Free (Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips by Gerry Bartlett Page B

“Daughter, you need to learn to curb your tongue!” She lifted her hand as if to toss a lightning bolt and I braced myself.
    Mars stood so abruptly the dishes rattled. “Hebe, leave her alone. Gloriana has reason to be in a temper. Look what she’s been through.”
    “Please sit, Mars. I, more than anyone else, know what we’ve all been through. I’m sorry, Gloriana. This has been a trying time for you of course. But you know I’m only doing what is best for you. Bringing you to the place where you belong to claim your birthright.” Mother whipped out a hanky and worked up a tear. “Mars, I thought we agreed . . .” She sighed. “Never mind. Gloriana, we are grateful to this man, Blade. Perhaps a gift is in order.” Mother glanced at Mars. “One of your swords would please him no doubt. Especially if you gave it a magical power.”
    “A true warrior or a man in love would be insulted by the offer.” Mars glared at her. “Like we are trying to buy him off.”
    “He would. He’s a rich man, successful and from a highborn family. He has pride, Mother. To try to reward him now would not be wise.” I took a breath. I had to find a way out of this. “Send me back. You can come visit me whenever you want. I know you both have spouses here so I’ll be nothing but trouble for you. A reminder of an affair that they surely disapprove of. And you already know what Hera thinks about betraying your marriage vows.”
    “My mother will get over that. She loved you on sight.” My mother gazed longingly at Mars. “She understood that I was lonely and never loved my husband. He was cruel to me when he realized our sons were never to grow to manhood. Hercules has quite a temper and took the boys’ affliction out on me.”
    That finally got Mars’ attention. “You never told me… What did he do, Hebe? I swear, if he hurt you, I’ll make him sorry he was ever born.”
    “He knew better than to lay a hand on me.” Mother reached out and touched Mars’ arm. He finally took her hand. “But he can be very cold and cruel. With words. Until you and I finally were together, I was sure that I was the reason he got no satisfaction in our marriage bed. He claimed I was frigid and could make any man’s,” she actually flushed, “cock shrink with just a look.”
    “We both know how wrong he was about that, don’t we?” Mars pulled her hand to his mouth. “But you never should have hidden this child from me. Why did you?” He released her. “I’m sure Gloriana wants to know as well.”
    “The way Grandmother is accepting me now makes me wonder why you didn’t just go to her at the time.” I saw Mother shrink in her chair as we both focused on her.
    “I was scared, confused. Mother has mellowed over the centuries. I guess Father’s many indiscretions have convinced her there is no use wasting her time worrying about fidelity. But back then, she was rabid on the subject. I couldn’t count on her support. In fact, I was afraid she’d have made me,” Mother stared down at her lap, “rid myself of the pregnancy early on.” She looked up. “I couldn’t do that. Not a child made from our love, Mars.”
    “But you could drop it into Achelous’s harem of horrors?” I jumped to my feet. “Do you have any idea how he treated his women? I am blessed that I don’t remember it but I have heard from the Sirens how it was and still is.” I took a breath. The breakfast I’d enjoyed threatened to choke me. “They had to kill whoever they lured with their song, give Achelous the gold they stole then service that pig you call a god as well. At least Circe is in charge there now. I’m sure the Sirens are celebrating. She is bound to be a gentler mistress.”
    “Gloriana. Will you ever forgive me?” Tears flowed down my mother’s cheeks.
    “She might but I’m not sure I will. Gloriana is right. The Sirens are nothing but whores and killers, Hebe. This sickens me.” Mars stared at me for a long moment, ignoring