Free Thief of Olympus (Greek Myth Series Book 3) by Elizabeth Rose

breast. A sudden tinge of regret ripped through him. This wasn’t right. The baby should not be feeding from any woman except that of his mother. He had felt aroused watching Lysandra feed his child. Now he felt saddened that a stranger should have the opportunity.
    “I will acquire your services for a while, but the baby’s mother will be returning to take over the responsibility.”
    “She will?” asked Endre from the door.
    “When?” asked Daedalus in surprise. “And why? You do not need her now that Pasha has returned.”
    “Mayhap you are right,” said Zarek rubbing her amethyst ring on his finger. Mayhap the baby didn’t need Lysandra, but he did.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Lysandra opened one sleepy eye, almost blinded by the sunlight streaming in through the entrance of the tent. Her dream of coupling with Zarek had come to a crashing halt the minute she saw her mother’s angry face leaning over the sleeping pallet.
    “Mother,” she said, trying to force a smile. “What happened?”
    “You have disgraced the Amazon nation, that’s what happened.”
    Lysandra rubbed her eyes and pushed up, feeling the aches in her body as she did so. It was all coming back to her now. The attack on the castle, and the way she’d willingly returned with the Amazons, leaving her baby behind.
    “I weakened and of that I am ashamed,” she apologized. “But I feel much better now and am sure I’ll be strong enough to continue soon. I just need to rest.”
    “Aye,” she agreed, “you are a weak warrior. But an Amazon never has need of rest. Even after something as trivial as birthing a baby.”
    “Baby.” Just hearing the word made her breasts ache. She needed to get back to little Lysander. She needed to feel him again in her arms. “I need to let him feed. How long has it been?”
    “You are no longer able to do that, daughter. You have slept for more than a week and your supply is now gone. Besides, Amazon mother’s milk is not to be wasted on a male child!”
    “He is my child,” she spat, pushing up to a full sitting position. “I can do as I please.”
    Her mother brought her face down to meet Lysandra’s, their noses nearly touching. Anger flashed in her eyes and challenge in her words.
    “You were to sacrifice the male baby to Artemis. You have already done as you pleased, and it has brought strife to the tribe.”
    “How?” she asked. “How can it bring strife because my baby lives? Nothing can be changed because of a sacrifice of a child.”
    “Artemis is not happy with you, Lysandra. She has threatened revenge for your betrayal. We will worship at her temple in one week’s time when the moon is full. And when we do, we will have that baby, and you will personally offer it up to her.”
    “No!” Lysandra screamed, jumping to her feet. Her body was bare and she could see the size of her breasts had already decreased. Her stomach had returned to its normal size, but she still felt dizzy and tired. She clutched her mother’s arm, but the woman would do naught to help her.
    “You are a warrior, Lysandra. And you are my only daughter, and also the princess who will rule in my place when I am gone. Do not disappoint me again.”
    “I do not belong here, Mother. I am not like the others.” She took a coverlet from the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders. “I know I should hate men, but - ” The look in her mother’s eyes kept her from continuing.
    “King Zarek was a bad choice as your mate. I, myself, am to blame. I knew he would sire a strong child, but I did not expect him to make a fool of the entire warrior nation. He used you, Lysandra, to get what he wanted, and you should hate him for it. He is never again to be trusted.”
    “What?” Lysandra could barely believe what she heard. She clutched the coverlet in her fists and shook her head. “I used him as much as he used me. How does that make me any different?”
    “We are Amazons. It is our tradition. We serve Artemis, Goddess of