The Wager- BBW Erotic Curvy Paranormal Romance (TOUCH OF THE GODS)

Touch of the Gods:

The Wager

By D. X. Luc

D. X. Luc

Hunters of Seraphim: Jadin

© 2013, D. X. Luc

Sinful Restraints Publishing

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

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Touch of the Gods: The Wager

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Down the Yellow Brick Road saga

A Zombie Hunter’s Holiday

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The Replacement

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Hell’s Seven: Wrath

Hephaestus

              I'm finally free. After several millennia, I’m finally a free man. There’s something about being released from the shackles of unwanted matrimony which could make any male jump for joy. Even while being a god, I was no different. Here I, Hephaestus, was no longer married to the vainest, most aggravating woman to ever grace Olympus. Yes, I would miss the way her golden skin shimmered under the sun's rays, how her blond hair fell in flowing waves to caress her stunning curves. But I would rather stare into the ugly face of a harpy for all eternity, than continue the farce of life which had been bestowed upon me.

In truth, it never made sense to me how a woman of her status and glamour could be such a contradiction in personality. She was Aphrodite, Goddess of Love! Regardless, I rushed out of my father's massive temple and made it to the courtyard where the Muses sat at a long table to broadcast the morning news. I was certain my divorce was going to be the top story.

              As always, the weather was perfect, not too cold or too hot, but just right with only a gentle breeze whispering through the immaculately landscaped community. A group of tree nymphs hummed in unison, their harmony making the flowers bud and adding to the lush beauty that was my home.

Part of me wished I could hold a tune and if that were so, I would have joined them. So instead, I opted to listen, leaning against one of their trees, inhaling the sweet air and smiling for no particular reason, other than the fact that I was truly, utterly, free! Unfortunately for me and my dumb luck, this happiness was short lived and the rain on my parade came in the form of a sneering, albeit handsome face. One I knew all too well actually, as Ares the God of War, my brother and supreme jackass appeared in front of me.

“Hello there, little brother. Beautiful day, yes?” He stood casually decked out in his usual attire. His muscled form encased in black jeans worn and ripped at the knees, a golden breast plate and a black leather biker’s jacket.

Did I say jackass? I meant douche.

He carelessly flicked the ashes from his cigar, the thing stunk up the area to the point that the lovely nymphs coughed, before finally dissolving back into the trees. The one who resided in the Juniper I rested against, kicked at me before disappearing. It was nice to see that my single status did nothing to change the natural distaste immortal women felt for me.

With a heavy sigh which was aggravated by the smoke clogging my throat, I faced my smirking brother, deciding to be the better man and keep the conversation cordial. “Lovely day, indeed.”
Truth.
“Good to see you, Ares.”
Lie.
                           

             
“So, you finally dropped the ball and chain, huh?” His lips twitched, while his blood red eyes twinkled.

As if his big secret involving my ex-wife was something I didn't know. Did I call him a douche? Let me clarify; he's a stupid, jackass douche. I suddenly stopped caring about taking the higher road. I matched his grin with my own, crossed my arms and spoke in a low rumble, “Yes, brother and am I ever glad. I'm certain though, that she's probably distraught, but I can count on you, right?  Surely, you've dried her tears with your cock?”

              Around me, there was a collective gasp from the trees. The heads of several young dryads poked through the foliage to see if they were about to witness a brotherly smack down. Close by, the Muses reset up their desk to get ready to report on what may be the brawl of Olympus history. Even I tensed, seeing the smile fade from Ares' face, his fists clenching at his sides.

Suddenly, a violent crash of thunder lit the entire area, causing all but the two of us to scramble for cover—Father.

              “You're lucky pops is protecting you this time. But I would watch it, little brother.” In a pillar of fire, he flashed away, not even saying goodbye to me.

Oh, boo fucking hoo.  Most likely, he was racing to be back in Aphrodite's arms, but gratefully, I didn't need to worry about that anymore.

The sun came out from the clouds once more and everyone went back to their activities. The nymphs even returned to their singing.

I listened as the music was soft and allowed me to relax and think. Here I was, no longer tied down, thanks to Zeus. I was happy really, but I was also concerned. I had a new problem. How did I move forward?

Chapter II

Hephaestus

             
If you don't believe ten years can pass with a divorced god still living the single life, you obviously haven't met me. Granted, in the beginning, I loved my new bachelorhood. There was something peaceful about lounging around in my birthday suit and watching DIY shows to my heart's content. Never a neat freak, it was nice to not worry about my socks or grimy work clothes scattered on the floor, offending Aphrodite when she made her rare and often surprise visits. In fact, I hadn't seen her since our separation with the exception of solstice celebrations. It was a relief to be away from her constant frowning at my lameness, and how she thought that made me less than stellar in the company of other gods.

             
Immortal life was going great, but then as the years passed by, with not even a chance at Hermes's speed dating craze, I started feeling pretty down. I tried to rationalize my inability to snag a lady, believing that it was due to Zeus and the other gods keeping me busy with weapon orders and quick fixes around the temples. I
was
the only one who could create the best quality items at a very reasonable price, but even my Cyclopes helpers knew better and saw through my Minotaur poop. The truth of the matter was that I didn't have the confidence to ask out any of the immortal women around the area.

Ares, with his scarred up body or Poseidon and his brine infested beard were still deemed handsome and sexy. I, on the other hand, limped from a grossly tattered leg, a gift at birth from my mother Hera. I was as anti-social as a mute in a choir, the antithesis of godliness.

              A clock of gold chimed in the corner, letting me know the day's end had come, but in my growing bitterness, I really didn't feel like going home. As of recently, I've buried myself in work, often giving the Cyclopes the day off, so that I could spend it alone. I know—it’s pretty pathetic.

Frias, my lead employee came in at the last loud strike, wiping the beading sweat from his one brow and blinking until his one blue eye adjusted to the dark that was my forge. He frowned, picking up several tossed works in progress, organizing the lair to his liking.

He saw me, dismally working on the helmet Ares requested and grunted in revulsion. “You should put scorpions in that. I'd like to see him scream like a girl again.”

             
I fought the urge to smile and failed miserably, recalling my dear friend's memory of the day Ares was smooching with Aphrodite at an oasis in the desert. A scorpion, pale as the sand, scurried by his foot and he let out a scream that would have put a siren to shame. In his girlish fright, he knocked the Love Goddess into the water, their hysterical theatrics being later featured on the nightly Muse News. It was a great day for us all on Olympus, but it didn't change things for me. Just a momentary satisfaction to see my perfect, big brother lose a notch off his belt.

I picked up a dirty rag and dried my forehead, tossing the helmet onto the 'work undone' pile. “You always know what to say to make me smile Frias, but you're not supposed to be here. I gave you the day off.”

              “You're not my Dad, can't tell me what to do.”

             
With the tone he used, any other immortal, including his Sea Godfather would have blasted him. Luckily, I wasn't like them. I didn't try to argue, knowing it was pointless against his breed, so I held out my hands in surrender. I motioned for him to join me outside, where we could get away from the sweltering heat within the volcano.

We stood looking out, while the vast valley of Olympus lay sprawled in serene elegance. To the innocent eye, it was absolute perfection in all aspects of life. I could see it in the single orb of the man beside me. In other realms, he was a monster, but here he was treated with more respect than I. I hated to admit that I felt a small dose of envy at his naivety. How I wished I had the ability to view past the pain and wear those rose tinted glasses. If I could rid my memory of what I saw when I gazed upon my world, maybe it wouldn't so seem flawed and full of ugliness. As much as I was tied to the citizens who lived here, I was equally as disconnected. Like always, the old Cyclops read my thoughts.

              “It can sometimes be nasty here, my lord. I heard what happened with the cloud nymph Aella. You know those girls are always flighty.”             

             
Blushing, I was thankful my face was covered in soot and grime. I had already embarrassed myself enough with that asinine stunt I tried pulling with her. Flighty wasn't the best way to describe the pert, little cloud girl. Leave it to a Cyclops to lay it on thick with the puns.

Aella was beautiful, her white hair in a constant flux, matching eyes and a lithe body that seemed airless. She practically floated as I chased her, as nymphs love the chase. Yet, I couldn't quite catch up, my leg as usual, slowing me down until all I could do was sit on a rock and watch her point and laugh at me. You would think that after being the butt of many jokes, I'd not be fazed, but as she shifted into the puffy cotton of a nebulae to join her sisters in the sky, my heart broke a little more.

It had been a nightmare of humiliation for me and I was glad my friend didn't mock me as the others had. “What's the point in trying anymore, old friend?” My voice came out tired and I knew I was mentally exhausted. “My own ex-wife wanted nothing to do with me, the Goddess of Love herself! Why would I believe that anyone else would want me?”

             
“You can't give up, Hephaestus. There is someone out there for you.”

             
“I respect your optimism, but I am probably destined to spend my immortality alone. It would be easy to place the blame on my mother’s cruelty as I have before. But even if she hadn't tossed me out of Olympus, I know I would still be in this same situation.”

             
The volcano smoked at the tip, threatening to spew lava if I didn't control my emotions. I couldn't afford another eruption like that of the one in 1816 on Mount Tambora, I was stronger than that.  I ran my hand over my face, inhaling and exhaling like I'd learned in the Goddess Iris's meditation classes. With a final hiccup of steam, the large mountain went back into its inactive state, both Frias and I breathing a sigh of relief. 

             
“I think, my lord, we should go get a drink. You need one and now that I've lost ten years off my life…”

             
“You're immortal, Frias.”

             
“As I was saying.” He gave me the stink eye before continuing, “Since I've lost a few years, I too, need a strong glass.”

             
I barked out a short laugh, patting the larger man on the back and agreed. Calling my chariot, we waited until my prized stallions thundered up the path, stopping before us. Frias climbed up, making the axle dip under his weight and he grumbled about cutting back on the wife’s meals, causing me to chuckle once more.

I waved my hand over the shop's entrance, hiding it from unwanted eyes. Next, I flashed into my casual attire. Due to the changes of fashions throughout time, most of us gods did away with togas and dressed according to the decade. While most of the men donned tailored suits with the exception of Ares and his edgy biker clothes, I preferred the comforts of a pair of blue jeans and cotton t-shirt.

Joining my friend, I gripped the leather reins, gave a gentle flick and whistle and we sped down the mountainside.