House of Thebes: The Beginning (Page 13)

“What I feel for Cadmus could never be dangerous,” I told her confidently. “It’s honest and true.”

“I have no doubt,” she agreed. “Honest and true, just as you are. Just be careful, Harmonia. Love can change. And it can change people.”

“My love won’t,” I answered firmly. “I know that it won’t. Do you think father will grant Cadmus’ request?”

Aphrodite looked at the horizon as she thought, her silver eyes narrowed. “I know not,” she finally answered. “But I know that he respects Cadmus in his own way and I know that he wants you to be happy. Let us just see how the next six months unfold, shall we?”

She linked her arm with mine and we made our way back into the castle. I didn’t dance on air that night, but I certainly laid awake for hours thinking of Cadmus’ beautiful smile.

Chapter Eight

Six Months Later

My eyes popped open to find sunlight pouring into my bedchambers. The night had passed and it was finally today.

The day that Cadmus was released.

My feet barely hit the floor before I was running in a blur toward my doors. I was down the hall, across the courtyard and through the servant’s quarters before I even realized that I was still in my night dress.

I burst into Cadmus’ bedchamber and found him still abed.

“You’re free,” I announced, moving straight to his side. “Cadmus, you’re free today.”

He opened one eye.

“Good morning, little one.”

I stared at him in consternation. “Why aren’t you more excited? You’re free, Cadmus. You are no longer my father’s slave. You are free to be with me.”

“Only if your father decrees it,” he reminded me. “If he doesn’t…”

“If he doesn’t, I will go with you anyway,” I told him defiantly. “I am a grown woman. I do not require my father’s blessing.”

“But I do,” Cadmus answered softly. “I would not feel right without it.”

“You would walk away from me if he says no?” I asked incredulously. “You think so little of me that it would be easy for you to leave?” I couldn’t believe it. Cadmus smiled.

“I didn’t say that. I would simply try harder.”

His mouth was too tantalizing to ignore, so I leaned forward and kissed it, stroking his chiseled cheekbone with my fingers. It was as though he had been carved from the most perfect piece of marble by the most skilled of artists. I couldn’t keep my hands from roaming across his body. He groaned and pulled me to him.

“You’ve been tempting me for six months,” he growled into my mouth. “You are not playing fair.”

“All is fair in love and war,” I reminded him. “I just wanted to keep you interested.”

He grinned. “Oh, I’m interested. Trust me. I’m interested. But you should go get dressed, little one. Everyone will be rising soon. You should probably have clothes on for that.”

“You might be the first man in the history of time to suggest to a woman that she put clothes on rather than take them off,” I pointed out. He shrugged.

“Perhaps. Or perhaps I’m just confident.”

“Confident in what?” I asked.

“Confident that when the time comes, I won’t have to ask you to take them off.”

I laughed. “You’re confident all right.” But in my heart, I knew he was right. When the time came, I was certain that I would be all too willing. It had been a very long and chaste six months.

“I’m going to get dressed and then I’m going to find my father. He’s likely having breakfast.”

“Let the man eat, Harmonia,” Cadmus said with a smile. “He’ll be in a better mood if you do.”

“I probably don’t have the patience,” I answered as I kissed him quickly and slipped back out of his room. In my excitement, I barely felt my feet hit the ground. I made my way back to my bedchambers in record time and only took five minutes to ready for the day.

Many times, I enjoyed dressing myself the old-fashioned way. But today, in my hurry, I simply envisioned myself dressed in my favorite green sheath, belted with an elaborate silver belt and instantly I was. I pictured my hair piled onto my head in an elaborate up-do embedded with emeralds, and instantly it was so. There were times when being a goddess came in handy.

And I wanted to look beautiful for Cadmus today.

“And you do,” my mother said as she quietly entered my rooms.

“I hate it when you sneak up on me like that,” I told her, as I’d told her a thousand times before. She simply grinned.

“I must, if I ever want to hear what you are thinking. If I don’t, you hide your thoughts from me. What’s a poor mother to do?” She shrugged her shoulders elegantly. I laughed.

“A poor mother? That’s hardly the case.”

Aphrodite looked radiant today and incredibly happy, which meant only one thing.

“You’ve just come from father, haven’t you?” I asked.

She nodded. “Yes. He’s in a wonderful mood today.”

My heart beat picked up. That was good news.

“A good mood?” I asked innocently. She narrowed her eyes at me.

“Yes. You aren’t planning something that will turn him sour, are you? I’m planning a feast for this evening. I would like for him to be pleasant and accommodating.”

“Father loves to feast,” I reminded her. “He will be fine. Make sure you serve roasted leg of lamb and he’ll be putty in your hands.”

Aphrodite wasn’t distracted. She focused on me with laser-precision.

“What are you planning, daughter?” she asked firmly. “I know you well and you are up to something.”

I wrinkled my nose at her as I walked to my balcony. “I’m not planning anything at all. Today is just the last day of Cadmus’ sentence. He’s free today, mother. I’m going to ask father if he has given any thought to Cadmus’ proposal.”

I watched realization pass over my mother’s face. I hadn’t discussed this with her over the past few months. I had quietly met with Cadmus in secret—innocent get-togethers where we laughed and got to know each other better.

And the more we got to know each other, the more I knew that he was the one for me. There was no one else who would ever be as suited for me as he was. If Ares didn’t grant his permission, I would be devastated.