Ares' Temptation (8 page)

She pulled back before the moment got too awkward.

Ares studied her in confusion. “What was that for?”

“Good luck.” She squeezed his arm, then walked to the net to hand Bradley the ball.

“All those muscles are good for nothing when you can’t run for beans.” Bradley took the ball with a smirk.

Kaye ignored him. Any response would only make him worse. She only hoped, for his sake, Ares hadn’t heard him.

Wait a sec.
An idea brightened in her mind. She turned to Ares. “Let me do the running. I’ll send the ball to you, and you pound it as hard as you can.”

He nodded once. “Agreed.”

Bradley and Frank got in two more points, putting them in the winning position before Kaye and Ares won back the serve. They accumulated points quickly with their new tactic. No matter how far the other team hit the ball, Kaye reached it with enough time to plan the trajectory and hit it just right. When she was too far from the net, she hit the ball to Ares, who spiked it so hard and fast, they didn’t have a chance.

It took less than an hour to reach fifteen points and have her mother declare them the winners. Ares picked Kaye up and swung her around as she laughed, the thrill of the win washing over her.

Grammy hooted and hollered. Kaye had a hunch she’d been on their side all along. Her mother ran over and gave her a big hug. Her father held up his can of beer in tribute. Frank rubbed his temples as if he didn’t know what hit him. Bradley sulked beside his wife, who tried to cheer him up. Her kisses fell unnoticed on his cheek.

Ares took Kaye’s arm and brought her close. The intensity in his gaze made her heart quicken. He whispered in her ear, “Tonight we celebrate.”

Kaye froze in shock. What exactly did that mean?

Chapter Eleven

Messenger

“So, what do you think of our new title?” Kaye lounged on a towel spread across the beach and sipped a beer. She glowed positively radiant. Ares had never seen her so happy, and that made him feel more triumphant than any battlefield victory.

“Underhill Volleyball Champions of the Reunion.” He shrugged. “It should be your title alone. You did all the hard work.”

“But you were the strength behind my speed.” Kaye traced a circle on the back of his hand with her fingertip, sending shocks of sensation up his arm. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

In a way, she was right. She’d won her victory with his powers. But, he was glad to have her use them. In fact, it was getting progressively more difficult to think about taking them back. She’d developed the confidence she’d needed all along to face her family. To take away her powers—his powers—would pull the ground out from under her.

How was he going to steal his powers back and live with himself?

Ares sipped his own beer and frowned. Such thoughts needed something much stronger. Budweiser didn’t compare to the hard ale they brewed on Mount Olympus, but his other choice was fruit juice. This imitation would have to do.

People walked by them, strolling on the beach—couples holding hands, young kids with red buckets filled with crabs, a single woman looking for shells. Ares squinted his eyes. Normally his eyesight stretched for miles, but it must have failed him. In the distance, a man wore a helmet with red feathers sprouting from the top. Did mortals wear battle armor on the beach?

He jolted upright. Alarm coursed through his veins along with guilt from a sense of abandoned responsibility. If this had been a dream, he had awakened.

Kaye touched his arm. “Ares, what’s wrong?”

“I must leave you.” He gestured down the beach to where the figure grew ever bigger. “My brother, Apollo, has come.”

“Apollo? What does he want?”

“I am not certain.” Ares stood.

Kaye took his hand. Her joy had turned into worry, and it broke his heart. “Wait a sec. What if something’s wrong? What if he asks you to go home?”

Ares kissed the back of her hand. “I promise I will return.”

As Ares walked toward his brother, apprehension mounted. Apollo would not visit the mortal world unless something was amiss. His prophetic and healing powers rivaled Ares’ skill with a sword.

As Ares approached him, confusion and denial registered on his brother’s face. He glanced at Ares’ swim trunks with disapproval. “Ares?”

“Yes, brother.” Ares realized he was still holding the beer and placed the can in the sand. “Why have you come?”

“You have been absent of late.” It sounded like an accusation.

Ares glanced back to Kaye. “I’ve been occupied.”

“I see that.” Apollo took his helmet off and held it in the crook of his arm. “Many wonder what has kept you for so long in this…mortal world.” His last two words rang sour, as if this paradise beach was some manner of hell.

Ares shifted on his feet. Could he trust his brother with the news of the curse? “There have been complications.”

Apollo glanced back at Kaye with annoyance. “In the form of a mortal woman?”

The urge to protect her rose within him. Kaye was a beautiful, intelligent, exhilarating woman. Why should he be ashamed of spending time with her? “She has a part in it, yes.”

Apollo put his arm around Ares and turned him away. “This does not sound like you, brother. What happened to your sense of honor, of duty?”

Frustration rose inside him. How dare Apollo question his honor? “You do not understand. I do have a fondness for her, yes, but there is witchery at work. I am not bound to this woman of my own accord.”

Shock crossed his brother’s face. “You mean to tell me you are ruled by love of all things?”

“Not love.” Although Ares wondered if their relationship was the start of it. Would he, could he, fall in love with this woman if he stayed long enough?

“What then, brother?”

Ares sighed, reluctant to seem vulnerable in his brother’s eyes. He’d always been the stronger of the two, even if Apollo was more arrogant. “Brother, I am cursed.”

Disgust and worry crossed Apollo’s face. “Cursed?”

“By Hekate, as revenge for beheading Hectade. That mortal woman has my powers. The only way to reclaim them is for her to fall in love with me.”

“By the gods. How are you going to break this vile curse?”

“I am searching for other means around this…declaration of love. But, I’ve had no progress.”

“You must act quickly.” Apollo’s voice fell to a whisper. “There have been murmurings you will not return. Our father has temporarily appointed me in charge of the army under Athena’s council. Although it is a great promotion, my powers lie in prediction and healing, not warfare.”

Ares ran his hands through his hair. “Hades’ Underworld! I leave for a few days, and everything crumbles around me.”

Apollo glanced at the ocean roaring at their back with suspicion. “That is not all. Poseidon’s waters have been turbulent as of late. Sailors have spotted large shadows in the deep. I believe he plans another attack. I fear, without your leadership…”

Ares placed a hand on his shoulder. “You must remain strong and lead the army in my stead. I will break this curse and return home.”

“What if you fail?”

“I have never failed.” Reality hit Ares like a sword in the gut. He could not fail, even if it meant breaking Kaye’s heart. Too much depended on him. “I will do whatever it takes.”

Apollo nodded as if satisfied. His body became transparent. “Use your time wisely.” A second later, he disappeared.

Ares fell to his knees as the waves lapped around him. Never had he felt more helpless or vulnerable. His kingdom lay threatened, and his arrogant, inexperienced brother was in charge of the army—his army. He could not let Poseidon take advantage of this curse. He knew what he had to do. Kaye’s heart was already in the palm of his hands.

Could he bring himself to break it?

“Hey, you okay?”

Ares glanced up. Kaye had walked over from her place on the beach. She’d wrapped the towel around her waist, leaving the soft skin above her navel bare. He wanted to tell her everything, but his sense of duty held him back. “I am fine.”

“You don’t look fine.” Kaye sat next to him. “Let me guess, he doesn’t like me.”

Ares laughed despite the dire turn of events. “That’s not the problem.”

“But, he doesn’t like me, right?”

She looked so vulnerable, he wanted to scoop her up in his arms. “Apollo doesn’t know you. But that is not his reason for visiting.”

She tossed a rock in the water. The wave covered it, then receded, leaving the rock exactly where it had fallen. “So what’s the bad news, then?”

“My people need me.”

“That’s what I thought.” Kaye played with a string from the towel. “You certainly shouldn’t stay because of me. You’ve already done so much. My family finally thinks I’m capable, and I showed my bratty brother I could do something right.”

“They should see you for who you are.” He reached out and touched a strand of her hair, wishing he could pull her against him on the beach. “A beautiful, intelligent, and passionate woman. You don’t need me to prove that.”

She rolled her eyes. “If only that were the case.”

If only she had more confidence in herself and cared less about what her family thought. Her insecurities made it that much harder to take away his powers and break her heart.

Kaye waved him off. “You’ve done your job and fulfilled your debt. I can tell my family you had to leave for business. If your people need you, go back to them.”

He had not expected such selflessness. He shouldn’t have told her about his brother’s request. Now, she expected him to leave when he could go nowhere. “You are so quick to get rid of me.”

She laughed and brought her hand to her heart, grazing the breasts surging underneath her tight swimsuit “Believe me, I’d like nothing more than for you to stay. But, I refuse to get you in trouble or hold you back for something as silly as this reunion.”

“The reunion is not the reason why I’m here.” He wished he could separate the true reason from his developing feelings. His motives for being there had blurred into an amalgam of desire, duty, and desperation. He certainly would not have gone with her if not for the curse, but now, even if there were no threat to the throne nor any curse, he would have stayed. For her.

Kaye’s mood suddenly grew serious. “Why are you here?”

Ares paused. He would not lie to her. He had to find a way to convince her he wanted to stay for the right reasons. “Because you asked me to come.” There. That was the partial truth.

She glanced down as if she’d wanted a different answer, and he wished he could give her more. She deserved a man who pursued her for her, not because of some ulterior motive. He reminded himself of the threat to the throne. His first duty was to his people and his legion. The only way back to them was through Kaye.

Ares stood and offered his hand. “Come, let’s return to the hotel. We have some celebrating to do, remember?”

Chapter Twelve

Tables Turned

Kaye’s imagination ran wild as she followed Ares back to the hotel. She could think of a few of her own ways to celebrate, and she had even less willpower to resist him than the previous night. He’d helped her win the game of her life and stayed despite his family’s requests. He was doing so much for her; his sacrifices had to be because he wanted to pursue a relationship. What other reason could he possibly have?

So what was holding her back?

They went straight to their room. Kaye’s fingers shook as she swiped the security card through the door. Could she go through with this?

Ares sat on the couch and took off his sandals. He wore the blue Nike t-shirt and orange shorts she’d found at Goodwill. He looked even better in them than she thought he would, his broad biceps pulling against the shirt as though they’d tear the fabric if he flexed.

So manly. So hot.

“Come, sit beside me.” He patted the couch.

Kaye wore her bikini underneath a throw-over beach dress made of fish netting. It was a little skimpier than her normal outfits, but she was feeling more confident and bold than she’d ever felt in her life. She sat beside him, leaving a few inches in between.

He took both her hands in his, and her pulse quickened. “I want to teach you how we celebrate a victory on Mount Olympus.”

Kaye nodded, her interest piqued. “I’d like to learn.”

“Good.” He squeezed her hands. “There’s a song of glory we sing after battles. I’ll sing the first verse, and then we’ll sing it together.”

Kaye’s stomach went from eager anticipation to disbelief along with a tinge of disappointment. Sing? Really? That was it?

He took a deep breath.

“Fortune graces us this night

As the fires of war burn gold and bright

We wash the blood from muddied hands

And celebrate our triumph in these lands.”

His voice was silky and deep, resonating in her gut. Naked sincerity and piety rang in his tone. This was something sacred to him, and he shared the tradition with her. As much as she thought “celebrating” would entail something a little steamier, she had to give this her full effort. He’d done something important for her today, and now it was time for her to do something for him.

Kaye memorized the words then began the song, her voice an octave higher than his. She’d never been a great singer, but she could hold the pitch. His voice complemented hers. With his bass providing support, her high voice sounded sweeter than it ever had before.

She learned the entire song, and they sang it once all together. Singing the words of each verse along with the melancholy cadence in the music summoned a calming tranquility which rolled over her. She thought of all the victories shared by warriors, by soldiers, and even by teammates.

As they sang, they bonded on a different plane than if they’d done anything physical. This went beyond their bodies, to their souls.

The song ended, and their voices tapered away.

“Thank you for teaching me.” Kaye spoke breathlessly, still transported by the music.

He smiled. “Only a true warrior appreciates the meaning, and you have done so tonight.”

They sat together in silence. Kaye leaned toward him, wanting him to hold her in his arms and run his hands all over her body, but Ares pulled away. “We have another event planned for tomorrow?”

Disappointment stung her chest. “Yes, Grammy has asked for us to join her on a tour of the coast.”

Ares studied her for a moment as if deciding what to do with her. “You should get some sleep.”

The finality in his voice stopped Kaye from arguing. They’d spent the whole day together, and their relationship had grown deeper. She should be content. Why push it to the next level? They still had the rest of the week to explore each other in more physical ways.

Kaye took the bed, and Ares stayed on the couch. She turned her back and curled under the sheets. Had she pushed him away last night by moving too fast? Now his gentlemanliness seemed a little too chaste. Why didn’t he make a move?

…

Ares was not fond of boats, especially small ones with a glass bottom. Never mind the fact they entered Poseidon’s realm. Normally, mortals didn’t concern the trident holder. But, having a god among them may tempt his fury.

If Ares was indeed still a god.

His stomach flipped as he boarded
The Mermaid’s Tail
. He grabbed the rail.

“Don’t have your sea legs?” Bradley teased as he sipped a beer from the portside.

Ares had been on thousands of different kinds of boats over the eons: the Abydos funeral boats of the ancient Egyptians, the Greek’s triremes, three-masted pirate ships, and Victorian skiffs. But he’d never felt the deck move so precariously under his feet. It must have been another side effect of the curse.

Kaye jumped on deck with ease and pointed a finger at Bradley. “Need another game of volleyball to put you in your place?”

“Beginner’s luck.” Bradley smirked.

Kaye moved toward her brother, and Ares placed a hand on her shoulder. “Let it go.” Another strangely beneficial side effect of the curse was a calmer disposition. In the past, he would have had that man’s head.

“He shouldn’t be such a jerk,” Kaye growled.

“Remember why we’re here.” Ares gestured toward where Grammy sat underneath her flamingo umbrella.

Kaye smoothed over her hair. “You’re right. I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately.”

He had an idea. As Kaye inherited the powers of athleticism, confidence, and gracefulness, she also experienced heightened levels of aggression, frustration, and anger. He’d seen it in himself.

The boat began to move, taking them into the aqua green waters of the lower Keys. A small yellow fish darted underneath the boat.

“Look!” Mrs. Underhill pointed. She stood next to Mr. Underhill and a few of Kaye’s uncles and aunts. “Grammy, can you see it?”

“I may be old, but my eyes are still sharp as an eagle’s.” Grammy wheeled her chair over to Ares and Kaye. “With these bottle-thick glasses of course.”

Ares smiled. He admired her spirit. To go on a boat at ninety years old in a wheelchair took courage. He would bet she was just as brave as the lieutenants in his army. Kaye had inherited that bravery, and the powers brought it out.

If only he didn’t have to take them away.

“You’ll find a way.” Grammy glanced up at him. “Enjoy the journey.”

Ares froze. Could this old woman—this mortal—have powers of her own?

Kaye squeezed his arm and whispered, “Don’t mind her. She talks nonsense every now and then.”

Ares kneeled next to Grammy. “What do you mean? Find a way how?”

“Would you look at that coral?” Grammy smiled at him as if she hadn’t heard his questions. “Reminds me of this episode of
Gilligan’s Island
.”

“Gilligan’s Island?” Ares shook his head. “Where is this Gilligan?”

“He was lost as well, trapped on an island without any way to get back to his people. He found a way.” Grammy tapped on Ares’ arm.

A shimmery tail disappeared into the kelp at the bottom of the sea. Ares glanced around to see if anyone else saw it, but everyone was still infatuated with the little yellow fish. Adrenaline rushed through him. Word traveled quickly on Mount Olympus. Poseidon could have heard about Ares spending time in the mortal realm and tracked him here to spy.

Or it could have been his imagination playing tricks. Ares watched for another fifteen minutes while Veronica chatted with Grammy and Kaye about her baby.

Kaye turned back to him and frowned at his silence. “Don’t worry about understanding Grammy. Sometimes she just doesn’t make any sense. Let’s sit over here.”

Ares followed her to a bench by the railing. “Did you see anything in the depths back there while you were talking?”

“Like what?” Kaye started spreading sun tan lotion on her shoulder, and Ares had trouble concentrating.

He didn’t want to scare her with imaginary concerns. “A fish’s tail?”

“No. Just the little yellow fish.”

Ares nodded. He would have to keep watch in case.

Kaye pursed her lips. “Grammy’s a very smart lady. She taught physics at the college level for years. It wasn’t until my granddad passed away that she started acting strange, babbling about inter-dimensional planes and seeing him again. Eventually she started doing almost nothing but watching TV reruns.”

Inter-dimensional planes may sound strange to Kaye, but Grammy’s studies made perfect sense. Hades’ realm in the Underworld could be breached by magical means. Perhaps it could also be reached by science.

Kaye adjusted the strap of her bikini, heating Ares’ blood until he wanted to snap the strap off. “My mom doesn’t think she gave up. She thinks Grammy found him, but either she couldn’t tell anyone for some unknown reason, or she didn’t like what she saw.”

“Could be either.” Ares studied Grammy with compassion. So stubborn and so smart. She was a lot like Kaye.

“You mean you believe her?”

Ares nodded. “Hades guards his Underworld well, but as you know, the door between the mortal world and the god world can be opened. She may have connected to the Underworld and been wise enough to close the portal before something dangerous happened, or Hades may have scared her off.”

“You think she got a chance to talk to Grandpa?”

“She might have, but as for bringing him back from the Underworld, that is a feat of which only certain gods are capable. Maybe she realized that. Or maybe, he wasn’t there to begin with.”

“Whatever happened, she’s at peace now, and I’m not going to drudge up old memories by asking her.” Kaye sniffed and turned to Ares with fear in her eyes. “Is that where we go when we die? The Underworld?”

Ares shrugged. Who was he to know for certain? “There are many levels of existence and many worlds all connected by threads of space and time. Perhaps the Underworld is just another possible stop along the way.”

A cold wet splash hit his shirt and shorts. Ares glanced up in surprise.

Bradley had upturned his beer. He swayed and grabbed the rail. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to spill. Seems I’m just as clumsy as you and Kaye.” He slurred his words.

Ares reached to hold Kaye down, but he wasn’t fast enough. She stood and grabbed Bradley by the collar, then pushed him against the rail. “How dare you.”

One more step and they’d both fall overboard.

Everyone else grew silent, but Kaye didn’t notice. She stared at Bradley like she would kill him, her fingers tightening on his throat. Bradley coughed and wheezed, unable to speak.

Ares knew this rage like an old enemy. He’d been a prisoner of its powers until it had consumed him, blinding him to the world. Entrapped in rage, he knew no responsibility or consequences.

Only now, rid of the powers, could he see the loss of control for what it truly was. That was when war crossed the line and became war for war’s sake. Instead of justice, it was revenge.

“Kaye.” He spoke tenderly, trying to keep calm. If anything happened to either of them, it would be his fault for not containing his powers. Ares breathed deeply, feeling her pain. If he’d brought himself back from the brink, he could save her. “Think about what you’re doing.”

She ignored him and shook Bradley as he lost consciousness. “I should throw you overboard.”

“Kaye,” Ares pleaded. “This is not you. He’s your brother. Let him go.”

Kaye gritted her teeth and snarled like a beast. “He teased me for the last time.”

“Love leads to peace.” Grammy had wheeled her chair behind them. Even though her voice was soft, it cut through the rhythmic crash of waves.

Kaye’s grip loosened. She released Bradley and stared at her hands as if they weren’t her own. Bradley fell to the deck coughing. Mr. and Mrs. Underhill knelt beside him as Veronica called for the boat to return to port.

Ares placed an arm around her and pulled her close. Kaye began to cry, burying her head in his chest. “I don’t know why I did that.”

“All is well. Bradley will live.” Ares ran his hands up and down her back. His powers had done this, turning her into a monster like they had to him so many times. “It’s my fault.” Ares cupped the back of her head in his hands. “I should have told you.”

A seagull cawed above them. Ares turned his head to the sky. The birds flew in formation in the shape of a V. In the center, leading the others, was a black crow.

Hekate. She was here, always watching to see if he’d break the curse.

Kaye pulled her head up from his chest. Her eyes were red, and tears stained her cheeks. “What should you have told me?”

Ares swallowed a lump in his throat. Guilt and pain welled up inside him. “Nothing.”