Ares (18 page)

Four weeks later...

He looked nervous where he stood. Dion, Apollo, and Hades stood next to him and they didn’t appear to be helping keep him calm, although they were keeping him from tearing out the tie he wore. They were smacking his fingers and punching his shoulders. Then Hades was heading for her where she was waiting without spying.

“I saw that,” Hades told her as he stepped into the tent they’d erected to keep her and her gown out of sight until the last possible moment. “You don’t look nearly as nervous as he does.”

“Why would I be nervous when I am marrying the man of my dreams?” She reached out and straightened Hades’s tie. “Why is he nervous? That doesn’t make sense. Why in the world would he be nervous when he knows I couldn’t wait for this moment with him? I love him more than I ever possibly knew I could love someone,” she admitted to her soon-to-be uncle. “Is he okay? Other than nervous that is?”

“Apollo and Dion aren’t helping any. Those two yahoos are putting scenarios in his head. I should just smack them, either that or zap their fucking asses,” he muttered. “He’ll calm once he can see you. He knows you’re safe, he knows you’re happy but until he can see you he’s going to be a fucking wreck.” Hades smoothed his hand down his tie and tucked it under the jacket, adjusting his cuffs. “So, we are about fifteen minutes away from the rest of your life.”

“I can’t wait,” she admitted. “Why is it taking so long? He’s the one that wanted to wait four weeks until we married. I wanted to do this weeks ago,” she admitted honestly. “So yeah, I have no idea why he wanted to wait but he did.” She let out a sigh. “Anyway, can we speed things up? Please?”

“He wanted it all perfect and there were a couple conflicts that just recently settled. He’s just waiting on one more person to arrive and then we can get going. Once he’s here we can,” Hades cut off as a crack of lightning sounded. “For fuck's sakes. Show stealing bastard,” he muttered.

Ava jumped, literally, and grabbed onto Hades. “What in the hell was that?” she asked with a whisper of a sound. “I mean for real, what the hell?” she asked and gulped. “Please tell me that it isn’t going to start to rain. If so I’m going to seriously cuss someone out.”

“No, just my pompous, upstaging brother arriving. In other words, the father of the groom is here,” he said. Gently he rubbed a hand up and down her back. “We’ll be starting right quick here so take a moment and gather yourself.”

“Oh lordy.” Ava wasn’t ready to meet Zeus. Holy shit. “Uhm...” She hesitated and then chewed her lower lip. “Do you think maybe Ares would run away with me? How about you go and signal him and have him come and take me away? We can go to Vegas or something and get married?” She was nervous, very freaking damn nervous.

“Nope, not happening. Music’s starting,” he said with a grin. One of the bridesmaids, Willow, walked past, blowing a kiss to Hades. Right behind her was yet another of Ava’s friends, although this one didn’t flirt with the big God before her like the first one did. Two attendants for her, two for Ares. Hades was walking her down the aisle and then she’d be getting married. “And there goes the last one, you ready for your turn now? Music’s about to change and we’ll need to start walking or all hell is going to break loose.”

“I don’t think I can move.” Ava began to panic a little. “There has to be a reason Ares has kept me from meeting his parents for more than a year, right? I’m not good enough am I?” Her old insecurities surfacing and hitting her hard.

“You are more than good enough, Ava. He just didn’t want to pull you into that nightmare. Besides, you met me and I like you,” Hades pointed out. “You are precious, unique, and unbelievably sweet in the fact you are human. Plus, Zeus is a dog. No one needs to meet him until they absolutely have to. Trust me.”

“Yeah but you’re really sweet and nice,” she whispered and chewed her lower lip when the wedding march began. “Are you sure?” She hesitated. “Are you sure that is why he didn’t take me there? Oh Gods.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “I need him,” she whispered. “Can I have him for just a moment? Can you stop the wedding for just a few minutes so I can have him hold me for a moment?” Okay so she was freaking out a little, she had a right, didn’t she? She was wigging out more than she had thought she would.

“Ava, he loves you more than his own life. For a God that says a lot,” Hades cupped her face. “Look at me and listen. You can feel his love from here, it’s wrapping around you, holding you tight and asking you to walk out there. If I go out there without you he’ll think something is wrong and freak out even more. Chin up, let’s walk out there and you can see him for yourself. If you need a hug when we get there, take it. It’s your fucking day, Ava, do this however you want to do it.”

“All right, let’s get down that aisle quickly because I really, really want and need to have that hug from him.” She was all for running down the aisle now. Linking her arm with his, she took a breath. “I do love that man, more than life itself.”

“Remember that and keep your eyes on him the entire walk. Be glad it’s short,” he said as he guided her out of the tent. They were pointed the right way and paused as the music swelled. Then, as it calmed they began to walk down the aisle. “See, he’s looking more relaxed already.”

She smiled, nodded and couldn’t help the tears from falling. Gods, she loved that man. When they finally made it to the end of the aisle she didn’t wait, she threw herself into his arms and hugged him tight. Against Ares ear she whispered, “I needed this. You to hug me and me you,” she whispered honestly to him as she just held onto him.

“Shh, babe, I’ve got you,” he said holding her tight. He rocked her in his arms, rubbing her back in that soothing way he had. “I’ve got you and I’m never letting you go. You’re mine, Ava, and you always will be.”

“Good, I’m glad you are never letting me go,” she whispered against his ear. Nibbling on his neck, she sighed and then nodded. “I was perfectly fine until your father showed up. Then I wigged out. You owe Hades big for talking me into walking down the aisle for you, baby. I wanted to have you come and whisk me away and elope.”

Chuckling, he squeezed her close, “I’m just glad he got off his ass and came.” His words were a dark mutter in her ear. Hmm, sounded like a little bad blood there. Pressing a kiss to her cheek, he drew back and smiled at her. “Ready to get this show on the road?” he asked softly.

“I’m ready to get it on the road and us on the road. I need to have you with me for as long as I can keep you so let’s make this legal.” She didn’t let go of him fully, she just turned with him to face the priest and smiled. “Please, begin.”

The priest, and several guests, chuckled softly. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today.”

*****

“Holy hell, we’re married,” Ares said with a grin. Spinning her around the dance floor, or rather his patio, he pulled her back into his arms. The reception was well underway. Everyone was dancing or drinking and talking. “I’m just glad my family all behaved themselves. The fact my dad showed up was a little shocking. I’d hoped but really didn’t expect it. And,” he frowned down at her. “You never did explain why you were so upset and nervous, love. Why did you practically tackle me at the alter?”

“Why did you never introduce me to him?” she asked softly. “I guess I was worried. Worried I wouldn’t be good enough,” she admitted bluntly. “And then Hades set me straight.” She smiled and shook her head. “I adore your uncle by the way. He talked me into coming down the aisle and then I had to just jump into your arms.”

“Hell, I adore my uncle too right now,” he laughed hugging her tight. “Zeus is, well, he’s a randy bastard who thinks with his cock and tends to ignore the word ‘no’ more often than not. He gave humans free will and yet, he’s always been a little loose with the rules. The rest of us get bitch slapped if we interfere or step on free will. I was worried he’d try something with you and didn’t want to put you into a position like that until we were married and tied together fully.”

“Step back, boy, time for the favorite uncle to take the bride for a twirl. Since she adores me, you can’t say shit,” Hades said, clapping a hand to Ares shoulder.

Ava smiled and looked up at Ares, “I love you,” she said happily and then turned to Hades, “And where is the bridesmaid that was flirting with you earlier?” she asked him with a smile. Going into his arms, she began to dance with Hades.

“She is over there dancing,” he told her. He spun her around a couple of times before moving her through the motions of the dance. “Don’t worry, you only have to put up with me for one song. So all better now that you’re over the paranoia?”

“Yes, very much so. As long as I get to go back into the arms of the man I love, you had better believe it,” she said with a smile.

“Isn’t that your brother, approaching your date?” she asked him. “Maybe I’m wrong because Gods only know I’ve never met your brother but the man looks a lot like Ares, Apollo, and you.”

Hades head whipped around and he cursed something she’d never actually heard before. “Sorry, darling, I’ll be right back,” he smiled a feral smile.

Hades headed off at high speed as Ares wandered up and caught her in his arms. “There are not many times I like my father, but getting you back in my arms is definitely one of them. I just hope Hades doesn’t pummel him too much, blood is so hard to get out of the tile.”

“Good point. All I know is that we should leave. We’ve done the dance. We had the food. We cut the cake. What do you say about us disappearing and running away for a while? I really think that would be a great idea, don’t you?”

“Excellent idea,” he smiled at her. “Hades promised to stay until everyone left. So we’re good on that front. Let’s slip upstairs and change, then you and I have a honeymoon to get to. I, for one, cannot wait to have you naked for the next two weeks.”

“Will we be able to be naked for the next two weeks where we’re going?” He had kept the honeymoon so quiet she hadn’t the first idea where they were going and it was driving her nuts. “Are you going to tell me yet?”

“Yep and nope,” he grinned, snagging her hand. Pulling her behind him, they slipped into the house and jogged for the stairs. At the bottom Ares scooped her up and carried her up and into their bedroom. “But it’s somewhere we can be naked the entire time and have no worries. Other than that, you’ll just have to wait until we arrive.”

“Oh you are so bad. It’s a good thing I love you as much as I do and you have already gotten me to say yes,” she teased him. “I am Mrs. Ares now.” And she couldn't be happier. Ava was lucky and she damn well knew it.

“That’s Mrs. God of War to those we don’t like,” he grinned at her. Laughing softly, he kissed her and set her on her feet. Her dress suddenly drooped and she knew he’d undone the back for her. “Change quickly before someone figures out we’re not down there any longer.”

“Clean and put my gown into storage please?” she asked when she stepped out of it and put it onto the bed. “That way if we ever have a daughter she can wear it.” She ran her hand over the wedding gown and smiled. “And she will know the love I have for her father. We can only pray she’ll have as much love for her man too.”

“He’d better worship the ground she walks on or I’ll break him into little pieces.” A deadly promise, but a promise no less. A small flash of light and the dress was gone. She knew he’d cleaned it up and put it away somewhere nice and safe. Another flash of light and he was in worn jeans and a button down shirt showing a chunk of his chest.

“Well come on, do me too,” she teased with the double entendre. “Dress me in clothes that will hug me as lovingly as yours are hugging your body.” She hooked her fingers into his front pockets and pulled him closer, her lips brushing over his chest as she did so.

“Oh I’ll definitely do you too,” he said with a chuckle. A slow slide of his hands down her arms and she was dressed. A bra that pushed her chest up, a shirt that was tight and exposed most of her high breasts, slim jeans hugging her from hip to ankle and sandals, dainty and pretty on her feet. No panties she noted feeling the rub from the seam of her jeans on her clit.

Ava laughed, the decadent feeling of the clothing on her body had her grinning up at him. “Now then, my husband, you said something about our honeymoon being somewhere we could be naked at all times? I suggest that we go.” Leaning up on her toes, Ava kissed him, her happiness blossoming around them both as she did.

Grinning, he grabbed up a duffel, “A few necessities like toothbrushes and paste, goggles and sunscreen plus a few surprises for our honeymoon.” He put it over his shoulder in such a way that she wouldn’t be getting any peeks into it. Then he hauled her to his chest and kissed her hard. The flash happened halfway through the kiss, the noise of the party gone and the soft sound of water taking its place.

“Oh that’s just naughty of you.” She had begun just before he pulled her into his arms. The moment he kissed her all thoughts were gone and instead she focused on him. When they pulled apart she licked her lips and sighed. “Man, you certainly know how to make me forget all thoughts, all everything don’t you?” she asked quietly, happily.

“I have had a bit of practice after all,” he teased softly. “That and time to practice all my distraction techniques. It’s always very handy with you,” he grinned. “Now, do you want to see where we’re at, or do you want to stand here and kiss some more.”

“I want to kiss some more and then we should look over this wonderful place that you’ve taken me too.” She kissed him again and then pulled back. When she opened her eyes she was greeted with a breeze on her naked body. She laughed and shook her head. “Oh you bad, bad boy,” she teased him and looked over the beach. “Private I take it?”

“Doesn’t even exist on a map and never will,” he told her. “The entire place is shielded and only six of us have access to it. We’ve kept it secret from everyone else so we can have a place where not even our family can find us. When one of us is here we hang the proverbial sock on the knob and the others don’t intrude. Plus I let the others know I was coming here with you.”

Ava laughed, “I love it. Thank you.” She hugged him again and then pulled away. “So since it’s all shielded, does that mean we can swim in the ocean without worry of sharks or mermen or whatever your uncle Poseidon has in the oceans?”

“Yup, we have a twelve mile line, just like any other country. It’s all clear of anything dangerous and deadly. Only thing here that can get you is the sun and the occasional monkey with an attitude problem.”

“Awesome,” she said with a smile. “Then I think we need to go for a swim. Come on, Ares, share this first swim with me as a married couple?”

“Right behind you,” he smiled at her. “Head for the beach, I just want to watch your ass wiggle. I do so love how your ass moves when you’re naked. Especially when you know I’m watching. I swear you add a little extra hip action just for me.”

“You better believe that I do,” she said with a smile. She wiggled just a little bit more for him and looked over her shoulder at him she grinned. “Well come on, husband, catch me without magic and we’ll fuck in the ocean.”

“You do realize I have longer legs right?” he asked. “Ten second head start because I love you, but you’d better run like the devil is on your ass. Because when I catch you, I’m going to take you hard, fast and you’ll be feeling it until we leave.” He paused, smiled at her with full intention in his eyes and then whispered, “Go.”

Ava laughed over her shoulder and ran, she ran as if he were right there on her heels the entire time. She had almost made the water when he caught her. She didn’t mind though, she would get pleasure no matter what. Hugging him tightly, Ava leaned in and kissed him. “I love you, husband, so very much.”

Laughing, he spun her around and kissed her right back. “I love you, wife. Forever and into eternity,” he whispered. Catching her mouth in a long, deep kiss he worked at keeping his promise to her from before their little race. Over and over again.