EMMA

I wait for him to return, feeling better about his love. My gaze drifts down to my twisted and swollen ankle. It had been stupid, my trying to run from him. I understand now that he killed that man to protect me. He loves me that much, so how could I doubt him?

The door opens and Pow (the nickname makes me smile) walks in. I study her face; it is serene, but something in her eyes warns me that it might be a mask. "Are you okay?" I ask her, worrying that something is happening.

"Yes, of course, I'm sorry to worry you. We are moving faster than we had planned. Won't be long before Jason is aware of who we are and then he will hunt us." Tension tightens her face before she sighs, a small smile curving her lips. "Never mind that now. Let me heal you a little more before Arias moves you someplace more comfortable. I hope to at least help the swelling go down. I'm sorry but I don't think I will be able to heal the bones."

Looking at my foot, I chew my lips before asking, "Will I be able to walk at least?"

"I'm hopeful yes, but I can't guarantee anything." Her regret reaches my ears and I reach out to her, trying to absolve her of any responsibility.

"My own fault for jumping." Her gaze turns questioning. "I was stupid and scared. I tried to run. I was lucky though. Arias found me and saved me again." There is something in her eyes, something I wish I understood, but she glances away.

"Let me start. He will return soon enough."

Her chants fill the room and my mind. They are relaxing, and I find myself swaying with the music of them. Again a dance builds in my mind. I can't stop the silent tears that come at the thought of never being able to flow around a room, letting the music take me away.

Time slows as I drift. I'm not sure how much time has passed when she stops. Looking down, the swelling and a lot of the bruising is gone and the pain is gone. The bones are still twisted though. I pat her hand as she studies at me with sad eyes. "It's alright. Really."

The door opens, and his handsome faces peers in at us. His face tightens in anger when he inspects at my ankle. Inwardly, I cringe, hating that I caused this. Pow's fingers tighten on my hand and I consider her face, sorrow and anger cloud her eyes. I shake my head.

Arias comes the rest of the way in. "You couldn't do more," is an accusation.

"Please, she really tried and the pain and swelling are gone. Now, can you please take me out of this room. I believe you promised me someplace more comfortable." I smile up at him as heat fills his eyes.

"Yes, I did promise you something, didn't I?" He moves around Powaqu, slides his arm under my knee and wraps the other around my shoulders as I wrap my arms around his neck, and he lifts me gently. Standing up, he carries me as if I weigh nothing. I bury my face into his chest, drawing in the musky scent of him mixed with the saltiness of the sea. As he strides through a great open room, another man and woman gawk at us with curiosity. His head dips a tiny bit at them, and then we are moving up a set of stairs. They are carved from the stone, worn smooth from use through the ages. My hand reaches out to slide along the walls; they are worn smooth from countless other fingers sliding along them over the decades.

At the top, I stare out through a wall of glass. The sun is setting over an inlet, and across the way is a beautiful home with lush gardens. The house is far enough away that the details are fuzzy, but even from here, I can tell someone loves and cares for it. Arias follows my gaze and a grin blooms across his face as we enter a massive bedroom.

He sits me on the bed and I scoot back, reclining on my elbow and watching him. Crossing back to the door, he closes it, sliding the lock into place. His eyes never leave me, and I shiver under the intensity of his gaze.

He stalks toward me like a predator; the image of a great panther flits through my mind. He kneels at the end of the bed, and his hands slide up my legs, stopping at my knees. His eyes are still locked with mine, watching for my reaction when he shoves my legs apart. He stares down at me, at my pale flesh of my thighs, my skirt riding up to pool around my waist. He inhales deeply, fingers digging into my thighs. I'm not fighting, but he still holds me still. His body hardens.

"Want me like I want you. Show me how you love me," his roughened voice caresses across my senses. I moan, half with need and half in acquiescence to the need in him. My belly tightens in anticipation as his head slowly descends toward my body. His tongue glides up the inside of my thigh, higher and higher until his teeth bite lightly, causing me tense. His warm breath blows over my core, and I tense, trying to close my legs. He peers up, lips pressed into a thin line, anger shimmering in his eyes. "Hold still." A command and my body responds. My panties are ripped from me, lust driving him. His eyes fixate on my core and the wetness that is coating it. My cheeks flame, but my need overrides every other thought. Finally, he will be mine.

He comes over me, pressing me down, as he unbuckles and shoves down his pants.. His hands slide up my sides until they reach my hands, drawing them over my head. He is dominant and that thrills me. He shifts, gripping both my hands in one of his larger ones. His lips crash into mine, tongue thrusting deep. He is wild as his other hand closes over my breast, pinching the nipple through my thin top, hard enough to dance the edge of pain. I gasp, and he groans in my mouth.

He is pressing against my entrance, hard and hot. He is large and I hesitate for a moment, shifting away from him. He follows, and in one thrust, seats himself fully. Gasping, I try to relax into the pressure. He moves his mouth to my breast, drawing the taut nipple deep. Sucking in rhythm to his thrusts, I lose myself to the sensations. On and on it goes, as I climb higher and higher. A keening crying fills my ears, and I realize it is coming from me.

"Arias, Arias Arias..." All I can do is chant his name. He shifts slightly, and I implode. He screams my name as he fills me with his seed. He releases my hands and I bring them down, curling them around his back. He pushes up and moves off me, pulling up his pants and moving to a door to our right.

"Let me clean you up." I stare after him. He returns with a warm rag and cleans my thighs, and tears fill my eyes. Looking up, he notices them. "My love, what's wrong with you?"

"Did I do something wrong?"

"No, why would you think that?"

"You had to get away from me so fast." Dropping the rag, he moves to my side, his long fingers caressing the swell of my breast.

"I'm sorry, you must give me time. I love you, but I've never done a relationship before. You can't expect me to grasp or do everything right."

I feel horrible. Of course, he is right. I'm being needy. We lay together, and I succumb to sleep. Dreams plague me. Dreams of a life I wish I had, filled with love and friendship.

* * *

Aphrodite watches from her temple, reveling in Emma's heartache. It reminds her of the time spent with Arias a thousand years ago. How many humans had they destroyed together before he had focused on his revenge. She missed him and their fun. But, if the clan realized what she had been doing in helping him, they would kill her. Shaking her head to clear away the memories, she focuses on both sleeping forms.

A pang of jealousy runs through her body as she sees him curl around the girl. Her eyes narrow and she suddenly grins. Closing her eyes, she sifts into the room, staying beyond the dimension - a ghost, one bent on havok. Leaning over Emma, she whispers in the girl's ear before looking at Arias. He is beautiful in his peace. Too bad that won't last. None of this is her fault; he really should stay with her.