OK. New chapter. Feeling it out. Just going to write and see what happens. No plan...
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He stretched his neck back but he could no longer see her. She had moved from the balcony back into her room. If he knew her, and he did, she would be weighing her options, thinking of all the reasons why she shouldn't go down and kiss him. Not only was he aching to hold her in his arms again, to smell the light scent of roses on her skin, to feel her graceful arms locked around his neck, clutching his shoulders, holding him tightly as he plundered her sweet, soft mouth, he wanted to be able to prove her wrong. He wanted to force her to admit that her feelings for him hadn't died. They couldn't have. "Athena!" he yelled up to her, knowing he should put a halt to her thoughts before she decided against coming down and facing him.
"Ares, I don't think..."
Feeling his heart beating wildly he nevertheless affected an air of arrogance and began taunting her. "Don't tell me you're afraid. You aren't are you? Is it that you know I'm right? You haven't forgotten about me. You know you want to come down and kiss me. Just give in to your urges, my darling. Come down here and tell me you love me. We can put all of this nonsense behind us." His voice became husky with passion. "I know you haven't forgotten our night together any more than I have. You were so beautiful and passionate that night, my darling. You overwhelmed me with your innocence and your willingness to learn. No other woman has ever given herself to me so wholly, without any restraint. I need to hold you in my arms once more."
There was no response from the balcony.
"Athena? Athena!" he shouted.
With her back pressed up against the wall right beside the window Athena stood with one hand clamped over her mouth and another over her stomach. One hand kept her from responding to him and the other was keeping her from being sick. Nonsense? Nonsense! He considered it nonsense to share her bed while he was engaging in an affair with a married woman? To lie to her and tell her that he hadn't been with anyone in months and he wanted to put his past behind him? And now he thought to lure her with the memories of their passion and the promise of future embraces? Was he deranged or simply a gigantic idiot? Did he think she was so...so easy? So stupid? So...pathetic? Misery swamped her as the spear that seemed to have been lodged in her stomach since she saw him with Aphrodite seemed to twist painfully. She was. She might as well admit it to herself. She was dying to kiss him. She was desperate to have him lie to her. Tartarus, she'd probably believe his lies whatever they were rather than face the fact that she had been duped. What's wrong with you, Athena? Are you so eager for a man that you'll take this worthless rogue who lies to you and cheats on you just so you'll have someone to warm your bed at night?
She steeled herself, tamping down her emotions and walking calmly down the stairs to him with all the grace of Hera, her carriage proud, yet delicate. "There is no reason for me to prove anything to you, Ares. I have told you time and time again that I do not love you. I will not be tricked into bestowing my favors upon you."
"You're just afraid of admitting the truth. You-"
"No, Ares," she interrupted. "I simply did not wish to betray the man I love. But if it means that you will let me be, I'm sure he would not object." Taking advantage of his shock, she leaned over and pulled his head down to hers, sliding her tongue into his conveniently open mouth. She put all of her heart into the kiss, knowing it would be the last they would share. She gave him little time to react and when he was about to put his arms about her and crush her to him, she pulled away. "You will agree our bargain has been met. I do not love you, Ares."
He shook his head, trying to reign in all of the violent emotions rushing through him. "You cannot mean that. I know you love me. You...," a predatory glint came into his eyes. "What man? If not me, then who is it that you love? If you are telling the truth, I swear to Gaia that I will rip him limb from limb for taking you from me."
At that moment a handsome, blond man made his way to them. "Ah, Athena. Beautiful as ever. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, Apollo. Just allow me to change my gown." She blinked and in less than a second she was in a stunning teal dress that set off her dark hair. "Goodbye, Ares," she murmured, taking Apollo's proffered arm and accompanying him to his carriage. She knew he would take the subtle gesture to mean that Apollo was the man she had chosen. She only hoped she had made the right decision in rejecting him.
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Yes, well. I know they are supposed to be different stories but I like the characters I am using so (I'm not making any promises) but you'll probably see the same characters in all of the stories. What do we think of this new development? Please REVIEW!! Much love, Cat.