Finding Paradise (The Gods of Oakleigh Book 1)

by Juanita Kees

  “No matter,” said Odys when she mentioned it. “We can’t stay here long. As soon as the ruckus has cleared down there, we’ll need to find a way home.”

  “I’m not sure that will happen tonight.” Penny clicked on the television. “We’re just in time for the news, and look who’s making headlines.”

  Arian groaned as Channel Twelve’s newsreader filled the screen. “Making news tonight … Tornadoes tear through the USA, the Demon Dodgers management team calls an emergency meeting to discuss Craig McMahon’s future, and who is the mystery man his ex, Arian Kendrick, picked up at the airport?”

  “Picked up? Why do they have to make it sound so darn tacky?” Arian accepted the glass of white from Penny.

  Jax stood next to her as they crowded around the television, a comforting hand on her shoulder as the newsreader continued and the image of Arian and Jax’s embrace flashed on.

  “Demons fans called foul play as Ms Kendrick flew into the arms of a man we can only guess is the lover she ditched Craig McMahon for. The two looked cosy as they dodged the crowd tonight, avoiding questions and escorted by yet another mystery man, a woman and a little girl. Speculation is running high. We’ll have more on that tomorrow as new information comes to light.”

  Taking the remote from Penny, Arian turned off the television. “Bloody hell, haven’t the bloody media got more important news to report? What a mess.” She looked at the group. “I’m so sorry. This has gotten way out of control.”

  “Yes,” Helen agreed. “We saw the newspapers, Arian. This is not your fault.”

  Thunder rattled the windows and a flash lit up the sky over Melbourne, bathing it in an eerie glow. Seconds later, rain thrashed down with a vengeance that promised widespread flooding.

  “Ah, that should take care of the media camp out,” muttered Odys. “We should take advantage of it and leave now. Jax?”

  Jax nodded, and pulled Arian close. “Tomorrow we will talk, I promise.”

  “Yes,” she agreed. Slipping her arms around his waist, she hugged him closer and lay her head against his chest to be comforted by the erratic beat of his heart. “Tomorrow.”

  He pressed a kiss against her temple, the promise in his touch a comfort to her frayed nerves. “It’s late and we need to get home. Ermioni has had a long day, as have we all. If you could call a taxi for us, my love?”

  “Of course.”

  Flustered, she unhooked her arms from around him, walked to the hall table and got her phone out of her bag. Three missed calls and four text messages — no doubt all from Craig. The bastard had totally spoiled Jax’s homecoming. Had she really thought he’d give up without a fight? She should have known better.

  Just as well they’d come to her apartment. If the press had followed Jax home, they’d hound him mercilessly.

  “Arian.” She turned to see Jax leaning against the wall, his thumbs hooked through the belt loops of his jeans. “Do you love him, this Craig McMahon?”

  Arian looked down at her phone as it rang again and tapped reject. She sighed. “He was so charming, good looking and popular. I was flattered by the attention when I knew he could have his pick of the bunch and he chose me.”

  Jax pushed away from the wall and stepped closer, making no move to touch her. “And now?”

  Warmth radiated from him, tugging her closer. She looked up and in his eyes she saw uncertainty mixed with a touch of sadness, and something that almost resembled desperation. They’d known each other such a short time, yet he’d become as important to her as breathing. Here in the cold reality of Melbourne, could they make a short-lived holiday romance work?

  That magic they’d felt on Mykonos, the special connection between them and the glimpses of Paradise when they’d made love — were they all for real?

  “No, I don’t love him, Jax. I don’t think I ever really did, but —”

  He cut her words off with a gentle touch of his finger to her lips. “That’s all I need to know.” His lips replaced the finger on her mouth with a quick tender kiss before he stepped back, leaving her wanting more. “I want to stay with you more than anything, but Odys and I need to see Helen and Ermioni home safely tonight in a taxi. I’ll be back tomorrow after a shower and a sleep. We’ll talk about our future then, my beautiful vasilissa.”

  Arian wanted to beg him to stay, to hold her for the rest of the night and make her nightmares go away. Deep down though, she knew he was right. It would only get messier if they stayed and tried to leave in the daylight, and they were doing the right thing making sure Helen and Ermioni were safe. God knew what stories the press would make up by tomorrow.

  “Okay. Tomorrow. Sure. I’ll call for that taxi now.” While I still can.

  She watched Jax walk back to where Odys and Helen waited in the lounge room, a sleepy Ermioni between them on the couch, torn between begging him to stay and letting him go. The automated booking message played, she gave the address for the pick-up and hung up.

  “Your taxi will be here in ten minutes,” Arian said, walking into the lounge room. “We’ll take you downstairs to get your luggage out of Penny’s car.” Her words were hollow, like the ache in her heart. She’d pictured their reunion so differently. Now a taxi would sweep him away again at the ungodly hour of two a.m. thanks to bloody Craig McMahon.

  “No, you and Penny should stay here. I can’t leave you alone in that mob down there. They’ll only hound you with questions and turn this into more of a tragikó théatro.” Jax squeezed her hands. “The luggage can wait for another day. There is nothing in there we need immediately.” He turned to the others. “Why don’t you guys go ahead and I’ll be down in a minute or two?”

  Odys cocked an eyebrow. “One minute? That’s fast, even for you,” he teased, earning himself a punch on the arm from Helen. “What?”

  “Behave yourself. Take Ermioni, will you? She’s a little heavier these days.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Hey, Penny — catch.” He pulled the car keys out of his pocket and tossed them across to her.

  She caught them with ease. “Looks like you need to practise your pitch, big boy. That was too easy.”

  “Oh, honey, when I put power behind my pitch, you’ll know all about it.”

  “You pitch like a blind man wearing glasses. You’re more likely to break a window than a boundary.”

  He narrowed his eyes at her as he picked Ermioni up into his arms. “Is that a challenge?”

  Penny laughed. “Ha, if it was, you couldn’t rise to it anyway. I’ll walk you to the lift … to make sure you leave.”

  “You love me, you know you do.”

  “Like I love a hangover after a night on the town … not.”

  With a sigh, Helen shepherded the bickering pair out the door, closing it behind them and leaving Jax and Arian alone in the aftermath of deafening silence. Arian’s heart beat a tattoo in her chest.

  “Arian, we only have a few minutes now so I won’t waste time on explanations. There are things I need to tell you and I’m going to need your trust. Tomorrow, I will tell you everything, but I want you to know you mean everything to me and I will fight for you to the end of my days.”

  A shiver of apprehension spread through her. “Jax —”

  “Shh, my love.” Gently, he took her face in his hands and lowered his head to whisper against her lips. “I love you, my Faerie Queen. Without you, my soul will die and all I have to live for will be gone for eternity. I cannot let that happen for I do not wish to reside in such hell.”

  He kissed her then, a soft tender kiss that curled her toes and drained the blood from her head to boil through her veins. A taste of more to come, and a promise of tomorrow as he held her close in the haven of his arms, melting her against him as her temperature rose to fever pitch and she clung to his shirt. A kiss so deep and full of love, Arian felt a tear trickle down her cheek and tasted the salt on his lips.

  He lifted his head and held hers gently against his heart for a moment longer. She listened to the un
steady pounding, closing her eyes and absorbing the sound so she’d remember it later.

  “Stay,” she whispered.

  “Tomorrow,” he promised, stroking her hair.

  ***

  Jax cursed the blinding flash of cameras and thrust of microphones as they exited the building. Odys shuffled Helen and Ermioni into the backseat of the waiting taxi, while Jax got into the front seat, and closed the door on the media circus.

  “Drive. I’ll give you directions when we’re away from this mob.”

  The driver nodded. “Sure thing.” With a squeal of tyres, he pulled away from the kerb.

  Jax looked back and saw reporters scrambling for their transport to follow. Thankfully, with the taxi driver negotiating a warren of back streets, they lost the horde quickly.

  “So, you a celebrity or something?” he asked curiously.

  “Or something,” Jax replied. “That was smart driving, thank you.”

  “Where to?”

  “Grandview Grove, Oakleigh. You okay back there?” Jax glanced back to see Ermioni sleeping peacefully on Helen’s lap. “What a mess. This isn’t going to sit well with you-know-who. The media attention is worse than we expected.”

  Odys sighed. “It will blow over, I’m sure. If we keep a low profile maybe they’ll leave us all alone and find someone else to focus on. A few days, a week … that should do it.”

  A week without seeing or speaking to Arian? He’d go insane, Jax thought. He wasn’t about to waste even one day of his godly reprieve.

  The look in her eyes had begged him to stay and it had cost him dearly to ignore it. There was nothing he’d like more than to hold her all night long against him, inhale the smell of her perfume and feel the touch of her silky skin on his …

  “Cut it out, Jax. I know what you’re thinking,” Odys groaned. “You’ll blow the electrics on the taxi with those thoughts. I don’t want to have to walk the last few blocks.”

  Jax chuckled as they approached the intersection on Estelle Street. Within minutes, they pulled into the driveway of the two-storey home Zeus had acquired for their stay on Earth. The Mediterranean styling and whitewashed walls reminded Jax of home. The only difference was the secret cellar beneath the floor, dug and re-sealed by Zeus’ magic to protect the treasure beneath. The Shield of Achilles would finally be his if he succeeded in his mission to marry Arian — Queen of the Faeries, Restorer of Life — and reclaimed his soul from Purgatory.

  Helen carried Ermioni inside while Odys retrieved their luggage from the trunk. Jax handed the driver the fare with a generous tip.

  “Thank you. I’d appreciate it if you tell no-one where you dropped us off?”

  “Of course, sir.” His smile broadened as he counted off the dollar notes in his hand.

  “Kali̱nýchta. May the gods be with you.” Jax turned and followed Odys up the drive.

  ***

  They walked hand in hand on the moonlit beach, the waves caressing the shore with a gentle wash, their bodies touching with each step they took on the soft white sand. A warm breeze lifted her hair and blew the strands across her cheek. Arian felt the brush of Jax’s fingers against her skin as he tucked the wisps behind her ear. They stopped, feet sinking into the sand as the water lapped at their feet. Jax pulled her close, his head descending and blocking out the light of the full moon as his lips touched hers.

  “Arian …” he whispered.

  On the horizon, storm clouds built and lightning flashed. Thunder roared as the wind whipped up, sending sand spiralling around them, stinging their legs. A gust ripped Jax from her arms, even as she tried to cling to his waist—

  “Arian, wake up. You’ve got to see this.” Penny’s voice pierced her dreams and drew her awake.

  Arian groaned. “Go away.”

  Penny shook her firmly. “I mean it, Arian. This is scary shit.”

  Arian sat up and wiped the remnants of her dream away as Penny turned on the television. The morning show hosts stood on the pavement outside Craig’s apartment block, and between them stood the man himself.

  “There’s a twist in the tale of unrequited love this morning as we go to air live with football’s golden boy, Craig McMahon.” Amanda Dhiaga preened as she fluttered her false eyelashes at their guest.

  “That’s right, Amanda,” crooned Mal Sebastian. “Who is the mystery man Arian Kendrick took home last night? Craig?” He thrust the mike between them.

  “That’s the question we’re all asking, Mal. Arian met this bloke on Paradise Beach in Mykonos. We all know the club there is a pick-up joint where creeps prey on the holidaymakers — spiked drinks, a quick lay and they send them on their way. If they think the mark is worth something, they romance them a little.”

  “Is that what you think has happened to Arian?” Mal wiggled an eyebrow at the camera.

  Arian wished she had magical powers to reach through the screen and slap the sneer from his lips.

  “Not think, Mal … I know.”

  “Oooh,” squealed Amanda, scenting scandal. “Do tell.”

  Craig, the smarmy bastard, placed an arm around Amanda’s shoulder, leaned in and said, “I’ve had him investigated.”

  “Oh, this is bullshit.” Arian made a grab for the remote, intent on turning off the offensive reporting. Penny dodged out of her way.

  “I want to hear what crap he’s come up with. Then we can get a hold of Jax and Odys, and they can sue his stupid arse.”

  Arian threw herself back against her pillows with a huff as Craig leaned forward and delivered his pearl of wisdom.

  “Arian’s boyfriend, Jax Polemistis, doesn’t exist.”

  The crowd behind them on the pavement gasped, Mal Sebastian sneered and Amanda Dhiaga devoured Craig with her eyes as she inched closer. Arian raised herself on her elbows and looked at Penny, a sick feeling churning in her stomach. Cold dread shivered down her spine.

  “That’s quite a strong statement there, Craig. He looked pretty real outside her apartment last night.” Mal cocked an eyebrow at Craig, who smiled charmingly into the camera.

  Arian’s skin crawled with goosebumps at the self-assured arrogance in his expression.

  “I’ve had him and his friend investigated … for Arian’s protection, you understand.”

  Arian tossed a cushion at the screen. “For my protection, my arse. You miserable, trouble-making bastard.” Even as the words slipped from her lips, she felt the doubt grow like weeds encroaching on her garden of happiness.

  “Shh,” scolded Penny. “Surely he wouldn’t be stupid enough to make a statement like that without any proof.”

  Arian grumbled as he paused, shoulders straight and a smirk Arian wanted to slap from his lips.

  “My investigators found no trace of Ajax Polemistis or Odysseus Laertiades. No business details, no credit information, not so much as a social media account.”

  Arian felt his arrow hit home as if he stood right in her bedroom with the bow aimed at her heart. Penny pressed the button on the remote and silence echoed around the room. Silently, she crawled up to sit next to Arian, hugging the spare pillow. For a moment, neither spoke. Too much of what Craig had said made sense. If Jax and Odys were scammers, they were damn good ones. The yacht, Helen and little Ermioni … surely they weren’t involved too? And what about those strange mind reading moments, those glimpses of Paradise Arian had seen in his kiss, and the zing of pleasure she’d felt at his touch? They had certainly felt real and there’d been no mistaking Jax’s own cries of pleasure.

  “That’s it, I’m calling Odys,” said Penny, launching off the bed and running out the door.

  Arian sighed and reached for her phone. With her heart in her throat, she dialled Jax’s number. It rang three times.

  The number you have called has been disconnected. Please hang up or try again.

  ***

  Hades chuckled. Humans, they were so predictable and so easy to manipulate. Playing with Craig McMahon’s mind was fun even if it wasn’t much of a
challenge. While McMahon kept the media busy with his whining, it kept the Faerie Queen distracted long enough for Hades to forge a plan. He couldn’t have her flitting around with Ajax, becoming friendly with Zeus and finding out about Paradise, could he now?

  He swirled his dark cape around his shoulders and hooked in the clasp. His pitch-black stallions snorted and stamped their impatience, and the chariot rocked on its wheels. By the time his dear brother Zeus found out what he was about, Hades would have control of Paradise. He didn’t need the Faerie Queen really, but with his wife Persephone away for so many months of the year, she would have come in handy. Never mind, he’d have his fun some other way. I wonder what Athena’s doing these days.

  Chapter Ten

  Jax and Odys winced as lightning flashed around the room and Zeus paced the tiled floor of their kitchen. “This bloody Earth and their damned technology. Look at the trouble it has caused. Did I not forbid you to engage public attention? Did I not make the rules clear enough before you left Purgatory, Ajax?”

  Jax looked at Odys who, by the strangled grin on his face, found their predicament more amusing than frightening. No sooner had they unlocked the front door of the house than Zeus had made his dramatic entrance, swooping down from the sky in his fiery chariot, his harpies’ wings spread wide. He’d sworn, ripe and loud, at the bumpy Earth landing, the harpies more used to navigating clouds.

  Jax’s gaze drifted out the window to the back garden where Helen patched their skinned knees and elbows, and used magic to repair their wings. The chariot hadn’t fared well either, although that was more a result of Zeus’ fury than the entry through Earth’s atmosphere.

  “Ajax.” Zeus’ shout tore Jax’s gaze away from the charred remains of the chariot. “Hand me that blasted tiléfono thing. You too, Odysseus.”

  “What? But …” Odys jumped as a lightning bolt struck within millimetres of his big toe. He thrust the mobile phone at Zeus, who held out his free hand to Jax.

  “It’s my only communication with Arian,” pleaded Jax.

  “That’s the problem with you young people. You’ve forgotten the art of communication. This —” he wiggled Odys’ phone between his fingers, “— is not a means of interaction, it’s a curse. Causes accidents, privacy breaches and all sorts of things because humans are lured by its silly magic,” he muttered.