Page 41 of Sequel to the Easter Bunny

“We both know what they’re going to ask for.” Jack says, his fingers playing over me. “Diyo is in the way of pleasing themself first and foremost.”

But they’re not like Lako. Jack doesn’t cringe and shy away from them. And I cannot think of any real objection. “It’s a price I’m willing to pay.”

“You don’t have to do this.”

“Will you hate me if I do?”

“Of course not. I will love you no matter where this charade leads us.” His gaze travels past me, into the darkness limning the edges. “I know at whose feet to lay the blame.”

“I’m not sure Juun knew what she was doing when she forced this bargain.”

His mouth purses, nose twitching in disgust. “The principal gods put too much stake in control. It is the one thing they want most. It’s why my mothers created and allow this game. I doubt they factored love into any of their equations.”

“Because why would a woman fall in love with a monster?” How could she do it after a single night… even if it stretched the span of a month.

Jack doesn’t look at me, his smile is pained. “I’ve asked myself that a thousand times since you left me.”

“And I’ve asked myself how a god could care about someone as fragile and… young as me. You have lived lifetimes and I’m….”

He shakes his head, rubbing his nose against mine. “Time works differently here. Remember that. I’ve lived three lifetimes since you left me… but before that… I hadn’t truly lived one.”

A great crash and the sound of breaking breaking precedes Diyo’s arrival by a mere moment. They look up at us from where they’ve rolled to a stop on the grass below, legs splayed out and a laughing smile on their wide lips.

“You would not believe what I had to do to get away from them!” They clap their hands, clasping them in front of them. “Now, you have a favour to ask, but I’m not in the habit of granting those without some sort of payment up front.”

Jack juggles me until he sits with his feet planted firmly on the ground, holding me in his lap. “And you’ve come to collect your pound of flesh from us too?”

Diyo’s gaze slides from him to me. “Do you know how many times I’ve invited your Eebie to my bacchanals? Do you know how many wasted opportunities he’s missed?”

“I would assume it’s all of them?” I say, hoping my smile looks apologetic.

“Smart and beautiful.” Their hands grip each other more tightly, as if they are trying to keep from reaching for us. “I will hear your needs… if you fulfil mine.”

“And what needs are those?” I ask, even though I can guess, I cannot make those assumptions here.

“Share your Easter Bunny for a time and I will listen to any request you have to offer.”

I look at Jack. It’s not my decision to make. “Just me?” he asks, his face unreadable.

“Oh no, we’ll all have our fun.” Their smile flashes. “If you let me have my way…. I promise none of us will be disappointed.”

“We’ll agree, but on the condition that whenever Lily says it’s over, it’s over. Anything she doesn’t want, you don’t do.”

Diyo looks almost giddy. “Agreed.”

Jack nuzzles my neck. “Do you think you can handle the both of us? Or would you prefer one of us watch?”

I’ve never been good at choosing…. “Why not both?”

I slip from his lap, the moss soft beneath my feet as I cross to where Diyo still sits, waiting for my answer.

They aren’t as tall as my Eebie, but seated as they are, I still don’t have to bend terribly low to take their bearded chin between my palms and draw them to me in a kiss.

The resultant rumbling growl sends a twist of lust through my belly. “How do you plan to please me?”

“So many ways.” Their smile is so wicked, I begin to worry. “You are a special kind of treat, aren’t you, my dear?”

A Sated Satyr

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