(Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips (22 page)

“Maybe some of them feel honored. I don’t know. But most of them wouldn’t dare say no. They are merely slaves, aren’t they?” I still didn’t fully understand where all the servants came from. Earth? Another dimension? Whatever, I knew the girls who worked so hard didn’t have any rights.

“It’s complicated.” She shook her head. “I see by your face that you disapprove. It’s a harsh world we live in, Gloriana. Gods are strong creatures and continually fight each other. To prove their power or to gain favor or territory. Our world is not like yours. I can’t begin to explain it to you.”

“Surely you don’t approve of slavery, Grandmother.” The thought of it made me sick. I remembered the paintings I’d seen in museums of rapes, pillages. Surely this wasn’t how things were still done in Olympus.

“No.” She nodded thoughtfully. “But it’s considered a necessary part of war. Slaves are part of the spoils, the men call them. Zeus condones it and I have been content to let my husband have his way to avoid confrontations.”

I held out my hand and she took it. “He
is
awfully powerful. I can see where you’d rather not--”

“I’m not afraid of him, child.” She squeezed my fingers until I had all I could do not to jerk them away with a scream. “He respects me under all his bluster and show.”

“Of course he does.” I knew better than to keep pushing this.

“Slavery. Yes, it’s another tradition that hasn’t received much examination.” Grandmother stopped at the door to her chambers. “But perhaps it’s time it did. Thank you, Gloriana. I’ve been content to let Zeus wield his power without showing mine for too long. I can change the way things are for women here too and will certainly do so.” She raised her hand and a handmaiden rushed out the door to fall at our feet.

“Zora, gather all the female servants into my sitting room. I want to question them. Gloriana, I will see what I can do about your problem. But the fight will go on. I’m sorry, that I cannot change.” She kissed my cheek then went inside.

I stared after her, not sure how to feel. Maybe I’d helped the handmaidens but my own situation hadn’t changed. I turned toward home, following a golden path. I hoped it was the right one because all of them looked the same to me. I hadn’t gone far when a man appeared, blocking my way.

“You must be Gloriana. You are the image of my faithless wife.” The man was everything a god should be—tall, handsome, with a beautiful body. He was clutching a spear and had a sword strapped at his waist.

I froze, trying to decide if screaming for my father would help or cause a blood bath.

He narrowed his eyes. “Oh, please call for your father. I’d be happy to meet Mars here and now.” He stuck his spear into the ground and pulled out his sword, running a fingertip over it until he drew blood. Another mind reader.

“Hercules!” I sketched a bow. Maybe acting like I respected his power would help diffuse his anger. I peered up at him. Nope. He still looked like he wanted to skewer me.

He stalked closer, until I could almost smell his rage. “How is it you are fully grown?”

“You have to realize I don’t have a clue.” I backed up a step. “I’m a victim as much as you are. Haven’t you heard? Mother threw me in Achelous’s Siren harem for a thousand years and hid me there.” I knew Hercules as an abusive bully. Hopefully he wasn’t so furious he’d risk Zeus’s wrath by killing me, a grandchild.

“Yes, the woman can be as cold as Demeter’s tit. Her bed certainly was. Tossing aside a child wouldn’t give her a second’s remorse.” He advanced and I retreated when his sword came close to brushing the front of my dress. “Your appearance here has made me a laughing stock. I want you gone.”

“Hey, I’d like nothing better than to be back on Earth and out of your hair.” I could see though that sending me home wasn’t how Hercules thought to make me “gone” as he brushed my skirt with his sword. It was a miracle that it didn’t cut the fabric.

“Father! Surely you aren’t threatening our sister!” Alex appeared next to me. “She’s not to be harmed. Zeus would not be pleased.”

“We will protect her, if necessary, Father. Please don’t make us call our soldiers.” Anni stood on my other side and drew his sword. “You have to know that a melee here would create a stir that would surely come to Zeus’s notice.”

“What’s this? My own sons stand against me?” Hercules face reddened and he looked like he was about to burst a blood vessel. “I won’t have it! Not over some bastard child--”

“That’s enough, Father.” Alex had his sword out too. He and Anni crossed theirs in front of me, a steel barrier that I didn’t have much faith in. To my shock, Hercules just stared at us.

“We told you, Gloriana is our sister.” Anni, well I was guessing at their names because they were identical, pressed closer to me. “Harm her and you will have to answer to Zeus himself. Surely you wouldn’t expect him to take your side over a member of his family.”

“We carry Zeus’s blood too, Father. You do not. But surely I don’t have to remind you of that.” Alex stepped forward. He came only to my shoulder but he radiated bravery. I kept my mouth shut, so proud I wanted to cry.

“Zeus put you up to this?” Hercules stomped a sandaled foot and the ground shook. “Why do I doubt that? It’s that bitch of a mother who has you running to this whelp’s side, isn’t it?”

“You want to test that? Ask anyone. Zeus has acknowledged Gloriana as his granddaughter, even arranged an advantageous marriage for her. That’s proof enough that she is under his protection and ours.” Anni aimed his sword at the stone next to his father’s foot. “You may be one of his favorites, but you can’t deny that family is very important to
Grandfather
.” He emphasized the last word with a raise of his dark eyebrows.

I noticed the boys looked very much like their father. How that must have infuriated Hercules. Two miniature copies of one of the greatest warriors in Olympus. But they never grew up. My thoughts got me a steely gaze from Hercules and I backed up a step. If the god could toss a flame, I was toast.

“Father, the truth has come out.” Alex raised his sword and pointed it at his father’s chest. It was a bold move and I wondered that Hercules didn’t react to it. Maybe he did love his boys. “Now that Zeus knows you’ve been abusing our mother, I’d advise you to go back to your campaign against whoever you’ve been fighting and stay there for another century or two. Maybe by then Grandfather will have calmed down. Right now, he’s in a temper and thinking he cares not how you’ve impressed him in the past, hurting his daughter is unforgiveable.”

“Who told him such lies?” Hercules tossed a few lightning bolts around and a wooden building went up in flames. A man and woman ran screaming outside, their togas singed.

“Are they lies?” I found my voice. “I know a bully when I see one. Take your son’s advice and go, Hercules. I’ve seen Zeus in action lately and I sure wouldn’t want his anger aimed at me.” I reached out and put my hands on the boys’ shoulders. “My brothers haven’t told Zeus a thing, but I’m sure they could add details that would make you a permanent outcast from Olympus. Go now and I’m sure they’ll keep your secrets.”

Hercules stared at his sons. “Put down your swords. I never want them raised against me again. Do you hear me?” He roared those last four words. I’m sure they heard him three galaxies away.

“Yes, Father.” Alex and Anni sheathed their swords.

“You will say no more about my treatment of your mother or anyone else. Swear it.” Hercules advanced on the boys and I couldn’t help myself. I snatched a knife from a scabbard on the back of Anni’s toga and held it in front of me.

“That’s far enough.” I couldn’t believe how determined I sounded.

“What? You’re going to stick me?” Hercules laughed, a deep guffaw that made the leaves on nearby trees quiver. “I could take that away from you without--” He snatched the knife, my fingers empty before I realized what he was going to do. “Stupid wench.” He tossed it aside. “Anni, guard your weapons, boy. Haven’t you learned anything?” He raised his hand as if to strike him, then seemed to think better of it. Oh, yeah. I was a witness. Zeus’s granddaughter.

“I think you were leaving? Boys, you were about to promise your father silence, I believe. Are you willing?” I wouldn’t have blamed them if they’d refused and called for their soldiers instead. But I guess “honor thy father” was alive and well in Olympus. When they each nodded, Hercules growled then spun on his heel and strode off down the path.

“Gloriana, you shouldn’t be out here alone. Where’s your escort?” Alex walked over to pick up his brother’s knife as if nothing had happened.

“I didn’t think…” I surprised him by hugging him when he reached my side. “Thank you. Both of you.” I hugged Anni next. “Your father is one scary dude.”

“You don’t know the half of it.” Anni grinned at his brother. “We pulled it off.” He and Alex exchanged chest bumps. “I can’t believe he backed down.”

“And he didn’t hit either one of us.” Alex shrugged. “He’s bigger, stronger. He can relieve us of our weapons with his powers. But he must have been unsure of
your
powers, Gloriana. I guess he saw you coming out of Grandmother’s chambers. That connection is enough to make any god think twice.” He finally smiled. “So now he’ll leave Olympus and we’re in the clear.”

“Yes. We’re walking you back to your chambers, Gloriana. Don’t go out again without soldiers to protect you. Hear me, Sister?” Anni made sure I was looking him in the eye.

“Yes, Brother, I hear and obey.” Frankly the run-in with Hercules had convinced me that I would be smart to have an escort everywhere I went. I was pretty sure he wasn’t the only enemy I had here in Olympus. From now on, I was playing it safe.

Jerry was waiting for me when I got back to my rooms. He had arranged a dinner for us, complete with candlelight. There were no handmaidens in sight.

“What’s this?” I admit I liked where this was going. I strolled over to lift covers from the dishes on the table. Roast beef, potatoes, tiny green peas and hot rolls. I recognized this meal. It was similar to one I’d had right before he’d turned me vampire.

“I hope you’ll forgive me for last night. I made a fool of myself.” He put his arms around me and dragged me against him. “I can’t remember the last time I got so drunk or felt so bad afterwards. And you took care of me. I don’t deserve you.”

“I won’t argue with you about that.” I reached up and ran a hand over his smooth cheek. He’d shaved for me and smelled wonderful. He looked great too. I loved him in the snug jeans and soft cotton shirt. I guess one of the handmaidens had found the wardrobe for him.

“Are you hungry?” He kissed me quickly then held out a chair at the table. “I know you like this kind of food. Alesha arranged it for us.”

“Yes, it smells delicious.” I sat and picked up a napkin. “I went to visit my grandmother.” I shook my head when he offered me wine. “I don’t think we need alcohol tonight. How about cold water? I want to keep a clear head.” There was a pitcher on a sideboard and Jerry filled our glasses.

“You’re right. I don’t think I’ll be drinking wine again anytime soon. So what did your grandmother have to say? You didn’t try to stop this fight with Kratos, did you?” He sat across from me. “I’m ready to fight, Gloriana. You will embarrass me if you go around begging for my life like I can’t handle things myself.”

“Do you blame me?” I reached for his hand but he kept his in his lap. “Jer, come on. These are gods. Zeus may claim he’ll make Kratos mortal but I don’t trust any of them. I, I can’t lose you.” I wiggled my fingers and he finally took my hand.

“The fight goes on. Trust
me
to hold my own.” He squeezed my fingers then let them go and lifted the lids on the food. “Now allow me to serve you. I have to keep up my strength. We will eat this fine dinner and then I want to take you to bed.”

Bed. Huh. Time was flying by and Jer didn’t have a clue that he’d probably die fighting for me here. I found I had little appetite but reminded myself that I might be eating for two. So I choked down food that probably was delicious and made small talk while I fought despair over our situation. Finally, as we were eating dessert, a lemon tart, I decided that I had to just enjoy our time together. Every moment. I had vowed to give him a night of goddess pleasure. Well, tonight was as good a time as any. When we pushed back from the table, I encouraged him to go outside to smoke one of his nasty cheroots while I bathed and changed. We’d have a night to remember, one way or another.

“Gloriana, aren’t you ready yet?” He lay on the bed where I had told him to wait.

“One moment.” I fluffed my hair. The gown I’d chosen was a match for one Flo had given me as a wedding present. We’d never made it to our wedding night so why not use it now? It was the color of the sea with sheer panels of blue drifting down from a lace bodice. It didn’t hide much which was the idea. Instead, it made the most of my new, improved figure. But was it improved enough? I looked at myself critically in the mirror.

“Jerry?” I walked into the bedroom. “Are my hips too wide?”

He sat up, bunching some pillows against the carved headboard. “You’re kidding. Right?”

“No. Look.” I stepped closer. “Look.” I patted my hips and turned around. “And my butt. I think I could make it smaller. You know I can do that. Right?”

“Gloriana, I loved you when you were twice the size you are now.” He reached for me but I skipped back.

“Twice? You’re saying my butt was double this size?” I tried to see behind me. It didn’t bear thinking about. How quickly I’d gotten used to this new size. Spoiled. I’d become spoiled by my mother’s tricks. I closed my eyes and concentrated. Size twelve. That’s what I’d been for centuries. When I opened my eyes again I looked down and gasped.

“There’s my woman. Come here, love. I can put my arms around that woman and know I’ve got my Gloriana.” Jerry lunged and pulled me on top of him.

“I’ll crush you.” I laughed though because this felt familiar and right. My breasts were bigger and Jerry’s grin as he ran his mouth over them made me sigh. Oh, but he knew just what to do and say to have me putty in his hands.