Free Sweet Cry of Pleasure by Marie Medina Page B

I’m not sure he knows how much he loves her.”
    “He does. I saw the look in his eyes when Arion kissed her cheek. His pain doubled, but she realize why. She only saw the pain in his eyes. She didn’t understand the cause.”
    “I don’t understand why it’s so hard.”
    Hera shrugged. “A stubborn and pessimistic man and a proud yet unconfident woman? They’ll both laugh at what fools they were.”
    “I hope we’re right.”
    “We won’t know until we wake Ares.”
    Eris took a deep breath. She’d never been so scared.
    * * * *
    Alala watched Hypnos. He was very handsome, but in the way vampires are in romance novels and movies, very pale and ethereal, distant yet sensual. He looked up and caught her staring.
    “Sorry.”
    He smiled. “You shouldn’t be. You seem less afraid. I’m glad.”
    “You’re not as scary sitting here, I guess. I don’t really fear you. Why would I?”
    He considered this. “Well, my powers could be as terrifying as my brother’s, wouldn’t you say?”
    She nodded. “I suppose so. It’s hard to tell you apart on the battlefield with your helmets on.”
    “Ah. Perhaps that is it. But then again, you’re a goddess. You have little reason to fear us.”
    “You’re right. Perhaps I’m more mortal than I thought.”
    “Your mother was mortal?”
    Alala was surprised. “Yes. Only a few people know that. Ares doesn’t even know.”
    “Well, she was honored when my brother…escorted her to the Elysian Fields. And Polemus came to see her on the shores of the Acheron.”
    “He did? He said he never saw her again after he brought me here.”
    “You weren’t permitted to be with her, so perhaps he didn’t want you to know.”
    Alala felt sad. She wouldn’t have preferred being among mortals, but it would’ve only been while her mother was alive. She’d never understood the ever-changing rules Zeus imposed on them. “She was beautiful, but I knew nothing about her. She was a warrior, and not very motherly.”
    Hypnos nodded. “True, but this isn’t what I intended. I’ve given you another sorrow in trying to distract you.”
    She shook her head. “It’s fine. I feel safe with you here.”
    The doors opened, and Zeus and Megaera walked in.
    “Meg?” Alala asked.
    Meg hid behind her brown hair, and Alala saw a few streaks of blood on her face, which meant she had been crying. The tears of the Furies were always made of blood.
    Zeus put his hands on Meg’s shoulders. “Alala, Meg needs to tell Ares something. When she placed the spell, she didn’t have time to tell him what would break it. We need to leave them alone.”
    “Who did this?” Alala asked.
    Meg spoke up. “Aphrodite. Please, Alala, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t disobey her.”
    Alala sighed and met her gaze. “I understand. May Hypnos stay? I don’t trust this spell. Aphrodite is not the best at them.”
    “Hades has assured me Thanatos will not come for my son. You have no reason to be afraid.” Zeus reached for her hand. “Come with me. You need to be taken care of too.”
    She took Zeus’ hand and left the room with him and Hypnos. When they reached the hallway, she saw Apollo standing by the window.
    “What are you doing here?” she asked, the words coming out more sharply than she’d intended.
    Zeus and Hypnos both looked surprised, but Apollo at least had the decency to look a bit sheepish.
    “I came to offer any help I could. I was talking to Eris when she felt what happened. She told me to stay away, but I didn’t listen.”
    Alala scowled at him, not caring that the other two men wouldn’t understand her anger. “I’m sure she did. Perhaps you should have.”
    Zeus stepped forward. “Apollo, is there a quarrel between you and Ares?”
    Apollo colored, and Alala thought it was more from fear than from embarrassment. “There may be one soon enough. May I speak to Alala?”
    “I don’t think she wants to speak with you at all,” Hypnos said.
    “I don’t, so if you will