ARIAS

Something is wrong by the look on Powaqu's face. A mixture of concern and something else I can't quite decipher is stamped there. I'm worried. She is striding to me with purpose, and I start her way to keep us away from the others. This should be a private conversation, I can tell. When I reach her side, her hand whips out and grabs my arm. Turning, she pulls me with her farther from the others. I pin her hand with my gaze, then move my eyes back at her face. She raises one eyebrow, daring me to say anything.

When we are about eight feet from Emma's door, she stops suddenly. I almost collide with her. I certainly recognize the emotions when she turns her face to mine now - anger, tinged with a hint of sadness.

"What did you do to her?" Her voice whips at me.

"What do you mean? She broke her ankle jumping out of the window."

"I mean, she told me your power doesn't work on her. She told me after I realized my power didn't work as well on her as on others. She said because of a defect to her ears from a childhood illness." I hide my surprise. "So, how did you convince that woman that YOU are the only person to love her in her entire life?!" Her eyes are shimmering with a golden light in her anger, her skin is rippling.

Grabbing her arms, I shake her, "Get a hold of yourself. Calm the fuck down!" I glance over my shoulder at the others. Luckily they are more concerned with the witches. I drag her a little farther away before responding. "I'll tell you, but you keep this between us. You are less angry than the rest of us at those who created us. So, I will trust you with this. I asked the one who I can trust. No, trust her is not entirely true. I can't trust her, but I understand what drives her and I use the need against her. Aphrodite."

"You had a goddess come and do what exactly?" Her outrage is palpable.

"I understand your anger, but listen to me. I want Emma. I want to keep her." Her disbelief forces her back a step. "So, I asked Aphrodite to help me convince her she loves me until we rid ourselves of the others. Then I will ask her to take the compulsion off Emma and I will woo her myself. I'm certain with time she will grow to love me on her own. There isn't any time now. I will use her to break them."

"It is wrong. She believes no one but you ever loved her. Not even her mother."

"It is only for a short while until I destroy Jason. Then we all get what we want. Please, the others won't understand." I hold my palms out at her. She sighs. For now, I won. "Now, what about her not healing?"

"I was able to ease her pain but not heal her bones. My power is like yours… Carried in my voice. Whatever is different about her ears or hearing is stopping the power from working." Intrigue and regret echoes in her voice. "She's afraid you won't 'love' her if she can't dance." Her displeasure rings in my ears.

"I'll talk to her. I'll make her understand. Remember to keep Aphrodite between us. The others won't understand."

"I don't understand, but I will keep your secret… For now." She turns and stalks across the stone floor towards the others. Her shoulders are stiff with her anger, causing me to pause and wonder if I made a huge mistake telling her. I'll worry about her later. Now I need to reassure Emma. My hand pauses on the handle when I see her hunched in on herself weeping. If only she had been willing to listen to my side, been willing to help me, she could avoid all this pain.

I open the door and move quickly to her side. "Darling, I'm so sorry Pow couldn't help you. The pain is better though, I hope."

"Yes, thank you so much."

"If you didn't try to run from me, you wouldn't be in this mess," I admonished.

"I'm so sorry, I was afraid. Afraid you didn't really love me."

"Surely I proved that now." I make it a statement.

"Yes, yes, of course." She grabs my hands, gripping them tightly.

I lean down, drawing near her lips, locking eyes with her. I'm pleased when she surrenders. She closes the distance between us, hands moving to my chest. Her lips are gentle as she presses them into mine, but I don't like gentle.

Taking over, I lick along the seam of her lips, and she parts them. My hands move up to under her jaw, and while she flinches from the earlier injury, she instantly melts into me. My tongue plunges deep, staking my claim as the fingers from my left hand tighten on her throat. She swallows but doesn't protest. Leaning forward, I push her back against the bed, pushing deeper into her mouth. I move the hand on her face, bracing on my elbow. The kiss turns aggressive, and I bite at those soft, delicate lips.

She gasps and tries to move back, panting. My fingers tighten more, and her eyes widen as I focus my gaze on them. She freezes for a heartbeat. My eyes narrow, and then her hands are in my hair, pulling me back to her. My lips move to her jaw and kiss along the edge before moving to her ear. Pulling the lobe between my teeth, I bite down before moving to her neck.

I run my nose along the length, drawing her scent deep into my lungs. Licking along her collarbone, I revel in her shiver as I nudge her shirt aside, baring the upper slope of her small, firm mound. Her creamy skin beckons, and I press a kiss to it. My hand reaches for the bottom of her shirt, sliding the hem up. I have waited long enough for her to come to me. Now I will make her mine. There is a hint of trepidation in her eyes as I glance up at her.

"You've made me wait too long. I want to savour this, but I'm afraid I can't." Her moan is her answer. As I lean down to feast on her, a knock echoes through the room. "Fuck!" My head turns at the sound, "Go away!"

Hondo's voice calls out, "We are moving them back downstairs, and we need you to do your part."

Sighing, I lean my forehead against her, drawing a deep breath. "I'll be waiting for you right here." Her lips claim mine in a gentle kiss before I sit up and run my fingers through my hair.

"This won't take long. Then I'll come back and take you somewhere more appropriate, my love."