Love's Forge (4 page)

Chapter Two

Aphrodite woke up when she felt water hit her skin. She opened her eyes and found herself in a large bathtub. It was completely encircled by a small ledge, and the bathroom was more extensive than she’d remembered. Hephaestus had obviously redecorated. Had he done that for her? The enormous mirror and long countertop covering an entire wall seemed designed to please her. The tiles were a soft, dusty pink. Very feminine. She began to move, but her arms were secured to the sides. The thin silver chains weighed nothing yet felt incredibly strong. She knew she’d be unable to break them. Anything made by Hephaestus was unbreakable. The tub was filling with warm water quickly, and it did feel good. She wasn’t sure how long she’d been stretched out on Hephaestus’ bed. She turned to look around, but she didn’t see him.

“Hello?” she called. He had to be close by. Or could one of his servants have been told to do this? He had two servants, a man and a woman, both living statues of iron who didn’t talk and always did what they were told. He’d never been fond of having real servants, so he’d made the living statues years ago. At least, that’s what he’d told her. She’d many times joked he could make himself the perfect woman, but he’d always said he didn’t need to because he had her.

Had he meant it? Had he meant all those things? That he loved her so fiercely? She knew he did love her. Her own powers told her that. They always had. Sometimes she wished her powers away, wished to be someone and something else instead of the goddess of love. Her life would be so much simpler.

Hephaestus emerged from the shadows and turned the water off. The tub had filled enough to cover her breasts as she leaned back to consider him. He didn’t look angry. He looked very aroused.

“Thank you. I’ll feel better after a bath,” she said. Arguing and unkind words would get her nowhere. She shifted her legs upward to partially cover her breasts. “It’s going to be hard to bathe though.” She wiggled her fingers to emphasize her point.

“I know. I’m going to bathe you.”

She hadn’t expected that. She’d thought he would insist on watching so she couldn’t try to get away. “I’d rather do it myself.”

“I want to do it.” He pulled his shirt off, revealing a chest far more tanned than she’d remembered. Every inch of his body was chiseled, and the sight of his smooth, bare chest made her remember how good it felt to touch him. He looked twice as powerful as Hades or Zeus, and he was more muscular than Ares. His dark gaze smoldered as he looked at her. He seemed pleased as she admired him.

She averted her gaze. Being nice was one thing. It might help her gain her freedom. Being encouraging might make him more determined to keep her.

He laughed softly.

“So glad I still amuse you,” she said when he sat down on the tile ledge by the tub.

“You do lots of things to me, Aphrodite.” He touched her shoulder and pushed gently. “Lean back so I can wash your hair.”

He moved to the wide ledge behind her and removed his pants. She didn’t know if he wore anything under them and didn’t look to find out. The tub was wide enough he could put his legs on either side of her in the water. “Come on. Lean back. I’ll support your head.”

He used a cup to pour the warm water over her head. She relaxed a little as he massaged the shampoo into her hair. It smelled like jasmine. He rinsed her hair slowly, his fingers gently working through it and all too often caressing her neck. When he was done, he got up and moved beside her.

“You’ll need to move up a bit now.”

She didn’t look at him. The chains holding her slowly moved forward and she scooted in that direction slowly until her feet were about an inch from the other end of the tub. “This is a little undignified, you know,” she exclaimed hotly. She turned her head to glare up at him, and that was when she saw he was actually naked.

He didn’t have an erection, but his cock was still startling. He was larger than any other man she’d ever been with. She’d told Ares he was to stroke his ego, but Hephaestus had an amazingly thick nine-inch cock. As much sex as she’d had, he still stretched her and pushed her to her limits when he was inside her to the hilt. She looked away and tried not to remember how amazing he always felt. Sex had always gotten her into trouble, so she had to resist now. However, his cock was going to be very hard to ignore once he’d climbed in behind her, which she could tell he was about to do. She had to be firm because he had to see that this behavior wasn’t the way to her heart, that she wouldn’t be his while he was holding her and Ares captive. She had to make every effort to help Ares.

He moved behind her and stroked her cheek as he stepped into the tub. He settled in behind her, but she leaned forward so her back wouldn’t brush his chest.

“Aphrodite?”

“What?”

“I’m not going to fuck you.”

He reached behind him and took a sponge in his hand. He poured sweet smelling lavender soap onto it and worked it into a lather. He pushed her hair aside and began washing her back. His movements were thorough and soothing. He held her right arm and scrubbed it just as thoroughly, and then did the same to her left. He used the cup again to rinse the soap from her body.

He wasn’t trying to arouse her, but he was. She tried to keep her breathing regular.

“Get on your knees.”

Her eyes had been half closed, and now they flew open in alarm. “Why?”

He laughed again. “So your torso will be out of the water and I can wash it.”

She hesitated, and then she gripped the sides of the tub and moved onto her knees. She felt his cock floating near her ass as she shifted away. He still didn’t have an erection. She could hardly believe it, but a quick glance as she settled on her knees confirmed he was not aroused. That confused her. How could he not be aroused? Did he have that much control?

He ran the sponge over her stomach first, and then he moved up. She closed her eyes, but that only made her focus more on his hand. Her nipples hardened, and he definitely noticed. He ran the sponge over them several times, leaving lots of suds there, and then he set the sponge aside. His hands massaged her breasts vigorously, and then his fingers rolled her nipples.

She bit the inside of her lip, desperate not to make a sound.

He stopped and poured water over her again. The water felt cool because her skin had grown so hot under his touch. He stood up. He’d aroused her just enough to make her feel frustrated, to make her long for him to continue. He knew her body as well as Ares did, but did he know her as completely? If he did, would he continue this teasing seduction? She didn’t know. She was far too confused herself.

She wasn’t sure what he was doing, but then he took her hands and lifted her. The chains holding her detached as she stood, but then he placed her hands on a metal bar over her head. She looked up. That had not been there before, but now her chains were attached to it. She stood naked and dripping wet with him right behind her. He knelt down on his knees, and she felt his breath on her back.

“Spread your legs for me.”

She did so, and he ran the sponge up and down each of her legs, his hands stopping just below her pussy each time. Then he washed her ass and rinsed her again. Then nothing.

She peered down at him, turning slightly. “What are you doing?”

He met her gaze. “Admiring you. I thought I remembered every detail of how beautiful you are. I was wrong. Seeing you in the flesh is a hundred times better than my memories.”

She turned back around because she had seen that now he did have an erection. “Are we done? Do I go back to your room now?”

“I’m not done yet.” He got on his knees again. His hands ran over her ass.

“Let me go back to your room,” she whispered.

“I’m not done.” He took up the sponge once more and pushed her legs apart. He ran the sponge slowly over her pussy. The sponge was rough enough to send a jolt of pleasure through her as he worked it over her clit.

“Hephaestus?”

“Yes?”

“You said you wouldn’t fuck me.”

“I won’t. I didn’t promise not to make you come.” He cleaned her well, and then used his hand to bring water up to rinse her. He kept massaging the water against her long after all the soap had been rinsed off. His warm fingers drove her mad. She knew he could feel how aroused she’d become under his ministrations.

She whimpered with need when he pinched her clit between two fingers.

“Come for me, Aphrodite. I want to give you pleasure.”

She shook her head. “Let me go. Let me go, and we’ll make love the next time I come back.”

“You won’t come back if I do.”

“That romantic evening you planned. We’ll have it. Tomorrow.” He slid two fingers deep inside her, and she groaned. “Please.”

He stood up, his fingers still buried in her, and leaned over her. His lips touched her ear. “You’re mine. I’ll never let you go again.”

“Then I’m not really yours, not if you have to work so hard to keep me from going, not if you have to lock me up,” she said. She struggled to catch her breath, and then she gasped as his fingers caressed her. Her pussy clenched, and then she felt the tremors start. She melted against him as she came. She could hardly stand. Her knees had turned to jelly, and as she slumped his fingers pushed deeper. He used his other hand to work her clit. The pleasure rippling over her intensified. She tried to squirm away, but that only heightened every sensation.

He turned her face to his as she caught her breath. “You are mine,” he said against her lips before kissing her. His tongue searched her mouth as if he were pleading for a response, as if her orgasm weren’t enough, as if he needed more than her trembling in his arms.

He finally released her, pulling a towel down and wrapping it around her body. The chains detached from the bar. He took her hand, and the chain on her right wrist wrapped itself around his arm. He helped her out of the tub.

“I’ll take you back to our room,” he said.

She tried to ignore the “our” part. He took her arm and they walked down the hall. The lights were all dimmed. When they reached his bedroom, she saw a new lock had been placed on the door. He unlocked it and ushered her in. She wasn’t sure what to expect now.

He removed the chain from her wrist. “I’ll let you rest. I’ll come get you for dinner.”

She opened her mouth to say she wouldn’t be hungry, but he closed the door. The lock slid back into place with a loud, echoing click. She stared at the door. Her body still tingled from her orgasm. She had needed that release, but her relief didn’t last long. She’d given him the satisfaction of seeing how much he could still affect her despite what he’d done.

She felt guilty when she thought of Ares. Hephaestus might be treating her like a pampered pet, but he still didn’t trust her enough not to lock her up. Was Ares down here? And if he was, what was happening to him?

* * * *

Ares opened his eyes because he knew he’d heard someone moving. He’d been in complete darkness ever since he’d woken up. He’d passed out almost immediately after Hephaestus had thrown him against the wall. He’d realized it had been Hephaestus as soon as he woke up. That was the only part he did understand. Nothing else made sense. He couldn’t believe he’d fucked Aphrodite. Who would do this? Why? He’d tried screaming at the top of his lungs, demanding an explanation, but nothing had come of it.

He listened carefully. Someone was definitely approaching. He heard measured, determined footsteps.

What had come over him? Why had he done that? Had it been a spell? He no longer felt that insane desire for Aphrodite, so whatever it had been it was no longer affecting him. Hephaestus had every right to be angry, but this? It seemed far too extreme. He’d never have expected something like this. Hephaestus was the calm and rational one, or least he always had been. Gods could suffer insanity, but Ares didn’t like to think of that possibility. He’d be dead if something that extreme had happened. Since his anger had cooled, he’d been far more worried about Aphrodite.

Suddenly, torches all around him blazed to life. He sat in a cage in a very dismal stone room. Hephaestus walked up to the bars and looked down at him.

“Any chance you’ve realized someone else is responsible for this?” Ares asked. He didn’t think his situation could get much worse. Alala would wonder where he was. It wouldn’t be long before she went to his mother.

Hephaestus’ expression remained calm, but his voice was full of menace when he asked, “Why couldn’t you leave her alone?”

“I wasn’t going there to fuck her. I was going there to talk to her about you. Remember the wedding a week ago? Remember how I and my beautiful fiancée—you know, the woman I love—kept encouraging you to keep trying? Why the fuck would I turn around and start up with Aphrodite again?”

Hephaestus didn’t seem to be listening. “You still have feelings for her. You upbraided me for hurting her years ago. I only told you I loved her, not counting on her confession to Alala. I guess you didn’t expect to hear she was my wife, did you? That she was married to me while she fucked you, when your son was born. She was
my wife.
”

Ares had to control his temper. He was at a great disadvantage at the moment. “I was surprised, and maybe a little hurt by her secrecy, but I didn’t try to win her back or manipulate her or attempt to exercise any hold over her.”

“I find it hard to believe that revelation didn’t hurt your pride.”

“Maybe it did, but I’m in love with Alala. I don’t need or want anyone else.”

“It didn’t look that way in Aphrodite’s garden.”

“What does she say?” He stood up and walked toward Hephaestus. “Where is she?”

“Why do you care? She’s my wife to do with as I please.”

Ares reached out and clutched the bars. He knew he couldn’t break them, but it felt good to channel his anger into pushing against them. “What have you done to her?”

“Why would I hurt her? I love her.”

“What did she say?”

“She said it just happened. She doesn’t understand why.”

“If you love her so much, why don’t you believe her?”

“If it’s a spell, then what happened to it?”

Ares slammed his hands against the bars. “Spells wear off! Someone is angry with one of us. I don’t know who, but someone has done this to cause all of this trouble.”

“Trouble?”

Ares scowled at him. “Yes, I would call this trouble. Being attacked, kidnapped and imprisoned seems like trouble to me.”

“I only wanted the truth, and I don’t have it yet.” He turned and walked away. “Perhaps later you’ll be willing to talk.”

The torches went out one by one.

“If you hurt her, I swear you’ll pay for it!”

Ares found himself in darkness and silence again. He sat down on the ground and leaned against the bars.

“Alala. Where are you? Do you even know something’s wrong?” He sighed as he imagined her worrying what had happened. Did anyone know he and Aphrodite were missing? He didn’t know how long it had been. How would anyone know where to begin looking?

He didn’t know who would want to hurt them like this, but he vowed he wouldn’t rest until he found them and made them pay. He’d tried calling Alala and his mother, tried reaching out to find Aphrodite, but of course Hephaestus had thought of that. The cage probably inhibited all his powers and even his strength. He’d never before considered how powerful an enemy his half-brother would be. He’d always seen his amazing powers as a strength because he’d never thought the two of them would be anything but allies. Hephaestus’ powers had certainly saved Persephone when Thanatos had kidnapped her. That was when Hephaestus and Ares had talked about Aphrodite, the day Ares had learned Hephaestus still loved her.

He’d had a hard time believing it at first, but in some ways it made sense. It explained a lot about Aphrodite’s behavior at times, her attitudes toward love, and her desperate attempts to love Ares even while she’d kept his being Eros’ real father a secret. She’d been running away from something else. He’d been shaken when Alala told him about her secret marriage. Did Aphrodite love Hephaestus? Was she afraid to love him? Would he hurt her?

Ares shook his head. Despite how angry Hephaestus was, Ares knew he would not hurt Aphrodite. He wouldn’t rape her, and Ares doubted he would even hit her. She might be locked up, but she would be unharmed. He knew firsthand how insane Aphrodite could make any man, but one sad or frightened look from her would also stop a man in his tracks. He and Aphrodite had fought heatedly and passionately and often in their time, even physically on occasions, but that had been about sex. It had always been about sex.

Aphrodite deserved to find love and be happy, though he’d heard her say dozens of times it wasn’t possible. What had she meant by that? He might never find out now. He wondered where she was. Was she locked up the way he was? What had Hephaestus said to her? Was she frightened? Worried about him?

He remembered their frenzied coupling in her garden. He knew it had to be a spell because he’d never felt that kind of pleasure or lust before. That was all it had been. Pure lust. Even if Hephaestus refused to believe him, he knew their mother would. Ares knew his mother favored him over Hephaestus. The two men had never discussed it, and Ares didn’t intend to pursue the topic now. However, it gave him confidence and hope. His mother would believe him, and she would not stop until she uncovered the truth. Whoever had done this had to have nerves of iron. Angering Hera could be worse than angering Zeus because when she felt she was justified in her actions, she completely disregarded what most would call her responsibility as queen to be fair and just. And his sister Eris? She would be furious. She’d be a force to reckon with if someone more powerful didn’t restrain her. Did she know yet? How would she react? He hoped she would have faith in him and see that someone else’s treachery was to blame. He believed both women knew him well enough to be on his side from the start.

Ares thought of Alala again. What if she heard what had happened? With no one to explain, would she have faith in him and believe someone had done this to him? He couldn’t imagine her doubting him, but it still pained him to think of her feeling betrayed. She’d spent so long loving him from a distance and watching him go back and forth with Aphrodite. It chilled his heart to think she might believe him so cruel and unfeeling. Despair spread over him as he imagined her crying, thinking he didn’t love her. Even if she still had faith in him, she would be in pain. She would be scared and worried.

He closed his eyes. He wanted to hold her more than he’d ever wanted anything.