The Goddess (9 page)

Each person nodded his or her greeting, many of them with questions—good and bad—shadowing
their eyes. But someone was missing. Despite her being upset with him, he had expected
Tahlia to be here. Then again, chances were that his sister was off hiding—as well
as doing other things—in the stables.

Helene was looking at him strangely.

“You’re scowling,” she said.

Ushering her up the rest of the steps, he made an excuse. “Thinking about the work
piled up since I left.”

“Who’s this cute guy?” she asked, tilting her chin at his dog following a step behind.

“Ajax, say hello to Helene.”

The dog bounced up on his hind legs and jumped twice, yapping out a bark on each bounce.

Helene laughed. “He’s smart.” Ajax sat dutifully again, peering up at his master,
eager to please. “It’s obvious he adores you.”

Darius slid a palm over his dog’s ears. “We’re pretty tight.” Regardless of the earlier
incident with Otis, that would never change.

They moved through the Arabian-inspired entrance, which was guarded by two life-size
marble lions and set beneath a roof of gilded onion domes that visitors said touched
the sky.

“Almost a thousand years ago,” he explained, “when an earthquake leveled a sacred
temple that stood on this site, an ancestor saw it as a sign. The gods had provided
the perfect location to construct his palace. It’s been restored and embellished many
times since.”

They passed through the main door with its gold embossed Vasily monogram and into
the central vestibule. They were met with walls clad in marble, restored frescos,
and ornamental moldings that drew the eye to the lofty, domed ceiling. Helene shrank
back. Darius understood her reaction. Aside from boarding schools, he’d lived here
all his life, and still there were times the grandeur astounded him.

As they headed off again, Darius caught a movement out the corner of his eye—a flash
of a familiar flowing skirt. So his sister had come to greet him, after all. No doubt
she hung back because of his current company, and now wasn’t the best time for introductions.
In fact, although Tahlia and Helene would hit it off, he wanted his guest to settle
in before they met.

…

He guided Helene through the central reception hall then up the wide marble staircase
that led to a guest wing.

As they navigated the wide hall, he said, “Later, I’ll give you a palace tour. For
now, you should rest up in your apartments.”

He fanned open half of a soaring double door. Edging inside, Helene gaped at the sumptuous
private reception area that led to a music room, a dining room, a bedroom, and baths.
She sighed long and hard.

“This…is…
amazing
.”

He followed her in, and his focus shifted to skim over a rear view of her curves.
His palms shaped over the slope of her shoulders, trailing the arms that had clung
to him this morning when they’d made love a final time in the villa. He soaked in
her unique fresh-flower scent and murmured against her ear.

“
You’re
amazing.”

Laughing softly, she pressed against him. His hands slid across and over her waist
before his touch wove down toward her belly. His eyes drifted shut and he brushed
his lips over her cheek.

“I wish I could stay.”

“I thought you might hang around to see that I’m, well, properly settled in.”

“God knows I’m tempted.”

He rotated her around and, rubbing his palms up then down her back and buttocks, he
kissed her thoroughly, his tongue winding around hers until they’d run out of air.

“Very tempted,” he murmured and kissed her again.

When their lips parted, her gaze was heavy and glazed. Then the tip of her tongue
looped around his Adam’s apple and the steady throb behind his zipper began to pound.
She blew softly against the damp.

“You taste salty,” she said. “I like salt.”

“I pretty sure I’m salty all over.”

“And I think that pile of work can wait.”

Guess that meant she’d forgiven him.

When her lips traced a deliberate line up under his chin, he let the delicious heat
pulsing through his veins build a little more and swell a little higher before he
reined himself in and eased away.

“I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” He dropped a final kiss on her forehead and headed
for the door. “Use the internal intercom if you need anything.”

“I thought I might get out of this outfit and enjoy a deep, sudsy bath.”

“You’re a tease.”

Strolling toward the bathroom, she slipped off her over-shirt and let it drop outside
the doorway. Darius had to grit his teeth to steel himself against following her.

He shut the door reluctantly behind him. Turning, he almost collided with his quiet-as-a-cat
sister. Tahlia’s almond-shaped, sapphire-blue eyes sparkled with excitement.

“I like the look of your friend, Darius. Do you think she’d mind if I went in and
introduced myself?”

He gave her a hug and planted a kiss on her brow. Tahlia might drive him to distraction
but he loved her to bits.

“Why don’t you let her settle in first?” he asked, heading down the hall.

“How long is she staying? What’s her name?”

“Helene Masters. And she’s staying a couple of weeks, maybe a little longer.”

“How did you meet her?” She looked at him sideways. “You were supposed to be on that
island alone. Did an albatross drop her down from the sky?”

His lips twitched.
Smart aleck.

“She’s American, isn’t she?” Tahlia went on. “I heard her speak. That accent is so
sexy.”

He pulled up sharp. “
Tahlia
.”

“Well, it is.”

Shaking his head, he started off again. “I’ll explain it later.”

“Helene Masters could explain it all to me now.” She skipped to keep up with him.

“There’s plenty of time.” He added, “Everything doesn’t have to be so urgent.”

“I know you’ve had lots to contemplate this past week,” she said, walking alongside
of him. “But did you give any more thought to Otis and me?”

He tried not to groan.
Here we go
.

“Tahlia, I want to give you everything you need and deserve,” he said. “But you’re
too young to get serious.”

“Why are you so stubborn about acknowledging him? Acknowledging
us?
” She stopped walking. “Why is it so hard to let me be who I am rather than who you
want me to be?”

Because he didn’t know what to expect from this rapidly maturing Tahlia next. Or maybe
he did, and that made him wish all the more that their father was still alive to deal
with it. Tahlia knew about the birds and the bees. Darius was dead certain Otis did,
too. If he “acknowledged” Otis, he might as well have given Otis the nod.

If his gate-keeping stifled Tahlia’s individuality, that was too bad.

She tossed him a parting remark. “You can’t keep us apart. Just like they couldn’t
keep Uncle Galen from being with the person who he loved.”

Darius sighed. He’d have to deal with it at some point, just not now.

He had a state building downtown where his ministers and staff worked, but he preferred
to attend to business from “home” when he could. When he entered his office, he found
Yanni standing by a credenza. Glancing up from sorting papers, the Chief Aide greeted
him with a smooth smile.

“Your Highness.”

“Thanks for taking care of Helene,” Darius said, moving behind his desk and sitting.

“As you asked, I spoke with the ship’s crew before and after the journey.” Yanni wandered
closer. “They won’t spread tales about the extra passenger.”

“And Alexio, the island caretaker?”

“Of course, he also respects this office’s privacy.” Leaning in, Yanni dropped his
voice. “That case is in your quarters. The safe is prepared. I’ll store the figurine
away whenever you’re ready.”

A snapshot of the goddess sitting in that alcove at the villa flashed into Darius’s
mind. After much deliberation, he’d felt good about his decision to leave her out
in the open. But was he wrong for considering something similar now that he was home?
The bigger question was: would he be thinking this way if not for Helene’s suggestion?

“Your Highness, are you all right?”

Darius gave himself a mental shake then sat straighter in his chair. “I’ll get back
to you on the figurine. In the meantime, could you organize a press release? Say how
much I’m looking forward to the upcoming coronation. We need to confirm a date.”

“The sooner the better. And, I wonder…” Yanni adjusted his glasses. “In a separate
release, should we mention a temporary guest staying at the palace?”

“Why? Helene isn’t here on official business.” Darius drew a document from his inbox.
“Her time spent here is a private matter.”

“Of course. Except, with the coronation looming, people might make assumptions.” Yanni
brought a closed hand to his mouth to cover an awkward smile. “I only say this because
when Ms. Masters mentioned an arrangement, I made an assumption myself.”

The penny dropped. “You thought we were in a serious relationship?”

Yanni shrugged. “A misunderstanding.”

Darius laughed, then sobered, then flicked his pen aside. He found his feet and, hands
in pockets, came to stand at a floor-to-ceiling window.

“If there
were
a misunderstanding…” If people thought Helene and he were looking toward the future
together… “In this day and age what real harm could come from it?” He turned back
Yanni. “Hypothetically speaking, of course.”

Yanni seemed to hold his breath before slanting his head. “We know very little about
her. She might have a criminal record, might have an undesirable past.”

“You did a search. Nothing untoward showed up.”

“Ms. Masters said you’d invited her to stay two weeks. Is there any reason you’d extend
that time frame?”

Darius’s focus had drifted to a portrait of his father, which graced the opposite
wall. He winged back his shoulders. “Not at this stage.”

Yanni’s expression changed again. “While you were away, your uncle sent communication.
He wants to attend the coronation.”

Darius blinked. He must not have heard right. “We haven’t heard from Galen in decades.”

“Perhaps he feels that, with your parents passing, you might appreciate his support
on the day. He might also want you to permanently pardon his exile.”

Darius was floored. He had never imagined this day would come. “And his wife?”

“It’s said he goes everywhere with her.”

Gazing blindly out the window at a view of the sea, Darius absently twirled his father’s
ring around his finger. Despite his uncle’s walking out and leaving a mess, Darius
still cared for the man. At the prospect of seeing him again, Darius realized how
much he’d missed him. He’d like to speak to him, and on one subject in particular.

“Yanni, you knew my uncle well. What kind of man would you say he is?”

Yanni’s eyebrows hitched. “To put it simply, Your Highness, I would say he is a man
who had found his peace.”

…

After a quick freshen-up, Helene was back in the main room of her magnificent palace
quarters. She was unzipping her knapsack, eager to read the rest of that story, when
she heard a knock and her heart gave a skip.
Guess Darius had gotten through his work sooner than expected.

But on opening the door, she found a beautiful young woman waiting. A flowing peach-colored
skirt was the perfect contrast to her olive complexion. A stunning gold pendant graced
her regal neck and a pair of thickly-fringed eyes twinkled with enthusiasm.

“I’m Tahlia, Darius’s sister.” She tipped her head, and a stream of dark satin hair
fell over one slender shoulder. “May I come in?”

Taken aback, Helene introduced herself as she closed the door.

“Darius says you’re American,” Tahlia said, strolling in. “I want to live in New York
one day. Have you been there? Or Hollywood? I’m dying to see Rodeo Drive.”

“Well, I can’t afford the boutiques,” she said, amused. “But I window shop.”

“I went to school in Switzerland,” Tahlia said, lowering herself to sit among cushions
scattered upon an extravagant sofa. “And I’ve been to many places in Europe. It only
makes me hungry for more.”

Helene liked Tahlia already. The princess was a girl after her own heart.

“Darius tells me you might go to the UK to study,” Helene said delicately.

“I’ve had enough of tutors and books for now.” She sat back. “Although I do love to
read poetry. Keats, Byron…”

Helene suddenly remembered those pages. “Stories, too?” she asked, heading for her
knapsack.

“Only if they have a happily-ever-after.”

Helene eased out the writing block then removed the yellowed sheets and presented
them to Tahlia.

“I found these at the villa, tucked away in a wardrobe and a desk.”

Pages in hand, Tahlia ran an interested gaze over the top sheet. “This was written
many years ago.” She eyed the initials. “D.D…” Her focus shot up. “Have you read it?”

“Only the first few pages.”

“Oh, then you should read it first.”

“How about I keep these here and when you visit, we can read it together,” she suggested,
accepting the pages back.

“And afterward you can tell me how you came to be with my brother alone on that island.”

As Tahlia’s eyes twinkled with playful curiosity, Helene set the pages aside. “Darius
should probably fill you in on that.”

Tahlia’s enthusiasm drained. “My brother finds it difficult to talk to me about anything
other than duty these days.”

Tahlia’s attention had slid to one of many soaring arched windows. Was she thinking
about the stables and that boy she’d fallen in love with? Helene wanted to ask about
Otis. She wanted to help if she could, but she shouldn’t interfere. It wasn’t her
place.

“How long are you staying, Helene?”

“Two weeks.” By that time she should be certain that their first time in bed together
hadn’t evolved into anything more than one episode during an amazing holiday fling.