Free Ares: (Gods of Old Book 1) by April Zyon

have lots of nice things made from it so that every time I wear it or touch it I will think of you and this moment. And just how perfect it is.”
    “You are even more welcome,” he chuckled. He gave her a squeeze before letting her go to pay for the purchases. Taking the bags, he gave a small bow and spoke a little more with the woman. When the vendor blushed and waved them off, he turned to Ava once more. “Come on, Ava darling.”
    “Where are we headed now, and are we going to be carrying these bags with us all over the bazaar, or are you going to send them where they need to be so that we aren’t bothered by them?” Ava asked with a happiness about her that was infectious.
    Grinning, Ares shook his head at her. “I’m going to send them to the house. But we need to step out of sight for a moment.” He pointed towards a street, “We’ll duck through here and find an alley. Then I’ll send everything to my place; well, everything but the food.”
    “Sounds like a plan to me. And yes, we have to keep the food so that you can feed me. Maybe a blanket as well so that we can have something to sit on while we eat?” It would be lovely no matter what, that much she knew without a doubt. He would ensure that it was.
    “We’ll pick up a few more things along the way. There’s a table about three blocks from here where we can pick up a blanket.” He led her down the street and then between buildings. Stopping, Ares looked around and then the bags disappeared from his hands. “Alright; let’s go.”
    “Wow- That’s just- Wow.” She grinned happily, shaking her head in amazement at the display of his abilities. “I don’t know if I will ever get used to that,” she told him with a grin.
    “It definitely takes a while. The human mind tends to think in straight lines. They don’t process change, or ‘different’ well.”
    “Well, I think that I’m taking this pretty well all things considered,” she replied quickly. “I’m not yelling or screaming. Heck, I’m asking you to do things because it fascinates me. That-” she shrugged and said, “That, and because honestly I like watching you flex your muscle, so to speak.”
    “That is not flexing my muscles, so to speak,” he grinned at her. Pulling her close to him he kissed her gently. “Later I’ll really flex my muscles and see if you notice the difference. But for now, we need more food, a blanket, and then we have somewhere else to be.”
    “Sounds good to me. Let’s get out of here so we can enjoy our meal. It smells amazing, and I can’t wait to try it.” She wanted to try the goat. Heck, she was looking forward to all of the food that they had.
    “We just need a few more things,” he said. Taking her hand once more he led her back into the market. They collected some cheese, bread, wine, and water. They got their blanket as well as some fresh dates and a little bag of dried fruit. “I think that’s everything we need,” he looked into their bags and looked to her. “Unless you see something else around here you want to try?”
    She looked at everything that they had and shook her head, “Actually, I think you have thought of everything. I honestly wouldn’t have thought of even half of this without you.” She smirked and added, “Have you done this often? Wined and dined women who are fascinated by you?” Her tone was teasing, her hand on his arm tightening and leaning into him to show her happiness with being the only one here.
    He slid his arm around her and pulled her in close. “I’ve never wined and dined anyone, Ava. I don’t date; I don’t do things like this. But for you, it’s necessary for me to do something amazing for you. I want to spoil you and show you the world. I want you to know that you are the most amazing and special woman to have ever come into my life. Hell, I’m running around grinning like a fool because I love being with you.”
    She laughed and hugged him closer to her. “Good. I’m enjoying