Touch me, she wanted to shout. It had been so long, so damned long, since shed experienced this. Oh, shed been with other men since giving herself so foolishly to Atlas, because shed been searching for something as intense as what they had shared. But each experience had left her hollow, unsatisfied. And then she had been captured-by Atlas himself-and unceremoniously stuffed into this prison.
With the lack of privacy, thered been no opportunities to find companionship. Not that she would have wanted to or had even tried. No one drew her anymore. No one but Atlas, damn him.
Yes, damn him. Him. The man who had held her down only yesterday and etched his name into her flesh. What was she doing, allowing this? He would think she still cared for him. He would think she still pined for him, dreamed of himcraved him. That might be true, curse it, but she would never allow him to know it.
Panting, she tore her mouth away. I dont want you, she lied. Let me go. Now.
A low growl erupted from his throat. I dont want you, either. Once, twice, he rubbed his shaft against her. But Im not letting you go.
Tremors slid the length of her spine. Sweet heaven. Hed hit her sweet spot, and sensation rocketed through her. Then one of his hands lowered and cupped her breast, and her knees almost buckled.
Why? The word was a mere whimper. And why was she allowing him the choice? Why wasnt she ripping away from him? You are Strength. Act like it.
Why wont I let you go? He rolled her hardened nipple between his fingers.
That was why she remained as she was, she thought, dazed. The pleasure was building, flowing through her veins, burning her up, recreating her into a new being. Someone who lived for satisfaction alone. Someone who didnt care that the one responsible for her desire was an enemy.
Yes.
I justI Those fingers tightened, stinging her a little. Just shut up and kiss me again.
Their mouths met again, and this time she rose on her tiptoes to meet him. She couldnt stop herself. As their tongues clashed and warred, he cupped her ass and lifted her feet off the floor. Forcing him to hold her weight would have been fun, but not nearly as pleasurable as winding her legs around his waist and pressing her needy core against his shaft.
With her braced against the wall, he was able to tunnel both of his hands under her robe. Their bodies were too close together for him to reach her slick center, where she wanted him most, but having his hands on her cheeks, skin against skin, was almost as welcome. He was hotter than she remembered.
His lips left hers, but before she could moan her disappointment, he was kissing and licking his way down her neck.
Yes, she gasped. Yes. Like that.
More? His nose nuzzled the golden slave collar as if it were a trinket rather than a device that could kill her. For once, she even liked the collar.
Yes. More. At the moment, that was the only word she was capable of. Unlessdid he think to make her beg?
Fury suddenly blended with desire. Well, she would show him. She would beg for nothing. Not even this. Especially this. Not for him.
Then more you shall have, he said, shocking her. He tugged the fabric of her robe down, revealing her breasts. Air hissed through his teeth. So lovely. So perfect. His tongue flicked out and circled the nipple hed pinched just a short while ago. So mine.
Her head fell back, and her nails scratched at his back. So good. The heatthe wetnessthe-Yes! The suction. He was sucking at her so forcefully, her stomach muscles were quivering. Atlas, she groaned. Dont stop. A command, not a plea.
I wont. I cant. He straightened, his narrowed gaze suddenly pinning her in place far more effectively than his body. I want you. All of you.
She struggled to regain her breath. Her senses. You mean sex? Yes, yes, yes. Here, now.
A clipped nod was the only answer she received. She opened her mouth to reply, but somehow found the strength to stop herself. She drank in the sight of him-a sight that delighted her almost as much as it angered her. Angered? Why? His nostrils were flared, his lips pulled tight. He looked as if he barely had himself under control.
Did he want her that badly? she wondered. Or was he merely that good an actor?
Yes, she mused darkly. He was that good an actor. And that was where the anger sprang from. Hed looked at her like that once before, the last time theyd had sex. That look had been the catalyst to her decision to free him, despite the consequences to herself. Consequences that could have resulted in a death sentence. But, shed thought, he truly loves me with the same intensity that I love him. Shed thought anything worth the risk of freeing him. Of possibly being with him for eternity.
How they would have managed that, she hadnt known. But shed wanted to try. He had not.
Thank the gods shed encountered one of the members of his skank parade mere minutes after escorting him from the building and into the clouds outside, where he would have been able to flash. Hed still had his collar on-she hadnt wanted to remove it until theyd bypassed every single guard. That way, everyone who saw them walking together would have assumed she was simply moving a prisoner.
But outside, theyd been seen. No one could flash out of or into the prison itself, so everyone had to walk through the front door. Aergia, the goddess of laziness, of all things, had decided to come to work early, surprise, surprise-just to be with Atlas again. Shed stopped Nike to question where he was being taken.
Im taunting him with what he can never have again, Nike had claimed.
The goddess had frowned. Well, take him to my office when youre done.
Why?
The frown became a slow, sensual smile. So I can dish my brand ofpunishment to him.
Dread had sparked inside her. And how do you punish him?
How do you think? But dont worry. Ill leave him begging for more. I always do.
Atlas had tried to run then, mowing right over them both, but with his collar still in place, he hadnt gotten far. Nike had locked him back up and, suspicious, questioned all the female guards. Nearly every single one of them had had a go at him. And hed told them all the same thing: You are beautiful. I want to spend my life with you. All I need is my freedom, and I will be your slave for eternity.
So, have sex with him again? Hell, no.
You want me, he snapped. His grip tightened on her, his fingers digging deep, bruising. I know you do.
Just like that, she knew what this little makeout session was about. He planned to sleep with her, make her fall in love with him all over again, and then dump her. Hed grind up her pride, spit it out and stomp all over it. All to punish her, she was sure, for daring to tattoo him as she had. Marking her with his name clearly wasnt enough.
Wanting you dead and wanting your body arent the same things. With a sugar-sweet grin, she patted his cheek. And I can promise you that while I do want the first, I was only teasing you about the second. Now who was playing who? Soif were done here?
He ran his tongue over his teeth. His arms fell away from her, and he stepped back. She nearly collapsed, but managed to shift her legs and absorb her own weight.
Were done, he said, his tone clipped. We are definitely done.
Chapter 5
Atlas had to empty a cell of its seven occupants and place those gods and goddesses within other, already cramped cells to make a place for Nike. The time and effort was worth it, though. He couldnt tolerate the thought of her with that bastard, Erebos, doing the same things to him that shed once done to Atlas.
Not. Going. To. Happen.
And maybe, perhaps, there was a slight chance it had nothing to do with punishing her and everything to do with the pleasure hed earlier denied. In her arms, hed come alive. That had happened last time, too, but hed written it off as prisoner insanity. Now, he couldnt write it off. He wasnt a prisoner; he was a warden. Hed come alive, and he needed more. Of her, only her. Yet she claimed shed merely been playing him.
He wanted that to be a lie more than he wanted to take his next breath. Which he didnt understand. She was doomed to spend eternity hidden away, which meant they could not have any kind of life together. Not even if he freed her. He would then be locked away or put to death.
For a week, Atlas lamented his plight and pondered what to do. All the while, he stayed away from Nikes new cell. That didnt stop him from thinking about her, however. What was she doing? Did she think of him? Did she dream of him and that shattering kiss?
He did. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the passion glowing from her face. A face that was exquisite. From barely passable, to pretty, to exquisite, all in a weeks time. He shook his head in wonder. But she deserved the praise. Her lashes were long and as rich as black velvet. Velvet that framed sensual chocolate eyes. Her cheeks were smooth, perfect for caressing, and her lush, red lips were sweeter than ambrosia. And all that strengthhis shaft filled and lengthened just remembering it. Shed gripped and scratched him with savage abandon. He still bore the marks.
They definitely werent done. Not even close. He had to experience that again.
Finally, he could stand the separation no longer. Thankfully, his shift was over. A shift that had consisted of walking the prison halls, watching the prisoners inside their cells and ensuring everyone remained calm.
That should have bored him. After all, he was a warrior. But bore him it didnt. And that should have irritated him. After all, hed spent countless centuries in this place and had sworn never to return once hed escaped. But again, irritation was not what he felt. Hed wanted this job to be close to Nike. To have his vengeance, hed once told himself. Now, he wasnt so sure. Today, and all week really, hed walked the halls invigorated, knowing all he had to do to catch sight of her was turn a corner.
He hadnt allowed himself to do so. Until now. Finally, he would see her.
The moment she came into view, his blood heated, blistering. His breath followed suit, flaming his lungs to ash. She sat atop her cot, arms gripping the rail, knees drawn up while she leaned slightly forward. Her hair was finger-combed to perfection, and her eyes were narrowed, shielding her irises and the emotion banked there, but at least he could see the shadows her lashes cast over her cheeks. Shadows he might trace with a fingertip.
Oh, yes. She was exquisite.
Wheres your girlfriend? Her voice was smooth as silk. Just beneath that silk, however, he thought he caught a tendril of fury.
Was she mad that hed come? Or mad that hed stayed away so long?
I dont have a girlfriend.
She shrugged. Too bad for you that whores never commit.
He knew he was the whore that she spoke of, and popped his jaw. But he deserved that, he supposed. I did what I had to do to escape, Nike. That doesnt mean I didnt feel- No. Oh, no. He would not go down that road. He hadnt wanted to feel anything for her, but he had. That hadnt stopped him from using her, so shed never like what he had to say about the matter. Im sure youd do anything to escape, as well.
Her expression darkened, but she did not refute his words. So, did you come to free me?
Hardly.
Then why are you here? We have nothing more to say to each other.
Because youre all I think about anymore. He never should have marked her.
This might have been avoided. Or not. He might have slept with others all those years ago because hed been desperate to flee this place, but it had been her face hed imagined when hed done so.
Without looking away from her, he leaned back against the bar behind him and crossed his arms over his chest. Theres plenty to say. About the kiss.
She yawned, patting her beautiful mouth. A mouth he wanted all over his body. Id rather sleep.
So. She still wanted him to think she had been unaffected. Part of him believed it. An insecure part of him that had never really known how to deal with her, his equal in every way. Yes, even strength, though he often liked to deny it. The other part of him, the masculine part, knew she had liked everything hed done. Shed shouted his name, for gods sake, and he hadnt even made her climax.
Youre saying you dont want me? he asked as silkily as she had.
Not even a little.
Really? He rested his fingers at the waist of his pants, twisting the button, and her eyes followed the movement. His cock was already hard, already straining, rising over the top. Moisture glistened there. Not even a tiny, tiny bit?
She gulped. N-no. The word was croaked. But you are. Tiny, that is.
Liar. She did. She wanted him. And he was huge, thank you very much. The sense of possessiveness returned, all the more intense because it was joined by satisfaction. Ill have you yet, Nike. That I promise you.
Justgo away, she said, suddenly sounding almostdejected. She eased to her side, then rolled to her back, facing away from him. Were done with each other. Remember?
Wrong move. Seeing her back, even covered by that baggy robe, reminded him of what hed done and that set fire to his blood anew. Whatever he had to do, he was going to have this woman.
I guess well find out, he told her before walking away.
Chapter 6
Atlas pushed past the double doors that led into Cronuss throne room. Armed guards, immortal warriors Cronus himself had created, were stationed along the edges of the walls. Each held a spear, and swords swung from the sheaths at their waists. They stood at attention, waiting for an order or a threat. They would spring into action for both.
Of course, there were also warriors lining both sides of the purple lambs fleece carpet that led to the bejeweled dais, crowding Atlas as he made his way forward. His weapons had already been removed, but they were taking no chances, eyeing his every movement with distrust.
He wondered if, when she had been a free woman, Nike had ever been summoned to this room, albeit to meet with Zeus, her king. And if she had, had it been for a reward or a punishment?
Stop thinking about her. Concentrate on Cronus. Hes wily, that one. The god king was not the same man hed been before his incarceration. The thousands of years inside Tartarus had changed him; he was harder, harsher. Utterly unforgiving. Any weakness, he pounced upon.
Nowadays, Cronus refused to stay in the heavens without an army to shield him. But then, a man at war with his own wife couldnt be too careful. Especially when that wife was a queen with powerful abilities and allies of her own. A wife who-
Dizziness spun through Atlass head, fragmenting his thoughts, and he frowned. Frowned but didnt stop until he reached the end of the fleece. He kept his attention, foggy as it was, fixed on Cronus.
The king was seated atop a throne of solid gold. Dark strands were threaded through his silver hair, and his beard had thinned since the last time Atlas had seen him. Some of the age lines had even disappeared from his weathered features. He wore a long white robe, much like the prisoners of Tartarus. Why? Hed often wondered.
Only two explanations made any sense. Hed worn the garment for centuries and now felt most comfortable in it. Or he did not want to forget what hed once been-and could be again if he werent careful. Atlas had been more than happy to shed his own robe. Would Nike do the same, if ever she gained her freedom? Not that she would.
Youre thinking about her again.
A woman stood beside the throne. She possessed one of the plainest faces Atlas had ever seen, and had pale, freckled skin. She was reed thin, with dark, curling hair and delicate shoulders. Power did not hum from her. Rather, she seemedinsubstantial. Ethereal, as he imagined a ghost might look. There, but see-through. There, but wavering. Her eyes were shadowy, vacant, as if no one was home.
When she reached up and brushed a lock of hair from her brow, he could only gape. The elegance of the movement was awe inspiring. More graceful than a dancer, more delicate than a butterfly wing. Someone was indeed home, she just didnt care about what was happening around her.
Atlas pulled his attention from the female and studied the chamber. There were thousands of chandeliers overhead, each dripping with glistening teardrops. Multihued glitter sparkled in the air. Odd, he thought, head tilting to the side for a better view. That air was even sweetly scented withHe inhaled deeply. Ambrosia. Ah. Now he understood the dizziness and the glitter. Dried ambrosia was being pumped through the room. To keep him docile?
Atlas, god of Strength, Cronus said with a nod of greeting, drawing him from his musings.
Atlas bowed, as was proper. My king. Its an honor to have this audience with you.
Cronus leaned forward, silver eyes bright with anxiety. All is well in Tartarus, yes?
Most assuredly.
Relief instantly replaced the anxiety. Why, then, did you request this meeting?
There was no one who hated the Greeks more than this man, this Titan sovereign, and with very good reason. Theyd stripped him of his power, humiliated him in front of his people. Even Nike had been a participant.
Just tell him. Get this over with. I want to remove a woman from the prison and set her up-
Stop. Stop there. Scowling, Cronus raised a hand. There will be no removing anyone from Tartarus. It is too dangerous.
Hed expected that answer. However, he persevered. Perhaps the reward is worth the danger. I would keep her locked inside my home, Majesty. I would never remove her collar- well, except to whisk her to his home, for she couldnt be flashed out of Tartarus with it on, but he would recollar her the moment they reached their destination -and she would be my personal slave. I would ensure her misery. His first lie of the day, but probably not his last. He only wanted to give Nike pleasure.
Had he forgiven her for what shed done to him? He wasnt sure. All he knew was that he no longer wanted to kill her when he thought about it. He would tire of her eventually, and he looked forward to the day. Until then, this was his only recourse.
The king ran his tongue over his teeth. Of which her do you speak?
Nike. Greek goddess of Strength. He did not allow a single bit of affection to lace his tone.
The kings eyes widened. The one who Now those eyes dropped to Atlass chest, where his shirt covered his tattoos.
Yes. The very one. Hear my anger, only my anger. Except, what shed done no longer angered him. The marks were as much a part of him now as his were a part of her.
Interesting. Cronus leaned back in the throne, the picture of contemplation. Do you not think she is being made to suffer enough inside Tartarus?
Time for his second lie. No. I do not. In truth, as dejected as shed sounded at their last meeting, the goddess was suffering. And he didnt like it.
And what will you do to increase her suffering?
Much as she hates me- desires me, he added inside his head, so that he wouldnt reveal the depths of irritation thoughts of her possible loathing elicited -she will take particular displeasure in cleaning my home, preparing my food and warming my bed.
The king smiled up at the ghostly girl. What youd like to do to your Paris, eh, my Sienna? Make him your slave.
Her expression never changed. She offered no response, either.
Paris who? Atlas wondered, and then shrugged. He didnt care. Nike was his only concern at the moment.
My king? Atlas prompted. I lack only your permission to begin Nikes torment. My determination is unparalleled.
Cronus faced him once again, his smile falling away. A minute passed in silence, then another. Then the king sighed. Im afraid my answer has to be no. While I like the thought of Nikes anguish intensified at your hands, Im unwilling to risk the removal of her collar, even for the few seconds required to flash her. She is Strength, and were she to somehow escape you and free her brethren, another heavenly war would erupt. I cannot afford to have my attention divided now. Well, not any more than it already is. I find I spend most of my time observing the Lords of the Underworld.
The Lords of the Underworld? Who were they? Didnt matter, really. As hed spoken, Atlass own sense of dejection had bloomed. He wanted to stalk up that dais, grab the king and shake him. How dare his request be denied? How dare his desires be discarded? Instead, he said, Very well, my king. I thank you for your time, and pivoted on his heel. He strode from the chamber before he did something foolish, as he had done with Nike in his office. Only, his goal would not be climaxing.
Hed already decided that nothing would keep him from claiming Nike. Now he realized that not even this would do so. The kings will be damned. He would have his woman, just as he wanted.
Chapter 7
Come with me.
Nikes heart raced at the sound of that deep voice. Hesitant, she rolled over on her cot. Sure enough. Her skin tingled when her gaze found Atlas. Gorgeous as ever, he stood at the bars-bars that were now open. His hand was extended, and he was waving her over. There was fury in his too-tight expression.
What had she done this time?
Shed tried to ignore him. Shed tried to pretend that she felt nothing for him. Anything to stop the madness. But gods, she couldnt stop thinking about their kiss. She couldnt stop wishing shed allowed him to take her all the way. That shed have experienced everything before being taken back to nothing.
So what if he would have tired of her afterward? So what if he would have been smug about her capitulation? So what if he found someone else and paraded her before Nike? For a few blessed hours-who was she kidding? for a few blessed minutes, because it wasnt as if either one of them would last beyond that, she would have known the joy of being with him again. Of simply feeling, giving, taking, sharingloving.
Have all the rest, common sense piped up, but deny the love.
That would be my pleasure. But I have to get him to offer me the rest first.
Come, he repeated.
What did he have planned?
Slowly she sat up. Her hair was in desperate need of a brush, and gods, the rest of her needed a shower. How long since shed had one? Prisoners were given a bowl of water each day and that was it.
Why?
A muscle ticked in his jaw. Do you want to spend a few hours outside the prison or not?
Wait. What? Leave Tartarus? She was on her feet before her brain could process what she was doing. Her knees almost buckled, shed spent so much time prone, bored, but she managed to stay upright. She even reached out and twined their fingers together. The heat of his skin should not have shocked her, but it did. The calluses should not have ignited a fire in her blood, but they did.
Youre taking me outside?
Yes. But do not say a word when we reach the guards station. Understand?
Yes. This could be a trick. A trick to build up her hopes only to dash them cruelly, but she didnt care. If there was a chance, slight though it was, that he would actually stay true to his word, she would do anything he asked.
Without a word, he led her from the cell and down the hall. Other prisoners spotted her and gasped. Some began to murmur amongst themselves, gossiping as theyd once enjoyed doing in the heavens. Some gripped their bars and simply watched her through wistful eyes.
Erebos even shouted, Hey, where are you going with her now?
Atlas ignored him, and Nike followed suit. A sense of urgency pounded through her. If Atlas did this, took her outside, even for a few hoursWhy would he do such a thing?
Did you get permission for this? she asked. And were not at the guards station yet, so its okay that Im talking.
No. I didnt get permission. His words were curt, clearly meant to end the conversation.
As if shed ever done what was expected of her. Then why are you-
Just be quiet.
Or what?
Or Ill shut you up my favorite way.
Her mouth fell open. Did he mean hed shut her up with a kiss? Or by pushing a button on her collar and shooting painful lances through her brain? It was fifty-fifty, she thought. His proclamation had the desired results, however. She was too busy pondering his meaning to talk.
In the guards station, two Titans were laughingly making bets about the prisoners. They looked up at Atlas and nodded politely in greeting-only to freeze when they spotted her. As promised, she remained quiet.
She try to escape? one demanded, obviously ready to beat her for doing so.
No. But Im taking her out for a bit, Atlas replied.
Why? the other gasped out. Theres nothing out there.
I plan to taunt her with what she cannot have.
The very words shed once offered Aergia, the goddess of laziness. Hed remembered.
Still the guard persisted. Has this been cleared with-
Im in charge of this prison and the people inside it. Now shut up and do your job. With that, Atlas ushered her out of the building and into the daylight. No one else tried to stop him.
As the first ray hit her skin, she jerked free of his hold and stopped, simply basking in the moment. Clouds. Sun. She closed her eyes, head thrown back, arms splayed. The warmth, followed by a cooling breezethe brightness-her skin soaked them up greedily. Oh, how shed missed them. She would have loved to have seen temples and golden streets and people, as well, but she would take what she could get without complaint.
Strong arms suddenly banded around her. Youre beautiful, Atlas whispered, his nose nuzzling her ear, practically purring. Do you know that?
I know what I look like. Her lashes fluttered open. Her heart was hammering against her ribs, and she couldnt have stopped herself from flattening her hands on his chest to save her life. His own heart was racing, she realized with astonishment. Was hecould he be as affected by her as she was by him? The clouds enveloped him, creating a dream haze. And beautiful is not a word that describes me.
His head lifted, and he gazed down at her. Tenderness softened his expression, and she thought hed never been more appealing. Then you dont see yourself as I do.
How did he see her? As much as he hated her-but did he hate her still? How could he, when hed just escorted her to paradise? she would have guessed he pictured her with horns, fangs and a tail.
She cleared her throat, too afraid to ask. Why did you do this for me? A much easier question, with an answer that probably wouldnt destroy what little was left of her feminine pride.
I have my reasons, was all he said. Now, as much as Id love to stay in this exact spot with you, we only have a short amount of time. Do you want to spend it here or eating the food Ive prepared, as well as bathing? I know those are the two things I missed most during my tenure here.
Eateating. Bathing. Was this really happening? Or was she merely dreaming about him again? Nothing else explained this change in him, in her situation.
He kissed the tip of her nose. Then food and a bath you shall have. Come. Since I cant flash you outside of this realm, and there are no homes, inns or shops here, Ive set up camp a mile north, out of view of the prison.
Dreaming, surely. Perhaps a trick, as shed first supposed. But she allowed him to lead her through the clouds without protest.
Chapter 8
By the time they reached the camp hed set up, Atlas was hard and aching. Nike had been pressed against his side the entire mile, her female scent in his nose, her heat radiating into his body.
When she spied the tent hed erected, she gasped. Wide brown eyes flicked up to him with wonder before she raced forward, not slowing as she barreled through the front flap. He heard another gasp.