Page 16 of Goddess of Storms

“Tell Mother hello for me, when you see her next,” I say softly. I swallow hard against the emotions rising and give him a tearful smile. “And that I miss her.”

In a flash of light, he disappears, leaving behind a lightning-shaped pendant which materializes on my neck, and a pack at my feet.

When you are in need of assistance, Daughter, use the bolt.

“Thank you, Father.” I call to the air.

Adding a few more logs to the fire, it flares a little as I dig through the pack I was gifted. A few sets of clothes, similar to the one I’m wearing and more MREs. What I find at the bottom is a couple of sweet surprises. Some nectar cakes and a letter from my mother.

Lost in my letter, I didn’t hear the unzip of a tent. I'm brought back to the present by a set of muscular arms wrapping around me.

Judging by the tattoos and the musky smell, I know it’s Stone.

“Are you alright? A gust of wind hit my tent, waking me. I saw the tears on your cheeks, so I wanted to comfort you. If that’s okay with you.”

I turn towards him with a smile on my lips, “Yes, I would like that very much, unless I’m going to be another notch on your belt.”

He returns the smiles and whispers, “You are the only notch.”

My eyes grow wide, “What about all the women you paraded in the office?”

“They were just for show, I’d treat them to a meal and that was all. You have my heart completely, no one else, only you.”

I lean forward and our lips meet, at first his kisses are gentle, but then they continue with greed and passion.Gods, I have missed him. Maybe that’s why Nile and I didn’t work. Just the two of us, Stone was the missing link.

He pulls me to him, my hand landing on his chest, he deepens the kiss.

“Uhhh, am I interrupting?” Phoenix askes.

Stone breaks the kiss and with an annoyed glare, he simply says, “Yes.”

Twisting in Stone’s arms I glance at him, “Did you need something?”

“Well, you’re the one that zapped me, look at the hole in my tent,” Phoenix complains.

“Oops,” I laugh. “I mean at least you still have a tent. Does that mean you are volunteering for watch? My rest was cut short as I was on fire, my tent and all my belongings burnt to a crisp.”

“You have clothes on and a pack at your feet. I thought you said it was burnt?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Gifts from my father,” I state.

“How did you get gifts out here? We are in the middle of nowhere.”

“Son of Ares, are you just trying to pick a fight? I know that your dad’s an asshole, met him a few times, but you don’t have to follow in his footsteps.” I say before asking. “Now that you are awake, why don’t you take watch?”

“Fine, but if that tent starts rocking or anything, I’m out,” Phoenix states.

I peek at Stone, a smile wide on his face, then back to the solemn look on Phoenix and reply, “No, only sleep tonight. Tomorrow, I can’t guarantee it.”

“Well, if you are going, go. I can tend the fire and watch for lightning fires. I mean I am a fireman.” He shrugs.

“You are the right man for the job. Thank you,” I say as I take Stone’s hand and lead him into the tent.

I lay down on my side and Stone does the same behind me, but pulls me into his arms. I float off to sleep as he whispers, “I have missed this.”

Phoenix

Jealousy welled up inside me when I saw Stone’s lips on Harper’s. How is this possible? I only just met her and I want to be with her. I kick the dirt when she goes into Stone’s tent. Shit, I have to stop thinking about her. So, I pull my phone from my pocket and check my logs to see if I’m missing anything from back home. I’m kind of lost, I haven’t been on a vacation in I don’t know how long. Damn, Nile and ‘let's go hiking. The fresh air will do you some good’ bullshit. He really wanted to get back with his ex.

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