Forbidden Love

Chapter 18

Peitho stood frozen in the garden where Cupid had left her earlier after the wedding. She had taken herself home for a while but couldn't get Vulcan out of her head, so she returned to the garden and watched as the reception took place. When Peitho saw Venus leave, she knew this was her opportunity to talk to Vulcan, so she called out to him. Minutes after she called for him, Peitho could see Vulcan rushing toward her. Once he reached her, he grasped her hands tightly and gave her a once-over concern etched on his face as he did so.

"Are you alright, Dolce?" He asked with a frantic look and a worried tone in his voice.

"Yes, love, I'm fine," said Peitho nonchalantly. Vulcan's face went from concerned to confused in a fraction of a second.

'it sounded urgent when you called for me, Dolce. If you're alright, then what are you doing here? Did you come to tell me it's over between us?" Peitho gave him a pained look in response to his questions. It wasn't over between them, but she had no idea what to say. No idea what reason to give for calling him out here.

"No, Vulcan, it's not over between us. Not unless you want it to be. It's just…I can't stand this. I hate that you married her. I hate that you have to spend your days pretending to be happy with her, and I really hate that you'll be sharing your bed with her." Vulcan's gaze turned sad at Peitho's words, and he took an exasperated breath.

"Peitho, I don't know what you want me to say. We both knew from the moment we met that this was going to happen. I tried to get out of it, and the best I could do was ensure that we could keep seeing each other, but that's all I can do, at least for now." Peitho nodded. She knew he was right, and she had no idea what else she expected of him.

"Are you two INSANE?!?!?!??" They both started at the sound of Cupid's voice behind them. "What are you doing here, Peitho? You know what will happen if they catch you here. AND YOU," said Cupid whirling around to face Vulcan. Your mother knows you're hiding something, and mine is currently waiting for you in your temple. She's not a patient woman Vulcan. It won't be long before she comes to seek you out. I shudder to think what she'll do with you if she catches you with Peitho."

Vulcan c****d an eyebrow at Cupid. "since when do you defend your mother?" He asked, surprised by Cupid's candor. Cupid rolled his eyes.

"I'm not defending my mother; I'm saving your asses. Venus will have Jupiter lock Peitho up and throw away the key. And Jupiter, sick f**k that he is, will give Venus free reign on what to do with Peitho once she's locked up. But while you're both here, there's something you should know," said Cupid pausing to make sure they had taken in everything he'd already said before continuing.

Neither spoke, but Vulcan gave Cupid a questioning look bidding him continue. "She wants children, Vulcan. And she expects to start trying while you're on your honeymoon," said Cupid matter of factly.

Vulcan's jaw went slack, unable to believe what he had just heard. "Venus wants children." It was a statement, not a question. Vulcan looked at Cupid dumbfounded. Cupid nodded. "Venus wants MY children? Vulcan asked. Again, Cupid nodded before glancing at Peitho, whose gaze fell to the ground.

"I want your children too," she squeaked, unable to look up. Vulcan stepped forward and cupped Peitho's face, tilting her head up and forcing her to look at him.

"And I want you to have my children Dolce, more than anything," Vulcan answered, giving her a chaste kiss.

"And I want that for both of you, but also want all of us to see the sunrise tomorrow, preferably not behind bars in the confines of Jupiter's dungeon," Cupid chimed in, trying to lighten the mood a little with some of his dark humor.

Both Peitho and Vulcan gave hearty laughs and Cupid's idiocy before Vulcan pulled her in close and kissed her hungrily. He poured every ounce of passion for Peitho into that kiss as if it was the last time he'd ever taste her lips. When they parted, they were both gasping for air from the intensity of the kiss.

"I love you, Dolce. There isn't a moment I won't think of you while I'm away. I'll come home to you as fast as I can," said Vulcan releasing her from his hold after he said it.

"I'll wait for you, Vulcan. I'll wait for you forever," answered Peitho.