Eris (The Lost Goddesses #4)

Chapter 33

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

T wo days later, Eris woke Enzo in her favorite way.

His body writhed against the sheets as she flicked the underside of his dick with her tongue.

"Fuck me, Eris, or I'm going to blow," he groaned.

Eris gave his crown a hard, wicked suck before moving her mouth from him and making him swear.

"Poor little mortal, all frustrated and helpless," she purred and guided him inside of her. She stroked her nails down through his chest hair, shifting her hips until he filled her to her limit. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she looked down at him. "My perfect, perfect Enzo."

Enzo only slapped her on the ass. "Get moving, or I'm taking over."

Eris twisted his nipple in retaliation, making him suck in a breath. "Threaten me at your peril," she said and then fucked him until they were both senseless. It had been the same every day since he had awoken.

Eris had believed she had lost him, and she was doing everything she could to remind herself that they had both survived the Fates' twisted plans to undo the final damage that the Trojan War had caused. Wherever Athena was, Eris felt sorry for whatever the Fates had twisted her up in.

"I can't feel my legs," Enzo said, staring up at the ceiling with unseeing eyes. "I'm sure you killed me that time."

"Don't even joke about that," Eris hissed.

Enzo rolled on top of her to kiss her hard and deep. "I'm here, my love. I'm not leaving."

Eris wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding him close enough to feel his heart thumping against hers. "Unfortunately, we both have to leave today. I promised I would go."

"Are you sure I'm invited?" Enzo asked, his brows furrowing. "I don't need any more immortals pissed off at me."

"They want to meet you." Eris ran her fingers through his thick curls. "Besides, they know what happens when I'm not invited to a party."

Enzo groaned. "Bite your tongue, woman. We only just had your curse lifted," he said and kissed her smiling mouth.

Hades's villa stood on the edge of the sea. Eris and Enzo walked hand in hand through the lush gardens surrounding it and followed the sounds of people laughing and talking.

"Sneaking in the back way as usual," Hades said, appearing from out of nowhere.

"Are we late? We were kind of busy," Eris replied with a grin. "This is Enzo."

Hades studied him for a moment before holding out his hand. "It's nice to meet you finally. And no, the triplets and their sorceresses haven't turned up yet, and Rom and Laverna should be arriving soon with your grandmother."

"I apologize in advance for anything inappropriate that comes out of her mouth," Enzo said and shook Hades's hand with a smile.

"It sounds like she will fit right in with the rest of the rabble," he replied.

"Aunty Eris!" a high-pitched voice squealed, and something small and powerful barreled into her.

Eris swung Melino? up in her arms and kissed her cheek. "Happy birthday, little one. You have gotten so big!"

It wasn't an exaggeration either. Though the twins were technically one mortal year old, they were growing at an immortal rate and resembled five-year-olds. Melino? blew her black forelock from her face and grinned at her.

"Is this your new friend?" she asked, looking at Enzo.

"It is. This is your new uncle, Enzo. He's a part of the family now," Eris said. Enzo smiled at the little girl, and she curled shyly into Eris's neck.

"Stop hogging the cutie pie." Laverna's voice interrupted them, and she squeezed both Eris and Melino? in a big hug.

Romulus and Bianca came through the garden behind her, arm in arm.

"Nonna!" Enzo hurried to catch her up in a big hug. "You won't believe everything that happened to me."

"I will, nipote . I will," Bianca said, kissing his cheeks.

Eris passed Melino? to Hades so she could go and greet Bianca too. "I told you I would keep him safe," she said.

Bianca kissed her cheek. "Lucky that you did too."

"You should know I fully expect you both to sail my boat back to Italy," Romulus said in his usual blunt manner.

"I missed you too, Rom," Eris replied, and his eyes sparkled at her sass.

Hades's joined them, his eyes widening a little. "Bianca, is it? You remind me so much of my aunt."

Bianca's eyes changed to a pale lavender color, and her voice was softer as she said, "I always knew love would find you eventually, nephew."

"You did indeed," Hades said, his mouth kicking up in a smile.

Bianca shook herself, and her eyes changed back to normal. They landed on Melino?, and her smile went bright. "And this must be the birthday girl. I have a special present just for you," she said, unclipping two gold chains from around her neck. On each of them hung a black pearl. "These are very special necklaces that came from my many times great grandmother Aphrodite. She told me that you and your brother should have one each to keep you safe."

"Wow. It's so pretty," Melino? said.

Bianca looked up at Hades, who gave her a nod of permission, and Bianca placed them over her head.

"You make sure you give that one to your brother, okay?" she said, and the little girl nodded.

Eris slipped her hand into Enzo's, and he leaned into her.

"You saw those glowing eyes, right?" he whispered.

"Yes, love. It seems Aphrodite has been keeping a closer eye on your family than you thought." They all walked back out onto the beach, where the rest of Hades's court was sprawled out on blankets and chairs. Zagreus sat in Selene's lap while Hermes taught him coin tricks. Asterion and Ariadne were helping Persephone carry out food on large platters while Medusa, Perseus, and Dionysus argued over music.

"Wow, this is a lot," Enzo whispered, eyes growing wide at the site of so many gods together.

"This isn't even all of them yet," Eris said and winked at him. "Let's get you a drink, and you'll be fine. Where is my Zagreus?"

"Aunty Eris!" the little boy said, kicking up sand and running over to her. She never thought she would see the day that she would be welcome at such a gathering. That she would have a man that loved her and fit in with the whole wild crowd of them. Enzo was introduced and given a drink to calm his nerves. Bianca swanned in like they were all gathering to meet her and had Dionysus flirting with her before they got through introductions.

"So what are you going to do now, Enzo? Back to the bar?" Laverna asked some time later. They were sitting on a blanket, their toes buried in the sand.

Enzo ran a hand through his curls. "First, I need to sail Rom's boat back to Italy."

"Yes, you do," Rom said from behind Laverna. She was currently using him as a chair, and she elbowed him. "What? They do."

"But after that?" Enzo continued. "I'm not so sure. Sidonius said that he needs a therapist, and I don't think there's anyone out there that could handle all this." Enzo gestured to the general gathering of gods. "So I might take him on as a private client. I miss being able to help people."

"If you are going to start taking on clients, Cuddle Bear, I need therapy," Hermes said, joining their circle.

Enzo cocked a brow. "That's Doctor Cuddle Bear to you."

Hermes laughed, his amber eyes shining. "Selene says I have to do it, and she gets what she wants."

"You need it because it will be good for you," Selene said, poking him in the side. "You all have the worst daddy issues."

"Well, look who their daddy was," Persephone chimed in. "But my mommy ones are terrible, so sign me up too, Doctor Cuddle Bear."

Ariadne pushed in and added, "And I have a whole gaggle of orphan assassins that could use a few therapy sessions as well."

Eris suddenly had an overwhelming urge to wrap herself around Enzo and hiss protectively. "You will all learn to respect his time and pay him well," she said, and Enzo put an arm around her waist to draw her closer.

"So possessive, goddess," he murmured against her ear.

Eris turned her face to his. "Of you? Always and forever, love."

"You want to sail Rom's boat back with me? I'm in need of a first mate," Enzo said, his eyes shining with a love she felt in her bones. "And there are so many dangerous sea creatures between here and there. We never even ran into Scylla or Cetus."

"Don't worry, I'll protect you," she said and lifted her mouth to his. "But no one will protect you from me, mortal."

"I can hardly wait. We might even get a chance to use Laverna's gift," Enzo replied and kissed her laughing mouth, neither one of them noticing as all the other gods cheered them on.