“No, of course not.” He took my elbow and steered me toward an exit in the opposite direction from the way the woman had run. “I told you the girl is no one. I am not responsible for what she thinks or feels. If I’d known she was performing today, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”
“But you did.” I was relieved when we were outside, away from all those listening ears and avid gazes. We’d obviously been much more entertaining than what had been happening on the stage. “Did you hope to see her again?” I grabbed his arm when he ignored me. “Kratos, please. This is important.” If he was in love with someone else, maybe I could talk him into cancelling the fight with Jerry.
He faced me and shook his head. “Stop it, Gloriana. I can see what you’re thinking and it will never happen. I am happy we are to be wed. Your old lover is merely a minor obstacle in the way to our bliss. As is mine.” He removed my hand from his arm and started walking quickly. I had to skip to keep up.
“Minor? Not to me and certainly not to Jerry. Or to that woman.” I thought about grabbing him again but couldn’t ignore the curious looks from his men. “Please. At least talk to me. Can we lose the escort?” I gestured at his two soldiers. “If we are to be, um, wed, there are things we need to discuss. Privately.”
“Alone time. Yes, I wouldn’t mind that myself.” He led me to a bench under a large oak tree. I hadn’t noticed it before but then Olympus was so full of surprises and magic that for all I knew he’d just made it appear. “Leave us.” He gestured and the men stepped away so that we wouldn’t be heard. They even turned their backs. I guess we could even make love if their commander got lucky.
“Talk to me, Kratos. Tell me about that woman. She is obviously in love with you. And you weren’t unmoved. I saw the way your fists clenched and your jaw tightened when she approached us.” I watched for a reaction. But this time he was in control. He picked up my hand and brought it to his mouth.
“I will admit Calista and I had a fling. You will not be my first lover and I know I am not yours.” He smiled, then ran his tongue across my knuckles. I shivered in spite of myself. “Experience will make both of us better lovers. Don’t you agree?”
I tugged at my hand. “Quit trying to distract me. I’m sure you are quite the lover. And I’m no slouch either.” Okay, so I couldn’t resist that brag. “But, Kratos, my heart won’t belong to you. It will be a loveless alliance. And I’ll never forgive you if you kill Jerry during this fight. He has my heart. You never will.”
“Never say never, Gloriana. I’ve learned that’s a fool’s statement.” He dropped my hand. “This alliance is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for all my life. To be a member of Zeus’s family? You cannot know the meaning of such a thing for a man like me. I was made a god, not born to it. It’s something that the true gods and goddesses here never let me forget.” His mouth tightened. “You haven’t lived here very long but just wait. Even you will hear gossip about your parentage, the fact that you are a mistake.”
“I don’t care about that.” I searched his hard features. A warrior. How could I get through to him? “Where I’ve lived the past centuries, a person makes his or her own way. I didn’t know or care who my parents were until recently. Why is this so important? Can’t you--”
“Stop it. I will never give you up now that I’ve been given this chance. So you might as well get used to the idea. We will be married.” He stood, towering over me, the picture of resolute male. “I’m telling you that I’ve endured the slights and being treated like little more than a servant for the last time. The gods and goddesses know I’m not their equal and never will be, even though Zeus himself honored me. But if I marry you, my children will be in that inner circle and will take me along with them. It’s my dream come true.” His eyes shone and I could see this was truly everything for him. “No one will dare disrespect me then.”
“Well, I’m sorry, truly. But you can’t get your dream with me.” I gasped when he grabbed my shoulders and dragged me up to face him.
“Can I not? Hear me now, Gloriana. You will go through with this or I’ll make sure your lover doesn’t live to fight me for you. Do you understand?” Kratos was no longer the wooing lover. I’d just seen the steely warrior and he scared me to death.
Chapter 8
“This isn’t the way to win me, Kratos.” I jumped up. Did I have any allies here? Where was my father? I thought his name and like a miracle, he appeared.
“Gloriana, I felt your distress. Is this man bothering you?” Mars carried a weapon from another era. I couldn’t remember the name, but it was wicked looking, a spiked ball on a chain, that could do some serious damage if he used it on Kratos’ head. I liked the idea.
“Sire, we are just getting to know each other.” Kratos was on his feet, his soldiers on alert nearby. I was pretty sure they knew better than to attack a god of Mars’ standing though.
“Dad! Would you mind escorting me back to my rooms?” I wouldn’t look at Kratos. “The more I learn about this man I’m supposed to marry, the more anxious I am for Jerry to beat him to a bloody pulp.” I heard swords slip out of their scabbards.
“Relax, men.” My father gave them a stern look. “Gloriana, mind your tongue. Your grandfather handpicked Kratos and we must accept Zeus’s wisdom.”
I heard Kratos laugh behind me and whirled to face him. “Wisdom? Does Zeus know how you speak to me? Threaten to end the fight before it even happens?” I lunged for him and was hauled back by my waist just before I could scratch his eyes out. Damn it. I struggled but Mars had a firm hold on me.
“Daughter, I don’t know what Kratos said, but I’m sure he’s going to try to make amends and soon. Isn’t that right, sir?” Mars kept a grip on me and held me by his side.
“Yes, sire. I’m sorry, Gloriana. I meant no disrespect to you or to your, uh, friend from Earth.” Kratos scowled. “We will have a fair fight at the assigned time. I swear it.”
“You’d better. If anything happens to Jerry before then, I’ll see you in the cells until your manhood withers to nothing.” I elbowed my father. “Right, Dad?”
“Certainly. Fair play, Kratos. If you want my daughter’s hand, you must make this a fair fight.”
“Fine. This goes both ways. Gloriana should be willing to let me woo her fairly.” Kratos showed all of his teeth in what might have passed for a smile if it didn’t look dangerous. “She speaks endlessly about this lover of hers. What man can endure that?”
“Gloriana? Do you need more time in the cells? Or does Blade?” Mars squeezed my arm and I felt his strength. “If you haven’t learned your lesson…”
“The lesson here being blind obedience?” I couldn’t do that, no matter how my father’s mouth tightened. “How could the fight be fair if Jerry is sent to suffer in the cells and weakened even more than he is?” I tried to wrestle away from my father’s firm grip.
“Perhaps I don’t care.” Mars nodded to Kratos who now looked positively gleeful. “I want your promise, Gloriana, that you’ll be cordial to this man and let him court you properly. Neither of us can forget that he’s your grandfather’s choice. So you’ll welcome his attentions. Be seen with him in public and show him some affection.” Mars held me with his left hand but swung his weapon with his right. “But not too much affection. Understand me, soldier?”
“Yes, of course. I will respect your daughter, Mars. I also understand the honor Zeus has bestowed on me. I’ll not squander this opportunity.” Kratos said this directly to me. Obviously poor Calista was going to have to get over him or settle for being his mistress.
“Enough of this. I want to go to my rooms. I hope your presence here, Father, means Jerry is finished training for today and is waiting for me.” I smirked at Kratos. “I’m not yours yet, sir.”
“Gloriana, you seem determined to end up in the cells. Your attitude shows a clear lack of respect for a man who deserves it.” Mars growled at me, then nodded at Kratos before whisking us both away.
We ended
up in front of my door. I felt a little dizzy. Transporting like that always did that to me. But I couldn’t let my father’s last comment go unanswered.
“Does he? Does Kratos deserve my respect? He’s in love with another woman, yet is willing to marry me to improve his position at court.” I could see this argument didn’t impress Mars, who was examining the chain on his weapon. “Damn it, Father, would you listen to me?”
“All I hear is the noise of a petulant child who wants her way regardless of the consequences.” He looked behind him and tossed the flail, I think it was called, to a soldier. “Now listen to me and don’t interrupt. You went out without a guard. Dangerous behavior and that will not happen again.”
I could feel the heat of his anger and looked away. I didn’t want to promise this. “Why not just put one of those electronic ankle bracelets on me? Where’s my freedom?”
“It’s for your own protection, Gloriana!” He grabbed my chin and forced me to stare into his eyes. Dark eyes. Eyes that could see my thoughts even when I tried to hide them. “I know you want your vampire. I brought him here, didn’t I?”
“Was it only to torment me? So I could watch him be hurt, maybe killed by Kratos?” I shuddered. “You’ve made it clear who you want to win this fight.”
“It’s not just who I want to win, it is who is likely to win.” He must have seen the question in my eyes. “And, yes, Kratos will try to kill him because you’ve made it clear that as long as Blade is alive, Kratos can never hope to win your heart. You’ve gone about this foolishly and ensured your man is doomed, girl.” He sighed and took me into his arms. “I’m sorry, but that’s the truth.”
“What can I do?” I wailed it against the hard steel of his armor when I really needed a cuddle from my father.
“Kratos is a proper mate. Take Blade as a lover later if you have to. I can arrange something.” Mars glanced around and gestured. His soldiers disappeared. “Do this. Take your rightful place here and I will make sure you’re allowed visits to Earth. To see Blade and spend time with him after you are married. Give Kratos a child or two and he won’t care what you do. He will certainly take his own lover.”
“Oh, yes, I’m sure he will. He already has her picked out.” I stepped back, refusing to even think about my father’s proposition. “But do you really think a proud warrior like my Jerry would be content with such an arrangement?” I didn’t have to see my father’s face to know he realized it was a non-starter. “And, honestly, Dad, how could I sleep with Kratos, bear his children, and then expect Jerry to wait for me and take the god’s leavings? You know that’s how a man like my guy would see it.”
“If he loves you enough, he will take what he can get.” My father sounded bitter. From experience? Of course. Hadn’t he and my mother been sneaking around behind her brute of a husband’s back for centuries? And I still hadn’t heard much about my father’s wife. Where was she in the picture?
“I won’t ask it of him. You know time moves differently here than on Earth. I can’t expect Jerry to spend years, maybe centuries, waiting for me while only a few months pass on Olympus.” I shook my head when Mars started to object.
Mars stroked my hair. “I’m sorry you have to deal with this, Gloriana. I will say no more. Just help prepare your lover for his fight.” He gestured and his men were back, shuffling their feet and obviously ready to move on. “Your man needs to get his strength back. Send for Cornelius the sorcerer and have him make an elixir that will boost Blade’s energy.” He snapped his fingers and a velvet sack appeared in his hand. “Pay him with this and let me know if you need more gold.”
“Thank you, Dad.” I took the bag then kissed Mars’ cheek. “But I’m not sure Jerry will take an elixir. You have no idea how one badly affected him before.”
“I’m counting on your powers of persuasion, my dear.” He smiled. “Now I must go. Wars to be won, you know.”
“Sure. Thanks for coming when I called.” I hugged him again, armor and all.
“I always will, Gloriana. Remember that.” Then he disappeared.
I stepped into my rooms expecting Jerry to be waiting for me. A handmaiden was setting out a meal. The smells were wonderful and I took a moment to make sure it was hearty, with the kinds of dishes good for a man who needed to build up his strength. Then I sent Alesha to see Cornelius to ask for a strengthening elixir for Jerry. I thought it would be better to just slip it into his wine instead of getting into a big debate about it.
Could I really deceive him like that? With a sigh, I headed for our luxurious bathroom. Jerry was stretched out in the enormous tub, all the jets bubbling away. He had his eyes closed, a cheroot in his mouth and a snifter of brandy in his hand. I wished for a camera. Never had I seen him so content.
“Want some company?”
He jumped and water sloshed over the rim and onto the marble floor. “Gloriana. Damn it, I can’t get used to the fact that my senses aren’t worth shit here. I didn’t hear or sense you come in.”
“How’s your eyesight?” I grinned and reached back to unzip my dress. When I let it drop to the floor, I stood there for a moment, enjoying Jerry’s eyes widening as he took in my lacy black demi-bra and the scrap of fabric that passed for panties.
“God, woman, you’re beautiful.” He dropped the lit cigar into the brandy. It hissed as it went out before he set the glass on the deep ledge behind the tub. “Keep going. I’m happy to say that my eyes are working just fine.”
I kicked off my high heels and sauntered toward him. But I turned my back to him at the last second to carefully remove the diamond drops from my ears and set them on the dressing table next to the sink. In my usual shape, I never would have stood like this, letting him see me with the lights on, my ass hanging out. But now I took my time, slipping off the matching bracelet. Then I picked up the brush and twisted my hair up, fixing it with a clip on top of my head so it wouldn’t get wet.
“You’re torturing me. Turn around, Gloriana.” Jerry did sound uncomfortable.
I was grinning as I reached back and unfastened my bra. I shimmied out of it and dropped it on the floor before I finally faced him. “Torture? I think you’ve suffered enough lately because of me.”
“Then you’d better come over here and make it up to me. Don’t you think?” He widened his legs and I could see he was fully aroused under all those bubbles. “Lose the panties.”
I didn’t say a word, just slid my fingers under the narrow strips of lace and let the panties fall to the floor as well. Then I walked to the end of the tub and stepped in so that I was facing him. The warm water swirled around us both as I sat then ran my feet up his legs.
“You’re pretty far away down there. Come closer.” He bent his knees, hooking my legs with his toes. Then I was being dragged toward him. I grabbed the sides of the tub so I wouldn’t go under.
“Hmm. I think I’m getting there.” I let Jerry settle my thighs over his as his cock rubbed against my sensitive opening. “You’re not in a hurry, are you?” I slid my hands down his chest, rubbing his nipples with my fingertips on my way down. “Oops, maybe you are.” I laughed as I guided him into me, clamping my legs around his waist as I took him with a groan. “God, Jerry, no man fills me like you do.”
“I didn’t hear a comparison there, did I?” His growl in my ear, made me freeze. But his hands on my ass didn’t give me a chance to move away.
“No, hell no. Make love to me. Please.” I turned my head and met his open mouthed kiss. We licked our way into each other’s mouth, still unsure how to go on without our fangs to play with. But it was okay, better than okay. I loved him. And I could kiss him forever.
Then he started to move. I braced my feet on the wall of the tub and let him set the rhythm as I stared into his eyes. “Yes!” I moved and the angle got even better. He pushed into me harder and I pulsed around him, feeling the intense pressure that meant I was getting close, closer.
“Not yet, Gloriana.” He pulled out then sat up and moved
me until one of those jets in the tub hit me just so.
“Oh, my God!” I shivered, so sensitive my toes curled. When he lifted my hips to his mouth, I grabbed the sides of the tub and let my head fall back. To hell with my hair. I was about to come apart and Jerry’s clever mouth was the only thing that mattered now. Then, just when I thought I couldn’t stand it another moment, he drew me onto him again, emphatically. Like he was claiming me all over again. How many times had he done that? Declared his ownership. And did I care? Not at all. I rode him with the abandon of a Siren who was all about sex and had found her forever lover.
He shouted louder than I did when he finally came. So much for conserving his strength. I felt his last reserves drain from him as I clenched around him, taking everything he had, everything he could give me. Could he give me his child? I could only dream that he had.
I left him dozing on the bed after we moved from the bathroom and made love again. I got dressed in a loose robe and dried my hair, then headed into the sitting room to make sure a fresh meal would be prepared whenever Jerry was ready for it. I was pretty sure the handmaidens could enjoy the food that had grown cold while we’d been doing our thing. Did they have microwaves up here? I had no idea. But I did know that my cheeks burned as I wondered whether they’d heard us through the walls.
“Mistress, the grand sorcerer Cornelius is here to see you.” Alesha looked flustered as she stopped me in the doorway. “You might want to change your clothes.” She whispered the last. “He is a very important man.”
“I know, Alesha. I’ve met him before.” I snapped my fingers and now wore a black pants suit with a white silk blouse tucked in. Pearls were at my neck and ears, black pumps on my bare feet. I followed her into the sitting room. “Cornelius, thank you for honoring us with your presence.” I sat on a loveseat and gestured for the sorcerer to sit across from me. He was in a business suit, the opposite of silly throwback Waldo who wore his long purple robes.
(Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips Page 13