Thief of Olympus (Greek Myth Series Book 3) (2 page)

BOOK: Thief of Olympus (Greek Myth Series Book 3)
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Then in a struggle of heat and passion, she vied to be aggressor as they conceived the warrior child who would please only one of them in the end.

Two

 

 

Nine months later

 

Zarek paced the floor of the solar, waiting for Daedalus to return with word of the baby. He had been sending the man out every day, instructing him to use the wings made by this crafty inventor to fly over the Amazons’ land in the hills of Mt. Caucasus to see if Lysandra had yet to birth the child. Daedalus didn’t like to use the wings, ever since he’d had to invent them to escape King Minos, with his son, Icarus. In the process, Icarus flew too close to the sun and perished in the escape. King Minos never did give up the search to find and punish Daedalus, but Zarek made certain to keep him well protected.

Zarek had found Daedalus in the sea and brought him back to live with him in Thrace. Using Daedalus’s inventions, Zarek was able to hone the skills of his occupation. He had become the best thief in all Greece.

He had lived as a scoundrel his entire life, until he met Daedalus and they became an unbeatable team. He’d used the man’s inventions to gain the attention of Tereus, king of Thrace one day. Then, he’d used his cunning and wits to have the man accept him as his successor, in line for the throne after his young son. When an unforeseen tragedy befell Tereus and his family, Zarek had gained the kingdom as his own. Some said he had stolen the throne, but ’twasn’t true. But he had stolen the hearts of the people of Thrace, convincing them to accept him as their new ruler.

Now, Zarek ruled as king of Thrace but had no wife to bear him an heir. No woman in all of Thrace nor the neighboring villages was what Zarek searched for. He wanted a strong, fearless woman to spawn true warriorship into his offspring’s blood

Zarek’s parents had been robbed and killed by bandits when he was just a child. He was raised by these bandits, and taught to steal for them to survive. Zarek was only ten at the time, and very light-footed as well as light-fingered. He’d done as instructed, fearing for his own life, but when he was old enough and strong enough, he one day escaped.

He had been on his own for the last five and ten years, trying to create a better life for himself. Now he was the king of Thrace. No longer would he have to steal to eat. Riches at his fingertips, he had everything he could ask for. Except an heir. But soon he would. And he would some day teach his child to rule by the fist. His son’s strength and courage would gain the people’s respect. His child would never have to grow up like Zarek had, stealing and begging just to survive. He would make a name for his son, and the boy would be accepted by all.

He settled atop his throne, running a hand through his hair. A glimmer of a gemstone caught his attention from beneath a nearby marble table. He reached over and picked up the ring he’d almost forgotten he’d thrown there in disgust nine months ago. It was
her
ring. The Amazon princess named Lysandra wore this on her naked body the night they’d coupled. Afterward, he found himself slipping it from her finger without her knowledge. It was a habit he couldn’t stop. He’d taken her ring for a memento, intending to give it to his own son one day as naught more than a token of his success.

He pushed the gold and amethyst ring onto his smallest finger, admiring it in the light of the sun coming through the window. The light shone through the opening, reflecting off the stone, casting hues of purple and dark blue against the carved wood of his ornate throne. He rubbed at the gold ring, making it shine. He had taken this to show the Amazon woman she had no control over him. But every time he looked at the ring, he knew it was done in vain.

He’d seen her in his dreams nearly every night now since her coming-of-age. She’d haunted his thoughts and seeped into his brain at the most inopportune times. He closed his eyes and rubbed the stone against his lips, tasting the oils of her skin upon it. Spicy, yet scented with the faint breeze of violets on a warm spring day. Her vibrations ran strong through the stone, melding with his own. Desire surged up his spine as he remembered the ecstasy they’d shared that night. Coupling with her far surpassed any experience he had ever shared with a woman. She had been strong and forceful like the north wind, but when she’d shattered in his arms, he sensed a frailty deep within which called out to him, begging for his existence in her life. An uncertainty that pushed past the warrior façade had shown in her eyes. Mayhap she wasn’t as hardened as she portrayed herself to be while in his presence.

He wanted to see her once again. He needed to taste her upon his tongue. To feel her body joining with his, struggling for control until her strength dissolved under his touch and she surrendered in his arms. Something he knew she would never do willingly. He cursed, trying to pull the ring from his finger, but it wedged and would not move past his knuckle. Her essence encompassed him until he thought he’d go mad from want. He closed his eyes, trying to push the memories from his mind, but all he could see was her face beneath his closed lids.

This was not how it was supposed to be. This wasn’t at all what he had in mind when he had decided to go to the Amazons for a child. Everyone knew the Amazons hated men and only wanted them for mating purposes. Because of this, he had no qualms about using one of them for his own needs as well. He wanted a child - not a wife. Now if he could only remember that, mayhap he’d be able to sleep soundly at night.

Through the open window, Zarek spotted his messenger in the sky. He hurried to the courtyard to greet him. Daedalus landed with the lilt and grace of a young man, even though he was aged at almost five decades. His sandals brushed over the cobbled stones of the walkway and Zarek reached out to stop him. The old man looked tired and drawn, trying to still his heart and bring more air into his lungs. His thin arms lowered the heavy wings made from wood, feathers, and wax. On Zarek’s command, several of his men rushed over to undo the clasps and lift them from the man’s back and shoulders. Zarek used his own body as a crutch, helping Daedalus to walk to a nearby bench as the man’s legs wobbled dangerously beneath him, threatening to give way.

“Report,” commanded Zarek in anticipation. “Did you see her? Did you see the baby? Is it born yet?”

Daedalus lowered himself to the bench, clutching Zarek in the process. Then he bent over with hands on his knees, trying to stop his body from shaking. Zarek knew each journey weighed heavily on the man. If not only because of the physical demands, then because of the mental anguish stirred each time, bringing thoughts to the surface of his demised son. Zarek waited patiently, but his own mental anguish of waiting and wondering for the past nine months consumed him.

“Do speak up, old man. I haven’t the time to wait while you breathe.”

Daedalus lifted his head slowly, the sadness in his eyes striking a place in Zarek’s heart. But to be a warrior and good ruler, he had to push sympathy aside.

“Aye,” finally came the man’s answer. In between deep breaths, he nodded his head. “She has birthed the baby just this day.”

Zarek positioned himself beside him on the bench, his eagerness to know the baby’s gender not allowing him to sit still.

“Is it a boy, Daedalus? Did you see the babe? Tell me, is it a boy?”

“Aye,” he said half-heartedly, “that it is.”

“Thank the gods!” shouted Zarek, jumping up and raising his hands to the sky, turning a full circle in victory. “My prayers have been answered. I have a son.”

Zarek ordered his servants to prepare a feast. It would consist of roasted fowl, braised herbed mutton, and figs fermented in elderberry wine. Naught but the best for the celebration of the birth of his new son. His people cheered and talked amongst themselves, everyone from the stable boys, to the cooks, to the men at the forge. Zarek happily threw coins out to the serfs in the courtyard and even gave his personal stable boy a gold chain from around his neck.

“Make certain the horses all have extra feed tonight,” he told the boy. “And send word to the bailiff to invite every one of the villagers to join in the celebration at my expense. Tell him to take word to the brewer to bring out the vats of my best wines. The future king of Thrace has been born this day!”

“I wouldn’t celebrate so soon, my king,” came Daedalus’s soft warning.

Zarek’s smile faded and his body tensed. Had not the old man told him the full of the story? “What is it that’s bothering you, my good friend? Why the sullen face on such a happy occasion?”

“I overheard the queen telling her warriors to prepare a pyre tonight, as they are to have a sacrifice to their patron goddess, Artemis.”

A pyre. Sacrifice. Suddenly, Zarek’s confidence faltered. He had almost forgotten that the Amazon warriors would not be happy about the birth of a male.

“I am assuming they are not giving an offering of thanks for the baby?” asked Zarek, already feeling doom in his heart.

“Nay, they are not. This is not a happy offering tonight, but rather one of mercy, asking Artemis to have pity on them. When a male is born, they feel they have done something to wrong the goddess and have to ask for her forgiveness. If they are forgiven, then they once again have the chance to be a strong nation, and the warrior who birthed the male is granted the opportunity to try again for a girl.”

“So what are you trying to say, Daedalus? Be on with it already.” A knot twisted in Zarek’s stomach. He feared the words of his old friend before he even heard them.

The man wiped his sweaty brow on his sleeve, his mouth firm and his eyes mere slits. “They are murderers, my lord. They give human sacrifices of the male babies to their goddess.”

“Nay!” spat Zarek. “They will not do this to my son.”

“They can and they will, my lord. Unless you do something to stop them.”

Zarek grabbed the man by the front of his tunic, almost lifting him from the ground.

“You’d best not be jesting with me. I don’t take kindly to those who deceive me.”

“I tell the truth, my king,” he sputtered. “Your son will be dead by the morrow. You will lose your son, just as I have lost mine. Now we will both know the meaning of death to one of our own blood.”

Zarek released the man and clenched his fists, fury and determination coursing through him. The ring on his finger bit into his flesh, an omen of a confrontation destined to happen. He held it up for Daedalus to see.

“Do you see this ring?”

Daedalus nodded.

“I stole this from the Amazon princess the night I left her planted with my seed.”

“I do not understand,” said the man, squinting one eye into the sun. “What does this have to do with your son?”

“I take what I want,” he stated with conviction. “I have always done that, and I will do it again.”

“Are you planning on taking the baby away from the Amazons?” Daedalus asked in disbelief. “No one has ever been able to defeat them.”

“I am not planning on defeating them, Daedalus, just taking what rightfully belongs to me. I will steal my son just the way I stole this ring right from under the princess’s nose.”

“You are addlepated!” gasped Daedalus. “The odds are against you. There are nearly one hundred in their tribe, and one of you. The danger is enormous. You must take an army to protect you, and even so, you are bound to lose. Don’t forget, at any moment they can call Artemis to their side. The Amazons are known to be ruthless. They are excellent warriors. I do not advise you to go up against them.”

“Your words hold truth. An army would alarm them of my arrival and they would kill my son before I had the chance to save him.” Zarek paced back and forth, his hand on his chin in thought. “I would not risk the lives of my men, nor that of my son. The Amazons have never been defeated, and I do not intend to start trying.”

“I agree. You must stay.”

“I will go. I will save my son’s life.”

“I understand your desire to save your son, King Zarek, and I know I would do the same if I were in your sandals. But you mustn’t try to challenge the Amazons alone.”

“I would not be alone,” Zarek reassured him with a smile and a light slap to Daedalus’s back. “You will be with me.”

Daedalus’s eyes opened wide and his jaw dropped. “But . . .”

“Did not you say you’d do the same if you were in my position?”

“I did, but . . .”

“And did I not once save your own life from the wicked King Minos?”

“Aye.” The man bobbed his head in silent surrender. “And since I owe my life to you, I will do anything to repay you.”

“Then listen closely.” Zarek bent to talk into the man’s ear without others hearing. “I have a plan.”

Three

 

 

Lysandra rocked her son in her arms, cradling him to her chest. The gods had not been kind to her in giving her a male child, but still she felt the thrill of being a mother. It had been just hours ago she’d birthed her baby, and already she was expected to portray the title of warrior that she’d been given the night of her coming-of-age. Her physical pain forgotten momentarily, her mental anguish devoured her common sense.

She knew she couldn’t keep the child, but still she refused to lose him. He was a male and would be destroyed. She was expected to hand her baby over to the queen who would sacrifice him this night. The thought sickened her, and the idea of refusing her mother was not comforting either. Even the attacks she’d accompanied the Amazons on at the battle of Troy or Athens, hadn’t been as horrifying as this.

The fire blazed before her, lighting up the dark night sky. She couldn’t help but think of Tartarus, exactly where she would end up if she agreed to this heinous task. If she defied the Amazons, she would be stripped of her title and exiled from the tribe. If she angered Artemis, she’d most likely end up as a Gorgon or turned into some hideous half-animal beast. Either way she was doomed, and her baby’s life was over.

Her mother, the Amazon queen, was being washed, perfumed with oils of violet and roses, and dressed in her ceremonial garments. Mayhap, she thought frantically, she could convince her mother to a
hecatomb
, a sacrifice of one hundred oxen in place of the life of her son. If only she would agree. If only they had oxen! But Lysandra knew better than to dare hope for pity. After all, her mother had told her she, herself, had sacrificed two of Lysandra’s brothers before she had birthed a daughter.

Lysandra fought back the tears that threatened to consume her. Amazons did not cry. Sometimes she wished she had never been born an Amazon, but instead to a poor pauper. Even they had scruples about taking life. The Amazons had none.

Her son looked up at her with wide eyes, silently begging her protection. Still, he was a strong warrior himself and did not cry. She ran a hand over his downy head, apologizing with her action. His face reminded her of his father, King Zarek. His thin wispy curls were of his same deep oaken hue instead of her vibrant red. She couldn’t help but think how happy the king of Thrace would be if only he knew he had a son. That thought brought the Amazon blood rushing through her veins. She didn’t want him happy, she reminded herself. She didn’t want him to know he had succeeded and she had failed. But a deep inner desire tugged at her beliefs, challenging her to be true to herself and admit she wanted Zarek to know of the baby they’d made together.

The drums started up a haunting rhythm, causing her to shiver in the cool night air. The Amazon queen, raised high on a platform of woven branches and vines, was carried into the midst of the circle formed by the warrior women. An array of brightly colored plumage stood straight up from the top of her banded headdress. Her garments were of animal hide, dyed black with berries, the color used for the sacrificial ceremony. Around her neck, hanging from a chain of gold was an amethyst stone that matched the one the thief had stolen from Lysandra. She had told her mother her finger had swelled in the early stages of child bearing, and she’d removed it for safe keeping. If the queen knew Lysandra had been careless enough to have it stolen that night, she would be reprimanded and her mother would send in an army after the man to regain it. Nay, she would never tell her the truth. And even though she despised the man for making a fool of her, she’d been smitten by the thought he may have wanted a token of their night together. Either that, or he wanted the coin he’d gain from pawning it. If the latter were true, she would run her sword through the man herself for his deceitfulness.

The queen motioned with her head for Lysandra to join her. She was to come forward, bringing the baby to the sacrificial fire.

Lysandra held her baby close to her bosom, determined to protect him from his doomed fate. Nervously, she reached with her thumb to finger her ring, but once again found the spot empty. She cursed Zarek silently for taking her icon of confidence when she needed it most. Tonight she would do something never before attempted by any Amazon warrior, princess or otherwise. She would go up against the tribal traditions and beg her mother to spare the life of her male child.

The women lowered the queen to the ground, and she sat before the fire. Lysandra followed suit, holding the baby on her lap. The infant cooed and smiled, never realizing the danger surrounding him. Or was it just a ploy of inherited confidence gained from his arrogant father?

To Hades with King Zarek for impregnating her with a son and putting her in such a situation! He lied when he told her ’twas his plan to have her conceive his son. If he had meant his boasts and wanted a son as much as he’d conveyed, then why wasn’t he here to claim the baby he begot? ’Twas up to her to save this baby’s life. No one else cared if the child should live or die. Knowing what she had to do, she bravely opened her mouth to defy her expected behavior and beg for her son’s life.

Before she had the chance to say a word, a commotion broke from the far side of the circle. The drums stopped immediately, followed by shouts. Lysandra was on her feet instantly, cradling her baby in the crook of her arm. A wild boar darted through the camp, taking the Amazons by surprise. The Amazons scurried after it, their weapons already raised. Then another shout alerted her to a second animal - a wild horse trampling their ceremonial structures and kicking violently at the warriors trying to catch it.

Her mother jumped to her feet, calling out the battle cry. Lysandra realized this could be an attack, the animals nothing but a deterrence. Some of the warriors chased the wild boar, which would make a rich and succulent meal. Others tried to catch the stallion, which would be a good asset when attacking neighboring villages. The rest of the warriors hurried off into the dark to find any intruders who may be lurking nearby.

Lysandra’s mind raced. Escape on a horse would be twice as fast than by foot. She needed to catch that horse, and in doing so, secure her baby’s safety.

In the darkness, Lysandra thought she heard a fluttering from the sky, and something lightly brush against her head. Her arm flew upward to block herself, and she turned around quickly, but saw nothing. Harpies. The thought of the hideous bird-women instantly had her guard raised. Harpy attacks were common in this area lately. Even a stray one had been seen high in the sky occasionally for the past nine months. The Amazons’ arrows could not penetrate a Harpy’s tough hide. And they flew so fast, no one could defeat them by way of a sword. The Amazons were brave, but when Harpies infiltrated the skies, they knew they could do naught but hide until they had gone.

She placed her baby atop a large rock to protect it from trampling hooves. Then she quickly retrieved a warrior’s abandoned bow and arrows. ’Twas a long way to the cave, and twice as dangerous in the dark, as she wouldn’t know if Harpies lie in wait along the path. Her arrows could not harm them, but mayhap her attempts would scare them away. With the commotion in the camp, her warriors were preoccupied and not concerned with her safety. And with the baby, Lysandra was feeling quite vulnerable.

She pulled the bowstring back, searching the dark skies for the sound of the fluttering wings she’d heard. She waited, but saw nothing. Then with the snap of a tree branch from behind her, she twirled around to defend herself. She released the arrow, but it did not go far.

King Zarek appeared in front of her, stopping it in flight with his mighty fist. With one hand only, he broke the arrow in half and dropped it at her feet. His presence surprised her, but at the same time pleased her. And when his eyes met hers, she felt a warmth in the pit of her stomach.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded to know. “Have you come to bed me again?” Her own words excited her, and she couldn’t help but remember the feelings inside her that came to life the night they’d conceived their child.

“I think once is enough, Princess. After all, when I couple with a woman, I don’t like to compete to be the aggressor.”

His words darkened her disposition, reminding her of the worthlessness of men.

“Then why did you come back? No one summoned you. You have no right to be on Amazon lands.”

“I intend to leave as soon as I collect my belongings.”

For a second, Lysandra wondered if he’d meant her, but shook the ridiculous notion from her head. Even if he had come back for her, she couldn’t go with him. This was her home. These were her people. And she had no need of a man in her life. His eyes glanced toward the ground, and Lysandra suddenly felt very foolish. He hadn’t come for her at all. There was only one reason he’d risk his life to come back to Amazon territory. ’Twas the same reason he’d come the first time.

She dropped her bow and arrow and dove to the ground to keep her child from his grasp. His hands brushed against her as he reached out to try to stop her. She scooped up the baby from the rock and rolled, dodging his arms lashing out to grab at her child. She jumped to her feet, hurriedly reaching for the mounted sword on her back, but found it missing.

“Looking for this?” he asked, holding the tip of her own sword to her neck. She knew now he’d been pilfering her sword, not reaching out to stop her a moment ago. The baby cried from under her arm, but King Zarek’s concentration was strong, and it did not waver.

“How did you remove my sword so quickly, and without me aware of it?” she asked with aggravated admiration.

“A thief never tells his secrets.”

She reached for the knife at her side, but it was gone too. His raised eyebrow led her to believe she didn’t need to check for any more weapons. He had disarmed her of them all in the mere time it took for her to pick up her child. Or had he done some of it before he even made his presence known? She knew now ’twas no Harpy who had touched her hair, but rather a thief in the night.

“Give me the baby,” he demanded.

“He is my baby, not yours.”

Zarek pressed the tip of the sword closer, pinching the soft skin at the hollow of her throat. She knew she’d have no trouble unarming him, even with a baby in her grasp, but didn’t try. A part of her didn’t want him to leave her side.

“I believe it takes two people to make a baby,” he told her. “But only one to kill it, which is what you plan on doing.”

“That’s not true!” She looked up quickly, managing to cut her own skin, blood now trickling down her neck.

“I know of the hatred Amazons hold for men. And I also know of your little sacrifices to Artemis. You are not a worthy mother, and I despise you even holding my son.”

So he knew the baby was a boy. He’d been careful not to be caught in the shadows. Or had he another means of learning the truth?

“You know nothing about me, so don’t pretend you do.”

They stared at each other for a moment, and by the look in his eyes, she almost wondered if he wanted to know her better. She found herself wishing he did.

“I know you well enough. Your thoughts are so loud, they announce your actions before you even move. That is how I knew to go for your weapon first instead of the baby. You see, while you were concerned with the baby, you never even knew what I was doing.”

“You are so sure of yourself,” she answered, in challenge. “Why didn’t you think I’d go for my weapons first like most Amazons would?”

“You are like an open scroll, sweetheart. The secret of succeeding is to know what your opponent is going to do before he or she does it. I could see your desires in your eyes, and they were not for your weapons.”

“Really?”

Even though she was at the end of a sword, Lysandra found it hard not to chuckle. This man was so arrogant, ’twould be his undoing yet. He knew naught about her desires at all. Her only desire was to see him dead at her feet.

“So what am I thinking right now?” she asked him, purposely letting her eyes roam over his body, settling below his waist, seeing if his disgusting male pride would play him for a fool. Her action affected him as she knew it would, and she could feel the tip of the sword drop from her throat.

“You want me,” he said in a low, husky voice, sending a sweeping sensation of lustful desire through her body. If she hadn’t wanted him before, she certainly did now. She raised her gaze to see him staring at her mouth. Her body warmed under his perusal, and she could not help but remember that night nine months prior. She regained her composure and bit her lip fighting for her self-control. That was the night he had given her a son instead of a daughter, she reminded herself. The night he had succeeded and she had failed.

“You lose,” she said, and in one swift motion knocked the sword aside, shouting, and bringing her warriors to her. Their weapons were raised as they approached.

“Lysandra!” screamed her mother.

“My princess,” said another.

“Kill him!” her mother ordered the warriors with a wave of her hand.

Lysandra realized her will to best him would now cost him his life. She could not allow that. She didn’t want Zarek dead, even though she had no use for him. Or did she? Suddenly, she saw her answer - the way to save her baby. She would leave here with Zarek. But she could not have it seem as if she were doing it by free will. She had to move fast, anticipating the movements of her own warriors, just as Zarek had told her.

BOOK: Thief of Olympus (Greek Myth Series Book 3)
11.69Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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