The garden!
Kaye took the bag and followed. It was a long shot, but she had to check.
Roses still decorated the arbor where Pan and Syrinx had recited their vows. Rows of white chairs stood in attendance. Beyond the ceremony site, Ares sat on a stone bench in front of one of Pan’s great fountains.
Kaye had the urge to squee, big time. Best of all, he was reading her book.
She made sure her curls weren’t sticking out all over the place and walked over as elegantly as she could while holding the bag. He’d made it at least halfway through the book. Even though his muscly arms lay at rest, heat radiated off him, drawing her in.
Absorbed, Ares didn’t even look up. She’d bet he wouldn’t let such a thing happen in battle.
Kaye cleared her throat. “So, you’re finding it helpful?”
Ares glanced up with surprise. “Kaye. I wasn’t expecting you.”
Kaye’s face flushed. All of a sudden she felt like a stalker. “No one answered the phone. Or the door for that matter.”
“Oh.” His face turned blank as if he hadn’t known such a thing as voice mail was needed.
“I had to drop these off.” She planted the bag at his feet. “I also have our tickets.”
“Excellent.” He shifted on the bench as if suddenly uncomfortable.
“You’re still going with me, aren’t you?”
He held her gaze so intensely, the attention made her cheeks burn. “With certainty.”
“Good.” She opened the bag. “Because otherwise I’d have to return all these clothes I found.”
He picked out a checkered shirt from Banana Republic. “You brought these here for me?”
“You don’t have to wear them if you don’t like them. But you do need to find something besides your armor.” She glanced down at his skintight leather pants, then tore her gaze away.
Ares folded the shirt and put it back in the bag. “This is more than acceptable. Thank you, Kaye.”
“It’s the least I can do for agreeing to spend a week with my family.” She dug in her pocket and pulled out the paper she’d printed from her computer. “Here’s your ticket.”
“A week?” His jaw tightened as he glanced at the paper, refolded it, and stuck it in the book to hold his place.
Kaye sucked in her lips. “Yeah. I didn’t mention how long, did I?”
“No.” He breathed in and held his breath for several heartbeats. His face softened, and he gazed at her with fondness. “But, I said I’d do whatever is necessary to remedy my negligence, and I keep my word.”
“Thanks. I’m sure you have more important things to do, like fighting battles.”
“My battles will have to wait.” He spoke as though time stopped just for her.
Kaye blinked, wondering if she interpreted his tone correctly. Was she that important to him?
The sky cracked above their heads. Kaye ducked as a gust of wind blew around her, pelting sideways rain. Her thin cotton shirt would be drenched in minutes.
Ares stood and put his arm around her. “Come, I’ll take you inside.”
That was an offer she couldn’t ignore. He lifted the bag and helped her from the garden to a side door, leading into a pantry. Lightning rumbled as they took cover. Kaye laughed in relief, ringing out her shirt as Ares closed the door behind them. “That came quickly.”
Ares glanced at the ceiling as if he could see through the roof. “It makes me wonder if someone has angered my father.”
Kaye thought back to the wedding, when Ares had spat out a litany of pompous names in his introduction. The God of War, one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of… “You mean Zeus?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.” Reality hit her. She’d spent a lot of time with Syrinx, but not with any other deities. She was dealing with gods who could split the sky in two—not your average family. “You think he’s mad at me for taking your time?”
Ares stepped toward her and touched her cheek, making her skin tingle. “Not at all. If, indeed, Zeus is angry at my absence, then it is no fault of yours.”
Seemed to her it might be. She’d asked him to accompany her. Guilt washed over her. Keeping this god to his word was selfish. “You sure they don’t need you up there?”
“They can wait.” All worry drained from his face. His eyes glanced at her bare stomach beneath where she’d tied her shirt in a knot. A drip of rain rolled from her belly button to the tip of her jeans. In that moment, she felt the sexiest she ever had in her life.
Sexy and bold. She wanted to close the distance between them and tear off his red cape.
Kaye pushed the thought away. What was getting into her? Sure, she wanted him as a date for the reunion, but did she really want to go that far? A mortal and the God of War couldn’t have a future together. Gods had affairs with mortals throughout history, but did it ever last? What did he want? She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Why are you doing this for me?”
Ares’ face turned stoic and mysterious. If she could only read him better. Her gut told her he was holding something back.
His rain-slickened hair glistened deep amber-gold in the light, and his eyes were pools of blue ocean. “I want to help you.”
But why? He was the God of War, and she was a mortal who helped run a florist shop. Nothing special. She studied the hard angles in his face. She wanted to believe he liked her. Syrinx had said she’d never seen him with another woman. Maybe he was telling the truth. “So I’ll pick you up on Friday?”
Ares folded his hands in front of his gold belt and nodded. “I look forward to it.”
Hadn’t she taught him that phrase? She smiled proudly. “Very good. You learn fast.”
“I have a good teacher.”
The room heated by a few degrees. The thought of staying for dinner, or even staying the night danced through her head. Kaye reminded herself she’d only met him a few days ago, and her impulsive urges had never gotten her anywhere good in the past. “I really should be going.”
“Of course.” Ares glanced at the floor. Was that disappointment crossing his face?
He ushered her toward the main hall. The mess with the vase had been cleaned, and the scent of roses lingered in the air.
She paused at the door. “So, Friday, around nine a.m.?” She hoped Pan had some type of alarm clock.
Ares nodded. “Nine a.m.”
Before she could turn away, he swooped down and brushed her cheek with his lips. Kaye’s knees weakened, and she held herself up with sheer will power as she said good-bye and stumbled to her car. No matter his intentions, she’d already fallen hard.
He would be even harder to resist while sharing the same room. She sighed, running her hand through her curls. She’d bought the tickets and emailed her mom. Her family already planned for one more seat.
There was no turning back now.
Chapter Seven
Puppet and Swan
“You’re bringing Ares where?” Syrinx bent over a marigold, inspecting the soil.
Kaye had assumed her friend would be pleased with the state of the greenhouse and her new love life. Despite the distractions, she’d managed to get all of her work done and score the hottest guy of the century. Too bad Syrinx didn’t see it the same way.
“It’s only a family reunion. It’s not like we’re getting married.”
Syrinx gave her the crazy eyes she usually reserved for ludicrous stories on the news.
Kaye stopped and placed both hands on her hips. “What?”
Her best friend shrugged. “He doesn’t strike me as a meet-the-fam type of guy.”
She was right there. “All I need is a hot date to get my family off my back. It doesn’t matter if he beheads warriors and slays mythological beasts for a living.”
Syrinx tapped her fingers on her chin. “I know he left you hanging at the party and wants to make it up to you. But to leave his army unattended for over a week? Something doesn’t add up.”
Hurt pan
ged Kaye’s chest. They’d been friends for so long, and Syrinx had wanted her to find someone. So why was she so against Ares? Was it because he was a god? “You don’t think he could like a clumsy mortal like me?”
“No. It’s not that.” Syrinx placed a curl behind Kaye’s ear lovingly. “More like I’m not sure he deserves you. Reading chick lit and wearing Banana Republic shirts just doesn’t sound like the Ares I know.”
Kaye sighed, wishing Syrinx could just be happy for her. Instead, she was reaffirming Kaye’s own doubts. “Maybe I shouldn’t have asked him.”
Syrinx squeezed her hand. “Oh, Kaye. I want you to find someone so badly. I’m probably being paranoid. Take him to the party and have a great time. Just be careful, that’s all.”
“So you’ll manage without me?”
“Of course I will. I may not be able to balance all the accounts or track profits, but they’ll still be here when you get back.”
Kaye threw her arms around her best friend. “Thank you! I’ll tell you all about it.”
Syrinx squeezed back. “I hope you do! I can’t wait to hear about the look on your family’s faces when they meet him.”
Kaye put both elbows on the countertop and dreamed. “Neither can I.”
When Kaye reached her car after work, she realized she’d forgotten to tell Syrinx about her newfound athletic skills. All of the excitement about Ares had taken every moment of conversation.
Kaye turned back to the shop, but Syrinx had already turned the lights off. No matter. This burst of energy would probably wear off in time. If it didn’t, she’d run out of war movies to rehearse her moves. She’d already been through half the action and adventure movies on Netflix. Soon she’d end up watching the old black-and-white stuff. I’d go back to foreign drama before that happened.
Kaye parked at her apartment and climbed the steps three at a time. She didn’t even need a car anymore. She could have run the ten miles to the shop and back again. Without all the traffic lights, running might even save her time.
A UPS package lay at her doorstep like the Holy Grail. She’d been waiting for this ever since she woke up feeling like she could take on the world. Kaye dropped her purse on the floor and tore the box open.
A silver sword with a rhinestone-crusted hilt glimmered in the hallway light. Excitement spread through her. Kaye brought out the sword and tested the weight in her hands. Perfection.
“You’re not going to use that on me, are you, dear?” Henry called from down the hall. He wore his red, plaid jammies and held a cup of hot tea.
“Of course not. It’s just for…self-defense.” Kaye sheepishly put the sword back in the box. What ridiculous urge made her unleash the sword in public, she had no idea. Just a few days ago, she had lectured Ares on peace. Now she was flaunting a deadly weapon.
Henry bent down and picked up the pizza flyer on his doorstep. “I feel safer already.”
“Good.” Kaye smiled and opened the door to her apartment. She wasn’t sure if safer was the right word, but she did feel different. A bold, independent confidence surged through her. She wasn’t the ugly duckling anymore. With the sword in her hands, she was a swan.
…
Ares tucked his checkered shirt into his new pair of jeans and looked in the mirror. Twenty-first century clothing lacked any decent protection. In battle, this attire would hardly stand a chance.
Alas, the battles he fought nowadays occurred over china and silverware. His new sword was his wit and charm; a dull blade at that. Ares shook his head as he stashed his armor in the closet of Pan’s guest room. He only hoped he’d have use for it soon enough.
Since no one had contacted him, he had to assume his father and kingdom were safe. He could not let word spread of his absence, or beast and god alike would use it to their advantage.
So Armin Warhammer it was.
Down below, Kaye’s steel chariot pulled up in the circular driveway right on time. Ares closed the old suitcase he’d found in Pan’s attic and walked down the steps to meet her. He tripped on the second-to-last step, but caught himself, breathing with relief. As much as he despised it, he now always held the railing as a precaution, like an old man.
An old man.
Panic sped his heart. Every day he died a little inside. An old man is precisely what he’d become if he didn’t regain his powers. He had to believe he could. He had to believe in his ability to strategize, and in Kaye’s capacity to love.
Surprisingly, when he stepped out the door and saw her smile, his worries withered away.
She lowered one of the windows. “Ares, I mean Armin. Ready for the time of your life?”
Ares thought back to a chapter in Kaye’s book when Kylie asked Mace—formally known as Mr. Hottie—if he was ready to accompany her to his sister’s wedding. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” he quoted.
Kaye’s eyes widened in surprise. “No snobby rhetoric? I’m impressed.”
Ares opened the door of the chariot and threw his suitcase in. Three of Kaye’s black bags were stacked in the corner, one so long it could have been a sword. He blinked the thought away and took his seat beside her. “I’ve been studying your book.”
“I can see that.” She pushed her foot forward and the chariot lunged forward with no horses to pull it.
Ares clutched the handle on the door. He’d never ridden in such a cramped metal box, and Kaye drove like a bat out of Hades’ Underworld.
“What’s the matter? You prefer your golden chariot?” There she was again, using that sarcastic, mocking tone.
He glanced at her with surprise. “How did you know?”
“I’m not the first mortal to ever take a Classics literature class.” She gave him a sideways smile full of mischief. “Tell me, do unicorns pull you along?”
“Not unicorns.” He shifted in his seat and released his hold of the handle. “Ten of the finest Pegasi.”
“So it’s a flying chariot?” She raised an eyebrow.
What was he going to do with her? Ares rubbed his temples and accessed another passage in the book, when Kylie teased Mace about his motorcycle. “A god’s got to go where a god has to go.”
Kaye burst out laughing.
Ares crossed his arms over his chest, anger burning through him. But she turned toward him with no malice in her eyes, only happiness. His anger fizzled out. She wasn’t laughing at him. He’d amused her with his wit.
A familiar feeling of triumph welled up inside him.
…
The line at the airport stretched from the counter through three rows of tired, stressed people hauling bags with whining, young children.
Ares sighed. How did mortals live these boring, tedious lives?
“You do have some ID, don’t you?” Kaye dug through her wallet and pulled out a small card with her picture. In the photo, her hair had been tied up in a bun, leaving a few curls to dangle around her ears. She looked rather endearing.
“What is ID?”
“Oh jeez.” She slapped her palm on her forehead. “Why hadn’t I thought of this?”
Mortals could be so anxious. “Why do I need one?”
She glared at him like he was a three year old. “To get on the plane.”
“Why don’t I just tell them who I am?” Ares straightened to his full height. No one told the God of War he could not pass.
“What are you going to do? Brandish your sword? Yeah, that’ll get us through.”
Her sarcasm grated on his nerves. On Mount Olympus he was all powerful, and here, these mortals wouldn’t even let him ride an airplane? Preposterous.
Kaye fidgeted with the straps on her bags, casting glances at the people behind the counter. “I’m not sure what to do… Customer services? Should we just go home and book another flight once we get this straight?”
The line moved up by one person. Kaye dug through her ticket information for an answer.
“Excuse me, sir. You seemed to have dropped this.”
Ares glanced ov
er his shoulder. The old woman behind him reached out and handed him a small plastic card. For a second, her eyes burned orange red, and her nose grew longer, her cheeks sunken. A moldy stench wafted up. Hekate stared at him through her wrinkled face.
Ares raised his arm to defend himself. Before he could act, the old woman’s gaze returned to a dull, copper brown, and her features rounded into the grandma she had been. She stared at him as if she’d gotten lost and didn’t expect him to be in front of her.
The old woman studied the card. “Funny. I don’t remember picking this up. This must be yours.”
Hekate’s power of transformation chilled Ares’ bones. She’d possessed the old woman’s body long enough to speak, but not long enough for him to attack. What could she want with him now?
Ares took the card. It was reminiscent of Kaye’s, with his picture on the front. He wore the same clothes he wore now. The name read Armin Warhammer.
He wasn’t sure what was more disconcerting—that Hekate was helping him, or that she watched his every move.
The line moved again, and Kaye read the sheet she held. “No refunds if you miss your flight? What kind of airline is this?”
Ares tapped her shoulder and showed her the card. “Is this what you wanted?”
Her eyes widened. “What? How?” She examined the card and breathed with relief. “I should have known. You can probably dream this stuff up from thin air.”
Ares glanced away to hide his embarrassment. He could have if he’d been in possession of his powers. “Something like that.”
She threw her arms around him and squeezed. “We’re saved!”
Kaye’s scent surrounded him, sparking desire. Ares stood awkwardly in her embrace as the line moved forward. The grandma behind them gave him a sweet smile and mumbled something about young lovers.
He and Kaye were a far cry from lovers, and he was hardly young, but he didn’t have the heart to contradict her. Instead he bent down and whispered to Kaye, “Looks like it’s our turn.”
As they walked up to the counter, Ares checked the grandma one more time. She leaned on her cane, patting the head of a toddler who pulled her crochet work out of her pocket.
Definitely not Hekate.
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