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."I'm sorry, you're right.But I refuse to feel sorry for him.Kalliara is my only concern.""Well, both of them are my concern," Aphrodite said, her voice filled withpain."He loves her.He's defying his father to protect her.As soon as he didthat, he became my child, too.I won't abandon him to Dionysus.""What do you plan to do?" Athena asked quietly."I'm going to go see Dionysus and talk to him," Aphrodite said."I won'tabandon my children without a struggle.And theyboth became my children whenthey fell in love.She's not your problem any more, Athena."With that Aphrodite stood and clapped her hands sharply.Several beautifulyoung priestesses appear out of the shadows to attend her, bowing before thetwo goddesses."Bring me my silver spider-web gown," Aphrodite said."And prepare my bath.Ihave an errand to run, and I want to look my best.""What about me?" Athena asked."Is there anything I can do to help?""Yes," Aphrodite said."I want you to go to Zeus and ask a favor.I want himto grant Kalliara immortality.That way, no matter what happens, the two ofthem will be together.He's willing to give up everything for her.Let's giveher the chance to pay him back for that gift.""I'd rather she stay mortal," Athena said tightly."Then she can go to theunderworld and exist in peace, no matter what happens."Well, she's not your child any more, Athena," Aphrodite said coldly."Shewouldn't have gotten into this situation if you hadn't held her to yourimpossible standards, denying her a family and husband.She's mine now, andshe's in love.I want her to be able to stay with her man no matter whathappens.""Why should I go to Zeus?" Athena asked, disgusted."Because I'm the only thing that stands between you and all-out war withDionysus," Aphrodite replied coldly."So right now, you'd better focus yourattentions on keeping me happy.Understand?""Yes," Athena replied softly."I understand perfectly.* * * * *"Dionysus, may I speak with you?" Aphrodite said softly.She walked into hisprivate room, careful to roll her hips as she walked, but no too much.Shedidn't want to appear too obvious&He turned to her, his face expressionless."My attendants told me you were coming to see me," he said coolly."Anyparticular reason you chose today? Usually you seem to avoid my company."She pouted her lips, and he laughed."You never change, do you?""Would you really want me to?" she purred, lifting one arm sensuously.Thesilky fabric she wore was nearly transparent; she could feel it pulling tightagainst her nipples."No, not at all," he said softly.He glided across the room, and lifted one ofher slender hands to his lips."I would never want you to change a bit,Page 41ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlAphrodite."Then he dropped her hand, and his expression grew mocking."I suppose it's entirely coincidental that you've come to see me so soon aftermy discussion with your bitch sister."She laughed throatily."I've heard you accused of many things, Dionysus, but stupidity has never beenone of them," she replied, allowing a soft smile to play across her lips."I'm here about Sabiniano and Kalliara, of course.""They're really none of your concern," he said, turning away from her.Hewalked across the room to a window overlooking the hills, and she followed.Calculatingly, she allowed herself to stand so close behind him that hernipples grazed his back; his muscles tightened in response."But theyare my concern, Dionysus," she sad softly."They're in love, and alllovers are under my protection.What will it take for you to let them go?There are other ways for you to fight with Athena.""That's true," he said, turning to face her.He lifted one finger and gentlyran it along her face."But this is about more than Athena.It's about my sonbetraying me.""He can't help his betrayal," Aphrodite whispered."Love is more powerful thanany of us.I couldn't give him back to you if I wanted to.""Why did you have to take him in the first place?" he asked, and for onemoment she glimpsed pain in his heart.It startled her; she'd never knownDionysus to care about anyone but himself."I didn't have to take him," she said, willing him to believe her."I don'tcreate love; I merely encourage what's already there.For some reason,Sabiniano and Kalliara were meant to be together.You need to let him go.""But I don't want to let him go," Dionysus said mockingly.All traces ofemotion were gone; once again, his cool, uncaring façade took over."I want myson back, and I want Athena's bitch human dead."She stepped back from him, allowing her seductive mask to slip off."Is there anything I can do to convince you to take your fight with Athenaelsewhere? She's already lost, you know.Her priestess is mine now.Kalliarawill never be able to go back to her service.Isn't that enough?""It would be enough if I hadn't lost my son, too," Dionysus said harshly,turning to face her."He's chosen her over me.That I cannot accept.""What if I offered to compensate you?" Aphrodite asked, taking a deep breath."What kind of compensation?" he asked, his face cold."Me," Aphrodite said quietly."I'm offering you me.Or rather, use of my bodyfor the day.""What makes you think I want you that badly?" he replied, his voiceexpressionless."Oh, you want me," she replied, pressing closer to him.She ran one hand uphis chest lightly, drifting across the hard nipples beneath his tunic.He wasmotionless beneath her touch.Laughing throatily, she rubbed her body againsthis.His erection jutted against her; she purred in response."All men want me, Dionysus," she said.Standing on her toes, she breathedlight kisses against his neck."I'm Love incarnate, and every creaturesecretly wishes to have me for their own.Whether they admit it or not.I'veseen the way you watch me.""I want to fuck you, I'll admit that," he said coldly."But I'm hardlyinterested in love.My realm is physical pleasure.That's all I want, and allI'll ever need [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ]