Goddess by Chance (Demi-God Daughters Book 2) (3 page)

Chapter Four

“I can do without the sarcasm.”

Arienne glared at her other. Her nostrils flared. Until the age of sixteen, Arienne had believed her mother died in childbirth until Athena had showed up proclaiming to be her absentee parent. It was the worst day of Arienne’s life. The joy of discovering that she actually had a mother who was a living, breathing, immortal goddess was quickly dashed when Athena informed Arienne that she would not be publicly claiming Arienne as her daughter. As the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena was famous for being a virgin goddess, and if anyone mortal or immortal found out she’d had a child by a mortal, her image would be destroyed.

What a hypocrite.
Arienne released a breath. “What brings you by?”

“I haven’t seen you in a while, and after the day you had I thought I should check on you.”

“I’m surprised you know about my day, being so busy and all.”

“You’re my daughter. I know where you are at all times.”

“Well I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine. Dad was just here.”

“I know,” Athena said. She paced the floor.

“So why didn’t you come while he was here?”

Athena stopped pacing and stared at her. Her mother’s grey eyes swirled. “You know why.”

“Actually I don’t. Why don’t you explain it to me?” Arienne sat forward on the sofa, folding her arms.

“Must you test me every time we see one another?”

“All I did was ask a question, and considering my dad still worships the ground you walk on, the least you could do is ‘grace him with your presence’ every once in a while.”

“That is precisely why I don’t see Raymond.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Your father is still in love with me, and being around him would raise his hopes of something that will never be. There is no need to cause him more pain.”

Arienne rose to her feet, arms folded. “That sounds really noble. Exactly like something the wise Athena would say. Too bad it’s a load of crock.”

“What did you say?”

“You heard me. The only reason you won’t see Dad is because you don’t want anyone to connect the two of you together. We all know your reputation means more to you than anything, most of all the child from your illicit union you’ve gone through such pains to hide,” Arienne said.

Arienne’s godly powers had manifested themselves when she turned eighteen. Athena had immediately appeared and put a cloaking spell on her, designed to hide her presence from the other gods and making her seem completely mortal.

“I can’t believe you’re still angry about that. You know what I did is for your own protection.”

“If that’s what you want to keep telling yourself then go ahead, but I know the truth.”

“What I’ve told you is the truth.”

“Whatever. But answer me this, if you knew what was going on today, why didn’t you intervene?”

Athena clenched and unclenched her right fist.

Looks like I’ve pushed her buttons. One day she’ll realize I’m not one of her fawning subjects.

“It is not the practice of gods to interfere in the affairs of mortals, and besides, you had the situation under control. Although, of all your demigoddess powers I have no idea why you chose wisdom-speak when your telekinesis or telepathy would’ve been much more effective.”

Why am I not surprised? When it comes to Athena, nothing I do is ever right.
Arienne stared up at her mother. At six feet, with a toned warrior’s body, Athena was an imposing figure to everyone besides Arienne. On each occasion that she saw her mother, she was once again reminded that she and the goddess had nothing in common. All of Arienne’s features, from her long, curly black hair to her complexion, came from her father, and for that she was immensely grateful.

“Excuse me for not doing anything to draw undue attention to myself and for using my brain to choose the most strategic method to diffuse the situation,” Arienne said.

“I’m not faulting your strategy, but any of your other powers would’ve exposed you to less danger.”

“Can you ever stop by without criticizing me for something?”

“All I want is for you to live up to your potential as my daughter, and clearly I need to keep pushing the issue.”

Arienne slapped Athena across the face. The grey eyes of the goddess bored into her.

“How dare—”

“Shut up. I’ve had enough of this. Of you. My life is my own, and I will live it the way I see fit, not in an effort to please the Almighty Athena.”

“Who do you think you’re talking to? I am a goddess, and I will not be disrespected by you or anyone else.”

Electricity crackled around Athena. The hairs on the back of Arienne’s neck rose as her mother’s eyes turned white.

“If you’re going to smite me can you please get it over with?”

Athena raised her hand and closed it into a fist. The small red vase on Arienne’s end table shattered, but Arienne didn’t flinch. She wasn’t going to cower before Athena or anyone.

“I don’t understand you. You’re my daughter, but if I had not given birth to you I would not believe it.”

Athena’s eyes turned back to their normal grey color. Arienne felt a tickle in the back of her throat. She swallowed against it.

“It’s a shame you just now realize that.”

“Arienne, I know you resent me and I know that resentment makes you rebel against anything I say, but you’re only selling yourself short. You are the daughter of one of the smartest mortal men that has ever lived and a goddess. There is nothing you cannot do. I just hope that one day you finally decide to embrace your heritage. Farewell, daughter.”

Athena disappeared, and once again, Arienne was alone. She sat back down on the couch, and there was no stopping the tears that fell. No matter how many times, no matter how many ways she and Athena argued, one thing never changed … she was still a disappointment. Her mother was the Goddess of Wisdom, and instead of Arienne making the world’s greatest invention or using her near genius level IQ to take the investment world by storm, she worked as a librarian. Pretty pathetic.

Arienne wiped the tears from her face. She didn’t ask to be Athena’s daughter.
Why can’t she just let me be? I’m never going to be the daughter she wants.
At least her father loved her for who she was. She’d never heard those words from Athena, and at this rate, she probably never would. How could anyone love a person who was such a disappointment to them? Arienne buried her face in her hands and gave in to the sobs that tore from her soul.

****

Triton couldn’t believe it. When he decided to follow Athena, he hadn’t known what to expect, but he could have never expected this. The so-called “virgin goddess” had a daughter.

I knew she was lying. Hmm. I’d sure be interested to meet the man who got her frigid ass into his bed. He must really be something special.

Triton rose up to the window. The girl was slumped over on the couch crying. It seemed even Athena’s own flesh and blood couldn’t stomach her without getting upset. Arienne looked nothing like what he would’ve imagined. Instead of the height, litheness, and coloring like her mother, the girl was about 5’9”, curvaceous and lush with wide hips, thick thighs and abundant breasts. By today’s standards she’d be considered plus sized, because she wasn’t a perfect ten, but in ancient Greece all the women would’ve looked like her. It was amazing how mortal standards of beauty had changed.

Athena’s daughter didn’t look the least bit Greek though. Her skin was a dusky brown color. Her long black hair was extremely curly, and those dark eyes and full lips made her look mysterious, yet alluring. For Athena to be her mother, the girl wasn’t bad on the eyes even if she wasn’t the type Triton usually went for. The poor girl. If only things were different for her.

For eons he’d been searching for Athena’s weakness so he could make her pay for what she’d done all those millennia ago. And now the perfect means of vengeance had fallen into his lap. Athena’s own daughter was going to be the cause of her downfall. Cerceis would be pleased at the news he had to relay. No doubt she’d be all too eager to help him carry out the plan already forming in his mind. Triton glanced through the window. The girl rose to her feet wiping away her tears. As she disappeared from view, Triton shook his head.

“That an accident of birth will change your life forever. All the more the pity.”

With one last glance, Triton disappeared. He had plans to make.

Chapter Five

Arienne was one tired girl. After the emotional trauma of yesterday, she’d slept like a log only to wake up at eight as if she had to go to work. She was so glad the library was closed. Groaning, she rolled over and looked at the red apple clock on her bedside table. Rolling down the sheets and comforter, she knew she needed to get up, but she sure didn’t feel like it. 

Sighing, Arienne climbed from her four poster canopy bed and made her way into the bathroom. Turning on the light and seeing the bright red walls always gave her brain a wake up jolt. She’d loved the color red ever since she was a little girl. Picking up her toothbrush from its holder, she set about brushing her teeth. When she was done, Arienne exited the bathroom and heard the sound of her doorbell ringing.

She wasn’t expecting any visitors. Curious, she left her room and went through the living room to the front door. She removed the chain, twisted the deadbolt, and unlocked the last lock on the doorknob. Slowly Arienne eased the door open, and the flash of cameras nearly blinded her.

“Ms. Marcos, Channel Nine News. Can we get a statement about what happened yesterday?”

“Ms. Marcos, Saint Petersburg Times. We’d like a word.”

“Arienne. Arienne. Channel Seven. Do you have anything to say?”

Arienne frowned. Standing outside her door were at least fifteen men and women clutching microphones, cameras, and recorders.

“No comment.”

With a smile on her face, Arienne shut the door and locked it behind her.

“They’re like a pariah to society.”

She shook her head.
I hope no one else is being bothered like this.
Arienne was firmly convinced that the media was responsible for many of the world’s ills. With them likely camped outside it looked as if she would be staying in today.

****

Triton paced in his Throne Room. He’d sent a messenger to find Cerceis. After the events of yesterday, he’d spent some time mulling over what was the best way to start his plans for revenge. He was eager to fill Cerceis in.

“To what do I owe the honor of being summoned?”

Triton stopped his pacing. Cerceis strolled towards him. Her flaming red hair was pulled high on her forehead in a tight bun, and she wore another white number, a tank top dress that floated around her waist.

“I wouldn’t have requested your presence if it wasn’t important.”

“So I gathered. Mind telling me what this is all about?”

Triton turned to face Cerceis. Her wide violet eyes studied him closely.

“The reason I summoned you is because I’ve been thinking about what you said. The time for revenge is at hand.”

A tentative smile spread across Cerceis’s face. Her right hand rose and softly caressed her throat. “My, my, what could possibly make you decide to listen to me?”

“A chink in Athena’s armor has finally been revealed.”

“Now I’m curious,” Cerceis said stepping closer to him.

“Athena has a daughter.”

Triton watched Cerceis. Her hands flew to cover her mouth, and her eyes widened as she shook her head.

“No. I don’t believe you.”

Triton gave a short laugh. “I know it sounds unbelievable, and trust me if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes I wouldn’t have believed it.”

“Well don’t keep me in suspense. Tell me how you discovered someone screwed the bitch,” Cerceis said.

“I was leaving from among the humans when I noticed Athena’s presence. I was curious why she was around so I followed her.”

“And she didn’t detect your presence?”

“No. The invincible Athena was completely oblivious. I followed her to a condo and stationed myself outside a window. You might find it interesting that her own flesh and blood doesn’t care for her.”

“That is interesting.”

“It is. Apparently the Goddess of Wisdom doesn’t think her daughter is living as a worthy example of being her daughter.”

“So she’s a condescending bitch to everyone. I’m not the least bit surprised.”

“Neither am I. Athena’s daughter resents her mother for keeping her existence a secret to protect her reputation. Not to mention the fact that the sainted Athena refuses to even see the girl’s father, who apparently still loves her.”

Cerceis clapped her hands together. A wide smile crossed her face. “This is wonderful. All Wise Athena has a bastard daughter. So is the girl’s father a mortal?”

“Yes.”

“He must be extraordinary to grab her attention.”

“I had the same thought,” Triton said.

Cerceis put her hand on Triton’s forearm. “So what do you have in mind, and how can I help?”

“The best way to hurt Athena is through those that she may care about, her daughter and the girl’s father. I say we make them suffer.”

“How?”

“I’m going to ingratiate myself with the girl and then I’ll go for the jugular.”

“That sounds like a plan. Now what about me?” Cerceis asked.

“As soon as we discover who the girl’s father is, perhaps you could take the same approach. I’m sure a mortal man would not be immune to your wiles.”

Cerceis turned away from him, twirling in a circle. Her chest rose, and a flush crossed her face. When she stopped to face him, her eyes were sparkling. With a determined gait, she walked up to him and kissed him full on the mouth. Triton pushed her away.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He wiped his mouth.

“Trying to thank you for coming up with such a brilliant plan and giving us the vengeance we’ve so craved. So how about it, Triton? Sex for old times’ sake?”

“Let’s not confuse things, Cerceis. We are working together, and there will be no rekindling of anything between us,” Triton informed her.

“Play hard to get if you want to, but you’ll change your mind. I’m sure of it.”

“Don’t hold your breath.”

With a smirk, Cerceis disappeared, leaving Triton mercifully alone. She just didn’t get it. For him, the intimacy she offered required trust, and trust was something he no longer shared with Cerceis. In his mind’s eye, he could see her as he had the day they first met. He’d risen from the sea and then he’d seen her, walking across a sand bar, red hair blowing in the wind. A beautiful, carefree smile on her face, Cerceis had been a vision. A vision that had captured his attention and eventually his love. Oh how he’d loved her. He could have never imagined a time when he wouldn’t love her, but then the Fates knew better than anyone. Even a god.

Now, being in her presence took every last ounce of strength he had not to snap her neck for how she’d hurt him. He’d work with her, because despite how things had turned out between them, she’d suffered, too. But that didn’t mean he had to let his guard down around her or any woman. His heart and his body were two different things, and he could thank Cerceis for severing the connection between the two.