“I couldn’t let him suffer anymore.”
His faced morphed from comfort to confusion to realization, ultimately falling in dismay. He pulled his hand back.
“You say that as if it were easy for you.” He rose and turned to walk away.
“It wasn’t, please believe me, Adonis. I —”
“No, Aphrodite!” he shouted, his face wrenched in fury. “What of my suffering? How can I forgive this? Forgive you? You have betrayed me. After everything that has passed, I cannot fathom how you could do this.”
Her heart ached at the sorrow and anger on his face, but she sat still, accepting his words, his anger. She had no regrets, save this. And if she’d been given the choice again, she would have taken it.
Too long had passed. And for too many centuries, she listened to Adonis, who would never bend, never give.
But she couldn’t help but feel the sting of loss as he gave her one last piercing look and turned, moved the underbrush aside, and disappeared into Elysium.
Day Twenty-One
Dita curled up on her couch, snuggled in her cashmere blanket the next day, reading a romance novel with Fabio on the front.
There wasn’t much better in the world than being manhandled by a stubborn, kilted, redheaded Scotsman, she had decided.
The elevator pinged, and Bisoux hopped off her lap to run into the foyer, barking as his nails clicked on the hardwood.
Dita turned to look over her shoulder and found Apollo sauntering into the room with Bisoux in his arm. Apollo was practically glowing, as if sunshine lived and breathed inside of him.
He sat in the armchair nearest her, smiling and relaxed and happier than she’d seen him in a thousand years. “Dita, I’m sorry I haven’t been by. I —”
She held up her hand to stop him. “I’m fully aware of what you’ve been doing.” She gave him a sideways smile, and he flushed.
“I wanted to thank you. I never imagined you would grant me this wish, that you would give me what I believed was lost to me forever.” He took a breath, his emotion clear, his face bright and open. “I also wanted to give you this. I would have paid a million of them to get what you have given me.” He held out his hand, extending his token to her.
Dita nodded as she accepted the token and held it to her eye line in awe.
Apollo’s token was her favorite of all the gods. The sphere glowed like a star, radiating yellow-white, warm to the touch, and if you put it to your ear, it would play a song so beautiful that it would break your heart or heal it or both, if you listened long enough. She reverently held it to her ear, and a tear fell from the corner of her eye. She wiped it away with the back of her hand and sighed heavily as she turned to him.
“You are welcome, Apollo. I couldn’t let it go on. For a long time, I’ve wanted to give her back, but I let myself be swayed by Adonis. My only regret is that it went on for so long and that I caused you so much pain.”
He bowed his head. “And Adonis?” he asked, tentative.
“Adonis and I … disagree on the matter.”
“Dita, I’m sorry,” he said earnestly. “I’m surprised that you went against his wishes for my happiness.”
She pursed her lips and gave him a pointed look. “I make my own decisions.”
He put a hand up with a small smile on his lips. “Noted.” Bisoux leaned into Apollo’s other hand as he scratched the dog’s head. “I’m certainly not complaining. But I hope he comes around.”
“Thanks, Apollo. So do I.”
Apollo stood and plopped Bisoux in her lap. “Nice move, by the way, using a love song I’d had Dean write for her against me there in the end. No one can quite make an asshole out of me the way you do.”
Dita laughed. “But you make it so easy.”
Lex woke tangled up with Dean, their arms and legs wrapped around each other as they lay in his bed.
Everything she wanted, everything she wished for, was in her arms.
She breathed deep, heart full, and he mumbled, squeezing her tighter. The soft morning light shone through the filter of the white curtains, and Lex smiled at simple the beauty of the moment as she committed every detail to her memory.
Dean’s grip loosened enough that she leaned back to see his face, to trace the line of his jaw with her fingers. His eyes blinked open, and he smiled as he pulled her back into him, laying his cheek on her chest as she ran her fingers through his hair.
After all the worry, after all the fear, she’d found him. She’d let go and let him in. And with that sacrifice, she was free.
Dean sighed as she wound her fingers in his hair, and he nuzzled against her chest, the feeling of him warm and comforting. He held her like she would disappear, as if the last twenty-four hours had been a dream he might wake from too soon.
“I thought I’d lost you forever,” he said softly against her skin.
But she held him close, the sweet ache in her chest spreading with every heartbeat. “I’m here. I’m yours.”
He pulled her closer and closed his eyes, his heart beating in time to hers as he tilted his face to hers and kissed her lips, then her cheek, her neck.
And then he whispered in her ear, “I’ll never leave you.”
A tear squeezed from one of her eyes, pinned shut. “I know,” she whispered back.
And she did.
Dita lay in her bed with her covers pulled up around her face and Bisoux curled up on her pillow next to her cheek, a warm little comfort against the cold emptiness in her chest.
“Are you ever not eating junk food? I’m curious,” Dita asked Perry, who sat next to her, eating a chocolate bar.
“No, actually. I even eat it in the bathtub.”
“I’m sure you do,” she said with a laugh.
“Wanna piece?” Perry extended a little rectangle to her.
“Yes, please.” Dita slipped it into her mouth, and it melted on her tongue. “Mmm. That actually makes me feel a little better.”
Perry sat for a moment in silence. “So, he’s super pissed, huh?”
Dita snorted and kissed the dog before pushing herself up to lean against her fluffy pillows. “Uh, yeah. Super pissed. He’s currently being a magnificent baby about it.”
“Well, Dita, Apollo killed him. Literally gored him to death. I’d say he has a right to be pissed.”
“But, Gods, Perry. It’s been eons.”
“Not for him,” Perry countered. “Time passes differently for him. He experiences things in a linear way, but he doesn’t perceive time like you and I do.”
“I know. But time has passed for me, and I wasn’t going to keep punishing Apollo. Especially because the more I think about it, and especially after this round of the games, I can’t believe Apollo acted alone.” She tucked the covers under her arms. “Anyway, I don’t know if Adonis is going to get over this. I mean, right now, he’s not speaking to me at all. When I dream, I just wait for him in the valley, all alone.”
“You’ve had fights before,” Perry offered.
“Yeah, but not like this.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“What can I do?”
Perry pushed her glasses up her nose with determination. “I’ll talk to him.”
“And in the meantime, I’ll just keep waiting,” she said.
Because there was nothing else she could do, only sit and wonder how long he would punish her, how long she would have to wait before he would forgive her.
If he would forgive her at all.
Day Twenty-Two
Dita walked into the game room to find Ares playing Call of Duty. She plopped down next to him and picked up a controller.
“Want to play online?” She grabbed the remote and turned on the second television.
“I don’t know, Dita. Are you prepared to get your ass kicked? You don’t handle losing very well.”
She turned to him, admiring his profile, from his strong jaw smattered with stubble to his heavy brow. She traced the angle of his
full lips with her eyes and sighed.
They had what Dita would call a volatile relationship, by which she meant that they had booty-called for eternity in between their constant arguing. Fucking and fighting — that pretty much summed them up. She supposed that was why he was so appealing. No commitment and super-hot make-up sex.
Ares turned to her, feeling her eyes on him, and he cocked a smile when he saw a look that he recognized. He touched her face.
“Come here,” he commanded.
She angled toward him, catching herself just before their lips met. When she leaned back, she huffed, slapping his hand away. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
He smirked and sat back on the couch, turning his attention back to the television. “Are you ready for the next challenge? Just a few days before we start. My favorite challenges are the ones where you and I go at it.”
Fighting and fucking.
“You’ve never beaten me before,” she fired. “I don’t expect you’ll start now.”
“First time for everything.” He jacked an eyebrow at her.
“You’re impossible,” she mumbled as she stood up.
But before she could walk away, he grabbed her arm and yanked her down into his chest, catching her off guard. They paused for a moment, neither moving, neither breathing before he kissed her, hard and hot. She pushed against his grip, but his lips against hers dissolved her restraint as they always did, and she relaxed against him, wrapping her traitorous arms around his neck.
As soon as he loosened his hold, she stood briskly and wiped the corner of her mouth, ignoring the hammering of her heart.
“That one was a freebie. The next one, you’ll earn.”
Ares laughed, the sound arrogant and knowing, and she strutted out of the room, smiling to herself.
Because he wouldn’t be laughing for long.
Books By
STACI HART
HEARTS AND ARROWS
Paper Fools
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Hardcore
With a Twist
Chaser
Last Call
Wasted Words
Tonic
A Thousand Letters
SHORT STORIES
Once
Desperate Measures
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Acknowledgments
I HAVE SO MANY people to thank for their love, support, and their generous time. Hopefully I remember everyone!
To my husband, Jeff — Thank you, thank you, thank you. You know what for. If I listed it here, it would be another eighty thousand words.
Joshua Brillhart — You have done so much for this book, it’s kind of ridiculous. From brainstorming to library research to watching the kids so that I could write with my headphones on, you were an integral part of this book’s inception. Without you, I don’t know that I would have followed through with it. You kept me pumped on the story. You helped immensely, and I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for your enthusiasm on mythology, tarot cards, and most importantly, koala bears.
Brandy Ribeira — Without your advice, support, critiques, and drunken edits, this book wouldn’t have been what it is today. I hope we never get tired of using our fingers to try to recreate sexual positions.
Lori Riggs, my life twin (hopefully one day complete with spandex suits and a theme song) — I can’t believe that we’ve gone through yet another career together. Thank you so much for everything — Beyoncé memes at the top of the list on down to geeking out on video games, movies, and Star Trek. I’m so happy to have shared this experience with you.
Parrish Walsh, my sister from another mister — Thank you for being there for me through another life changing event. At least it wasn’t as gory as cutting umbilical cords.
Karla Sorensen, my favorite fascist cheerleader — Your help reviving this series is just about the only thing that has helped me stay afloat through the grueling rewrites. Thank you for always being there for me, even when I’m a whiny psycho.
Becca Mysoor, my NOFB — your love for these books has kept me from forgetting just how important they are and just how much they mean to the world. Without you, I probably wouldn’t have done what I’ve done with these, and for that, the whole of Olympus thanks you along with me.
Jenn Watson, my PR guru — I should by you a tiara, because you’re the freaking queen. Thank you for helping me figure out how to market this weird, wily beast. Thank you for holding my hand and cheering me on. I couldn’t do this without you.
To all the bloggers — you make our world turn. You keep us afloat. Your support means absolutely everything.
To all of my beta readers — Your reading, edits, and comments helped shape this book. Specifically, thanks to Denise Malone, Tiffany Estrada, Sarah Venegas, Summer Hartshorn, Parrish Hirasaki for the time and energy that you spent reading, rereading, and marking up manuscripts for me.
Mom and Dad — Thank you so much for your support, even when we disagree. You gave me the gift of gab, the gift of imagination, and the sheer will and determination that made the herculean task of writing a novel achievable. Also, I’m sorry I said the F-word so many times in the book. Please don’t get the bar of soap.
And to you — Thank you for reading. Thank you for your support. I hope this book brought you a few hours of entertainment, and that you’ll be back for more when the next book comes out.
About the Author
STACI HAS been a lot of things up to this point in her life: a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can’t forget that. She’s also been a mom to three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She’s been a wife, even though she’s certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She’s also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she’s been drinking whiskey, and her favorite word starts with f, ends with k.
From roots in Houston, to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she’s not writing, she’s sleeping, cleaning, or designing graphics.
Follow Staci Hart:
Website: Stacihartnovels.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/stacihartnovels
Twitter: Twitter.com/imaquirkybird
Pinterest: pinterest.com/imaquirkybird
Staci Hart, Paper Fools (Hearts and Arrows Book 1)
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