Inside the office, Flynn stood in front of a wooden desk with a stack of papers in his hand. King Frederick stood at a massive marble fireplace across from the door. As Tina entered, both men shifted their attention toward her. The king paused with his mouth open as if he’d been about to speak, but he abruptly stopped.
Tina’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the king. His face brought back memories of the throne room and the ultimatum the kings had given her. Though she enjoyed time with his son, she wasn’t too eager to see King Frederick again.
She froze, her gaze shifting between them. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll leave.”
Flynn shook his head. “Nonsense. We were just finishing.”
The king frowned and shot a quick glare at his son. Flynn, however, didn’t seem to notice and dropped the papers on his father’s desk. He briefly bowed his head to his father and crossed the room in a few quick strides. With one hand on her back, he thanked the servant that had led Tina there and took her out into the hall.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation,” Tina said again.
Flynn chuckled. “It’s fine. You didn’t interrupt anything more than a boring debriefing. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company? You had the night off.”
“I need to get out. Stretch my legs. See the sights.”
“I’d be happy to take you. In fact, I have a surprise.”
She smiled, lighting up with excitement. “What kind of a surprise?”
“A fun one, promise. You’re going to love it. This way.”
Flynn led Tina down a few flights of steps and out a side door from the palace to a waiting car. He held open the black door for her as she slid inside. A driver already sat in the front and nodded politely to her in the rearview. As soon as Flynn scooted in next to her, the car rumbled to life and darted off onto the city streets.
The city bustled with life and energy, every sidewalk filled to the brim with beautiful people and every road filled with luxurious cars. Ferrari. Lamborghini. Bugatti. On first view, everyone in Olympus had to be a multi-millionaire.
To Tina’s disappointment, however, they spent barely any time driving through the city. Their chauffeur quickly sped up a winding hill toward the horseshoe-shaped mountain surrounding the palace.
“Where are we going?” Tina tried to drink in as much of the lush trees and elaborate gardens as mansions whizzed by the window.
Flynn set his massive arm around her shoulders. “You really hate surprises, don’t you?”
She laughed. “I’m just impatient, that’s all.”
He grinned and ran a gentle hand through her hair. “Fine, since you can’t seem to wait, I’ll tell you. I’m taking you to your temple. The one in Olympus, at least.”
Tina’s smile fell. She had just spent a week cooped up in her temple Bali. She didn’t really want to do it here, too.
“And,” he added, studying her face, “Damara’s descendants.”
Now that caught Tina’s attention. “Really?”
Flynn nodded. “I told you once that Olympus has the answers to any question you could ever think of asking about your goddess. I meant it. These young ladies have some of Damara’s powers, though they’re not as strong as you. They’ll answer any question you throw at them. Spend as long as you like here, Tina. We’re in no rush at all.”
She kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Flynn.”
He lifted her chin and tilted her lips toward his, not satisfied with a quick peck on the cheek. He pressed his mouth against hers in a deeper kiss, and she inhaled the relaxing scent that always swirled around him.
He dragged his fingers gently down her spine. The touch sent shivers of pleasure down her back, and the space between her thighs warmed with need. An overwhelming desire to straddle him overtook her, and she debated showing him just how grateful she really was.
Before she got the chance, he ended the kiss and stared deep into her eyes. “You’re welcome.”
The car took a side road, and seconds later a familiar temple appeared through the ferns and wrought iron gate protecting its borders. Though this was smaller than her temple back in Indonesia, it was otherwise identical. An overwhelming sense of nostalgia burned through her.
Even if it wasn’t safe for her right now, the temple was still her home. She would take it back one day.
Flynn stepped out of the car and offered her his hand. He led her down the familiar stone pathway lined with lanterns and crossed over the water as they entered the front doors of the temple.
She had barely walked inside before two women draped in silky white gowns that left little to the imagination appeared around a corner. They squealed with delight and hugged her simultaneously, their thin arms surprisingly strong as they welcomed her.
“It’s you!” one shouted.
“I can’t believe it! In the flesh,” the other said.
Both women had elegant golden curls and bright blue eyes. A dusting of freckles dotted their noses. Though the angles of their cheeks and jaws were slightly different, they could’ve passed for twins.
Flynn gestured toward the young women. “Tina, these lovely ladies are Rose and Lillian. They’re Damara’s descendants.”
“We have so much to tell you,” Rose said with a broad smile.
“Let her breathe, goodness,” Lillian chided, smacking the back of Rose’s hand.
“Shoo, prince, shoo,” Rose said to Flynn, gesturing to the water garden outside the open entryway.
Tina chuckled as Flynn smirked down at the tiny woman trying to usher her out of the temple. He toyed with her by standing still as a stone. For all intents and purposes, she might as well have been shoving a mountain.
“Find me whenever you’re ready,” he said with a gentle nod toward Tina.
She smiled, grateful for his kindness. “I will.”
With that, Rose slid her hand through one of Tina’s arms and Lillian took the other. They let her out the back of the temple and into the intricate gardens beyond, chatting the whole way.
35
Tina
Rose and Lillian were a riot. Mischievous. Horny. Fun. Tina didn’t know what else to call them other than kindred spirits.
She sat in the gardens with her skirts tucked under her as she lifted a very full wine glass to her lips. Several corked bottles lay on the grass in front of them, most of the wines older than Tina herself. She sipped her drink and savored the warmth that radiated through her each time she swallowed.
“Okay, we’ve talked about ourselves for way too long,” Rose said. “Ask us something. Anything.”
Tina mulled over the many questions tumbling around in her head before she finally settled on one. “I was given a book on Damara that said she could choose who she fused with. Is that for real?”
“You bet your tight little butt it’s real.” Lillian snorted. “A goddess and her host need to work well together.” The demigod sipped casually on her wine. “That’s why in the old rituals, the gods and goddesses were always given a selection of possible hosts to fuse with.”
Tina ran her finger absently over the rim of her glass. “Mine wasn’t a proper ritual, though.” She shuddered at the memory of that terrifying altar room, of the three strippers around Amy’s body, of the way her best friend had opened her mouth in a silent scream.
“You’re safe now, Tina.” Rose set a comforting hand on Tina’s shoulder, snapping her out of the memory. “Damara isn’t some weak little goddess who needs people to protect her. She’s powerful, beautiful, and kind.” The demigod nudged Tina’s shoulder playfully. “Just like you. You’re peas in a pod.”
“Thanks.” Tina smiled gratefully, admittedly smitten by the flattery. “That’s a sweet thing to say.”
“It’s the truth.” Lillian nodded and downed the last of her wine. “We were nervous when we heard Damara had been forced to Earth, but with you, she made the best choice. No question.” Lillian winked, happy and carefree. “You’re perfect for each other.”
With a wide grin, Tina sucked in a deep breath and leaned back on her palms. “Thanks, girls.”
“We mean it.”
“I know,” Tina said with a happy smile.