Sweet Cry of Pleasure (11 page)

* * * *

Alala didn’t know what to do because she wasn’t used to Ares being so quiet. He was sharpening his sword, but instead of telling old battle stories, he was silent.

“Is anything wrong?” she asked.

He looked up absently. “I was going to ask you the same thing. I thought I already knew the answer though.”

“And that is?”

“You don’t want me to fight Apollo.”

Alala sighed as she watched Ares move the stone back and forth over his sword. “So why are you going to?”

He met her gaze. “Because I need to.”

“I didn’t ask you to. Shouldn’t it be up to me?”

“We’ve been over this.”

“Not thoroughly enough for me. There’s something Apollo didn’t tell you.”

Ares stopped. “What?”

“I didn’t know it was Apollo, that first time. But, after a few moments, I knew it wasn’t you. I didn’t care though. Whoever he was, he looked like you, so instead of pulling away, I kept going and gave him my maidenhead.”

Ares threw the stone across the room. She watched it go through the wall.

“Now who do you blame?” she asked.

“Apollo.”

She shook her head. “I made my own decisions.”

“There is nothing you can say, Alala.”

“He didn’t know I was a virgin. You know that. He didn’t force me. He seduced me. What he did was wrong, but I forgave him. I had someone to talk to when I could trust no one.” She thought of what Eris had told her. Not once had Apollo ever mentioned Daphne. All that time he listened to her cry and rant about her own unrequited love, but he never opened up to her. It hurt a little, but that pain was overcome by pity. Maybe his heart had grown hard over the years, but it was still there. She knew that.

“Alala? What can I say to you? I don’t want to talk about this. Do you think I like hearing what I did to you? How much I hurt you?”

She hadn’t thought he would take it that way. “No. I’m not saying you hurt me.”

“But I did.”

She nodded slowly. “But it’s over now.”

“Then grant me this. Let me defend the honor of the woman I love.”

Her heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t do anything but stare at him.

He stood up and rushed to her. “Alala? What did I say? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You love me?” she whispered.

He stared back at her. “Alala, how can you ask that?”

She couldn’t take it anymore. “You haven’t said it! Never once in my life have you said it. We share the same bed, and you’re going to fight someone because of something that happened centuries ago, but you’ve never said it!”

She’d never seen him look so devastated. The color drained from his face, and the fire went out of his eyes completely.

“You’re right.” He stood up and walked away from her. “You’re right.”

“I love you, and that’s what I want in return. I don’t want only part of you. I want all of you.”

“Maybe I don’t deserve you.”

She ran to him and made him face her. “Don’t you dare say that.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him thoroughly. She held him tight when he tried to pull away, and he was gasping for air when she finally let go.

After he recovered, he cradled her face in his hands. “You know me. You were born to be my companion. Isn’t that what Lachesis said?”

Alala nodded.

“So will you forget everything you know about me? Forget what a bastard I am and believe me when I say I’m sorry?” He kissed her lips softly. “Believe me when I tell you there could never be another because I love you?”

“Yes.”

He pulled her to him and kissed her. He held her tenderly. His hands massaged her back as he looked into her eyes. “I plan on spending eternity making it up to you.”

She smiled up at him. “You already have.”

He shook his head. “Not really. And I also need to punish you for being so stubborn.” He slapped her on the ass, making her rub closer to him as she gasped. “That will keep us busy.”

She smiled as she thought of what he might come up with as ‘punishment.’ “Stubborn? Me?”

“Yes, you. If you’d spoken up a long time ago, it might have saved us both some trouble.”

She began unbuttoning her top. “Perhaps if you’d noticed me before.” She let it fall to the floor.

He cupped her breasts and squeezed them together before unclasping her bra and throwing it on top of her blouse. “You should have done that.” He rubbed her breasts vigorously, pinching her nipples and making her sigh. “What man could ignore these?”

Alala wanted tell him so much. She didn’t know how to begin explaining what it meant to know, without any doubt, that he did love her. She couldn’t think straight though. She needed him too much. “Then stop ignoring them.”

He dropped back on the couch and pulled her on top of him to straddle his lap. This position put her breasts right in front of his mouth. “If that’s what you want.” He ran his tongue over one nipple as his hand reached up to begin massaging her other breast.

She moaned, arching to give him better access. “Yes.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her closer against him as he moved his mouth slowly around her breast. She sighed and ran her fingers into his thick black hair. She pulled, just a little, and he bit her nipple in response.

She giggled and made him look at her. “Say it again.”

He ran his lips over hers and looked into her eyes. “I love you.” He moved his hands up and down her thighs, and the rest of their clothes disappeared. “And I need you.” He ran one finger up the inside of her thigh and then moved it over her clit. He rubbed it slowly as he kissed her.

She sighed and moved against his hand.

He took the encouragement and explored her more. “You’re wet already.”

His fingers moved into her slowly, and she dipped her head down to kiss his neck. His breathing quickened as he stroked her, and she could feel his cock against her leg, hard and ready for her.

“I want your cock,” she whispered.

“Mmmm. What was that? I didn’t hear you.” He bit her neck as he moved his fingers deeper into her.

She got off him and pushed him down to recline on the couch, and then climbed on top of him. She put his hands above his head and with a snap of her fingers produced a pair of handcuffs and secured him to the couch.

When she met his gaze again, he looked very surprised and extremely aroused. “I like how much you keep surprising me.”

She brought her lips to hover above his. She’d wanted to do this to him for so long. “It’s going to get better and better with each passing day then.” She kissed him hard. She could feel the arousal coming off him in waves. Aphrodite could never be this for him. She was good at seduction and teasing. She would never be aggressive like this. She knew how to make a man want her, but she’d never take him like this. Alala knew what Ares needed and knew how to give it to him.

“You have no idea how right you are,” he said as she moved down to stroke his cock.

She rubbed him slowly. “Eavesdropping, are we?”

“You didn’t block me from hearing your thoughts. Mmmm. That’s amazing.”

“I know.”

“You are everything I need. I’m glad you know that.” He moaned again as she ran her tongue over the head of his cock. He closed his eyes as she took it into her mouth.

You like that?
she asked.

Yes. Yes, I do.

She took his head to the back of her throat and ran her tongue up and down the shaft. She could hear him rattling the handcuffs. She looked up and smiled. “Something wrong?”

“I want to touch you.”

“Just give me a moment.” She took his cock into her mouth again and made him gasp as she began sucking.

He arched up to meet her mouth, thrusting gently. “I want you, Alala. Please.”

She stopped and moved on top of him. She rubbed her pussy against him. “What do you want?”

“I want to be inside you. Right now.”

She trailed kisses over his neck. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

He groaned, rubbing against her. “Just wait until I get free.”

She snapped her fingers, and the handcuffs were gone.

His eyes lit up as he grabbed her by the hips and thrust up into her. She gasped at the sudden pleasure, and then moaned as he moved slowly, pushing deeper.

“Mmmm. You do know just how to take care of me,” he whispered.

She kissed him, giving in to his embrace completely. He thrust higher, and she felt her blood heating up. Being with him made her feel the same rush she’d felt on the battlefield at times, made her feel her own power even more. Her orgasm hit her suddenly, but it came slowly instead of exploding like before. He was thrusting steadily, deep inside her. Her release unfolded gradually, sending tingling pleasure all over her body.

“How are you doing that?” she asked.

He thrust quickly once, making her gasp as a jolt of pleasure shot through her, then continued his slow assault. “Just enjoy it.”

And she did. Her breasts became super sensitive, and she moved up as much as she could. He knew what she wanted and began sucking her nipples, using his teeth to make her gasp as her pleasure increased. Her orgasm continued to build. She began riding him faster. He slapped her on the ass and let go of her.

She rode him hard, her pussy wet and convulsing, and soon she was on the verge of coming again.

“Ares! Oh gods!”

He rolled them off the couch in a surprisingly swift movement and got on top of her, pounding into her as she came again. She cried out his name over and over again as her whole body went electric. She wrapped her legs around his back and squeezed, wanting more of him, wanting him to come.

He thrust one final time and came, capturing her lips and pressing against her. He settled on top of her, resting his head above her breasts.

After a moment, she asked, “How did you do that?”

“I just focused my power. It’s not hard, but it takes a lot of concentration.”

“Mmmm. You’ll have to teach me.”

He moved up to kiss. “It will be my pleasure.”

She giggled. “It certainly will.”

He stood up and threw her over his shoulder, making her giggle even more. “I think our first lesson should be now, while your desire to learn is still fresh.”

She slapped him on the ass. “What are we waiting for then?”

Chapter Six

Ares wanted Alala to say something. She walked beside him silently, but she didn’t seem angry or upset. She was completely calm, and that made him nervous.

“Do you have anything else to say?” he asked.

She shook her head, but she put her hand on his arm to stop him. She’d been carrying his sword, and now she put it over his head and one shoulder so it hung on his back.

“Alala, say something.”

She took his hand. “I love you for who you are, and this is part of who you are. I shouldn’t try to change that.”

He felt even worse. “You still disapprove though.”

“Yes, but I know you have to do this.”

He didn’t know what to say to her. He knew she really did understand, but that wasn’t enough for him somehow.

“If you tell Zeus you don’t want this, he’ll stop it.”

She shook her head. “I won’t do that.”

“Then what do you want?”

“I want this over.”

Ares was confused. She could stop this, but she wouldn’t. Did that mean she wanted him to stop it? Or did she want him to go through with it to get rid of his own demons?

They stepped into the throne room, which was rarely used anymore. Ares was surprised to find it empty. Zeus and Hera stood with Apollo, Artemis, and Eris off to the side of the dais where Zeus and Hera’s thrones sat. They were talking quietly, and Apollo also carried his sword, which was made completely of clear crystal but was, Ares knew, harder than any steel ever forged.

Ares and Alala walked over to them, and everyone fell silent. Ares remembered the days when a challenge would have filled this room with gods and demigods and every other mystical creature. Now they were alone.

Apollo drew his sword and moved to the center of the room. He turned to Ares. “Come on. Why wait on ceremony?”

Ares was surprised, but he drew his own sword and moved toward Apollo. He hadn’t seen Apollo fight anyone in centuries. Was he planning something?

Apollo lifted his sword to defend himself, and Ares saw it reflect every color of the spectrum, even in the subdued light. He decided to try something.

“Do you want to fight me?” he asked.

“Yes.”

That surprised him too. He had beaten Apollo many times when they were young, when Zeus had wanted Ares to train Apollo in the art of war. Why would he want to fight him? He knew it had to be true, yet he struggled to understand.

He had no other choice, no other way out if Alala would not speak. He lifted his sword and swung at Apollo.

Apollo dropped his sword, and Ares stopped his own blade less than an inch from Apollo’s neck.

Ares heard Alala and his mother gasp. He turned to see that Eris and his father didn’t seem surprised. Artemis looked down at the floor. He had never understood the distant goddess, but he’d also never known the gifted huntress to look away from a fight.

Ares sheathed his sword. “What are you doing?”

“You couldn’t even do it?” Apollo asked bitterly.

“What?”

Zeus clapped his hands, and thunder resounded through the room. “This challenge is over.”

“What?” Ares repeated. He turned back to Apollo. “What are you trying to pull? You want to be dishonored by being a coward instead of letting me withdraw my challenge?”

Apollo glared at him. “I wanted you to kill me.”

Ares shook his head. “Why?”

Apollo turned and left the room. No one stopped him.

Ares turned to Artemis. “What’s wrong with him?”

Artemis shook her head. “He’s not well.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

She tried to explain. “He’s been having dreams. He won’t tell anyone about them. He’s asked Hypnos not to let him fall asleep.”

“Has someone put a spell on him? What could be so bad about these dreams?”

“We don’t know,” Hera said. “They began after you woke up.”

“I didn’t do anything to him.”

“We know that, but you know he can’t lie.”

Ares nodded. “He really wanted me to kill him then.” He sighed. “This is a farce. It’s my fault.”

Hera moved toward him and touched his face. “You can’t change who you are, my son.”

He touched her hand, and then looked at Alala. “I intend to try.”

Alala came to his side. “Don’t you dare!”

“You like me as an arrogant bastard who causes trouble?”

“I love it.”

Ares shook his head. “What does this mean? What do I do now?”

Zeus said, “He surrendered. You win.”

“I don’t feel like I won anything.”

“You would have felt the same if you’d actually fought him.” Zeus came to stand by Hera. “Alala didn’t want this. You were your own champion, not hers.”

Ares looked down at her. “I’m sorry.”

Everyone in the room looked at him in surprise, and he rolled his eyes. “I’ve said that before.”

“Maybe when you bumped into someone,” Eris said jokingly.

He met his sister’s gaze. “You’ve been very quiet.”

“I have. Apollo is hardly a friend, but I think something significant is happening, and he may need help.”

Ares felt his anger rise again, for a moment. “I don’t like the way he treated you either.” He’d been furious when he’d heard about Apollo’s seduction attempt.

It was her turn to roll her eyes. “He was an ass, but he didn’t do anything. I began to feel sorry for him then.”

“And now?”

“I think Aphrodite is behind this.”

“What?” Hera asked. “Hasn’t she learned her lesson?”

Zeus tried to calm her. “I think you’re overreacting.”

“Overreacting? That little ditz could have killed my son!”

Ares knew better than to try to change his mother’s mind. He turned to Artemis. “What do you think?”

“We can’t know unless he tells one of us about his dreams.”

He turned to Eris. “Why do you think it’s Aphrodite?”

She thought for a moment. “He’s so sad. A few weeks ago he was arrogant and obnoxious. Now it hurts to look at him. Literally. I feel pain engulfing him.”

“Sounds like Aphrodite,” Hera grumbled. She shook her head and stormed off. Zeus followed her, and everyone could hear them arguing as they left the hall.

Alala put her arms around Ares. “Let’s just go home. It’s over. Okay?”

He looked down into her beautiful eyes. Going home to be in her arms was all he wanted. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Take me home.”

He held her close as they left, pushing away the new storms brewing around them. They could wait for another day.

* * * *

Eris raised her eyebrows as Apollo came striding toward her. It had been over a week since anyone had seen him. What could he want? Was he in trouble? He looked like he hadn’t slept at all since she’d last seen him.

She put her laptop on the ground and stood up. “Apollo, is everything okay?”

He shrugged. “Same as always. I wanted to talk to you and Hermes.”

His dejected manner didn’t surprise her as much as his request to see her soon-to-be husband. They couldn’t stand each other. She called for Hermes mentally and found him with Zeus.

“He’ll be here in a few minutes. Is something wrong?” The scene around her had been bright and beautiful a moment before. The sunlight that had been playing across the water had faded, and a cold breeze came off the water. It felt more like autumn than spring. Apollo seemed to be sucking in the light and warmth around him instead of giving it off as he usually did. She still thought his depression or whatever it might be had something to do with Daphne. She also still suspected Aphrodite, even though it seemed so unwise for her to do something like this again so quickly after her scheme with Ares almost went awry.

“I want to say something, and I want him here. I’d like to cover my own ass, I suppose.”

She tried to think of the right question to ask, but then Hermes appeared by her side. He looked from her to Apollo and back for a moment, and then asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m here to apologize, and I wanted you to hear this because I want to clear the air.”

Eris felt Hermes stiffen a bit. “And what are you apologizing for?”

Eris couldn’t help feeling a little flattered that Hermes would feel a tinge of jealousy, if only for a moment, and that he would still feel protective of her when she could obviously take care of herself. “We had a couple of fights when I found out about him and Alala.”

“And?” Hermes asked.

Apollo took a deep breath. “I acted like a pig. I dismissed Eris’ concerns and also tried to seduce her.”

Eris was surprised he got right to the point so quickly, but she also wanted to laugh because he’d said the last part so quickly, like a child who knew he was in trouble.

The biggest surprise, however, came when Hermes burst out laughing.

Apollo stared blankly at Hermes for a moment, and then turned to Eris for guidance. “I don’t understand.”

Stop it, Hermes. He’s being sincere.

He eventually stopped and looked at Apollo. “I know what happened, and being an oversexed ass isn’t that much of an offense. I’d say I’d like to teach you some manners, but I think you’re getting there.”

Apollo looked unsure. “You’ve certainly changed in recent months.”

“Amazing what the right girl can do, even with a stiff, boring guy like me.”

Again, Eris felt that Apollo was in pain. She wanted to say or do something, but whatever the Fates had planned, he would have to make the first move. They couldn’t force him to let them help. “Apollo, don’t worry about it. You were already forgiven when I offered to help before. A lapse in manners isn’t as evil as you seem to think.”

“I know, but everyone finding out about this has stirred some things up.”

Eris wondered what could have been stirred up that would cause him this kind of distress. He couldn’t be solely talking about emotional issues. Had someone else known all along? Zeus perhaps? Or one of his brothers? The Furies or some vengeance demon? She shook her head. She might be jumping to wild conclusions. “If you need help, you only have to ask.”

“No one can help.”

“Surely someone can,” Hermes said. “Artemis is worried because you aren’t sleeping. Hypnos won’t withhold sleep from you forever. He can’t. You’ll lose your mind.”

“It may be too late for that.”

Eris rolled her eyes. “I could make a guess at this, but I’d rather you just told us.”

He met her gaze, but he didn’t get a chance to say anything. Hera appeared next to them and went to Hermes quickly.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Hera closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking at all three of them. “I have a mission for you. It’s urgent.”

“What?” Eris asked.

“I need you to go to the Underworld. Persephone is gone, and Demeter says she was kidnapped by Hades.”

Eris wanted to laugh. “If that’s true, she’ll be home by dinner. An hour of that chirpy little voice will have him climbing the walls. Why does Demeter think it was Hades?”

“She saw them.”

“Oh. I guess that clinches that.”

“But what happened?” Apollo asked. “Why would he do this?”

Hera arched her eyebrows at him. “Why do you think?”

Eris didn’t know what to think. “That’s such a great risk though. Hades could have anyone he wanted. He certainly doesn’t need to use force.”

“But because of Demeter’s attitude and rules, Persephone is one girl he couldn’t have.”

“She’s not his type though. I can’t believe he even looked at her twice. She’s so annoying.”

Hera smiled. “Maybe he’s tired of his type. Maybe the challenge was what he wanted. Besides, she’s very sweet.”

Eris folded her arms over her chest. Hera had always liked Persephone, but now wasn’t the time to try to figure out why. “So this is what he needs to get off now? The danger of kidnapping someone who’s off limits? Seducing a girl he’d never look at twice if she weren’t considered such a prize?”

Hera sighed. “Look, Demeter won’t rest until we do something. Zeus wants Hermes to go talk to Hades.”

“Do I bring her back if she is there against her will?”

Hera thought for a moment, and then nodded. “Yes. I’d rather deal with Hades than Demeter.”

“And if she’s there because she wants to be there?”

“Come back and tell Zeus.”

Hermes nodded and disappeared. Hera looked at Apollo and Eris. “I hope I didn’t interrupt something important.”

Apollo shook his head. “I was apologizing for acting like an ass.”

“Just recently? Or since the dawn of time?” Hera quipped.

Apollo looked genuinely miserable.

Hera put her hands on her hips. “What is wrong with you? Do you know your sister won’t leave your father alone? She agrees with Eris. She thinks Aphrodite has done something to you.”

“I’m fine. Leave me alone.” He started to walk away.

Hera stopped him. “That has been your response to every serious question for a long time.”

“Will you leave me alone if I tell you?”

“We want to help, Apollo,” Eris said.

“After I healed her, Aphrodite offered to undo the spells on me and Daphne.”

Hera considered this. “Daphne would have to say yes though.”

“She said Zeus would do it for her. She cast them out of vengeance. They can be broken if he completely negates it.”

“What?” Eris asked. She suddenly remembered why she rarely used spells. Her inborn powers never had these kinds of complications or far-reaching consequences.

“Zeus can completely negate the spell,” Hera said. “Everyone will forget it. Things will be like they were before the spell. Daphne would be alive again, really alive. Perhaps you should consider it, Apollo. It seems sadistic to want to stay as you are.”

Eris felt his anger flair up and roll off him in a wave of heat. “Does it?” he asked.

“Yes. To choose to love someone who would rather be a plant than give you a chance? For all we know this could one day drive you both insane.”

“I’d still love her without the spell.”

“You don’t know that. You’ve been under the spell so long. Any feelings you’ve developed since will probably go away once the spell is gone.”

“Let me make my own decision, please?” He looked from Hera to Eris. “Please?”

Hera backed down. “We will. You know what I think though.”

Eris thought of something. “Has anyone talked to Daphne recently? Anyone at all? Maybe she’s changed her mind.”

“She doesn’t talk to anyone.”

Eris knew she had to ask. “How do you know?”

He glared at her. “Because I try all the time. And I’ve asked. I sit near her for hours, waiting. She sings, sometimes, but she won’t talk to anyone.”

Eris looked down. “I’m sorry. I’m trying to help.”

“I will be fine. I’ve always been fine. Please leave me alone.” He disappeared.

“Hmmm,” Hera said. “That was fun.”

“I’m going to keep an eye on him.”

“You sure?”

She nodded. “I won’t interfere. Don’t worry.” She sighed heavily. “So you really think Persephone was kidnapped?”

“I don’t.”

“Really?”

Hera smiled. “I think the giggly little girl everyone finds so annoying has more spunk than any of you think.”

“Little miss sunshine is gonna go goth? Interesting.”

“Look, I’m not worried. Hades isn’t stupid.”

“Demeter’s a bit crazy though.”

“We’ll find out soon enough.”

Eris had to agree. All they could do was wait for Hermes to return. At least their lives weren’t going to get dull any time soon.