Love's Forge Read online

  “I know because I see where her words will take him. She will inspire him to take certain actions.” She smiled wider at Atropos. “Don’t you wish you were like us? Wouldn’t you like to know the future?”

  “No. We would be miserable if I could.”

  Lachesis shrugged. “Perhaps we would be.”

  “You see only enough to think you know what is best,” Clotho said. “You see just a little farther down each path than others can. Just a little. The destinies of individuals are so much trickier than those of nations and races.”

  Lachesis stood and let the image in the pool fade. “I will be responsible for what happens. I swear. I will tell Zeus and Hera everything. I will confess to the primal deities if you wish. Is it really so important?” She laughed. “Is it?”

  Atropos turned and stalked away. “I’m not protesting because of the importance. I’m angry because it’s hard enough for any being mortal or immortal to be happy without others meddling.”

  Lachesis had not expected so much anger or conviction. “Clotho?”

  Clotho stood and shook her head. “It’s true. Happiness is a delicate thing. Do as you wish and let it all fall on your head.” She exited with as much conviction, if less speed.

  Lachesis couldn’t understand them. Why didn’t they see the beauty of her plan? What was wrong with them?

  * * * *

  Ares knocked on the bedroom door. Why was Alala in bed? Where else would she be? Hermes had been sent to tell her he was safe while he went to his mother. He’d wanted to go to Alala right away, but he’d felt it safer to talk with his parents first.

  “Alala? Are you here?”

  The bedroom door swung open. Alala walked across the room toward him, tying her short robe in a loose knot. “Of course I’m here. It’s late. Where else would I be?”

  “You don’t seem surprised, so Hermes must have given you my message.”

  She nodded. “He did.” She moved to sit in one of the armchairs by the fire. “You want a drink?”

  “Bourbon. I’ll get it.”

  She jumped up. “No, I will. Sit.”

  He had no idea what she was doing, so he obeyed. Alala had always been quiet, had always done things calmly. Unfortunately, her tendency to do so had been the reason she’d blended into the background of his life so well for so long. She’d fought well on the battlefield, never gloating or taunting her enemies. She’d silently tended his wounds, massaged his aches away. His cock twitched at the thought of her hands on his body and his gaze wandered to her beautiful ass and legs. He shifted in his seat. Whatever she was planning, she probably wasn’t in the mood for sex. Neither was he, really, but she inspired his desire every time he saw her. Their wedding would take place in a few days. Nothing would stop that. He’d only recently found her, coming to his senses after years of blindness. Whoever had done this to him would pay.

  She handed him his drink and sat down. “Now tell me what happened.”

  He took of long sip, draining half the glass, and leaned forward. “I don’t know yet. I left here. You remember that.”

  “Yes. You wanted to suggest Aphrodite attend our wedding with Hephaestus as her escort.”

  He couldn’t read anything from her tone. “Exactly, and it was your idea. None of it was planned by me. Right?”

  She nodded.

  “She would never have agreed because she’s too scared of my mother, but I wanted to try.”

  “And then what?”

  “I got there and saw her digging in the garden. Nothing strange, nothing exciting. It all felt normal.” He paused. He didn’t want to explain the next part, but he had to. She wouldn’t like hearing it, but he had to be honest every time he told this because they had to find out what had really happened. “I looked at her and just had to fuck her. I remembered how we were together and thought what a fool I was to let her get away.”

  Alala’s face remained unchanged, but her eyes glistened with tears. “And?”

  “I looked at her and thought of her as mine. It was like she was a possession. She only existed to give me pleasure, and my cock was demanding that from her right then and there.” He set his drink aside and got down on his knees in front of Alala. “We barely said a word. She wasn’t surprised when I grabbed her. It’s like she knew exactly what was happening. There was no discussion. We just started fucking.”

  Alala reached over to the little table behind him and took his drink. She finished it and sat back. “I feel so much better. Thank you, my love.” She set the glass down with a loud clink to emphasize her sarcasm.

  “Alala. Please tell me you’re considering what I just said. Don’t dismiss this and condemn me just because it was with Aphrodite.”

  “How was it? As good as before?” she asked after a few moments.

  “It was a blur. It was surreal. Yes, it was good, but it felt so different I should have sensed something was wrong and tried to break away.”

  She got down on her knees and undid his pants. She freed his cock and rubbed it. “Did you come?”

  He knew not to lie. “Yes, I did.” Her touch drove him wild. She had him hard and ready in moments. He wanted to throw her on the bed and show her she was the only woman for him. He wanted to spend the rest of the night making her come, telling her he loved her. They might regret it in the morning though. He touched her hand. “Stop, please. I don’t want us to do anything like this while we’re not both all right with what’s happened.”

  “No, I won’t stop. I obviously haven’t been good enough to make you forget her.” She pushed him backwards onto the floor, and before he could protest her lips were wrapped around his cock.

  “Alala, don’t.” As good as she felt, it still felt wrong.

  “We’re getting married, and she’s the last woman you came inside,” she whispered.

  “Alala, why don’t you believe me?”

  She climbed over him and looked into his eyes. She ran her fingers through his hair and then settled down on top of him. “I believe you. I don’t know who did this or why, but I believe you. You’d have to be an idiot not to see it as a spell.”

  He sighed with relief. “I don’t think she cast it, Alala. She was terrified when Hephaestus caught us.”

  “She’d have been more terrified if I’d caught you.” She kissed his neck and nibbled on his ear. “Did you fuck her once? Or were you well into a marathon when he found you?”

  “Stop playing games. Tell me you understand.”

  She sat back, and her ass rubbed his hard cock. She unbuttoned his shirt and caressed his chest. “Understanding it wasn’t your fault doesn’t make it hurt less. Everyone knows. Everyone who is coming to our wedding knows about this! If this doesn’t get straightened out, will there be a wedding? If there is, will it be one big gossip fest with everyone feeling sorry for me?”

  “Our wedding will be perfect. Even if we have to put it off, it will be everything you want it to be.”

  She leaned over him again. “I thought you might be dead. For hours, I really thought you might be.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She moved off him and sat by the fire. She pulled her knees up to her chest and looked at him. “Who would do this? I want to kill whoever it was. I don’t care who it is. If it was her I’ll be right there with Hera and after her blood.”

  His erection finally faded at her cold words. “Aphrodite did not do this. Risk angering Hera and you and Eris? Take the chance that everyone would turn against her for doing such a thing? It doesn’t make any sense.”

  “My brain knows that, but the rest of me never wants to see her ever again. I want Eros to bless our marriage.”

  “All right. At least you’re not calling it off.”

  She looked down. “Of course not. I’m not letting you go. It’s just maddening.”

  “What is?” He sat up and put his arm around her, glad when she didn’t push him away.

  “Your history with her. The number of times you made love to her, f
ucked her, whatever you want to call it. It can’t be erased. She’s every man’s fantasy, and you probably could have had her.” She closed her eyes. “It drives me crazy. I picture you fucking her all the time. I can’t help it.”

  Ares pushed Alala’s hair out of her face, admiring her. Every man’s fantasy? He almost laughed. He stroked her vibrant red hair and traced her cheekbone. He leaned in to kiss her lily-white skin, and his hand moved up to cup her soft, perfect breast. “You’re crazy. I get hard every time I look at you.”

  She looked into his eyes. “I don’t know what I want right now. I’m upset and angry and still a little scared. I didn’t mean to play games with you, but I hardly know what to do.”

  “That’s all right.”

  “I can’t stand that you touched her, even though I know it was a spell.” She touched the hand at her breast and squeezed. “Who would want to hurt us?”

  “I think we were casualties. We were in the way. I’m sure this is about Aphrodite.”

  “Who would want Hephaestus angry with her? Who would want him to reject her? When has he ever been with anyone else? Who could be angry with him? Or willing to hurt him?”

  Ares shook his head. “I don’t know. Someone could be mad at Aphrodite, but Hephaestus has never done anything to anyone until now.”

  “What if someone else is in love with him?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. Hera and Zeus are working on finding out.”

  “How is your mother?”

  “I had to pry my hand free from hers. She hugged me and kissed me five times, ranting about the messes her boy gets into, and then railing against Hephaestus before saying she feels so sorry for him. It was like ten family visits rolled into one. The whole gambit of drama.”

  She laughed. “Sounds like fun.”

  “There’s a smile.” He kissed her cheek tenderly. “I’m safe. I’m here. I love you and no one else. Soon, I hope, it will all be explained and we can put it behind us.”

  She nodded and kissed his hand.

  “Will you let me make love to you tonight?” he asked.

  “I know you couldn’t help yourself, Ares. I’d never turn you away.”

  “I meant, do you feel comfortable? I never want us to be together when it doesn’t feel right for both of us.”

  “You were all I could think about the entire time you were gone. I needed you so much.”

  He kissed her once and pulled back. He searched her face. “I need you. I always need you.”

  She touched his cheek. “I won’t let this come between us. Make love to me.”

  Their lips met, and he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her in the middle of the sheets and shed his clothes. He stretched out beside her and untied her robe. She wore nothing underneath, and he stroked her soft skin.

  “You’re so beautiful. Any mortal who saw you would know you were a goddess.” He kissed her neck. He tilted her head to run his tongue over her pulse. She sighed sweetly, and his cock responded. He’d enjoyed every moment of getting to know her body. He loved teasing her at times, but right now he wanted to give her as much pleasure as he could. He rolled her onto her back. He’d discovered recently how sensitive the skin on her back was. Kissing and caressing her there got her very wet and made her need him desperately.

  She sighed and folded her arms under her head as he kissed his way down her spine. He trailed his fingers over her skin as well. He nibbled on the tender skin, and then ran his tongue over the spot. He worked his way from her neck to her ass doing this. As he moved back up the other side, he ran his hand over her ass. She spread her legs for him.

  He groaned as his fingers slid into her wet pussy. He silently thanked her for being the exact opposite of Aphrodite in every way. Aphrodite used sex as a tool, a weapon, a way to get what she wanted. She’d have withheld sex in this situation to punish him. She’d have teased him mercilessly until he was close to coming and then left him. She’d have let her hurt pride or pettiness win. She would have held this against him, even knowing it wasn’t his fault. She’d never forgiven him so quickly. She’d never understood him so well. She’d never loved him.

  Alala rolled over, moaning, so that they were facing each other. She was wetter than she’d been in a long time, and he felt her sex pulsing as he touched her again. He pulled his hand away, but he gave her ass a soft slap first. He licked his fingers slowly. She giggled and brought her lips to his. The taste of her sex and her sweet lips made his cock jump.

  “Thank you for being who you are.” He kissed her deeply and clung to her.

  She wrapped one leg around his back and held him close. He could feel her letting go completely in his embrace. He shifted her beneath him and found her core. He moved his cock over her entrance until she opened her eyes to look at him.

  “I love you,” he whispered as he moved into her.

  She put her legs around the small of his back and arched into him. Her hot pussy stroked him, and he could tell from her gasps and sighs she’d come soon. “I love you too,” she said. She put her arms around his neck and thrust against him.

  He pushed farther and deeper, withdrawing and reentering slowly. He shifted her right leg up, and he was rewarded with a delighted gasp. He stroked deep. He could feel her growing wetter as she pulsed around his cock. Pleasure shot through his body. She felt so perfect.

  He bent down to kiss her neck, and at that contact she came. She cried out sharply and moaned. Her legs tightened as her sex squeezed him. He held back, thrusting as she trembled and held to him. When she stilled and sighed with satisfaction, he looked down into her eyes and began a series of long, slow thrusts. He loved her little gasps. She became so sensitive after an orgasm. When he was almost there, she dug her nails into his back and groaned, coming a second time. He thrust again and again as she rode out her pleasure, and then he joined her. He pounded her into the bed, wanting to be as close to her as possible as the joy of his own release erased everything else.

  After untangling themselves, they settled down into the sheets. She lay facing the door, and he moved in behind her to hold her against his chest.

  “You’re the only woman who ever made me want to be a husband, Alala.”

  “I know that.”

  “I’m going to spend the rest of my days making you happy.”

  “I know you will.” She kissed his hand. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again. Anyone who wants to put a spell on you will find a sword at their throat.”

  Ares laughed and kissed her shoulder. He knew it was true. Whoever had done this was not going to win, and they were going to have lots of people to answer to. He knew Hephaestus and Aphrodite would not reconcile this way and be blissfully happy anytime soon. He worried Aphrodite’s only chance at happiness might be ruined by this scheme.

  He clung to Alala as he felt her breathing steady. He’d been given such a precious gift, and he didn’t begrudge anyone that kind of happiness.

  Chapter Four

  Harmonia stood staring at the side of a mountain. She looked to Hermes for confirmation. “Here?”

  He nodded. “Would you like me to stay with you for a moment?”

  She shook her head. “I’m not afraid of him. Thank you.”

  Hermes nodded and vanished.

  She looked at the wall again. She touched the spot as he’d instructed, and to her surprise it opened right away.

  Hephaestus stood there for a moment, but then he turned to the side and gestured for her to come in. He had more of a tan than she’d remembered, but his dark hair and eyes were still very striking, as was his scar. She’d always found it intriguing, even though its origin was no mystery. He wore drab gray clothes though. The shirt and pants fit well on his chiseled body, but he looked so boring.

  Harmonia felt bad for thinking that. She sounded like her mother. She turned as they walked. “Thank you for seeing me.” She noticed his limp, and then felt bad for doing so. She turned to watch where she was going again.<
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  “It’s no problem.” After a moment, he added, “You don’t seem angry or worried. That’s how everyone else feels.”

  They stopped and faced each other. “I know you wouldn’t hurt her.”

  He nodded. “I promise I haven’t. She’s not here willingly, no, but I need her to stay. What I did to Ares was wrong, and I let him go because of that, but this is between me and Aphrodite.”

  “I didn’t come to plead with you to let her go.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “You didn’t?”

  “No.”

  He turned and opened a door. A simply furnished living room lay beyond the door. “Let’s sit down.”

  Harmonia didn’t know what to think of his home. It was definitely different. It was a big, winding cavern. It wasn’t dirty though. Every inch of the stone floor was smooth and cool and completely free of dirt. The only thing she’d seen until he’d opened up this room had been a series of doors. The furniture here was brown and dark red. The table was wooden and simple, and the couches and chairs were the same, all covered in leather. The only decorations were iron candleholders on the table. They were simple but very beautiful. She wondered if he’d made them, but she didn’t ask.

  After she’d settled in and he’d sat down beside her, she looked over at him and cleared her throat. She felt more nervous than she’d expected she would. “Given what’s happened, I’ve decided to break a promise to my mother. I’ve been lying to everyone all my life, and now I want the truth to be known.”

  “Are you sure this is for the best?” he asked.

  “Yes. She’ll be very angry, but I want to tell you something.”

  “All right.”

  She should have said it simply and gotten to the point, but instead she asked, “Do you know how old I am?”

  He shook his head. “She didn’t tell me about you. If you’ll remember we met when Aphrodite brought Eros to see Zeus and Hera. She hadn’t told me she already had any children when we started our affair. I often wondered if you might be Ares’ daughter, but since you never see him or come here, I assumed it was someone else. Was I wrong?”