Goddess by Chance (Demi-God Daughters Book 2) (19 page)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

It seemed that nausea had become a permanent part of Arienne’s life. For the past week, even the smell of food had her racing to the bathroom. It was amazing how much damage a broken heart could inflict on the body, and trying to mend her heart wasn’t any easier when Triton kept sending her gifts. Her condo looked like a flower shop filled with red and white roses and purple and white orchids.

As if the flowers weren’t enough, the god had also sent jewelry, and it was absolutely exquisite. She was particularly fond of the silver chain with a trident rising from inside a heart. The craftsmanship was beyond exquisite, and she was fairly certain it was a one of a kind piece. She picked it up from where it lay nestled among the black velvet of its box.

She wanted to put it on and tell Triton that she was willing to give him a second chance, but she couldn’t. Sighing, she put the necklace back in its box. Triton was a liar, a seducer and a would-be murderer, and he did not get a pass just because he was a god. If anything that only made his actions worse.

Arienne flopped back into bed and turned on the TV. In the days since her life had been destroyed it had become her solace.  She missed the way Triton looked at her, the way he’d made her feel, and the lovemaking that had set her body aflame.
The irony of it all.
She rested her head against her pillows.

“Are you going to get out of bed anytime soon?”

Arienne rolled her eyes. “Hello, Mother. Nice of you to drop in.”

Athena sat beside her on the bed. There was a bemused smile on the goddess’s face. “Is it?”

“No. I’d actually prefer to be alone.”

“Why? So you can continue to wallow in self-pity?”

Arienne frowned at her mother. “I am so not in the mood for a lecture today.”

“That’s not why I’m here. I’m concerned about you. All you’ve done is mope around.”

“You’ve been spying on me?”

“I’ve been keeping watch. You’re driving yourself crazy for nothing.”

Arienne sat straight up in bed. “Nice to know that having my heart eviscerated is nothing. You really have a way with words, Mother.”

“That’s not what I meant. Arienne, there is no way you could’ve know Triton was deceiving you. I’ve kept you away from the gods your whole life, and you have no clue how to deal with them.”

“So you’re saying this is your fault?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe it. The Goddess of Wisdom is admitting that perhaps she’s not so wise. I better mark this down on my calendar.” She clapped her hands together with a smile.

“You don’t have to get so carried away.”

“Actually I do because I doubt you’ll ever admit something like this again.”

“I’m being serious. If I’d exposed you to the godly side of your family, perhaps you’d have been able to recognize him.”

“Maybe you also should’ve told me about your past with Triton. That would’ve been loads of help.”

Athena folded her arms. “There was no way I could’ve known any of that would be relevant. It’s been so long I thought he might have forgiven me.”

“Would you forgive anyone who killed me, accidently or not?”

“No. I don’t suppose I would.”

Arienne touched her mother’s arms. “What was he like … before?”

“He was a good man, for a god. He was devoted to Pallas and his wife. We were happy.”

“And his wife, what was she like?”

“Beautiful like all the Oceanids. Triton was smitten with her.”

“So I guess the womanizing came later?”

“Yes. When Pallas died Triton told Cerceis and me that he never wanted to lay eyes on us again. She’d never told him her mother was a mortal. We all thought she was an immortal like all of her sisters, and because of the secret she kept, Pallas died.”

“Why didn’t he use ambrosia and try to bring his daughter back?” Arienne asked.

“It was too late. Ambrosia only works if someone has just died.”

“Oh. So is Cerceis dead now?”

Athena shook her head. “No. Fearing Triton would kill her, she was made immortal by her father.”

“Sounds like she escaped from all of her responsibility.”

“She did, but not Triton. He got the worst of it.”

Arienne sat straight up, the hairs on her neck rising as saliva gathered in her mouth. “Do you think he was responsible for Dad’s death?” She barely breathed as she waited for her mother’s response.

“No. Triton is a crazed, grief-stricken father, but he’s not a mass murderer. As much as I hate to admit it, I don’t think he’s completely gone over to the dark side.”

“Really? Funny you mention that because I’ve been wondering the same thing, especially since he came to me in a dream and offered me immortality.”

“He offered you immortality?”

“Yes. He told me he loved me and wanted me to be with him for all eternity. If I agreed to become his Princess of the Sea, he’d grant me immortality.”

Athena stared at Arienne. “If I didn’t know better I’d swear he was really in love with you.”

“I doubt it.”

“I’ve known Triton a long, long time, and I saw the way he looked at you. It was the same way he used looked at Cerceis.”

Arienne shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. He can’t be trusted.”

“You’re right, and since even I can’t discern whether his offer is sincere or not, you need to stay away from him so I can protect you.”

“You don’t have to worry. I have no plans to venture near the ocean anytime soon.”

“I hope not, because you have bigger things to worry about.”

Arienne laughed. “Like what?”

“Like the fact that you’re pregnant with Triton’s child.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Like the fact that you’re pregnant with Triton’s child.
The words continued to ring in Arienne’s ears long after her mother had gone. There was enough craziness in her life without adding a baby to the mix, and besides Triton and she had only been together, maybe three times.

He’s a god, Arienne. There’s no telling just how powerful his little swimmers are.

And that was what scared her.

She stared down at the pregnancy test resting on her bathroom counter. As soon as Athena left, she’d rushed out to the local drugstore and bought it. Maybe her mother was just overreacting. Maybe the reason she hadn’t been feeling the best was simply due to her breakup. After all, she was at least human in that sense. When the test came back negative everything would be all right. The timer on her cell phone beeped, and she picked up the pregnancy test. Two pink lines swam before her, and tears flowed from Arienne’s eyes.

“I’m pregnant.”

She put down the test as her tears flowed. Pregnant straight out of the gate by a god she loved but couldn’t trust. Should she keep the baby? Would she even be able to terminate the pregnancy if she wanted to? No, she couldn’t do that, regardless of her relationship with her child’s father.

Arienne looked up towards the ceiling. “You hear that, Daddy? You’re finally going to have a grandchild.”

Her lips quivered, and then she was sobbing. The irony. She was finally about to give her father the thing he had wanted most and now he wasn’t here to see it. What would her mother say? She doubted Athena would be happy. Her life was in utter turmoil, but it was now evident she couldn’t just stick her head in the sand. She had a baby to think about, and that meant she was going to have to speak to Triton.

Her stomach bubbled. How would he react? Would the thought of having a not fully immortal child send him over the edge?
You’ve really got yourself in a mess.
Arienne turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on her face. Turning off the water she quickly dried her face, before grabbing her phone and leaving the bathroom.

Stopping, she looked down at her phone. Without thought she dialed the number Triton had first called her from and bit softly on her lip, waiting for him to pick up. The call went straight to voicemail. She had to find him. Going to her closet, she hurriedly changed into a red strapless sundress and flip-flops before grabbing her purse and keys, and exiting her bedroom. Although she had no idea where to find Triton, she had to start somewhere. Besides her mother was likely to come back any minute. She went to the front door.

“Wait a minute, missy. You and I need to have a chat.”

Arienne turned around. Her aunt Aphrodite was draped casually across her couch.

“I don’t have time for this.”

“Oh yes you do. There is nothing in the world more important than love.”

“How about an unplanned pregnancy by a god that very likely might still want me dead?”

Aphrodite rose swiftly from the couch. “You’re pregnant?”

“Yes.”

Aphrodite clapped her hands together. “This is wonderful news.”

“Wonderful? Were you not listening to a word I just said?”

“I heard you, but I’m choosing to ignore your foolishness. Triton loves you. The poor fool probably did from the moment he met you.”

Arienne put her hands on her hips. “He wanted to kill me.”

“Before he knew you.”

“And that makes it all right?”

“No, but we’re gods. We have a different moral compass than mortals.”

“Auntie, I don’t have time for this,” Arienne said as she turned away.

“You may not want to hear it, but I don’t care. You love him, and the only reason you’re being so defensive is because you’re afraid. You think he’s going to hurt or disappoint you again, but he’s not. He’s going to welcome you and this baby with open arms. Trust me. I know these things.”

Arienne unlocked her front door before she faced her aunt again. “If you’re wrong I expect enough baby gifts to fill my condo.”

Aphrodite laughed. “You’ll be getting those anyway. Now good luck and don’t let your mother change your mind.”

The Goddess of Love disappeared, and Arienne locked her condo. Heading towards the elevator, she nearly tripped over a small box. Bending down, she picked it up and opened it. Inside was a folded piece of paper, sitting atop a fragrant gardenia. The scent tickled her nostrils, and she was thankful it didn’t upset her stomach. Picking up the note she read.

Arienne,

I know that you are still angry with me, but I cannot bear this separation from you. Please talk to me. Let me plead my case. Meet me at the beach. I’ll be waiting.

Eternally Yours,

Triton

So her hunch had been right. Holding the box, Arienne punched the button for the elevator. She tried to tell herself that neither the note nor Aphrodite’s words mattered, but she couldn’t. Part of her wanted to see Triton again and was excited to look into his ocean colored eyes. But she had to keep that part of her in check. She couldn’t afford to let her emotions get the best of her.

****

“Son, I love you, but it’s time for you to stop moping around.”

Triton rolled over and looked at his mother. She stood in the doorway of the room he’d occupied in their golden palace as a boy. He’d decided to spend some time with his folks while he tried to win Arienne back, and neither was going well.

“What else is there to do?”

Amphitrite floated into the room. “Live.”

“I don’t feel much like living without her.”

“Then do something about it.”

“I have, but she hasn’t budged. Arienne’s more stubborn than I thought.”

His mother laughed. “It wouldn’t be called wooing if it was easy.”

“I’m open to suggestions.”

“You need to take a more direct approach. Anybody can send gifts, but being there in person, refusing to go away, will show her that you’re really serious.”

“And that won’t make her defensive about crowding her space?”

Amphitrite shrugged. “It might, but you are fast running out of other options. Besides, as much as your father and I love having you around, you’re overstaying your welcome.”

“Mother.” A smile cracked his face.

“That’s what I want to see. Now go and don’t come back until you’re ready to introduce me to my new daughter-in-law.”

Triton hugged his mother. “Yes, ma’am.”

With a smile, he set off to find Arienne. His mother was right. He’d done more than enough moping.

****

“You’re up to something.”

Amphitrite rose. Her husband moved towards her, a bemused smile was on his face.

“Something like what?”

“I’m not sure, but you wouldn’t have just sent our son off on a wild goose chase.”

Amphitrite touched her husband’s chest. “You know me so well.”

“So what’s the plan?” Poseidon pressed.

“No plan. I just made sure the two of them were meeting in a romantic place.”

“And where’s that?”

“By the sea.”

Poseidon laughed. “You do know she’s not a fan of the ocean, right?”

“I’m aware, and our son has a lot of work to do to turn her into a proper sea goddess.”

“If he’s anything like me, he can handle it.”

“I’m counting on it.”

Amphitrite wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck and kissed him. Their son would be fine, and right now they had other pressing matters to attend to.

****

Arienne locked her car and set off down the beach. Why had she foolishly worn flip-flops she asked herself as the sand squished between her toes with every step. She was surprised more people weren’t at the beach today, but it was relatively empty. She trudged along until she reached the place where she and Triton had made love, blinking back tears at the memory. Looking around, she saw that she was alone and the ocean rose up mightily behind her.

“Triton. Triton.”

She looked towards the ocean, waiting.
What do you expect him to do? Rise from the sea?

“Arienne Marcos, Daughter of Athena, it’s high time you and I met.”

Arienne turned and found a stunning woman with red hair and the most unusual colored eyes staring at her. The white bikini top and matching sarong she wore made her look like just an average beach-goer, but for some reason Arienne knew she wasn’t.

“I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

“No. I’m Cerceis, Triton’s wife.”