Page 20 of Achille's Earth Angel
“What?” Achilles exploded, feeling like he’d been literally stabbed in the back. “Why would you do that?”
Zeus’ eyes glimmered. “There is always a price to pay, Achilles, for the things we reach for that are not ours to take. You killed Briseis husband and took her for your own. She loved her husband. And even though she grew to love you, she was never yours to take. You could never have children with her that should have belonged to her husband.”
“That was war,” cried Achilles.
“Even in war, there is mercy. You were the greatest warrior that ever lived, deadly and merciless, which is why Agamemnon coveted your skills. You had very little of it at the time.”
Zeus stroked his beard again, his eyes gentle. “But as I said, there is always a price to pay. If you can woo and win your Angel, then you can have children and a lineage you deserve. If not, you are still as a son to me, and always welcome to come back to my world. There are plenty of unattached women there who would be happy to marry you and bear you a son.”
“And if I stay with Angel, I’m not welcome in Mount Olympus anymore?” Achilles asked, his eyes narrowing. It would be difficult to give up his friendship with Hercules. And he was fond of Zeus in spite of his meddling ways. He’d given him refuge in a time when he’d needed it the most.
“Let’s just say it’s not off limits to you, but you would need to be discreet in whom you visited. I will check in on you from time to time while you still live, my son. You will always have a place in my heart and my memories.” He held out his hand to Achilles and they clasped arms together, elbow to elbow.
“And if I should destroy Epaphras?” It wasn’t an idle question. Killing a god wasn’t acceptable, but if he had to, Achilles would find a way to keep Angel safe.
Zeus shook his head. “Epaphras is who he is, and he will never change until he actually falls in love with a woman. Right now he’s just a sea pup hellion, bent on trouble. “I would suggest that you leave the Aegean Sea and live where he can’t reach you. There are many beautiful places in the world, you don’t have to live on Ikaria.”
“She has spoken of returning to Athens.”
Zeus nodded. “Even your homeland, Thessaly, is still a beautiful place if you wish to remain in Greece. Personally, I prefer the Caribbean Sea and the islands within it. I go there sometimes when I want some peace and quiet.”
“I have much to think about then,” Achilles said, his eyes locked on the sinking sun. Could he actually give up immortality?
“I will leave you to it,” replied Zeus quietly. “Just a word of warning. Do not slay Epaphras or all your plans will come to naught.”
Chapter 6
Ange watched them fromthe window, she couldn’t help it. Even though she had stalked off in high dudgeon due to Achille’s old-fashioned ways, she was still fascinated by both men. Or rather, an immortal and a god. She could see they were still arguing and she had to assume it was over her.
She sighed restlessly, feeling very emotionally torn. It was hard to believe that Achilles would even consider staying on earth because of her. She was nothing special. They had just met four days ago and they were both enormously attracted to one another, but did he really see a future for them when he looked at her? She couldn’t, at least not one that didn’t involve heartbreak for one or both of them.
Ange gnawed on her lip, indecision weighing heavily. Should she just embrace the present and not worry about the future? That wasn’t like her though, she needed a little more order in her life than that.
When Zeus finally disappeared and Achilles turned toward the house, she stiffened. Perhaps she should hide, considering the fact that she’d kicked him in the tendon again. The spanking she’d received the first time was not a distant memory, neither was his promise of future retribution.
She found herself unable to move though, as he strode up the flagstones, every inch the proud warrior confident of his conquest. It was fascinating to watch the easy, sinuous rhythm of his strong hips and his complete command of his body. He opened the door and stepped inside and it was too late to run, she was held by his gaze. When he drew closer, she felt her skin prickle. His devouring look made her want to jump into his arms and bathe herself in his body heat. It was a feeling she had experienced over and over for the last three days and she’d run and hid from it. Obviously, hiding hadn’t changed anything because the feeling was just as strong as ever.
