"Thanks for saving me the trouble of having to go through the process of dying it back to my natural hair color," she mused, turning her head one way and then the other as she stared at her reflection. "I can buy, like, so much new makeup with that money saved."
Aphrodite's smile faltered as Sage's grew. "What?"
"I don't have self-esteem issues. I'm also confident in my sexuality. So how about you leave me alone so I can get ready to go bone Adonis so hard his hooves fall off."
The goddess smirked, attempting to gain the upper hand once more. "And what makes you so certain that will be a possibility?"
"I love him."
Sage barely masked her expression before she revealed that she hadn't meant to say so out loud. Okay, so the goddess had some of her fears figured out. Maybe she was kind of worried Adonis would leave her after he became human or if the curse couldn't be broken. That he'd find her too difficult to keep satisfied either way things went. Maybe her feelings bordered on foolish, but the attraction she'd had for Adonis had been swift and true. Lust had overshadowed it at first, but the more time she spent with him, the more she felt a connection. He felt it too—at least, she thought he did.
"Foolish child." Aphrodite released her and threw her head back, laughing. "You poor simpering fool."
Now Sage was getting annoyed. "What's so funny?"
"I'm the goddess of love, you idiot child," she pointed out. "You only love him because I want you to."
With that, she flashed away, leaving Sage dumbfounded and staring at her bewildered reflection.
Jacen sat on the couch, holding London's hand as Pan took a seat in one of the adjacent armchairs, setting the syrinx on his lap. What a crazy forty-eight hours it had been. It proved a good reminder that, even when immortal, he wasn't infallible. If this worked, he'd be even more fragile, more breakable. And while he had healed enough to move around and walk without wincing, the soreness in his ribs made him realize all he would give up if he were human.
As if sensing his unease, London squeezed his hand. "We can wait if you want. Or keep going how we have been."
"What?" Momentarily stunned, it took a moment to register her words. "I want to break this curse, and I want to be with you. Bruising more easily is part of the territory." It would be an adjustment, but he would adjust. All he wanted was to be normal again, human, and have a woman he loved at his side. He used his free hand to push one of her dark brown locks over her ear and she smiled up at him, radiant as ever.
London leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Whatever you decide, I am on board with. I love you."
"And I love you, too."
A clearing throat reminded him that Pan was still present. "Are you sure Atropos thinks this is a good idea?" Then, to London, the god added, "And are you certain you want to chance becoming a nymph? This is as much a choice for you as it is for Jacen. Your sex drive will kick up, and I know that sounds great but it's not necessarily a good thing."
London chuckled. "I've had several long talks with Daphne on the subject, and I'm willing if Jacen is. Plus, with Sage and Lily being nymphs, I have a whole support system if I need help." She tilted her head to the side, mulling something over in her mind. Finally, she said, "As for Atropos, she basically told us we wouldn't know if we didn't try, and I think that's the way life should be lived anyway."
Pride filled him that he'd found such an amazing woman. Even if making her a nymph failed, having her in his life was the best gift he could have. Speaking of which…
"Oh, before I forget." He reached over and pulled a gift bag out from between the couch and end table. "Cops took my gift and receipt for you back to the store. After finding it where I dropped it, they figured they could track down the person who had purchased it since they put customer names and info in their system. Had to speak to the cops as well, but Pan took care of getting me out of going in for a statement and saved this from an evidence locker." He winked at Pan who took an elaborate bow.
He held out the gift he'd bought from her the day Theron had jumped him. The bright pink giftbag and silvery tissue paper made for a better presentation than he'd been planning on—also Pan's doing. Jacen owed him one.
London might be selfless and giving, but she did not shy away from presents. She squealed with delight and accepted the gift. Quickly ripping the paper out and retrieving the item, she gasped as she took in the little handbag shaped like a stack of books. "It's perfect! Oh, I love it."
Pan laughed. "I think you're being replaced by a purse, Jacen."
"Oh stop," London said, giggling. "I love him more than the purse, and he knows it. Unless I'm mad at him for something he's done, anyway." She winked.
Now Jacen joined the laughter. "You can't stay mad at me, and you know it."
"You know why." She glanced at his lap and then back to his face.
"Oh, so you're using me for sex." He turned to Pan. "Can you believe this woman?"
His friend grinned widely. "I respect a lady who knows what she wants. And since she chose you, I know
