Each of the RVs had large side view mirrors. The RV parked in the lead had its mirror knocked off. It was swinging aimless, barely hanging on by a single cord. The sun hitting the mirror was what had drawn her attention. The reflection in the mirror was what forced a gasp from her throat.
Dionysus. His cruel smile and the concentration on his face left no doubt who was responsible for the extermination of those outside.
“Balder, you have to get to Mother. It’s Dionysus who’s doing this.” Rhys had stayed true to his word, bringing Balder to Odin’s court and making him another immortal warrior.
“He wouldn’t dare. Zeus would destroy him,” he argued.
“I’m telling you it is him. I saw him.” Frantically, Broni tried to convince the warrior.
Dionysus was Zeus’s son, though she was certain his father could not have known his son was involved in destroying Earth.
“I can’t leave you here unprotected,” Balder protested.
“If we die, he will keep killing. You have to tell Mother. Only she will have the power to stop this.”
Balder looked undecided.
“You know I’m telling the truth. It’s the only choice we have. Go, please, Just don’t be gone long.”
“I won’t.”
Balder disappeared the next second, making those that saw scream.
Broni ignored them, turning back to the window. She could see no trace of Dionysus outside after her brief glimpse in the mirror. The Drearien that were there turned their attention to the clubhouse now that all who had been outside were dead. As they pounded on the door trying to get in, Broni waited for them to enter while holding her breath. The women behind the counter were screaming. Broni’s heart broke when she heard Abby’s and Zandra’s among them.
“You can stop it.”
Broni stiffened at the voice. Dionysus was just on the other side of the window, but his lips hadn’t moved. Broni realized he was talking to her in her mind.
“Let me have control, and I will let them live.”
“You’ll kill them anyway.”
“They are useless to me. It’s you I want.” His offer made no sense to her.
“Why? I have no powers as a mortal, and Mother is angry with me; she will not bargain for me.”
“Mother be damned. I will kill everyone inside if you do not come out.” Dionysus’s calm began to disappear, so Broni thought fast.
“You can’t touch Cara, I’m of no use…” Broni gasped. “You want to use me against Zerina. Where is she?” Broni screamed, throwing herself at the closed shutter.
She felt the pressure inside her skull as he tried to take control over her mind. Broni remembered her mother’s words that there had to be a kernel of evil inside for the Drearien to take control. Therefore, Broni thought of how much she loved Mother, and how she regretted making her angry by betraying her trust. She prayed for forgiveness.
Broni felt the overwhelming power of Mother’s love flood through her body, and the pain retreated as Dionysus gave an angry curse, disappearing.
In the next second, Balder returned with a handful of warriors about to throw open the door.
“Wait. He’s gone. The Drearien will return to normal, so there is no need to kill more.”
The men waited until the ones outside regained their senses, taking off back into the dark city.
“We’ll get the outside cleaned up,” Balder stated, opening the door. “I don’t understand how they didn’t get inside. These doors weren’t strong enough to hold them off.”
“The spell mother taught me must have held him off.”
“She saved your life.”
“Yes, she did.” She and the person who had been killed and buried on the property had protected her and the others inside.
Balder and his men were still dragging the bodies away when Adam and her warrior returned. Behind them, a huge semi followed the lights, showing the bloodshed that had taken place in their absence.
Broni went outside, running into her warrior’s arms.
“Are you all right?” Warrior looked her over critically, checking for injuries.
“Yes. I’m glad you’re home.”
“Home?”
“For now. Until this is over,” Broni clarified.
“When it’s over?”
Broni looked at the carnage around them. “If we’re still alive, the humans are going to need our help.”
“Balder said you saw Dionysus?”
Broni nodded her head. “I think he wanted to use me against Zerina.” Broni shuddered, fear for her sister flooding her mind.
“He’s the one behind this?”
Broni explained what had happened while he had been gone.
He remained silent while she told him, emotions swirling across his face. “That explains why humans haven’t been able to rebuild; he’s influencing the gangs to keep the cities in chaos.”
Broni agreed with him. It explained why the violence was escalating instead of calming.
“I need to talk to your mother,” he said suddenly. “Go back inside until I return. I won’t be long.”
“Why are you going to see my mother?”
“I’ll be back. I don’t think he’s acting alone. This is a war against your mother, and Dionysus is a peon, not a commander.”
“Who could be in charge then?”
Warrior shook his head, disappearing without answering her question.
If Dionysus was only being used by the person who was really trying to take control from Mother, then the battle would worsen. Humans were barely hanging onto their fragile grasp of civilization as it is. If someone else were involved, that could take this war to the Gods. Then, the only ones able to save them would be Odin’s army.
Her warrior was Odin’s commander, so if the war went to the realms, he could be killed. She would lose him again. An immortal that died in the realms was not reborn—he would be lost forever.
Chapter 30
The warrior appeared beside Fate. “You saw?”
“Yes. You do not believe that Dionysus is doing this on his own?”
“No. He is just a pawn as Morgana was.”
“Who do you think is responsible?”
Broni’s mother was clearly exhausted. He was sure that watching Broni being attacked and being unable to help as well as concern for Zerina had taken its toll.
“First, I want a promise from Mother.” Warrior folded his arms across his chest.
“What kind of promise?”
“That will be between Mother and me,” the warrior stated his terms. He had to use Fate to carry his message because no one was granted an audience with Mother without permission.
Her face paled, but she nodded her head in agreement. She disappeared a moment, gone briefly before returning.
“She agrees.”
The warrior gave a sigh of relief.
“Now, who is the one responsible?”
* * *
“Zeus!?” Broni said in shock.
“Yes.”
“No. He’s Chronos’s son. He was raised with Odin and is Mother’s step-son, but she treated him as well as Odin.”
“He is jealous of Odin. Mother split her inheritance between Odin, Hades and Poseidon, so there was nothing left for him, but he intends to have it all.”
“Mother must be heartbroken. Chronos must be devastated also to find out his son is responsible for the treachery.”
“At least now they know who they are fighting.” Broni rolled on top of him on the bed.
“Promise me you will be careful, Warrior. Odin is the only match for him in strength and power.”
“I will be careful.” His hand ran through her thick, black hair. “Would you miss me?”
Broni pounded her fist on his chest. “You know I would.” Her head dropped to his chest. “I don’t think I could bear to lose you. That’s why…”
“What?” He didn’t let her evade his question.
“Why I couldn’t bl
ame Rhys for not getting over Deena. I would never recover if I lost you. I wouldn’t want to.” Broni kissed his firm chest, licking his nipples until they stood out from his chest before moving downward. Her hand took his cock in a tight grip, applying a small amount of pressure until he groaned. “The thought of never seeing you again, of not kissing you again…” Broni placed butterfly kisses just above his cock, inhaling his musky scent. “Never tasting you again…” Her mouth opened, taking the crest of his cock into it.
Licking the drop of pre-cum off as if it was nectar, her tongue then licked the length of his cock before taking it in her mouth. The warrior’s head fell back against the wall at the top of their bed, his legs spread wider, giving her room to stroke his balls.
Broni smiled against him. Her warrior did love his cock being sucked. She sucked harder, taking him to her throat.
“Should I let you come in my throat or my pussy?”
His hand in her hair, pushing her down further on his cock, had Broni laughing, her question answered. Her laughter caused ripples in her throat that had him unable to hold back. Broni gripped his thigh as he held her down over him until he finished coming.
“Woman, you’re going to marry me.”
Broni’s eyes narrowed. “It took a blowjob to get you to propose?”
“Not just any blowjob, one like that.” Ignoring her temper, which he was rapidly learning to soothe, he said, “And because I love you.”
He lifted her up to sit on his lap, a thigh on each side of his hips. “Give me your tit.”
Broni hesitated briefly. She wasn’t about to stay angry and deny herself the pleasure she could see he was about to give her, though.
His mouth sucked her nipple into his mouth while his hand slid to the globe of her ass. Taking a small amount of flesh between his fingers, he pinched her.
“Ouch!” Broni leaned closer, enabling him to take more of her breast into his mouth.
His hand slid to her pussy, rubbing in the wetness he found before giving attention to her clit. Broni rubbed herself against him, needing more. Warrior’s hands spanned her waist, lifting her briefly before plunging her down on his cock. Broni screamed when his cock slid inside her, his hands pulling her down further on him.
“Ride me.”
Broni’s hips moved against him, fucking herself on his cock while he leaned back against the wall, playing with her bouncing breasts, alternating between pinching and tugging on the tender tips.
“Fuck me harder.” His demand had her going faster, feeling soft and feminine in his hard grasp while she was the one fucking him.
His hands grabbed her butt, sliding her forward until her clit felt the friction of each slide of her pussy on his cock. Broni arched her breasts out as her orgasm stormed through her body. She ground herself down on him, falling forward on his chest, smiling when he grunted, coming inside of her clenching pussy.
“Are you going to marry me?”
Broni raised herself on his chest, looking down at her warrior. His chest was sweat slickened, his eyes heavy-lidded with passion, his sensual mouth pouting. “I may need more convincing.”
Chapter 31
The beautiful gardens were filled with guests. Broni stared up at her husband as her father pronounced Cara and Jericho man and wife. The double ceremony had been beautiful, giving both sisters a wedding they would always remember.
Broni and Cara both had wanted to wait until Zerina was found and returned home, but each day Cara’s belly grew larger, the more determined their Father was that they say their vows.
When Jericho and Warrior added additional pressure, the women gave in with heavy hearts. All the Gods, Goddess, and immortals in good favor attended except for Athena and Aphrodite. Broni had flatly refused to see their faces during her ceremony.
Warrior had laughed when he’d heard, pulling her close for a kiss then murmuring in his seductive language how much he loved only her. She had melted against him, mischievously asking if Balder was going to be the best man. However, she had quit teasing him when he had paddled her backside.
After the ceremony, the party moved inside her mother’s castle where the guests were all on the balcony celebrating. Broni leaned against her warrior as she watched them then unconsciously sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Fate took her daughter’s hand.
“I’m going to miss you. It’s been hard being away.”
“I’ve tried to get Mother to change her mind, but she refuses.” Broni saw the pain in her mother’s eyes.
“I deserve my punishment. I’m grateful she allowed me to return home for my wedding.”
“I wish you could stay.”
“I do, too, but I’m needed on Earth. Abby and Zandra both need me to watch over them.”
“Always the protector.” Fate placed her hand against her cheek, her eyes going to Warrior. “Your husband better watch over you as closely.”
Broni stared back and forth between her husband and mother, sensing the tension between them. A strong gust of wind blew then, drawing the crowd’s attention to the woman appearing suddenly among them.
“Mother.” Broni was stunned at Mother’s appearance at her reception.
When Mother walked regally forward, coming to a stop in front of them, Broni, her husband, and Fate dropped to their knees before her.
“Rise,” Mother commanded before softening her tone. “Congratulations on your marriage.”
Mother nodded her head. “I am happy for you both.” She looked at Broni. “You have gained a Warrior who has served me faithfully since time began. The end is near, but with you both fighting on my side, Zeus will not easily steal my power. For that, I give you a gift.
“Broni, I cannot let you return home yet, but you may return to visit your family once a full moon until the sun rises.”
Broni bowed her head in gratitude. “Thank you, Mother.”
Mother nodded regally, her gaze turning to Broni’s husband. “Warrior.” Mother made a symbol in the air.
Broni felt her husband stiffen as his face changed. Broni knew without being told what was happening. Rhys stared back at her, in control of his body once again. Broni waited with trepidation in her eyes for his possible coming rejection. She was fearful this was Mother’s real punishment for asking Father to go against Mother, to have her husband reject her.
Rhys leaned down, brushing his mouth against her cheek. “Don’t look at me that way. I love you. Don’t doubt it any more. I’ve wanted to tell you I was sorry so many times, but the warrior wouldn’t let me out long enough. He’s too afraid of losing your love.”
Broni broke down into tears, the last wall she had built against him crumbling. She had always worried that Rhys didn’t love her, forced down by her Warrior. She would always have wondered.
“I love you, too, Rhys. I can’t remember a time I haven’t.”
“Good, I’m glad that is settled,” Mother said firmly, reminding them of her presence. Her hand waved majestically toward the sky. “My gift to you.”
Rhys watched as the stars realigned into patterns, shifting into pictures that flashed through the sky. Rhys saw Deena. She didn’t look the same; her face and body another’s, but Rhys recognized her spirit. She was gloriously being twirled through the sky by a man. They stared at each other the way that he and Broni shared. The man who held Deena was her soul mate as Broni was his. Deena’s picture faded out. Now he saw a middle-aged couple having a picnic. On the blanket sat two toddlers. Twins. Rhys saw his sons’ souls in their eyes.
Rhys felt wetness on his cheeks, not ashamed for his weakness at seeing his sons again. The couple had given up on having children; the twins were considered a miracle by them. And they were—Mother’s miracle. The picture of the small family playing gradually disappeared, the stars returning to their original position.
“Thank you.” Rhys cleared his throat.
Mother stepped forward, gracing Rhys with a brief kiss on his cheek. “Do not make me regret giving her
to you.” She spoke low, so no one would overhear.
“I won’t.”
Mother stepped back, winding her arm through Fate’s as the two women walked away. “I think you need to give my son, Hades, a visit.”
“Those two together are scary as shit.” Her warrior’s drily amused voice had Broni searching his eyes.
“Let’s go congratulate Jericho and Cara.”
They walked hand in hand toward the couple. Cara looked beautiful in her white gown while Jericho’s usually harsh expression had softened as he talked to another guest.
“Warrior, Broni, I want to introduce you to my very great-grandmother.” The dark skinned, dark haired woman was obviously Native American.
“This is the one you told me about?” he asked Jericho.
“Yes. This is Joro.”
Warrior extended his hand, taking hers in his grasp. “Jericho told me about you, and I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.” When the others looked at him curiously, he ignored them.
Stopping a passing servant, he handed out goblets of wine. Later, he would find a way to be alone with Joro for a few moments, but for now, he wanted to celebrate with his wife that he had waited lifetimes for.
Chapter 32
Fate waited, impatiently brushing her palms against the side of her gown, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles away. It had taken three months to get permission to request an audience from him. It was only when Mother had intervened that her request had been granted.
The door opened, and although it had been a long time since Fate had seen him last, he had not changed. If anything, he had become even more handsome. It took all her will not to melt in a puddle at his feet. Only centuries of control enabled her to stand in front of him with an expressionless face hiding the storm of lust going through her body.
“Fate, it’s good to see you again.”
“Hades.” The master of the underworld was masculine perfection. He stood well over six-feet tall with aquiline features, grey eyes and black hair. He was also the epitome of sophistication.