The 12 Hunks of Herculeia: A Monstrously Mythic Romance Part 1 by C. Rochelle

Author:C. Rochelle [Rochelle, C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

23

LEIA

Dinner was not at all what I expected. Based on the grand Gothic architecture, I assumed we’d be eating in a lifeless medieval hall, at a banquet table so long we’d have to get up and walk to pass the salt.

Instead, we’d taken over a gaudy parlor room that Liberace would have considered extra. Renaissance paintings in ornate gold frames packed the walls and moonlight poured through arched stained glass windows. A cozy fire burned in a gigantic flagstone fireplace, warming us as we lounged on couches of brocade and velvet.

Food was already laid out when we arrived. The grazer in me was thrilled to find it was mostly one big mezze platter, with a side of raw meat for the guys. My bowl-cup was filled with the ubiquitous water and wine, and I finally understood the reason for its strange design, as I didn’t spill a drop while lazily reclining.

No wonder Greece was famous for its great thinkers.

Our host was noticeably on-edge while he caught up with the other men, his one good eye on me as if I were about to steal the silver. Maybe Julius’ panties were in a bunch—assuming that’s what he wore under his toga—but if I had to guess, it was that my very existence was offensive to him.

His bowl-cup must be full of haterade.

“I have to admit, Ambrose,” Julius drawled, shrewdly observing the other man. “It’s surprising to see you here after my last several letters went unanswered. Don’t tell me you’re only taking an interest in our mission again because of a woman.”

“Yes, Julius, it is because of Leia,” Ambrose sighed, already sounding exhausted by the conversation. “It seemed prudent to involve you, as she is the first human to appear on our shores since we were banished here. She somehow made it through the fog, with an obol under her tongue—a coin placed there by Eurystheus himself… ”

Julius leaped to his feet, dramatically tossing his cup against the fireplace with a loud clatter. “You thought it prudent to bring an associate of Eurystheus to my house?! Must I remind you that man is the same burden on the earth who took everything from us—including my fucking eye!”

Triggered!

As if he could smell my judgment, Julius turned his piercing glare my way. “What’s the plan, harlot? Did Eurystheus send you here to seduce us in these weaker forms? To finally finish us?”

I shrank against Timyn, who protectively pulled me into his lap. Krysos growled low in the corner, wisps of smoke curling from his nostrils like a dragon, reminding me he apparently breathed fire.

Ambrose stood with feline grace, the lion rippling over his skin the only sign of his barely contained anger. “You will not talk to my mate that way. She is as much a victim of Eurystheus as we all are.”

“That remains to be seen,” Julius snorted, clearly unconvinced, although he chilled out enough to no longer seem murderous. “Until then, to the crows with both of you!”

I frowned, having no clue what that archaic insult meant, but assuming it wasn’t nice.

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