Apple of Fate by Elle Beaumont

Author:Elle Beaumont [Beaumont, Elle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Acontius

* * *

Despite not having swimming trunks, Acontius was fairly dry thanks to the hours spent talking and eating beyond the beach. He was stuffed, sunburnt, and “happy” didn't quite describe how he felt. His one regret was that the night must end.

He sat in the passenger seat of Delia’s SUV, not wanting to watch her walk away. Not wanting the night—or the feeling—to end. But what were the terms of the vow? Did they mean Delia was bound to him for eternity, or for a mortal’s lifetime?

Delia turned the car off. She didn’t turn to look at him, which was a punch to his gut. “I don’t want to go in.”

Acontius smiled. He didn’t either. “Well, this isn’t our goodbye, not yet. It’s just a goodnight.” Leaning across the center console, he pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth, and then found her lips against his in a slow, mind-numbing kiss.

Kissing. Something he’d never done before. At eight years old, when Acontius had taken his vow, it wasn’t as if he’d had an opportunity to kiss girls. The women around him were of Artemis’ Order, and it was forbidden to touch them, or else she’d turn him into a hound—or worse.

But it was no wonder the other gods spent so much time fooling around if a kiss was only a fraction of what sex could elicit from him. Gods. Delia’s mouth was sweeter than any honey mead he’d ever tasted, and the feeling that sparked deep inside him was a primal urge.

This was what he’d sworn to never partake in. This was breaking a vow. But Acontius wanted more. He wanted it never to end.

Sighing, he withdrew. “Good night, Delia.” He opened the car door and stepped out, waiting for her to do the same. His arms encircled her as she sprung at him, and their lips sought one another’s out again, drawing out the inevitable departure.

“Good night,” Delia echoed, pulling away. Halfway toward the entrance, she spun around to wave at him, then disappeared into the hotel.

Mid-turn, Acontius’ smile dropped as a woman’s silky voice rang out coldly.

“Acontius. I was wondering where you were.” Artemis approached him, cupping his chin with her cool fingers. “You broke your vow.”

Not wholly; it had only been a kiss. But hadn’t he done so much worse with the vow? His length ached in need. Every nerve ending crackled to life as he recalled how she’d felt pressing into him, touching, and tasting him.

“Artemis, I can explain.” He cast his eyes downward. “I... I…”

“You were lonely and gave in to baser instincts.” Artemis curled her lip and shook her head. “You’ve broken your vow just the same, and you must pay for that.” She turned her head toward the hotel, lifting a dark eyebrow. “Or someone must.”

“No!” Acontius stilled himself from leaping at her or dropping to his feet to grovel. “Not that. She doesn’t know. It isn’t her fault I… I screwed up, Artemis.”

She said nothing, instead waiting for him to continue.

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