Free Goddess of Love by P. C. Cast Page B

words wrapped around Venus like a lovely silken robe, caressing her skin and filling her with what felt suddenly like magical warmth.
    â€œPleasure, joy, delight and bliss, oh dear Venus, grant me this. With love and hope I call to thee, work your magic just for me. Beautiful Venus, blessed be, happiness and ecstasy are the gifts I ask from thee!”
    As the invocation concluded Venus felt a tremendous tug within her, as if something was compelling her very soul to listen to this mortal’s cry. She rushed forward, and still holding the Pricilla’s Toy Box bag, she spread her arms dramatically.
    â€œOf course I shall aid you!” Venus cried.
    Pea gasped and whirled around, her hand going to her throat. “Oh, shit! You scared me. I thought I was alone in here.”
    Venus frowned mildly. “Not quite the reception I usually receive when I personally answer an invocation.”
    â€œWhat do you mean? Who are you?”
    â€œVenus, of course. And your name is?”
    â€œPea,” she said automatically.
    â€œPea? What an odd name. Are you quite certain?”
    â€œOf course I’m certain. It’s my name. Well, actually it’s my nickname but it’s what everyone calls me.” Then Pea blinked, shaking her head like she was trying to clear it while her mind caught up with her words. “Who did you say you were?”
    â€œVenus, the Goddess of Sensual Love, Beauty and the Erotic Arts,” she replied a little smugly, using the most formal of her titles.
    Pea’s mouth flopped open.
    â€œYou besought my aid, and gladly I offer it to you!” Venus proclaimed with a flourish that made the tissue paper in her shopping bag rustle.
    Pea closed her mouth, opened it and then closed it again.
    â€œI understand. You must be overwhelmed with delight.” She walked around Pea, clucking her tongue softly. “We do have considerable work to do.” Venus reached out and touched her appliquéd ballet IS the pointe shirt as if it were a rare insect she had the misfortune to discover. Then she shifted her attention to Pea’s hair. Shaking her head she said, “By Aeolus’s gaseous anus, we must do something about this first.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYour hair, of course. You don’t brush it, do you?”
    â€œOf course I brush it. What else am I supposed to—” Pea broke off, passing a hand across her forehead and looking utterly confused. “Look. I don’t want to be rude, but how is my hair your business?”
    â€œYou invoked my aid. I remember exactly what you asked for—you said, ‘Happiness and ecstasy are the gifts I ask from thee.’ I already told you that I’m answering your plea. I’m here to help you find happiness and ecstasy. Clearly you can’t find either with such misbehaving hair.”
    â€œOkay. Well. Hmm. That’s nice of you. I guess. And I appreciate your, uh, interest, but I’m fine. Really.” She started to move carefully around Venus like she was afraid the woman might suddenly explode.
    â€œI saw you run in here because you were embarrassed,” Venus said gently. “I don’t think you are truly fine.”
    Pea’s cheeks flushed, but she put on a gay smile. “Oh, that’s just me. I embarrass myself all the time. I’m used to it.”
    â€œIf that were true, why does your smile not reach your eyes?”
    â€œIt does. I just…I’m…” Pea floundered. “I have to go.” She rushed toward the door.
    â€œIf you would wash it and then apply a small amount of coconut oil, comb it only with your fingers and let it dry naturally I believe you could begin to tame your hair.”
    Pea stopped short of the door. Turning, she met Venus’s kind gaze. “Coconut oil?”
    She nodded. “Pure coconut oil of the highest quality you can acquire. And it is of the utmost importance that you stop combing your hair. Do