(Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips (16 page)

“Allow me to escort you. There are some people in Olympus who might mean you harm.” He held out his arm. “You shouldn’t be out with a mere handmaiden as company.” He snatched my sack of elixirs before I could stop him. “What’s this?”

“Nothing. Just doing a little shopping.” I slipped my hand around his forearm. “Please hand it to Alesha. She can carry it to my rooms while you show me more of Olympus. I’ve seen so little of it.”

“Certainly.” Kratos smiled and passed the sack to the handmaiden. “Have you seen Pan’s musical theater? It’s quite charming.”

“No, I’d love that.” I let him lead me down more golden paths. I listened to him drone on about the many battles he’d won and how he’d rescued this god or that goddess from certain death. He’d also found some of the magic musical instruments being played in the ornate theater where Pan held court.

“Your mother tells me you used to be a dancer.” Kratos settled me into a velvet chair in front of the stage. “Perhaps you’d like to join the company here once we are married. It will give you something to do when you aren’t raising our children.”

“You are taking a lot for granted, Kratos. You have to win my hand first.” I looked around and saw that we were getting appraising looks from the other people in attendance. Part of the problem was my casual outfit. With a snap I was in a sapphire blue Dior cocktail dress cut low in front. It hit just above my knees. My strappy sandals were designer and I gave myself a clutch that matched. Kratos grinned and suddenly wore an elegant suit by an Italian maker. I couldn’t find fault with his taste. Which kind of pissed me off.

Beautiful music began playing and dancers appeared. The audience applauded when one woman took center stage and began a solo performance. Her leaps and twirls made me wish I’d been as graceful. I’d danced in a chorus line. My double Ds had more to do with getting that gig than my grace. It had been in Vegas where they also appreciated my high kicks. No way could I have ever done the elegant moves this woman made.

She worked her way across the stage and down some steps until she stood in front of Kratos. Her dark hair was pulled back into a bun, showing off her huge black eyes. She wore one of those filmy outfits that showed every perfect curve of her lithe body. When she bowed to Kratos, her eyes were luminous with unshed tears. Then she looked at me. If she could have shot lightning bolts, I’d have been fried in my seat. I shifted, ready to run for it. Then she burst into tears and ran away, soon completely out of sight.

“Who was that?” I touched Kratos’ clenched fists which he held in his lap.

“No one.” He kept staring straight ahead where a new company of dancers had filled the stage.

“Liar.”

That got him to look at me. “Excuse me?”

“I called you a liar. Clearly she is someone who cares about you. And I don’t think you are indifferent to her.” I stood. “Is this plan of Zeus’s ruining your life as well as mine?”

“No, of course not.” He took my elbow and steered me toward an exit in the opposite direction from the way the woman had run. “I told you the girl is no one. I am not responsible for what she thinks or feels. If I’d known she was performing today, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”

“But you did.” I was relieved when we were outside, away from all those listening ears and avid gazes. We’d obviously been much more entertaining than what had been happening on the stage. “Did you hope to see her again?” I grabbed his arm when he ignored me. “Kratos, please. This is important.” If he was in love with someone else, maybe I could talk him into cancelling the fight with Jerry.

He faced me and shook his head. “Stop it, Gloriana. I can see what you’re thinking and it will never happen. I am happy we are to be wed. Your old lover is merely a minor obstacle in the way to our bliss. As is mine.” He removed my hand from his arm and started walking quickly. I had to skip to keep up.

“Minor? Not to me and certainly not to Jerry. Or to that woman.” I thought about grabbing him again but couldn’t ignore the curious looks from his men. “Please. At least talk to me. Can we lose the escort?” I gestured at his two soldiers. “If we are to be, um, wed, there are things we need to discuss. Privately.”

“Alone time. Yes, I wouldn’t mind that myself.” He led me to a bench under a large oak tree. I hadn’t noticed it before but then Olympus was so full of surprises and magic that for all I knew he’d just made it appear. “Leave us.” He gestured and the men stepped away so that we wouldn’t be heard. They even turned their backs. I guess we could even make love if their commander got lucky.

“Talk to me, Kratos. Tell me about that woman. She is obviously in love with you. And you weren’t unmoved. I saw the way your fists clenched and your jaw tightened when she approached us.” I watched for a reaction. But this time he was in control. He picked up my hand and brought it to his mouth.

“I will admit Calista and I had a fling. You will not be my first lover and I know I am not yours.” He smiled, then ran his tongue across my knuckles. I shivered in spite of myself. “Experience will make both of us better lovers. Don’t you agree?”

I tugged at my hand. “Quit trying to distract me. I’m sure you are quite the lover. And I’m no slouch either.” Okay, so I couldn’t resist that brag. “But, Kratos, my heart won’t belong to you. It will be a loveless alliance. And I’ll never forgive you if you kill Jerry during this fight. He has my heart. You never will.”

“Never say never, Gloriana. I’ve learned that’s a fool’s statement.” He dropped my hand. “This alliance is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for all my life. To be a member of Zeus’s family? You cannot know the meaning of such a thing for a man like me. I was made a god, not born to it. It’s something that the true gods and goddesses here never let me forget.” His mouth tightened. “You haven’t lived here very long but just wait. Even you will hear gossip about your parentage, the fact that you are a mistake.”

“I don’t care about that.” I searched his hard features. A warrior. How could I get through to him? “Where I’ve lived the past centuries, a person makes his or her own way. I didn’t know or care who my parents were until recently. Why is this so important? Can’t you--”

“Stop it. I will never give you up now that I’ve been given this chance. So you might as well get used to the idea. We
will
be married.” He stood, towering over me, the picture of resolute male. “I’m telling you that I’ve endured the slights and being treated like little more than a servant for the last time. The gods and goddesses know I’m not their equal and never will be, even though Zeus himself honored me. But if I marry you, my children will be in that inner circle and will take me along with them. It’s my dream come true.” His eyes shone and I could see this was truly everything for him. “No one will dare disrespect me then.”

“Well, I’m sorry, truly. But you can’t get your dream with me.” I gasped when he grabbed my shoulders and dragged me up to face him.

“Can I not? Hear me now, Gloriana. You will go through with this or I’ll make sure your lover doesn’t live to fight me for you. Do you understand?” Kratos was no longer the wooing lover. I’d just seen the steely warrior and he scared me to death.

Chapter 8

“This isn’t the way to win me, Kratos.” I jumped up. Did I have any allies here? Where was my father? I thought his name and like a miracle, he appeared.

“Gloriana, I felt your distress. Is this man bothering you?” Mars carried a weapon from another era. I couldn’t remember the name, but it was wicked looking, a spiked ball on a chain, that could do some serious damage if he used it on Kratos’ head. I liked the idea.

“Sire, we are just getting to know each other.” Kratos was on his feet, his soldiers on alert nearby. I was pretty sure they knew better than to attack a god of Mars’ standing though.

“Dad! Would you mind escorting me back to my rooms?” I wouldn’t look at Kratos. “The more I learn about this man I’m supposed to marry, the more anxious I am for Jerry to beat him to a bloody pulp.” I heard swords slip out of their scabbards.

“Relax, men.” My father gave them a stern look. “Gloriana, mind your tongue. Your grandfather handpicked Kratos and we must accept Zeus’s wisdom.”

I heard Kratos laugh behind me and whirled to face him. “Wisdom? Does Zeus know how you speak to me? Threaten to end the fight before it even happens?” I lunged for him and was hauled back by my waist just before I could scratch his eyes out. Damn it. I struggled but Mars had a firm hold on me.

“Daughter, I don’t know what Kratos said, but I’m sure he’s going to try to make amends and soon. Isn’t that right, sir?” Mars kept a grip on me and held me by his side.

“Yes, sire. I’m sorry, Gloriana. I meant no disrespect to you or to your, uh, friend from Earth.” Kratos scowled. “We will have a fair fight at the assigned time. I swear it.”

“You’d better. If anything happens to Jerry before then, I’ll see you in the cells until your manhood withers to nothing.” I elbowed my father. “Right, Dad?”

“Certainly. Fair play, Kratos. If you want my daughter’s hand, you must make this a fair fight.”

“Fine. This goes both ways. Gloriana should be willing to let me woo her fairly.” Kratos showed all of his teeth in what might have passed for a smile if it didn’t look dangerous. “She speaks endlessly about this lover of hers. What man can endure that?”

“Gloriana? Do you need more time in the cells? Or does Blade?” Mars squeezed my arm and I felt his strength. “If you haven’t learned your lesson…”

“The lesson here being blind obedience?” I couldn’t do that, no matter how my father’s mouth tightened. “How could the fight be fair if Jerry is sent to suffer in the cells and weakened even more than he is?” I tried to wrestle away from my father’s firm grip.

“Perhaps I don’t care.” Mars nodded to Kratos who now looked positively gleeful. “I want your promise, Gloriana, that you’ll be cordial to this man and let him court you properly. Neither of us can forget that he’s your grandfather’s choice. So you’ll welcome his attentions. Be seen with him in public and show him some affection.” Mars held me with his left hand but swung his weapon with his right. “But not too much affection. Understand me, soldier?”

“Yes, of course. I will respect your daughter, Mars. I also understand the honor Zeus has bestowed on me. I’ll not squander this opportunity.” Kratos said this directly to me. Obviously poor Calista was going to have to get over him or settle for being his mistress.

“Enough of this. I want to go to my rooms. I hope your presence here, Father, means Jerry is finished training for today and is waiting for me.” I smirked at Kratos. “I’m not yours yet, sir.”

“Gloriana, you seem determined to end up in the cells. Your attitude shows a clear lack of respect for a man who deserves it.” Mars growled at me, then nodded at Kratos before whisking us both away.

We ended up in front of my door. I felt a little dizzy. Transporting like that always did that to me. But I couldn’t let my father’s last comment go unanswered.

“Does he? Does Kratos deserve my respect? He’s in love with another woman, yet is willing to marry me to improve his position at court.” I could see this argument didn’t impress Mars, who was examining the chain on his weapon. “Damn it, Father, would you listen to me?”

“All I hear is the noise of a petulant child who wants her way regardless of the consequences.” He looked behind him and tossed the flail, I think it was called, to a soldier. “Now listen to me and don’t interrupt. You went out without a guard. Dangerous behavior and that will not happen again.”

I could feel the heat of his anger and looked away. I didn’t want to promise this. “Why not just put one of those electronic ankle bracelets on me? Where’s my freedom?”

“It’s for your own protection, Gloriana!” He grabbed my chin and forced me to stare into his eyes. Dark eyes. Eyes that could see my thoughts even when I tried to hide them. “I know you want your vampire. I brought him here, didn’t I?”

“Was it only to torment me? So I could watch him be hurt, maybe killed by Kratos?” I shuddered. “You’ve made it clear who you want to win this fight.”

“It’s not just who I
want
to win, it is who is likely to win.” He must have seen the question in my eyes. “And, yes, Kratos will try to kill him because you’ve made it clear that as long as Blade is alive, Kratos can never hope to win your heart. You’ve gone about this foolishly and ensured your man is doomed, girl.” He sighed and took me into his arms. “I’m sorry, but that’s the truth.”

“What can I do?” I wailed it against the hard steel of his armor when I really needed a cuddle from my father.

“Kratos is a proper mate. Take Blade as a lover later if you have to. I can arrange something.” Mars glanced around and gestured. His soldiers disappeared. “Do this. Take your rightful place here and I will make sure you’re allowed visits to Earth. To see Blade and spend time with him after you are married. Give Kratos a child or two and he won’t care what you do. He will certainly take his own lover.”

“Oh, yes, I’m sure he will. He already has her picked out.” I stepped back, refusing to even think about my father’s proposition. “But do you really think a proud warrior like my Jerry would be content with such an arrangement?” I didn’t have to see my father’s face to know he realized it was a non-starter. “And, honestly, Dad, how could I sleep with Kratos, bear his children, and then expect Jerry to wait for me and take the god’s leavings? You know that’s how a man like my guy would see it.”

“If he loves you enough, he will take what he can get.” My father sounded bitter. From experience? Of course. Hadn’t he and my mother been sneaking around behind her brute of a husband’s back for centuries? And I still hadn’t heard much about my father’s wife. Where was she in the picture?

“I won’t ask it of him. You know time moves differently here than on Earth. I can’t expect Jerry to spend years, maybe centuries, waiting for me while only a few months pass on Olympus.” I shook my head when Mars started to object.

Mars stroked my hair. “I’m sorry you have to deal with this, Gloriana. I will say no more. Just help prepare your lover for his fight.” He gestured and his men were back, shuffling their feet and obviously ready to move on. “Your man needs to get his strength back. Send for Cornelius the sorcerer and have him make an elixir that will boost Blade’s energy.” He snapped his fingers and a velvet sack appeared in his hand. “Pay him with this and let me know if you need more gold.”