'Is it done?' she asked.
Before he could answer, he felt a tremendous burning on his arm. Hissing, he pulled back from her and covered the burn with his other hand.
'What is it?' Grace asked as he withdrew from her.
She watched, stunned, as an orange glow encompassed his arm. When he let go, the ancient Greek words were gone.
'It's over,' she breathed. 'We did it.'
The smile faded from his face. 'No,' Julian said, trailing his fingers along her cheek. 'You did it.'
Laughing, she threw herself into his arms. Julian held her tight as they rained kisses on each other.
It was over!
He was free. Finally, after all this time, he was a mortal man again.
And it was Grace who had done it. Her faith and strength had seen him through.
She had saved him.
Grace laughed again as she rolled him over in the bed.
But her relief was short-lived as another, even brighter flash filled the room.
Her laughter dying instantly, Grace felt a malevolent presence even before Julian tensed in her arms.
Sitting up in the bed, Julian forced her back, placing himself between her and the handsome man standing at the foot of the bed.
Grace gulped when she saw the tall, dark-haired man who glared at them as if he could kill them where they lay. 'You bastard upstart!' the man snarled. 'How dare you think to be free.'
In an instant, she knew he must be Priapus.
'Let it go, Priapus,' Julian said with a warning note in his voice. 'It's over and done with.'
Priapus snorted. 'You think to command me? Who do you think you are, mortal?'
Julian smiled evilly. 'I am Julian of Macedon, born of the House of Diokles of Sparta and of the goddess Aphrodite. I am the champion of Greece, Macedonia, Thebes, Punjab, and Conjara. Known as Augustus Julius Punitor to my enemies who quaked in terror at my presence. And you, my brother, are a lesser known god who meant nothing to the Greeks, and only slightly more to the Romans.'
Hell's wrath burned across Priapus's face. 'It's time you learned your place, little brother. You took from me the woman who was going to sire my sons to lead my name into memoriam. Now I take yours.'
Julian launched himself at Priapus, but it was too late. He had already vanished with Grace.
Chapter 17
One moment, Grace was naked in her bedroom with Julian, and in the next, she was lying on a round bed in a room that reminded her of a harem tent. Her body was covered in a deep red silk wrap that was so soft and delicate it felt like water sliding over her skin.
She tried to move, but couldn't. Terrified, she opened her mouth to scream.
'Don't bother,' Priapus told her as he approached the bed. He ran a hungry look over her body before he climbed onto the mattress and positioned himself on his knees beside her. 'You can't do anything unless I will it.'
He ran one long, cold finger down her cheek as if testing her skin's texture and temperature. 'I can see why Julian wants you. You have fire in your gaze. Intelligence. Bravery. It's a pity you weren't born during the time of Rome. You could have given me champions to lead my armies.'
He sighed as he ran his hand down the center of her throat. 'But such is life, and the whims of the Fates. I suppose I'll just have to content myself with using you until I grow tired. If you please me until then, I might let Julian have you back. Provided of course, he still wants you after my children have stretched out your body.'
His eyes burned with hunger. And Grace trembled at his look.
She couldn't believe Priapus's selfishness. His vanity. Terrified, she wanted to speak, but he kept her from it.
Dear heaven, he had complete power over her!
An unseen force pushed her up, setting her back against the pillows as Priapus doffed his robe.
Grace's eyes widened at the sight of his nudity and his erection. Another wave of fear washed over her.
'You may speak, now,' he said as he moved to recline by her side.
'Why do you want to do this to Julian?'
His gaze darkened in anger. 'Why? You heard him. His name was revered by everyone who heard it, while my name was seldom spoken aloud even in my mother's temples. Even now, I am mocked. My name is all but lost to antiquity while his legend is told and retold around the world. Yet I am a god and he is nothing but a bastard seed not even fit to inhabit Olympus.'
'Get your hands off her, you worthless footnote.
Grace's heart pounded at the sound of Julian's voice. Raising her head from the pillows, she saw him standing below the dais where they were. He stood in the center of the room wearing nothing but jeans and holding his sword and shield.
'How?' Priapus demanded as he left the bed.
Julian smiled evilly. 'The curse is lifted. My powers are returning. I can now track and summon all of you.'
'No!' Priapus shrieked. Instantly, his body was covered in armor.
Grace fought against the force that held her as Priapus grabbed a sword and shield from the wall above her head and attacked Julian.
Mesmerized by the spectacle, she watched as brother fought brother.
Never had she seen anything like it. Julian whirled gracefully in a macabre dance as he met his brother fierce blow for fierce blow. The floor and bed shook from the intensity of their battle.
No wonder Julian had become a legend.
But after a few minutes, she saw Julian stagger. He lowered his shield.
'What's the matter?' Priapus taunted, using his shield to press Julian back. 'Oh, I forgot. The curse may be gone, but you're still drained from it. It will take days before you reach your full strength again.'
Julian shook his head and raised his shield higher. 'I don't need my full strength to beat you.'
Priapus laughed. 'Brave words, little brother.'
He brought his sword down across Julian's shield.
Grace held her breath as they began hammering blows again.
Then, just as she was sure Julian would win, Priapus tricked him into overextending his reach. As soon as Julian's side was unprotected, Priapus brought his sword up, and sank it into Julian's stomach. Julian dropped his sword.
'No!' Grace screamed in horror.
His face a mask of disbelief, Julian staggered back, but couldn't go far with the sword still in Priapus's hand, and now in his side.
'You're human again,' Priapus sneered as he twisted the sword. He lifted his foot to Julian's hip and kicked him back.
Free of the sword's blade, Julian staggered, then fell to the floor. His shield clattered loudly as it hit the ground next to him.
Priapus was actually smiling as he stood over Julian. 'You may not be able to die by mortal weapons, little brother, but you can die by immortal ones.'
The force holding Grace released her. As fast as she could, she ran across the room to where Julian lay on the floor, covered in blood. His breathing came in short, sharp gasps as his entire body shook.
'No!' Grace sobbed, pulling Julian's head into her lap. Horrified, she stared at the gaping wound in his bare side.
'My precious Grace,' Julian said as he reached one bloodied hand up to touch her cheek.
She wiped the blood from his lips. 'Don't leave me, Julian,' she begged.
