Immortal Dreams (58 page)
“They’re at war with King Victor,” Frank said. “They hate him. They might help us based on that fact alone.”
“Gloria lost her brother,” Beth said. “She won’t want to lose you, too, especially over the exact same thing.”
“I agree,” Sarah said. “I’m sure Princess Gloria loved Liz, and I think she will understand why I pretended to be her. It’s her father who is crazy, not her.”
“Then we’ll avoid him like the plague,” said Frank. “Sarah’s right. She’ll never get her life back until we figure out how to get this ring off.”
Adam kicked at stones in the dirt, his brows furrowed. “This sucks.”
“This is something I have to do,” Sarah said. “If you don’t want to go with me, that’s okay, but I hope you understand.”
“Nobody’s backing out on you now, Sarah. We’re a team, remember? Now c’mon. Let’s head toward the castle,” Frank said.
Sarah nodded. Heading into dangerous enemy territory was risky, but it was something she had to do to get answers to the lingering questions in her head—and even more importantly, how to get that ancient wedding ring off her finger. “Let’s go.”
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Please see next page for book 2.
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Eternal Destiny (Book 2) is available now!
Eternal Destiny Link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JCSMD4
Eternal Destiny UK Link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007JCSMD4
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Thank you so much for sharing Sarah’s journey. It was a pleasure having you along. I hope you enjoyed the story just as much as I enjoyed writing it. Connect with me online!
Chrissy’s blog:
http://chrissypeebles.blogspot.com/
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Book Trailer for Eternal Vows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_w-eZwPJbA
Daughter of Aphrodite
Published by C.M. Owens
Text Copyright 2013 by Christie M. Owens.
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, events, or incidents are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to places or incidents is purely coincidental.
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C
hapter 1
First Impressions
"Come on Adisia. The limo will be here any minute," Clara screams to me from the living area.
"This is the shortest dress I've ever worn. To say I'm a little apprehensive would be a profound understatement," I shout back while glaring at the incredibly short dress that is leaving the bad taste of
easy
in my mouth.
"Well get over it. This is my weekend, and this is our last night to get a little crazy. My maid of honor is going to look hot as hell, and maybe she'll entice a New Yorker to free her mature mind for one frigging night. We're not going back to Connecticut until I know for a fact you've had a good time."
I laugh a little as I wobble out of the room in the incredulous high heels I've been forced to wear.
"I can barely walk barefoot. What made you think these walking stilts of death would be a good idea?" I chuckle out.
Her eyes widen when she sees me, and a blushing hue stains my cheeks now.
"Wow! Sweet hot girl in red! You look incredible. If you can't find a man in that, then New York is completely devoid of straight men," Clara gasps - jaw unhinged, eyes still gaping.
I roll my eyes as I stare into the full length mirror which is decking the wall of our extravagant suite.
"This really isn't me," I whimper.
"I know. That's why it's so frigging killer. You're a goddess in that outfit. I don't know if your dark locks have ever looked so good. Your hair pops against the red."
Great
.
"I don't want a man," I grumble while returning to her earlier wish. "I sure as hell don't want a man from New York. Do you realize that sexually transmitted diseases are at an all time high? The men in this city are probably a cesspool for such. I wish you'd quit trying to get me infected."
She laughs wildly at my voiced concern, and I just scowl as we're joined by the other girls.
"Well, Clara, in three days you're going to be Mrs. Henry Whitman the third."
I roll my eyes at the anti-feminist remark Clara's friend - Jenny - makes. I have to keep my mouth shut though.
She's Clara's friend. Play nice, Adisia.
"I know. It's so exciting," Clara squeals.
The lavish surroundings we've spent the past few days in remind me of how wealthy Clara's soon-to-be-husband really is. The suite is embroidered with luxury. The decadent folds of fabric that sway from the full wall of windows leading to the wrap-around balcony probably cost more than my entire apartment combined with all of its contents. Hell, the dining table we have yet to use probably cost more than my car.
"I don't suppose we could stay in and maybe order takeout?" I ask timidly.
The group of girls glare at me with mocking disbelief. Clara joins them in their scowl, and I slump under their disapproving glower.
"You guys head on down to the limo. I need to speak with Adisia for a minute," Clara says.
Oh boy
. I know that look. I'm in trouble. Clara's third grade teacher face has emerged. She's about to speak to me like a nine-year-old from her class.
The other girls quickly abandon me, leaving me alone with
Ms. Richards
. Damn them.
"Okay. I know you're not usually the social type, but this is my last weekend as a free woman. Henry has been too busy to have a bachelor party, so he's living vicariously through me. I'm not going to let him down by sitting in like a group of prudes. I want to enjoy my last night in New York with my very best friend since kindergarten. Please don't act so miserable. Just have fun, for me."
Well, that's not quite the scolding I was expecting. She went with total guilt trip instead. She's very good at chess, and she just moved the right piece to capture my queen.
"You're right. This is your weekend. I'll dance like a fool and enjoy the New York air for one last night," I mumble in defeat.
"Thank you. I wouldn't mind if you got laid while we're here. God knows you need to." She exaggerates an exhausted sigh, her mischievousness surfacing.
"You're so crude. Does Henry know what a romantic you are?"
"Why do you think he fell in love with me?" Clara smugly retorts.
I just giggle with my soon-to-be married friend. Then she places her hands firmly on my shoulders while staring into my eyes.
"Tonight, you're not Aphrodisia Titan, which by the way could second as a stripper's stage name. Tonight, you're not an assistant to a ball-busting bitch for a marketing agency in Connecticut. Tonight, you're Alexius Smith - a gutsy, sexy goddess with zero inhibitions. You're not going to overanalyze every possible consequence of every decision. You're going to live for once in your life. Then when we get home, I'm going to introduce you to Henry's cousin... Irvin."
"Irvin?" I ask while wrinkling my nose at the libido-killing name.
She laughs a little, noting my reaction. "He looks much better than his name leads you to think."
"I would hope so, because the mental image I have is of an old man relying on a cane," I giggle out.
She rolls her eyes, but she can't stifle her grin.
"Let's catch up with the others,
Alexius
," she says menacingly.
I huff a little at the false name she's apparently going to call me for the remainder of our stay.
We climb into the elevator, and she's so giddy she's almost shaking when she pushes the lobby button. When we walk out, a man is holding the door open to a long, exquisite, white limo.
"Good evening, Mrs. Whitman," he says so formally.
She's not Mrs. Whitman just yet
. Clara doesn't correct him though. She actually smiles as she tests the feel of the name and seems to enjoy the sound of it.
"Good evening," she responds with an air of prominence I'm not used to hearing from her.
I sigh a little as I follow her through the open door. My best friend is about to be married to Mr. Mega Bucks, and she'll be busy with the serious collection of business and charity events that tie up most of his time.
The car starts moving, and Clara loops her arm through mine as the other girls discuss how excited they are about the club we're going to. It's an impossible club to get into, but Henry assured her we'd all get in without fail.
Suck up.
Her phone buzzes in her purse, and she pulls it out with a goofy grin spreading.
Obviously
Henry is calling.
"Hey, honey," she squeals. "Yes it's perfect... Thank you... I will... I love you, too... I can't wait."
She hangs up and smiles at the blank screen as though she's waiting on Henry to jump out of it.
"Should I leave the two of you alone?" I murmur teasingly while motioning to the inanimate device in her hand.
She rolls her eyes and puts it back into her purse. "I wish you were a little happier for me."
I huff as she pushes a little more guilt my way.
"I
am
happy for you - very happy. I'm actually a little envious of the two of you. You make it look so easy."
"I wish you'd give love another chance," she says while nudging me with her elbow.
"Well, the flavor I tasted wasn't quite as delicious as yours. As a matter of fact, I'm still trying to rid myself of the lingering, rancid aftertaste which refuses to go away."
My face distorts as though there really is a bad taste in my mouth, which is always my reaction when speaking about my ex.
"It's been almost a year, and not all men are creeps like Jerry," she replies softly, keeping our conversation between us and away from the ears of the other girls.
"Well, Jerry was just the creep who broke the camel's back. Picking the wrong men at all the wrong times seems to be my niche. I don't feel the need to continue letting Mr. Wrong invade my life, and they're
all
Mr. Wrong when it comes to me. Don't worry. We can have a good time without me being in love. I'll smile, drink, and dance - although it will be hideous dancing with these death traps you've strapped to my feet."
She starts laughing, meaning I've done well to divert this topic. After forcing a reassuring smile, I stare out the window at the brightly lit streets of the animated night life that is New York. I swear there are more people out at night than during the day.