"Valentine’s Day on Olympus" by Lisa Beth Darling {Guest Post + Giveaway}

Valentine’s Day on the Island: Alena
By Lisa Beth Darling

Nervously Alena wandered from room to room in the cave making sure everything was perfect for the big night ahead.  She sent Raven, her oldest child, off with his Sister, Rose, to an adjacent island off for the night with strict instructions not to return until well after noon tomorrow. The next twenty-four hours were for Ares and her alone.

She almost lost her Husband a few months ago, he’d been so sick with Major Fall, out of his mind with fever as his body wasted away under the influence of the dreaded disease. He’d recovered, she saw to that, it was rough and distasteful but Alena would do anything to ensure her Husband’s continued good health.

And she did.

Feeling back to his old self, Ares charged back out into the Mortal World with Raven and Athena. He was gone for weeks on end, leaving her alone with little Rose.  Tonight being the very first Valentine’s Day since she awoke from her long sleep, she made it clear to him that he was to be here with her tonight and nowhere else.  The Mortal World would have to take care of its battered self for an entire day. It had been far too long since last they made love or even curled up by a roaring fire to talk and laugh over glasses of Nectar.  King of Olympus or not, it was high time Ares came home and took care of his Wife for a while.  When she warned that wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, Ares shook his dark head and smiled down at her as he told her he would be here tonight promptly at 8 o’clock just as she asked.

It was just past 7 o’clock now.

With the Throne Room turned Parlor shining from the top of the rock walls to the dirt floor at her feet, a bed of pillows lay before a crackling fire blazing in the massive hearth the big table was laden with Ares’ favorite foods, pitchers of Nectar and bottles of wine ready for pouring. She skittered up the steps to the bedroom to change for the evening.   Every step made her giddy with anticipation as she stripped to her bare alabaster skin leaving a trail of clothing behind her.

Alena already worked her womanly magick on the bedroom she filled it with flowers; roses, lilies, and lilacs in huge urns along with crystal vases of wild flowers, a favor of both of them.  Naked as the day she was born and humming one of her favorite tunes, Alena scampered around the room lighting several scented candles.  When the room filled with a warm romantic glow, she fluffed the pillows and shook out the thick fur hides that softened the stone bed upon which Ares loved to sleep.  Content with the platter of meat and cheese on his side of the bed along with the open box of chocolates on her, she smiled looking at the nightstand drawer thinking of the surprises contained within.   Biting on her fingernail, she looked over to see that the bottle of champagne was chilling nicely in an ornate silver bucket. All aglow, she nearly floated over to the rustic bathroom to wash her face and freshen up for the long night ahead.

Cleansed and sweet smelling, Alena slipped into her surprised outfit for the evening hoping Ares would find it sexy and inviting. Checking herself in the only mirror on the entire cave, she decided she looked all right in the leather bustier, black lined stockings, and black thigh-high boots.  In order to keep the surprise hidden, she slipped into a crimson robe of the finest flowing silk and cinched it tight at her small waist before brushing her silver hair.

One last glance around the room and she skipped down the stone steps back into the parlor where she found Ares sitting on his Throne of Bones.  He was looking as handsome, dashing, and edgy as ever in his battle leathers. “You’re early,” she cooed with a wide smile as she dashed over to him.  Rushing into his open arms, she jumped onto his lap and covered his full lips with hers as her hands wrapped around his neck so she could pull herself closer to his brawny warmth.

“I see you’ve been very busy,” Ares replied wrapping his strong arms around her small frame, “got big plans, do you?”  He dark eyes lit up with devilish delight.

“Yes, I do.” She kissed his bearded cheek. “So glad you could pull yourself away from the battle to join me for the next twenty-four hours…”

“Forty-eight,” Ares interrupted with a sly grin. “Raven and Rose won’t be back for two days.”

Alena bit down on her bottom lip as a shudder of anticipation went through her body. She reached out her free hand to entwine the hair on his chest around her finger, “Really?”

“Really,” The God of War licked his lips before pulling her in for another passionate kiss.  When she quivered again she shudder jumped from her to him making his seven-foot frame tingle to the soles of his booted feet.  The animal between his legs, so long kept asleep by the rigors of battle, began to stir when her tongue slid down his throat and she began tugging his dark hair.  Everything in his started to demand he throw her down on the pillow by the fire, rip off that robe, and take her, take her hard. Instead, Ares broke the kiss, “I’ve been gone too long.” He whispered breathlessly.

“Far too long,” Alena agreed as she nuzzled her cheek to his beard.

“I’m not too late, am I?”

Alena hesitated before answering, “No,” she whispered with a hefty touch of sorrow, “you’ll never be too late.”  Wanting to push away the ugly thoughts threatening to intrude on her time with her Husband, Alena sat up and gave him a weary smile. “Let’s eat, I have all your favorites.”

Not liking the sadness in her stormy gray eyes, Ares held onto her hand as she slid off his lap, “You’re my favorite.” The smile on her face grew a little wide and a little warmer as he stood up letting her guide him to the table. “Let’s eat over there,” Ares waved his hand in front of the table making the food disappear, hitching his head over his shoulder, it reappeared on the pillows by the fire. He shook his head a little, as he watched the expression on her face, all these years with him and that simple trick never ceased to amaze her. As she stared at the pillows he stopped to take her in and marvel at her beauty. With her silver hair and alabaster skin in stark contrast to the crimson silk wrapped around her small body and the… “What are you those?” He asked in a perplexed tone as he pointed to her feet and cocked his head to the side. “Hummm?”

Alena pushed the robe aside a small ways to show him the high-heeled leather boots but not their full length, “I thought you’d like them.”

“You know I like you best naked, sweaty, and moaning beneath me, but, those look promising. Show me the rest.”

“Later, you should fuel up first,” Alena challenged with a smirk before dropping to the floor on all fours and slowly crawling over the pillows to the tray of food and drink. Rolling over on her side, she gave him a seductive gaze with her heated stormy eyes, “Aren’t you going to join me?”

Ares licked his bottom lip to clear the drool peeking out the corner, “Coming.”

“Not yet, you’re not. Soon maybe, if you’re a very lucky boy,” she cooed and popped a grape between her moist lips. “Why don’t you take off those boots and that heavy vest? The sword, I don’t think you’ll be needing that.”

Unaccustomed to having his Wife take such charge, Ares let the vest drop to the floor weapons and all as he stepped out of the steel-toed boots before walking over the soft pillows to sit down at her side.

“What are you up to?”

Staring at him with sparkling eyes full of desire, she handed him a fresh chalice of Nectar as she answered, “Spending some quality time with my Husband.”

“I think there’s a little more to it than that,” Ares said taking the chalice from her delicate hand and raising it to his lips. Keeping his eyes fixed to hers, he reached out with the other hand for the robe but she was quick and she pushed it away. “I want to see.”

“All Good Things to Those Who Wait,” she chimed. “It’s been three weeks since I even saw your face, do we have to rush?”

Ares realized he could be a bit of wolf from time to time and she was right, it was almost since they’d been in the same room and before that, he couldn’t remember how long it was since he’d seen her. Cleaning up the tattered remains of the Mortal World had taken its toll on their marriage and when Zeus died so unexpectedly and Ares took on the responsibilities of ruling Olympus things only got worse.  If he wasn’t trying to put something back together in the Mortal World he was trying to keep the Olympians happy—a thankless task if there ever was one. Aphrodite and Apollo were at each other’s throats.  Hera was still deep in the clutches of grief over the loss of her cantankerous Husband. Eros, also in mourning over the loss of his dear Onya, had taken to brooding inside his Tower and not coming out. Hades was busy complaining about the extra work in the Under World and demanding Ares put an end to the carnage. For the next forty-eight hours none of that mattered and he was damned if he would allow it to intrude here.  “No, no, rush.” Ares held his arm open for her to come nuzzle into his side by the fire. Laying together, they drank in not only the Nectar but the heat of the fire and the quiet peace of the cave, letting it all settle deep into their bones and wash away the distance between them. They let the Nectar lightly intoxicate them as the plate of meat, cheese, breads, and fruits filled their stomachs. Ares filled in Alena on what was happening in the Mortal World as gently as he could. With the platter empty along with the pitcher of Nectar, he kissed the side of her head, “I missed you,” he admitted softly.

“I missed you too,” Alena sighed putting down the empty chalice and burying her face between his hard pecs. She laid soft kissed in the heavy mat of fur listening to heartbeat quicken with each peck and lick. When it reached the pace of gently galloping horse she added darkly, “You’ve been such a bad boy.” As his heart skipped a beat, she bit down on a hard nipple and gave it a shake with her teeth feeling Ares’ body arch upward as it broke out in goose bumps. “A very bad boy, I’m afraid.”

With a sudden bolt of excitement shooting through him, Ares tried to regain control as he swallowed hard and light bead of sweat broke out on his brow, “Me? Bad? No, no.”  His gaze fell down her body fitted so neatly into his side and to those leather heeled boots on her feet. Another heated rush ran wildly through him.

“Yes,” Alena insisted softly as she rose up on one elbow to look him in the eye, “you’ve neglected your Wife. You’ve left here alone to fend for herself, to long for you in the night, curling up to only a pillow as she dreams of you. Bad boy.” She chided as she grabbed the hair on his chin, gave it a harsh yank as she pulled his gaze back to meet hers. “What should I do with you?”

The eyes holding his deftly were glowing with anticipation, “Well, I don’t kno—what have you done with my Wife?”  Alena was never demanding, never take charge in bed, she was always the submissive and content to be so. Out of the corner of his onyx eye he watched her hand slide over the red silky, down the curve of her hips to her knees where she gathered up the material revealing the boots on her feet. Slowly hiking the robe all the way up her thigh, Ares started panting as his nostrils flared. “Very nice,” he complimented in a heavy whisper. “But again, what did you do with my Wife?”

Alena smirked and gave his beard another tug before getting to her knees and then to her feet where she kicked the pillows aside.  With smoky eye, she let her fingers rolling over her neck, down her breasts, and along the part of the robe before they touched upon the bow keeping it closed. “I am your Wife,” Alena whispered letting the robe fall to the floor. “Wife to the God of War.”

Ares laid there with his mouth hanging open. He was bowled over, dumbfounded, speechless!  At the sight of his sweet petite Wife in full black leather from the snug fitting bustier holding out her firm breasts to him as though they were on a platter, to the guarder belt around her slender waist, the black leather & lace panties below them, and those awesome thigh-high boots under which were black lined stockings. “Where’s your whip?” Ares asked in a choked whisper.

“Upstairs,” Alena returned in an authoritative voice, “you should get moving, up there, that way, go.”

She pointed to the narrow staircase that led to their bedroom.

To continue to the ‘meat’ of the story please visit http://www.moonmusings.com/lbdarling/valentine.html  to read the full story.

Title: Women of War
Author: Lisa Beth Darling
Series: OF WAR #5
Genre: Immortal/Paranormal Erotic/Romance
Publisher: Moon Mistress Publishing
Release Date: February 14, 2013
Format: (Print, EBook, or Both) Ebook and Print
Links to buy: Amazon

To celebrate the release of the “Women of War” I’m making the “OF WAR Anthology” FREE on Kindle February 14-15th. Get the first 4 stories in the series FREE! http://www.amazon.com/WAR-Anthology-Novels-1-3-ebook/dp/B00AAKR6DE/

This was the Age of Men, of War, and Conquest.  Looking down at his fingertips sparkling with glitter he knew not all of the Faery abandoned this place.  Despite the dangers to them, they stayed hidden in this hill.  Why that should be, he didn’t know.  “I know you can hear me, so listen good.  If you’re planning on joining in, don’t,” Ares warned in a low voice as he spoke to the night, “this is the province of men, not giggling bugs.”  Rudely he flicked the sparkling dust from his fingers and finished his trip down the hill where he vanished and then reappeared behind the city walls in his own rather plush quarters in the remains of Dunbar Castle.  Grabbing up a fine crystal decanter in his big mitt, he poured half of the full container of the best Scot’s Whisky one could steal down his gullet.  Dawn was still several hours away and he was in the mood for female company to while away the time between now and the battle.

Throwing open the heavy oak door, he looked out into the corridor with its burning torches lighting up the remaining grandeur of the crumbling castle walls.  He saw the guards at either end.  “Bring me a bitch, a young one,” he ordered and then slammed the door only to open it again just as one of the men started off.  “Make it two.”  Ares slammed the door again.  Restless and bored, he paced quickly about the room throwing his hand absently in the air, making the hearth spring up in a roaring blaze.  The time between the planning and the attacking was always the worst.  The waiting seemed to draw out forever no matter what he did to speed it up.  Walking heavily back and forth, his boots clopping against the stone below his big feet, he downed the rest of the whisky then snapped his fingers to refill the delicate decanter from the casks in the basement.  Just as he thought he’d lose all control to impatience, there was a knock on the door.  “Took you long enough!” he snarled as he threw it open to see the guard standing there with two Celtic beauties.  Ares’ eyes appraised them even as they refused to meet his gaze.  “These will do.”  He grabbed each young woman by the forearm and threw them into the room. “Bye.”  He shut the door in the guard’s face and locked it tight before turning to his new guests.  “Hello ladies, so good of you to join me tonight.”

They didn’t speak, they simply huddled together staring at him knowing what was coming and trying to figure a way to stop it.  Although they didn’t know his name, he was familiar to them; they’d seen him around the town and knew the tall dark stranger to be a mercenary.  The man had no allegiance to Britain or the Crown; he was only here for the glory of the battle and only the battle.  He spoke with an odd accent they’d never heard and he was darker skinned than any man they’d ever seen with a body taller and stronger than a tree.

Ares swaggered toward them, his dark eyes scanning their bodies up and down, down and up, and side to side, as he bit down on his bottom lip.  Slowly he walked around them.  Both of them were nineteen or maybe twenty, both of them with fiery red hair and crystal blue eyes, their alabaster faces covered with freckles.  Strong bodies from working in fields had firm breasts below their flimsy cotton chemises. In the firelight, he clearly saw the curves of their shapely legs leading to the places between, the night’s destinations.  “Sisters,” he remarked as his full lips turned into a sly smirk and he drew in breath over his sharp teeth.  “How nice…for me,” he whispered as he stopped in front of what he believed to be the younger of the two.  She didn’t look at him so Ares grabbed her jaw and forced her head upward to meet his cold stare.  “There’s no reason this has to go badly, hmmm?  A little cooperation and I guarantee you’ll enjoy the rest of the night.”  His smile widened when he felt her tremble and saw her pretty eyes dart away from him.

“Women of War” releases 2/14/2013 to Kindle, Nook, and Smashwords, also in print to Amazon. Signed paperbacks and hard covers may be ordered by going to http://www.moonsmusings.com

I’ve been married for the last 26 years to my wonderful husband, Roy. We live in my hometown of New London, CT.

My writing career began in junior high, around the 7th grade. A fact that my fellow students adored but often got me called down to the Guidance Counselor’s Office to discuss the adultness of my stories. While the experience was never pleasant, I was not deterred by the counselors’ worries I was spurred onward by them, as well as by my teachers, and my classmates, I continued to hone my craft throughout those formative years.

Today I bring conflict, passion, love, and suspense to unique couples through full length novels. I’m never one to shy away from the less pleasant things in life, and instead I believe that it is in the Darkness where Character is created, determined, and defined, my heroes and heroines have their love tested by demons from within and without.

To celebrate the release of this story Lisa would like to giveaway 1 ebook copy of Women of War 

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