Chapter Eleven
They were sent back to the forge fire room before Phobos closed the gap between their lips, as Will felt a flare of want deep within her.
The transition caused Phobos to pause, giving Will enough time to pull away.
"Phobos, stop," she pleaded, heart racing. "We can't."
"In this place, with just you and I, why not?" he countered, moving to her again, greedy, selfish hands pulling her hips to his. "We passed the trial. You know what you feel is real."
Will swallowed, a strange bit of guilt rising in her. "I… need to tell you something," she admitted, hands pushing at his hard chest.
Phobos wasn't that interested, enjoying the feel of her soft body against his as he pushed her to the wall. It was a strange new battle between them, one he wanted to win, as he felt her hands rub across his pecs. She was in a daze, body craving him as she fought to keep things proper.
"When we got stuck in here, and you asked what my 'request' meant… I lied. It's not about trust," she admitted, brown eyes looking nervously up at him. "I… was joking. I didn't mean… I didn't think…."
"What does it mean?" he asked, curious why she would bring that up now.
She blushed, looking away. "'Sparks flying between', used like that, means… chemistry between two people." She bit her lip. "Sexual chemistry." She looked back at him. "That's why the forge has been pushing us together, like this. It's what I asked for…."
"Interesting," Phobos mused. "You knew this whole time where this would lead? Yet said nothing until we arrived?"
"I didn't want to admit it was what I asked for. I thought it didn't matter, you know? Because it was you here and there was no way I could feel… this… for you."
"And what is this?" he pressed, wanting her to say it.
She shook her head, still fighting. "It wasn't right. You didn't know. I lied, and now we are in this mess."
"Tsk, tsk, Keeper. Lying and trying to bed me, of all things? I doubt your goddess would approve. Maybe Elba is right and you are a bad influence after all?"
"Phobos!" Will snapped, confused why he was acting like this was some joke. "I'm not trying to bed you, you asshole! I'm trying to tell you I- mmph!?"
Will reflexively gripped his robes as his mouth smashed to hers, done talking. She struggled in her shock as his arms snaked around her wiggling body, locking her against him. His hot lips pressed to hers as one hand trailed up her back and into her red hair. Gripping her nape, he pulled them apart with a 'pop' of their wet lips.
"I always find myself in approval of your plans, Wilhelmina," he purred, eyes dark and hungry. "And this plan, to let us fall prey to the wilds of the other, has been masterful."
His mouth found hers again, making her head spin, and he roughly bit her bottom lip, ready to take things farther.
"I approve," Prince Phobos growled. "Greatly."
Will, needing her head to stay still for a few seconds, pushed him away and scrambled to get space between them.
"I didn't plan this!" she argued. "This is a fluke, Phobos! The only way we could feel this for each other is with an ancient magical fire holding our hands! Doesn't that bother you? That even if it is real, we never would have chosen this for ourselves?"
"Why does that matter to you, of all people?" Phobos inquired, confused.
"Because we should have a say about this!"
Phobos' brow pulled together. "You are the chosen one of Xin Jing, your life is not your own. For all you know, this is the core of her plan." He paused, the idea making more sense as he thought of it. "Actually, given what we saw with Xin Jing and Elba, it might not be a leap to assume Xin Jing made sure you ended up in here with me, over everyone else for that reason."
Will paled. "Are you saying Xin Jing might pimp me out to try to get back on Elba's good side?" she asked, appalled.
"If 'pimping' implies fostering a relationship, then yes. As I defending you from Elba's wrath would be beneficial for you."
"So you're my meat shield now?"
"That appears so."
Will crossed her arms, unsure. "Phobos, I don't like the idea that even this is already picked out for me. I want some… control. Over at least who I fall for."
Phobos narrowed his eyes, understanding but also annoyed. "Why does any of that matter? You rather ignore what has been proven to be your own feelings, because your own goddess gave you the chance to develop them? Would not most people call that 'divine intervention'? Why frown upon that?"
"Why can't one thing be by chance?" she near yelled, angry at the surrounding events. "Why can't my love life just be simple? Normal?" She waved a hand at him. "Because this won't be easy, you know? When we leave here, how am I…? How are we…?"
Phobos smirked, understanding. "By you saying so," he said, matter of fact. "You are the Light of Infinity. If you, say, wished to pardon me into your care, who shall challenge you?"
"You know, making it sound like you just want to use me to escape prison is just so damn romantic," Will deadpanned.
He shrugged. "I doubt Deimos is going to let me rot in a cell," he pointed out. "So either I am freed, as a child of Elba, or you all face her endless wrath. Simple choice, no?"
Will blew a bit of hair from her face. "Oh, now you're related to them? What happened to 'I'm not brothers with a horse'? Hmm?"
"I have had time to mull over the advantage given to one connected so closely to a nymph. When we leave this place, things will be different for everyone," he pointed out. "I will have a rightful place on Kandrakar."
He stalked towards her, reaching out to run a finger across her jaw. "With you," he purred. "Let us join together, in more ways than one."
Will stepped back, shaking her head. "You… you can't be serious? The Oracle isn't going to just let you waltz into Kandrakar and start running shit!"
"Who said I would 'run shit'? You are chosen by Xin Jing. The Oracle by N'Ghala. And now I am a vessel of an elder god of Elba's. I merely want a seat at the table I am owed." He looked her up and down. "Maybe you should sit at that table as well, and stop letting the Oracle make you his puppet. You should learn to council with your goddess, like he does his."
Will opened her mouth a few useless times, not sure how to argue with any of that.
He was right, she knew. Elba would not let Phobos get thrown into a cell after Deimos was released onto the mortal plane to aid him. And, after finding out the source of Phobos' yearning, that he was forcefully disconnected from Elba's magic and his soul naturally sought to replace that connection, Kandrakar was actually the best place for him. There, with access to all the knowledge of the universe, he could research how to purify his soul and reconnect to Elba, thus soothing her anger.
It actually would be Kandrakar's duty to help return Elba's stolen child to her.
But Phobos would be a nightmare.
He was obstinate and pigheaded. And would expect to be waited on hand and foot given his new 'elder god' status.
Will groaned. "Fucking hell! I'm never going to be rid of you, am I?"
"Why, Keeper, why would you want me away? You have clung to me so desperately during our time here. And, given we switched bodies, we are both amply aware of the perks of the other."
Will pointed a finger at him, not ready to give in. "Even if you are allowed on Kandrakar, we would be a horrible couple! Just because we work together in a magical trap, and once a few years ago, means nothing. If I have to work with you, then not being… together makes more sense."
"Your stubbornness knows no bounds," Phobos stated. "If your own goddess cannot make you see reason, then why do I waste my breath?"
"I'm not being stubborn! I'm serious, Phobos," she said, sadly. "Getting people to not… lose their shit when we leave here will be hard enough. And Kandrakar is far more likely to listen to what I saw if you're not trying to shove your tongue down my throat in front of them."
Prince Phobos, in all his time on the mortal plane, never met someone who both drew him in with her unmatched strength and power of will, while repelling him with her misplaced sense of loyalty and self-sacrifice.
"This is pointless," Phobos said, growing bored with their roundabout conversation. "You have the same knowledge as I do. If that is the conclusion you wish to draw, then that is your choice."
The keeper looked at him, brown eyes filled with frustration and something darker.
When he left the forge, he would have a chance at freedom and a status he deserved. Having the Keeper as something more than a repeat adversary was just a passing fancy… he had thought.
Yet, seeing his past self fawn over the red-head showed him she was a weakness of his. That as long as they crossed paths, he would grow to enjoy her stubborn, hot-head, annoyingly righteous company.
Seeing how her past self smiled and laughed with him, had let herself show a rare moment of vulnerability, he knew she felt the same.
But only she could decide to act on it. And overall, building a relationship with the Keeper was so far down on his list of concerns, he was willing to let it go. For now.
"Yet you have made your choice evident," Phobos conceded. "I only wonder where that leaves us? We are still here, undergoing trials to foster intimacy between us. Are we to wait now for my sister to free us?"
Will shrugged, feeling her heart clench at Phobos' acceptance. As much as she hated to admit it, she wanted to feel him on her again. Feel his lips capture hers.
"I guess."
And, unknown to them, as neither of them were willing to let go of the part of them that yearned for a chance with the other, the Oath Forge was forced to give them another challenge.
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no," Taranee chanted, brain near broken from what they saw, or near saw, as the image fell dark before Phobos… before he….
"Nope!" Cornelia called, waving her arms in a form of an 'X'. "Not real! I call bullshit! Bullshit on all of this! This place, that door, this fucking pool, that bench, all of it!"
Caleb was standing at a far wall, staring blankly at it, wanting the pure white wall to be the only image burned into his brain.
Hay-Lin was red, hands covering her mouth, unable to look away from the clear water. "Did he…? Did he… kiss Will?"
Elyon and Deimos were equally appalled, but for opposite reasons. As the queen could not believe her friend would ever let Phobos near her like that in such a… trusting manner. And the demi god couldn't believe his brother had been led astray so far by the same mortal he was meant to slay.
"No!" Taranee called. "It didn't show that, right?" she said in denial. "We can't just assume Will and Phobos… that Phobos tried to…" The fire master couldn't finish her troubled thoughts, the truth painfully clear.
Galgheita shifted, uncomfortable. She was no stranger to how young people often fell for those who weren't a good match. Yet, having seen their courtship unfold, it was clear this was not one of those times. The two balanced each other and worked well. Looking around, she knew her former students didn't want to hear that, so she stayed quiet as they all fell into despair.
Miranda was frowning, not as disturbed as the other women, but also not a fan of Phobos winning the affection of the keeper. Because, of damn course, that bloody bastard got her, of all people, to fall for him. That man would be untouchable now. While she knew it wasn't his plan, it was still going to be an advantage he would not disregard.
Irma, for a moment, wondered why she was so unbothered by the turn of events, when her friends all were having major meltdowns. Years of telenovela training had prepared her for the tricky hearts of young lovers, and the two in the pool were playing their parts to a 'T'. Will wasn't a sweet little princess, being seduced by the vile, evil prince. No, she was the kick ass leader of the Guardians of Infinity. Irma knew Will could handle herself. And the way Will looked at Phobos as he leaned down to kiss her was all she needed to see to know how her friend felt.
"I mean, yeah, they did," Irma said. "Kinda been a long time coming, guys."
Cedric sighed, annoyed to have to see his former master fall for their great adversary. There was no reason to believe that the forge was going to settle for them just being friends. No, they would leave that room as the most unfairly powerful, and annoying, couple in all the realms. Was there a place farther than Earth they could flee to? He honestly did not want to witness both their courting and bickering for years to come.
"This will make him even more insufferable, having won her heart," Cedric stated, wishing him and his own mate could take their leave.
"No one has won anyone's anything, snake!" Cornelia argued. "Him trying to hit on her only means we need to get her out of there before he's trying to feel her up!"
Irma gave a thoughtful hum and pointed to the close doors where the two were now. "You know, it's probably a good thing we can't see them between trials."
Elyon glanced at the closed door and slid back. She had been trying to not think of that with her brother, but Irma's knowing grin was enough for the floodgates to burst open. The horrible, horrible floodgates.
"Please stop," Elyon called, face hot and head spinning.
Deimos snorted, agreeing. Mortals were horny little bastards.
"And why are you so chill about this?" Cornelia yelled at Irma, upset and confused.
"Because I saw this shit like two episodes ago. Ya need to pay attention to context clues better."
"This isn't a joke!" Taranee snapped. "It's Will and Phobos…!" she stopped, unable to finish that thought.
Irma rolled her eyes. "What? Banging like magic bunnies behind a door that's right next to us? Possible."
Near everyone paled, glancing at the door, fearfully quiet as if they could hear it happening.
"Or maybe not," she added, looking at her nails. "It doesn't matter."
"But it's Phobos," Hay-Lin said, meekly. "We can't trust him alone with Will."
"You guys know they are alone? Like they have been alone this whole time. They don't know we're out here creeping on them like a bunch of pervs. We saw Phobos save her, saw him help her, even after learning all that shit about Nerissa, Xin Jing, and Elba. How much do we need to see before we know he really cares for her?" Irma gently argued.
"Actually," Galgheita spoke up. "I think we are a part of their trial as well."
"What do you mean?" Cedric inquired, wanting something else to talk about other than Phobos bedding the keeper.
"I have been thinking about how the trial with Nerissa only started when Julian and Caleb were present.
Caleb, still moping, dragged himself from his wall and rejoined them.
"That was a large coincidence," Caleb said, hugging Cornelia for some much needed comfort.
Galgheita nodded. "Too large. And look at the last trial. That 'good memory' had all of you there."
"Not me," Irma pouted.
"Almost everyone," she corrected, looking at both the water master and the queen in apology before pressing on. "You all are connected to this. Why have a viewing room if the viewers did not matter? Any bonds they make in there shall be tested, mainly by those here. Will holds her friends in the highest regards. If you all disapprove of her ties to Phobos, she may never act on them."
"As sickeningly sweet as that is, why are we here, then?" Miranda asked. "Prince Phobos does not care about our disapproval."
"Are… you sure?" Hay-Lin spoke up. "You guys always end up back together. And you even said he took a chance on you two when no one else would. Maybe he cares, after all?"
Miranda and Cedric looked at each other before bursting into a fit of laughter.
"Oh, thank you, air guardian!" Miranda said, smiling widely. "For that joke! I was letting all this get to me. I must remember we shall be forever free of him soon."
Hay-Lin shook her head. Not about to press the matter.
The pool brightened, showing the next challenge started, making the group fall quiet to watch.
It was an office. One filled with old, out-of-place objects, like heavy metal fan, typewriter, gramophone, dial telephone, clunky lamp, and bulky desk. All the wood was dark, with muted greens and pasty yellows accenting the room. The desk had wooden chairs around it, worn with age and overuse. The many file cabinets around the room were stuffed full, letting papers and manila envelopes peek out, bent and tattered.
There were various personal touches around the room. A globe- missing Iceland and New Zealand, of course- books, ornate boxes, and so on. With framed pictures, degrees, and newspaper cutouts all around them.
Sitting at the head of the desk was Will, looking around, confused. She was dressed in tight, high-waisted gray pinstriped trousers with two rows of copper buttons and black suspenders. The white button-up shirt was ruffled at the neck and folded up to her elbows. She wore simple leather boots with a low heel that clicked as she stood up and walked around the room.
Phobos, who had been standing at the side of her chair, was in a full suit, a slightly darker gray than Will's pants. The fit was loose, but not unappealingly so, still able to show off his physique and stature. His black leather loafers lightly slapped against the wooden floor as he toured the room, curious.
"Earth?" he called, touching the globe.
Will nodded slowly. "Kinda."
Just then, the door, with a frosted square window, flew open, a blond woman charging in. She was tall, hair curled to perfection that bounced as she moved, eyes a clear blue. Her red dress was made of silk, with a low neckline that barely seemed to do its job. She wore a loose black silk shawl around her, black fur along its edges, and black heels to match.
"Cornelia?" Will called, jaw dropping. "Where the hell you get that dress?"
"It seems you know of me," the blond drawled, moving to sit on a wooden chair, legs crossed, as she pulled out a cigarette from god knows where. "But that is to be expected, with the great Detective Vandom, I suppose." She said, pulling a lighter from that same hidden place and igniting her cigarette in a quick flash of fire and harsh snap of metal. "Know I prefer Miss Hale. As I am not here for pleasantries."
Will, confused, asked. "And, um, what are you here for then?"
Miss Hale took a long drag, releasing the smoke in a perfect ring as her blue eyes looked at Will.
"I am here to hire you, Detective. I believe my sister's life is in danger and only you can save her."
Irma pumped her arm in the air, excited at the next trial. "Oh, hell yeah, baby! Noir detective time! Let's go!"
