Goddess by Chance (Demi-God Daughters Book 2) (13 page)

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Arienne, please. I just want to talk.”

Arienne stopped walking and turned to face Athena. Glaring, she addressed her mother. “We have nothing to talk about. Not now. Not ever.”

Athena reached for her, and Arienne jerked away.

“I’m so sorry you’re in such pain. I miss your father, too.”

“You miss him? You wouldn’t even be in the same room with him while he was alive. You can take your fake sympathy and shove it.”

“I know you don’t believe me, but I did love your father. I wouldn’t have broken my vow if I didn’t. There has never been a man like him in all the millennia I have lived.”

Athena’s eyes were soft. There was none of the steeliness that Arienne had come to know, and for the first time Athena looked like any woman mourning the death of someone she loved. Arienne swallowed.

“If you loved him so much, you would’ve spent time with him, instead of treating him like some glorified sperm donor.”

“You’re right,” Athena said. Taking a few steps away, she rubbed her neck.

Watching her mother with wariness, Arienne asked, “Then why didn’t you? Did your title really mean so much to you that it was worth denying everything?”

Athena’s grey eyes were swirling with anger. “My title was all I had.”

Arienne shook her head. “No. You had us. A daughter and a man who loved you.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Well then explain it to me. I’m just a puny mortal. I couldn’t possibly understand.” Arienne threw her hands in the air.

Athena sighed. “That wasn’t what I meant. Arienne, please. I’m just asking you to give me a chance.”

“You have the floor.” Arienne folded her arms across her chest.

“Thank you. As you know when my mother Metis was pregnant, a prophecy warned that if I was a boy I’d overthrow my father. Naturally this wasn’t pleasing to Zeus, so he swallowed my mother while she was pregnant with me. I was born from Zeus’s head, but somehow my mother didn’t survive.”

“Can you get to the point?” Arienne broke in. “I’m very well versed in Greek mythology.”

Athena nodded. “Even though I was clearly not the son who would overthrow Zeus, he still never really trusted me. I did everything I could to gain his favor, but I soon realized I was wasting my time. As he fathered more and more children I saw who his favorites were, Aphrodite, Apollo, Persephone, and Artemis. I was nothing to him.”

“I’m not surprised at that. All the myths paint Zeus as a real asshole.”

Athena gave her a small smile. “He was that. Needless to say, after that I went to live elsewhere and I tried to forge my own identity. Since some of my siblings already teased me about not being beautiful I decided I would be known for my virtue. After all, it was not like I needed to be worried about being pursued romantically.”

“That was cruel of them. All of your siblings teased you?” Arienne asked.

“Most of them, but not Aphrodite. But then again she’s so beautiful we all must look plain to her.”

Arienne touched Athena’s arm.
I’m still furious with her, but so much of this … it’s as if we’ve shared the same experience. How crazy is that?
Arienne cleared her throat. “If it makes you feel any better I’ve never thought I was that beautiful either, and I had Dad to tell me I was.”

“I guess that’s one thing we have in common.”

“I guess so,” Arienne admitted. “So what happened next?”

“I devoted my existence to being the smartest and the wisest. I lent my knowledge to select heroes like Odysseus and took my vengeance on those that crossed me like Arachne. And that is how I lived until I met your father.” There was a faraway look in Athena’s eyes. Her lips trembled.

“So how did you meet?” Arienne prodded.

Athena smiled. “He was working in the lab, and as I passed by I noticed him struggling with a complicated equation so I stopped and gave him my assistance. Naturally he was shocked, but he soon grew at ease with me. We struck up a friendship, and for nearly two years we saw each other before you were conceived.”

“Were you happy about being pregnant?”

Athena sighed. “I had mixed emotions about it. On one hand, I was happy because a man had given me a piece of him I would always have. But then I was also afraid. What would everyone say? The one thing I’d finally been able to gather from them, their respect, would be gone. I’d have nothing.”

Arienne shook her head. “I don’t understand. The myths might be wrong, but why would it matter what a bunch of whore-mongering gods thought about you?”

A tear slipped from Athena’s eye. “Because respect was better than nothing.”

Arienne grabbed her mother’s hands. “That is probably the saddest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“It might be, but it’s the truth. I hid my pregnancy, and when you were born I gave you to Raymond. I told him we couldn’t see each other anymore and he begged me to reconsider, but my mind was made up so I left. For eighteen years I stayed away. I was never so miserable.”

Arienne released her mother’s hands and took a step back. “Was it worth it?”

Athena shook her head. “No. I’d sacrificed my family for nothing. The gods still cared nothing for me.”

Arienne turned away. A question was bubbling just beneath the surface of her mind. So many questions. Turning back she asked, “Then why didn’t you get back together with Dad?”

Arienne waited. The question hung in the air.

“I was afraid. No one ever taught me how to love, and I didn’t think I could be what Raymond needed. I also wasn’t ready to tell the world about you just yet.”

“So you let your worry about people who don’t give a damn about you would say. Now that sounds like the Athena I know.”

Arienne rubbed her hands over her face.
I’m a fool. I’m here feeling sorry for her when my opinion doesn’t even matter. She cares more about those immortal fuckups than she does about me.

“Arienne, I’m not trying to hurt you. I just wanted you to understand why I am the way I am.”

Tears forming in Arienne’s eyes, she shook her head as they started to fall. “I understand perfectly. You chose them over us, and now that Dad is gone, your guilt is kicking your ass in a major way. So in an effort to assuage that guilt you’re ready to finally acknowledge me and work on building a relationship. Well I’m sorry, Mother. Too little. Too late.”

Athena grabbed her chin. “Baby, please. You’re the only part of Raymond I have left. Don’t shut me out. Please forgive me, Arienne. Please.”

Arienne’s tears fell in earnest. She couldn’t breathe. “I … I can’t. Not now. It hurts. It hurts too much.”

She broke away from Athena and started running. The fog enveloped her, but she kept running away from her mother’s voice. Away from the pain being inflicted all anew.
Wake up, Arienne. Damn it, wake up.

****

Triton materialized inside Arienne’s condo. His mother’s words were heavy on his mind. Walking over to the couch, he saw Arienne was still sleeping. Bending down, he picked her up from the couch and walked into her bedroom.

She twisted in his arms causing him to raise a questioning brow. With a thought, Arienne’s bedcovers turned back, and carefully he laid her down on the bed before covering her up. Smiling he sat down on the bed next to her, gazing at her loveliness. She looked so delicate. As if one more heartache would break her.
I’m not going to let that happen.
With a gasp, Arienne came awake, her dark eyes finding his.

“Chris.”

“I’m here. Right here.” He touched her hair.

She sat up looking around. “You carried me in here? Your back must be killing you.”

“My back is fine. I can carry you quite easily.”

Arienne’s hands flew to her face. “I fell asleep on you. I’m so sorry.”

Grabbing one of her hands, Triton laced his fingers through hers. “There’s no reason to apologize. I know you haven’t been resting well, although from the way you woke up, it seemed like something got you agitated.”

Arienne nodded. “I was reliving a memory with my Dad and then suddenly my mother was there and we were arguing. Needless to say, there went my peace.”

Athena. She entered Arienne’s dream.
He cleared his throat. “I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned your mother before.”

Arienne looked down at their entwined hand. “There’s not much to tell. She gave birth and left me with my father. She’s never been a part of my life.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. It must’ve been hard for you.”

She shrugged. “Not really. My dad was everything I needed. With him gone, I have to get used to being alone.”

Triton’s hand caught her face. He shook his head. “Don’t say that. Please.”

“Say what?”

“That you’re alone. You’re not. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.” His lips moved closer to hers.

“It’s too soon for you to make that kind of commitment,” Arienne protested.

“It’s never too soon to listen to your heart,” he whispered.

And then he kissed her. It was the kiss of a new lover, trying to show his lady-love just how much she meant to him. His lips cajoled hers, and Arienne’s hands came up around his neck, holding him to her. He delighted in the softness of her kiss. His cock rose hard and heavy in his jeans.
I want her. By the gods of Olympus, I want her.
Slowly he eased her back down onto the bed. Catching the covers in his hand, and tugging them away from her body, his hand caressed the swell of her breast through her tank top. Arienne pushed away, panting.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to push you.” He rose from the bed.

“I’m the one who should apologize. I acted like a skittish colt. I’m sorry, Chris.”

“Don’t apologize. I know what you’ve been through. I shouldn’t have touched you like that so soon. I need to be patient.”

Arienne got out of bed and came to stand where he was. She touched his face, smiling. “It’s been a little over eight years since I was raped and now you’ve awakened desires in me I was afraid had been destroyed. I liked the way you touched me. I was just not expecting to like it so much.”

“I want you, Arienne, but I’m willing to wait. I want our first time together to be special, the way you deserve.”

Twining her arms around his neck she smiled. “It will be because I want that, too.” Rising on her tiptoes she kissed him hard.

The force of her kiss conveyed all the emotions he knew she had to be feeling just as much as he did. His hands wrapped around her waist, pressing her against the evidence of his arousal. Arienne pressed herself against him firmly and he growled against her lips as she took his bottom lip in her mouth.

“Arienne.”

“Chris, stay the night with me. I’d love to wake up in your arms.” Her eyes sought his, silently pleading.

“I’d like nothing more.”

Arienne smiled. Then turning, she grabbed his hand and led him back towards the bed.

“Wait a minute, sweetheart. Let me get a bit more comfortable,” he told her. Quickly he divested himself of his shirt, socks, and jeans. Then catching Arienne by surprise he scooped her up and dropped her onto the bed before plopping down beside her.

They laughed and then righted themselves. Arienne lay on his chest and his arms wrapped around her tight.

“Goodnight, Chris.”

“Goodnight, beautiful.” He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes.

His body relaxed as warmness spread through him.
Peace.
With Arienne in his arms, the past no longer mattered. Only the present that he was bound and determined Arienne would remain in, as well as his future. Opening his eyes, he looked down at her. She was already sleeping. With one finger he traced the curve of her cheek.
She’s so beautiful and doesn’t even realize it. I’m going to show her. That and so many other things.
His finger traced the softness of her lips, and emotion welled up in him like a hot spring.

“I love you, Arienne. No matter what happens, I love you.”

Dropping his hand he squeezed her tight. He had to fix this. He’d give anything for an eternity with her, just like this.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Arienne had known this day was coming, but it was too soon. It is an unspoken understanding that one day a child will bury their parent, but that usually doesn’t occur when the parent is in the prime of their life, unfairly taken. A pair of arms slid around Arienne’s waist, and she leaned back. A firm chest pressed against her.

“Chris.”

“Are you all right?” his voice whispered in her ear.

She shook her head. “Not really.”

“I’m sorry. I wish I could make this easier for you.”

Arienne turned in his arms. Chris’s gaze was pained, and his normal languidness was gone. He seemed stiff, like a taut wire being pulled. Reaching up, she played with a lock of his hair.

“You already have. All the arrangements are done and I don’t have to watch them put my father’s body in the ground. That alone is making my life so much easier.”

“You shouldn’t have to go through this at all.”

“That may be true, but at least you’re here. I’m so happy to have you supporting me through all this.”

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” Chris said.

His eyes grew soft and leaned down and kissed her. His lips were tender against hers, and she kissed him back ardently. Her body came alive when he kissed her, and all she wanted was for it never to end. But like all things, she knew it had to. With regret, she stepped away from Chris.

“We have somewhere to be,” she said softly.

“That we do. Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Chris offered his hand, and she took it.

“Did I tell you how handsome you look?”

“You just did, my love. You look very beautiful yourself, but to me you always do,” Chris said.

Arienne blushed as Chris locked her condo.
My love? Did I hear that right?
As he faced her, taking her hand in his, she couldn’t help the pitter-patter her heart did. His love? Did the words mean something more? Or was it just a sweet endearment? Their relationship was so new. But still, that didn’t stop her heart from flip-flopping just thinking about what one day could be.

****

As the limousine cruised towards the pavilion where the small ceremony would be held, Triton couldn’t keep his eyes off Arienne as she sat beside him, stoic and strong. He knew her heart was being ripped to shreds, but you’d never know that by looking at her. In the past few days they’d spent together, he could see the change in her. She was slowly starting to bundle her grief and put it away. The pain would never leave her. He knew that firsthand, but at least, for now, she’d found a way not to let it consume her.

Grabbing her hand, he offered her a smile. She returned it, and he leaned over, kissing her briefly. Since the night he’d spent with her, they had been apart very little. He hadn’t wanted to be away from her.  Arienne was different from any woman he’d ever dealt with. There was no guile in her, and he truly loved that. In all the millennia since Cerceis’s betrayal, he’d never trusted another woman, but being with Arienne was changing that. He could trust her, and he knew he wouldn’t regret it.

Even in her grief she looked beautiful. Wearing a simple, short sleeved black dress, belted at the waist, she looked every inch the goddess that she was and would soon physiologically be if he had anything to say about it.  For the past three nights he’d slept in Arienne’s bed and nothing physical had occurred other than a few sweet kisses.  He loved the way she melted into his kisses, but he wanted more than kisses from her.

He wanted intimacy. To show her with his body all the things he felt and chase away any last remaining memories of her rape. But like so many other things, his desires would have to wait. Today Arienne was saying goodbye to her father in front of a number of people she didn’t even personally know, and he would be there to support her. To hold her. To love her. When the time was right for them to be together in the way he so desired he was confident that nothing would get in their way. Not even the secrets he was so desperately determined to hide.

****

Arienne tried to calm her nerves as she walked hand in hand with Chris up the stone stairs leading to the pavilion. It was time for her to give her father’s eulogy. Though this would be a non-traditional memorial service if there ever was one, she had to say a few words about the man who’d meant so much to her and always would. As she took the last step up, she was struck by how lovely everything looked.

The pavilion was a billowing white tent full of mourners seated in white lawn chairs. At the front were two large, standing wreaths of flowers and next to each wreath was a poster of her father. She swallowed down the lump that rose in her throat. Clutching tightly to Chris’s hand, she walked between the chairs, down the aisle to where a podium stood waiting for her.

She could hear whispers as people started to take note of her. No doubt they recognized Chris. She glanced up to find his eyes were straight ahead.  Arienne took a breath. It was time. Slowly Arienne eased her hand from Chris’s and marched up to the podium.

Turning around she saw Chris take a seat in the front row and then her attention turned to the rest of the audience. So many of them she didn’t know, but she was relieved to see a few familiar faces. Her former co-workers. Dr. Montgomery.
You’re among friends, Arienne. You can do this.
She cleared her throat.

“Thank you all for coming. I’m sure this isn’t quite what you were expecting, but nothing about my father was conventional, so I decided to honor him in my own way. This is not a funeral. This is a remembrance, for a great man, my father, Raymond Marcos.”

Arienne was surprised by the applause from the crowd. She looked at Chris. He gave her a thumbs up. Her confidence grew.

“My father was my everything, and all my life I looked up to him. He was a genius, or at least I thought so. I couldn’t imagine any man being smarter or more handsome.”

There was laughter from the audience. Arienne found herself smiling.

“But you know every girl thinks their father is the greatest, but mine really was. He taught me to never give up. To be the best I could absolutely be. But he also made sure I knew that it didn’t matter how far you went, you never forgot where you came from, or who helped you get to where you are.”

Arienne fought back tears for a moment before she continued. “The only son of an African-American mother and a Dominican father, there would’ve been many who thought he might not have accomplished as much as he did. But he proved them wrong, and he became a living testimony that you could do anything. I was in awe of him. All I wanted to do was live up to his example, but I didn’t have to. He loved me for exactly who I was. A girl who’d rather have her nose stuck in a book than anywhere else.”

A tear ran down Arienne’s cheek, and she swallowed hard, looking at Chris. He nodded, and she smiled continuing.

“Everything I learned about love and life, I learned from him. And as I now must go on without him here holding my hand, without him teasing me about settling down, I know I can make it. I know times will be hard and some days will be dark, but if I hold onto everything he taught me I’m going to be just fine. The greatest of all things is love, and as long as I remember that, I can make it through anything. Thank you.”

Arienne stepped from behind the podium as the audience stood to their feet. Her tears flowed freely now as she walked over to one of the photographs of her father. She touched it, tracing his face with her finger.

“Goodbye, Daddy. I love you.”

Quickly she walked away and into Chris’s arms. She held tight to him never wanting to let go.

****

Aphrodite wiped a tear away. Her niece’s eulogy was beautiful. The poor girl was really going through it, but at least she wasn’t alone. Aphrodite smiled as she watched Arienne walk into Triton’s arms. Clearly the tide had changed. Suddenly the hairs on Aphrodite’s arms rose causing her to turn around.

“Athena, what are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same about you,” her younger sister asked.

“I was just checking on my niece,” Aphrodite said.

She made sure she was blocking her sister’s view of Arienne and Triton. The last thing she needed to happen was Athena ruining the now obviously serious relationship between Arienne and the sea god.

“How is she?” Athena asked.

“Holding on. She’s going to be fine with time.”

“Maybe one day she’ll forgive me enough to let me be there for her.”

Aphrodite patted her sister’s arm. “She will. Just be patient. Why don’t you come with me? Being here and not being able to talk to her is only going to make you more upset.”

Inside Aphrodite was mentally crossing her fingers. If she managed to pull this off, her niece was going to owe her big time.

“All right. Lead the way, Sis.”

Mentally exhaling, Aphrodite linked her arm with Athena’s and disappeared. She’d just bought Arienne and Triton a little more time, but even she didn’t know how long it would be before all hell broke loose and her niece was caught in the middle of a millennia old battle between two very stubborn gods.