HERE WE GO…..SLOLWY PUTTING THAT SHOW ON THE ROAD….
"About that battledress…..''she finally voiced, breaking free from his embrace, sighing at the mere idea of having to leave the comfort of his arms for a meaningless fight with a handful of lousy peasants that she was going to crush like bugs under her leather boots anyway, mainly for their offensive audacity to actually think they stood a real chance facing her. Given her reputation, and taking into account their blatant lack of experience, they were supposed to be desperately bargaining for their lives - or at least send a messenger to discuss the terms of their inevitable surrender….She would have probably spared their boring, worthless village in exchange for some supplies for her army- at least that was what she would have considered acceptable before that shocking discovery in the early hours of the morning...
'' I know, I know….''the War God simply answered, giving her body an impossibly sinful once over before he materialized a slightly more decent version of the original battle dress he had in mind for her .
''Go ahead and spoil all the fun for me, will ya'?'' he jokingly remarked, devilishly arching an eyebrow at the way that corset still molded perfectly around her waist ….As for those breasts …Let's just say that she could have made even a potato sack look good, without the slightest effort.
''Well, you can have your share of fun on the battlefield, if that's what you're after …''
"I really don't see how beheading a few mindless villagers could ever qualify as fun, but, for the sake of conversation, have it your way ….''
''You must be getting old, Ares '' she murmured sensually, and his eyes narrowed for the slightest second at her statement only to close shut the moment she pulled him into a frantic kiss- possessive and enslaving, just like his always were ….
She definitely left him breathless…Breathless and speechless and desperately longing for more. The subtle perfume of desire on her skin was intoxicating his senses, and in this new light, his self imposed limits appeared rather scandalous at the moment- so ridiculous that for a brief instant he seriously considered leaving all morals aside and just use his godly powers on her, forcing her to lose control and just give in to that primal urge that he could just tell was burning her on the inside, sending wave after wave of heat through her visibly aroused form.
''Want me to contradict you on that ….?'' he lowly inquired, his voice thick with growing lust as his mouth brushed lightly across hers, slowly sliding his tongue against the crease of her lips when an answer failed to be delivered, gradually turning the kiss even deeper with every passing second and with every ragged breath she was taking…
''Maybe later…'' she whimpered, summoning all her will to put some distance between them. Her head was spinning under the effect of that devastating, hopeless attraction she felt for him , but those still bleeding, deep cuts on her heart were still too recent, despite his obvious efforts to patch them up….
This time he didn't say anything. He just bit those gorgeous lips of his – still wet from their previous kisses- and headed for the table instead .
''See you at the outskirts of the village then….''he finally voiced, on an almost cold, emotionless tone. This new attitude of hers was starting to get on his nerves. The smothering reality of wanting her the way he did, without being able to actually act on his fantasies was driving him crazy…She was his- his property, his Chosen , his gods damn slave if that was what he desired, and yet, she was callously denying him even that basic pleasure of enjoying her body…and for what ?! Without even realizing it, red sparkles began forming on the tip of his fingers. He was so tempted to torch that place to a crisp that he could barely think straight anymore…
''Ares ?''
His sister's unmistakable voice put at least a temporary halt to his maniacal intentions.
''Dite …What are you doing here ? Where's Xena ?!"' he asked, his still pitch black eyes scanning the tent for his Chosen .
''She just left …'' the Goddess of Love answered with a frown, visibly confused by his question. ''What happened?'' she inquired, not really sure whether asking for such information at that particular time was wise or not …
''Nothing happened, Sis….That's precisely the problem- Nothing ….''he stressed, raking his fingers through his hair in the vain attempt to calm down at least a bit.
''Oh Ar !…..Just give her some time. She'll come around. '' she vainly tried to cheer him up. ''Don't get your panties in a bunch just for that...You know what they say... "
''I can't give her time , Dite!'' he yelled at her, despite himself. ''I feel like I'm losing her….''he then muttered , turning around and grabbing the goblet of wine his Princess had left behind.
'' Well... pressuring her into doing something she doesn't want to, won't help much, either. You do realize that, don't you ?"
''I'm not pressuring her into doing anything!'' he bit back, really annoyed now by her insinuation- and he was just about to add something else to that line, when, right as the goblet reached his lips, he froze in place, literally thinking he was imagining things….
''Well I sure hope that's true, cause it wouldn't help your cause any . Plus, all that….''she went on ranting, only to stop in mid sentence as she finally noticed his overly focused gaze on the goblet he was now clutching so hard as if he were trying to strangle it.
''What's wrong ?'''she poped the question, seeming genuinely intrigued by the unusual sight before her.
''Black cherry wine…''he absently responded, without actually looking at her- his mind still busy with a completely different task …
''What about it ? ''the Love Goddes insisted, not really knowing what to make of that information.
''This is Xena's wine …..''he clarified, struggling to put the pieces together.
''How could this be ?!'''
''I have no clue …..''he confessed, briefly glancing at his sister as a very unsettling feeling began welling inside his chest.
''Do you think that Amytis had anything to do with it ? ''
''I sure don't believe in coincidences….'' he mumbled- for the second time that day.
''But how could she have placed it here, Ar ? She is a wicth, yeah, but... she can't use vortexes, can she ?!"'
''Not as far as I know…''he replied, pensively stroking his goatee, and despite herself, the Love Goddess couldn't suppress that fascinated teenager smile that seized her lips. He was sooooo freaking sexy, whenever he did that!
''Well….I'm sure you'll figure it out …Anyhow…I almost forgot! I kinda overheard an interesting conversation between Daddy and 'Thena today- that's why I was looking for you ….''
Just as expected, her statement instantly got his undivided attention, much to Aphrodite's delight, of course.
''Did you, now ?''
''I sure diiiiddd…''she mentioned, making a small mirror appear in front of her.
''Aaaanddd….what were they talking about ?!'' he rushed to ask, makig an effort to keep himself from slapping that accursed pink lipstick from her hand.
''Well, I didn't really hear all of it, but I'm pretty sure they were discussing the possibility of a long-lasting alliance between Athens, Corinth, Tessaly and Megara…''
''What ?!How?! Why?! That's literally impossible…''
''Daddy sure seems to think otherwise. Apparently, they need to join forces in front of a very imminent threat…..''
''Me…..'' he stated, barely above a breath.
''You must be a very dangerous guy, Bro, if Athena had to run to Daddy for help …''
''Oh, you have no idea…..Thanks for the tip, Sis…''he mentioned, placing a light, tender kiss on her strawberry pink lips, ready to dematerialize from the place.
''Where are you going ?!''
'' 'Got some urgent matters to attend to. Keep an eye on Xena for me, will ya' ?''
''Sure thing Stud …'' the Love Goddess replied, carefully applying a generous layer of gloss on top of that amazingly vibrant colour she was already wearing.
XXX
A few seconds later, she was right behind the Warrior Princess who was rigorously checking the weapon supply.
''Heya there, Chicka!''
''Dite ! Are you crazy ?! What are you doing here ?!"'the dark haired Chosen of War uttered, on the harshest tone she could produce, immediately looking around to see if any of the soldiers had spotted her.
''Relaxxxx! They can't see me. I'm invisible …..''she tried to reassure her. ''Plus, it's not like they wouldn't appreciate such a marvelous sight….''she added, pointing to that killer body of hers- which was, as always, barely covered by those few transparent veils she liked to call a dress.
''I'm sure they would.'' Xena hissed through clenched teeth. ''But I need them focused for today's battle! ''
''I know, I know. Just teasing you, Babe…Anyway… came to tell you that he totally fell for it….'' she victoriously announced, barely whispering the last part- it was a secret after all. ''The black cherry wine, Silly….It worked!'' she detailed, the moment she noticed her friend's confused expression.
''Perfect! Where is he now ?'' the Warrior Princess inquired in a low, calculated voice.
''I'm not sure. Some wild goose chase and hence, out of your hair. Busy for the next couple of hours, just like you wanted it.''
''Thanks Dite. ''
''Are you sure this is a good idea, Xe ?'' the Love Goddess couldn't hold back the question, visibly worried for her friend.''
''Positive. Do you have what I asked for ?''
''Of course- I told you you could count on me. Here it is….'' she answered, discreetly placing a small package in Xena's hand- despite the fact that there was no one around and that no mortal eye could actually see her anyway.
''Sweetie, I sure hope this works….'cause if Bro were to find out we have been scheeming behind his back, he would skin us alive…You know how he feels about this stuff! ''
''He won't. Everything will be fine, I promise….''
''Please, PLEASE stay safe …..'' Dite felt the need to repeat, doing her best to keep her cool.
''Just make sure Ares doesn't get anywhere near that battlefield sooner than he should. Ok?''
''Gotcha….'' came the weak, completely unconvinced response. For some reason, she had a bad feeling about this...