Goddess of Legend (Demi-God Daughters) (16 page)

Cameryn laughed inside. Jealousy was such a good look on him.

Chapter Nineteen

“Come on, H. You’re going to have to do better than that,” Cameryn said as she ran ahead of him.

Hades smiled as he removed his shirt and followed her into the clear blue water. It had been his idea for them to come to the Elysian Field
s. The beach in front of him was beautiful, but it paled in comparison to Cameryn. Wearing a silver, sequined string bikini that emphasized all of her delicious curves, she was a sight to marvel at. For a moment he just stood there watching her frolic in the water. She looked so happy and carefree. He understood the feeling. Just being in Cameryn’s presence made him happier, more energized. She made him look forward to each new day. For once eternity didn’t look so monotonous.

“H, hurry up! What are you doing anyway?” Cameryn yelled.

“Just admiring how you look in that bikini,” he told her.

“You could see a lot better if you’d come closer,” she said giving him a saucy wink.

That was enough motivation for him. Hades joined her in the water. He waded out until the water was up to his chest.

“Looks like my view is obstructed by all this water,” Hades said.

“We could always do something about that,” Cameryn said coming close to him and wrapping her arms around him.

“Something like what?”

“Like this,” Cameryn said before kissing him.

As their tongues melded together, Hades’
s grip tightened on her waist. Every time their lips touched it was electric. He could already feel himself growing heavy with desire for her. One of his hands slid down and cupped her round, luscious ass.

“Cameryn,” he moaned against her mouth.

When she sucked on his bottom lip, Hades untangled himself from her. He smiled when she pouted.

“You always pull away so quick.”

“I have to, or I might lose control. I’m a very patient man, but there’s no reason to tempt fate is there?”

“Yes.”

“And what reason is that?” Hades asked arching a brow.

“Because tempting fate might be fun,” Cameryn said smiling mischievously.

Before Hades could respond, Cameryn splashed water in his face. As he wiped his face, she laughed and swam away.

“You want to play. Let’s play,” Hades said swimming after her.

Despite her efforts, Hades caught her easily. Grabbing her by her legs, he quickly dunked her under the water. Cameryn came up sputtering with a smile on her face before grabbing him. For the next hour they frolicked in the ocean, laughing and carefree.

“Stop
, H. I’m starting to get wrinkled,” Cameryn said.

“You look fine to me. Stop wimping out.”

“I’ll show you a wimp,” Cameryn said before splashing Hades again with a large wave.

He wiped his eyes and watched her swim back to shore. That was when an idea came to him. He followed her back to shore.

“Where’s my top?” Cameryn asked franticly as she covered herself.

“Looking for this?” Hades asked holding her bikini top in his hand.

“Yes. Now give it to me please?”

“Not yet. I want something in return.”

“H, this isn’t funny. Give me my top,” Cameryn said, one hand outstretched. The other was wrapped around her torso.

“Give me what I want then,” Hades said thoroughly enjoying himself.

“What do you want?”

“A kiss.”

“A kiss? Well why didn’t you say so earlier?” Cameryn
said, walking closer to him.

As Hades leaned down to kiss her, a woman’s voice spoke from behind him.

“And here I thought your infatuation with your little whore would be over and done with. Seems like I’ve arrived just in time.”

Hades turned around and saw Persephone. He cursed under his breath. He was not in the mood. He quickly gave Cameryn back her top.

“What do you want, Persephone?” he asked annoyed.

“You,” she said to Hades.

“Sorry. We’re over. I’ve moved on. You should do the same.”

“That’s not going to happen. We are eternal. Besides I’m sure your little plaything wouldn’t be so amenable if she knew the secret you were keeping from her,” Persephone said.

“Persephone, if you don’t can it, I’m going to do to you what I did last time,” Cameryn said.

“Is that all you can do? Make empty threats? If I were you I’d be more concerned about what my lover was hiding from me.”

“Persephone, leave it alone,” Hades said menacingly.

“I’m not going to leave it alone
, husband. It’s time she knew the truth.”

“H, what is she talking about?” Cameryn
said.

“Nothing. Ignore her.”

“Last chance, Hades. You tell her, or I will,” Persephone said.

Defiantly, Hades remained silent.

“Fine. Have it your way,” Persephone said before turning to Cameryn. “The only reason he’s so interested in you is because he thinks it will hurt me.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Cameryn asked.

“I’m your mother, dearie. Now how about a welcome home kiss?”

Chapter
Twenty

Cameryn stared at Persephone like she had two heads. Obviously jealousy had made her delusional.

“My mother? Yeah right. You’re certifiable,” Cameryn laughed.

Cameryn turned to Hades. Beside her, he was silent.

“Go ahead
, Hades. Tell her. Tell her I’m her mother.”

“Hades
, please tell me she’s lying. Tell me it’s not true,” Cameryn asked as her voice shook.

Tears filled her eyes as she looked up at Hades. He couldn’t even meet her gaze. Her heart rate climbed until it felt as if it would beat out of her chest.

“It’s true, isn’t it? Isn’t it?” Cameryn screamed.

Finally Hades’
s eyes met her own.

“Yes
, Cameryn. Persephone is your mother.”

Cameryn staggered away from Hades. Her heart felt like it was breaking. Tears ran down her cheeks as she stared back and forth between Hades and Persephone.
My mother! That evil witch is my mother?
Hades couldn’t even look at her now.
The lying

bastard.
He’s known the entire time. He’s known and never said a word. I’ve been such a fool.

“Well it seems for once my mouthy daughter is finally speechless,” Persephone said laughing.

“Don’t call me that. Don’t ever call me that! I am no daughter of yours!” Cameryn’s voice thundered.

“I am your mother, regardless of how either of us feels about it.”

“You may have given birth to me, but you are not my mother.”

“Now I remember why I abandoned you. When I realized I was pregnant I was surprised. I was curious as to what my child would be like, but when you were born I despised you. Nothing about you was like me. Everything about you reminded me of the husband I no longer had. It was if the Fates were mocking me by making you so like Hades even though he was not your father. I loathed you and the strange death magic I could see surrounding you
, so I left you. If only you’d died then.”

“You’re a monster. You’d do us all of a favor if you dropped dead,” Cameryn yelled pointing a finger at Persephone.

Cameryn’s body shook with rage. Without warning, fire exploded from her finger. It raced towards Persephone as a fireball, hitting her squarely in her chest. She fell to the

ground with a scream, desperately trying to put the fire out. Cameryn ignored her and turned her attention back to Hades.

“You deceitful bastard. All this time I thought that you cared about me, that you loved me. It was all a lie. The only reason you wanted me is because of her. What better way to piss off your ex than to go for her own flesh and blood. It’s sick and twisted, and I won’t be a part of it.”

“Cameryn
, you don’t understand…”

“No! No more lies. We’re over. I can’t believe I trusted you. That I was starting to love you. I won’t make that mistake again,” Cameryn said as tears continued streaming down her face.

“Beloved, you don’t understand,” Hades said taking a step towards her.

“Stay away from me! I’m not your beloved. I don’t ever want to see you again,” Cameryn said before running down the beach.

As she ran the tears continued to flow. He’d betrayed her. He’d broken her heart, and she would never forgive him for his betrayal.

*
***

Persephone came to her feet slowly. The fireball Cameryn hurled had burned a hole in her dress and left a dark bruise on her chest, but it didn’t matter. As Cameryn ran
past her, crying and heartbroken, she knew she had won. She’d put that little bitch in her place by utterly destroying her happiness. Persephone felt elated. Standing tall she stared at Hades. He was quiet, but she could see the anger blazing in his eyes. His jaw was clenched. Involuntarily she took a step back when she felt a wall of malevolence spring up between them. She could see the shimmering blue of his power. He was trying to scare her, but she was not going to be scared by anyone. She was a goddess. Persephone lifted her chin defiantly.

“Well
, husband, seems like you’ve lost your little mortal. It’s a good thing I’m here,” Persephone said moving closer.

“If you were mortal, I’d kill you for what you’ve done,” Hades
said.

Persephone pouted prettily.

“I know you, Hades. You wouldn’t hurt the love of your life. You and I both know I’m the only one for you. You’ve had your fun with my unfortunate bastard, but now it’s time for you to welcome me home,” she said walking close and touching his arm.

Hades laughed a loud, menacing laugh. Persephone felt her blood run cold.

“You were never the love of my life, and even if I am damned to spend eternity alone, I would prefer it to being with you. The daughter you despise, the daughter you abandoned, is the love of my life. I would destroy Olympus and the Underworld itself if she’d but ask. I love Cameryn, and nothing you say or do is going to change that.”

“Don’t you get it? It’s over between you two. She’s not going to forgive you!” Persephone said.

“It doesn’t matter. I will never stop loving her.”

“You fool! You’re my husband. You belong with me, not her!”

“It’s over
, Persephone.”

Persephone stared at Hades in amazement. She couldn’t believe it. She’d been so certain that with Cameryn out of their way, Hades would be hers again. Bile rose up in her throat. He had to come back to her. The bastard! He was her husband, but she could see that she was not going to win this battle. Hades had made up his mind. He was not coming back to her. This particular plan of hers had failed.

“Fine. You want her. Chase after her all you want. Continue to make a fool of yourself, but mark my words you will never be happy with her. I’ll make sure of it, even if it costs me everything,” Persephone said before disappearing in a flash of anger.

She’d tried to do things the easy way, but Hades was stubborn. More stubborn than she’d remembered. Even with the girl rejecting him, he refused to give up on his foolish quest to win her love. It was time to put her plan into action. She was going to destroy her daughter and win back her husband once and for all.

****

Hades materialized inside his palace with a heavy heart. Damn Persephone! She’d destroyed everything in one fell swoop. The look on Cameryn’s face had torn his heart to pieces. Her tears were like daggers piercing him over and over. He couldn’t let her go. He had to make her understand that her parentage didn’t matter. He loved her for her. He strode toward her room and stopped at the door. He could hear her crying through the door. Before he lost his nerve, he opened the door.

“Cameryn, sweetheart…”

“Go away. I don’t want to see you.”

“Darling, please let me explain,” he said walking up to the bed.

Cameryn was lying on her side, not facing him. A pillow was clutched in her arms. Tears continued to run down her face
, and her eyes were red. She looked broken.

“There’s nothing to explain. You lied to me. You used me. You never loved me.”

“That’s not true, Cameryn. I loved you from the first moment I saw you,” Hades said sitting down on the bed beside her.

“Lies. You just wanted me to get revenge on Persephone.”

“Baby, that’s not true,” he said touching her shoulder.

She shrugged off his hand and scooted
farther away from him.

“Don’t touch me. Don’t ever touch me again. I’ll never forgive you for breaking my heart,” Cameryn sobbed.

Hades hung his head dejected.

“Cameryn, maybe I was wrong for not telling you about your mother, but I only did that to spare you the pain you’re feeling now. I knew Persephone would hurt you, but I never expected that I would. I know you hate me right now and you feel betrayed, but I do love you. I will always love you, Cameryn. I just hope that eventually you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”

Hades rose and stood over her. She was silent, but tears still streamed down her face. She was hurting
, and there was nothing he could say to fix it. As he left Cameryn’s room, Aphrodite’s words came back to him.
You have a battle ahead of you.
If only he’d taken her warning seriously. Because of Persephone, there was a chance he’d lost Cameryn forever. He was sure not even Aphrodite could help him now.