Daughter of Asteria (The Daughter Trilogy) (38 page)

“Yeah. Supposedly Zeus gave Pandora a box and her husband a key. Of course she swindled him

out of the key and opened it. It was yet again another dig against women being too curious just like

Eve and the forbidden fruit,” I exasperate.

“It wasn’t Zeus who gave her the box. It was Kaos.” He stops for a minute as he waits on the

reality of the impossible myth to set in as a truth. Then he continues, “The contents were downplayed

in the childhood story everyone uses as a cautionary tale.

“Mortals were infected with the most toxic air of hate, envy, greed, and so much more. Hope

really was in the bottom of the box, but it was such a faint speck of it to counter the epic destruction

the little box had unleashed.

“The havoc it wreaked was named after its maker, and we now know all hysterical disruptions as

chaos. Kaos enjoyed the game of mortals killing each other. He was pretty vicious and too powerful

to go against. He reminded us of his power every time he got the opportunity.

“He raised an army of dead more than once until he died. They won more wars than they lost, and

he didn’t hesitate to take out anyone that stood against him. You already know how capricious Asteria

was, and on her downshifts, she was just as vicious. It’s a little scary,” Hale shivers out.

Devin’s hand tightens around mine, and I can see the sheer terror beaming from Hale’s eyes.

“You’re scared of me,” I assess.

“No. I’m scared of what you could become if we can’t help you find a way to control your darker

halves,” he counters.

“I’m immune to her powers when they’re in strike,” Devin proudly interjects. “I can help her find

control.”

“All of them?” Hale gasps.

“All of them. We can demonstrate,” he offers.

“Devin, I’m not sure I want to test our theory unless we have to,” I grumble with reluctance.

“I want to. It’ll give everyone piece of mind to know I can be there for you if you get out of

control,” he promises.

I sigh a little. “I hate knowing you have to control me. It’s a little degrading actually,” I gripe.

He smirks a little. “It’s pretty hot if you ask me. I love knowing I’m your trigger, and I love

knowing I can be there when you need me. It might sound a little smug, but I’ve never felt so good in

all my life. I need you, and I love knowing you need me,” he smolders, and I can feel my body

trembling beneath that intoxicating gaze.

“You’re too sexy when you talk like that, and I can’t think straight,” I mumble as my lips find his.

“I’m contending with an Aphrodite at all times. I have to stay on my game in the seduction

department,” he jokes.

“You two are so gross,” Hale says while mocking a gagging sound.

“We’ll get married when Adisia wants to,” Devin adds to comment on the earlier, desperate

request from Hale.

I smile affectionately at Devin, and he kisses the hand that tells the world I’m his. He smiles

playfully as he steps back, and I laugh a little as he hops around like a boxer preparing for a fight.

I love it when he’s playful - even if the world is threatening to close in on us.

“I’m ready when you are, babe,” he playfully provokes.

“What’s going on?” Jace asks curiously as he walks out of the water, and the entourage of eager

women flocks behind him with their giggly demeanor.

“Devin is about to prove he’s invincible to Adisia’s powers,” Hale answers distractedly as he sits

down closer to where I’m standing.

“Is he? I thought he was just immune to her Aphrodite stare like I am,” Jace almost whimpers.

I see a smug smirk appear on Devin’s face now that he has one-upped Jace.

“Apparently I’m immune to all of her deadly strikes,” he gloats.

“Theoretically,” I caution.

“Let’s put the theory to the test,” Devin prompts, and the smug smirk remains proudly on his face.

I roll my eyes and stifle the grin I don’t wish to produce under these circumstances. I can see the

others emerging from the house to inspect the clambering outside.

I take a deep breath before the wind starts to stir. I force it outwards, and it rushes toward him. It

splits just before it reaches him, and he walks toward me effortlessly as the wind continues to separate

a path.

He reaches me, and his lips cover mine to prove the theory right.

“It worked,” he breathes, and I can feel his seduced excitement.

“You’re enjoying this far too much,” I giggle.

“It’s by far the hottest thing I’ve ever encountered, besides you,” he teases.

I roll my eyes again and laugh at his near slip. He laughs and shrugs innocently.

“Step it up a notch. Bring out the lightening,” Hale insists with his very uncharacteristic,

businesslike air.

“That could kill him,” I caution.

“Not if he’s immune. It’s important to test this theory. If Devin can cut through all of your

attacks, we have a better shot of not repeating history,” Hale cautions.

He’s talking about me imploding and destroying the world before time reset itself. Devin’s eyes

don’t lose their playfulness despite the heaviness of Hale’s last remark.

“I’m game, baby,” he jokes before hustling back down the beach.

I’m less enthusiastic about this attack. I feel the clouds crackling overhead, and I close my eyes

and pray this works as the lightening crashes down with dreadfulness in its glare.

I open my eyes back up just in time to see the lightening splitting around him just as the wind

had, and I sigh out in relief as it strikes beside him on each side without so much as flickering to him.

“Amazing,” Theia gasps as she joins us. “He’s completely protected from and by her power. I’ve

never witnessed such an incredible display. It’s as if they were created specifically for each other.”

I turn to face her, though I’m still a little rattled from this spontaneous expedition.

“We were,” Devin smolders from directly behind me as he spins me around to face him.

His perfect lips play against mine, and I smile against the exciting kiss he’s delivering. He really

is very enthused by this whole thing.

“It’s possible she’s just aware of what she’s doing, and she’s subconsciously handling the powers

to keep him safe. He may not be immune,” Gemma chimes in.

Her effort to douse Devin’s delight fails miserably when no one accepts her explanation as a

possibility.

“No. Adisia hasn’t gathered the control to split lightening, and Devin walked right through her

storm when she was geared against Slash. Nothing she’s done has ever inflicted the slightest bit of

harm to him. Anyone else in such proximity to her during these strikes might have been injured. I

don’t know why I haven’t noticed it sooner,” Theia muses.

“It’s by far the most extraordinary thing I’ve witnessed as well,” Persia breathes with complete

surprise.

“And I,” Kahl adds. “I didn’t know such things were possible. This is the boy she’s marrying,

correct?” he asks with a deeper tone.

“Yes, dear. He’s the one who kept her safe numerous times. He loves her very much, and I

suppose you can see how much she loves him as well,” Persia comforts.

“I spoke to Adisia’s adoptive father the first time around. I would’ve asked for your permission

as well, but I wasn’t aware you were still alive,” Devin says fearlessly.

“Well, now you know I’m alive,” Kahl leads.

“And you don’t really have a say or the right to be asked,” I chirp with a little agitation for his

intruding fatherly rights he hasn’t earned.

Devin smirks, and Kahl continues staring expectantly at Devin despite my scolding.

“I’d love nothing more than to marry your daughter, and I hope you give your blessing for our

union,” Devin cordially offers.

Tears threaten Kahl’s eyes the moment Devin asks, and I think it might have caught him off guard

despite the fact he had essentially demanded it.

“I suppose I can bless it since the two of you are apparently meant to be together, but you’d better

be good to her,” he almost chokes out.

“I plan on it, sir,” Devin says before turning back to me.

His thumb strokes across my lips, and I can tell he’s fighting the arousal that has claimed both of

us captives. His being immune to my threat, and my being meant for him has completely fed his ego

to no end.

For some twisted reason, it’s completely provoked my lusting desire for him, and now it’s all I

can do not to repeat the incredible moment we shared not too long ago.

“I love you,” he murmurs softly.

“I love you,” I murmur through trembling lips.

“We should probably get back to the strategizing session,” Theia mumbles to break apart the

awkward moment we’ve forced everyone into.

Devin stifles a grin, and he scoops me into his arms. I’m certain he’s taking me back to the room,

but we walk toward the ocean instead.

“Are we going to visit the ocean floor?” I giggle excitedly.

He laughs a little at my less than seductive squeal.

“No. We’re going to play with the others and blow off some steam,” he chuckles out.

“I have a much better way to blow off steam,” I seduce, and then I uncoil from the bridal style

carry to strap my legs around his waist.

His eyes widen, and then he shakes his head.

“We’ll pick this up later. I never got to engage in the fun activities while at my family’s place. I

want to be out here with you, and I want to see you laughing with me the way you did the others,” he

pouts.

“You think I just want you for sex?” I tease.

“I’d be perfectly fine with that arrangement,” Hale chirps jokingly.

Devin actually laughs a little, and he whispers to avoid any other eavesdropping ears.

“No, but I still want to enjoy our relationship on different levels. I want to play,” he snickers out.

“I’ll play,” I seduce.

His eyes start to swirl, and then he forces a disapproving gaze.

“Fine, I’ll
play
nice,” I say in a reluctant huff.

“Better,” he rolls out with a grin as he kisses me without letting his lips linger for too long on

mine.

I’m almost throbbing now. Why does he want to play but not
play?
Oh this is so frustrating.

“Chicken?” Ther prompts.

“I’ll be Adisia’s partner this time,” Devin says menacingly.

“Who am I going to play with then?” Ther pouts childishly.

“I’ll do it,” Gemma chimes in.

Devin grumbles lightly, and I can see the fun leaving his eyes.

“We’re trying to enjoy ourselves and take a break from the bullshit. Please don’t do this right

now,” Devin pleads.

“I’m just offering to be Ther’s partner. I’m not running after you at this moment. After Slash’s

little act, your face isn’t exactly as tempting as it was,” she lies.

I roll my eyes at her obvious load of crap, but the excitement in Ther’s eyes is priceless. I turn to

whisper low enough so only Devin can hear.

“Give Ther this one.”

He looks to his lovesick friend and then frowns before nodding to me. Then his eyes swirl before

the water beneath me churns wildly and lifts me to his shoulders.

I laugh a little, and his hands smoothly run up my legs to my thighs in an effort to steady my

balance.

Mmm, his touch is so incredible.

“That sounds like a laugh, Adisia Titan. I dare say you’re having a good time already,” he

snickers.

“I dare say this is far hotter than last time,” I giggle out.

“Hey,” Ther gripes.

I shrug innocently, and Gemma uses the outstretched arms of the palm trees to lift her to Ther’s

shoulders.

She gives me a threatening grin, and I give her one right back. The green surges to my eyes, and

the winds instantly stir.

Kelp shoots up from the ocean, and it tries to restrain my wrists. I feel the strength in me brewing

and the wind snaps the kelp in half to free me from her grasp.

Devin’s hands tighten on my legs as the wind picks up harder, and she falls with a shrill scream

from her place on Ther’s shoulders.

She surges to the top while I giggle triumphantly. She slaps the water in disgust, making me

laugh harder.

Suddenly, Devin launches me from his shoulders, and I splash against the water. The ocean

rushes up my nose - though it doesn’t burn like it did when I was mortal.

Damn water lover.

Slowly, I rise to the top to give him a glare of disapproval, but he’s laughing so hard I can’t keep

a straight face. I love him so much, and I love seeing him this happy.

He swirls me around in the water, and I wrap my legs around his waist when he slows his twirling

motion. He grips me to his waist as his lips fold over mine, and I feel us resting up against the side of

the dock.

He draws back to speak with his sultry tone.

“This isn’t a private island. There’s a town about sixty miles from here. Do you want to go out

tonight?”

“Really? Is that a good idea? We’ve only got six more days until the army of dead return,” I

worry aloud.

“We can’t spend every minute worrying about them. I want to be with you right now, and I know

we’ll be ready when the time comes. I think best when I’m not trying to force it,” he comforts.