Hades did not reach out to shake her hand—a touch from Hades’s hand could drive a woman insane with lust while his glance alone rose Fate’s own desire, which she had to battle back to keep a clear head.
His mouth twisted sardonically, well aware of her predicament.
“Mother has made you aware of the situation with Zeus and Dionysus?”
Hades sank gracefully into a chair facing the opulent couch she was sitting on.
“Yes. I was not surprised. The sneaky bastard has always been jealous of Odin. What did surprise me is that he is directly challenging Mother.”
“Both Zeus and Dionysus have gone into hiding, and we are all more than aware Zeus excels at keeping himself concealed.” Fate gave him an inquisitive look.
“Yes, he does. He is not on Earth. Wherever he is hiding is not on my realm or within my vision.”
Odin, Hades, and Poseidon each had the sight to see what was happening in their realms. Odin and now Hades had both said Zeus was not in their realm. Fate sighed. She really hated visiting Poseidon. She would leave that chore for Mother.
“He attacked my daughters while they were in the Hallway of Death. Both Cara and Broni have been found, but Zerina is still missing.”
“I heard both were recently married. Please give them my congratulations.” He elegantly waved his hand.
The door opened and a woman dressed in pale blue gauze leaving a clear view of her voluptuous body underneath came into the room carrying two packages of the same size. The only difference between the two presents were the bows, one a deep red, the other a dark purple.
“Please give them my gifts as I was unable to attend.”
Hades was not allowed to leave his underworld. Not only was he the warden of the souls sent to him for punishment, but the effect he had on women and immortals made it embarrassing. It was nothing he could control. Grimm had it to a lesser degree, which he took advantage of regularly, Hades, however, did not. His lovers were picked from all the realms. He merely sent a message that he was interested and his chosen plaything would arrive for a visit until he tired of them, which wasn’t usually long. Once they left, he never requested them again. Fate had witnessed many heartbroken women through the centuries while Hades had remained coldly detached.
“Thank you,” Fate said before going back to the subject at hand. “I have lost sight of Zerina. She has disappeared from my view. Even Jinx, whom I sent to watch over her, has disappeared from Earth.”
“I have not seen her on Earth, and she is of course, not within my realm. Perhaps you should seek information from Poseidon?”
Fate stared at him for several seconds as he picked a miniscule piece of lint from his suit. “I’ll do that.”
Fate rose to her feet, unable to bear being in his presence for another second without tearing off her gown. “If you see her...?”
“I will send word immediately, of course.” Hades also rose.
“My daughters mean everything to me, Hades. Zerina is a gentle soul, my first born, and has borne the responsibilities of our kind on her shoulders with great strength.”
“As I have not met her, I will have to take your word for it. You kept them sequestered away from all the Gods and immortals.”
“Zerina’s disappearance interrupts the balance, and it cannot continue because Mother is the only one that can serve in Zerina’s place; it divides her attention. With Zeus trying to take control, it gives him a chance to strike.”
“I will endeavor to help. If I see either of them, I will send word.”
“Thank you.”
Hades nodded as Fate picked up Cara and Broni’s presents.
Fate prepared to leave, adding, “Dionysus tried to take control of Broni’s human body. She thinks it was to use against Zerina. Her life is in great danger.” She wanted to ensure he truly helped if he was able.
Hades remained silent, so Fate turned to leave but thought to ask, “Hades, all is well here? For Zeus to succeed he must have—”
“All is well here.” His tone was firm.
“Be well, Hades.” Fate disappeared from Hades’s sight.
Hades stood looking at the spot Fate had disappeared from for several seconds before turning on his heel, walking from the room. He stalked across the black marble entryway, going up the massive stairway to reach the upper floors where large door of black onyx stood at the end of the long hallway. Turning the black diamond doorknob, he opened his bedroom door.
Leaning against the doorframe, he crossed his arms elegantly across his chest. “My love, I just received a visit from your mother. It seems she is concerned about your safety.” Hades didn’t try to conceal the mocking twist of his mouth as he stared at the beauty on his bed.
Zerina’s glorious blue eyes shot sparks of temper in his direction, however the gag he had tied around her mouth kept her from yelling the obscenities at him he had become familiar with since her arrival. Her hands were tied to a hook he had placed conveniently at the head of his bed. It was one of the most tempting sights Hades had ever seen, and he had seen it all.
“She seems to think your gentle, little soul might be in danger. She doesn’t know you at all, does she?”
He walked forward to the bed, his hand reaching out to trail his fingers up a slim thigh that was visible since her gown had ridden up in her struggles. Zerina’s foot snapped out, attempting to kick him.
Hades burst out laughing. “No, she doesn’t know you at all. But, I do, and what I don’t, I have every intention of finding out.”
* * *
Broni stared down at the package lying on her bed, biting her lip. Twice she had reached out to open it only to jerk her hand back both times.
“Would you like me to open it?” Warrior asked, lying down on the bed next to the package.
“I can do it,” she snapped.
Sucking in a deep breath, she opened the package, the purple bow dropping unnoticed to the floor. Lifting the lid of the box, she pulled out a slim case. Broni opened it, staring down at the necklace.
It was beautiful. Broni took it out, holding it so the candlelight could catch the stones. She looked at it in awe. Made of black star sapphire, the stars gleamed in the light.
“It’s beautiful.” When Broni put the necklace on, placing her fingertips against the stones, it felt like she was touching home. It soothed the homesickness she had suffered since returning to Earth.
“I don’t know if I like you wearing jewelry given to you by another man.” Her warrior’s jealous voice had her climbing on the bed next to him, sweeping the opened box carelessly to the floor.
“It’s just a wedding gift.”
Her husband’s hand came out to tease a bare nipple, his appreciative gaze taking in her naked body with the gleaming necklace at her throat.
“I should go pay him a visit and thank him.” Broni arched into his touch, leaning forward to kiss her husband’s mouth.
“No, Odin told me the effect his brother has on women. He was furious when he found out your mother had paid him a visit.”
“Odin has no right to be angry at my mother!” Broni had every intention of defending her mother, but her husband forestalled her by taking her mouth with his. Her hands slid around his shoulder, luxuriating in his demanding kiss.
“I will go and thank him for both of us.”
“You will?” Broni giggled. “You do know he has the same effect on men as he does women?”
“He does?”
“Mmmhmm,” Broni moaned as he bit the tip of her breast.
“Then I guess you need to make sure I’m very satisfied before I leave.”
“I think I can manage that, my Viking master…”
Epilogue
Willow jumped up from his arms, already missing their warmth. She bent over to pick up the basket of berries he had helped her to pick, already missing him. They had known each other for such a short time, but she already recognized him as her mate. Her family thought she was too young and frail,
so she had been too frightened of their reaction to let them meet the stranger.
She saw the love in his eyes, heard the promises he made to her. She wanted to be with him forever, however he treated her as a friend, telling her he wanted to wait until she was older.
Her mother and father had created her when they were younger than she was now, but he wouldn’t listen to her. He said they had to wait until the time was right. He had made her so many promises.
She heard the horn. Dropping her basket, she turned to run back to her village.
“Willow, wait.”
“Warrior, I must go. Something is wrong.” She tried to jerk her wrist away.
“Tell me what I told you, and I will let you go!”
Willow turned back to her warrior, seeing the anguish in his eyes. Something deep inside of her was telling her it was important, the desperation in his voice had her wanting to please him.
She quit struggling to get away. “I must always remember your love for me. I will never be alone. You will be by my side through eternity. You will always see me.”
“Don’t forget, Willow. It’s important,” he persisted.
“I won’t. I have to go, Warrior,” she pleaded.
With her promise, his hand reluctantly let her go.
She ran away toward her village as fast as her crippled leg let her, her thoughts filled with terror when she heard the screams…
* * *
The warrior watched from the mountain as the village was massacred. His hands clenched at his side, forcing himself to stay until the end, nothing remaining but the silence.
“Who are you?”
Warrior turned to see Fate standing behind him. She was younger, without the lines of worry and tension lining her face the centuries had brought.
“Fate,” Warrior’s voice was grave. “I know why you’re here.” He handed her a slip of paper. “That’s a spell you have to teach your second child. Her life will depend on it.”
Her hand reached out to take the paper, opening it.
“Joro signed this.”
“Yes.” She raised a brow. “It’s a Native American protection spell. You of all people should know I can’t say more.”
Fate looked at him speculatively. “Very well. I will do as you ask.”
“Thank you.” And with that, he was gone the next second.
Fate’s mind filled with visions, some clear, many unclear because in some way, the warrior was entangled within her life. He had made a difficult choice to save the life of the woman he loved, however, that much she could see.
She looked down at the village. It would not be the last time a large number of people would be killed on the same spot.
Fate transported herself to the village. She had to direct the few survivors to bury the bodies. Their spirits would one day provide protection for others who believed the end was near. As Fate looked inside one hut, the young girl’s torture was apparent. Her heart ached.
The girl’s bravery needed to be rewarded—she deserved a new beginning…
As an added bonus, please enjoy this short novella by Jamie Begley
The Dark Souls: The Prequel
Chapter 1
“Mother’s anger is the talk of the party.” Destiny glanced over her sister’s shoulder. The night sky was obscured by black, ominous clouds while flashes of lightning highlighted the vicious rain pelting downwards. A particularly loud burst of thunder had both women wincing.
“Let them gossip.” Fate shrugged. “Valentine and I are in agreement; our marriage has come to an end. I am sorry Mother is upset, but our decision is final.”
A loud burst of thunder sounded above their heads just as lightning struck mere inches from their feet. The guests behind them quieted as they sought the one who had dared to irritate Mother enough to interrupt the occasion. The long anticipated homecoming was filled with those who knew of Fate and Valentine’s separation. Mother had invited all the immortals from the different realms to celebrate the return of Joro. The celebration provided the opportunity to avidly gossip about the banished Goddess with the added bonus of witnessing her anger against Fate.
Joro had been banished to lead a human lifetime on Earth without the power of an immortal. It was the harshest punishment bestowed by Mother. Her return home, while joyous, was also part of the punishment. She had been forced to leave behind the human child she had given life. A child that she would never be allowed to touch—a fitting choice of justice in repayment for the life she had taken.
The beautiful Goddess sat quietly by Mother’s side at the huge table laid out with a vast feast. Her beautiful, sad eyes stirred Fate’s unwilling sympathy.
“Did you speak the words in Mother’s hearing?” Destiny questioned, seeing the glare that Mother was aiming at Fate.
“Yes, I relinquished my marriage rights. Valentine is no longer my husband.” Fate’s eyes searched and found Valentine sitting at the laden table, speaking privately with Chronos. He was receiving his fair share of recriminating looks from Mother.
Fate and Valentine had spent centuries together, raising and training their three daughters to use the powers gifted by Mother. They had shared a love that, while strong, lacked the passion to last an eternity. Valentine, the ultimate matchmaker, had failed in his own marriage.
As her eyes turned from Valentine, they were caught and held by Odin. Fate struggled to move her gaze while Odin’s eyes refused to relinquish their mesmerizing grasp. Fate’s breathing accelerated and her breasts tightened beneath the thin wisp of a gown she wore. Her stomach clenched and her hands trembled, splashing the drink she was clasping onto Destiny’s gown. She ached for him, the desire that tore at her insides was perpetually there. His gaze sharpened to silver as he acknowledged the attraction she felt for him. Being blind in one eye didn’t detract from the perfect physical specimen that was Odin.
His temper and exploits with women were legendary. The joke among the Gods was, who was the better lover, Zeus or Odin? They each had their own groupie following comprised of the Goddesses and Immortals. Women vied for Odin’s attention and the chance to literally touch the stars; a claim many of them had made after he had taken them to his bed. Any and all were granted entry to Zeus’s bed, his escapades keeping Mother busy soothing many a husband’s fury. The cat fights among the women had become vicious over the centuries. The last altercation had been so bad that Mother had stepped in and warned them of their behavior. Venus had been forced to apologize to Aphrodite for making her glorious hair fall out.
Odin was well aware of the contempt she held for him. Every action he made, Fate had known he would take before even he had. She had seen all the women he had bedded and would bed in the future. Monogamy was not one of the aspects she saw in his future.
His raw sensual appeal was something she had fought against from the beginning of time. The sexual awareness in Odin’s gaze was threatening in itself; it made a woman feel helpless and dominated. Neither emotion appealed to Fate.
Her lips curled in disgust at the women surrounding him. They were always by his side as were his two wolves and falcons.
“I see Odin has his menagerie with him tonight.” Destiny brushed the droplets of wine still clinging to her gown away with a wave of her hand. “It gets bigger by the century.”
“It rivals his ego in size.” Fate’s attention returned to her sister as she forced her body to turn. Giving Odin her back took extreme willpower, and her body continued to feel the weight of his stare. No sooner had she turned from him than she flinched when a familiar, hard body brushed against her back.
“I did not think you would be here tonight.” Valentine’s voice had a soothing quality. They had not spoken since the night of his betrayal. She had cast him out of her castle and refused to see or speak with him. Yet, sensing her agitation with Odin, he had wanted to calm her nerves and thus had risked her anger by approaching her.
Fate had chosen Valentine because of his high moral code, trusting that h
e would never betray her through the centuries they would share. Yet even he had broken his vows, unable to withstand the test of time and temptation. The night he had strayed was unforgettable to Fate. She had never doubted his fidelity or love until the moment she had seen him entwined with a woman she had called a friend. It had destroyed more than the vows they had given each other on their wedding day.
“I would always welcome Joro home. Mother’s anger will abate in time when she accepts that our marriage ending was a mutual agreement.”
“Was it?” Valentine contradicted her.
“Yes, you decided our marriage was over the moment you touched another.” They would always be friends—centuries of marriage and children would forever bind them together. However, the moment Valentine had allowed his mistress to use her power to shield their affair had been the true end of their marriage.
“I will say my goodbye; my presence here is taking away from Joro’s homecoming.” Fate had to raise her voice to be heard over the continuous bursts of thunder. “Perhaps it will calm Mother’s anger.”
“Be well, sister. May the Gods grant you peaceful slumber.” Destiny’s words were accompanied with a sympathetic look that told Fate she understood how difficult it had been for her to be there.
* * *
It wasn’t the first time she had dreamed of him. In her silken bed, Fate tossed, trying to drag herself from the dream, fighting her desires even in slumber. However, the dream dragged her deeper within its grasp, not allowing her an escape.
As the dream unfolded, she was naked, lying across Odin’s lap as he sat upon his throne. He wore leather pants, which felt soft beneath her bare thighs. Wiggling, she sought to slide off his lap, but a large hand placed on her belly held her pinned in place.
“Stay still,” Odin ordered, a seductive smile curled on his sinuous lips.
Frantically, Fate looked around. The great hall was empty save for a few servants cleaning up the remains of the feast. They paid their master no mind; they were used to his play. Fate struggled harder, yet each movement only rubbed her bare bottom against the hard sinew of his thighs. The feel of the leather inflamed desires that had been suppressed for centuries, forcing her to tighten her thighs together in an agony of yearning. Odin’s hand smoothed over her soft belly, feeling the muscles clench in need.