The Wager- BBW Erotic Curvy Paranormal Romance (TOUCH OF THE GODS) (13 page)

              Nodding, I allowed him to push my head back down on his thick length, which seemed perpetually hard, and I didn't object. I not only wanted his forgiveness, but also to be perfect for him. Besides, isn't that what I promised?

*   *  *  *

              “This is bullshit, uncle! He's cheating!”

             
“He's not. Like always, your father has found a loophole in this bet.”

             
“Do
not
call him that, he is no father of mine!” Eros stormed right to left, his cheeks mottled red with anger at Ares and what he was doing. Obviously it was all over Olympus and when he confronted the older god, telling him that his antics made the bet null and void, his father promptly replied that the only rule was that they not interfere with my love life. Never was anything stipulated about the female's.

As usual, my brother found his way to win, because everyone knew, war hated to lose.

              “I hate Ares! How can you sit back and allow this, Hephaestus? Why haven't you gone over there and just punched him out or something?”

             
“You know he makes my mind crazy when I touch him. I almost killed him and you know what would have happened to me then. I can't just barge in on Ares and act like—well, him.”

             
He snorted in disgust, huffing as he continued his furious pacing, his metal feathers flying and impaling themselves in various parts of my home.

I had to dodge a few myself to keep from becoming a Hephaestus-kabob.

“It still isn't right. He thinks he can bully everyone and take what he wants. She's yours dammit, and now she can't even get away with him near. She's trapped under his craptastic spell! Seriously uncle, I can't understand why it would be so hard for you to go Greek on his ass.”

             
“Because, my young god, unlike Ares? Your Uncle is a smart man and will succeed for that alone.”

             
Both Eros and I jumped as a shower of gold, shaped as a large owl descended into the small room, finally coalescing into the fully armored form of my sister, Athena. Under her shimmering helmet, her eyes stared out cold and stern, the color of copper pennies. She wore her waist long, white braid over her shoulder as she marched passed us and over to my covered contraption. Gliding a finger over the sheet, she pulled it off.

A shocked intake of breath came from my nephew, while I stood unmoving, awaiting her verdict on the piece. It looked like an average war sword, fixed with a celestial gold plated blade with an ornate hilt and scabbard. I could see from her features, she knew the secret it held and turning to me, she smiled and nodded her head in approval. “I like what you've planned, brother. But have you come up with a way to get it in his hands?”

              “No, not quite. I am certain however, you have some suggestions for me.”

             
With another curt nod, she came to stand before us.

Eros was still gawking at the weapon like a deer caught in headlights.

Ignoring him, I fidgeted with some screws I found in my pocket. I’d never been able to handle the deep scrutiny of my sister's gaze. I didn't even look at her as I just bide my time, making small gadgets, while she prodded in my mind to figure out the best tactic to bring down the War God. I knew I could count on her.

Athena who burst from the head of Zeus was not only the Goddess of Wisdom, but of strategic warfare. Where my brother had brutality and strength, she had the vision. The stifling quiet as she contemplated a solution, while Eros studied the uncovered sword, was broken when the sound of Ares' Harley roared into the driveway that connected both mine and Vanessa's home.

The sound of a Vanessa’s giggle danced along the wind and wrapped around my heart like the thorny vines of roses.

Obviously, Athena read my angry thoughts, because she suddenly created a vibrant sphere in the palm of her hand, the image of my brother and how we would finally give him his comeuppance. “Ares hates humiliation. You do recall how long it took him to approach Aphrodite after that little netting you did, don't you? Well, with mortals, embarrassment makes him leave them for good. Your little sword will do the trick, but we have to lure him to take it.”

              “Humiliating my brother is something I do best. But how do you think we can lure him? He won't come directly to me. Not after what happened at the cafe.”

             
“This is true. We need bait, but who?”

             
Slowly, our heads turned until we faced the one person who had not been paying much attention to our little pow wow.

Eros still stood, transfixed by my project and seemed oblivious to our creeping approach. It wasn't until we pressed against him, caging him from escape that he spun around with nowhere to run or hide. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed heavily.

With a tight grip upon his shoulder, Athena led him to the window, me following closely behind. The three of us stared at the motorcycle now vacant of Ares and in her throaty, firm voice she spoke in Eros's ear.“You are the twin of the one who Ares hates the most. You will take his form and prepare your father for Hephaestus.”Athena's skin sparkled pale as the sun's rays filtered between the blinds.

  I’d almost forgotten how stunning she was, despite her frigid nature. So many desired her above all, even more so than Aphrodite, but she chose to remain a maiden. I never could understand it. Now, her eyes pierced through the fear that the Love God was wrapped in, using her own powers to fill him with courage and pride.

Before me, I watched him change while he stood rigid and stiff, almost as though he was going to take on his Roman form. Thankfully, he didn't as that was something none of us could afford at the moment. Instead, he looked between the two of us, his skin dusted with a coat of iridescent glitter, like the goddess. “What will you have me do? I am ready to end the War God's evil interference.”

             
With a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, Athena pulled us close, placing a shield around our bodies in case Ares was listening in.“Take the form of your brother, Himeros, and offer the sword as payment for the wrong towards your father. He will suspect the source and that's when Hephaestus will strike. Understood?”

             
He nodded, looked to me and disappeared so quickly, the air actually made a loud
pop
sound. It was kind of comical, but I dared not laugh as my sister was not big on humor and I didn't want to offend her.

Once we were alone, she walked around my home, picking up things here and there, and I started to feel a sense of awkwardness. Athena sighed loudly and at that moment, I knew there was more she wanted to discuss, but didn't know how to start. Unlike the other members of our family, she and I shared the same type of story, born of one parent, she of Zeus, I of Hera. The only difference was that she was loved by her father, while I was something to be avoided and mocked in secret.

Either way, I knew that she was as anti-social as I was and it would take a gentle push to get the goddess to speak to me. “Sister, what is on your mind? And don't say 'nothing'.”

             
“Oh, Hephaestus. I know this is important to you, but is it worth the risk? What this woman will have to do, to go through? Brother, this is not something I can imagine her doing.”

             
“I hear your concern, Athena. I truly do. Trust me, I have them too, but I believe in Vanessa. She's my love, the one created solely for me.”

             
She sighed again, shaking her head sadly. Her forehead wrinkled in perplexity over such a subject as love. “If this mortal is weakened by Ares, I wouldn't trust that she'd not fold at the first trial. This is going to be a failure on all sides.”

             
“You're wrong, Athena. I know that all will work out. I have love on my side.”

             
A un-goddess like snort came from her as she sneered and stood in front of the sword once more, toying with it nonchalantly. “Is that the bullshit Eros has spouted to you? Puh-lease, Hephaestus! I'm not wrong about this. I am the Goddess of Wisdom as well, you know?”

             
“I know dear, but I need you to let go of logic and allow this to happen. Okay?”

             
The indecision on her face was almost laughable as though she were trying hard to accept something so unpredictable. Emotions played along her face, before she finally took in a breath and nodded in agreement.

It was hard for her, this I knew, but I was proud of her for taking such an uncharacteristic step. Part of me wanted to pull her into my arms for an embrace, but I dared not embarrass her further. Especially, since she took time out of her busy schedule to come aid me, something I'd never forget. So, I gave her a Greek salute.

Athena returned in kind, finally giving me a brilliant smile that lit up her already glowing face.  Melting down, she went from being the war ready goddess to a snowy white owl, large and still very formidable. With a soft cry, she floated away on a golden cloud back home to Olympus.

Her leaving gave me hope that our plan would work. If it didn't, I would be forced to kill my brother, face Zeus, and try to plead my way out of my own death sentence. How did that song go? All is fair in love and
war
? Let's hope that would be the case, but in love’s favor this time.

Chapter XIII

Vanessa

             
Not wanting to be late, I stood at the foot of my bed, dressed in my bathrobe and stared at the large white box, the untied, red ribbon with the lid thrown to the side and the opened note from Ares. I sat next to it, reading that it was what he wanted me to wear for the evening. I was beginning to wonder how many outfits he would purchase for me. Or better yet, where he was finding them! Never, had I seen an outfit so risqué as the one sitting inside the crinkled tissue paper. I felt my cheeks warm at the very thought of putting it on, but it was what he wanted and I dared not upset him anymore than he already was with me.

With a deep, calming breath, I held up the strapless mini dress with built in corset and studied it with wary eyes. The color was red, which obviously was a favorite of Ares', adorned with a black velvet piping. At first glance, I didn't think I'd be able to fit my fluffy body into its tightness, but once I shimmied it up my body, zipped it closed and looked in the mirror, I had to admit my previous theory was wrong. The pink on my cheeks spread down to my breasts which were barely covered by the sweetheart top and unconsciously, I kept pulling at the hem, but to no avail and wondered how I would sit without showing the entire world my secret. It didn't help that he required me to skip putting on panties.

Still checking out my reflection, I jumped when my cell rang and dashed to it in case it was him. Unfortunately, it wasn't. The name on the ID window being someone I really didn't wish to speak to, but I flipped it open anyway, because it was obvious I was a glutton for punishment.

             
“Baby girl! I've been trying to get a hold of you for days. Are you alright?”

             
“Hello, mama. I'm fine, just been busy. How are you and Daddy?”

             
“Honestly, we're worried about you. Willa is too. Your father wants you to come out with us tonight, so we can talk about this new boyfriend of yours.”

             
“I know, but I can't today. He's uh, taking me to dinner.”

             
There was silence on the other end and I knew it was my mother trying to calm herself, so as to not give away that she was about to cry. Guilt settled deep in my stomach and for the first time ever, I felt like a true and utter disappointment. I wanted to try and make it better, but really didn't know how at this point. “I'm really sorry, Mom.”

             
“No, no. It's fine, baby. Maybe next time?”

             
I sighed into my phone while hating the false optimism she’d always had whenever something was going wrong in the family. Usually, it involved my brother and the trouble that always followed him, but now it was me, myself and I. Looking over at the clock on my nightstand, I realized if I didn't get moving, I would not get to the restaurant on time, which would be a problem if Ares was already there. He would leave me sexless for another week or two. My pussy clenched in pain at the thought. “Hey listen, mama. I have to get going, I'll call you soon, okay?”

             
“Alright, dear. Please be careful, Vanessa.”

             
“I will. Love you, bye.” Closing my phone, I rushed to apply a smoky makeup look, dabbed my lips in the same red as my dress, slipped into the black stilettos and rushed to my car. Sitting on the seat, the soft leather of my dress glided along my hairless labia, the friction engorging them along with the anticipation of the evening. My fear of being late was diluted, as luck seemed to be on my side. There seemed to be no red lights as I drove and traffic was quite minimal for a lovely, weekend evening.