Fantasy Lover

river Styx to make sure no mortal weapon could ever kill or scar him, and unlike Thetis with Achilles, I coated his ankles so that he would have absolutely no vulnerable spots.'

Aphrodite shook her head as if she still couldn't believe what he'd done. 'I did everything in my power for that boy, and he showed no gratitude to me. No respect. Finally, I gave up trying. Since he refused my love, I made sure no one would ever love him.'

Grace's heart stopped at the selfish words. 'What did you do?'

Aphrodite lifted her chin haughtily like a queen who was proud of her cold-blooded war. 'I cursed him the way he cursed me. I made sure no mortal woman can look at him without wanting his body, and no mortal man can be around him without feeling his heart swell in envy.'

Grace couldn't believe her ears. How could a mother be so cruel?

And as soon as that thought finished, another, even more horrible one ripped through her. 'You're the reason Penelope died, aren't you?'

'No, Julian did that one himself. Granted, I was enraged when Eros told me what he had done for his brother, that Julian had gone to him and not me.

'Since I couldn't undo Eros's love arrow, I decided to dull its effects. What Julian had with Penelope was empty, and he knew it.'

Aphrodite moved to the window to stare out onto the city. 'Had Julian ever come to me, I would have lifted it from her. But he didn't. I watched him go to her night after night, taking her over and over again, and I felt his restlessness, his anguish over the fact she didn't truly love him. Still, he denied and cursed me.

'It was my tears over his betrayal that first set Priapus against him. Priapus has always been the most loyal of my sons. As soon as I saw Priapus was out for Julian's blood, I should have stopped it. But I didn't. I was hoping Priapus's anger would make Julian seek me out. Ask for my help.'

She clenched her teeth. 'But he never did.'

Grace felt for her, but it didn't change what she'd done to her own son. 'How did Julian get cursed?'

Aphrodite swallowed. 'It started the night Athena told Priapus that he had no man as courageous and strong as Julian. She dared him to pit his best general against hers. Two days later, I watched Julian ride into battle, and knew he wouldn't lose. When he beat the Romans back, Priapus became enraged. Once Eros let slip to him what he'd done, Priapus immediately went after Iason and Penelope. I had no idea what the repercussions of that event would be.'

Aphrodite wrapped her trembling arms around herself. 'I never meant for the children to die. You can't imagine how many times a day I ache over what I let happen.'

'There was no way you could have stopped it?'

Aphrodite shook her head sadly. 'Even my powers are limited by the Fates. When Julian started for my temple after their deaths, I held my breath, thinking that finally he would turn to me. Then, he saw that slut wearing Priapus's robes. She threw herself at him and begged him to take her virginity before the ceremony where Priapus would claim her. Even then, Julian tried to get past her, but she wouldn't let him. Had he been thinking clearly, I know he would have denied her.'

Aphrodite's face darkened in rage. 'If not for Alexandria, I would have had my son that day. I know he would have called on me. But it was too late. The moment he released himself in her, it was too late.' 'And still you refused to help Julian?' 'How could I choose one son over another?' Grace was aghast at her question. 'Isn't that what you did the minute you let Julian be placed inside a scroll?'

Aphrodite's eyes flared with such malice, Grace took a step back. 'Julian was the one who refused me. All he had to do was call for my help and I would have given it to him.'

Grace couldn't believe what she was hearing. For a goddess, Aphrodite was incredibly selfish and short-sighted. 'All this tragedy because the two of you refuse to acknowledge each other. I can't believe you'd make Julian strong, and then curse him for the strength you gave him. Instead of waiting for him, sending others on your behalf, did it never occur to you to go yourself?'

Aphrodite raked her with an indignant glare. 'I am the Goddess of Love and you would have me crawl? Have you any idea what an embarrassment it is to be me and have my own son hate me?'

'An embarrassment for you? You had the entire world to love you. Julian had no one.'

Aphrodite took an angry step forward. 'Stay away from him. I'm warning you.'

'Why? Why would you warn me and not Penelope?'

'Because he didn't love her.'

Grace froze at the words. 'Are you saying-'

Aphrodite vanished.

'Oh, come on!' Grace shouted at the ceiling. 'You can't just poof out in the middle of a conversation!'

'Grace?'

She jumped at Beth's voice. Whirling around, she saw her peeping in through the door.

'Who are you talking to?' Beth asked.

Grace gestured around the room, then thought better of telling Beth the truth. 'Myself.'

Beth looked skeptically at her. 'You always yell at yourself?'

'Sometimes.'

Beth arched one dark brow. 'Sounds like we need to have a session,' she said as she walked off.

Disregarding her, Grace wasted no time gathering her things. She wanted to get home to Julian.

As soon as she opened the door to her house, Grace knew something was wrong. Julian wasn't there to greet her.

'Julian?' she called.

'Upstairs.'

She dropped her keys and mail on the table and ascended the steps two at a time.

'You're not going to believe who stopped by…' Her voice trailed off as she reached the door of her bedroom and saw Julian with one hand cuffed to her bed. He was lying in the middle of the mattress, shirtless, with his brow damp.

'What are you doing?' she asked as dread consumed her.

'I can't fight it anymore, Grace,' he said, his breathing labored.

'You have to.'

He shook his head. 'I need you to shackle my other hand. I can't reach to do it.'

'Julian-'

He cut her words off with a bitter, harsh laugh. 'How ironic is this? You, I have to beg to chain me, while the others did it freely within hours of my incarnation.'

His gaze bored into hers. 'Do it, Grace. I couldn't live with myself if I hurt you.'

Her throat tight, she crossed the room to where he lay.

When she was close enough, he reached out and cupped her cheek with his free hand. He pulled her to his lips and kissed her so thoroughly she thought she might pass out from it.

It was fierce, demanding, a kiss of longing. And one of promise.

He nipped her lips with his teeth as he pulled away. 'Do it.'

She ran the silver cuff around her bolster.

It was only then Julian relaxed. Until that moment, she hadn't realized just how tense he'd been the past week. He laid his head back on her pillows and took a deep, ragged breath.

Grace reached out and touched his damp brow. 'Good Lord,' she breathed. He was so hot it practically singed her skin. 'Can I do anything?'

'No, but thanks for asking.'

Grace moved to her dresser to get her clothes. As she started unbuttoning her blouse, Julian stopped her. 'Please don't do that in front of me. If I see your breasts…' He threw his head back as if someone had stuck a hot brand to him.

Grace realized just how comfortable she had become with him. 'I'm sorry,' she said.

She went to the bathroom to change, then made a cold compress.

She returned to the bedroom to bathe his fevered brow. She brushed her hand through his sweat-dampened hair. 'You're on fire.'

'I know. It feels like I'm lying on a bed of coals.'