Elysian Dreams (2 page)

He resisted, but she rubbed her body against him. He opened to her and returned her kiss. His hands roamed over her back. She deepened the kiss, feeling desire surge inside her. She’d wanted this for so long. If everything around her was about to change completely, she wasn’t going to give up this chance. The kiss seemed to thrill him, so she used that to her advantage.

She ran her hand down his chest, and then opened his pants. She had her hand on his cock before he could protest. He groaned as she stroked it to life. It felt good in her hand, very long and very hard.

“Daphne, I don’t want you to regret this.” His voice had grown husky. “You’re hard to resist. I’ve never been able to kiss anyone outside of a dream.”

She looked up into his eyes. “I’m not going anywhere until you give me this satisfaction.”

He groaned. “Then I won’t let you go until we’re both satisfied.” He grabbed the straps of her dress and ripped them. Her dress fell to the floor. He took her face in his hands and kissed her roughly, pushing her back slowly until he had her pressed against a small table. He lifted her up onto it, and she leaned back against the wall. His hands ran over her breasts, and she shivered at his touch.

“Yes, Hypnos, yes.” She could feel her need for him building. She wanted to feel him inside her, pumping into her. Her fantasies had recently become more intense. She’d been sensing he’d wanted this as much as she had, especially the past few weeks. Whatever had happened to him had given him more passion, and that was just what she needed from him at this moment.

“I’ve always wanted to touch you,” he said as his mouth descended on her breasts.

She gasped when he ran his teeth over her nipple. She’d never felt anything like this. The delicious sensations overwhelmed her. His fingers moved up and down her thigh. His touch tormented her so sweeetly. She shifted under him, wanting him to touch her.

He brought his lips back up to hers as he pulled her hips forward. He pulled his cock from his pants, and its head touched her. He rubbed it against her opening. “Are you sure, Daphne?”

“Yes.”

He rubbed her back, breathing deeply. He seemed to be under great strain, as if he was holding back. “You probably don’t remember this, but you’re a virgin.”

“I don’t care. I need you so much. Hypnos, please.”

He hesitated, and she held his face in her hands.

“I trust you above any other. You’re right. I didn’t think about being a virgin, but it doesn’t change how much I want you. All I feel is desire. I’m not scared. You’re the man I want to give myself to. I’m happy you’re the first.”

He took her left hand in his and kissed the palm. He pushed forward, penetrating her.

She shifted back to welcome him. She sighed as he slowly filled her. She searched her mind for memories of this with another man, but they weren’t there. She didn’t understand how she could want this so much if she’d been a virgin, but perhaps that was why she needed it with such intensity. There was some pain, but being with him lessened it. She knew pleasure would come if she let him have his way with her body.

He cradled her in his arms as he moved deeper inside her. He kissed her face and hair, groaning with pleasure. “You feel amazing. I’ve thought of this often.”

“So have I. I didn’t understand why you didn’t want me.”

Hypnos thrust faster. “Oh I did, but given your circumstances, I couldn’t. I care for you too much to hurt you. I never knew when a day like this might come.”

She shook her head. “You wouldn’t have hurt me.”

He stroked her face. “You don’t know that. I have changed in so many ways.” He moved in long, deep strokes. “I’m not hurting you?”

Her pussy throbbed with need. Everything felt tight, ready to give. “Oh no. I’ve never felt like this before. It felt strange at first, but now it’s amazing. Hypnos, I don’t care what happened before. I love you. Only you.”

He suddenly looked very sad, but he kissed her before she could say anything else. She came, bucking against him. She held him as she shook. His cock felt hot and hard and wonderful inside her trembling pussy. She pressed against him to take his cock deeper. As the pleasure moved over her, she knew she’d go crazy if they couldn’t do this again.

He began to move again, and she soon felt him release into her. He held her tightly, and his kiss grew more anxious. They both trembled as they pulled away from each other.

She looked up into his eyes. “I’m sorry if you didn’t want me to say it. You had to know I loved you, and I had to say it.”

“I already knew it. I shouldn’t have touched you.” He turned away from her.

She walked ahead of him and stopped him. “I disagree. I needed you.”

“Do you feel better now? I don’t.”

His words stung. She hadn’t expected him to say he loved her too, but she hadn’t expected him to react like this. “You seemed to enjoy it. Are you saying you regret it?”

He shook his head. “You misunderstand completely. I wanted to do that to you the first day I heard you singing. But as much as I love you, my heart has not turned that way. As much as I’ve thought of you and wanted to touch you, I am not meant to fall in love. It’s too dangerous.”

“That started out very sweet, and it ended very pompously. You’re better than me then, is that right? You’re too good for me because I’m a nymph and you’re a god?”

“What did I say to make you think that?”

“You can fuck me, but you’ll never love me?”

“Desiring a beautiful woman is not wrong. I was trying to be honest. If I were meant to love you, I would by now.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can feel desire and loyalty. I can care what happens to others. But I’ve never felt love, not this kind of love. And I never will.”

“You love her!”

“Who?”

“That blonde girl who comes to the Valley of Dreams. You look at her differently.”

Hypnos sighed. “That’s Persephone. She’s the queen of the Underworld. She is married to my master. That is what makes her special to me.”

“You always told me not to approach her.”

“I didn’t want her to know you were there. Hades didn’t even know.”

“Hades?”

“The god of the Underworld.” He frowned. “I’ve talked of him many times since you drank from the Lethe. Why don’t you remember him?”

Daphne stared at him. She’d never heard the name Hades before. “No, you haven’t. You’re trying to make me think I’m just a confused little girl.”

“No, I’m not. All the magic you’ve been subjected to must be affecting your mind.”

She turned away from him. Zeus was king of the gods, and he was interested in what happened to her, if Apollo could be believed. “Zeus!” she cried.

The blond man appeared in an instant. His eyebrows shot up when he looked at her naked body. He snapped his fingers.

She looked down and saw her dress, showing no sign of a rip, was on her body again. “Ah. Didn’t think about that. Can I do that myself?”

“Yes, you can,” Zeus said. He was glaring at Hypnos.

She snapped her fingers as he had done, and her dress became blue with long sleeves and a shorter skirt. The material felt cool and comfortable.

She explained, “I am mad at him, but he hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“I have trouble believing that,” Zeus said as Hypnos adjusted his pants.

“You are the king of the gods. For now I would prefer your help because Hypnos and I need some time apart. Will you help me?”

He walked over to her. “Of course. My spell to free you nearly killed you. I will do anything you ask.”

“Take me somewhere else. I want to think.”

Zeus nodded. “I will.” He turned to Hypnos. “We will discuss this in detail later.”

Hypnos bowed to Zeus.

She looked at Hypnos. “It may be a few days before I want to see you again. Think about the things I said.”

“I will, Daphne.” He looked stricken and helpless. She’d never seen him like that before. The changes in his moods, the conflicting desires that seemed to pull him in two directions and make him both regret and question his actions confused her. She wanted to understand, wanted to help him.

She went to him and kissed his cheek. “You are my friend, but you’ll forgive me if I decide to fight for more because I truly do love you. I do not regret what just happened, and in your heart you don’t either.” She turned back to Zeus. “I’m ready.”

Zeus took her hand, and light flashed around her. She closed her eyes and hoped Hypnos would see things differently the next time they met.

Chapter Two

Aphrodite looked at the table to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. The wine was chilled, and she had lit the candles. Everything looked perfect. Despite that, she almost wished she had someone to ask her if she knew what she was doing. She didn’t, not at all.

Hephaestus would arrive shortly, and she wasn’t sure what kind of mood he would be in. If he thought she was giving in, he might be smug or he might be amorous. If he thought she was trying to manipulate him somehow, he’d most likely be very hostile. Despite his impatience, he’d been very kind to her recently. Everyone else thought she was being stubborn and pouting. Hephaestus at least understood she was truly upset about lots of things.

Over the course of the past year, many things had happened. Her affair with Ares had come to a definite halt. She’d revealed to Hephaestus, Eros, and everyone else who had been in doubt, that Ares was indeed Eros’ father. She’d been forced to come to terms with her longstanding infatuation with Hermes when he fell in love with someone else. She’d stopped pursuing him long ago, but memories of their days together and her feelings for him had made that harder than she’d let anyone see. She’d tried to help Ares win the girl he loved, but her spell had backfired and she’d almost killed him. Every bit of discord that had ever existed between her and Hera came back up again when Aphrodite nearly killed Ares, her favorite son. They had made up, in a way, since then, but of course Hera had no idea Aphrodite was secretly married to Hephaestus, her other son. Carrying on with her affair with Ares for so long had meant that when all was said and done she’d cheated on and hurt both of Hera’s sons. Now she’d botched yet another attempt at helping someone with the spell to free Apollo and Daphne. She could hardly stand to leave her bedroom some days. Everything she did seemed cursed.

She adjusted the silverware yet again. Two strong hands gripped her shoulders.

“You’re shaking. Has something happened?”

She turned to look up into Hephaestus’ dark eyes. “I was thinking about everything. And I do mean everything. I’m a little surprised I can stand.”

“Everyone is talking about it.”

“Daphne?”

“Yes. She’s with Zeus in his palace now. He won’t let anyone near her.”

“Why isn’t she with Hypnos?”

“No one knows. Her father is waiting for a summons.”

Aphrodite shook her head. “He should go to the palace. They would let him in. He should ask to see Hera.”

“He should, but the natural deities tend to be a little old-fashioned.” He rubbed her shoulders for a moment and then stepped back. “I was very pleased to get your note. I didn’t want you to be alone.”

She took a deep breath and turned to fully face him. He always did things like that. He’d do something intimate to remind her he was in love with her and they were married, but then he’d pull back as if he just then remembered she didn’t want him to act like that. She found it very confusing some days. “That’s why I want you here. So I won’t be alone. I trust you the most.”

He held her gaze for several seconds, but he smiled. “That’s enough for me. I’d prefer you sitting by my side to being in another’s arms.”

She shook her head vehemently. “Let me assure you that you have nothing to fear. I don’t even want to look at another man, not even a mortal one. It’s been the cause of so much strife.”

“Does that mean there’s hope for me?”

She considered her words very carefully. “I do not plan on starting any new affairs at all. I’m sure you think I can’t go very long without sex though.”

“Don’t try to start a fight. I know you can go as long as you want to. I said harsh things around the time Eros was conceived and at other times as well, but it was always because I had been hurt. I didn’t mean them. We were already married then, that night you spent with Ares, so I felt betrayed. It was made worse when I found out you were pregnant because I knew it couldn’t be mine.” He stroked her face. “I wanted him to be mine. I know you very well. Ares, Hermes, and all the others fucked you. I made love to you.”

She turned and moved away as her face grew very hot.

“You wouldn’t do that if it weren’t true. You know I was different. They desired you. I loved you.”

“You were different, yes. I wasn’t. I was just like I was with the others.”

She heard him walking toward her, but this time he didn’t touch her. She turned back to him. “Can we have dinner and talk about other things?”

He took a deep breath and let it out. He smiled. “We might be pressed for subjects.”

She knew that smile very well. He was trying to be patient, but he wanted to say more. “I’m being completely honest. I want you here so I’m not alone. I want to talk about anything besides all the mistakes in my life. I don’t want to find comfort in your arms, in case you’re wondering. Given our situation, it wouldn’t be right.”

“I know you’re being honest. Can I be honest as well?”

“Yes.”

“I think you need that kind of comfort very much. If the need becomes too great, I wouldn’t hold it against you. You’re my wife.”

“I’m not your true wife though. I would be using you.”

“You wouldn’t. Letting me give you pleasure would be a start. I want you to be my true wife.”

“I can’t be. That is why it would be wrong. I love you enough not to treat you that way. Show how much you really love me and respect that.”

The moment she’d said it, she felt awful. She’d never asked him to prove his love because she’d never wanted it. To ask him to do so when she was refusing to try to love him back seemed cruel.

He touched her cheek again. “Don’t look like that. You are worrying yourself to death. Maybe you can’t have a heart attack or a nervous breakdown like mortals, but filling your mind with worries cannot be healthy.” He tilted her head up. “I will wait for you as long as I have to.”

She closed her eyes so she didn’t have to look into his. “Do you want to say anything else? On this subject, I mean?”

He pulled his hand away. “No.”

She opened her eyes and headed for the kitchen. “Then give me a hand. I cooked.”

“Naturally? No magic?”

She held her breath, hoping. “Yes.”

“Hmmm. I’m not sure that makes it any safer.”

She smiled. The serious god everyone avoided, the solitary blacksmith many feared, always knew how to make her smile. She opened the kitchen door and looked around. She picked up a casserole dish and handed it to him. His willingness to be patient and just be her friend meant more than anything any other man had ever done for her. “I knew I could count on you,” she said softly.

Instead of saying something filled with meaning, he nodded matter-of-factly. “Of course. Always glad to help in the kitchen. I’m a good feminist that way.” He carried the dish back into the dining room.

She sighed and picked up the platter holding the main course. For tonight, at least, she would know a little peace.

* * * *

Apollo tried to focus on the girl beside him, but he couldn’t quite manage it. Something about her felt familiar though.

“You’re a…um…you’re—”

She put her hand on his arm. “I am like you, yes. And you are talking very loudly.”

He tried harder to focus on her. She had long white-blonde hair. She had sparkling green eyes and a nice smile. He felt as if he’d met her before.

“Does I know you?”

She smiled. “Yes, you ‘does.’ I’m Harmonia.”

“Harmonia? Eris’ sister?”

The girl gave him a puzzling look. He couldn’t tell if she was amused or annoyed. “Sort of, in the same way she and Ares are brother and sister. I didn’t have a father either. Aphrodite gave birth to me, but we were always more like sisters than mother and daughter. Does that ring a bell at all?”

He groaned loudly. “Just what I need. Aphrodite’s kid. You been sent to take me home?”

“No. But I will, if you’d like.” She gestured to the bartender. “Can we settle his bill?”

The man brought back a long slip of paper. “You might want to keep an eye on him. He should have fallen over a while ago.”

Harmonia looked at the man. “Then perhaps you should have stopped serving him.” She handed the man a gold credit card and turned back to Apollo.

“S’not his fault,” Apollo said in a low voice. “Can’t see how drunk I am. Little spell.”

“That’s what you think. It’s actually fairly impressive. If you were human, he’d be in pretty big trouble. You would have been on the floor and in need of an ambulance, based on that bill.”

“Well, I’m not.” He watched her sign the receipt and stand up. He gestured at her. “I may need help doing that.”

She giggled. The sound was like tinkling bells, a little annoying, yet kind of nice. He shook his head. The last thing he needed was to seduce Aphrodite’s daughter. The very idea of the possible trouble stopped him from focusing on her touch too much. She was remarkably strong and helped him up easily. After a few moments and lots of blinking, he was able to make the door out.

She patted his shoulder. “Lean on me. I won’t break.”

He did, and again he was surprised how strong she was. “Harmonia. Harmony, then, I guess?”

“Yes. Harmony, concord, balance. I am the opposite of Eris, who represents discord and strife and all things dark and gothic. Lots of people add giggling and silliness to the list of my attributes. Eris thinks I’m a whiney airhead who smiles and laughs too much.”

After he’d managed to absorb that information, he shook his head. “Oh no, Eris is wonderful. The queen bitch is long gone now she’s with Hermes.” He sighed. “She’s so beautiful. I’ve always wanted to sleep with her.”

She shifted his weight and tossed him onto a bench. He was a little disoriented at being thrown down so suddenly.

“Something I said?” he managed to slur.

“You like her a lot, don’t you?”

He sobered a tiny bit. Since Eris was about to marry Hermes, he wanted to make sure his answer was very proper. He was in enough hot water with Ares over his affair with Alala. “I’ve always had a bit of a…thing for her. There’s something very special about her. It’s not just that she’s beautiful, and I don’t like assertive and domineering women at all, so it’s something a bit more…vague.”

“Maybe you like those things more than you know. Gets your attention when we get on this subject. You said all those big words right and everything.”

Apollo suddenly felt as if he understood. “Ah. Yes. Concord and … discord. Don’t really go together, do you? That’s why you’re ‘sort of’ sisters. Bet you hate each other though.”

“I never said that. The world needs both of us.”

He finally got a good look at Harmonia. She wore a light blue slip dress, and she had the most beautiful breasts he had ever seen. It was not the alcohol. They were truly stunning. They were bigger than average, but not too big, very perky for their proportions. They pushed together softly, and he’d have loved to cover the lush crests with his mouth as he toyed with her nipples.

“Lush? Like greenery?”

He froze. He was sure his mouth had not opened. “You’re in my head?”

“Well, I lost you once you got a good look at my breasts, so I decided to check in mentally.”

He groaned and let his head fall into his hands. “Just leave me, okay? I’m a jerk and all women should steer clear of me.”

“You are bitter and selfish, but not a jerk. If you weren’t drunk and wallowing in self-pity, I’d let you see exactly how amazing my breasts are.”

Despite the unbelievable amount of liquor he’d had, his cock twitched. He looked back up at her. “You are definitely Aphrodite’s daughter.”

She giggled again. “Look, I promise to accept you as you are and not judge you, okay? Let me help you home.”

He knew he would not get a better offer. He had to get one thing straight though. “Do you know why I am so drunk?”

Her smiled faded, and she nodded sadly. “Yes. All of Olympus knows.”

“I feel like I’m…splitting in two. I’ve loved no one but her for so long. And now? It feels like I have a crush on her. This is how I felt before. I knew I was falling for her, but I hadn’t, not completely.” He looked up at her. “I think this feels worse. It’s so uncertain. I’m so scared that I’ll lose her again. I’ve wanted other women. I’ve had hundreds. She was the one who was different. Now all that’s…confused.”

She knelt down in front to him. “I’m sorry. She’s all right, as far as I know. You two will get a chance to talk when she’s ready.”

He focused on her quite easily. “Did you do something to me?”

She smiled. “Little spell. You’re sobering at twenty times your normal rate.”

“I see. I thought this was a very different kind of lousy suddenly. I’d rather feel drunk.”

“Oh well.”

He didn’t know what to say when he once again noticed how amazingly green her eyes were. He stood up and tried to stagger away.

She grabbed his arm. “Even if you are sobering, you’re weak. Let me take you home.”

“Take me straight there and leave.”

She linked her arm with his and laughed. He’d never met anyone so happy. She gave his arm a tug and headed down the street.

“I’m not kidding,” he said. He’d tried to sound stern, but his words had come out a little whiney.

“Apollo, I promise not to take advantage of you in your vulnerable state. You aren’t terribly popular, and you need a friend. Let me help you for a bit.”

Despite their differences, this woman did seem like a reflection of Eris in many ways. Completely different disposition and personality, but the same strength shone through.

“Fine. Knock me on my ass if I try to get a look at those breasts.”

“No promises there.”

He smiled. Tempting or not, she was funny and sweet. He needed something positive in his life very desperately. “You’re gonna get me in so much trouble with your mother if we’re not careful. God knows what she’ll do to me this time.”

“Don’t worry about that. We don’t talk much, but she’s changed a great deal the last few years.”

Apollo didn’t comment. He looked up into the night sky. He’d had quite a day.