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

Chapter Two

Triton groaned. Reaching down he grabbed a fistful of soft green hair. The nymph on her knees in front of him sucked him harder in response as he wrapped her hair around his fist. His breath hissed in his throat as her teeth scraped over him.
She’s a winner.
He was the Prince of the Sea, and nymphs were always willing to give him the time of day.  His dick felt supersensitive, as if every nerve ending in his body was congregated in the bulbous head. A shiver of pleasure ran straight to his groin as her tongue delved into the small slit.

“Triton? Triton, are you here?”

Damn it. Cerceis.

“Get up,” Triton said pulling the nymph to her feet.

Big green eyes stared at him in confusion.

“Go.”

She nodded stiffly before disappearing. Triton looked down at his still hard dick.
What a waste.
He jerked his toga down and rose from his throne and just as he stepped down from the dais, the gold doors opened. Cerceis entered. Her flaming red hair floated around her. She was clad in a short, white off the shoulder toga that showcased her toned arms and thighs, and there had once been a time when the sight of the violet-eyed Oceanid would’ve sent his libido out of control. Today his dick grew soft.

“What are you doing here, Cerceis?”

“Nice to see you, too, Triton.”

She sauntered towards him, swinging her hips. A bitter twang filled his mouth.

“Cut the crap, Cerceis. It’s not going to work.”

“Why? Because you just had some whore here taking care of your needs? I guarantee she’s nowhere near as good as I am.”

“Actually she was even better. Her name escapes me at the moment.”

Cerceis glared at him, nostrils flaring. “It’s nice to see you have your priorities in order. While you were engaging in a tryst, I’m sure that the significance of today never crossed your mind.”

Triton bared his teeth. His body tensed, and heat poured through him. Drawing in a slow, steady breath, he gave Cerceis a false smile.

“You of all people need not remind me of anything. I never forget.”

“Good to know. Sometimes I think I’m the only who remembers … or cares.”

Triton’s hand shot out and grabbed Cerceis’s arm, squeezing, digging his fingers into her flesh.

“Even after all this time you refuse to admit that everything that happened is your fault.”

“My fault? You were the one who wasn’t paying attention. Likely you were too busy screwing around then, too.”

Triton squeezed Cerceis’s arm as hard as he could. She fell to her knees, and her mouth opened as a scream erupted. Tears formed in her eyes, but he kept squeezing. She was going to learn her lesson today.

“You lied about your parentage. Oceanus and Tethys weren’t your parents. You were the daughter of Oceanus and a mortal. You were not an immortal Oceanid like your thousands of sisters, and because of your lies, she was the one who paid the price, so don’t you ever try to throw blame on me again.”

Triton released Cerceis’s arm and turned away from her. After all these eons she still riled him.

“Even if what you say is true, neither of us has ever received our vengeance.”

Triton sighed, rubbing his hand over his face. “You know the reasons for that.”

“Oh yes. A war among the gods and the protection of Almighty Zeus. Need I remind you that Zeus is no more? The landscape of the Pantheon has changed forever. She is already not well liked, and now she is in the minority on the Council. There is no one to protect her.”

Folding his arms, Triton turned to face Cerceis. She stood holding her bruised arm.

“What you’ve just said is true, but we have no idea how members of this new Council will react if we declare war.”

“There are other ways to exact revenge without openly declaring war. Sometimes the best attack is the one your enemy doesn’t see coming.”

For once Cerceis was actually making sense.

Maybe it’s time I consider it. No. Wait.
Triton lifted a brow. “And what about the Goddess of Legend and new Queen of the Underworld, my aunt Cameryn Kane? So far she has largely stayed out of the affairs of the other gods, but that’s because things have been fairly peaceful. What if at the first hint of trouble among the gods she decides to get involved? She is the only being in creation that can kill any of us.”

Cerceis scowled. “From what I’ve heard she is not the least bit concerned with what the other gods do. Besides, she’s pregnant again, so I’m sure her focus is on her growing family.”

Triton mulled over Cerceis’s words. All these countless centuries they’d mourned while the one who’d destroyed their lives had never been punished for her actions.

“Maybe you’re right.”

Cerceis smiled the same brilliant smile of long ago that had once captured his heart. Taking a few steps towards him, she put her hand on his forearm.

“Of course I’m right. We’ve mourned long enough, and now it’s time we have our vengeance. Give some thought to what I’ve said, and if you decide it’s time to do something I’m with you all the way.”

Rising on her tiptoes, Cerceis pressed her lips to his cheek. She looked at him with tears in her eyes, and then she was gone. Alone, Triton sighed.
If Cerceis is making sense then maybe it is time to act.
Triton materialized outside his underwater stone palace and stepped into the blooming sea garden. In the middle of the undersea Eden stood a ten feet tall golden statute in the likeness of a teenage girl.

He remembered the way her blonde hair, so much like his own floated behind her. How wide her smile was and the musical note to her laughter. But most of all, he remembered the way her beautiful violet eyes always held such a joyous glint.
What I wouldn’t give.
Triton touched the gold statue. He swallowed hard.

“Pallas.”

He lowered his hand and turned away, leaving the isolated garden. There were other matters in the mortal realm that required his attention, but he was sure none of them would make him forget the heavy sadness in his immortal heart.

Chapter Three

Arienne walked briskly to her Kia Optima.

“Ms. Marcos, can we please have a word?”

“No comment,” she called over her shoulder.

Arienne could hear the steps of the female reporter’s heels clacking against the pavement as she followed behind her.
I already told the other news people I had nothing to say. What makes her think she’s any different?

“Ms. Marcos, please. Surely after your heroic actions you have something to say?”

Increasing her pace, Arienne pulled out her car keys and pressed the remote to unlock her gunmetal grey car. Sliding inside she locked the door and closed it. Jamming her key into the ignition, her brow furrowed when she saw the skinny blonde reporter standing next to her car. Arienne pressed the button to let down her window.

“You want a story? Why don’t you concentrate on the people who lost loved ones in an altercation that could’ve been avoided?”

Before the reporter had time for a follow up question, Arienne let her window up and put the car in drive. Punching the gas, she escaped from the library parking lot. Today had been such a long day. When the police had descended on the library Steve’s two remaining cohorts were taken into custody immediately. From what the cops had been whispering among themselves, Arienne figured they were going after the gunmen for kidnapping, and possibly attempted murder. The two men were likely to be spending some time behind bars.

When the medical examiner had come to remove Steve’s body, a fresh wave of hysterics had overtaken Lisa, and as she was unable to be calmed down, an ambulance had taken her to the hospital to be sedated. Arienne’s heart ached for her friend. Blowing a breath, she pulled her car off the road and onto the sand. She stared out at the endless ocean stretched out in front of her. Large, blue green waves crashed against the shore.

“Beautiful.”

Despite the fact that she couldn’t swim to save her life and wouldn’t go into the ocean under any circumstances, she enjoyed looking at the ocean. Just seeing the waves made her forget all her worries. There was no reason to head home right now, and after the day she’d had, she deserved a little peace.

****

Triton sat behind his massive sequoia desk. His eyes scanned the financial report for the quarter his accountant had left. Tritonis Shipping had increased profits fifteen percent, and he was firmly “in the black” according to mortal standards. Fifty years ago, looking for a new amusement, Triton had adopted the guise of a wealthy Greek aristocrat. From there Tritonis Shipping had been born. Owning a fleet of cargo liners and shippers that never had problems at sea had made him a wealthy man, to the tune of billions. Not only had adopting a human guise provided him with unlimited wealth, but the mortal women that threw themselves at him were a definite perk.

“Mr. Triton, can I get you anything before I leave?”

Triton looked up. Standing in his doorway was his personal secretary, Jean, a five foot five blonde, with stacked double Ds and a small waist.

“Yes. Lock my door and come here.”

“Yes, Mr. Triton.”

Triton put down the report. Mortal or immortal, he knew exactly where he stood with women. They were beautiful to look at, a pleasure to enjoy, but they couldn’t be trusted. Cerceis had taught him that lesson, and he would never forget it.

****

Arienne unlocked the door to her condo.

“Arienne Alexandra Marcos, where have you been? I saw the news. I’ve been worried sick.”

Arienne closed the door behind her. “Hello, padre. Nice to see you, too.”

Raymond Marcos stood with arms folded in the middle of her living room. She wondered how long he’d been here. Arienne walked up to her father and kissed his cheek.

“You can lose the sarcasm, young lady.”

Arienne stuck out her tongue. At fifty, Raymond Marcos was still a very handsome man. With thick, dark black hair, warm brown eyes, and a six foot frame, Raymond favored actor Benjamin Bratt. The son of an African-American mother and a Dominican father, Raymond Marcos was a Miami native who’d been awarded a full ride scholarship to Florida International University. After earning his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Raymond worked as an engineer for the Mars Exploration Program at Cape Canaveral.

Dad is such a catch. It’s a damn shame he’s married to his work. He’d make some woman real happy.

“Daddy, I’m not being sarcastic, but we could’ve at least exchanged greetings before you jumped all over my case.”

“Arienne, I don’t care how old you are. You are still my little girl, and I worry about you, especially with the craziness of this world today. Now give your old man a hug.”

Arienne hugged her father tight. Breathing in the scent of his Mesmerize cologne made her feel safe. It was the same familiar scent she’d loved all her life.

“Are you really okay?” Raymond asked.

He drew back to look at her.

“No, Daddy, I’m not.”

Her father touched her cheek. “Tell me everything.”

Arienne allowed her father to lead her to her red sofa. Sitting down, she leaned her head on her dad’s shoulder and his arm came around her. There was nothing in the world like the warmth of a father to help a girl deal with life’s unexpected curveballs.

****

“Goodnight, Mr. Triton,” Jean said.

“Goodnight, Jean.”

Triton zipped up his pants. Jean hadn’t disappointed. He was definitely mulling over giving her a raise. Smiling, he left his office and locked the door behind him. Taking the elevator down to the first floor, he saw that the night watchman was already on duty.

“Night, Mr. Triton.”

“Night, Chuck.”

Triton exited the glass doors of the building. Standing outside he looked around prepared to transport back to his undersea place.
What in the hell?
He’d know that presence anywhere.

“What is she doing here?”

It wasn’t like her to be out and among the mortals. His curiosity was piqued. Turning himself invisible, Triton followed her trail, careful to keep his presence hidden.

****

“My girl is a hero. I’m so proud of you, Arienne.”

“I’m no hero. I was scared, too.”

“I’m sure you were, but you still risked your life to save complete strangers. That’s very heroic. I’m sure your mother would agree.”

Arienne rolled her eyes.
Hmm. Sure. Nothing about me is heroic in her eyes.

“Have you heard from her today?” her father asked.

“No.”

“She’ll probably come see you soon.” Raymond patted her knee.

“Sure.”

“Honey, don’t be angry with your mother. You know how busy she is.”

“I don’t want to talk about her.”

Arienne moved out of her father’s embrace and rose from the couch.
Why does he always defend her? He completely ignores the fact that she’s a horrible mother.
Arienne ran her hands through her hair.

“Okay. Now that I’ve seen that you’re fine and heard what happened from your own lips I’m going to head home. Call me if you need anything.”

Her father came to stand in front of her.

“I will, Daddy. See you Sunday for dinner.”

“Of course. What are you in the mood for? Soul food or some Dominican cuisine?”

“Dominicano. I can’t remember the last time I had rice and beans, spiced chicken and tostones. You can throw some tamales in there if you want.”

“I’ll cook anything you want.”

“Thanks, Daddy.”

Arienne kissed her father’s cheek, and they hugged again.

“You’re welcome. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Daddy. See you Sunday.”

Arienne walked her father to the door and locked it behind him. Sighing, Arienne walked over to her couch and plopped down before leaning her head back and closing her eyes.

“Daughter.”

Arienne opened her eyes. Standing in front of her was a tall, olive skinned woman with long, chestnut brown hair and grey eyes, wearing glittering gold battle armor.

“Mother. What a surprise.”

The last thing Arienne felt like doing was dealing with Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, and her mother.