Lesson in Love (Olympians, 2) Read online

  “Yes. Eros.”

  Iris waited for Hera to say something else, but she didn’t. It was very unlike her to have nothing to say about matters of the heart. “It’s no secret I’ve liked him for a long time.”

  “But you do nothing about it. He came on to you because he didn’t know who you were.”

  “So he would have ignored me if he’d known who I was?”

  Hera clucked her tongue at Iris. “No, silly. I mean he wanted nothing more than to sleep with you because he thought you were either mortal or unimportant in the Olympian scheme of things. If he had known who you were, he still would have hit on you, but he would have put a little more charm into it.”

  “So, as a mortal girl he’d just want to fuck me, but as a goddess he’d date me?”

  “Hmmm. Yeah, that does sound awful. Do you get what I mean? It wasn’t personal. He prefers to pursue mortal women, even if he never seems to pursue for very long because he gets what he wants and then loses interest. He obviously found you attractive.”

  “I know. I could have reacted better to his not knowing who I was. Instead of walking off, I could have said something clever. I could have gotten his attention somehow. I guess I was too scared. And defensive.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong. I have something to tell you, and I’m just trying to lead into it.”

  “What?” When Hera hesitated, it usually meant the hearer wasn’t going to like the news very much.

  “Well, Aphrodite has been to see her naughty boy and told him what he needs to do to make things right.”

  Iris nodded. “He has to find love for Abigail, true love. I know. She told me. It ought to be fun to watch.”

  “Thing is, it’s already taken care of.”

  Iris stared. “He’s already done it? You can’t be serious!”

  “No. Not that. Aphrodite has been working on it herself. Abigail is already dating again. You didn’t know because she avoids your place now. It brings back bad memories.” Hera stood up and walked toward Iris. “Truth is, Abigail’s new guy’s going to propose soon. Eros is going to be in for a bit of a shock when he starts making his plans.”

  “I don’t understand. He’s just going to get away with it? He seduced a virgin.”

  “But he didn’t use his powers on her. He did it the old-fashioned way. Aphrodite is the only one fit to judge her own son, and she says he regrets taking her maidenhead even if he denies being guilty of breaking her heart.”

  “But isn’t that also a matter for his mother to decide?”

  Hera held up her hand. “Right now he thinks Abigail’s crying her eyes out and staying home because of him, but really she’s very happy. We want him to see how easily true love can help someone get over even a god. Once he sees her truly happy, he will understand how unhappy he made her. And how unhappy he truly is living his life the way he does.”

  “I can see the merit in that, but what does this have to do with me?”

  “His behavior will only get worse as he grows more cynical. We want someone to teach him the meaning and value of unconditional love.”

  Iris didn’t want to be the one to do that. “No. Please, don’t involve me. If Aphrodite has come up with some scheme, fine, but don’t involve me.”

  Hera looked at Iris for a long moment. “Are you afraid of getting hurt?”

  Iris knew exactly how much it would hurt when Eros didn’t love her back. “What do you think?”

  “I understand, but will you trust us? He’s already rather taken with you. You fill his thoughts, and most of them are very wicked.”

  “I stood up to him, so now he wants to fuck me. That’s it. It hasn’t escaped my notice that he likes a good chase now and then.”

  “We won’t force you, but you’re going to find him very much in your path. We’ll see what happens.”

  “But I don’t want to—” She didn’t finish her sentence because she stood in her own office, alone. She sighed and sat down. She knew the next few weeks would be very trying, but if she could only stay strong, Hera and Aphrodite would soon tire of their little game.

  Chapter Two

  Eros sat in Abigail’s garden plucking the petals off a rose. After a moment, he looked down at the flower and transformed it into a myrtle, a flower sacred to his mother.

  “I do believe I am supposed to be the destructive one.”

  Eros looked up and saw Ares walking into the garden. As usual, he wore black leather pants and black tunic, a sword strapped to his back. Eros thought he looked stupid, despite knowing most women melted at Ares’ feet. He’d almost have preferred seeing his mother.

  “I hate women,” Eros grumbled.

  “Trouble, oh mighty Cupid?”

  He threw the flower down. “Don’t call me that!” Ares and Poseidon loved calling him by the stupid Roman name, and unfortunately it was contagious. Even his mother called him Cupid half the time, especially when she was angry. “My mother made me feel like shit because I supposedly broke a mortal’s heart. She told me I could redeem myself and avoid punishment by doing my thing and finding true love for her.”

  “And there’s a problem?”

  “She doesn’t need me. I get here to check things out, and I’m a bit surprised there’s a guy here. I think, ‘Okay, I get rid of this one or make him fall in love with her.’ Easy enough. But he already loves her, really and truly loves her. He lives here most of the time, and he has a ring hidden in a drawer in the guest bedroom.”

  “You’ve been nosy tonight. So why are you angry?”

  Eros stood up and walked away, then walked back and kicked the bench he’d been sitting on. “My mother knew all this. She probably set it all up.”

  “Still cleaning up after your mistakes, I see.”

  Eros glared at Ares. “I am very good at my job.”

  “You need some help with your own relationships. You have to admit it.”

  “I’ve had a few problems now and then.”

  Ares narrowed his eyes. “Really? You didn’t even check to see if your last fling was a virgin. Artemis could have had your balls on her wall for that.”

  “Someone’s been eavesdropping.” He plucked another rose and crushed it in his palm.

  “War is my business. Eavesdropping is compulsory no matter where I am.” He glared at the crushed flower. “Stop that before Demeter decides to join the hating Eros party.”

  “Okay, so I’ve been punished for that already. I came here and found out that I’m easily forgotten.” Eros felt his anger building. “You know, it kind of exonerates me. Now I know she never loved me. I didn’t break her heart.”

  The look on Ares’ face said he didn’t believe that any more than Eros did. “Don’t try to get out of this. You dumped her because you thought she loved you. You wanted to get rid of her because she was too clingy. She was sure she loved you as well. You did plenty of damage.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate you pointing that out. That doesn’t mean I’m a relationship disaster.”

  “You have a weakness for mortal women. You can’t deny it.”

  “I don’t want to talk about my ex-wife.”

  “Oh, why not? Psyche is looking very good these days.”

  Eros shot the war god a warning look. Psyche had been mortal, and when Eros fell in love with her by accidentally shooting himself with the arrow his mother had prepared for the mortal Psyche was meant to marry, Zeus had eventually granted Psyche immortality. Unfortunately, the centuries had not been kind to the two lovers. Both of them were unfaithful, and as punishment, they had been separated for a hundred years. When they were allowed to see each other again, they didn’t love each other at all. Aphrodite had persuaded Zeus to dissolve their marriage, though the dissolution of a marriage granted by an Olympian blessing was unheard of. Zeus was fond of reminding Eros that he had granted Psyche immortality so they could be together. The king of the gods had taken their failed marriage as ingratitude.

  “I don’t want to talk about her. Ever
.”

  “But your mother did bail you out there.”

  Eros wanted to wipe the smirk right off the other god’s face. “She pointed out to Zeus that he and his wife have never, ever been faithful, yet they are never punished. Hera is the goddess of marriage, but that hasn’t influenced her fidelity. Mother reminded him that being lenient and giving us what we wanted might help everyone to continue ignoring that little inconsistency.”

  Ares rubbed his chin. “Look, I’m trying to help you out. Aphrodite has her reasons, I’m sure. Have you learned an amazingly valuable lesson here?”

  “No. I’ve had my pride kicked around. I’m not only forgettable but useless, it seems.”

  “Hmmm. You’d better watch out then.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t see this as the end of Aphrodite’s plan.”

  Eros groaned. “I know.”

  Ares chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. What could she do to you that would really be worse than anything you’ve been thrown before?”

  Eros stared up at the night sky. “I don’t want to know.” The wind chime outside Abigail’s window caught his eye. The chimes were suspended under a rainbow. Iris had been the cause of all this, or at least the one to stir things up. Remembering her made him feel better. Picturing the fire in her eyes and the curve of her ass made the memory even better.

  “That grin is too genuine. What are you planning?”

  Eros hadn’t even realized he was grinning. “Just thought of something good. No plans yet. I think I’ll lie low for a while.”

  Ares nodded. “Not a bad idea. Your mother can be quite a force when she’s cross.” He smiled. “Think she’s free tonight?”

  Eros groaned. “I am not hearing this. Go find her yourself. I’m tired of hearing about your sex life with my mother.”

  “Fine. I’ll go see if she’s tied up. If she’s not, I’ll see what I can do.”

  Eros turned to tell Ares to shut up, but the god had already left. He sighed. He might find a visit to Iris equally frustrating, but he thought seeing her again just might be worth it.

  Iris waited for Layla to quit giggling. Until falling in love with and marrying Poseidon, Layla had been mortal, so Iris was patient with her. A few centuries and Layla would also grow tired of the games of the Olympians.

  “They’re handing you what you’ve wanted for so long. Why are you upset? You have Hera’s blessing to pursue Eros.”

  “I could have had it any time I wanted it. You don’t get it. I want him to love me on his own.”

  “But they aren’t asking you to trick him. You aren’t going to use one of his own methods on him. He will love you on his own.”

  Iris couldn’t believe that. “I’m being pushed on him.”

  “He doesn’t know that you’re being pushed together. You’ve never given him a chance.”

  Iris felt her hair flame bright red. She regained control and returned it to purple. “He has never given me a chance.”

  “You almost never leave the mortal world. He never had the chance to notice you. You needed to grab his attention. Now you have it. Even if he’s angry, I’ll bet he’s intrigued. When has a woman ever stood up to him or told him no?”

  Iris took a deep breath. “I’m not going to cooperate. He can do as he likes.”

  “Hmmm. We’ll see.”

  The door opened, and the man they’d been discussing stood there staring at them.

  “Hey there, Cupid. Enjoying Valentine’s Day?” Layla teased.

  To Iris’ surprise, the impatient god managed a slight smile. “It’s almost over, so I’m doing well.” He pointed to the clock. “Four minutes to go.”

  “I’d better get back then.” Layla hopped up and waved at Iris. “Later, hot stuff.” She vanished, leaving Iris alone with Eros.

  “She seemed to be in a good mood. Can I assume maybe you are, too?” he asked.

  Iris sat back in her chair. She wasn’t sure what had happened since she’d seen him. It had only been a couple of hours, but the average Olympian could do a lot in that period of time. “Why do you care? Don’t you have other concerns?”

  He shrugged. “My dear, sweet mother came to see me, but other than that things are back to normal.”

  Iris narrowed her eyes. “I somehow doubt that.”

  “Why? Because she hasn’t inflicted some horrible punishment on me? You never know with my mother.”

  He wasn’t going to tell her what he’d been ordered to do or what had happened since then. It was just as well. She had no desire to get involved, and she felt it was much better to send him on his way as soon as possible.

  “Then why are you here? To gloat that you got away with it?”

  His face hardened a bit, but the expression in his eyes showed more pain than anger. She thought she’d hit a nerve, but after a moment he recovered. “Who says I got away with anything?”

  “You don’t seem to be suffering much.”

  “What would you know about suffering? You’re one of Hera’s pets!”

  She opened her mouth to tell him exactly what Hera had planned for him, but instead she glared at him and then made him vanish.

  “I hope you can swim,” she muttered.

  Eros trudged out of the waves and flopped down on the sand. For the second time in one day, he’d been dropped somewhere unpleasant by another deity. At least the water had been softer than the cow pasture. He told himself he should probably be thankful Iris hadn’t thrown him to her sisters. He had avoided the Harpies for a few decades and planned to keep it up.

  He was not only angry because he’d been so easily dismissed, but also because he was very turned on. Iris was not like any other goddess he’d ever met. The fact that she thought about something besides sex amazed him in and of itself. She owned a business in the mortal world and seemed completely committed to it. He liked being among mortals too, but for very different reasons.

  If everyone thought he was a relationship disaster, including Iris, that was fine. They could think whatever they wanted. He’d show them soon enough. What he needed was a woman who wouldn’t fall into his arms with one wink. Iris definitely qualified, and he knew he’d enjoy persuading her into his embrace. Maybe he couldn’t make her fall in love, and that certainly wasn’t his plan, but he had no doubt she would eventually fall under his spell. The chase itself would prove intriguing and might be just what he needed to turn his outlook around.

  He pictured her again and couldn’t help becoming aroused. She possessed a lot of fire and spirit, so she’d probably be amazing in bed. He wondered who else she might have been with. He couldn’t really guess, but he was sure her list wouldn’t be anywhere near as long as Hera’s or his mother’s. He decided not to think about it. The last thing he needed was to get jealous. It might spur him on a bit at first, but he wanted to stay in control. His plan wasn’t perfect yet, but showing Iris why mortal women fell for him would do a lot for his reputation. No matter what was said to his face, he knew everyone felt the way Ares and his mother did. They all enjoyed pointing out the irony of his inability to live happily ever after. He’d always thought of it as the positive kind of irony, if there was such a thing, and written it off as the will of the Fates. The lonely god destined to give love but never grasp it himself. He knew there were worse prospects in the cosmic scheme of things.

  He thought of Iris again. He wondered what color her hair would be the next time he saw her. Her eyes reflected different colors like a prism, and they had been very dark as they’d talked, so they probably changed with her moods. She certainly seemed more intriguing the more he thought about her. He knew he must have seen her before, so why couldn’t he remember? If she was Hera’s messenger, perhaps her comings and goings were meant to be secret. He hadn’t talked to Hermes in a long time, but surely Hermes would know all about the other messenger.

  Eros reached out with his mind. Hermes was in Hera’s palace, but he was alone. With a thought, Eros was walking beside him.

/>   “Do you have a minute?” he asked.

  Hermes looked at Eros and nodded. Their relationship had always been strained because Aphrodite had never revealed to anyone but Hera and Zeus who Eros’ real father was. Hermes, Ares, and Hephaestus were the suspects. Goddesses gave birth so quickly none of them had been given nine months to demand who the father was. Most thought Ares was his father, and something about that seemed to bother Hermes. Hephaestus kept to himself so much Eros never gave that possibility much thought. All three men had dark hair and eyes, but Eros was blond haired and blue eyed like his mother. Regardless of the truth, Hermes avoided both Eros and Aphrodite as often as he could.

  Eros didn’t say anything immediately. He suddenly wondered if this was a good idea.

  Hermes spoke first. “You want to know about Iris. You’re going to have a hard time.”

  “Why?”

  Hermes kept looking ahead. “No one knows much about her. She’s been close to Poseidon at times because her father was also a god of the sea. She’s very close to his new wife, Layla. She may confide in Hera also, as most goddesses do.”

  Eros rolled his eyes. Above everything else, Hermes’ ability to be boring in every aspect of his life told Eros this god could not be his father. His mother had probably only slept with him to make sure he was alive. “Don’t really want to involve Hera, but she probably already knows I’m interested.”

  “Just interested? Nothing more?”

  Eros looked at Hermes, a bit surprised by the suggestive remark. “Maybe a little more than interested. I can’t say I’ve ever had a relationship with a goddess. Psyche wasn’t born one, so that’s different.”

  “Relationships with goddesses can be interesting. And complicated.”

  Eros looked at Hermes, but Hermes’ expression revealed nothing. “I know. Iris is definitely complex. I won’t deny that. I simply thought you might know more about her. I’ve never heard anyone talk about her.”

  “She is Hera’s personal messenger now, has been for centuries. She stays among mortals and keeps to herself. Not much gossip for anyone to pass along.”