Desperate Housewives of Olympus (32 page)

“I didn’t do anything important. I didn’t do anything a million other males couldn’t do. But you, you brought life and love out of darkness. You’re amazing.”

“Quit that, I already said I’d have you. You don’t have to sweet talk me.”

“I mean every damn word,” Apollo swore.

“I kind of love you,” Nyx said on a sigh. As soon as it was out of her mouth, she wondered if she could shove it back inside, but it was like a Jack-in-the-Box. The bitch was out; there was no shoving it back anywhere.

“I kind of love you, too.” He kissed her cheek tenderly.

Nyx’s exhaustion overtook her and she dropped off to a sweet slumber not in Avoidance Nyx fashion, but sharing this quiet peace with the new additions to her family.

The Wedding and Happily Ever After

The bride wore black.

Yet it was a joyous occasion. She was radiant from where she stood at the altar, her hand linked with that of her dark prince. The diamond on her finger sparkled and burned with the life of a star the Lord of the Underworld had persuaded to reside in the diamond for Hera’s pleasure—an eternal burn that signified the love that burned eternal in his heart.

The groom wore purple velvet at the bride’s request. Black riding pants and his knee-high Hessians like a proper fantasy hero. His raven hair still fell over his brow in the way of surly young men, but the hard lines etched in his face were gone and if the young goddesses of Olympus had found him handsome through his suffering, his appeal doubled with the wry smile that curved his sensual mouth. But that special smile, it was only for Hera. His eyes sought nothing but her, his hands nothing but her skin, and his kisses only for her lips.

The wedding wasn’t the biggest surprise to the guests. It was the god who gave the bride away. Hera’s father had passed into oblivion many eons past and she had no brothers or other family to take the ceremonial role in giving her keeping to another. Yet, it was fitting for Zeus to give her hand in marriage to his brother.

He stood tall and proud as he walked his ex-wife down the aisle. Zeus had nothing but warmth in his eyes for the goddess who had once belonged to him and he had nothing but goodwill in his heart when he placed Hera’s hand in Hades’ and stated for all present company to hear, that he did in fact, give this goddess to be married.

After the ceremony, Persephone found Hades. No words were spoken between them, but so much had been said. She hugged him tight the way a little girl would her father and the smile he had for her was the same. It had been with that little girl’s heart she’d loved him, and while he dwelled in his own place in her woman’s heart, her woman’s love was only for Thanatos. Her smile said all the things she’d never be able to articulate the same way her splayed fingers over her rounded belly expressed the joy and peace she’d found with Death. Although, Hades already knew how happy she was, he’d given her away at her wedding.

Demeter and Eros weren’t in attendance, although Aphrodite had performed the ceremony and given the couple her blessing. They were on their own honeymoon.

Nyx and Apollo were there, Hypnos had come for nanny duty. He cheated, whenever Ephie became upset, he’d put her to sleep until he could hand her off to Zeus. She liked chewing on the thunderbolts. They tickled. Apollo kept pushing her to set a date, but Nyx was still determined no one could quantify their relationship but them. Until Apollo told her that was how he wanted to quantify it and Nyx didn’t have any other argument. Hera had done it again after her first marriage had been a failure, so maybe there was hope for Nyx. With a god like Apollo, she was sure there would be. She loved him more than breath, after all.

As for Abstinence and Zeus, well, neither of them had quite decided who was wearing the toga in that partnership. Everyone expected another wedding, she was now Queen of the Gods and her place was beside her King. Or so Zeus was fond of telling her.

And Fate decided that everyone lived Happily Ever After—whether they wanted to or not.

About the Author

Saranna DeWylde is a former corrections officer and full time Amazon Goddess who decided her quill was meant for happily ever afters instead of disciplinary reports. Saranna loves to hear from readers, so feel free to contact her through her website. For more Saranna goodness, HOW TO LOSE A DEMON IN 10 DAYS will be available through Kensington Brava August 2012.

Visit Saranna on the web at

www.saranndewylde.com

www.facebook.com/SarannaDeWylde

www.twitter.com/SarannaDeWylde

www.writersgonewild.blogspot.com

Table of Contents

Start