Goddess by Chance (Demi-God Daughters Book 2) (18 page)

Chapter Thirty-Five

Arienne was momentarily rendered speechless. Her mother looked stricken, and Chris, no Triton, was crying.
His daughter. Mother killed his half mortal daughter.
She swallowed hard. “How did you not know your daughter wasn’t a fully-fledged goddess?”

Triton wiped the tears from his face, and the eyes she so loved bored into her.

“Because my wife didn’t tell me the truth.”

“Your wife? You’re married?”

“Not anymore and never in the way that most mortals do.”

Arienne’s eyes narrowed. “And how long ago did you separate?”

“So many eons ago, they are not even worth counting,” Athena interrupted.

Arienne glanced at her mother before focusing once again on Triton. “So what happened?”

“When I lost my daughter I confronted my wife, and that’s when she confessed that she was a demigoddess herself. I was so angry and destroyed by her deception that I left her and I never looked back. If I’d known, I would’ve given my daughter ambrosia and made her a goddess. I could’ve prevented all of this.”

“You’ve had a lot of hurt in your life,” Arienne finally said.

“Yes, he has, but that doesn’t excuse what he wanted to do to you. Tell her, Triton, or should I?”

Arienne ignored her mother, her attention firmly focused on her lover. His eyes narrowed, and she recognized the same coldness he’d directed towards her attackers. She shuddered.

“It was only by chance that I found out about you, but when I did I saw my chance. I couldn’t take Athena’s life like she’d taken Pallas’s but I could take her daughter’s.”

Arienne’s mouth fell open as she shuffled back a step. A heavy feeling settled in the pit of my stomach and she swallowed hard. “You were going to kill me?”

“Eventually … yes.”

Tears sprang to Arienne’s eyes. “You bastard.” She took a step forward and punched him firmly in the jaw before she backed away.

Triton stepped towards her, but she waved him away. She was suddenly dizzy and breathless.

“That was all before I got to know you. Before I got to see that you were nothing like your mother and you didn’t deserve what I was planning to do to you.”

“Is that so? Was this before or after you seduced me?”

“Before. The day we met at the library I realized there was something special about you, and the more time we spent together I know I couldn’t go along with my original plan. And then when you lost your father, I knew then that you meant more to me than any plan for revenge. I told you I wasn’t a good man, but I do love you, Arienne. I never lied about that.”

“Do you really expect me to believe you? You wanted to kill an innocent person who did absolutely nothing to you or your family. You used me.”

“I didn’t go through with it, Arienne. I couldn’t. I love you too much to ever hurt you.”

Arienne couldn’t stop the tears that coursed down her cheeks as her lips trembled. “You made me fall in love with you. I gave myself to you and when you said all those things I believed you. How stupid was I?”

“Baby, you aren’t stupid. I love you. I’m so sorry for everything.”

Arienne turned away, wiping her face. “Just go, Triton.”

“Arienne, I know you’re angry…”

“You heard her, Triton. Leave before I drop the civility and make you pay for what you did to my daughter.”

“Athena, you aren’t god enough to take me on. And remember Arienne is still alive. If I truly wanted to go through with my plan, there would’ve been ample opportunity for me to do so, but I didn’t. That has to count for something.”

Arienne only cried harder at Triton’s words. She wanted to believe he’d changed and really fallen in love with her, abandoning his plans for revenge, but she couldn’t. He wasn’t the man she’d opened her heart to. She didn’t know him at all.

“Go. Please.” Her voice broke. She sniffled.

“I’ll go, but I won’t be far. I love you, Arienne.”

“You stay away from my daughter,” Athena warned.

Arienne turned around. Athena and Triton were staring each other down, and electricity crackled thick in the air between them. Triton’s eyes shifted to Arienne briefly and then he was gone. Arienne released a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

“I’m so sorry you got involved in all of this.”

“Just go, Mother.”

“Are you crazy? I can’t leave you alone now.”

“Yes, you can. Mission accomplished. You successfully destroyed the last bit of happiness I had in my life.”

Athena placed her hands on her hips. “You’re blaming me? I just saved you from a womanizing, potential murderer. He was using you. He doesn’t love you.”

“Because of you I’ll never really know.”

“Arienne, you’re being unreasonable.”

“Just go. Go.”

“Fine. I’ll be back when you’re not so hysterical. I love you.”

Athena disappeared, leaving Arienne mercifully alone. They loved her they’d said, but both of them had hurt her. She was an innocent pawn in a war between the gods. Tears continued to roll down her cheeks, and she fell on the couch, giving in to the sobs that threatened to consume her. Chris had never existed. She’d been deceived by a god who now claimed to love her more than his thirst for revenge. The pathetic thing was, she loved him, and even worse she didn’t see those feelings going away.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Triton stood in the middle of the ocean where he could feel all the vibrations of the sea life around him. Usually being in the ocean calmed him, but today nothing could calm the raging storm inside his own heart. Calling his trident to his hand, he lifted it above his head and swirled it in a circular motion. The winds around him started to howl, and the waters turned to choppy waves and rain poured down. He was impassive as the world around him raged. He didn’t care about anything. Immortal existence no longer mattered if he had no one to share it with.

“Arienne.”

She couldn’t even bear to look at him as the depths of his betrayal had been revealed. Her entire world had been destroyed, and he had no one to blame but himself. He’d broken the heart of the only woman he wanted to spend eternity with, and she would never forgive him. That knowledge sent a fresh wave of pain to his heart.

“Son.”

In front of Triton, a whirlwind formed in the waters. The God of the Seas rose from its depths.

‘”Father, now is not the time.”

“I know you’re in pain. Your mother told me what has been going on, but I can sense more has happened.”

“I’d rather be alone.”

“I’m not leaving. You’ve accused me of never being there for you so let me have my chance now.”

Triton looked at his father and shrugged. Why not? It wasn’t like he had anything else to lose. He lowered his trident. “Fine.”

Poseidon nodded before he briefly raised his hand and calmed the raging waters. Then he turned to his son. “What happened?”

“I lost Arienne. She found out what I was going to do, and now she wants nothing to do with me.”

“How did she find out?”

“Athena showed up.”

Poseidon raised a brow. “And you’re here instead of engaged in battle with her?”

“I didn’t want Arienne in the middle of that. She was already shocked finding out I was a god.”

“After you realized you didn’t want to continue with your original plans, why didn’t you tell her you were a god?”

“I didn’t want to rock the boat. We were happy, just falling in love, and I thought I’d have time to tell her later. For her to get comfortable with the idea of being with a god.”

“I can understand that.”

“Can you?”

“Yes, son, I can. Before your mother I courted many women, and some of them were mortal. The shock or awe of being with a god was always there, so I can understand your hesitancy. You wanted her to come to know and love you as a man and not as a god.”

Triton turned incredulous eyes on his father. Wonders never ceased. “Yes.”

“So what happens now that everything is out in the open?”

“Nothing. It’s over between us.”

Poseidon shook his head. “Son, I never pegged you for a quitter.”

“What do you expect me to do? What woman could forgive me?”

“Love covers all sins. If you show her how much loving her has changed you, and that she means more to you than anything else in this world, she will forgive you.”

“You really think so?”

“Yes. It’s going to take time, but you’re a god and time is nothing to us.”

A small smile crossed Triton’s face. Maybe his father was right. Maybe all was not lost. “Perhaps.”

Poseidon clapped him on the back. “I’m right about this, son.”

“Where do I start?”

“You don’t need my advice when it comes to women. Even I’m aware of your reputation.”

“While I may be well versed in seduction, I know nothing about convincing a woman to come back to you after you hurt her so badly.”

“Son, it’s all the same. Shower her with affection, give her gifts, and refuse to go away until she agrees to hear you out. Be persistent. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten about all I went through to win your mother.”

“No. I will never forget that story.”

“Good. Then listen to your old man and do what needs to be done.”

Triton took a long, hard look at his father. “Why are you being so supportive about this?”

“You’re my son, and I love you. I only want your happiness.”

“And it doesn’t bother you one bit that she’s a demigoddess?”

“Why would it? Have you forgotten who your sister chose as a mate all those eons ago?”

“No.”

“All right then. As long as you love her, that’s all I care about. And besides that, anyone would be an improvement over Cerceis.”

“I’ll agree with you on that.”

“Good. Now get busy because I expect to meet my new daughter-in-law soon.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, son.”

With a wave of his hand, Poseidon was gone, and Triton stood alone. His father was right. He couldn’t give up. A woman like Arienne was worth whatever effort it took to win her back, especially when she’d done nothing but love him and give of herself. He was going to wear down Arienne’s resolve, just like his father had done with his mother, and he knew just where to start.

****

Cerceis smirked. Triton was really far gone if he thought that twit would forgive and welcome him back with open arms. The idiot hadn’t even considered how Athena had known about his plans. He was so caught up in the heartache of losing his new bedmate, his brain wasn’t functioning enough to put two and two together. But that was all the better for her because it meant she was in the clear. Athena would be focused on protecting her offspring from big, bad Triton, and poor, lovesick Triton would be running around doing everything in his power to win back his lady-love. All Cerceis had to do was wait for the perfect moment to strike.

****

“Arienne, baby, please talk to me.”

Arienne turned around. Triton stood behind her, and fog surrounded them.

“You’re talking to me in dreams now?”

“I had to find some way to get you to talk to me.”

“Well you wasted your time. Now go away.”

“I can’t do that. I love you.”

Arienne stomped her feet. “Stop saying that. You don’t love me. You wanted to hurt me and then take my life.”

“I’m not denying that, but, Arienne, I’ve changed. You changed me. You make me want to be a better man.”

“You’re not a man. You’re a god just having fun before he loses interest. I know enough about mythology to know that.”

“You’re wrong, my love. I could never lose interest in you. I want eternity.”

Arienne walked up to Triton, hands on her hips. “I don’t have an eternity to give you. I’m only half-god. One day I’m going to grow old and die.”

Triton’s hand caressed her face. “You don’t have to.”

Arienne arched a brow. “What are you talking about?”

“Be my Princess of the Sea and I’ll make you immortal.”

She took a step back, her heart speeding up. She swallowed the saliva forming in her mouth. “Me? Immortal? Why?”

“Because I love you and I don’t want to ever have to worry about losing you. Think of it this way, if I wanted you dead I wouldn’t be offering you immortality.”

Arienne sighed. “No. I suppose you wouldn’t, but that doesn’t change what you wanted to do.”

“No, it doesn’t, but I’m hoping in time you will forgive me.”

“I don’t know you.”

“Yes, you do. I’m the man you fell in love with. The same man who made love to you and held you when you cried. My name is the only thing that’s changed.”

“If only that were true. Goodbye, Chris. Goodbye, Triton.”

Arienne’s eyes opened. She was alone again.
Guess I’m not free from him even in my dreams.
Fresh tears ran down her cheeks. Triton was offering her immortality. Suddenly she felt sick as bile rose in her throat. Throwing the covers back she went to the bathroom, and she barely had the light on before she was forced to race to the toilet. Lifting up the seat, she fell to her knees and threw up.

Sweat beaded on her forehead as she upchucked. When she was done, she lifted her head and wiped her mouth. Where had that come from? She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been sick. Rising slowly she flushed the toilet and turned on the faucet. After washing her hands, she rinsed out her mouth. Immortality. Arienne still couldn’t believe it.

It doesn’t matter. You can’t trust him.
She brushed her teeth, blinking back tears. Her inner voice was right. She’d known the man she’d thought was Chris Triton, but she didn’t know Triton, Prince of the Sea, at all. And right now she had no desire to. He was a stranger who’d set out to use her in a plan for revenge against her mother, and she couldn’t forget that, not now. Not ever.

****

Athena watched her daughter climb into bed. The girl had gone through a major shock today and had her heart broken in the process. She’d seen the way Arienne looked at Triton and the way she cried. Athena also couldn’t miss the way Triton gazed at Arienne. There was something between them, and she didn’t like it. The last thing her daughter needed was to be involved any more than she already was with the gods. Athena would do her damnedest to protect her daughter, but she feared it might not be enough. The one thing she couldn’t save Arienne from was the longings of her heart.