Suddenly, a knock sounded against the tent post.

Bathymaas jumped away from him at the same time Malphas spoke. “May we enter, my goddess? I have a nervous old woman out here who is about to wet himself with worry that his brother is dead.”

She wiped her face and drew a ragged breath before she fell into her emotionless role. “Come in.”

Galen ran to the bed and pulled the blanket back so that he could inspect his brother’s chest. All that was left there were four scars from where Menyara had sealed the wounds closed. “How is this possible?”

Bathymaas cleared her throat. “I summoned my aunt for him. He must rest tonight, but will be better by morning.”

Aricles grunted as Galen hugged him with a crushing hold. “By morning, dullard,” he choked out. “Tonight, I still feel like I’ve been shot by four arrows.”

Laughing, Galen released him. “Remember your promise to me, brother. You are not to make me a responsible adult yet.”

Aricles snorted. “Go and drink yourself stupid. Celebrate with the others and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“But not too early.” Galen winked at him before he rose and kissed his cheek. “Sleep well.”

“And you… make sure you sleep at some point before morning.”

Caleb let out an irritable sigh. “Guess I’ll be bunking with the others tonight. Don’t get used to this, Aricles. I don’t give up my bed or tent easily.” Malphas bowed to her then followed after Galen. “Save some wine for me, you gluttonous bastard!”

Bathymaas moved to ask Aricles if she could get something for him, but he was already asleep. Relieved, she ran her finger down the line of his perfectly sculpted jaw and savored the sensation of his whiskers tugging at her skin.

She’d known him for almost two years now. In some ways it seemed like they’d just met, and in others, it was as if she’d known him forever. She picked up her amulet and stared at the stone heart her father had given her. This trinket was no longer the warmth inside her body. Her heart now belonged with Aricles. He was what sustained her and she would be lost without his quiet, gentle nature.

Even though she should be horrified by what he’d done to her, she wasn’t. Instead, she climbed back into bed to lie beside him so that she could hold him while he slept. But as she closed her eyes, she couldn’t help the fear that stalked her. He was mortal. She was not. What hope could their love possibly have? Was there any way for this to end, other than very badly for them both?

April 4, 12,250 BC

“Run away with me, Ari.”

Aricles tightened his arms around Bathymaas as they fished in their spot. “I can’t, my love. And neither can you. We have too many responsibilities for that.”

“I don’t care, anymore. Injustice will continue. It’s the nature of mortals. No matter what I do, they still hurt each other. Ergo, I cede and give up this useless fight. All I want now is to be with you.”

Closing his eyes, he inhaled her sweet lily scent, wishing that he could forget everything and leave with her. But he couldn’t. And neither could she. If they did, he had no doubt that in time, she’d learn to hate him for changing her. “We must do what we can to help others.”

She sighed heavily. “And that’s why I love you, even though I hate you.” She kissed his cheek.

He smiled at her contradictory words. That was the only downfall to her emotions. They were now mercurial at times.

Bathymaas stroked the arm he had across her stomach as she felt his erection against her back. He no longer bound himself, but neither did he ever make a move to touch her more intimately than a kiss. “Ari? Do you ever think about having children?”

“I used to.”

“And now?”

“I will never love anyone but you, my goddess. So I no longer think about it.”

He was willing to die virgin rather than dishonor her. It was one of many reasons why she loved him. He’d already made the vow publicly that he would hold himself chaste in her honor.

But such a precious heart didn’t deserve to suffer.

“Would you make love to me if I asked it of you, Ari?” She felt his cock jerk at her question.

“Bathia,” he chided gently, “you know better.”

Bathia was an Atlantean endearment for her name that he only used when she tugged at his heart. Most of the time, he still referred to her as “goddess” or “my lady” – so as to remind himself that she was born of the Source and not mortal like him. It was why she treasured any time he used her name.

“But I want to know what it’s like to be with you fully. To have you inside me. And I can think of no better gift than to carry your child for you. My own little Aricles.”

Aricles clenched his teeth as he savored those words. They meant more to him than any others. Yet…

“You are to remain virginal. You know that. Who am I to defile a goddess so pure?”

“You’re the man I love above all others. Even myself.”

“Bath – ”

She placed her fingers over his lips to keep him from protesting. “Tell me you haven’t thought about it. Honestly.”

A smile quirked at the edges of his lips. “Every waking moment, as you have felt whenever you lean against me. I can’t get near the scent of a lily without growing hard.”

She took his hand into hers and led it to her breast. “Then ease your pain with me.”

His heart pounded at the sensation of her breast against his palm. There was nothing more in the world he wanted than to taste her taut peak, but…

“I am nothing but a weak mortal, Bathia. You are a goddess. I have no right to touch or claim any part of you.”

She turned around in his arms to kneel in front of him. “Have I the right to touch you?”

“I am ever your servant, my lady. Of course.” He spoke without thinking. And he was completely unprepared when she lifted his chiton so that she could cup his erection in her delicate hand. His breath rushed out as her fingers gently stroked and teased him. “Bathia…”

“Shh,” she whispered against his lips while she caressed his body. After a second, she pulled back with a light squeak. “Did I break you?”

He frowned at her alarm. “What makes you think that?”

She held her hand up to show him. “Why do you leak so?”

His frown melted into a smile. “I don’t know. It just does that sometimes.”

Frowning, she studied her hand. “Is it the same as when I grow moist between my legs whenever you’re near?”

Aricles gaped at her question. For a full minute, he couldn’t think of how to respond. She was so unabashed about taboo subjects that it often caught him off guard. “I-I suppose it is.”

She brushed his chiton aside so that she could stare at his erection. “Your body is so different from mine. Are all men like you?”

“I would assume, but I don’t make it a habit of being with naked men, especially when they’re aroused.”

She smiled at that then lifted her hand so that she could taste what she’d milked from him. The sight of her doing that made his mouth go dry. She had no idea how difficult it was to be with her open innocence. For all the centuries she’d lived, she knew so little about mortals and even less about the relationships of men and women.

“It’s very salty.”

“I wouldn’t know.”

She dropped her hand to him again to stroke the length of his cock. He gasped as unmitigated pleasure ripped through him.

“You do like it when I do this to you, don’t you?”

More than she would ever know. “Goddess… please… you’re torturing me.”

“Then make love to me, Ari.” She unpinned her peplos and let it fall open, baring herself completely to his hungry gaze.

He couldn’t breathe at the sight of her perfect naked body. Of her full, lush breasts and the dark hair at the juncture of her thighs.

Before he could stop her, she placed his hand back on her bare breast. The sight of his tanned skin against hers and the feel of her taut nipple against his palm…

He was undone.

Rising to his own knees, he kissed her deeply while she cupped him again in her hand. He reached down between their bodies to hold her hand to his cock while he rocked himself against the sweet pressure she provided.

Bathymaas smiled at the pleasure she saw on his face. And when he moved his hand from hers to touch her where she physically ached, she gasped at the most exquisite bliss she’d ever felt.

“You’re so wet,” he breathed against her ear.

“I told you, I’m always that way whenever you’re near, but I’m not sure why.”

He gently laid her back against the ground with one arm pressed against her spine. The strength of him never ceased to amaze her. He was so ferocious and at the same time gentle.

The dark hunger in his eyes as he stared down at her set her on fire. His hand continued to stroke and delve deep inside her, making her even more breathless as he teased her skin with his tongue.

Then, slowly, methodically, he kissed and nibbled his way to her ear and throat then her breasts. Her entire body felt electrified by his touch. And when he replaced his hand with his mouth, she cried out in total ecstasy.

Aricles could barely catch his breath as his heart pounded furiously in his chest. Never in all his life had he tasted anything sweeter than her body. She sank her hands into his hair, pressing him closer to her while he slowly pleasured her. Over the years, he’d tried to imagine what it would feel like to have a woman, but none of those fantasies could compare to this reality. And it wasn’t just because she was a goddess. It was because he loved her with every part of his being.

There was nothing he enjoyed more than sitting quietly with her, answering her myriad of questions. Even when they were embarrassing and horrifying. She was the only person he’d ever truly enjoyed conversing with. The only one he could sit with for hours and not become bored or irritated.