten about. “They would never forgive me. But, they don't understand what I'm going through. Hell, I don't even get it.”
Wrapping my arm around the rope, I held it, testing its weight. The dark thought forming in my mind as I ran it through my fingers, its roughness was oddly comforting. Maybe, because his hands were the same way, especially as they glided over my body. It was too soon, though, I still had four days before I gave up. I was going to give him time to come back to me, even though it was just in dreams. “We'll plan it out tomorrow, okay?”
“Of course, I know this is the right thing for us,” the rope responded.
At the sound of a voice outside my room's window, I paused with my inspection of thick, braided cord. There was no way! My heart was pounding faster than my feet, but they did move quickly as I crossed the room to stare down at the street. What I saw there, almost made me have stroke, scream obscenities and want to kill all at the same time.
Below, I watched Willa and my neighbor, Heph talking in front of her van. His massive bulk leaned against it, the frame creaking in protest. While my loving sister, stood in front of him, her hand resting sweetly on his wide arm. He looked at her with gentle eyes and he was smiling. That was my smile! When they went to embrace one another, I turned away, a sickening knot in my stomach. Focusing on my bed, the rope wanted my answer. Wait or go?
* * * *
“Stay with me, sweetness. Just keep breathing, you're okay.” The voice was gruff, accented and filled with raw sexuality.
My limbs felt cold and numb, my throat sore. Realization came crashing down on me as my vision cleared. Above me, I could see that the beam that I had wrapped the rope around was broken in half, and I blushed in embarrassment. I bet if I had been a skinny bitch, that wouldn't have happened. Lifting my hand, I felt the scraped skin on my neck, where the binding had rubbed in my downward fall and I flinched. Then, it hit me that I failed my attempt to die and I was still stuck in hell.
“It's okay, lovely. You'll be okay now, I have you.”
I almost forgot the man in my room and twisted my head to look at him straight on. What I saw made me wonder if perhaps, I did die and found my way into sexy man heaven! The pinch of the blood pressure cuff on my upper arm revealed that not to be so. Wanting to move, I tried to push myself up, but his quick and sure hand pressed me back to the floor. The strength he possessed was powerful and very alluring.
His head was bent, so all I could see was his buzz cut hair, black as a raven's feathers. He didn't seem to work for the paramedics or police, as he wore no uniform that I recognized. In fact, he seemed more of the biker type, leather clad, and a provocative hunk of guy. However, I made the mistake of lusting over a newbie before and ended up almost dead. Fool me once, as they say.
“Who are you?” My first mistake was forcing my voice to come out above a strained squeak. The inner damage from the rope was possibly worse than the outer. My second was that the question caused him to look at me directly and I practically came on the spot. He was bad, that I knew, but he was the kind of naughty that made good girls like me end up with their backs against a cold brick wall, down a dark alley way.
His eyes were a brown so bright, they looked blood red and his features were strong and firm. The cocky arch of his brows told me he didn't believe in losing, and would fight dirty if he thought he was going to. It was his lips, so full, delectable and in need of my own mouth kissing them.
“Like what you see?”
“Oh, yes.” The voice that came out of me was wispy and seductive, as though I was trying to make him want me as much as I wanted him.
He grinned and helped me to sitting position.
I was overcome with a deep, powerful need to rip his clothes off and pounce on him. If passion had a name, it would have been his. Then I recalled that I had no name for him. “What is your name and how did you get in here?”
“Ares, and as for your second question---”
“Your parents named you Ares? They must love all things Greek.”
“That they do. Now for the second, I saw you from outside, I was riding my motorcycle down the road. I kicked through your door and rushed up here. The beam broke just as you fainted. Glad I got you back, you're far too delicious to lose in this world.” His voice dropped an octave while his gaze focused on my mouth, then lower to my breasts.
As though he called to them, my nipples hardened, straining against the thin material of my shirt. I knew I was blushing from that point, because even my legs had turned a nice shade of pink. Maybe I did need to commit myself, because this instant attraction to hot guys was becoming unsettling.
Ares inched closer and I couldn't help but inhale the masculinity of him. His body was a combination of cigar smoke and power. Yum. He stood fluidly, and I knew there was no way I could stand upright, so I was appreciative when he held his hand out for me to grab. Part
of me feared that he'd stumble, his frame was leaner than mine, yet as he pulled me up and into his embrace it was as though I was no heavier than a sheet of paper.
“Told ya, I had you. Now, what's your name, sexy?”
“I'm Vanessa. I should uh, thank you, I guess.” My body was in full horn dog mode while flush against his and I knew that if I didn't keep the conversation going, we'd end up on my bed.
Heph had left me in a very bad state of mind and this handsome savior of mine, might end up a victim of my sexual insanity. Of course, from the look on his face, he would gladly take the hit. Maybe.... “No! I can't do this.”
“Do what? We’re just standing.”
“No, no we weren't. I can't fall for this again, I won't be used again!” The pain of why I’d tried to kill myself came crashing back to my soul like a freight train. I felt Heph's touch, his kiss. I saw him with Willa. He lied to me, they were together—I just knew it. All the men wanted her, not me. Never me.
My body convulsed and if the Ares guy hadn't caught me, I would have jumped out of the window. I struggled against the bonds that were his arms, and dug in my heels to the floor hopelessly, as he pushed me back to the bed. We fell together, his weight crushing into me.
For a moment, his eyes looked like they were overflowing with the blood of lost soldiers, red and vibrant, flowing through the streets of mayhem.
As if the fierce look in his eyes had transferred to me, emotions unadulterated and violent filled my veins with lust, rage and need. “Fuck me! I need it, now!”
“As you wish, séxi sklávos.”
How our clothes disappeared as fast as they had, I'm not sure and honestly, I didn't care. What I was certain of, was the searing heat of his cock as it rammed into me with such ferocity that my headboard left a crack in the wall. I clawed at his back, knowing I drew blood, but as the scent of the tangy liquid and the hard sex assailed me, my mind shattered.
He growled, pulling back until he nearly exited and slammed himself into my pussy, a jolt of pain and pleasure shocking my core. But it wasn’t enough for either of us and he ripped from me, leaving me empty and cold. He flipped my body over quickly, a stinging slap to my ass making it rise in submission. Three fingers darted into my hole, which was wet and sticky, my walls sucking on the digits like a desert man at an oasis. Call it crazy, but I decided to up the ante, turning my head to look at him over my shoulder. “Just fingers? Limp already are we?”