Page 17 of Soft Bronze

“You heard that?” Camden thought he’d regret muttering he loved Zelus, but the regret wasn’t there.

“I heard you say you loved me,” Zelus said. “Do you?”

“I fell for you the first time I saw the statue. Love doesn’t usually happen overnight, but itcanhappen. I want to spend every day finding out if this love between us can get stronger.”

Zelus nodded. “This love is for real.”

“Aw.” Andy nudged KG. “While this is adorable to watch, we … have something to do.”

KG folded his arms. “I’m glad to have you back, brother. Only one more and we’ll be a family again.”

“Soon.” Zelus turned his attention back to Camden as KG and Andy left the room. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.” Cam cradled Zelus in his arms. “I don’t know exactly how all of this will work out, but I’m glad I found you. Think we can make it?”

“I do want to try.”

Another white light blasted into the room. This time, two figures stood where Andy and KG had vacated. Zelus straightened. “Father.”

“Father?” Camden whispered. He stood beside Zelus, then shrugged out of his shirt. “Use this to cover your junk.”

The man who looked like an aged version of either KG or Zelus nodded. The crinkles around his eyes were deeper and his hair tinged at the temples with white. “You’ve broken the curse and accepted this human.”

“I have, Father.” Zelus wrapped the T-shirt around his waist and clutched the cotton to cover his dick. “This is my human, Camden. Cam, this is my father, Pallas.”

“Holy crap,” Cam murmured. He extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Do you wish to take my son as your celestial mate?” Pallas shook hands with Camden. “He’s a special man.”

“I do.” Cam grinned. No hesitation. No reservations. He knew who he loved and they’d find their way together.

“Then by the power of Zeus,” the second man said, “which is me, I welcome you to Olympus.” Zeus shimmered, then disappeared.

“He shows up fast and jets in a hurry, doesn’t he?” Cam waved his hand through the sparkles where Zeus had stood. “I didn’t realize the gods sparkled, either.”

“Only on very special occasions.” Pallas rested his hands on his hips. Cam wasn’t sure how old the man was, but for being probably a couple of millennia old, he looked good. Pallas notched his chin. “Your brother insisted on coming back to help you. Are you willing to help your sister?”

“She’s in bronze, too?” Zelus asked.

“No, she’s in iron. When she bound Prometheus to the rock and he escaped, Hephaestus turned her to iron as punishment. Hephaestus refused to deal with her and the violence ensuing from Prometheus. Will you help her?”

“We will,” Camden said. He clutched Zelus’s hand.

“Your human has quite a bit of faith.” Pallas smiled. “He will serve you well in your journey. Goodbye, my son. Come to Olympus now and then. Your mother also misses you.” He waved his fingers and disappeared.

“Wow.” Zelus sagged against Camden. “I never thought I’d hear my father, the man who encased me in bronze, telling me he missed me.”

“He cares. He’s got a funny way of showing it, but he does care.”

“I care about you. Let’s chase our forever.”

“Sounds like the best plan.”

****

Six months later…

Zelus stared out at the city below. He liked living above the antiquities store and having his brother next door. The walls were thick and offered enough privacy that no one heard anyone else’s business. He grinned as he watched the cars snake up and down the streets. He’d been forced to learn so much about the humans since the curse had been broken. Camden proved to be patient beyond comprehension. He helped Zelus navigate the world and accompanied him to Olympus to meet the rest of the family.

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