When Xena opened her eyes, the sun was getting ready to set, and through the wrought iron grate of a large window, a reddish light was casting an elaborate, flowery pattern on the opposite wall.
Squeezing her eyes a bit as she tried to adjust to the light, the Warrior Princess cleared her throat, instinctively looking to her right were the War God was supposed to be sleeping. He wasn't there anymore, but in his place, on the pillow, she immediately spotted a beautiful black rose, identical with the one he had given her the night they made love for the first time. An instant smile appeared on her face, and rolling onto his side of the bed, she cradled the soft flower at her chest. To her, it was precious, just like his gesture.….
That beaming smile only extended even more the second flashbacks of their lovemaking along with the lingering scent of his cologne dragged her back into a scene that had unfolded a few hours before, but that definitely still had the power to make her tremble with delight.
It was his insatiable lust that had taken her by surprise from the very beginning but truth be told, what really got to her had little to do with his divine ability to awake an entire kaleidoscope of sensations in her body but everything with his unbelievable capacity of reading her like an open book.
As seconds passed, she once again found herself blinking in disbelief as she remembered the words he had whispered into her ear while his fingers kept biting harder and harder into her thighs, eager to claim her, right before the dress vanished from her aroused form- leaving her this time completely naked in his arms.
''Honey, just trust me on this, from head to toe, you are absolutely perfect and even if you weren't, your personality alone could drive any man on the face of the earth crazy without you having to put the slightest effort into it …''
How did he do it? How did he know about her fears and insecurities, about her lack of confidence and her need for validation?
As for his voice….she could still replay it so clearly in her head as if she had only heard it seconds before- that maddeningly soft texture of those cascading sounds that contrasted blatantly with the assuredness in which he had uttered his message- by all Gods and Goddesses, for a brief moment, the realization that she was falling head over heels in love with him, was heart stoppingly terrifying. ….But then again, she recalled his fingers, roaming everywhere, in and out of her, making her tremble and whimper with desire and strangling need…Guilt, doubt, indecision, they all faded away in less than a blink. She didn't care anymore. How could she resist him, really?
While one deep thrust after another kept replaying into her mind, the Warrior Princess could feel the slick moisture between her thighs taunting her, and unconsciously, her legs parted and her hand found its way down almost on its own accord, as if wanting to check if all that wetness was actually real and not only a figment of her imagination. She quivered at the contact of her index with the hot, slippery flesh, and she exhaled slowly as a similar sensation of the War God's fingers teasing her entrance came to her mind again, making her close her eyes as if wanting to focus harder on that memory.
That seductive smile curving his lips as she came on his hand right before he replaced it with his twitching cock, had remained engraved on her retina , just like the sound of his labored breaths- as with a lusty enthusiasm he pushed her closer and closer towards the brink of that unforgettable orgasm he had promised. Her strangled cries, the strands of hair covering her face as he brutally pushed her head against the carpet- although just a few feet away, they did not make it to the bed-, his strong grip around her waist- keeping her in place- that sultry, unrecognizable voice as the tension kept building inside her up to the point where a symphony of moans exploded violently from deep within her chest, the pleasure mixed with pain as he kept hammering relentlessly inside her- everything was just right. In that lust filled haze it didn't even matter if it hurt or not, anyway…..
Soon enough, through that heavenly blur and the wet slapping sounds of their fucking, a blazing heat spread like wildfire from between her legs to her entire body and back, followed by an unprecedented series of spasms that for a few seconds made her believe that her brain was going to melt from the pleasure zinging through her.
Before she knew it, eyes closed tight and lips half parted ( enslaved by those images continuously replaying into her mind combined with that vivid, overwhelming sensation of being completely filled by him) young Xena didn't even realize when it was that her fingers had began reproducing those exact, same thrusts, but, just as she managed to settle a pleasant enough rhythm for her little play, a very familiar presence froze her any movement in place.
''Oh please, don't stop on my account….'' the bubbly Love Goddess offered a half mumbled apology , appearing more than ecstatic though to witness that ultimately erotic scene she had stumbled upon. ''You're doing great! Just a bit more to the left if you ask me, but this is a fabulous start!''
''Aphrodite! ''Xena exclaimed, both shocked and frustrated with the interruption while desperately looking for something to cover herself up.
'' Are you for real?! Like hello….Goddess of Love here ( sex included of course). No need to get all shy about it Babe! There's NOTHING I haven't seen before- and I mean that.''
''Have you ever heard about the notion of privacy, Dite?!'' the Warrior Princess shouted, throwing her a murderous glare.
''I'm not really sure…I might have .What about it?'' the Love Goddess jokingly replied, aware of the fact that the mood of their conversation needed to change.
''Cut it out Dite! You should have…..knocked or something!'' Xena's assault continued on the same cutting tone as before.
''Like from the aether?!''
''I don't know. Just….'what are you even doing here?!'.
The Chosen of War was obviously pissed off by the complete lack of regret the Goddess was showing.
''Well…I was in the neighborhood and I just wanted to say hallo to my favourite couple in the whole wide world when….'' came the poorly veiled excuse.
"When….?''
''When I noticed how busy you two lovebirds were so….I decided to wait….'' Dite half explained in a small voice.
''Have you been here all along?!Spying on us?''
That was definitely anger in its purest form.
''Well, not here…..Plus , voyeurism is like my little obsession...thing. No harm done though, so why the big fuss?''
This time the Goddess was taken aback by her friend's outrage. Since when visiting people was a crime? Or watching them fuck , for that matter...
''And just to be clear, I was not spying , I was objectively analysing your interaction…for professional reasons only, I swear ! Plus…''
''So let me see if I got this straight." Xena interrupted, narrowing her eyes at the blonde Goddess. " First you …''
''Listen Babe, why don't we leave the rest of the details for later, ok ? There are a few important issues that need your undivided attention first, ok ? And trust me, you'll thank auntie Dite later, ok ?''
''What issues?''
''Just give me sec…..I need to think about how to phrase this right….''
Judging by her expression though, the Warrior Princess was at the end of her rope…
''So uh….given the fact that your experience with men is quite limited, right ….?'' she started, forcing a smile to mask the awkwardness of the situation.
Xena's stoic expression urged her to continue.
''and well….Ares is my brother and I do happen to know him like the back of my hand….''
''Ok…..''
''And all men are pretty much the same ….''
''Just spit it out already, Aphrodite!''
''You're way too easy.'' she blurted out, casting her friend an apologetic look.
''What is that suppose to mean?''
''Let me explain ….'' Dite hesitated while trying to find a fitting comparison meant to shed some light on the matter. ''So….you like to fight right ?You like to be on the battlefield….''
''What does that have to do…..''
''Yes or no?''
''Yes, obviously …''Xena replied, clenching her teeth.
''Great! Do you generally prefer a good challenge or an easy win ?''
''A challenge, of course. ''
''Why ? Why not an easy victory?
''Where's the fun in that ?!'' she snorted, but her expression suddenly changed when she realized where the Love Goddess was getting at .
''Oh…..''
''Yeah, oh! It's all fun and games now that your relationship is still fresh, but take my word for it, in no time he will be scanning his temples for newly arrived priestesses. ''
Needless to say, the Warrior Princess was in shock.
''But no need to worry about it. Aunt Dite has a solution for everything.''
''You're not my aunt!''
''You're right. That makes me sound old, huh? Which I am clearly not! '' she felt the need to mention, patiently waiting to receive a confirmation that refused to arrive. "Anyway, where was I…..?"
'' Aunt Dite has a solution for everything'' Xena replied with a wicked grin, making sure to stress the first word.
''Sweet mother of Chronos it does sound awful! You didn't have to repeat it…!''
''I know…..'' Xena smirked at her own choice of words.
''Bro can be such a bad influence at times…'' the Goddess concluded, rolling her eyes at their childish interaction.
''So what is the solution ?''
''The solution ? Well I do have a very classical one in mind . Cheating .''
''Cheating ?''
''Yeah ….Basic but efficient. ''
''You want me to cheat on your brother? Who just happens to be the God of War…?''
''Well you could go through with it but you don't actually have to….He just needs to think that you have or that you might or that you could- take your pick -…Just make him feel unsure of your relationship. Playing hard to get is never a bad idea….''
''I don't know Dite …Sounds a bit extreme to me ….'' Xena instinctively rejected the idea as if feeling that something was not quite right.
''Trust me- I am the Goddess of Love after all, am I not ? Plus, think about it …Ares is a God. He has had so many women across the aeons that it's almost impossible to keep him interested with an ordinary relationship like this one…No offense… "
''Non taken….''
''Here you go. Just focus your attention on the most handsome soldier you can get your hands on, make sure that Ares sees you and bam! Problem solved! Such a move would definitely spice things up and drive Bro like totally insane !''
''If you say so..''
''You'll thank me later, Xe, mark my words…Anyway, it's been nice but I need to get to Corinth. Major love fest I'm just dying to attend. Can't miss it for the world! Toddles!''
Snapping her fingers, the curly goddess left the place in a shower of rose petals and glitter.
Xena just offered her an absent smile. So ..what she and Ares had needed some spicing up ….She had no idea they even had a problem to begin with….
XXX
Up on Olympus Zeus and Hera were having a very unconventional conversation over a glass of wine . They rarely talked about their children. Ever since the King of the Gods had become unfaithful, they avoided talking about anything family related. It just hurt too much. And yet, here they were, in their private chambers, on the balcony, enjoying a beautiful sunset and the warm summer air.
''Have you talked to Athena lately dear wife? She seems a bit distant to me. Something has been bothering her. ''
''Maybe she's just worried about Ares. His army has been expanding west. He's gaining ground.'' Hera remarked trying hard to suppress her smile.
Ares was her favourite child and his success in battle had always made her proud. She was his number one fan and he was her hero. The perfect mother-son relationship.
'' If there's anyone who can handle Ares that would be our daughter. Plus, he hasn't involved his Chosen in any of his campaigns so far.'' Zeus replied, his gaze scanning the skies as if looking for something.
''Really ?! How come ? There was no doubt in my mind that he would jump at the opportunity!''
''He's just playing it safe, I guess. He's still training her….''
''Why would he do that? She's immortal now ….'' the Goddess remarked, biting her lips the moment the words left her mouth. That was supposed to be a secret.
''Well played, by the way …" her husband saved her the trouble of having to explain herself.
''You knew...?'' Hera inquired, amazed that he was actually aware of her involvement in those recent events.
''I'm your husband remember? I know you better than anyone. I might lose my direction from time to time, but you my dear wife, you are my light. My eyes are always on you. ''
She just chuckled at just how ironic his statement actually was. She knew better.
XXX
Back at the temple, the Warrior Princess was scanning the wardrobe for something more comfortable to wear, her mind literally spinning from the bomb Aphrodite had just landed during her short visit.
This idea that Ares would eventually lose interest in her had never crossed her mind but now that the Goddess had put things into perspective for her, it was unbelievably plausible and the awareness that she might just turn into a fleeting affair over night for him was giving her a headache. She couldn't allow that to happen.
Taking in a deep breath, the Warrior Princess picked a comfortable burgundy dress to wear for the rest of the evening and some low heel sandals.
Had she looked down while putting her shoes on instead of allowing her mind to continuously rewind the previous conversation with Aphrodite, she would have noticed the black glitter scattered on the floor and the faded rose petals sticking on the soles of her feet.
