Ares was troubled. Aphrodite had been extemely out of sorts since her close call at the hands of Hercules and Xena. He concluded that what she needed was a good, long night of the most intense sex she'd ever had. Although that seemed to be his answer to every problem, the God of Love didn't let that little fact get in his way.
The problem came in trying to decide who would give it to her. That woman could be quite stuffy and stuck up at times. She needed a good, strong man to dominate her and break down all those walls she'd built up over the years. Since that left a classic sub like Ares out, he was temporarily at a loss.
He needed to relax if he was to solve this problem, so Ares decided to call up a scrying mirror to observe his favourite mortal. There he was. Ares was obsessed with that leather-clad ass. He'd tried to get into those leathers so many times, but the damned mortal was one of Cupid's followers and dared refuse the God of Love on the grounds that, of all things, he had no place for love in his life. No place for love? Ares had never heard of such a thing.
The man turned around at the call of another servant coming with the kingdom's business, denying Ares any further examination of that fine ass. At least he could now see the mortal's beautiful brown eyes. Ares couldn't help but sigh. The man's loneliness was evident to all but the mortal himself.
Ares was so focused on the mortal that he almost missed the presence of another God watching the man, invisible to all but Ares. He waved away the mirror and materialized next to the being, making certain he was invisible to the mortals.
"Funny seeing you here, Aphrodite. I thought you had some queenly business to attend to?"
The Goddess jumped at the sound of his voice. "Ares! Never sneak up on me like that!"
"Sorry Babe."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm watching to make certain he doesn't turn into another Sovereign. The last thing I need is another megalomaniac trying to marry me."
"Nah, he's nothing like Herc. He's got a much nicer ass for one thing..." Ares expected a nasty comment from Aphrodite, but was shocked when he got none. Rather, the Goddess merely nodded as if in agreement with his statement. Ares wondered, could this be the solution to the problem he'd been pondering? "He's an interesting mortal, isn't he."
"I suppose he could be to some. Though, I guess I do owe him my gratitude for saving me from Hercules."
"Have you thought of a way to repay him yet?"
"Repay him? I'm the Queen of the Gods! It was his duty to come to my aid."
"Did you ever think that, given the proper incentive, we could get hm away from Cupid?"
"What did you have in mind?"
"Just go to him when he's alone. Talk to him. Let him know there are other options out there, ones with many benefits."
"I'll think about it."
Ares hid his grin until Aphrodite popped out of the room. He would have to keep his eye on this
mortal, just in case. He wouldn't miss this for the world.
* * *
Night had finally arrived, and the man retired to his chambers. He looked around with disgust at the luxury which surrounded him. How the Sovereign could cheat his subjects in order to surround himself with such trivialities, he would never figure it out. The only reason he remained was because he was needed. He was the only one that all sides would listen to, and it frustrated him that no one seemed to know how to work with one another. All he could think of at this moment was trying to relax and getting his mind off it all.
He plopped himself down on a nearby sofa and rubbed his tired eyes. When he opened his eyes again, they focused on a familiar face.
"Aphrodite. To what do I owe this honour?"
"I have come to speak with you, Joxer. We all have to deal with the many problems left by the Sovereign, and it is my belief that we can only succeed by working together."
"I mean no disrespect, however I am extremely exhausted. I've been working all day trying to get affairs in order, and I'm afraid I cannot give you the attention this matter deserves."
He felt a strange sensation in the pit of his stomach as she gave him a half-grin. "We don't have to talk business. I merely wished to establish a relationship between you and the Gods of Olympus. We want to be sure you won't become another Sovereign."
He nodded his understanding and motioned towards the other end of the sofa. She accepted his unspoken invitation and gracefully took her seat.
"I have the same worries as you do. I don't want to be here. I'd be content with a plot of land and a mule off in the middle of nowhere. However, the people need a leader who will fight for their interests. Thus far, I'm the only one I trust to do so."
"So everyone is supportive of your position then?"
"Not everyone. I'm worried about another of the Sovereign's mistresses, a woman named Nebula. She is very dangerous and the greatest threat to the good of the land."
"Then we will have to make certain she has no opportunities to usurp power. Some of us are uncertain about you, however. Some Gods do not trust you because you are one of Cupid's followers."
"Cupid is the God of War, and I am a warrior. I worship him as my God, nothing more, nothing less."
"Would it not make more sense to worship a God more closely aligned with your purposes and beliefs? A God who will do their best to support you in all your endeavours?"
"And which God did you have in mind? Zeus? Ares?"
"Me."
Joxer chuckled as he rose from the sofa. "So that is your plan, Goddess. I'm sorry, but my allegiances are not bought so easily. If that is all, then I will wish you a good night." He began walking away towards the bedroom but was stopped when she next spoke to him.
"Joxer! Do not turn your back on one who owes you their freedom."
He spoke without turning around. "You owe me nothing. I only did my duty."
"Whether or not you wish to collect, I still owe you a debt of gratitude."
He finally turned to face her. "Answer me this. Why did Hercules wish to marry you?"
"For power, of course. That is the only reason he would want to wed me."
"Then he is a fool. And you are a fool for believing it." He turned to continue on to the bedroom, leaving a flustered Goddess in his wake. Once she'd gained her senses, she followed him.
She walked in just as he'd removed his leather vest and was stopped in her tracks at the sight of his well-muscled chest. She could feel the breath catch in her throat and mentally chastised herself before she could speak. "What did you mean? How dare you call me a fool!"
He turned his dark eyes on her. "If you cannot see that you are so much more than a source of power, than you are indeed a fool." He watched as the jaw on her upturned face dropped. He could feel his breath quicken as he looked over he blue eyes and her indignant posture. He would have slapped himself for his thoughts had he been alone, but he had to settle for gripping onto the vest in his hands like a lifeline.
"What else is there to me? And who are you to judge?" She suddenly realized her lips were parched, and unconsciously licked them.
At the sight of the beautiful Goddess licking her lips, Joxer felt his resolve slipping. What was happening to him? He was always so strong, so controlled. He dared to take a step towards her, and they were now standing face to face, barely an inch apart. "You are grace and beauty itself. You are proud and noble. You are one of the only Olympians who actually cares about the well-being of the people who worship you." He took a deep breath and suddenly realized this was one battle he'd never had a chance of winning. "And most of all, you're my greatest weakness."
Unable to resist any longer, Joxer reached out a hand to pull the Goddess' hair from its upswept do so that it tumbled around her shoulders. He wrapped his fingers in the golden curls and tugged so that her face was tilted. When she neither struggled nor protested, he claimed her lips with his own.
She could say or do nothing as she felt her body melt against his. No one had ever truly wanted her in this way, nor had she ever wanted anyone as she did this mortal. She wrapped her arms around his lithe torso, reveling in the feel of his skin beneath her fingers. She felt him move and allowed herself to be led wherever he would take her. She stopped when she felt an object behind her legs, and he leaned forward, lowering her onto the bed that was now at her back.
Supporting himself on his arms, his lips left hers and began exploring her neck. Her body felt further inflamed with every inch of skin his lips touched. As his kisses spread down her collarbone, he raised a hand to remove any obstructing material.
As his desire grew, he became more frustrated with the amount of time it was taking to get to every inch of her body. He rose up and, gripping her gown in both hands, ripped it in two, revealing the succulent flesh underneath, and threw the pieces off to the side. He lowered himself to suckle one pert nipple, while tweaking the other with his free hand. He felt himself grow painfully hard underneath his tight leather pants as she moaned and writhed at the sensations he was causing.
She wrapped a hand in his hair, pulling him into her breast even harder. She was completely lost in the sensations that coursed through her. She whimpered as his lips left her breast, only to gasp as they found the other one and lavished the same attention on it. His hand first fondled her still-wet nipple, then wandered further down until it prodded her moist opening. She couldn't help but groan as she felt first one finger, then two enter her. She ran her hands along his back until they finally reached his tight ass, wrenching a groan from him which vibrated against her sensitive nipple.
His lips abandoned the pert little nub to claim hers in a desperate kiss. She moved one of her hands down his chest and rested it against the hardness that struggled to get out of the restrictive leather. In one swift movement, he reached out and took each of her hands in one of his and raised them over her head. He held them in place with his left hand as he reached out with his right to undo the laces of his breeches. With just a little struggling, he was soon relieved of the garment and as naked as she.
He once again took her lips in his. When she felt his hard cock against her skin, she instinctively
opened her legs for him and he settled between them. Still holding her arms above her head, he
broke the kiss and looked deep into her eyes. In one swift motion, he entered her. For several
moments, he did not move. They could see the rising passion in each other's eyes as they grew
accustomed to the feel of the other. Soon, he was moving inside her and she began bucking,
meeting every stroke with one of her own. They had both been so close to the edge that it did
not take them long, and soon they both came, still looking into each other's eyes. His spent body
collapsed onto hers, where he lay for several moments. Once a bit of energy had returned to
him, he moved them further onto the bed and under the covers where they fell asleep in each
other's arms.
* * *
Ares could feel the power of their orgasms hit him. It had been quite the show and he was glad
he hadn't missed it. As they fell asleep, he decided to use up some of this pent-up energy and
headed over to his temple in Thrace for a visit to his High Priest, Draco.
* * *
Joxer and Aphrodite were woken from their dream-filled sleep by the sound of a throat being cleared. They opened their eyes to the sight of an angry winged God of War.
"I am so disappointed in you, Joxer."
"Cupid. What..."
"Don't talk to me. You were one of my best warriors. It was bad enough you decided to *hmph* fight for good, but now I catch you in bed with the Queen of the Gods. Hasn't anyone ever told you that sex and politics are bad bedfellows?"
Aphrodite sat up and met his glare with one of her own. "What right have you to come and interrupt us?"
"He is mine, and don't you forget it. His entire life has been dedicated to me, and I don't let go of my worshipers lightly. However, I do believe he needs to learn a lesson." Cupid snapped his fingers and Joxer was no longer in the bed.
"What have you done with him?"
"He is off in Rome with my old friend Brutus. Maybe I might bring him back, someday, if he learns his lesson. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an Empress to train."
Aphrodite could feel herself want to explode in anger, and instead caused a small volcano to erupt. The anger began to subside as the tears started flowing from her eyes. "What have I done."
"I'm so sorry." Ares had been pulled away from his activities with Draco by the sound of a Godly heart breaking. "This is my fault."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm the one who wanted to get you two together. I underestimated Cupid, and now Joxer is going to pay for it."
"We can't assign blame, Ares. We have to stick together now. Cupid said he's off to train an Empress, which means he has a plan. We have to do our best to prepare for whatever may come, and hope that we can keep the land safe so that, one day, Joxer can come back and rule the land as it should be."
With a wave of her hand, she was dressed and standing next to the bed. With a final glance at
the rumpled sheets, she wiped away a final tear and headed back for Olympus.