Arcadian Nights Read online

  Hermes has been given one task by Aphrodite—keep an eye on Eris at her son’s wedding. The last time the beautiful goddess of discord attended a wedding, the Trojan War was the result. Hermes doesn’t think he has much to worry about until she takes offense at being watched and decides to teach him a lesson with a lust spell in the middle of the reception. Convinced she is not as cold and aloof as she pretends to be, he sets out to seduce her instead, starting them both on an erotic path of discovery that will teach them both lessons they won’t soon forget.

  Arcadian Nights

  Olympians, Book Three

  by

  Marie Medina

  MF, MULTIPLE PARTNERS,

  & LIGHT BONDAGE

  Twisted E-Publishing, LLC.

  www.twistedepublishing.com

  A TWISTED E-PUBLISHING BOOK

  Arcadian Nights

  Olympians, Book Three

  Copyright © 2009, 2015 by Marie Medina

  Second E-book Publication: July 2015

  Previously Published 2009

  Cover design by K Designs

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2015, Twisted Erotica Publishing.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  Chapter One

  Hermes didn’t really care for parties, but he’d had no intention of missing this wedding. He stood next to Aello, Ocypete and Celaeno, better known to most as Ally, O, and Celine. The Harpies didn’t normally socialize at all, as they could hardly stand the company of anyone but themselves, and there were many days they could hardly tolerate each other. They had chosen to both be social and get along with each other on this day because their half-sister Iris was marrying Eros. Eros’s mother Aphrodite had insisted very strongly that everyone come and play nice. The three sisters, however, were not doing well.

  “I told her she could wear white if she wanted to, even though she’s been married before. She looks fabulous in white,” O observed.

  Ally snorted. “She looks washed out in white. She should have worn blue. It’s her best color.”

  Celine rolled her eyes at both of them. “There is no way this marriage will last. He won’t change.”

  “I think he already has,” Hermes said.

  All three women glared at him simply because he had spoken, not necessarily because they all disagreed.

  He smiled amiably. “It’s just my opinion.”

  O turned to Celine. “I think they’re adorable. If anyone can change him, Iris can.”

  Ally smiled mischievously. “Well, Aphrodite did one thing right. She invited Eris.”

  Eris was the goddess of discord, and for the most part her brother Ares was the only god she got along with. When she hadn’t been invited to the marriage of King Peleus and the sea nymph Thetis, she’d managed to start the Trojan War by making Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera fight over who was the fairest. Paris had been asked to judge, and he had awarded the honor to Aphrodite when she promised him the most beautiful mortal in the world, Helen of Troy, could be his. The war had passed and the goddesses had long since recovered from the conflict, but they had never quite forgiven the mischievous goddess for causing the fight. Or the war.

  Eris stood alone, wearing a black dress that covered every part of her body but her neck and hands. Her hair and eyes were jet black, but silver star-like specks danced in her eyes. Unlike her brother Ares, Zeus and Hera were not her parents. Just as Aphrodite had been born from sea foam, Eris had no father and had come from the dark chaos of Night and been born to the primal goddess Nyx in answer to Ares’ need for a companion like himself, for someone to both reflect and compliment him. She had proven to be the perfect companion over the years. Around her neck she wore a golden apple. She had used a similar golden apple, inscribed “to the fairest,” to cause the feud between the goddesses. Zeus had asked Hephaestus, the blacksmith of Olympus, to forge it and make the chain short and unbreakable. Zeus had a love for mischief that had once made him favor Eris, but after she had turned his wife against Athena and Aphrodite, he’d wanted to make sure no one ever forgot what she was capable of.

  Aphrodite had asked Hermes to keep an eye on Eris, since she couldn’t trust her brother Ares to care enough. Ares always dismissed Eris’ behavior as playful. Everyone knew he was secretly proud of her for starting the Trojan War. Hermes couldn’t help wondering what Aphrodite saw in Ares, besides his looks and skills in bed. He was petty, moody, and often cruel. He fought with his parents Zeus and Hera almost constantly, but Hera always managed to keep him out of trouble with everyone else somehow.

  Celine poked Hermes in the ribs. “So, do you think it was a good idea?”

  Hermes sighed. The Harpies liked Eris because she liked strife and drama as much as they did. “It seemed like a good idea, given the circumstances and especially considering how close Aphrodite is to her brother.”

  “Hmmm. I don’t know. I think Ares is just Aphrodite’s latest toy,” Ally said. “Pretty soon he’ll be her errand boy, just like you.”

  Hermes looked at Ally calmly. “Considering they’ve been having sex off and on for centuries, I don’t think he’s just a way to pass the time. And I’m everyone’s errand boy. I have no quarrel with Aphrodite.”

  O groaned. “God, you are so boring. Do you ever get mad? Sad? Anything?”

  “All the time.”

  “I’d like some proof of that,” Celine said.

  “It will have to wait.” Hermes strode away from the Harpies quickly. Eris was heading for the punchbowl, and he wanted to make sure nothing happened.

  They arrived at the table at the same time, and she glared at him. She picked up a glass and filled it, then stood aside. He looked down at the table and took a glass of champagne.

  She smiled at him. “Nice to know my reputation is untarnished.”

  “Excuse me?”

  She walked closer and fixed his collar. “You thought I was going to do something.” She looked around and laughed. “That’s what everyone thinks.”

  “Can you blame us?”

  She shrugged. “I suppose not. Seems a bit unfair though that every other Olympian is eventually forgiven of their wicked ways, but no one is allowed to forget what I did a very long time ago.” Her hand had strayed to her necklace, and she turned the apple between her fingers. She did it so often it seemed like a nervous habit to Hermes.

  “You did start a war.”

  She dropped the apple. “My brother is the god of war. What do you expect?”

  Hermes shook his head. “He only supports them. He doesn’t really start them. Humans do that just fine on their own most of the time.”

  She sipped her punch thoughtfully. “So you hate me as much as everyone else does?”

  “I don’t hate you.”

  “No, of course not. You don’t hate anyone, do you? Tell me, what emotions do you actually deign to use? I can’t say I’ve ever noticed anything but disdain.” She traced a line down the middle of his chest. “There’s nothing wrong with disdain, but there has to be something more interesting in there.”

  He backed away just enough to keep her from touching him. “Disdain? For whom?”

  She held her hands up and gestured to the whole garden. “Everyone. You think you’re better than everyone.”

  He shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

  “Yes, you do. You think you outstrip every one of us in virtue and honor. You think you’re the only one who has never done anything wrong or cruel or petty.” />
  “I don’t think that, but I’ve never done anything to purposely hurt someone. If that sets me apart from other Olympians, I don’t care. I’m proud I’ve never done things like that, and I don’t see the point in criticizing it.”

  “No, you’re quite right. You don’t care, and you’ve never done things like that because you don’t do anything. You won’t even fight for Aphrodite.”

  He took a breath and tried to gather his thoughts. He looked over at Aphrodite, who stood laughing with Demeter and Dionysus.

  “I’m not in love with her, and I never was.”

  “You slept with her.”

  He smiled slightly. “That doesn’t mean I loved her. It certainly doesn’t make me special in any way either.”

  Eris laughed loudly. “Indeed not. That was just a tiny bit crude.”

  “It’s a statement of fact.”

  Eris looked at Aphrodite. “This could get interesting. A fertility goddess and the god of wine and ecstasy. I see a threesome in Aphrodite’s future.”

  “I’m sure there’ll be one somewhere in her future.”

  Eris ran her finger down Hermes’ cheek. “You know, you have a very dry wit.”

  “Once again, a statement of fact.”

  “Stubborn too. Those were jokes, and you know it, even if technically they could be just ‘statements of fact’. There might be an intriguing man beneath that stony façade yet.”

  “It’s not a façade, and your plan isn’t going to work.”

  “What plan? Do tell me how clever you think I am?”

  She smirked up at him, but he ignored it. “You want to either make me angry with you or with someone else. It’s not going to work. And it’s not such a clever plan after all. You should have picked someone else. Perhaps someone with less control and more of a temper. I could think of any number of guests who would have made better targets.”

  She rolled her eyes and set her punch glass down. “Well, you’re an idiot. I would never have come near you if you hadn’t come over here to make sure I didn’t do something to upset your precious Aphrodite or fowl up her stupid brat’s wedding. You simply aren’t that important.” She smiled. “It might be interesting though if I could manage to get you riled up. I’d love to see those brown eyes flashing.”

  “I will be angry if you do anything to cause discord here among people who care for one another. You have no quarrel with them or with Iris and Eros.”

  “Don’t worry.” She walked past him and touched his arm. “I have a better idea.”

  As she walked away, he found himself entranced by her. He couldn’t take his eyes off her ass. The sway of her hips made him want to throw her over a table and give her the rutting of her life.

  He blinked and shook his head. He started to follow her, but then he stopped. His arm burned where she had touched him. He looked down and saw a black apple burned into his skin. When he touched it, his mind filled with images of Eris on top of him, naked and moaning. He could almost feel her.

  “Hermes?”

  He turned to Aphrodite. “Yes?”

  “Are you okay? You’re breathing hard and your eyes are wild and red.” She looked around. “Eris is gone now, but she did something to you. Please tell me. We’ll go to Zeus.”

  “I’m not sure.” He had a hard time concentrating. All he could think of was Eris. He thought of what her breasts would feel like, what she would taste like if he went down on her, how she would scream as she came. “But she has definitely done something.”

  “I think we should go.” Aphrodite grabbed him and hurried them off to the woods. She held him very close, and the feel of her body was not helping.

  “Aphrodite, what are you doing?”

  She turned around when they were out of sight. “You’re standing in the middle of my son’s wedding reception with a hard-on that would make Zeus jealous.”

  He looked down. She wasn’t exaggerating. His erection was incredibly noticeable. It was also very painful.

  He showed Aphrodite his arm. “She touched me. As soon as she did, all I wanted to do was fuck her.”

  The goddess put her hand over her mouth, and he realized she was laughing.

  “This isn’t funny!”

  “It kind of is. It’s pretty absurd, in fact.” She finally laughed out loud.

  “So because this doesn’t affect you, you aren’t concerned?”

  “It does affect me. It’s gotten my attention and pulled me away from the wedding.” She shrugged and walked toward him seductively. “But it is a wedding. This could be my sexual blessing for the couple.”

  Hermes looked up at Aphrodite. He realized he’d been staring at her breasts, which looked amazing pushed together in her white leather corset.

  “You can’t be serious. This is what she wants.”

  “So? It’s what I want too. You’re the one who turned away from me, remember?”

  “What about Ares?”

  She began unlacing her bodice. “He’s as free as I am. We don’t love each other. But I do love the way you make me come, that one moment when you let go and give me everything.” She sighed as she pulled the corset down. “You’re hard to forget, Hermes.”

  He couldn’t take his eyes off her. “I don’t think we should.”

  “You need release. I’ll give you that.” She stood close to him and stroked his cock.

  He looked into her eyes, remembering the months they’d spent together. He knew just what glorious release she could give him. He cupped her breasts and caressed them, her sighs making his cock harder. Something was wrong though.

  “I don’t think it will work.”

  She put her arms around him. “I’ll ride you until it does work.” She kissed him passionately, and he responded. He pulled at her skirt, finally ripping it off. She continued to stroke him. As soon as he touched her wet pussy, she reached into his pants, fighting to free his cock.

  He pulled himself out of her embrace. “Wait. Please.”

  “What’s wrong?” She stood naked, her breasts heaving. She was so beautiful, offering herself to him, telling him she still wanted him, but he couldn’t shake the feeling something was wrong.

  “This isn’t a lust spell. I only want her. No man could resist you, especially in such an aroused state, but in my mind all I see is her. Even if we make love, she may still have a hold on me.”

  Aphrodite’s eyes flashed. “So she was after me. Just wanted to play a little game. She’ll pay for this.”

  “No. I think it’s me. You just got in the way.” He turned away so he’d stop staring at her. He was confused enough already.

  “Perhaps she wanted to cause strife with Ares. Might happen if you slept with me. Or if you pursued her.”

  Hermes shook his head. “I can’t think.”

  “Perhaps I can ease it.”

  “No.”

  “I’m serious. Close your eyes. Pretend it isn’t me.”

  “No.”

  She touched his shoulders. “Let me try. You can’t walk around like this. It doesn’t seem to be going away.”

  He turned to her and looked into her eyes. “You don’t have to.”

  “Let me love you one more time.” She led him to a patch of grass and pulled him onto her. He couldn’t help but follow her. “I can’t break her spell, but my powers can’t be useless. Just close your eyes and take me.”

  He closed his eyes for a moment, but then he opened them. “No. I want to look at you. I don’t want to think of her more than I have to.”

  He moved to her entrance, which was as wet and hot as he remembered, and slid into her. He looked down into her eyes, enjoying the pleasure he saw there. “I pleased you? Sometimes I couldn’t tell.”

  She stroked his face. “You did. I don’t usually like the strong and silent type.” She gasped as he thrust higher. “But you were such a considerate lover.” She moaned and pulled him closer.

  He pushed deeper, remembering where she was the most sensitive and shifting her
leg up slightly so he could hit that one spot just right. He kissed her breasts as her skin flushed, knowing this would heighten her pleasure. He tried to focus on her, but all he could see was Eris. He couldn’t help imagining it was her beneath him.

  Aphrodite threw her head back and moaned, grinding against him as she came. Her convulsions sent him over the edge, and he bit back the urge to yell Eris’ name.

  He pulled himself out of Aphrodite’s arms. “I hope you don’t regret this later.”

  “I won’t. Are you better?”

  He shrugged. “My head’s clearer. I think I’m sated for now. I can’t get her out of my head though.”

  “I’ll find out what she did. I won’t let her hurt you.”

  He looked at the goddess and pushed a blonde curl out of her face. She mystified him still. He had never understood how she could love everyone around her so completely and yet never fall in love with any of them. “Thank you. Sorry it was so quick.”

  She shrugged. “I’m not complaining.” She ran one finger over his arm, looking at him seductively. “And I wouldn’t complain if you needed me again.”

  “What in the hell is going on?”

  They looked up at Ares, who was glaring heatedly at both of them.

  Aphrodite smiled and stood, snapping her fingers to cover herself in a pink sundress. “Your sister put a spell on Hermes. He had a hard-on that would have put you to shame. He needed my help.”

  Ares moved toward Aphrodite and stood very close. His eyes blazed down at her. “You strip and spread your legs every time a man ‘needs’ you? Huh?”

  “Wait! Don’t fight. Ares, I’m sorry. We didn’t know what else to do.” He went to them and pushed Ares back a few steps before showing Ares his arm. “It’s true. Eris said she’d love to see me riled up and then she touched me. She put some kind of spell on me to make me want her.”

  Ares crossed his arms. “So why were you rutting in the woods with Aphrodite if Eris is the one you wanted? Given the choice, I’d have preferred finding you with my sister. At least she’s free to fuck whomever she wants.”