Chapter Nineteen

“So, you’re the one.”

Turning from her appraisal of a black biker jacket, Tabithia took a step back before she could stop herself. Gone was the wicked, cool tattoo-parlour-slash-biker-hangout, in its place was Ares in all his glory. At least she assumed Ares sat on the throne, taking centre stage in a magnificent, if not overdone, hall in gold and gold-toned marble. Dressed in battle gear Russell Crowe would have died for in Gladiator, he tilted his dark head to the left. She could see why Dare had the hots for him. The goatee was hot, but the guy really wasn’t her type.

“Please, sit. Drink. Be comfortable.”

She shot a brief glance away from him towards a small chair and table with a golden pitcher and golden goblet next to her.

Yeah, like she was sitting. She needed every advantage against a guy like this. God, she reminded herself, god like this.

“Thanks, but I just imbibed. So, ‘the one’?”

Stomach in knots, she resisted tinkering with her pendant, instead settling for its reassuring weight against her skin. Had he nullified her powers? Was she in some deep shit or what?

Laughing—without much humour in her opinion—he gripped his throne, arms tight enough to make the damn metal bend. Ah, so, she was in deep shit. Where the heck was Hecate? What the hell good were goddesses for if they let other gods poach her? And Dare, what the hell had the little witch got her into?

“Where should I start? With the fact you broke into my temple, stole something that belonged to me, and are now hiding my woman from me? Should we start there, Ravensong?”

A chill raced under her skin, heating instead of cooling her. Ares had used her true name. True names had power. Hers was no different. She’d never shared her name with another. Sharing a name allowed the other to have power over a person. She would never give such power to any other. Never. Her goddesses knew her name, but no other. Ares using it did not bode well.

“It’s Tabithia.”

“Is it?”

She almost took a step back when he stood abruptly, fire in his eyes. He stomped down the dais, looking angrier by the minute—if that was possible.

“You stole what was mine. You then released it. You are my captain’s mate. If I kill you, I lose him. But is he a pawn, or a more vital piece on my board? That is how your life is balanced. His worth to me.”

Oh, man. She was not liking those odds. When he reached her, he stopped. He towered more than a foot over her. This was no god to play with, no god to ask favours of, nor to make promises to she couldn’t keep.

The plan. What was the plan? Heck, the plan had been Aeros demanding she show him where Dare was, not Ares standing in front of her.

Dark eyes narrowing, he said, “It might not matter, though, either way. You may never be able to complete the bonding ritual.”

Lead hit her stomach, weighing her down with a certainty that this god knew every horrible detail of her life.

“Ah, yes, I know of your past.” Flipping his hand as if dismissing her past as easily as a pesky fly, he circled her. Metal studs sounded on marble—his boots, she realised. He was dressed for battle—against her? Why? There was more going on here than she was getting. Think, Tab, think. Why would he be ready for battle? Did he think Dare would come to her rescue? The girl was off learning all about this century—shopping, eating out, and having a great time with her new singer friends. Even Reesie liked her. No way was she in on this. She’d told her Aeros would come to her, find her, and demand Dare. When he did, she was supposed to make Dare’s demands. Shit. But to Ares? She so didn’t want to spill the list of humiliation to him. He didn’t look like the kind of guy who took what Dare had to say with anything short of a temper tantrum.

She swallowed her fear and pushed on her bravado. Best never to show any weakness to your enemy—and Ares was her enemy, there was no doubt of that. The man practically simmered with rage—at her.

“What do you want from me, Ares? The cat’s out of the bag. You had one of my coven trapped—in this room. And now, you want Dare back?”

Stopping in front of her, he breathed out of his perfect nose and glared. Such power radiated from him it was like standing next to a solar flare. The hall was warm, but he made her sweat. She supposed he was handsome in that ‘I’m so hot’ way, but his looks did nothing to her except make her want to step back even farther from him.

Trying to appear unaffected was impossible. His powerful gaze locked onto hers, and she swallowed at the darkness of his eyes. She’d seen rich coffee-coloured eyes before—on Aeros. But not like these. They were bottomless, so dark they would have been utterly black if not for the striations of mahogany slashing and swirling in his irises.

“Dare?”

She grimaced and almost took a step back at the sharp strike of his tone. “Your little woman. I call her Dare. She’s got some demands.”

Why was it so damn hard to speak? Her voice came out, but hell, not much more than a whisper. And that had to be messing with her indifferent, I-don’t-have-a-problem-with-a-god-angry-with-me look.

“Demands.”

She nodded and wished he’d step back. The man—god—was in her bubble. He burst it completely and stood so close she had to tip her head to look him in the eye.

“Hmm? I see. So, she has demands. Tell me where she is, and I will have my men fetch her. She can tell me.”

“Uh…no.”

He blinked. He tilted his head again and something like humour flickered over his expression before he turned harder than before. “No? I’m not sure I like that word, Tabithia.”

Oh, she was certain he’d like Dare’s conditions even less.

“Tell me then.”

Ah, gods, Dare owed her. Like forever.

“Step back, would you? I can’t think with you all in my space.”

He blinked again, immediately stepping back and frowning.

“Better. Okay, so you know you can’t be on her happy list, right? First, she wants you to send flowers. She has several addresses she wants them delivered to. Then she wants an apology. In writing. Then she’d like you to…” She paused because, even though he was smiling, his eyes were promising something she just knew Dare might not like. She certainly didn’t.

“Continue.”

“To go down on your knees and say how sorry you are for doubting her love, and for making her watch you touch other women. She won’t give you sex for ten years, and if you hurt me she won’t give out for ten times that much longer.” She added the last bit because, well, heck, she was the one giving out the stupid demands. She’d put him on the couch for longer than ten years for what he’d done.

He didn’t say a word. They stared at each other so long she had to fist her hands to keep from fidgeting.

He threw his head back and laughed. Her knees almost gave out. Hell, she was in trouble, wasn’t she? Why hadn’t her goddesses come to rescue her? He was so poaching what was theirs—her, right? But nothing—not even a whisper—was heard from them.

“She loves me?”

Tab didn’t say a word. What to say, anyway? Yeah, she’s a real dope and loves you even though you imprisoned her for, like, ever?

When she stayed silent, Ares smirked.

“You don’t like it, but she does, does she not? Why else make such demands?”

Again, she stayed quiet. Ares started pacing, looking agitated, but she was guessing excited. When he did an abrupt stop and about-face, she blinked.

He frowned. “Do you care for him?”

It took her a few moments to catch up to speed. Care for him. Care for Aeros? Her heart swelled, with pain or with something else she wasn’t sure, but she did know she cared for him. Swallowing again, she nodded. “I care for Aeros.”

“Interesting. You would put your past behind you to gain his life? To aid him above your own needs?”

“Uh, well—” Stepping back, she adjusted her shoulders. “What do you mean?”

“You would have to mate with him. Have sex.” He said the last word on a husky whisper, clearly enjoying himself. She hoped Dare spanked him.

This was worse than she’d imagined kids put up with when their parents had that ‘birds and bees’ talk. A god—Ares—talking to her about sex? Someone save her now, please!

“Do you need me to explain—?”

“Look, I don’t think this conversation has to continue. I told you what you need to do in order to get back your little Dare. What do you want? I was shopping, you know?”

He laughed again. The sound wasn’t pleasant. “Oh, yes, I know. Shopping, rather than cutting yourself. A novel idea. Will it work? Can you fix yourself so you can be a mate to my captain? I fear I need him, but he will die soon without you.” He paused in his stroll around her and murmured, “I hadn’t realised this when I brought them back.” He examined her expression. No doubt she looked dumbfounded. She was surprised her mouth wasn’t gaping.

He nodded. “The time, you see, it weighs on them. The years, I suppose. Aeros more so than the others, I think. He seeks no solace, and because of this, he is fading.”

Her heart did a funny leap, and her stomach wanted to follow. Fading? “What are you talking about?” Aeros was as solid as any man she’d ever met—very, very solid. Recalling the bar scene, she shivered. The pleasure they’d shared had been something she’d treasure forever. She’d not meant to let it go so far. But she couldn’t regret it now.

“The heat he feels? You’ve not noticed?”

Thinking about Aeros hurt. But she forced herself to remember every moment, the pool, buried beneath the earth for their first kiss, the bar scene. Sure, he’d felt warm to her, but they’d been in the jungle. Recalling the chilliness of the monster’s cave, she frowned. He’d been sweating, while she’d been shivering. When he’d curled around her, she’d felt his heat surround her.

“What about it?”

“It’s a sign he is near to being extinguished.”

“What? You need to explain that. Now.” Fists clenched, she faced Ares and glared at his knowing smile.

He raised an arrogant eyebrow instead of answering her. Gods, he was condescending. She hoped Dare made him suffer. He was arrogant. He played with people. And now he was playing with her. Her power flowed quickly, like the pulse of her heart, filling her with anger and what felt like an endless supply of juice. Was he feeding her power without knowing it? Without her knowing it? Didn’t matter. Aeros had saved her life, he’d given her pleasure, he’d been calm and patient while she could admit she’d not been very kind to him in the jungle. And she’d repaid him by taking Dare out of his reach. Had Ares punished him? Was Ares lying? Ares could be punishing Aeros even now—maybe even causing the heat.

“You are a bit feisty for being such a cautious witch. Well, since you asked so sweetly…” he said, sauntering back to his throne. The guy was so arrogant she couldn’t believe Dare really wanted him, but who was she to judge?

He turned and gave her a condescending smirk, and leisurely sat and crossed one leg over the other like he had all the time in the world. Pissing her off even more, he rested back on the big thing and watched her. Geesh, he looked like Aeros when he did that. Only not as sexy.

“Ares. You are trying my patience. If I had to guess? I’d guess you’ve made Aeros sick for not bringing you your little toy. Sorry, but you just can’t go through your existence playing with people. Dare is free. If you want her back, care about her, and notice the emphasis on ‘care’, you’ll earn her back. Now, tell me what you’ve done to Aeros!”

Okay, maybe yelling at a god wasn’t the smartest gamble, but the guy sat up straighter and seemed to flip from amazement to outrage and back again.

“Well, she certainly told you.”

Whirling at the newest member of this game, Tab took a double-take. Dressed like a Greek statue, the woman facing her had a bow, with an arrow notched and ready. That was okay. Who wouldn’t come prepared to see Ares, god of war? But by her side was a fawn, lightly rubbing into her thigh. Okay, so this had to be… A memory of her trip to the glen surfaced in a flash of images and colour. Artemis.

“Artie, what brings you to my home again so soon?”

Artie? What the hell? Did the guy have no respect for anyone?

Shooting Ares a glare, Tab moved so both gods were in her sights. Who was stronger? Ares the god of war, or Artemis, who Tab remembered was the goddess of…animals?

“Tabithia, Ares speaks some truth in his lies. Aeros has reached his limit on time. If he does not bond with you, he will not survive the month. He will not return to the fields Ares stole him from. Instead he will pay his time to Hades.”

Silence, Tab realised in that moment, echoed. It wasn’t exactly silent. Silence made a sound like a drum, loud and not soothing at all. Maybe it was her heart. How could this be happening? She’d tried. She had. But have sex? With Aeros, the beautiful warrior who stumbled over himself when she was near? Would he feel the same after? Would he be disgusted by her?

“You have to choose, witch. Life for him, or life without him. But either way you should decide soon.” Somehow, the goddess made Tabithia think she didn’t like to offer the solution to saving Aeros. Tabithia sensed something else was going on, but Ares barked out a laugh and cut her thoughts in two.

“Artie, you are full of wonder. Why are you here? To aid my case? I haven’t decided if I should let the witch live, let alone whether I should let her go so she can save my warrior. I have many warriors.” He flicked his wrist, as if batting a fly away from his godly head. “Aeros is no different.”

The bastard. Aeros was different. In the middle of opening her mouth to tell him off, she snapped it shut. There were many things Tab was good at. Some things she’d never pursued to the fullest, but truth and lies? She could almost smell a lie. Ares was lying. Why? Aeros was more to him than simply a warrior.

She walked over to the small table and poured herself a drink she wasn’t going to touch. She was out of her league. Things were going on here, plots within plots. Hell, no wonder the Fay were known for this shit, they’d been born of the gods, after all. But the lying she could use.

“Really? So if he dies, or if he goes to spend some quality time with Hades, you won’t care?”

Leaning back, the god of war simply watched her, a thoughtful frown on his handsome face. He shifted his eyes to Artemis and frowned harder, making his handsome brow angle down over his perfect nose.

“Why are you here? What stake do you have in this?”

Artemis tossed her glossy hair over her shoulder and lowered the aim on her bow. “Me? I simply keep the balance, Ares. You have brought this on yourself. I have told you this for years. Now you tread on those better left alone.”

Lie. Tabithia could almost taste it on the godly air.

“The Celtic gods, eh?”

“Yes.”

Again, a lie. This one not so great, but it was there, the flavour bitter on her tongue. So, her goddesses would be pissed off about this, but Artemis either didn’t believe they posed a threat, or she simply didn’t want Ares to know she didn’t believe their anger was worth noticing?

“Yes? That’s all? No more scolding? No more threats? Why would they be interested in Aeros?”

“He is Tabithia’s bonded, and she is what they are interested in.”

Truth. But under her words there was a snap, an anger Tabithia couldn’t decipher.

Then it hit what had been said. She was Aeros’ bonded? Tab considered leaving, since the two gods seemed to be well on their way to settling this, but, glancing around, she saw no means of escape. The hall was lined in huge marble pillars, spaced evenly in a large oval ring, but beyond that? Mist. Yeah. She and Trouble had used a spell to reach this place. She didn’t have that spell handy. It wasn’t like she often spelled to reach a god.

“Can you aid him, bond to him, Tabithia?” Ares demanded.

Jerked back to the here and now, she held her breath. Could she? Could she? What would it mean? Could she have sex? Maybe just have sex and leave? Then she’d never have to see him again, see the disgust and disappointment on his face.

Meeting Ares’ gaze head on, she nodded. “I can try.” Was that her voice? Geesh. She sounded like a scared rabbit—if rabbits could talk.

Ares nodded sharply. “Then you will try. And I will ask only one thing of you when you accomplish your bond and save Aeros’ life.”

Uh-oh.

“You will lead me to Dare. I will negotiate her…demands in person.”

Uh, no? “I can’t see that happening. Even if I wanted to, she’s hidden somewhere beyond your reach. She’s in between realms so your authority means nothing. As you know, the truce in these places is impossible to break.” Unless you actually were on the list to get in. Not that he knew there was one. Or which in-between realm she was in. There were literally thousands of in-between hubs sprinkled around the globe. She was hoping. Betting.

Artemis said, “Ares, it is time to let her go. Soon it will be too late.”

Ares settled more firmly on top of his throne. The man was stubborn, she’d give him that. “You have less than a week.”

A week? She’d thought she had a month!

“Aeros lives or dies according to your actions. I will see Dare. I will have you take me to her. I will negotiate with her.” He waved his hand, clearly dismissing her. “Tell her this. She will agree.”

He sounded so smug. Sitting atop his throne, dressed in his war gear, his goatee cut sharply along his strong jaw, lips thinned with displeasure and hair tied back from his arrogant face, he was the very image of powerful male. He made her sick. Seriously, he needed to be taken down a notch or two. She hoped Dare told him to go to Hades, but she seriously doubted the lovesick witch would do any such thing.

“Fine. But Dare gets to decide and no cheating, trying to grab her and go and all that. She’s not happy with you.”

His smug smile really pissed her off.

“Very well. I will send you to him. Make the best of it.”

Send her to him? She had just enough time to glance at Artemis, who looked even sterner, before she was standing in front of Aeros.