Forbidden Love

Chapter 19

Vulcan stood outside the inn and watched as Peitho weaved her way through the crowd in the market to reach him. When she finally did, she threw herself into his arms. Vulcan lifted her and turned in a circle gripping her tightly but not so tight as to cause her pain. When their eyes met, he leaned in to kiss her. Delighting in the softness of her lips and sweet taste of her mouth. He'd been gone for a month, heaven's time which was a year here in the mortal realm. To Peitho, it had felt like an eternity had passed without him. Without putting her down, Vulcan carried Peitho through the inn to the door of the room they always rented. He refused to let go of her until he placed her on the bed. After taking a step back to admire her, Vulcan stood there in awe, drinking every curve of Peitho's. Before now, he hadn't realized what it was like to miss someone as much as he had missed Peitho.

Suddenly, Peitho was in front of him. Vulcan looked at her, confused. He hadn't even seen her rise from the bed. Had she teleported to him? As they stood there, Vulcan felt her cupping him. His breath caught in his throat at the feel of her touch, and he began to harden. A slow smile curved his lips.

“Tesoro, Tesoro, wake up.”

Vulcan's eyes shot open at those words. Glancing around the room, he realized where he was. He was still honeymooning with Venus. It was she who'd been cupping him, not Peitho. Vulcan turned over onto his back and moved Venus's hand away.

"Gods, woman, don't you ever sleep?" He asked, unable to hide the irritation in his voice.

"Not when I'm trying to conceive, I don't," answered Venus sternly. She pushed herself up and straddled his hips.

"Come now, amore. It's the last day of our honeymoon. Is there really anything you'd rather do than spend the day in bed with me?"

"Yes," Vulcan thought to himself, hoping against hope Venus wasn't using her telepathy to listen to his thoughts at the moment. "Of course not, Tesora, of course not," he lied as he watched Venus lift herself up to slide him inside her.

As she slowly rocked back and forth on him, Venus let her powers overtake her. They flowed through her in waves. Emanating from her pores like a sweet perfume. She watched as Vulcan's facial expression changed from one of irritation and forced wanting to one of hunger. It bothered her that she had to work so hard to evoke feeling from him. Years ago, she only had to be in his presence, and he'd be fawning over her. That wasn't the case now. But no matter, for the moment, he was drunk on her. Putty in her hands, she could see it in his eyes and feel it as he continued to grow inside of her. To prove she'd won, she leaned down and whispered in his ear.

"Tell me you love me, Vulcan," she said before gently nibbling his earlobe and delighting in his panting at the feel of her tongue on his skin.

"I love you, Venus," Vulcan replied hoarsely, letting her know it wouldn't be long before she felt him fill her.

"say it like you mean it, love. Say it as you used to when we were young," she continued, grinding her hips down on him driving his shaft as deep into her as it could go.

"I'll always love you, Venus," he said as his body began to shudder

Venus smiled at the very words she wanted to hear. Knowing she had him right where she wanted him, Venus rode him harder, bidding him to find his release inside her. Minutes later, they came together in unison.

******

Aphrodite anxiously paced the front room of her temple. For her life, she couldn't figure out what was happening with Peitho. She hasn't been the same since the contest regarding Vesuvius. Aphrodite still had a suspicion that rather than help Hephaestus Peitho had given the upper hand to Vulcan. Aphrodite scowled at the thought of that betrayal. Even if Peitho hadn't betrayed her that way, she was still acting strangely. Aphrodite had tried to charge her with the duty of spying on Venus while she honeymooned with her husband. Peitho had refused. She had never refused an order from her mother before, but rather than argue. Aphrodite sent Eros in Peitho's place. Today is the last day of the honeymoon, so Eros should be returning to her shortly. Aphrodite hoped Venus was just as miserable on her honeymoon with Vulcan as she had been during her own with Hephaestus.

"Mítera," Aphrodite started at Eros's voice behind her.

"Well?" She snapped as she whirled to face him.

"Well, Vulcan was miserable, but Venus didn't seem to be. If she was, she did a fine job of hiding it." Aphrodite rolled her eyes at Eros's seemingly impossible answer.

"How could she possibly have enjoyed herself? She finds Vulcan as insufferable as I do Hephaestus. I know she does. My spies have told me as much, including your sister."

"You mean she DID find him insufferable, don't you? Have you forgotten that he worked to make himself presentable to her to piss Jupiter off?" Eros asked, unable to hide the laughter in his voice as he responded to his mother.

Aphrodite screwed her face up at him. "you mean to tell me she can tolerate him? She's not faking it to join in on irritating Jupiter?" She asked, a note of hope in her voice.

"No, Mítera, Venus is somewhat drawn to her husband. Drawn enough to attempt to conceive a child with him," said Eros matter of factly. Aphrodite's eyes went wide at Eros's words.

"You have GOT to be kidding me," she said in a stunned tone. Eros shook his head.

"Unfortunately not, Mítera. I hate to have to be the one to tell you this, but..she succeeded. Eros trailed off. He had to stifle a laugh as he watched Aphrodite's jaw nearly hit the floor of her temple.

"You're certain?" Asked Aphrodite, barely able to utter the words.

"Mitera, is that really a question? I'm the God of Love, of course, I'm certain. The ability to sense such things comes with the job, remember? Perhaps not. Maybe you've forgotten since you send Peitho or me to do most of your bidding," he said irritatedly.

Before Eros could blink, Aphrodite placed herself in front of him and slapped him hard.

"I'd think you'd know better than to speak to me that way after all these years," she spat at him. Eros stared at her wordlessly, stunned by her actions. He couldn't remember the last time she'd struck him. Casting his eyes to the floor, Eros spoke.

"I'm sorry, Mítera," he said softly. She dismissed him with a curt nod and a wave of her hand. Eros made it to the entrance of her temple before she stopped him.

"WAIT!" Aphrodite shouted. Eros rolled his eyes before turning to face her.

"What?" He asked.

"What's going on with Peitho? Why is she refusing her duties?" She prodded sure Eros knew the answer.

"I don't know what you mean," lied Eros. He knew. He watched Peitho's face fall when Aphrodite had summoned them both asking one of them to take the job of spying on Vulcan and Venus.

He could feel the ache in her heart when their mother had asked it of them. If Aphrodite cared to pay more attention, she'd know too, but she was a fool who never paid either of them any mind unless she asked them to do her bidding. Had she been in tune with Peitho as he was, she'd know that Peitho harbored feelings for Vulcan, and the idea of watching him with Venus was breaking her heart. So, Eros offered to take the job before Peitho had the chance to respond to her request. Both she and Aphrodite had shot him looks of surprise, but Aphrodite reveled in his willingness to do the job, so she hadn't argued at his offer. Eros wondered if Peitho realized that he'd made the offer because he knew about her plight or if she assumed he was doing so out of the kindness of his heart. Neither of them had spoken of it before Eros left for the trip. Now that he had returned and knew about Vulcan's firstborn. Eros felt it was time he and his little sister talked.

******

Venus and Vulcan flashed themselves directly to Vulcan's temple. He was exhausted. All he wanted to do was collapse on his bed and stay there until he woke in the morning to return to his work on Vesuvius. To return to Peitho..he longed to see her. It had been too long since he'd seen her face, touched her skin, or heard her voice. Every day, he wondered what she was doing and hoped she was well. Cupid had promised he would check on her. They both knew she was none too thrilled about his having to have a honeymoon with his unwanted bride. Vulcan was smart enough to know Venus had used her powers on him each time they made love. While he didn't like that idea, at least it had made being with her more bearable. Vulcan wanted children more than anything but was unsure how he felt about fathering Venus's child. Vulcan knew she would know the second she had conceived and couldn't help but wonder how long it would take them to do so. She was the Goddess of Love Vulcan assumed that meant Venus was quite fertile.

Turning away from Venus, Vulcan left his bedroom. Upon his exit, he saw Cupid waiting for him with a bottle of honeysuckle wine in hand. Vulcan smiled at the sight of his friend and clapped him on the back upon his approach.

"Figlio Mio!" Venus exclaimed from behind them; she ran toward Cupid, throwing herself into his arms. Vulcan raised an eyebrow in surprise at them. Venus had never claimed Cupid as her own in front of him before now. Cupid shrugged as he loosely wrapped Venus in a hug.

"Hello, Madre," said Cupid pulling back to give her cheek a quick kiss. "Is it alright if I borrow marito tuo? I promise I won't keep him long," he said with a smile.

Venus nodded, "I'm tired, mi amore. I think I'll go to bed. Wake me before you go to sleep," she said with a wink and walked off.

Cupid and Vulcan rolled their eyes in unison once Venus had her back to them before heading out to the garden.

"How is she?" Asked Vulcan without preamble.

"Pfft, hello, to you too, Fratello," replied Cupid.

"I'm sorry, Cue, I've been so worried. How have things been here." Cupid held up a hand to stop Vulcan from continuing his false pleasantries and got right to the point.

"Peitho's not great, V. She's been distraught the entire time you've been gone. I talked to Athena, who's up to speed on the goings-on between you. I told her to do her best to get Peitho out and about so Aphrodite wouldn't suspect anything. Luckily they did just enough to stay under Aphrodite's radar. The b***h tried to get Peitho to spy on you during your honeymoon." Vulcan gave Cupid a pained expression when he finished speaking.

"I love her, Cue. I can't help it. I've tried.

"I know you have Vulcan. You're not supposed to help who you love. It just is what it is. Eros didn't strike you with an arrow. Nor did I. Neither Venus nor Aphrodite would want this love to happen, which means if divine intervention is involved here, it's the fates themselves. You know how cruel those bitches can be."

Vulcan let out an exasperated breath. "So, what do I do?" He asked, hoping his friend would have an answer for him. Cupid shrugged.

"it's out of my hands V. You'll just have to let it play out. However, you should know that Eros is actually in tune with Peitho's feelings, unlike Aphrodite. He took on the task of spying on you because he sensed Peitho's pain. Peitho doesn't realize it yet, but Eros knows about you. Before you ask, I'm not sure what that means for your relationship."

Vulcan put his head in his hands. All this was too much. He had no idea what to do or say about any of it. He said the only thing that came to mind.

"I have to see her. I have to see Peitho. It can't wait." Cupid nodded in agreement.

"There's more V," said Cupid, a hint of sadness in his voice.

'What?" Asked Vulcan. Cupid knew by Vulcan's response that Venus hadn't told him yet like he was hoping she would have.

"Venus is pregnant."