Daughter of Asteria (The Daughter Trilogy) (33 page)

I can’t stand around watching him throw away all his dignity to a girl who doesn’t deserve him.

She’s so fucking cold.

“Ther, I’ll play,” I offer kindly while dropping the small, orange wrap from around my waist to

fully reveal the skimpy bikini bottoms.

“Really? Do you know how?” he asks curiously, not even acknowledging the slinky contraption I

had to talk myself into wearing in public.

“Yeah. You sit on a guy’s shoulders and try to push off the other girl.”

He laughs patronizingly, but I have no idea why.

“Not mortal chicken. Immortal chicken. You use your powers while sitting on someone’s

shoulders. Your base is not allowed to use any of his powers though. You’ll be on your own, and

Lana knows how to work the water almost as good as Devin. She’s the reigning champ,” he playfully

warns.

“I didn’t say I’d beat her, I just said I’d play,” I giggle out while letting the ocean water meet my

waist as I wade out to him.

“Great. Strap up,” he says before diving under the water.

He shoots up under me, and my legs rest on his shoulders as he stalks toward the brawny guy

holding Lana up.

She smirks at me, and then she starts to look a little worried.

“Please don’t go white eyes on me,” she whispers.

“No worries. I’m keeping that quite,” I laugh out.

It’s not like I can do it on command anyways.

She exhales lightly, and then the water rushes at me as her first attack is released.

The wind around me saves me from the crashing tide as it whirls it back at her. She barely

maintains her balance, and now all eyes are glued to us as the battle of two goddesses becomes a feat

worth gaining admittance to.

I feel the tiny bikini I’m wearing threatening to pull apart as I swirl a rushing spiral at her, and

again she almost falls. The water around me tries to suck me in, and I feel a little help aiding me

against her currents.

“No cheating Devin,” she scolds.

I smile to myself, but I dare not look around. He doesn’t say anything, but I can feel him

smirking from somewhere behind me.

Another bursting wave flies in, and suddenly we’re both knocked off our bases.

I laugh as I surface, and Lana joins me as she snickers while climbing into the arms of her base.

Apparently he’s more than a chicken partner, though most immortals are rather promiscuous.

“That was awesome,” Ther chuckles while wrapping me up in an appreciative hug.

I bounce around in the water to chase the waves, but I plow into a firm, delicious, salaciously

incredible body.

Devin’s eyes are burning into mine when I look up, and my skin starts sizzling against his. I

slowly slide my hand off of him, and I start to turn away in order to avoid the almost painfully erotic

tease. But he grabs my hand, and my throat closes up in panic.

“What’s this,” he says curiously as he stares down at the tattoo peeking out from under my ring.

I rip my hand free with a flush of embarrassment starting to cover my face. He only saw the little

bit of a wave creeping out, but now his curiosity is piqued.

“It’s nothing. I need to go see if Persia needs help with setting the table,” I mumble in a

distracting effort.

I flash out of the water before he can say anything, and whistles erupt as my strut slows.

I roll my eyes at the juvenile pile of boys and make sure all my body parts are safely covered by

the thin black shards of fabric strategically placed to just hide the necessities.

“Wow,” Jace murmurs as he strolls up with dripping wet hair and a seduced grin. “I’m regretting

taking a swim on the other side of the island with Hale now.”

“You’re incorrigible. You know that, right?” I chuckle while wringing out my hair a little.

“I know, but I’m pretty cute when I’m relentless,” he teases.

I roll my eyes at his arrogant remark, and Hale trips over one of the bonfire sitting logs as he

catches sight of my skimpy attire.

“Damn,” he grunts as he wipes the heaps of sand from his face.

“I know, right? Why did you make us go to the other side?” Jace gripes.

Hale’s eyes shoot over to Devin almost involuntarily and then back to Jace.

“I just thought it would be cool to see the other side. I didn’t know she was going to be wearing

that,” Hale stammers with bedazzlement.

Did Devin ask him to take Jace out of the picture for a while? Is that why Hale looked at him

before answering?

I’m just being overly analytical and hopeful. I need a drink - a strong, get-an-immortal-drunk

sort of drink.

“So, I’m seeing at least ninety percent of your body, and I don’t see a tattoo. Where’d you put

it?” Jace dares, his eyes swirling with more than immortality.

I laugh a little as I start backing toward the house, my eyes playing with his desire.

“A lady never tells,” I tease.

His jaw drops, and his eyes dart to Hale with almost a scolding glare.

“Really?” Jace gasps.

“Really what?” Hale says with a shrug before realizing what Jace is thinking. He almost laughs

before shaking his head. “Believe me, the place she chose was a huge disappointment.”

Devin’s eyes narrow, and I turn back to escape the intrigue I’ve provoked amongst the curious

boys.

Hale laughs while keeping my secret, and I smile victoriously as I strut into the dining room that

could second as a party hall.

“This place is enormous,” I marvel in a gushing tone.

“Yes it is,” Persia agrees. “Like I said, I have one similar. I can’t wait to show you some of my

favorite places. I was thinking we could get away for a couple of days if you want,” she chirps

hopefully.

I sigh a little as my eyes stare out the window to find the man I’m desperate to feel pressed

against me again. He’s talking to Hale, and I’m praying my secret stays safe.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now,” I murmur.

“Because of the impending war or the man you can’t live without, but to whom you won’t

apologize to,” she pries.

I huff a little. “Both. And I’ve tried apologizing. If he wants me, he’ll come for me. He always

does,” I utter in a near whisper.

“Well, maybe you should use your inherited charm to show him how irresistible you can really

be,” she suggests.

I laugh wildly at her very un-motherly advice. Then I decide to make myself useful and start

setting up the dishes as Theia strolls into the room.

My eyes bug out when I see her looking like Betty Crocker gone immortal. Her delicate apron

actually has ruffles trimming the edges like something from the roaring twenties. Her intimidating

stature is far less pronounced beneath her domesticated facade.

“There. It’s perfect.” She takes a step back to admire her masterpiece meal, and then she turns to

face us. “We’re going to discuss the details of return, but for now we’ll stay here until we’ve fully

sorted out where, what, and when,” she mumbles in nervous incoherence.

Deidra strolls down the stairs and takes her place at my side.

“I’ve continued the charade as you’ve asked, but I really think it’s time to tell the others of your

power,” she pleads.

“Not yet. Just let me get my power under control before someone else provokes the beast.

There’s not anyone here I want to hurt, well, Gemma maybe, but not anyone else.”

Everyone laughs at my candor, and Devin walks into the room that instantly hushes the moment

we all see him.

“Did I do something wrong?” he asks suspiciously.

“No, son. You just stumbled upon girl talk,” Theia answers vaguely.

“O…kay,” he mumbles awkwardly. “I’m going sailing with the guys. We’ll be back at

nightfall,” he says to… who exactly?

Is he telling me or Theia?

“It’s your boat, do as you wish,” Theia answers.

He acts as though he’s waiting on something else to be said, but I don’t know if I’m supposed to

say anything or not. He finally flashes back out, and Persia nudges me with her elbow.

“That was your cue. You were supposed to say you’ve never been sailing. Then he would invite

you. Then you would go, and then the both of you would end this squabble,” she exasperates.

Squabble?

“Okay, first of all, I’m not into
hinting
for an invite. If he wanted me to come, he should have

asked me. Secondly, I think you’ve been out of the dating game too long. It’s changed a bit in the

past few centuries. He would have texted me,” I laugh.

She snickers a little at my response, and then the others start piling in for the grub. Apparently

Devin’s skipping lunch, and I’m going to have to spend the day alone.

“Yo. I found a pair
of dice,” Kry announces to Ther who is staring helplessly at Gemma through

the window.

“Yeah. It’s paradise,” Ther sighs dreamily.

Kry kicks Ther’s feet to knock him free of his trance as he chuckles out, “Not paradise, you

yuppie. Pair. Of. Dice. Let’s play.”

I let out a chuckle as well when I see the embarrassed face of a busted Ther.

He spins around to face the table, and I stare out at Devin as he finishes unloading the boat.

The stars dance their light across the ocean surrounding him, and the moon shines bright enough

to compete with the sun, casting a luminescent glow against the bare upper body of the man who

refuses to look at me anymore.

I sigh loudly before retreating to my room. It’s been a long day, and now it’s pushing midnight.

So much for them returning at nightfall.

They’ve been gone all day and most the night. I’ve spent the day fighting off goons and staring

out at the sea, hoping to catch a glimpse of Devin. Now I’m running to hide the moment he returns.

What’s wrong with me?

After pacing back and forth for over an hour, I finally swing open the door. I’m tired of this

charade, and I’m ready for the games to end.

I love him, and I’m sick of being apart. I’ll marry him this second if that’s what he wants - if he

still wants me at all.

I round the corner, and I feel my heart drop to the floor as I see him standing in the doorway of

Gemma’s room. A sickness rips through me, slicing me deep enough to force me to almost double

over.

I can hear her giggling, and his eyes dart over to me. He doesn’t even act affected by the tears in

my eyes, and I flash back up to my room to escape the torture.

I rip the lying ring from my finger, and I cry as I see the irrational decision staring back at me,

taunting me mercilessly with its permanent bind to my body.

Why did I tattoo his name on my frigging finger while we were apart? How could he do this to

me?

A knock at my door jars me out of my thoughts, and I almost jerk it free from the hinges when I

go to open it. I gasp when I see Devin staring into my eyes with his darker than normal ones.

“What?” I bark, my anger seething through my lips.

“I just came to see you. I’m sure you’ve been missing me, and I know I’ve been missing you,” he

smolders.

My heart flip-flops, forcing that girly butterfly band to strike up in my gut, and then anger surges

back to the surface.

“What do you think you’re doing here? You just came from Gemma’s room, and now you think

you can just traipse in here?” I blare.

“Shh… Keep it down. I just dropped off the seashells she asked me to get. I had no reason to

come see you, but I’m tired of my girl being so mad at me,” he seduces.

I feel my knees crumbling beneath his gaze, and I feel my mind screaming at me to stop.

Aphrodite isn’t stirring as strongly as usual, but I still want him so bad. He doesn’t give me time

to object before his hands tangle in my hair, and his lips claim mine prisoner.

He pulls me tighter, a desperate desire slipping free from his lips to mine, but taste something

different. His lips aren’t as soft, his breath isn’t as delicious, and his tongue isn’t as well acquainted

with my mouth.

“You smell so fucking good,” he breathes.

“You smell so… different,” I stumble out.

His lips cover mine again, and I realize this can’t be right.

I push him back, and the green flashes into my eyes - but not from lust, from worry.

I can see his obvious seduction growing, and I know this isn’t Devin. Devin isn’t affected by my

Aphrodite.

My hands surge with violent energy, and I launch him through the side of the house. He falls

three floors to the sand, and I drop from the opening to slowly stalk the foolish imposter that has

crossed a dangerous line.

He laughs a little as he changes into the Slash.

That slimy son of a bitch.

“Relax,” he chuckles. “It was just a little fun.”

He rolls up on his hands and knees before dusting himself off. He’s too careless right now

because he doesn’t know how fucking pissed I am.

“Fun? Was that your idea of fun?” my voice echoes, and he starts walking backwards with his

face distorting in fear instead of humor as my eyes burn the white fury from them. “Let me show you