Read Kyros' Secret (Greek Myth Series Book 1) Online
Authors: Elizabeth Rose
“No. But Hades has already bent his rules more than he ever has, just for us.”
Lippio cried and Nemos handed the baby to Thera. She cuddled it to her breast and her son calmed instantly.
“It’s time, Thera.” Kyros led her to the seats at the top of the dais. He motioned for Nemos to join them, handing the boy Artemis’ golden bow. The crowd quieted at the site of Kyros’ raised sword.
“Today, as I raise my father’s sword to Artemis, on the feast day of Dionysus,” Kyros said to the crowd, “I will not only become king, but I will join together the Centaurs and the people of Trozen in peace.”
The crowd gave a cheer of approval, and Thera noticed the Centaurs and the Trozens moving closer to one another.
“I will carry out my father’s wish to maintain this peace between the two races. And when I’m someday gone from this world, my son Lippio will take my place and rule as I have ruled.”
Nemos looked nervous, and Kyros rested his hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“Nemos will become the king of the Centaurs today, at my side. He will rule as his father Phylo has ruled before him.”
The sun shone brightly from the window overhead, the beam of light illuminating the dais. Kyros raised his sword up to Artemis, and Nemos did the same with the golden bow. There was a flash of light off the metal of the sword, and another strong flash off the golden bow.
“The fate has been sealed,” announced Chiron, coming to their side. “The Centaurs and the people of Trozen will leave in peace for the next hundred years.”
The crowd cheered and Thera felt the rush of excitement go through her own veins as the Trozens and the Centaurs came together slowly and started to interact.
“I now give you,” said Chiron, “Kyros … the new king of Trozen, and Thera, his queen.”
The crowd cheered. “And Prince Lippio,” continued Chiron. He nodded toward Thera and she handed the baby to Kyros. Sword in one hand, baby in the other, Kyros rose them up for all to see. The crowd went wild and after a few moments, Kyros motioned with his hand to still them.
“And I give you the new king of the Centaurs,” announced Kyros. “Nemos, the first boy-king of the race.”
Nemos smiled and nodded, and Kyros gave him a sour look. “You’re a king now, Nemos,” he whispered. “Let the people know it.”
“I understand,” said Nemos and raised his bow and arrows high, acknowledging both the Centaur race and the Trozens. The crowd cheered and the sound in the hall was deafening. Little Lippio slept through it, and Thera was glad.
“Well, Thera,” asked Kyros. “How does it feel to be queen?”
It was then she noticed the crowns on both hers and Kyros’ head. Also, a crown on Nemos. She put her hand to her crown and thanked Artemis silently for the gift.
“It doesn’t feel half as good as being your wife,” she admitted.
“Well, now how would you know that?” asked Kyros. “You’re not really my wife until the act is consummated.”
“Well then, husband, perhaps we should ask Nemos and Chiron to watch Lippio so I can truly become your wife.”
There was a warm fire burning in the fireplace and a decanter of wine and two goblets on a trunk near the foot of the bed when Kyros carried Thera into the bedchamber and closed the door behind them with his foot. Thera’s senses were heightened, and she smelled the roasted foul and stuffed grape leaves set out on platters by the fire.
“Oh, that smells good, Kyros. I’m so hungry.”
“And so am I, Thera.” He unlatched the scabbard from his waist and tossed the sword on the foot of the bed. “But not for food.”
Thera couldn’t help but think of the night of intimacy she’d had with Kyros when he was in his centaur form - when he was Kaj. Her body tingled and she felt herself wanting to do it all again. But this time she wanted more. So much more. She wanted to couple with Kyros in man form. She wanted to please him as he’d pleased her.
Thera noticed the steamy hot mist rising from a wooden tub on the far side of the room. “I’d like to go in there first,” she said and couldn’t help but feel the disappointment in Kyros’ mind.
“Whatever you want, wife. But I’ll not wait all night before I claim you. I’m not that patient of a man.”
“Every mother has her needs to tend to. Do you realize I’m probably the only virgin mother in the history of Trozen?”
“I can remedy that.”
She made her way to the tub, slipped the gown from her shoulders and let it fall to the floor at her feet. She kept her eyes focused on Kyros and was pleased when she realized he couldn’t help himself from scanning her naked body.
“You … you look quite different than the last time I saw you naked.”
“Of course I do.” She slipped into the water and released her hair from its imprisonment. It fell to her shoulders and she shook it loose around her. “I’m not pregnant anymore. And by the help of the gods in speeding up my healing I think we’ll both find this to our liking.”
“I’ve always found you to my liking, Thera.” Kyros leaned over her.
She laughed and reached out and released the tie from his waist. She ran her hands over his shoulders and let his own garment drop to the ground, exposing his naked body. She ran her hands over his bare chest, feeling every ripple of the muscles beneath her fingers. He bent over more and kissed her on the lips. She took her fingers and ran them through his long, beautiful hair.
“You know, Kyros. I think in a way I’m going to miss Kaj.”
“Thera, Kaj will always be a part of me. And I can be any fantasy of yours you wish.”
She slapped at him playfully and he grabbed her arms. She gave him a quick tug and he fell into the tub with her. Water splashed out over the sides, the smell of the crushed rosemary leaves used to sweeten the water tingled her nostrils.
She brought her lips to his and they shared a kiss. Then Kyros pulled her atop his lap, facing her in a straddling position.
“Are you ready to consummate our marriage, wife? I’ve been dreaming of this moment for a long time.”
“Yes. So have I. I’m ready and willing to become your wife.”
They shared kisses and gentle caresses, husband and wife in a passionate embrace. Then, Thera felt his hands spreading her legs and Kyros entering her and realized just what he was doing.
“Kyros. Is this the proper way to do it? And in the tub?”
“One thing you’re going to have to realize, Thera. Being my wife may mean having to try all sorts of new ways to do it.”
“I see.” She closed her eyes as she felt him settling into her. It felt so right. It felt so real. “I think I’m going to like that part,” she replied.
The next thing she knew he was rocking below her. He grabbed her hips and rocked hers to meet him in a wonderful kind of rhythm. The searing heat of the water was nothing compared to the heat that now consumed her. She was surprised the water didn’t boil beneath them.
Her breathing deepened and she felt herself enliven. She rocked faster, and he matched her.
“Thera,” he whispered, “let me know if I’m hurting you.”
“Don’t jest,” she laughed and threw back her head. The ends of her long hair dipped in the water. “After birthing a baby, nothing can even be considered painful again.”
Kyros chuckled, but never broke the rhythm.
“I … I feel the way I did when we were first joined by Ares’ beam.” She let loose with any restraints and inhibitions. This time she was going to feel it physically. This is the way it should have been the first time they were joined.
“I feel that way too, Thera. Only actually touching you is so much better.” He caressed her body as he spoke.
“Yes!” Thera screamed as she inhaled his musky scent. She could hear his own breathing quicken and this excited her even more. He grabbed her head and kissed her, thrusting his tongue into her mouth as the action was imitated under the water. He tasted like wine, mountain and man. He tasted like freedom. He tasted like her husband.
Their movements quickened as she climbed to the peaks of her mind. She was alive, she was vibrating. For Zeus’ sake, she was this man’s wife. She liked how it felt and wanted to know the feeling even more. And she got to know it three more times all in a matter of minutes. She couldn’t stop herself, and neither did she want to. She wanted to keep on going forever.
Then Kyros joined her in his release of unbridled passion. The breathing was heavy, the heat intense. The pleasure blissful, and the imminent joy was more than she could ever explain. Physical contact put the power of the gods to shame.
He kissed the top of her head and held her tightly. They would be a part of each other from this day on - as man and wife. Humans. Mortals. The power of love living forever, and also having diminished the horrible curse of
Kyros’ Secret.
I hope you enjoyed Kyros and Thera’s story. Greek mythology has always fascinated me, and I loved writing Kyros’ Secret.
I was a big fan of
Xena, Warrior Princess
, and
Hercules:
The Legendary Journeys
, and that is what inspired me to write Greek myth fantasy.
I also love writing medieval romance and chose to combine the two.
A cursed man and a fallen goddess, these two made the perfect pair. And I loved taking them to the Underworld, the best place for dealing with their inner demons.
If you liked the Underworld, you may also enjoy
Thief of Olympus
, where Zarek and Lysandra go to the other end of the spectrum as they go up to Mt. Olympus, home of the gods.
Or if you like prophecies and adventure, follow Andromeda and Perseus though
The Oracle of Delphi
as my hero sets out to slay Medusa.
In
The Pandora Curse
, you’ll meet Vara the Conqueror, descendent of Pandora, plagued by The Furies in her head, and the soothsayer Zarek, with his sidekick – my favorite little minion Baruch.
Watch book trailer video
You may also enjoy some of my other medieval series:
Elemental Series
:
The Dragon and the Dreamwalker
Book 1: Fire
The Duke and the Dryad
Book 2: Earth
The Sword and the Sylph
Book 3: Air
The Sheik and the Siren
Book 4: Water
Or you may want to try
Legacy of the Blade Series:
The books in the
Daughters of the Dagger Series
are:
Book Trailer
Ruby
– Book 1
Sapphire
– Book 2
Amber
– Book 3
Amethyst
– Book 4
This series is followed by my Scottish
Madman MacKeefe
series, with the first book being about the girls’ brother,
Onyx – Book 1
,
who they thought was dead.
Aidan – Book 2
is next,
followed by
Ian – Book 3.
Barons of the Cinque Ports Series
:
The Baron’s Quest
– Book 1
The Baron’s Bounty
– Book 2
The Baron’s Destiny
– Book 3
Tangled Tales Series:
Lady and the Wolf
(Riding Hood)
Just a Kiss
(Frog Prince)
Please be sure to visit my website at
Elizabethrosenovels.com
for more information on this series and to subscribe to my blog in order to receive updates about new releases. You can also read excerpts from any of my novels on my website as well as get sneak peeks at covers of upcoming books. And please remember that there are other authors by the same name, but my novels can be identified by the rose on every cover. Be sure to take a look at my new
book trailer videos
as well. And if you’d like to follow me on twitter, my handle is ElizRoseNovels, and my facebook is Elizabeth Rose – Author (don’t forget the dash.)
I have included some excerpts for your enjoyment. Thanks for your support!
Elizabeth Rose