Free Love's Forge by Marie Medina Page B

born. “She wants to talk? Only her? She won’t try to bring Apollo?”
    “She said she would be alone if you’ll tell her where to go and let her in. I’ve been watching the last few hours.”
    “Very well then,” he said, amazed Eris hadn’t been beating his door down since she had to know where Hermes was and what he’d been doing. “Tell her to go to the place you met Hera and Zeus. If she touches the wall, it will be like ringing a doorbell. I’ll be waiting whenever she decides to come.”
    Hermes nodded and vanished.
    Hephaestus took a deep breath and headed for the kitchen again. He’d already cleaned up, but there had to be something in there that needed to be done. He wasn’t going to get any sleep tonight.
    * * * *
    Clotho and Atropos sat regarding Lachesis as she looked down into the pool at Hephaestus.
    “Do you see what you have reduced him to?” Clotho said. “He can’t sleep. He’s rattling around the house like a nervous mortal.”
    “Wait until Harmonia comes. She will change everything.”
    Atropos came and stood beside her. “How do you know?”
    Lachesis looked up at her sister. Atropos saw the end of a destiny, the end of a life, but only a short time before it occurred. Clotho knew each beginning and set each soul on a certain course. Lachesis exercised the real power, and that knowledge made her smile.
    “I know because I see where her words will take him. She will inspire him to take certain actions.” She smiled wider at Atropos. “Don’t you wish you were like us? Wouldn’t you like to know the future?”
    “No. We would be miserable if I could.”
    Lachesis shrugged. “Perhaps we would be.”
    “You see only enough to think you know what is best,” Clotho said. “You see just a little farther down each path than others can. Just a little. The destinies of individuals are so much trickier than those of nations and races.”
    Lachesis stood and let the image in the pool fade. “I will be responsible for what happens. I swear. I will tell Zeus and Hera everything. I will confess to the primal deities if you wish. Is it really so important?” She laughed. “Is it?”
    Atropos turned and stalked away. “I’m not protesting because of the importance. I’m angry because it’s hard enough for any being mortal or immortal to be happy without others meddling.”
    Lachesis had not expected so much anger or conviction. “Clotho?”
    Clotho stood and shook her head. “It’s true. Happiness is a delicate thing. Do as you wish and let it all fall on your head.” She exited with as much conviction, if less speed.
    Lachesis couldn’t understand them. Why didn’t they see the beauty of her plan? What was wrong with them?
    * * * *
    Ares knocked on the bedroom door. Why was Alala in bed? Where else would she be? Hermes had been sent to tell her he was safe while he went to his mother. He’d wanted to go to Alala right away, but he’d felt it safer to talk with his parents first.
    “Alala? Are you here?”
    The bedroom door swung open. Alala walked across the room toward him, tying her short robe in a loose knot. “Of course I’m here. It’s late. Where else would I be?”
    “You don’t seem surprised, so Hermes must have given you my message.”
    She nodded. “He did.” She moved to sit in one of the armchairs by the fire. “You want a drink?”
    “Bourbon. I’ll get it.”
    She jumped up. “No, I will. Sit.”
    He had no idea what she was doing, so he obeyed. Alala had always been quiet, had always done things calmly. Unfortunately, her tendency to do so had been the reason she’d blended into the background of his life so well for so long. She’d fought well on the battlefield, never gloating or taunting her enemies. She’d silently tended his wounds, massaged his aches away. His cock twitched at the thought of her hands on his body and his gaze wandered to her beautiful ass and legs. He shifted in his seat. Whatever she was planning, she probably wasn’t