Yay for my new youtube playlist. It's great for writing.

I mostly listened to (in order) Caledonia by Celtic Woman(Lisa Kelly),

You Picked Me by A Fine Frenzy

You and I by Ingrid Michaelson, to write this chapter.

PLEASE REVIEW!!! Tell me what you liked and what you didn't. Much love, Cat.

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Panting, Ares finally lifted his head from hers. He gently cupped her jaw in his hand. Gaia, but he wanted to lift her into his arms and just take her back to his room. But considering what had happened last time and given how difficult it had been to enter the Underworld, he thought better of it. Besides, he reminded himself, he wanted more from her. What, he wasn't quite sure, but he sensed that there was something more to be gained by engaging in an affair with Athena and he was determined to find out what it was. He laid his cheek atop her head as he struggled to calm his breathing, cognizant of the fact that her soft curves were still pressed tightly against him, fitting perfectly against the hard angles of his body, but reluctant to change their position despite the discomfort it was causing him. "Athena," he said huskily.

She lifted her head, meeting his gaze with heavy-lidded eyes darkened with desire.

He swallowed hard before continuing, almost giving into the longing he read in her face. Tartarus, this was difficult. If he ever survived this, he promised he would savor every moment with her. But it would better not to think about that now before he became distracted. "Would you like to dance?" he asked, his voice almost as deep as his father's with the need to let her do as she clearly wished, given her unwavering gaze on his lips, and kiss him again. "Athena?" he prompted, his voice not smooth like Hades', but rough with desire as he helplessly bent his head to hers, unable to resist any longer when it went so far against his natural inclinations.

"Yes," Athena whispered when his lips had almost reached hers. Just a fraction closer and she would have been able to feel those soft, firm lips ardently pressed against her own, simultaneously worshipping and possessing, teasing and attacking. Gaia, but she loved his kisses. She had to stay focused though. She wanted more than kisses, more than an affair, she wanted...

He halted, taking a moment to collect himself before reaching down and drawing her hand from her side and lifting it to his lips, tenderly brushing his lips against the soft skin on the back of her hand, his eyes holding hers captive for the duration, his warmth breath against her skin making her determination not to give in to his charm falter. Just as her knees began to grow weak and she thought she might embarrass herself by collapsing and sagging against him, he slipped his fingers through hers and led her to the pool of water.

"Ares," she murmured uncertainly.

"Trust me," he said with a smile, a wickedly teasing glint in his eyes.

If only he knew that she would follow him anywhere. She was amazed when upon stepping into the pool, she actually stepped onto it, her delicate sandals remaining quite dry. They lived in a world with extraordinary things that mere mortals could never even conceive of but even she had never seen anything like this. "Ares?"

"You didn't think there was just the ceiling did you?" he queried. He grinned, drawing her into his arms, keeping a hold of her hand and swinging her around so she naturally placed her other hand around his neck to keep her balance. He settled his hand against her waist.

She was graceful when walking or riding or on the battlefield but she was hopeless when it came to dancing. He seemed to sense this and established an easy rhythm, drawing her so close that his every movement was hers. Athena relaxed against him, letting her head fall against his chest and letting him lead her in circles around the dance floor. "Did I mention how beautiful you look?" he murmured against her hair.

"Hmn," she hummed, "I think your exact words were 'you look incredible'."

"You look beautiful, then," he said softly.

Athena tipped her head up to look at him. How could such simple words sound so weighted with meaning when he said them? Was she imagining it all or did he also feel the pull between them? She didn't know when it had happened but suddenly every fragment of her being wanted desperately for that hidden meaning to be there, for him to be the man she spent the rest of her life with. Instead of voicing these thoughts, she merely stroked the side of his face lightly with her hand, pressing a soft kiss against his lips before nestling her head back against his chest and reveling in the feel of his arms around her and the knowledge that at least for the time being, in this enchanted dream world, he was hers.