Tangles and Temptation (35 page)

Eris could see her own confusion in her eyes. She had feared him. She had evaded the snake. He released the breath he had been holding. His head leaned into her tiny hand. This was her acceptance. And she appeared equally awestruck. He twirled his body around her in tender coils. He gifted her with the embrace of Erpo, the snake. The snake claimed its mate. Time stood still.

The sky rumbled above them. As Eris peered up at the heavens, the first drop of rain splashed on Kyra’s nose. The snake shuddered. It transformed. Eris almost laughed at her disgruntled face as she stared at his naked form. “Do not say you prefer the beast over me.”

“It offered more protection. The heavens rejoice your victory.”

Eris lowered his lips and whispered, “They bless our union.” He scooped her in his arms and stepped steadily to the caves. Sappho would feel their presence, but perhaps that would be a good thing. The sooner his brother accepted their relationship, the sooner they could mend their brotherhood. So many questions darted through his mind, but the sight of her gloriously naked body, the feeling of her softness against his chest, left room for only one thing. He wanted her, now.

He settled her gently on a large, flattened rock. His hair dripped. The droplets shone like precious jewels on her flushed skin. He knelt down and lapped at the dainty dew at her shoulders. She inhaled deeply as he kissed a slow path to her breasts. She hissed as he continued past them without pause.

Eris chuckled. “You are still an impatient, demanding wench.” His tongue trailed a leisurely path down her middle. He paused at her navel for a thorough sampling. He stopped as harsh fingers twisted in his hair.

Kyra pulled him up. “I need you now.” She kissed his lips fiercely, dueling with his tongue, challenging his resolve.

He pulled away with a gasp. “Kyra, slow down. The beast…”

“I care not. The beast and you are one. I shall have one or the other, or perhaps both.” Her hand lowered to his engorged cock. As her finger curled around the thick length, she smiled coyly. “Perhaps I should not ask, but simply take.” She pushed Eris softly back until he lay on the ground.

With legs on either side, she lowered her hot center to rest above his groin. She rolled her hips teasingly and taunted his reddened, throbbing head.

Eris bit on his lip and grabbed her hips. “You are fortunate you are able to sway my actions this easily. Were we not engaged in this delightful sport, I would be pressed to punish you for your rash actions. You toyed with the beast foolishly.”

Kyra purred as she rubbed herself against his erection. “A punishment sounds most entertaining.”

“A switch awaits your wonderful bottom.”

Kyra laughed. She leaned down and lapped at his flat nipples. Her teeth grated against them while her hot lips puckered and sucked. “I shall take the lashing of your cock as punishment.”

Eris watched the play of light on her body. The haphazard flashes from outside bathed her skin in a tender glow. He clutched her face and brought her face up. “I owe you my life.”

Kyra growled. “You owe me satisfaction.” She gave no warning as she lifted her bottom and slid her wet sheath over his length. Eris jerked upright. He grabbed her hips and helped her pump herself fully. He lifted her until only his tip lay submerged before pulling her down hard. Kyra screamed. “Just there. Faster.”

Eris continued to lever her up and down. He fell back as he lifted his own hips, bringing his thighs to slap against her ass cheeks noisily. “Your pussy is so wet.” He pushed harder, scraping his back mercilessly against the stony floor. “Come for me, Kyra.”

Kyra leaned back. Her open fingers splayed in the dirt. Eris used her inviting position ruthlessly. His thumb parted the folds her wet clit and massaged her swollen bud in fast circular motions. The pulses began deep within her, squeezing the head of his penis. He shouted as her shudders covered his entire length, milking him. The tip of his lance was engorged, filled. He drew back and roared as his juices flew free. Each spurt shot, hot and creamy, flooding her. He reared up and grabbed her. As his eyes changed and the fangs protruded, he heard the word he longed for.

“Yes.”

He waited until the last shudder raked through her body before his sleek tongue darted out and flicked over the pulse at her throat. He bit down deep. Shards of excitement, torrents of heat fizzled through him. The whole world flashed a brilliant white so bright it was tinged with blue. He heard her answering cry as she joined him in the earth-shattering orgasm. Finally. She was his.

SAGA `Enteka

Kyra awoke to glorious sunshine and a refreshing breeze streaming through the open window. Keeping her eyes blissfully closed, she stretched her pleasure-ravaged body. She could recall little of the trip back to the palace. But she clearly remembered being carried in Eris’s strong arms. Had he carried her all the way here? She blushed. Having a man of strength as well as abundant chivalry certainly did have its merits. She spied the object of her thought across the room. Frowning as she took in Eris’s full attire, she quietly crept out of the kline. As she approached him from behind, her teeth bit down on her tender bottom lip. Perhaps she could repay him for his dashing courtesy.

Her gaze lowered to the length of his thighs displayed beneath the short, belted chiton tunic. His calves bulged, and the backs of his thighs clenched as he leaned forward and splashed water over his face. His skin was golden from the kiss of the sun, and he radiated pulsing heat. Kyra scowled. Just how late was it? By the degree of the temperature blasting against her cooled skin, it was obvious he had just returned from outdoors. Goose bumps prickled her nude body. She smirked. She would not have to waste time with oppressive clothing, but he, on the other hand, appeared overdressed. Her hand reached over his shoulder and deftly unhitched the securing pin.

The muscles on Eris’s back corded as he held still, hunched over the stone bowl. Kyra ran her hand over the defined ridges. The hard flesh rippled and flexed, coming to life. He straightened and turned slowly. “I am glad to see this morning finds you refreshed.”

“I am more than refreshed. I find I have awoken with a scorching throb between my thighs, radiating a fiery fever throughout my body. And I believe I have just found the anecdote for my ailment.”

The cleft in Eris’s chin deepened endearingly as he offered her a lopsided smile. “Then I shall endeavor to remedy this situation.” He leaned down and captured her lips in a sweet, soft kiss. As Kyra’s hand crept up his chest to unfasten the second pin securing his apparel, his hand closed gently over hers. “However, it will have to wait. The king has requested your presence.”

As he spoke, Kyra touched her lips to his bobbing Adam’s apple. “Surely you have related all the events to him. I would much rather see him at my leisure.”

Eris sighed and leaned his forehead against hers. His hand captured and held hers. “There are still areas that remain gray even to me. I also wish answers.” He caressed her bottom lip with his calloused thumb. “You have sparked his admiration and curiosity, Kyra. Your talent as a strategist has extremely high merit.” His voice lowered to a husky rumble. “You saved my life.”

Kyra drew away slightly. “You have told him this.”

“Yes, he has.” The deep voice had Kyra spinning to the open door.

She planted her hands on her hips and faced the king, unabashed at her naked state. “Be you king of this land or nay, I will not accept trespasses upon my privacy.”

The king bellowed in laughter. “Brava. Spoken like a true princess. Eris has filled me in on your heritage. But I wish to hear much from you.” He bowed slightly. “Accept my most humble apologies for the intrusion.”

Kyra tossed her hair over her shoulder and moved to her dresser. As she slipped the gown over her shoulders, the king addressed Eris. “She possesses the freshness of a bubbling spring. But her equally fiery temper of a prickly cactus would quickly lap it up.”

Kyra bristled as she returned. “She is also in possession of ears.”

Eris grabbed Kyra in a fierce hug. His laugh ruffled the hair on the top of her head. “Desist, my little viper. The king simply needles you. Come, let us discuss quickly and return to a more pleasurable pastime.”

Vasilis Amyntas interjected quickly, “I sport with you, Kyra. You have the eternal gratitude of me and my people for your brave hand in this affair. Were it not for your foresight and decisive actions, we may have lost the battle.”

Kyra inclined her head and followed Eris to the high kline. After they had been seated, with Vasilis Amyntas pacing before them, she spoke. “My memories came flooding back the moment I spied Eris in his complete snake form. I recalled the reason for my urgent trip here. He was revealed to me within a vision. I had to reach him before the battle. I saw beforehand the enemy’s possession of the scorpion sting, and Eris’s consequent lack thereof.” She stared directly at Eris. “I saw you so clearly in my dreams, a man and a beast, molded splendidly in one. That first strike of the demon, with the sting, set my resolve. At first light, I set out. I had to seek you out and alert you.

Eris exhaled loudly. “So it was indeed me you had come seeking.”

“It was. Unfortunately I was ambushed by Thyone. He accosted me like he did at my home. He struck my head and rendered me unconscious. But the attack differed the first time. I believe he used some form of black magic to remove my memories, and I failed to deliver my warning in time.”

Kyra latched onto the comforting hand Eris placed on hers. “You have not failed, Kyra. It was your call to me that made me react. Before that I was paralyzed by my own misinterpreted visions.”

The king interrupted. “Yes, it is the end result that matters. The beast was felled despite Eris’s handicap, and the battle was won. We have attained victory in our first combat against Cronus.”

Kyra shook her head. “The end result is indeed what matters, and while Eris has miraculously managed to fell the beast, we have not won the battle.”

“What?” The men’s voices chorused as one.

“I have mentioned that my tongue was silenced when I arrived, by having my memories erased. But eliminating the warning to Eris was not Cronus’s ultimate goal. The location where I was found shows his plot effectively.” As the men remained silent, she continued. “Surely, at some point, you had to have questioned why I had been abducted only to be set free at my very destination.”

Eris nodded. “Yes, that question has plagued my mind.”

“But it was not my destination. I was to come to
you
. Instead I was set in the mountains, the terrain of your brother. When I was supposed to have met you initially, Sappho was forced to find me first. Cronus had predicted and plotted the entire turn of events. Tell me, Eris, would Sappho ever have interfered had you met and declared your claim on me before him?”

Eris’s voice left him in a deflated hiss. “No.”

“Precisely. This has all been a clever ruse, and we were all but actors. Unfortunately, we played our roles right on cue and into the hands of the enemy. This feud you now face with your brother was the ultimate goal. Cronus wished discord amongst the gladiators. He instigated it. And he has succeeded.”

Silence filled the room. Kyra hated to be the harbinger of bad news, but she saw the plot clearly. Her memories had returned, and she had set about dissecting it. She had gone over and over the course of events as she had made her way down the hill and to Eris’s side as he battled the beast. There was no doubt in her mind. “Cronus plays a game many moves ahead. He concentrates not on the battles but on the winning of the war.”

Vasilis Amyntas stated in a confident voice, “Then we shall undo the damage immediately. Sappho must come to accept your union, or he shall also face a beast when his time comes, without his twin’s addition. Surely his beast will come fitted with a deadly serpent’s tail. Eris, you must see this breach fixed.”

Kyra watched Eris’s face closely. His face darkened stubbornly. She answered for him. “Eris has tried repairing the severed ties at every juncture. Sappho’s blatant refusal to accept our relationship not only aids his own demise, it fuels Eris’s insecurity. As long as Sappho continues to hold his incessant hope within his breast that I shall one day go to him, Eris shall never trust him.”

In a lowered voice, Eris agreed. “I find myself on constant guard against my own brother. His hunger for my mate shows clearly in his eyes. I will not share what is mine.”

Kyra’s heart soared. Eris spoke for himself and not on behalf of his beast. He claimed her as his mate, as a man. “And you shall never have to share me, Eris. But be warned, I likewise do not tolerate the poaching of my property.”

The king grunted. “Stall your declarations until after we have found a solution to this dilemma. Cronus must be bested. I will not accept defeat. There has to be a way.”

Kyra considered carefully before voicing her opinion. She had not been blinded at her home. Her sister’s attraction to Eris had been rather obvious no matter how aggressively Aleka had striven to hide it. Maybe, just maybe, Sappho was forced toward the wrong sister. The men were, after all, identical twins. She sighed. It was worth a try. “There may be. I must send word to my family of my marriage to Eris, depending, of course, on Eris’s consent to such.”

Eris sprang up and grabbed her in a fierce hug. “You would do me great honor in becoming my wife. I will accept no less.” He kissed her happily, noisily. “I had already stated my intentions to your family before leaving your homelands. Aikaterina will, of course, come live with us.”

The king cleared his throat. “My felicitations. I shall send a messenger to the land of Pandora. But I fail to see the connection with Sappho.”

Kyra grinned mischievously. “Sappho shall be that messenger.”

“Sappho? He is a great gladiator, no mere errand messenger.” The king looked at her with a scowl.

Eris squeezed Kyra’s hand. He had obviously comprehended her devious ploy. “Mayhap it would be good for him to have a time away from here, away from constantly looking upon Kyra and me. Besides, perhaps he will return with a mate of his own on his arm.”