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Category: Erotica/Erotic Fantasy/Romance
Description: Hermes has been given one task by Aphrodite--keep an eye on Eris at her son's wedding. The last time the beautiful goddess of discord attended a wedding, the Trojan War was the result. Hermes doesn't think he has much to worry about until she takes offense at being watched and decides to teach him a lesson with a lust spell in the middle of the reception. Yet as Aphrodite and Hera offer to help Hermes, he finds he wants to be cured less and less. Intrigued by her choice of revenge, he soon seeks Eris out, his curiosity almost as strong as the desire her spell inspired. Convinced she is not as cold and aloof as she pretends to be, he sets out to seduce her instead, starting them both on an erotic path of discovery that will teach them both lessons they won't soon forget.
eBook Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press, 2009
eBookwise Release Date: October 2009

7 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [144 KB]
Words: 30654
Reading time: 87-122 min.

"Susan Sailors did a great job with Hermes and Eris and it was easy to see the story come to life. I loved the passion between them and wow the heat between them was spectacular?. These two were great for each other and can't wait for more of the Olympians from Susan Sailors."_Reviewed by Melinda at Night Owl Romance

"Susan Sailors has written a very sexy and humorous look at the Greek pantheon, with all the petty jealousies and egos inherent in being a god.... The level of heat in the sex becomes scorching hot, and very imaginative.... and when you read this book, keep the fan on high."_Reviewed by Holly at Whipped Cream 4.5 Stars! "This was a fun novella, especially for a Greek mythology buff like myself. So first I have to say "Thank you, Ms. Sailors" for not messing up the Greek Pantheon. Now as for the story, I found it to be both humorous and heart touching. As a reader, I really felt Eris' loneliness and her desire to be accepted by more than just her family. I also think there is a lesson here, as there should be with all good myths, and that is the importance of really looking beneath the facade a person wears to learn what you think or feel about a person from your own experiences and interactions with them and not just what "everyone" knows about them. Enjoy." Sensualreads.com

Chapter 1

Hermes didn't really care for parties, but he'd had no intention of missing this wedding. He stood next to Aello, Ocypete and Celaeno, better known to most as Ally, O, and Celine. The Harpies didn't normally socialize at all, as they could hardly stand the company of anyone but themselves, and there were many days they could hardly tolerate each other. They had chosen to both be social and get along with each other on this day because their half-sister Iris was marrying Eros. Eros' mother Aphrodite had insisted very strongly that everyone come and play nice. The three sisters, however, were not doing well.

"I told her she could wear white if she wanted to, even though she's been married before. She looks fabulous in white," O observed.

Ally snorted. "She looks washed out in white. She should have worn blue. It's her best color."

Celine rolled her eyes at both of them. "There is no way this marriage will last. He won't change."

"I think he already has," Hermes said.

All three women glared at him simply because he had spoken, not necessarily because they all disagreed.

He smiled amiably. "It's just my opinion."

O turned to Celine. "I think they're adorable. If anyone can change him, Iris can."

Ally smiled mischievously. "Well, Aphrodite did one thing right. She invited Eris."

Eris was the goddess of discord, and for the most part her brother Ares was the only god she got along with. When she hadn't been invited to the marriage of King Peleus and the sea nymph Thetis, she'd managed to start the Trojan War by making Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera fight over who was the fairest. Paris had been asked to judge, and he had awarded the honor to Aphrodite when she promised him the most beautiful mortal in the world, Helen of Troy, could be his. The war had passed and the goddesses had long since recovered from the conflict, but they had never quite forgiven the mischievous goddess for causing the fight. Or the war.

Eris stood alone, wearing a black dress that covered every part of her body but her neck and hands. Her hair and eyes were jet-black, but silver starlike specks danced in her eyes. Unlike her brother Ares, Zeus and Hera were not her parents. Just as Aphrodite had been born from sea foam, Eris had no father and had come from the dark chaos of night and been born to the primal goddess Nyx in answer to Ares' need for a companion like himself, for someone to both reflect and compliment him. She had proven to be the perfect companion over the years. Around her neck she wore a golden apple. She had used a similar golden apple, inscribed "to the fairest," to cause the feud between the goddesses. Zeus had asked Hephaestus, the blacksmith of Olympus, to forge it and make the chain short and unbreakable. Zeus had a love for mischief that had once made him favor Eris, but after she had turned his wife against Athena and Aphrodite, he'd wanted to make sure no one ever forgot what she was capable of.

Aphrodite had asked Hermes to keep an eye on Eris, since she couldn't trust her brother Ares to care enough. Ares always dismissed Eris' behavior as playful. Everyone knew he was secretly proud of her for starting the Trojan War. Hermes couldn't help wondering what Aphrodite saw in Ares, besides his looks and skills in bed. He was petty, moody, and often cruel. He fought with his parents Zeus and Hera almost constantly, but Hera always managed to keep him out of trouble with everyone else somehow.

Celine poked Hermes in the ribs. "So, do you think it was a good idea?"

Hermes sighed. The Harpies liked Eris because she liked strife and drama as much as they did. "It seemed like a good idea, given the circumstances and especially considering how close she is to her brother."

"Hmmm. I don't know. I think Ares is just her latest toy," Ally said. "Pretty soon he'll be her errand boy, just like you."

Hermes looked at Ally calmly. "Considering they've been having sex off and on for centuries, I don't think he's just a way to pass the time. And I'm everyone's errand boy. I have no quarrel with Aphrodite."

O groaned. "God, you are so boring. Do you ever get mad? Sad? Anything?"

"All the time."

"I'd like some proof of that," Celine said.

"It will have to wait." He strode away from the Harpies quickly. Eris was heading for the punchbowl, and he wanted to make sure nothing happened.

They arrived at the table at the same time, and she glared at him. She picked up a glass and filled it, then stood aside. He looked down at the table and took a glass of champagne.

She smiled at him. "Nice to know my reputation is untarnished."

"Excuse me?"

She walked closer and fixed his collar. "You thought I was going to do something." She looked around and laughed. "That's what everyone thinks."

"Can you blame us?"

She shrugged. "I suppose not. Seems a bit unfair though that every other Olympian is eventually forgiven of their wicked ways, but no one is allowed to forget what I did a very long time ago." Her hand had strayed to her necklace, and she turned the apple between her fingers. She did it so often it seemed like a nervous habit to Hermes.

"You did start a war."

She dropped the apple. "My brother is the god of war. What do you expect?"

Hermes shook his head. "He only supports them. He doesn't really start them. Humans do that just fine on their own most of the time."

She sipped her punch thoughtfully. "So you hate me as much as everyone else does?"

"I don't hate you."

"No, of course not. You don't hate anyone, do you? Tell me, what emotions do you actually deign to use? I can't say I've ever noticed anything but disdain." She traced a line down the middle of his chest. "There's nothing wrong with disdain, but there has to be something more interesting in there."

He backed away just enough to keep her from touching him. "Disdain? For whom?"

She held her hands up and gestured to the whole garden. "Everyone. You think you're better than everyone."

He shook his head. "No, I don't."

"Yes, you do. You think you outstrip every one of us in virtue and honor. You think you're the only one who has never done anything wrong or cruel or petty."

"I don't think that, but I've never done anything to purposely hurt someone. If that sets me apart from other Olympians, I don't care. I'm proud I've never done things like that, and I don't see the point in criticizing it."

"No, you're quite right. You don't care, and you've never done things like that because you don't do anything. You won't even fight for Aphrodite."

He took a breath and tried to gather his thoughts. He looked over at Aphrodite, who stood laughing with Demeter and Dionysus.

"I'm not in love with her, and I never was."

"You slept with her."

He smiled slightly. "That doesn't mean I loved her. It certainly doesn't make me special in any way either."

Eris laughed loudly. "Indeed not. That was just a tiny bit crude."

"It's a statement of fact."

Eris looked at Aphrodite. "This could get interesting. A fertility goddess and the god of wine and ecstasy. I see a threesome in Aphrodite's future."

"I'm sure there'll be one somewhere in her future."

Eris ran her finger down Hermes' cheek. "You know, you have a very dry wit."

"Once again, a statement of fact."

"Stubborn too. Those were jokes, and you know it, even if technically they could be just 'statements of fact'. There might be an intriguing man beneath that stony façade yet."

"It's not a façade, and your plan isn't going to work."

"What plan? Do tell me how clever you think I am."

She smirked up at him, but he ignored it. "You want to either make me angry with you or with someone else. It's not going to work. And it's not such a clever plan after all. You should have picked someone else. Perhaps someone with less control and more of a temper. I could think of any number of guests who would have made better targets."

She rolled her eyes and set her punch glass down. "Well, you're an idiot. I would never have come near you if you hadn't come over here to make sure I didn't do something to upset your precious Aphrodite or foul up her stupid brat's wedding. You simply aren't that important." She smiled. "It might be interesting though if I could manage to get you riled up. I'd love to see those brown eyes flashing."

"I will be angry if you do anything to cause discord here among people who care for one another. You have no quarrel with them or with Iris and Eros."

"Don't worry." She walked past him and touched his arm. "I have a better idea."

As she walked away, he found himself entranced by her. He couldn't take his eyes off her ass. The sway of her hips made him want to throw her over a table and give her the rutting of her life.

He blinked and shook his head. He started to follow her, but then he stopped. His arm burned where she had touched him. He looked down and saw a black apple burned into his skin. When he touched it, his mind filled with images of Eris on top of him, naked and moaning. He could almost feel her.

"Hermes?"

He turned to Aphrodite. "Yes?"

"Are you okay? You're breathing hard and your eyes are wild and red." She looked around. "Eris is gone now, but she did something to you. Please tell me. We'll go to Zeus."

"I'm not sure." He had a hard time concentrating. All he could think of was Eris. He thought of what her breasts would feel like, what she would taste like if he went down on her, how she would scream as she came. "But she has definitely done something."

"I think we should go." Aphrodite grabbed him and hurried them off to the woods. She held him very close, and the feel of her body was not helping.

"Aphrodite, what are you doing?"

She turned around when they were out of sight. "You're standing in the middle of my son's wedding reception with a hard on that would make Zeus jealous."

He looked down. She wasn't exaggerating. His erection was incredibly noticeable. It was also very painful.

He showed Aphrodite his arm. "She touched me. As soon as she did, all I wanted to do was fuck her."

The goddess put her hand over her mouth, and he realized she was laughing.

"This isn't funny!"

"It kind of is. It's pretty absurd, in fact." She finally laughed out loud.

"So because this doesn't affect you, you aren't concerned?"

"It does affect me. It's gotten my attention and pulled me away from the wedding." She shrugged and walked toward him seductively. "But it is a wedding. This could be my sexual blessing for the couple."

Hermes looked up at Aphrodite. He realized he'd been staring at her breasts, which looked amazing pushed together in her white leather corset.

"You can't be serious. This is what she wants."

"So? It's what I want too. You're the one who turned away from me, remember?"

"What about Ares?"

She began unlacing her bodice. "He's as free as I am. We don't love each other. But I do love the way you make me come, that one moment when you let go and give me everything." She sighed as she pulled the corset down. "You're hard to forget, Hermes."

He couldn't take his eyes off her. "I don't think we should."

"You need release. I'll give you that." She stood close to him and stroked his cock.

He looked into her eyes, remembering the months they'd spent together. He knew just what a glorious release she could give him. He cupped her breasts and caressed them, her sighs making his cock harder. Something was wrong though.

"I don't think it will work."

She put her arms around him. "I'll ride you until it does work." She kissed him passionately, and he responded. He pulled at her skirt, finally ripping it off. She continued to stroke him. As soon as he touched her wet pussy, she reached into his pants, fighting to free his cock.

He pulled himself out of her embrace. "Wait. Please."

"What's wrong?" She stood naked, her breasts heaving. She was so beautiful, offering herself to him, telling him she still wanted him, but he couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong.

"This isn't a lust spell. I only want her. No man could resist you, especially in such an aroused state, but in my mind all I see is her. Even if we make love, she may still have a hold on me."

Aphrodite's eyes flashed. "So she was after me. Just wanted to play a little game. She'll pay for this."

"No. I think it's me. You just got in the way." He turned away so he'd stop staring at her. He was confused enough already.

"Perhaps she wanted to cause strife with Ares. Might happen if you slept with me. Or if you pursued her."

Hermes shook his head. "I can't think."

"Perhaps I can ease it."

"No."

"I'm serious. Close your eyes. Pretend it isn't me."

"No."

She touched his shoulders. "Let me try. You can't walk around like this. It doesn't seem to be going away."

He turned to her and looked into her eyes. "You don't have to."

"Let me love you one more time." She led him to a patch of grass and pulled him onto her. He couldn't help but follow her. "I can't break her spell, but my powers can't be useless. Just close your eyes and take me."

He closed his eyes for a moment, but then he opened them. "No. I want to look at you. I don't want to think of her more than I have to."

He moved to her entrance, which was as wet and hot as he remembered, and slid into her. He looked down into her eyes, enjoying the pleasure he saw there. "I pleased you? Sometimes I couldn't tell."

She stroked his face. "You did. I don't usually like the strong and silent type." She gasped as he thrust higher. "But you were such a considerate lover." She moaned and pulled him closer.

He pushed deeper, remembering where she was the most sensitive and shifting her leg up slightly so he could hit that one spot just right. He kissed her breasts as her skin flushed, knowing this would heighten her pleasure. He tried to focus on her, but all he could see was Eris. He couldn't help imagining it was her beneath him.

Aphrodite threw her head back and moaned, grinding against him as she came. Her convulsions sent him over the edge, and he bit back the urge to yell Eris' name.

He pulled himself out of Aphrodite's arms. "I hope you don't regret this later."

"I won't. Are you better?"

He shrugged. "My head's clearer. I think I'm sated for now. I can't get her out of my head though."

"I'll find out what she did. I won't let her hurt you."

He looked at the goddess and pushed a blonde curl out of her face. She mystified him still. He had never understood how she could love everyone around her so completely and yet never fall in love with any of them. "Thank you. Sorry it was so quick."

She shrugged. "I'm not complaining." She ran one finger over his arm, looking at him seductively. "And I wouldn't complain if you needed me again."

"What in the hell is going on?"

They looked up at Ares, who was glaring heatedly at both of them.

Aphrodite smiled and stood, snapping her fingers to cover herself in a pink sundress. "Your sister put a spell on Hermes. He had a hard-on that would have put you to shame. He needed my help."

Ares moved toward Aphrodite and stood very close. His eyes blazed down at her. "You strip and spread your legs every time a man 'needs' you? Huh?"

"Wait! Don't fight. Ares, I'm sorry. We didn't know what else to do." He went to them and pushed Ares back a few steps before showing Ares his arm. "It's true. Eris said she'd love to see me riled up and then she touched me. She put some kind of spell on me to make me want her."

Ares crossed his arms. "So why were you rutting in the woods with Aphrodite if Eris is the one you wanted? Given the choice, I'd have preferred finding you with my sister. At least she's free to fuck whomever she wants."

Aphrodite glared at Ares. "So am I. I tried to get him away when I saw his, well, condition. Then I got turned on. I thought it would help. He couldn't just walk around like that. And it did help. He was muddled before and now he can think clearly. I'm sure I absorbed some of the spell's energy. We'll have to find out how to break it from her."

Ares turned and stormed away. "I'm not listening to anymore of this."

"Are you kidding me?" she yelled.

He turned and pointed his finger at her. "You know you wanted to fuck him again. You're getting tired of me. Your pussy is easily bored."

Before she could say anything else, he clapped his hands together. A thunderous boom filled the forest and he was gone.

"That arrogant prick!" She made a very unbecoming screech and stormed off.

"Aphrodite, wait!"

"I'm not mad at you, it's that thoughtless ass! I'll come find you when I know more."

He let her go, and then got up and fixed his pants. He sighed. He no longer felt overcome by lust, but he still couldn't shake his thoughts of Eris. All he could see were her flashing eyes, all he could hear was her taunting laugh.

The one thing he had going for him was the favor of Zeus and Hera. Add Aphrodite's anger to that and Eris was going to be in big trouble. Ares might cause problems, but perhaps his mother could handle him.

Hermes sighed again. He hadn't expected Eros' wedding to be quite so eventful.

After taking a walk and a quick dip in the stream, Hermes decided to chance returning to the wedding reception. At least he could say good-bye to his fellow messenger.

Iris stood watching Eros wipe cake off his jacket. She smiled at Hermes as he approached.

"Having even the slightest bit of fun yet?" she asked playfully.

Since the couple seemed oblivious to the commotion, he decided not to say anything. "It's been the most interesting day in a very long time, I can assure you."

Iris narrowed her eyes, but before she could say anything, Hera came bounding up to them.

"You naughty boy!" She slapped Hermes on the ass.

He tried to maintain his composure, but didn't pull it off. "You have something to say, my queen?"

Hera convulsed with laughter. "I knew you had it in you. Did the nuptial blessings bring it out or what?"

Eros and Iris stood looking back and forth between the two of them.

"Did you have sex at my reception? Seriously?" Eros asked, on the verge of joining in with Hera's laughter. "Can't say I object, but I thought you came out of social obligation, not to get laid."

Hermes sighed. "Who told you and why?"

"Ares stormed off. He bumped into me and told me I better find a new messenger for Zeus because he was going to have your head on a pike."

Iris' eyes went wide. "You and Aphrodite? So that's why she hasn't been bothering us the last twenty minutes!"

Hermes looked at Hera. "This is serious. Eris put a spell on me." He showed the three of them his arm.

They leaned forward and unison. Iris and Hera both said, "Oh."

Eros groaned. "That conniving bitch!"

"So she turned you into a stud or what?" Hera looked him over. "You do look a bit spent."

"This isn't the best place to discuss this."

Eros nodded. "You two go on. No one seems to be taking notice of us. I don't think anyone else saw anything. Just go. You can tell us later."

Hermes and Hera glanced around, and then began walking toward the woods.

"So, tell me what she said to you."

"She was offended because I was keeping an eye on her. Aphrodite didn't dare not invite her, so she needed someone to watch her. Eris kept commenting on my lack of emotion and said she wanted to see me riled up. Then she touched me, and from that moment all I wanted to do was--"

"Shag her silly! Oh my gods! I'm sorry, but you have to admit it's funny."

Hermes sighed. "Nothing really happened, but it did disrupt the wedding. Aphrodite stormed off and left, and Ares is angry with both of us. It's not a war, but it's not something to be laughed at."

She stopped laughing. "I'm sorry. You have to admit she's right though. You don't let anyone get close to you. Don't you think you'll tire of being alone someday?"

"I'm not alone."

"You know what I mean, you stubborn mule. Maybe another romp with Aphrodite was what you needed. Something to loosen you up."

"I don't think that was her intention, though it certainly has her mark to it. I think she just wanted to get to me and see what happened."

"Something definitely happened. How was it?"

Hermes sighed.

"Come on! I know it was great. Aphrodite always gives marvelous details."

"Yes, it was great, but it was very confusing. Are you going to take this seriously and help me or not? I'm sure Zeus is going to think it's a riot too, but that can't be helped."

She patted his arm. "Once we recover ourselves, I promise we will take it seriously. Don't worry. I suppose the concern now is keeping you away from her."

"I can't even get her out of my head."

"Well, I'm also concerned about you two getting it on. We don't need a little hell-raiser who can outrun us all."

Hermes shook his head. That would be a nightmare.

Hera went on. "Aphrodite gave birth so quickly, and Eris might be the same. You never know."

He stopped. "Hera, are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"Hmmm? Oh goodness, no! Sorry. I meant because she wasn't born. She and Eris were both created, called into being, whatever. They weren't born to two parents." She giggled. "None of you are going to catch me out that easily."

"You love doing that, don't you?"

"I didn't do it on purpose. I was thinking out loud."

Hermes never knew whether to believe her or not. Her ramblings often seemed a little too convenient. He'd suspected for some time that she wanted to push him and Aphrodite together, but he couldn't be sure if she only wanted to make a match or if she didn't want her son with the love goddess for some reason.

"If you say so." Her thinking out loud made him wonder though. "Could she want something like that? To have a child? What if sleeping with her is the only way to break this spell?"

"She could enchant anyone she wanted. She's slept with Zeus before."

"But no child. The Fates hadn't willed it. Could she be trying to get her way on her own?"

"Who's to say? The Fates grow more cryptic with each passing year. How do we even know their powers still affect us?"

"I'm sure they do. All things have a reason."

She smiled. "You've always believed that more than any of us. Why?"

He didn't know how to answer her question. "I don't know. Things make more sense that way."

"So if the Fates determine everything, they made you walk away from Aphrodite. It was them, not you. They are the ones who decreed you should be alone. It's destiny, not choice."

"I never said that. We all exercise free will. I do believe in that as well, though I still think the Fates make plans for us."

"Then where do the Fates come in exactly? A plan here, a scheme there for the good of humanity?"

"We're talking in circles. Can't we have both? Destiny and choice?"

She nodded. "I think we do. I think we all need both. I was only trying to understand you. It's hard at times."

"Help me and maybe I'll oblige you."

She kissed him on the cheek. "You know we'll help you, Hermes. How can you doubt it?"

"I'm only making sure you feel the urgency here."

She smiled and ran her hand over his chest. "How urgent is it?"

He stepped away. "Don't do that. I'm not sure what might get me in that state again."

"Fine. Zeus wouldn't like it anyway."

"No, he would not. Crazed hormones or not, I still have that much sense."

Hera walked a few feet away, watching the water flow past them. "I don't think she means real harm, not like the kind she's caused before, but I don't want to take the chance. I'm going to go explain things to Zeus. The sooner I do, the sooner he'll stop laughing."

Hermes put his hand on her shoulder. "Thank you."

She smiled. "Don't mention it." She snapped her fingers and disappeared.

Hermes walked down the stream, heading for home and hoping he could avoid running into anyone else.

Eris lay stretched on her couch, petting her black cat, Chaos. His sister Cosmos lay on the arm of the chair, cleaning her gray fur.

"They'll never learn, will they, babies? It's about time they were all taught some manners."

Eris hadn't had the slightest desire to attend Eros' wedding, but she'd felt she had no choice when Aphrodite sent her a handwritten invitation. Ares had shrugged it off and told her to do whatever she wanted to do. He never thought of the consequences of his actions. She wondered if he'd ever learn to. Hera bailed him out so often he didn't know what it was like to be punished.

She did though. She had never wanted the favor of Olympus, though being Zeus' lover had definitely had its advantages. She regretted nothing. She had her purpose in the cosmos, and she had more intimate knowledge of the working of the Fates than any other god or goddess. Perfect order meant death to all things just as perfect chaos did. The world needed her, and she wanted to show them all the equilibrium of the cosmos depended on her. Without both her and Harmonia, balance could not be maintained.

Eris wondered what had become of the white-haired, whimpering goddess. She hadn't seen her in a century or two. That went unnoticed by the Olympians, but if she disappeared for more than a few weeks, someone came looking for her, as if she was hiding somewhere and secretly plotting to destroy the world.

Eris had gone to Eros' wedding determined to be nice and sociable. However, she hadn't had the chance. No one had even tried to talk to her. They'd all stared, but no one had come near her. She'd felt Hermes watching her the whole time. She'd always found him interesting, especially given his fling with Aphrodite. The love goddess simply wasn't his type. He was too serious for her, she too frivolous for him. Was that why he had chosen her? No chance of falling for her or keeping her? Aphrodite had never made a secret of how impressed she was by him as a lover. That interested her too. Though he was well built and handsome with lustrous black hair and smoldering brown eyes, it was hard to look at his stern countenance and imagine him as a passionate lover.

She smiled as she thought of the lust she'd felt rolling off of him. Everyone at the wedding had been sure she was up to something, but only he had dared to show his suspicions without apology. She had plans for him. Fucking her would cast suspicion on him, no matter how well-behaved and mild-mannered. Then he'd see what it was like. She could have demanded an apology, and he probably would have given her one. That wasn't what she wanted though. She wanted him to understand. Everyone trusted him, so his influence was limitless. When they all raised their eyebrows at learning of his affair with her, however brief it might end up being, he would understand why she felt the way she did. She didn't want to get lovey-dovey with the other gods or start having tea and shopping trips with Hera and Aphrodite. She wanted the respect she deserved. Once everyone had concluded that he hadn't been hopelessly tainted by her, perhaps they would begin to view her in a different light.

She thought of Hermes again. She couldn't read his mind, but she could feel his confusion and turmoil. She'd used the spell before on a mortal she'd found particularly interesting. By now, she knew Hermes would be in quite a state. Even though Aphrodite had grabbed him for a quickie in the woods, she knew she had never left his thoughts. His cock would be aching for her, and he would be thinking of nothing else but how to possess her.

She hadn't had sex--good sex--in a long time. A few weeks of pleasure with the handsome god might be just what she needed. The thought of his supposed sexual prowess combined with the power of her spell made her shiver as she imagined lusty, pleasure-filled nights. She had yet to meet her match in the bedroom, but he seemed strong-willed enough to be a possibility. She preferred to dominate, but she secretly longed to be made to yield. She'd thought she might find such a partner with Zeus, but he was so under Hera's thrall he'd long ago forgotten how to seduce and subdue a woman.

She sighed and closed her eyes to picture Hermes. Her pussy was wet just thinking of him. She sat up and moved Chaos to a nearby chair.

"Damon?"

The beautiful auburn-haired boy appeared wearing only black leather pants. He smiled at her. "What do you desire, mistress?"

She stood and slid her skirt off, and then pulled her panties off and tossed them aside. She'd been growing tired of the mortal, but he made her come quickly, so he'd do well enough for a while longer. "Come over here and eat my pussy. Make me come quickly and you can fuck me."

She sat on the couch and spread her legs. He got on his knees and began sucking her clit vigorously. She moaned and closed her eyes, picturing herself leaning over a bed with Hermes behind her pounding his cock into her again and again. She imagined him entranced by her, determined to make her come. He wanted nothing more than to please her.

She moaned again as Damon swirled his tongue over her clit and worked his skilled fingers inside her. As always, she came hard and fast. He moved his hand and buried his face in her pussy as she convulsed. His tongue on her sensitive skin was maddening.

She pulled his face away. "Do you want to fuck me?"

"Yes, mistress."

She stood and leaned over a table. "Then do it."

"This is what you want, mistress?" His eyes shone with lust. She almost never let him dominate, and he craved it all the more.

"Yes. Fuck me as hard as you want. I'll make sure you last."

He grabbed her hips, rubbing her ass possessively before sliding into her. He began fucking her, hard and fast, sending waves of pleasure all over her body. She loved how eager he was. She'd make sure she found the perfect woman for him when she sent him away. She kept thinking of Hermes, picturing him on top of her, holding her down and grinding her into the bed. She imagined how strong he might be, what sorts of games she might be able to interest him in.

She smiled as she came. She couldn't wait for the night Hermes would be the one making her tremble.

Hermes collapsed on the floor. He'd been sure a vigorous exercise routine would help him keep his errant desires in check. It wasn't working. Instead of sating his lust for Eris, the strenuous activities only made him long for her hands to massage his aching muscles, among other things. Doing a hundred sit-ups would kill any other man's sex drive, but apparently the normal laws of nature no longer applied to him.

He got up and toweled off, then put his shirt back on. Though going to see Aphrodite might not be the best plan ever, he had no one else to turn to. In a moment he was at her front door, but before he could knock she'd flung it open.

"Come in, come in! I was just thinking of dinner."

He allowed himself to be ushered in. "Will it do any good to tell you this isn't a social call?"

"Nope. You want to talk, you have to eat." She snapped her fingers and a pizza appeared on the table along with two plates and two glasses of wine.

Hermes laughed. "Very classy."

She smiled and sat down. "It's Thai chicken and you'll love it. And I'm sure you could use the wine. You look tense." She picked up a piece of pizza and began eating.

He sat down. "I came to see what you've discovered."

She sighed and put her pizza down. "Nothing. Spells are tricky. I did have an idea though."

"What?" Her ideas typically backfired, but sometimes they were perfect, so he thought it best to give her the chance.

"I can make her fall in love with you. Then she'll release you!"

He shook his head immediately. "No. No love spells."

"But it would be easy!"

"Number one, I don't want to do that to anyone, ever. Number two, I don't want her of all people in love with me. And number three, what would we do if it backfired? She might leave the spell on so she could have me. If she wanted to do this to me when she hates me, what would happen if she loved me? And then there's the issue of what her revenge can be like. I wouldn't want her to stay in love with me, and she'd be pissed as hell afterwards. She might even be pissed the whole time she's chasing me. She's a complicated woman."

Aphrodite sipped her wine slowly, but Hermes could tell she was angry he'd rambled off so many objections to her plan.

"Don't you see all that?"

She nodded. "Yes. I don't see you bringing ideas to the table though. Just compliments."

"Compliments?"

"You called her a complicated woman."

Hermes waited for her to continue, but she just stared at him. "That's it? That isn't a compliment."

"Yes, it is. Men only say that about women they are interested in."

"That's ridiculous."

"How would you know anything about her? You've obviously been thinking about her a lot."

Hermes tried to keep his voice even. "Because she put a spell on me to make me think about her all the time. Or have you forgotten?"

Aphrodite smiled. "I love it when you just barely have control of that temper."

"I'll let it loose if you don't take this seriously."

"Okay, okay, but you do know it is possible you might develop some feelings for her, don't you? It's hard not to when someone is always in your thoughts. It's like living with someone almost. You can't help caring."

"I don't mean her any ill, but that doesn't mean I care."

"You don't hate her for doing this?"

Hermes tried to collect his thoughts. Surely if anyone deserved his hate, it would be Eris, but he shook his head. "No. I'm angry. That's all."

"Did you find her attractive before?"

Hermes knew he could probably lie to Aphrodite, but he thought he'd stand a better chance of getting fast help if he cooperated. "Yes. She's beautiful and has an amazing body. She's attractive. So?"

"Then fuck her and see what happens."

"I don't want to."

She rolled her eyes. "I beg to differ. Isn't that your problem, how much you want to?"

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He'd learned to think carefully before saying anything to Aphrodite. Better to deal with a little mocking than to actually argue with her. "You know what I mean."

"I do, but this is fun."

"I'm glad I amuse you so. Are you happy now? Yes, if she came onto me in the normal way I'd be tempted, I suppose, but not exactly dying for it. How can I be any clearer?"

She looked at him seriously. "Why not sleep with her? Really? There must be some reason." She lowered her eyes and then looked back up at him.

"I know what you're thinking, but I'm not in love with you, Aphrodite. We've had this discussion many times."

She shook her head. "That's not what I mean. I know you aren't. I want to know why you object to sleeping with her. Are you afraid?"

"No."

"Then what?"

How could he explain it to her? She could have a different partner every day and not care. He couldn't do that. All of Olympus knew what was happening. They'd never stop laughing at him if he gave in. He did have a sense of pride and honor he felt most of them simply could not understand. He would not give in to this spell.

"I've already given in more than I wanted to. I shouldn't have had sex with you in the woods."

"No one thinks less of you."

"But now Ares is angry."

She waved the comment away. "So what? He's in a bad mood most days anyway."

"Well, besides the fight, I'm sure he trusts me less now. He never sees his sister for what she is."

"It's not about Ares. It's about me."

"No, it isn't." He was not going to admit that she was right, not on this issue.

"Don't give me that. All of Olympus knows, you said. Yes, they all know you fucked me. You see it as humbling, as if you want me back. It really gets to all of you, not knowing which of you is Eros' father, doesn't it?"

"I don't understand why we can't know."

She crossed her legs and looked down into her glass. "I don't want you to."

"You don't want to be tied to one man."

She snapped her head up. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You don't want to be tied to one man. If everyone knows who the father is, they'll wonder why you aren't together. They'll always think of the two of you together."

"That's not true."

"Now who's being proud?" He leaned forward and made her look at him. "Admit that you like being mysterious and elusive. Admit that you're scared of being like everyone else."

"Admit that you want to know if Eros is yours, that it hurt your pride to fuck me like that and have everyone wonder if you love me."

He glared at her. "I don't care what they think."

"Yes, you do. You care if anyone sees you as weak. Just like me."

"You'll admit I'm right?" He never liked holding out too much hope where she was concerned, but she seemed ready to open up to him like never before.

"If it makes you happy. I didn't have to say it for you to know it's true."

He raised his eyebrows. "I think I did. You're a complicated woman yourself."

She smiled. "So we're both flawed. Point taken. Now can we get back to your problem?"

"Yes, though I doubt it will do any good."

"You never know. Why not go talk to her?"

"Because I can't trust her. Don't you see that?"

She was staring at his lap. "Good point."

He took a deep breath. "Yes, I know I have an erection. Fighting with you always did that anyway. Combined with the images in my head, it couldn't be helped."

She seemed intrigued. "So what do you see? Is it your imagination or images she gives you?"

He decided to indulge her, for the moment. "Both. If I go to see her, I'll sleep with her."

"What if she said no? What if she wants to torture you and not fuck you at all?"

He had to admit he hadn't considered that. For just a moment, he felt terrified at the thought of her turning him down. He shook his head. "That would be cruel. I don't know what I'd do."

"Hmmm. I hate to admit it, but that could be it. Cruelty is something she's good at."

He was having a hard time concentrating. He needed to get off very soon. "Look, you can make fun of me if you like, but I need to take care of this." He gestured to his swollen cock. "I can't think. Excuse me for a few minutes."

She smiled. "I could take care of it for you."

"Didn't we just discuss this?"

She shook her head. "We discussed the time people knew about. Who would know about this?"

The thought of fucking her made his cock harder, but he didn't want to do that to his emotions again.

"I don't want to complicate things further."

He thought she would object again, but she didn't. "Okay. I'll try to think of something."

He walked down the hall to her bathroom, questioning whether he was right in turning her away and wondering what the Fates had planned.