Chapter Seventeen
“Are you ready to catch me?” Marty yelled down the stairs. He wasn’t a huge fan of the main house in Boston. If he’d ever been asked his opinion, he’d have said that he thought the pool house was more comfortable. The main house was very grand, filled with things Marty was terrified he would break, and it always felt cold, even with the fires going.
There were too many rooms – big rooms with high ceilings that would echo if it wasn’t for the furniture and window coverings. And bathrooms – way too many bathrooms for two people to use. Marty worked out that if he used a different one every day of the week, it would still take longer than a week to use them all.
In truth, Marty thought most of the space in the house was a waste for just the two of them. But Ares liked it, and so Marty kept his opinions to himself and looked for ways to enjoy the house the way it was. Three weeks into his mating, Marty had found a number of ways to have fun, with Ares and on his own.
Like the fun offered by the staircase for example. The moment Ares led him in through the front doors, Marty fell in love with the staircase. It was huge, like everything else in the house, with white marble steps winding up to the next floor. But what Marty loved was the banister. It was smooth, highly polished, and made of wood. It followed the stairs down in a swooping curve. More importantly for Marty’s purposes, it did not have one of those huge balls of wood at the end of the banister that could bring a prospective slider to a sudden and painful halt.
The first time Marty had slid down it, he had been on his bum, and he hadn’t counted on how steep the bottom half actually was. It was deceptive. He’d been happy – the rush was incredible – and when he’d fallen on his butt, cackling with laughter as he thumped on the floor, Marty was buzzing with how much fun he’d had.
Ares, who had been in the kitchen at the time, wasn’t so pleased, suddenly appearing beside him and picking him up, concern all over his handsome face. Perhaps realizing that Marty was going to do what Marty wanted to do, Ares pointed out it would be more fun if he could catch Marty when he came flying down the banisters, and then proceeded to prove to Marty why. After a long panting session up against the wall, and then later on the bed, Marty was now a convert of being caught.
“Coming, ready or not,” he yelled. He couldn’t see the bottom half of the staircase – there was a wide column in the way. But he hopped up onto the banister – shall I sit or stand? Standing was a bit riskier, but that was part of the fun. Kicking off his shoes, pleased he’d put socks on that morning, Marty managed to stand on the banister slowly sliding his right foot forward and back again, making sure his socks wouldn’t catch on the wood.
“And, we’re off.” With a whoop, Marty started to move, letting gravity and the smooth polish of the wood help him build up speed. His arms were wide, waving in the air as he struggled to keep his balance, but he felt the rush as the silliness of what he was doing hit his brain. Laughing loudly, Marty swept around the corner without falling. He was on the downhill stretch when he suddenly realized Ares was waiting in the entrance hall, but he wasn’t alone.
Oops. Marty tried to stop, but gravity was a powerful force. He tried to lean back, thinking he could stop his progress with his hands – but his fingers wouldn’t reach the wood. He’d forgotten – as he was reaching for the wood – that he’d been using his arms for balance. Five steps from the bottom of the stairs, Marty fell into a heap, hitting his head on one of the marble steps.
“Ouch.” Marty rubbed his head. “Well, that didn’t go as expected.” Standing up, he noticed Ares’ disapproving expression. “You didn’t tell me you were busy.”
“Who on Earth is this urchin?” The woman was extremely beautiful. She looked like a younger version of Ares, tall, slender, and very beautiful. “You do have the strangest playmates, Ares.”
I’m not a playmate. Tell her we’re mates!
Marty watched as Ares shook his head. “Marty is a friend of mine. He is just visiting for a short while.”
Friend? I’ve been friend-zoned? Marty was fairly sure that couldn’t happen with a mate, but then it wasn’t like he professed to know everything. But he did know how to take a giant fucking hint. “And clearly, I’ve outstayed my welcome. Have a lovely day, beautiful lady, and Ares…”
Marty couldn’t think of anything to say to him, so he didn’t bother. He barely managed to walk to the front door. The socks against the marble floor were very slippery, but he got there without falling, opening the door and quickly ducking outside. I do wish I was wearing a coat, he thought as he softly closed the door behind him.
Looking around and then down at his socks, Marty considered his options. Ares did tell me the pool house was mine. That was before he claimed me so that must still be true. The pool house it is.
Straightening his spine, Marty walked across the front parking area, heading for the lawn. His socks would be grubby before he made it to the pool house, but that was the least of Marty’s problems. How on Earth did I get friend-zoned when we’re supposed to be mates? It made Marty cry just thinking about it.
/~/~/~/~/
Ares knew he’d said the wrong thing the moment the words left his mouth. Marty hadn’t needed to say anything. The slump of his shoulders, the way he almost sneaked out of the front door as if he’d been trespassing… Fuck, he’s never going to forgive me for this. And that was without Ares watching Marty fall and hit his head and not doing anything about it. I’m a fucking dickhead.
Which meant he wasn’t in the best mood with his sister. “What do you want, Athena? You never visit. So, what’s possessed you to bother me now?”
“It looks like I’ve arrived just in time. Consider it a mission of mercy if you will.” Athena wandered from the entrance hall into the nearest sitting room. “This house is quaint enough, if you like this sort of thing, but your little pets leave a lot to be desired.”
“I’m sure you didn’t come here to talk about anyone I spend time with.” Ares had no choice but to follow her, even as every cell in his body was screaming at him to find Marty and make things right. “Just tell me what you want and make it quick. I have things to do.”
“Yes, well, I’m not here because I’ve been missing your titillating conversation.” Athena arranged herself on the chair Ares and Marty had been cozied up in the night before. Ares felt himself bristle as if Athena was overstepping and encroaching on something precious he had with his mate. “I fear I need your support in a matter concerning Olympus. I had expected to find you skulking around there, like you’re prone to do, but you’ve been absent almost a month. That’s not like you.”
Her gaze was sharp even if her expression would appear neutral to anyone who didn’t know his sister the way Ares did. “Olympus is like a ghost town most days. There’s more to see and do on Earth.” Ares leaned against the side of the wide arch that marked the division between the entrance hall and the sitting area. He definitely wasn’t going to sit down and click up some tea and scones if that’s what his sister was expecting.
“Olympus is definitely changing,” Athena agreed. “I believe it needs changing even more – that the Pantheon would benefit from new leadership, for example.”
Ares snorted. “You are known as the Goddess of Wisdom. Didn’t recent events concerning Hera, Demetra, and Persephone teach you anything?”
“I saw it as an opportunity.” Athena waved an elegant hand. “I have no issue with our father spending time with his new mate and son. If it keeps him happy and away from Olympus, then I wish him well. However, Olympus needs a ruler who is focused on the realm instead of mortal affairs. As you so rightly pointed out, there are very few options left for suitably qualified people to fill that position now – people who are willing to live on Olympus and serve the realm as it serves us all. You supported Hera in her bid to take over from Zeus.”
Holding up a finger, Ares shook his head. “Correction, I was coerced into confronting Zeus alongside Hera. Hera lied to me. Nothing new about that. She told me that Zeus was attempting to give a mortal a position among the Olympians. She never mentioned that Paulie was Zeus’s Fated Mate, or that she was actually seeking to change the decision of the Fates with regards to gods finding Fated Ones of their own. She wanted to ban mortals from Olympus and prevent gods from finding mates among mortals, regardless of who they were. I didn’t know about any of that until afterward.
“With regard to my own position on that day, if you had heard the story correctly – and you had to have heard the news secondhand because you weren’t there – then you will know I left as soon as it was proven Paulie was Zeus’s Fated One. I have no issues with Zeus having a mate, or leading the Pantheon and the Olympians the way he always has.”
Athena’s eyes narrowed. “Those are words I never expected to hear out of your mouth. You hate our father. You always have.”
“And yet you, on the other hand, are known as being his favorite daughter.” Ares sneered. “How long will it take Zeus to find out his favored one seeks to depose him, and can you imagine how he will take the news? Don’t make the mistake of thinking that Zeus having a new mate and child has made him soft. I thought you had more sense than Hera.”
“Hera was seeking to ruin Zeus’s fun – she’s been doing that since she came into existence.” Athena tilted her nose. “The episode that led her to be permanently banished, however…”
“Temporarily banished,” Ares warned. “Get your facts right. Zeus assured Paulie, after his mate was so distressed at what had happened, that he planned on letting all of the punished back in about ten years or so. For an ancient being, ten years is barely a blink. I wouldn’t get comfortable with those absences if I was you.”
Athena clearly didn’t expect Ares’ attitude. “I felt for sure you’d jump on this and lend me your support. Olympus needs a ruler who is present, wise, and who genuinely cares for the people they rule.”
“You mean Zeus’s office personnel, the hairdressers, and staff?” Ares laughed. “Athena, get with the times. No one wants to live on Olympus anymore, including Zeus. That’s because it’s not a fun place, but then from memory, for me, it never was. What I do know, is that the moment you threaten the realm that is highly tuned to every one of Zeus’s moods, you’ll find yourself homeless or running a beehive like Persephone. I can’t see any of the Olympians supporting another harebrained scheme to take over from Zeus any time soon.”
“I would’ve thought with Zeus’s absence, you’d be aiming to take over Olympus yourself.” Athena got to her feet. “You are the God of War, or so I heard, not that I’ve seen you do much lately.”
“I am the God of War, the same as you’re still the Goddess of War, Wisdom, and Crafts.” Ares found Athena’s barbs didn’t bother him the way they usually did. “I’ve had a lot of time to think over the centuries, and I decided a long time ago that when it was ruled that the gods were no longer allowed to influence the lives of mortals, it was a relief to the likes of me.
“Because of what I supposedly did, I was repeatedly shunned and hated by the others, much like Hades was. You were one of those people who considered me as cruel as fiction depicted me. I fail to see why you think for a second, I would support you now. Use your wisdom and go back to your crafts, not because I think that’s all a female Olympian is capable of, but because going up against Zeus is not going to work out for you or anyone else who tries it.”
“You always were a disappointment.” Ares wondered if Athena knew her sneer was a mirror image of his own. “You’d think the God of War would welcome change brought through chaos and still you hide like a mortal down here, playing with your scruffy friends. Where’s your drive for the fight – the need to take up arms for a worthy cause?”
“Your cause, you mean?” Ares laughed. “I’ve not heard one word that suggests there’s anything worthy about what you want to do. If you’ve got the sense you’re supposed to have in your position within the Pantheon, then retain your position as Zeus’s favorite daughter. Visit him and Paulie in their home in Montana. Take a gift for their new son. You’d have far more influence over Zeus if you did something like that instead of threatening his rule. Zeus will never give up his position as Father of All.
“And I’ll tell you something for nothing.” Ares fixed his glare on his sister. “If anyone, and I mean anyone, threatens Zeus’s position in any way, then I will be standing by his side, not yours. I’m not stupid enough to think that will suddenly cause Zeus to love me as his son, but I’m sick and tired of always being on the losing side. At least, siding with him, I’d be in the winner’s circle for once.”
“Living on Earth has warped your brain – what little you had of it.” Athena had disdain down to a fine art. “Fine. You play with your no-account friends and leave the serious issues to people who can think for themselves. I mean, what was the story with that scruffy shifter? What possible benefit can you get from being with him?”
Love. Acceptance. A warm heart. A soft embrace. But Ares didn’t say any of those things even though each one of them was true. “He teaches me how to have fun, sis. Do you remember what fun is? That thing where you do things for no other reason than to laugh and enjoy yourself. I’m finding that quite addictive.”
“You’re an idiot, that’s what you are.” Athena disappeared with barely a wisp of smoke, leaving nothing but her disdain behind her.
“She has no idea how right she is,” Ares mused grimly as he headed for the front door. “Just not for the reasons she was thinking.”