I had nothing to say to that and was soon surrounded by dozens of gods, goddesses and nymphs, all eager to meet Hebe’s daughter. There were also wizards and other assorted creatures that looked human but obviously weren’t. I had goddess radar now and it was buzzing warnings constantly. After three hours Dionysus finally whispered in my ear that I could leave since Zeus had slipped out with one of his many mistresses and Hera had retired with one of her famous headaches.
“Thank goodness. I can’t wait to get out of here.” I had filled my plate twice with goodies from the buffet but not even the delicious aroma of roasted pig could get the food past my closing throat. Being the center of attention in this crowd was too much for me. Plus I’d never keep all the Greek or Roman names straight.
“Let me walk you to your rooms.” Mars hadn’t left my side for even a moment once his wife was gone.
“Thanks.” I headed for the doors. As soon as we were outside, I relaxed. I’d been “on” for hours.
“You were vampire when we met before.” Mars said this quietly.
“It was how I managed to stay alive, Mars.” I glanced at him. “Would you let me call you Dad?” I braced myself for the vampire talk. He didn’t look happy. “Or Father?”
“Call me whatever you wish.” He stopped in the middle of the path directly in front of me. “Daughter. I am amazed and delighted. I don’t know what your mother told you about our relationship…”
“That you love each other. She’s not happy in her marriage. I’m glad she has you.” I reached out and took his hand. “Dad. You can’t know how I’ve longed for a family. This is a miracle.”
He squeezed my hand then looked away. “A complicated one. Damn Hebe. Why did she hide you from me? It drives me mad to think of you fending for yourself. All the dangers on Earth you had to face. So horrible that you had to rely on a vampire!” He tugged me into his arms. “I’m sorry you weren’t here, with me.”
“I think Mother did what she thought was best at the time.” I couldn’t believe I was defending her.
Mars pushed back and shook his head. “She made a mistake. She knows I love all my children. I would have found a way…” He sighed. “Too late to change things of course. Gloriana, you have brothers and sisters now. You should meet them. I will arrange it!” His eyes lit up.
“Sure, I’ll meet them. But I’m not up to it tonight.” I blurted out what I needed him to know before he got too excited about this family reunion. “Please, listen to me. I don’t plan to stay here. I, I want to go home.” There, I’d said it. He got a look on his face, like he was about to go into battle. Determined.
“This should be your home. You should take your rightful place here, Gloriana. As a granddaughter of Zeus, it is a powerful one.” Mars put his hands on my shoulders. “When I remember how you were a blood sucker, with a dangerous life on Earth…” He shook his head when I started to speak and held onto both my shoulders with an iron grip. “Don’t deny it. I was there when you faced a threat from a voodoo priestess. And I’m sure that wasn’t the first time you were at risk. Was it?”
“Well, no. But I survived down there for over four hundred years, Dad. And now that I know about my Olympus powers…” I smiled, “Thanks to you and Mother, I will be fine. I have a good life down there and Jerry, my fiancé. We are to be married soon.”
“Impossible.” His frown was scary and I tried to wiggle away from his grasp. Not happening. “I will not let Hebe off lightly for this. She has much to explain.”
“That’s between you and my mother.” I lifted my chin. “My rightful place is back down there. Being a bloodsucker as you call it is what I am. I must go back.” Tears choked me. I finally jerked away from him and saw that my bedchamber was just steps away. I still didn’t understand this world or how the rooms were set up but I recognized my room and the golden door with my initials painted in the center. A silly detail but at least it helped me now.
“Gloriana, wait!” Mars was right behind me as I wrenched open the door. “We must talk. What is down there that you feel you must return to such a sordid existence?”
“I told you. My lover. Jeremiah Campbell. Jeremy Blade. You met him. Even thought he was a fine warrior, I know you did.” I faced him, this man I knew now was my father. His eyes had gone from kind to hard and ruthless. I knew one of his powers included standing as the deity for a voodoo religion. Sure enough, I sensed a wash of dark power around him now. It sent a chill through me but didn’t scare me. Had I inherited some of that juju? The thought gave me a kind of twisted satisfaction. I shouldn’t rush home without learning what I could about that and any other new things that could help me. I narrowed my eyes at this new father of mine when he smiled.
“Oh, no, you don’t. If you’re planting thoughts in my mind, stop it now.” I shook my head and refused to make eye contact with him before my mind went off the rails entirely.
“I only want what’s best for you, Gloriana.” He leaned against the door frame but didn’t come inside. “That vampire male you think you love? Surely you can’t believe you will be going back to him. It’s not seemly, Gloriana. No daughter of mine will be with a vampire.” He crossed his arms over his massive chest, in full warrior mode now and issuing orders. Clearly he had no idea how to handle me as he’d soon find out.
“It’s way too late for you to dictate to me, Mars. I raised myself. I was left on my own for hundreds, no, more than a thousand years and I survived. I’m my own woman and I won’t just fall into the goddess line here. I’m a vampire and proud of it. Deal with it.” I planted a hand on his shiny breastplate, gave him a firm push then slammed the door in his face.
I leaned against the door, my heart pounding. Had I really just told off the god of war? I waited for an explosion or at least the crackling and smell of fire after a lightning bolt hit the wooden door. The silence and lack of action almost scared me more than if Mars had lost his cool. I looked up and met the frightened gazes of half a dozen handmaidens. Of course they’d heard the whole thing. One of them sucked it up and came forward.
“You’d better lie down, mistress. If we lay the blame on a brain seizure, surely he will forgive your outburst.” She led me to the bed and helped me take off my sandals. Another handmaiden pulled back the covers while a third laid a cool cloth on my forehead. They all looked worried, wringing their hands and whispering among themselves.
What would happen if Mars burst into the room and took out his anger on them? I ordered them out of the room, relieved when they scurried away through yet another set of doors I’d never noticed before. Then I closed my eyes and waited. When nothing happened, I guess I fell asleep, thinking maybe I’d won the first round. But when I woke up I was still in Olympus and my parents were standing over me, determined looks on their faces. Somehow I knew I wasn’t going to like what they had to say.
Chapter 4
I was about to throw back the covers and confront them when I realized I wasn’t wearing anything. I’d dreamed I was with Jerry last night. It had been pretty hot. Great that I could dream at all—vamps couldn’t do that--and now I realized I must be able to change or lose my clothing in my sleep. Freaky.
“Could you give me a minute? I’d like to get dressed, brush my teeth and maybe, I don’t know, wake up?” It was clear from the looks on their faces that they were going to try to bully me into staying here. I had to persuade them to let me go home. For a moment I panicked. On the power-o-meter, I was a one and they were off the charts.
“Gloriana, relax. We can certainly read your thoughts.” My mother smiled, obviously deciding to try a softer approach. “Mars, let’s go into her sitting room and have breakfast while our daughter pulls herself together. Don’t make us wait long, darling.” She hooked her arm through her lover’s, pulling him from the bedside.
“Don’t think to make a run for it, Gloriana. There’s nowhere to hide up here and no one who will help you.” Mars lifted my mother’s hand from his arm. Oh, still mad at her. “We’ll wait for ten minutes
then we’ll be back.” The commander had issued his orders.
I saluted, refusing to say another word. He scowled, then stomped off toward yet another set of double doors. I guess I did have a sitting room. First I’d heard of it. A handmaiden rushed to me with a robe as soon as they were out of sight and the doors closed behind them.
“Thanks. Guess I don’t have time for one of those great soaking tub baths.” I did love my new bathroom. I rushed through cleaning up and putting myself into some kind of order. It took me longer to pick out an outfit than it did to slap on makeup. So many designers, so little time. I settled on a wonderful Pucci print sheath and Prada pumps that fit like a dream. I stopped in front of the mirror. I looked like a goddess. Too bad I didn’t feel like I had a snowball’s chance at winning points in the pissing contest to come.
“Come, sit. Look at these lovely pastries. You can eat whatever you wish and it won’t show on your new waistline, Gloriana. Isn’t that wonderful?” My mother handed me a piece of brioche slathered in butter when I got to the breakfast table in my sitting room.
I didn’t say anything, just savored both the info and the taste. Whoever cooked up here was a genius. But, God, I missed my fangs. I couldn’t even smell my parents’ blood from across the table, just my mother’s delicate perfume and the aroma of all that food. Mars was all man, no flirty perfume for him, but he was clean and reeked of leather and whatever his servants used to polish his silver belt buckle.
After hundreds of years of sizing up people by the pint, I didn’t know how to act. So I stuffed my face with food. Next came a raspberry tart. I tried to slow down and take dainty bites, but it was just too delicious. When I reached for another one, Mars had waited long enough.
“Can we get to the point?” He slammed down his coffee cup. An empty plate sat in front of him. Obviously he’d finished his breakfast and that was all he cared about.
“And that point is?” I blotted my lips with a snowy napkin. I hadn’t been so greedy that I’d forgotten to be careful not to spill on my dress.
“You know the point, Gloriana. You are staying here and we’re arranging a proper marriage for you. You’re certainly not marrying that fanged monster on Earth!” Mars slapped the table and the silverware rattled.
“Over my dead body.” I jumped to my feet. Would he strike me dead? No. But he could freeze me in place, hurt me. Let him. I wasn’t going to marry anyone but Jerry. I showed him that in my eyes.
“Stubborn wench.” He’d jumped to his feet too and I could see his frustration in his scowl and fisted hands. “It’s for your own benefit. There are many worthy warriors up here and a good alliance can protect you.”
“Sit down, both of you.” My mother calmly drank her tea. “This argument is going nowhere, I can see that. You are both too stubborn.”
I sat but leaned forward. “Who do you think has protected me since 1604? Jeremiah Campbell.” Tears filled my eyes and ran down my cheeks. “The man rescued me from poverty, loved me, kept me from danger and even paid for bodyguards when we took breaks from each other.” Hearing it laid out like that made me even more determined to fight them and fight for Jerry.
Mars settled back in his chair and the wood creaked under his weight. He was a big man and, even without his armor, strained the delicate furniture that someone had used to fill my sitting room. He was obviously thinking about what I’d said.
“That’s all very well, Gloriana. But here you are not a vampire. You are our daughter. A goddess in your own right and from the house of Zeus. There are many gods who would be honored to call you wife.” My mother set down her porcelain cup. “Mars and I would let you choose from among them, of course. A man who would be kind and lusty enough to keep you happy. Give you children!” She leaned forward and clasped my hand before I could stop her. “Can your vampire do that? Give you children?” She stared until I had to look away. “Of course not.” She released me and sat back then nodded at Mars. He took up the argument.
“Listen to your mother, Gloriana. This is important. Zeus may take the matter out of our hands, of course.” He toyed with a knife at his belt. He wore a leather outfit suitable for a soldier, not a toga, but from an ancient time. “Hebe, I remember this man Gloriana is so fond of. He threw himself in front of her once when she was in danger. He calls himself Blade.”
“Yes!” I grabbed my father’s arm. Could he be coming around to my way of thinking? “He goes by Jeremy Blade now. Because he’s handy with a knife. I’ve seen him hit a target dead center from yards away. You would enjoy getting to know him better, Dad. I know you would. He’s a warrior like you are and has been in many battles. He’s the bravest man I know and a leader. Just like you are, Dad.” I dropped in the “D” word again, hoping to tease a little fatherly feeling from him. Whatever that meant up here.
“Not just like Mars, Gloriana. Not even close. He’s not a god.” Mother frowned, obviously not happy with me.
“One more reason that I love him.” I lifted my chin. “My dealings with gods haven’t exactly made me trust them, have they?” I didn’t care if I made these two mad. What else could they do to me? When would I learn not to think like that?
My mother went from irritated to furious in a blink of an eye. “Daughter, you need to learn to curb your tongue!” She lifted her hand as if to toss a lightning bolt and I braced myself.
Mars stood so abruptly the dishes rattled. “Hebe, leave her alone. Gloriana has reason to be in a temper. Look what she’s been through.”
“Please sit, Mars. I, more than anyone else, know what we’ve all been through. I’m sorry, Gloriana. This has been a trying time for you of course. But you know I’m only doing what is best for you. Bringing you to the place where you belong to claim your birthright.” Mother whipped out a hanky and worked up a tear. “Mars, I thought we agreed . . .” She sighed. “Never mind. Gloriana, we are grateful to this man, Blade. Perhaps a gift is in order.” Mother glanced at Mars. “One of your swords would please him no doubt. Especially if you gave it a magical power.”
“A true warrior or a man in love would be insulted by the offer.” Mars glared at her. “Like we are trying to buy him off.”
“He would. He’s a rich man, successful and from a highborn family. He has pride, Mother. To try to reward him now would not be wise.” I took a breath. I had to find a way out of this. “Send me back. You can come visit me whenever you want. I know you both have spouses here so I’ll be nothing but trouble for you. A reminder of an affair that they surely disapprove of. And you already know what Hera thinks about betraying your marriage vows.”
“My mother will get over that. She loved you on sight.” My mother gazed longingly at Mars. “She understood that I was lonely and never loved my husband. He was cruel to me when he realized our sons were never to grow to manhood. Hercules has quite a temper and took the boys’ affliction out on me.”
That finally got Mars’ attention. “You never told me… What did he do, Hebe? I swear, if he hurt you, I’ll make him sorry he was ever born.”
“He knew better than to lay a hand on me.” Mother reached out and touched Mars’ arm. He finally took her hand. “But he can be very cold and cruel. With words. Until you and I finally were together, I was sure that I was the reason he got no satisfaction in our marriage bed. He claimed I was frigid and could make any man’s,” she actually flushed, “cock shrink with just a look.”
“We both know how wrong he was about that, don’t we?” Mars pulled her hand to his mouth. “But you never should have hidden this child from me. Why did you?” He released her. “I’m sure Gloriana wants to know as well.”
“The way Grandmother is accepting me now makes me wonder why you didn’t just go to her at the time.” I saw Mother shrink in her chair as we both focused on her.
“I was scared, confused. Mother has mellowed over the centuries. I guess Father’s many indiscretions have convinced her there is no use wasting her time worrying about fidelity. But back then, she was rab
id on the subject. I couldn’t count on her support. In fact, I was afraid she’d have made me,” Mother stared down at her lap, “rid myself of the pregnancy early on.” She looked up. “I couldn’t do that. Not a child made from our love, Mars.”
“But you could drop it into Achelous’s harem of horrors?” I jumped to my feet. “Do you have any idea how he treated his women? I am blessed that I don’t remember it but I have heard from the Sirens how it was and still is.” I took a breath. The breakfast I’d enjoyed threatened to choke me. “They had to kill whoever they lured with their song, give Achelous the gold they stole then service that pig you call a god as well. At least Circe is in charge there now. I’m sure the Sirens are celebrating. She is bound to be a gentler mistress.”
“Gloriana. Will you ever forgive me?” Tears flowed down my mother’s cheeks.
“She might but I’m not sure I will. Gloriana is right. The Sirens are nothing but whores and killers, Hebe. This sickens me.” Mars stared at me for a long moment, ignoring my mother’s sobs. “I just found you. I am certainly not going to send you back to Earth, Gloriana. Even if Zeus would tolerate that, which I’m sure he won’t. But I can do something to please you.” And he suddenly disappeared.
“Oh, gods, I cannot lose him.” My mother buried her face in a napkin, her shoulders shaking. “What have I done?”
“Finally gotten what you deserved?” I knew that was cruel but my father was right. Dooming a child to a life as a murderous whore was a horrible thing to do. “You seem to think it’s quite all right to deny me a life with the man I love so excuse me if I don’t break down over Mars being mad at you. At least you still live in the same place.” I sat at the table again, gesturing for a handmaiden as I’d seen my mother do. Sure enough one appeared and cleared the table. Thank God, because I couldn’t take the smell of food for much longer.
“I thought we were coming to an understanding, Gloriana.” Mother mopped her eyes with a napkin. “I can’t change the past.”
(Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips Page 6