(Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips

by Gerry Bartlett

  As soon as she was out of sight, I had Alesha take a note to the one powerful person who might be persuaded to take my side in this mess. Then all I could do was sit and wait to see if I got the help I needed.

  Chapter 10

  “Thanks for seeing me, Grandmother.” I couldn’t help but gawk. I was in the most beautiful room I’d ever seen. Silk hangings on the wall in brilliant turquoise and gold were interspersed with gold framed mirrors. A laden dressing table with a velvet cushioned chair in front of it held at least a dozen of the crystal perfume bottles I adored. I itched to go over and inspect them. They glittered with fine jewels set in silver and gold.

  Grandmother was wrapped in an ermine trimmed white velvet robe and reclined on a gilded day bed covered in a striped silk. She sipped something from an exquisite porcelain cup before she sat up and gestured for me to sit across from her.

  “It’s about time you came to see me, Gloriana.” She smiled and waved her hand. “You must try one of these pastries. Your mother says you like chocolate.”

  I sat on a red lacquered chair. A tray full of chocolate covered strawberries and puff pastries in various shapes and sizes appeared on the table in front of me. The smell made my mouth water.

  “Thank you, Grandmother.” I picked up a napkin then selected a tiny triangle and popped it into my mouth. Chocolate with a hint of orange made me sigh. “Delicious. Lucky we can’t gain weight here.” I smiled and sat back, patting my lips with the napkin.

  “Yes, indeed. It’s wonderful being a goddess, isn’t it, child?” She handed her cup to a hovering servant and nodded. In moments we were alone. “But I don’t think you agree with me, do you, Gloriana?”

  “You’re reading my mind. I wish you and my mother wouldn’t do that. I’m learning how aggravating it can be to have no secrets.” I looked down at my lap where I’d folded the linen napkin into a tiny square.

  “Oh, I’m sure you still have secrets, child.” Grandmother laughed. “We all do. And I know you don’t hesitate to delve into another’s thoughts when it suits you. Do you deny it?”

  “No.” I met her eyes that were so like mine. It really was startling to realize I had so much family after being alone for centuries. Except for Jerry, of course. He’d made sure I was taken care of, even when we were apart, from the day we’d met. That thought made me even more determined to press on. “I admit I’m struggling with the way things are here.”

  “Tell me what’s bothering you, dear. I’ll try to stay out of your thoughts since it annoys you.” Grandmother stood on the luxurious carpet. It was a deep blue with a design of singing birds. With a snap she changed from her robe to a stylish burgundy dress with matching leather pumps.

  “But not here. Zeus has spies everywhere. Come with me.” She held out her hand and I jumped to my feet. She had jeweled rings on almost every finger. An emerald on her pointer went to her knuckle. Then there was a huge diamond as well as several rubies. A golden snake twined around her wrist that ended in a ring around her thumb. The serpent had sapphire eyes that seemed to wink at me.

  “Where are we going?” I walked beside her. I hadn’t even bothered with jewelry except for my engagement ring from Jerry. It was a miracle my mother hadn’t taken it from me. My own dress was a plain navy silk wrap with a silver buckle at the waist. I imagined a diamond drop at my neck and was happy when one appeared.

  “Somewhere without an audience.” Grandmother nodded her approval when she noticed I’d added the necklace. “You have good taste. Your mother has been bragging about your little shop on Earth. She says people like the things you select for them to purchase.”

  “I have fun treasure hunting.” I hid my shock that my mother bragged about me. “It pleases me to help my customers look their best.”

  “Yes, I can imagine that would be rewarding.” She looped her arm through mine.

  I glanced around and realized we were in an open field. It was the same place where my brothers had played soccer not long ago. Grandmother led me to the empty bleachers and settled on the bottom row.

  “Gloriana, why have you come to me? Is this about the fight between your lover and Kratos?”

  I sat next to her. “Of course it is. What am I going to do, Grandmother? Zeus wants me to marry this stranger. I’m sure he’s perfectly fine, but I don’t know or love him.”

  “It is our way, Gloriana.” She studied her emerald ring. “Arranged marriages help us keep our kingdom in order. I’m sure your mother explained this to you.”

  “I get that it’s your custom.” I hoped she really was staying out of my head because I was thinking it was a stupid archaic one. I took a breath. “But look at the result, Grandmother.” I touched her arm. “Most marriages here seem unhappy. Infidelity is so common, it’s an epidemic. Is there any couple here that doesn’t have an illegitimate child or two running around? Men have their mistresses, women their lovers. Frankly, I think it’s sickening.”

  “Well! Don’t hold back, Granddaughter.” She pulled away from me. “You’re exaggerating.”

  “Am I?” I swallowed, determined to go on even though I could see she was starting to fume. I took another calming breath and gave her time to think about what I’d said. The air was sweet, the grass from the field reminding me of home. How could I get my message across? Desperation could make me reckless if I wasn’t careful. No, I had to stay rational, especially around the most powerful woman in Olympus.

  “Your own daughter’s marriage is a prime example of how arranged marriages don’t work. She hates Hercules and rarely sees him. Which is a good thing because he’s abusive.”

  “I admit that union is unfortunate.” She was back to staring at her rings, thinking, I hoped.

  “And how are marriages arranged anyway? Mother says they are rewards for service. Or to cement an alliance. What about the people you are binding together for life?” I heard my voice rise and held onto the wooden bench. Calm, Glory. “Does anyone care if they are a match in personalities or needs?” I leaned closer. “On Earth we have dating services that at least try to find compatible mates. There are questionnaires, a chance for potential mates to communicate before they even decide to meet.” I shut up when she glared at me.

  “Surely you don’t expect us to start an Olympus dotcom, Gloriana.”

  My mouth dropped open.

  “Yes, I am well aware of the insanity raging down on Earth. The high divorce rate and the sexual revolution they called it a few decades ago. An excuse for indiscriminate mating, as I see it. People meet and marry then dissolve the union without a second thought. What of the children? They are left confused, whisked about on alternate weekends to meet the new stepparent of the month. Disgraceful!” Grandmother shook her head. “If you are thinking to make us over in that image, think again, Granddaughter.”

  “No, not at all. I know you have traditions. But surely there is room for feelings in all this.” I couldn’t take her stern gaze another second and stared at my own engagement ring. “Jerry and I love each other. It took us a long time to decide to marry. Well, it took me a long time. Jerry has been after me to marry him for a while. I wanted more independence.” I looked up and waited until I knew Grandmother was really listening to me. “Surely you can understand my wish to be a strong woman in my own right. In my world women have the power to choose their own destinies. I wanted to be sure I chose the right one.”

  “Yes.” She looked thoughtful. “You seem very strong indeed. And you chose this man after you tried many others.” That made her frown.

  “I wasn’t a slut, Grandmother. I planned to make my marriage vows mean something. I think you feel the same. That they should be binding. And the way the gods here in Olympus seem to scorn them hurts you.”

  “Child, I’ve learned to turn a blind eye to things I can’t change.” She patted my knee. “And you will soon learn that is how it must be here.”

  I stopped short of knocking her hand off of me. What could I say to make her do something? Break
down this stupid system and make it better? I put my hand over hers.

  “Grandmother, I understand that you ignore what you can’t change. But in this world women are nothing but minions. Little more than the handmaidens who bring you food and sweep your rooms. You may be a powerful goddess, but it seems to me that Zeus calls the shots here. Are you truly satisfied with that? Or am I misunderstanding the hierarchy?”

  She stood, energy fairly crackling from her. “I am no one’s minion.”

  “You may shoot lightning at me for this but, Grandmother, if you disagreed with Zeus about something, could you override his decision?” I braced myself. “He’s the king here, but you are the queen, aren’t you? If you have the powers that I think you do, surely you could decide to change one of his decrees.”

  “I would never openly defy my husband, Gloriana. It is not how our marriage works.” She looked out at the empty field. “You aren’t married, yet. But you have been around powerful men, have you not?”

  “Sure. I get that men have delicate egos. You have to work around them.” Was she thinking about helping me? I was almost afraid to hope. And I hadn’t even broached the big question yet.

  “Precisely. Zeus has decided that Kratos and your man from Earth will fight for your hand and that is that.” She stared at me with a sad smile. “Don’t think I haven’t been following the progress from that quarter. Kratos will undoubtedly win that fight.”

  Tears filled my eyes. “Grandmother, I can’t marry Kratos. Besides, he loves another. He and Calista had an understanding until this came up. Don’t you think it unfair to both of them to make him marry me?”

  “He seems eager to do his duty, Gloriana. He is ambitious. Which here in Olympus is a highly regarded trait.” Grandmother patted my shoulder. “What would you have me do? The man wants you. He will win you.”

  “I’m not some damned prize to be won.” I threw off her hand.

  “Careful, child.” Her eyes glowed with blue fire. “You forget who you speak to.”

  “I’m sorry.” I fell to my knees. “Please, Grandmother. I want to go home. To Earth. With Jeremiah. If there is any way you can help me, I would be eternally grateful.”

  “Get up. Let me think about this.” She started walking back toward her rooms. “I admit I don’t like being thought of as less than Zeus.”

  “Where I live on Earth, women have so many more rights, Grandmother. And it’s not just the marriage thing. I don’t know how you can stand by and let the handmaidens be treated so horribly here. You have to know they are forced to service the gods whenever they have an urge.” I almost bumped into her when she stopped.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You don’t know? My handmaiden Alesha told me that she and the others must pay the sorcerer for birth control or suffer consequences when a god demands they serve him.” I saw her frown. “And pity the poor girl who can’t afford it. I guess she has bastard children and is sent home in disgrace.”

  “I certainly don’t know about that. My handmaidens must stay chaste.” Grandmother started to walk again. “You say the gods use the poor girls against their will?”

  “Maybe some of them feel honored. I don’t know. But most of them wouldn’t dare say no. They are merely slaves, aren’t they?” I still didn’t fully understand where all the servants came from. Earth? Another dimension? Whatever, I knew the girls who worked so hard didn’t have any rights.

  “It’s complicated.” She shook her head. “I see by your face that you disapprove. It’s a harsh world we live in, Gloriana. Gods are strong creatures and continually fight each other. To prove their power or to gain favor or territory. Our world is not like yours. I can’t begin to explain it to you.”

  “Surely you don’t approve of slavery, Grandmother.” The thought of it made me sick. I remembered the paintings I’d seen in museums of rapes, pillages. Surely this wasn’t how things were still done in Olympus.

  “No.” She nodded thoughtfully. “But it’s considered a necessary part of war. Slaves are part of the spoils, the men call them. Zeus condones it and I have been content to let my husband have his way to avoid confrontations.”

  I held out my hand and she took it. “He is awfully powerful. I can see where you’d rather not--”

  “I’m not afraid of him, child.” She squeezed my fingers until I had all I could do not to jerk them away with a scream. “He respects me under all his bluster and show.”

  “Of course he does.” I knew better than to keep pushing this.

  “Slavery. Yes, it’s another tradition that hasn’t received much examination.” Grandmother stopped at the door to her chambers. “But perhaps it’s time it did. Thank you, Gloriana. I’ve been content to let Zeus wield his power without showing mine for too long. I can change the way things are for women here too and will certainly do so.” She raised her hand and a handmaiden rushed out the door to fall at our feet.

  “Zora, gather all the female servants into my sitting room. I want to question them. Gloriana, I will see what I can do about your problem. But the fight will go on. I’m sorry, that I cannot change.” She kissed my cheek then went inside.

  I stared after her, not sure how to feel. Maybe I’d helped the handmaidens but my own situation hadn’t changed. I turned toward home, following a golden path. I hoped it was the right one because all of them looked the same to me. I hadn’t gone far when a man appeared, blocking my way.

  “You must be Gloriana. You are the image of my faithless wife.” The man was everything a god should be—tall, handsome, with a beautiful body. He was clutching a spear and had a sword strapped at his waist.

  I froze, trying to decide if screaming for my father would help or cause a blood bath.

  He narrowed his eyes. “Oh, please call for your father. I’d be happy to meet Mars here and now.” He stuck his spear into the ground and pulled out his sword, running a fingertip over it until he drew blood. Another mind reader.

  “Hercules!” I sketched a bow. Maybe acting like I respected his power would help diffuse his anger. I peered up at him. Nope. He still looked like he wanted to skewer me.

  He stalked closer, until I could almost smell his rage. “How is it you are fully grown?”

  “You have to realize I don’t have a clue.” I backed up a step. “I’m a victim as much as you are. Haven’t you heard? Mother threw me in Achelous’s Siren harem for a thousand years and hid me there.” I knew Hercules as an abusive bully. Hopefully he wasn’t so furious he’d risk Zeus’s wrath by killing me, a grandchild.

  “Yes, the woman can be as cold as Demeter’s tit. Her bed certainly was. Tossing aside a child wouldn’t give her a second’s remorse.” He advanced and I retreated when his sword came close to brushing the front of my dress. “Your appearance here has made me a laughing stock. I want you gone.”

  “Hey, I’d like nothing better than to be back on Earth and out of your hair.” I could see though that sending me home wasn’t how Hercules thought to make me “gone” as he brushed my skirt with his sword. It was a miracle that it didn’t cut the fabric.

  “Father! Surely you aren’t threatening our sister!” Alex appeared next to me. “She’s not to be harmed. Zeus would not be pleased.”

  “We will protect her, if necessary, Father. Please don’t make us call our soldiers.” Anni stood on my other side and drew his sword. “You have to know that a melee here would create a stir that would surely come to Zeus’s notice.”

  “What’s this? My own sons stand against me?” Hercules face reddened and he looked like he was about to burst a blood vessel. “I won’t have it! Not over some bastard child--”

  “That’s enough, Father.” Alex had his sword out too. He and Anni crossed theirs in front of me, a steel barrier that I didn’t have much faith in. To my shock, Hercules just stared at us.

  “We told you, Gloriana is our sister.” Anni, well I was guessing at their names because they were identical, pressed closer to me. “Harm her and you will have to
answer to Zeus himself. Surely you wouldn’t expect him to take your side over a member of his family.”

  “We carry Zeus’s blood too, Father. You do not. But surely I don’t have to remind you of that.” Alex stepped forward. He came only to my shoulder but he radiated bravery. I kept my mouth shut, so proud I wanted to cry.

  “Zeus put you up to this?” Hercules stomped a sandaled foot and the ground shook. “Why do I doubt that? It’s that bitch of a mother who has you running to this whelp’s side, isn’t it?”

  “You want to test that? Ask anyone. Zeus has acknowledged Gloriana as his granddaughter, even arranged an advantageous marriage for her. That’s proof enough that she is under his protection and ours.” Anni aimed his sword at the stone next to his father’s foot. “You may be one of his favorites, but you can’t deny that family is very important to Grandfather.” He emphasized the last word with a raise of his dark eyebrows.

  I noticed the boys looked very much like their father. How that must have infuriated Hercules. Two miniature copies of one of the greatest warriors in Olympus. But they never grew up. My thoughts got me a steely gaze from Hercules and I backed up a step. If the god could toss a flame, I was toast.

  “Father, the truth has come out.” Alex raised his sword and pointed it at his father’s chest. It was a bold move and I wondered that Hercules didn’t react to it. Maybe he did love his boys. “Now that Zeus knows you’ve been abusing our mother, I’d advise you to go back to your campaign against whoever you’ve been fighting and stay there for another century or two. Maybe by then Grandfather will have calmed down. Right now, he’s in a temper and thinking he cares not how you’ve impressed him in the past, hurting his daughter is unforgiveable.”

  “Who told him such lies?” Hercules tossed a few lightning bolts around and a wooden building went up in flames. A man and woman ran screaming outside, their togas singed.