Chapter 42
CHAPTER 42
“ I don’t think we’ve ever had so many barbecues,” Ash said, grinning at Blake, a plate of food in his hand.
“I know, but they’re a good way to mingle with everyone and form stronger bonds.”
“Plus, everyone loves a good barbecue and you lot do it so well,” Zeus said, suddenly appearing next to them.
“Don’t tell me, you could smell the food cooking all the way up in Olympus,” Ash said with a laugh.
Zeus nodded. “Of course I could.”
“Well, help yourself.” Blake waved his hand at all the food.
“I think I just might,” he said, and with that, strolled off towards the food tables.
“We really need to find him a mate,” Ash said.
“We do. Maybe the Fates will send someone here for him to find,” Blake suggested, sending a prayer to the Fates for Zeus.
And the Fates decided to answer.
Frederick, Hades, and Battle were stood talking and laughing when Han joined them.
Frederick saw him first and smiled. “Han, meet my cousin Battle. Battle, meet our friend Han. Han is a major sci-fi nerd.”
Battle laughed. “Me, too. I’ve just started re-watching Stargate from the beginning again. I can’t believe they’re remaking the film.”
Han shook his head. “I know, but Dr Daniel Jackson will always be Michael Shanks.”
Battle nodded. “Always. I still might watch it though.”
“I’m undecided as yet. I might wait for it to come on TV.”
Hades snorted. “You, wait? You’ll be one of the first to line up at the cinema to watch it.”
Han grinned. “Most probably.”
“Let me know if you do and I’ll join you,” Battle said to him.
Just then Puff, Mateo, and Atticus walked over and joined them.
“Battle, you’ve met King Puff and Mateo earlier, but this is Lord Atticus,” Frederick said. “Puff’s grounding force.”
Battle shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you and to see you both again.” He nodded to Puff. “King Puff.”
“Just Puff will do,” he said softly, his voice scratchy.
“How’s your throat?” Han asked him.
“Getting better,” Puff replied weakly. “Do you have a mobile and do you like memes?”
Han nodded. “I do and love them, why?”
“Because I have awesome ones to send you,” Puff replied, grinning.
Han laughed and pulled out his phone as Puff got his out. They swapped numbers and Puff started sending him a few memes featuring death.
Han laughed. “Are they all going to be about death?”
“Probably.” Puff grinned.
Battle looked between them. “Am I missing something?”
Han braced himself. “I’m Thanatos, the angel of death.”
Battle’s mouth dropped open for a moment in shock and Han grimaced.
“That’s so cool,” Battle said, grinning. “You and I are going to be such good friends, I can feel it in my nerd bones.”
Everyone laughed at that.
“I think I’m a nerd as well,” Zeus said, joining them.
Hades wasn’t the only one who laughed at that.
“Star Trek or Star Wars?” Mateo asked him.
“Star Trek is the Ewoks one right?” Zeus asked.
Han rolled his eyes as Battle gasped.
“That’s just wrong,” Battle said, shaking his head, internally sighing as he looked at the man in front of him. His long hair was plaited and thrown over one shoulder. His very long beard was also platted, and he filled out his blue suit perfectly.
“I don’t think we’ve met, and I really would remember meeting you,” Zeus practically purred out, holding his hand out to Battle.
“Battle Barbuda, cousin to Freddie,” he replied, shaking Zeus’ hand. Battle felt his wolf surge forward, and suddenly smelt aged whisky and grass after the rain, two of his favourite scents. “Who are you?” asked in astonishment.
Zeus gave a large smile. “I do believe that I am your mate.”
“Mate?” the group said at the same time in shock, or Hades’ case, humour.
“Finally, after all this time, brother, you found your mate. Congratulations,” Hades said.
Battle looked confused. “Brother?”
“Battle, meet my brother, Zeus, King of the Gods,” Hades introduced.
Battle was shocked. “Zeus, as in the one and only Zeus ?” His mouth fell open.
Zeus used a finger to close his mouth before playfully tapping his nose. “Yes. I must thank the Fates, they have been truly good to me. Forgive us if we don’t stay.” And just that quickly, both Zeus and Battle vanished.
Stunned silence abounded for several minutes.
“I can’t believe my cousin is the fated mate of Zeus,” Frederick said, shaking his head.
“Wait, Zeus found his mate?” Alex walked over to them with Tudor, Baylan, and Blake.
“Yeah, turns out Battle is his mate. Zeus has whisked them off somewhere,” Frederick told them, still stunned.
“And here I was hoping for a rematch between you and Battle on the first obstacle course,” Blake said with a laugh.
“We can do that when he gets back.” Frederick grinned ferociously. “Whenever that is.”
Blake sent a prayer of thanks to the Fates. Sure, he had only just met Battle, but he had instantly liked him. He would be just perfect for the King of the Gods.
Zeus and Battle appeared in Zeus’ bedroom.
“I can’t believe after all this time I’ve finally found the other half of my soul. Truthfully, I never thought this day would happen,” Zeus said, stepping closer to Battle.
Battle was the same height as Zeus, with the same kind of muscular build, although his hair was shorter, just touching his shoulders. Battle also had a full, close-cropped beard, whereas both Zeus’ hair and beard were long.
Battle raised his hand and laid it against Zeus’ cheek. “I can’t believe the Fates created me for you. I’m so not worthy of being your mate, but I promise to try my best to be worthy of you.”
“You are completely worthy of me. I’m afraid you might find me lacking.”
Battle shook his head. “Never. We can be worthy of each other.” Battle stepped closer so now he and Zeus were pressed together. He moved his hand to the back of Zeus’ neck and, pulling him forward, kissed him.
Zeus happily kissed him back, wrapping his arms around Battle and pulling him closer still.
Battle thought he heard fireworks going off in his head until he tapered the kiss and pulled back. He then saw actual fireworks exploding outside the bedroom window and laughed. “Fireworks, really?”
“The whole of Olympus now knows I have found my fated mate. There will be much rejoicing tonight,” Zeus said, his eyes shining with happiness.
“And they can rejoice without us, because that massive bed right there is calling our names.”
“So it is.” And suddenly Battle found himself lying naked on the bed, with Zeus laying over him.
“Nice trick,” Battle said grinning.
Zeus rubbed his nose against Battle’s. “Thanks, I thought so too.” And with that, Zeus got down to the serious business of claiming his mate.
Once Zeus had claimed Battle, Battle went about driving Zeus mad before claiming him right back.