“Silence!” Zeus’s face was red. “I have heard enough. Hera, what think you?”
“That our daughter may leave this man if she so wishes.” My grandmother stood and walked over to pull my mother into a hug then kissed both her cheeks. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you all those years ago, darling. He is clearly not the man to make you happy.” She glanced at Mars, held by five men. “We will not dissolve the marriage, it is not our way. But you may have separate quarters as you have wished, Hebe. And must no longer answer to Hercules in any fashion.” She ignored a shout from behind her.
“This is wrong! She is my wife, my property.” Hercules struggled against the men restraining him. “Zeus, my lord, this is a dangerous policy that will cause problems once your people hear of it. Others will want similar arrangements. Alliances that help you control your minions will be shattered.”
“Some alliances cannot be sustained. And you are my vassal, Hercules. You will do as you are told.” Zeus walked over to face the man. His fury had lit his eyes with a fire so intense that I’d taken a few steps back before I could stop myself. I bumped into Jerry who settled a comforting hand on my shoulder.
“Of course, sire.” Hercules suddenly lost his bluster and dropped to his knees.
“You laid a hand on my daughter? You are still alive only because of past deeds that earned you special favor here. Be assured that this matter isn’t over. I will give it more thought. Your treatment of a member of my family may yet cause me to mete out a punishment more suitable than banishment from court and freedom for my daughter. Now out of my sight before I forget certain vows and take your head.” He flung up his hands and Hercules disappeared.
“Father! Thank you!” My mother fell at his feet once Hera released her. “You cannot know the misery that man has caused me. The boys too. He is a bully, a--”
“Say no more. We are not done here. There is the matter of Gloriana and this person Mars has brought from Earth.” Zeus lifted her to her feet and stalked over to face Mars. My father actually fell to his knees again, his face toward the floor. “Yes, you’d better show some contrition. I know what this man was there. And what he did to Gloriana.” He gently moved me aside and looked Jerry over then raised his hand.
“Grandfather, wait.” I was terrified he was going to make Jerry vanish like he’d done to Hercules. “Remember, please, that this man gave me immortality on Earth. He saved me or I’d have perished centuries ago.” I stepped to Jerry’s side and held his hand. “I know you don’t care for the way he saved me, but what other choice did he have? After Achelous left me to die? I consider Jeremiah Campbell, known to you as Jeremy Blade, a gift from the gods. Many times over the years he risked his life for me.” I glanced at Jerry who still stood at attention, following Mars’ lead. “Look at him. He’s strong in our world down there. A warrior and a leader of men. Many admire him.”
“Is this true, Blade?” Zeus finally let his hand fall to his side and stepped closer.
I tried not to cringe. My grandfather’s power was like a ripple in the air, invisible yet strong enough to make my hair rise. “Yes, sire. I am a Highlander. Originally from Scotland. We pride ourselves on being able to go into battle and fight side by side with our men. I have the scars to prove I’ve never run away from a fight.”
Zeus looked Jerry up and down. “And would you fight for Gloriana?”
“To the death, sire.” Jerry knelt at Zeus’s feet. “I am sorry you don’t approve of the way I saved Gloriana. I loved her the moment I saw her. Making her what I did,” he was careful not to say the “v” word, I’d warned him about that, “was the only way I could be sure that she would be with me forever.”
“Yes, I can see that. But you are not a god and I won’t make you one. My granddaughter must be married to someone her equal.” Zeus tapped Jerry on the shoulder. “Get up. Let me look you in the eye.”
“I may not be her equal here, but, on Earth, we are equal partners and she wishes to marry me. She wears my ring. We are promised.” Jerry said this while looking straight at Zeus, never flinching. If my grandfather needed proof that Jerry had balls, this should do it.
“I have someone picked out for her. A fine man. I suppose there’s one way to see just how worthy you are. I can let you fight for her. Are you willing?” Zeus smiled, obviously relishing an evening’s entertainment.
“No! Don’t agree, Jerry. Grandfather, you can’t pit a god against a mortal. That’s all Jerry is here. It will be a slaughter. Please, spare him. I love him.” I threw myself at Zeus’s feet.
“Oh, get up. I know how to arrange a fair fight.” Zeus pulled me up and handed me a handkerchief. “Wipe your eyes, you silly girl.” He turned to a soldier. “Send in Kratos.”
“That would hardly be an even match, sire.” Mars had found his voice and stood next to Jerry.
“Who is he?” I asked while darting worried looks at Jerry. I’d expected a reaction from him. Then I realized someone here had frozen him in place. Not me, of course. But any of the other people in the room could have done it, even one of Zeus’s soldiers, to make sure their leader wasn’t in danger standing so close to this outsider.
“Kratos is a god of strength and might.” Mars fingered his own sword which I knew had magical powers. “If Blade goes up against him unarmed it’ll be a slaughter.”
“Nonsense. I’ll make them both equally matched. I can make Kratos mortal again since I’m the one who turned him into a god after he did me a service.” Zeus turned as a pair of soldiers entered the room, flanking yet another handsome man who looked to be in his prime. He had broad shoulders and a shock of dark hair that matched his eyes. He and Jerry looked enough alike to be brothers. He bowed before my grandfather but quickly straightened to stare at me.
“You must be Gloriana. Your grandmother told me you were beautiful. But I didn’t expect…” He lost his smile when I did my snap trick and became a size twelve right before his eyes. “This.”
“Mother, is this the man you’ve selected to match with Gloriana?” My mother eyed him critically. She hadn’t noticed my change. “What are the terms?”
“Don’t trouble yourself, dear. Be assured that Kratos will fill our coffers for a chance to ally himself even further with the house of Zeus.” Hera strolled forward. “Child, what have you done to yourself? This will not do.” In a flash, I was a size two again. “Rebellious chit. You must not have learned a thing in the cells.” She turned to my mother. “It’s obvious she wasn’t raised here, isn’t it? We will have our work cut out for us before she is ready to walk down the aisle with Kratos.”
“I’m not marrying this man.” I put my hands on my much smaller hips. I remembered to give him a small smile. “I’m not intending an insult. You seem like a fine man, perfect for any woman who is not promised to another.” I scooted closer to Jerry and picked up his stiff hand. I hated that he was still frozen and unable to squeeze my fingers. “It’s just that I’m already in love with this man and we plan to marry. Good luck finding someone else.”
“Gloriana, I’m sorry if your heart is engaged, but this is not your decision to make.” Zeus smiled.
“Indeed not. For once, my husband and I are in perfect agreement.” Hera pulled me away from Jerry, proving that her powers were too strong to resist. “Sit beside me and keep your mouth shut, Gloriana. Zeus will arrange matters.”
I glared at her but my vocal chords no longer worked. Damn her.
“Kratos, are you willing to fight for a chance to claim Gloriana as your bride?”
The god looked me over, a hungry smile on his face. “Now I am. For a moment there… Well, I was afraid she was one of those greedy wenches, always into the sweetmeats. But I see now it was just an illusion. To put me off perhaps?” He winked at me. “You’ll get used to me, Gloriana. I’m sure I can make you see that I am the man for you. I’m known for my prowess, on the battlefield and…off.” He moved closer, as if to touch me. Hera gave him a look and he stopped a few feet aw
ay.
Oh, but I wanted to do something, anything, to stop this. I eyed the short sword my father had hanging from his toga. Kratos had a strong build and probably thought his bragging would impress me. I’d like to impress him with a sword to his manhood.
His eyes widened. “Well, she’s a feisty one, sire.” He’d obviously read my mind. He laughed and faced Zeus. “Is it a fight to the death? I’m sure once this mortal lover of hers is put down, it won’t take long for me to make her forget he ever existed.”
“Strong words. I like your attitude. Now here are the terms.” Zeus glanced at me and probably saw how distressed I was. Fight to the death? No way in hell would I sit still for that.
“I won’t risk you, a most trusted ally in such a way. This won’t be a fight to the death. Just until one of you is declared winner to my satisfaction. And you’ll both be fighting as mortals. No special skills or powers.”
Mars leaned close and whispered in Zeus’s ear.
“Ah, it seems our visitor has a special skill. How are you with a knife, Kratos?”
“I’m proud to say more than proficient. Not to brag,” He winked at me, “But I can hit the eye of a running deer at sixty paces.”
Mars snorted. Since I had no idea if such a feat was even possible, I was afraid that meant Kratos was as good with a knife as Jerry was. However, clearly the god had a huge ego. If I had to marry him, which I vowed was never going to happen, his bragging would become irritating beyond belief.
Zeus rubbed his hands together and sparks flew. “Kratos, I hope you aren’t overstating your ability because I’ve decided that you will both be armed with two knives and a broad sword. I am given to understand those are the weapons Gloriana’s champion is proficient with. Is that correct, granddaughter?”
I was suddenly allowed to stand and even speak. I left Hera’s side and ran to Jerry’s. “Yes, but I don’t want--”
“Gloriana, hush. This seems more than fair. Don’t you think I can handle this kind of challenge?” Jerry had been thawed and now put his arm around my shoulders. “This seems more than fair. I thank you, Zeus. What say you, Kratos? Will you meet me in hand-to-hand combat?”
Kratos leaned back his head and laughed out loud. “Ah, listen to the lovesick swain. Willing to fight for his lady. You’ve not even heard all the terms yet, idiot. Say them now, sire.”
“Ah, the terms. Winner gets the hand of the fair Gloriana, of course.” He nodded toward me.
“And the loser?” Kratos stared at Jerry, obviously considering him an unworthy opponent. Jerry did look pale, his time in the cells finally showing.
“A century in the cells.” Zeus smiled. “Unless one of you accidentally kills the other.”
“There must not be such an accident.” I realized Jerry’s hand had slipped off my shoulder. Then I heard Kratos laugh, a braying sound that got on my last nerve.
“Why I think I’ve won before even one blow has been delivered.” He nodded behind me.
“Jerry!” I turned and saw that my lover had collapsed. He was clearly unconscious.
“Sorry, sire.” Mars gestured and a couple of soldiers picked up Jerry and carried him toward the double doors. “If you’ll give this man time to recover from his incarceration before the fight, I’m sure he’ll give you a fine evening’s entertainment.”
“Entertainment!” I stayed by Jerry’s side. “My entire future rests on this fight.” I picked up his limp hand and rubbed it. He was unresponsive. I gestured and the soldiers stopped. I knew we didn’t dare leave Zeus’s presence without permission. “Sire?”
“Hebe, I heard you threw this man into the cell next to Achelous. A fit of temper, perhaps?” Zeus stared at my mother.
“Yes, Father. I saw no need to have him here. Knowing what he was.” She glanced at Mars. “But my daughter is willful and does seem to truly love him.”
“Yes, you have my own temper.” He smiled, ignoring his wife’s humph of agreement. “Very well, we’ll hold the fight in a month’s time. Make it an event. Take your man away, Gloriana. Send in Dionysus. He can arrange things so that this will be a fine evening’s amusement.” Zeus laughed and walked over to settle on his throne. “Open the betting books. I can imagine Olympus will be quite lively for the next month.”
“A month?” But I looked down at Jerry’s pale face and could only nod. He needed to rest, restore his health and practice with his knives and broad sword. I could hear Kratos bragging about his skills as the doors opened to the curious crowd and the soldiers carried Jerry out. God.
“Did Zeus kill him?” Dionysus was suddenly next to me.
“No. Grandfather wants you next. We’re to have a party. Go ask him about it.” I looked around, refusing to say more in this place with so many listening ears. “Can you send me to my bedchamber with your magic? Or tell me how to do it?”
“Certainly. I assume you want to take your fallen warrior with you?” My uncle ran his gaze over Jerry. “He looks a bit pale but should be all right with your tender loving care.” He grabbed my hand and placed it on Jerry’s chest. “Now imagine your bedchamber, no, your bed. Think hard and you’ll be there in a blink.” He rubbed his hands together. “A party! Thank you, Gloriana. You have no idea how dull this place can be.” With that he whisked through the double doors which shut behind him.
I did as he said, my hand firm on Jerry, my mind visualizing my bed inside my bedchamber. With a combo of “I think I can” and “Please take me there” I soon found us in the middle of my king sized bed. Unfortunately the soldiers had been holding his head and feet and they were with us too. We were all in a pile on the bed. Oh, well, I guess for a first try, I’d done well.
“You may go now and thank you.” I dismissed them after we’d sorted things out.
I gestured for handmaidens who quickly got to work. Apparently the secrets of Olympus were known to them, just not to me. One brought an elixir which she forced down Jerry’s throat. Another pried off Jerry’s sandals while another seemed determined to take off his toga. At that point, I took over.
“Thanks, but I’ve got it from here. Go. Leave us.” I took a damp cloth from one of them and ran it across his forehead. It soon became obvious that the elixir was working.
“Gloriana.” Jerry’s eyes fluttered open. “Tell me I didn’t pass out in Zeus’s chambers.”
“Afraid so.”
“God, no man there will forget that.” He shut his eyes again.
“See it as an advantage. Now they will underestimate you.” I kissed his lips. “They’ve given you a month to recover before the big event.”
“That’s something.” He struggled to sit up. “Where the hell?”
“You’re in my bed. I guess no one cares if we cohabitate while you recover. Morals are fairly lax here as long as we don’t advertise it. My grandmother is the only one who is strict about marriage vows.” I sighed and stuck a pillow behind his head. “You should rest. Your time in the cells was harder on you than we thought.”
“Mars’ had dosed me with a magic potion before he brought me here. I guess it wore off. I tried to stay upright but then the world went dark and that’s all I remember. Is it a fight to the death or not?” Jerry pulled me down next to him and cradled me in his arms.
“Not. Unless Kratos does something shady.”
“He won’t.” Mars suddenly appeared at the end of the bed. “I’ll make sure of that. And I have news that should cheer you both.”
“I can’t imagine what it could be.” I sat up and straightened my toga. Jerry had managed to slide his hand inside the bodice.
“Kratos has a man to be his second. Zeus will turn him mortal as well. To make the fight what he considers fair.” Mars threw the two knives that had been confiscated from Jerry on the foot of the bed. “So I demanded you have a trusted man as your second. Someone from Earth.”
“You’re kidding. You’re thinking of bringing a man from home to act as my second?” Jerry reached for the knives and tucked them und
er his pillows. “I hate the idea of any of my friends coming here.”
“Too late. He’s brought your best man and I wouldn’t come without my wife. So you’ve got us both for the next month.” The voice was accompanied by a squeal before someone landed on the bed on top of me.
“Olympus, amica. What an adventure, eh?” Flo hugged me then kissed Jerry on the cheek. “Can you believe Ricardo wouldn’t come without me?”
“No, go back! This is crazy.” I shoved her off the bed and jumped up to stand beside her. “Mars, what were you thinking?”
“You don’t want us?” Flo’s eyes filled. “But we came to help you.”
“Richard, you have no idea what you are in for here.” Jerry started to get out of bed but I put a hand on his shoulder.
“Stay in bed.” I smiled as I said it. “Jerry just spent time in the Olympus jail. Did Mars tell you that?” I shook my head. “This place is a fancy version of hell.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that.” Mars looked offended.
“We’re here and we’re staying.” Richard pulled Flo to his side. “Darling, calm down. Gloriana is just surprised. I’m sure she will love having you here.”
I sighed. Of course I’d pined for some company. A true friend to confide in. I opened my arms. “God, come here, Flo. You have no idea how glad I am to see you. And just wait until you see my closet.”
Chapter 7
There was no way to keep Jerry resting in bed. He and Richard had gone off with Mars to the “armory.” Their talk of weapons worried me, but it obviously made the men happy. I let Flo explore my closet then took her to my sitting room so I could catch up on the latest gossip from home.
“Everything in that closet is so beautiful. And I can’t fit into even one thing. Not even the shoes!” Flo waved her hands in disgust. “I would like to steal the purses and try on the jewelry but what would your mama do? Throw lightning at me?” She sighed and eyed the tray a handmaiden set in the center of the table. I’d asked the servant to bring in a selection of Italian desserts. Another woman entered with a carafe of pink sparkling wine and two crystal flutes.
(Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips Page 10