Goddess of Love (Goddess Summoning #5)(82)

"I didn't think so. I'll bet Pea did."

"Of course she did. Pea is an excellent cook, and she's very generous. It was her idea to fill this basket with food."

"She's a great girl." He popped a piece of Olympus's finest cheese into his mouth.

"Of course she is." Venus shook her head refocusing her thoughts. "Pea is not what I wanted to talk with you about. Nor did I want to talk about cooking...." She glanced at the food Griffin was busily tearing into. "Or chicken or whatnot."

"Sorry. I got distracted. I'm starved." He wiped his mouth, grinned at her, and gave her a quick, but thorough kiss. She thought he looked boyish and happy and very much in love. "What did you want to tell me?" But before she could reply, he said, "Oh, by the way, my sisters came by and asked if you'd like to come to dinner tomorrow. I know they're a little much, and yes, all four of them will be there, but I can promise you the food will be good." His eyes crinkled at the corners as he continued, "And they did ask me to invite you. I believe their exact words were,

'We like the goddess.'"

Venus felt her throat close with the intensity of her emotions and she had to take a quick drink from one of the water bottles Pea had packed to cover the fact that she couldn't make her voice work. His sisters recognized her. Oh, not consciously. Somewhere in the depths of their feminine souls, they knew who she was and they accepted her. It moved her beyond words. Now if only their brother would accept her, too.

"I would like very much to be with your family tomorrow," she finally managed to say. "Good. I want you to be," Griffin told her.

"Griffin. We must talk."

"You already said that." This time she seemed to have more of his attention, though. At least he was looking at her while he chewed. She drew a long, steadying breath.

"I want you to know who I really am."

"Okay with me. I want to know everything about you."

Stalling, she took another long drink of water.

"Hey, you're not going to tell me anything bizarre like you used to be a man, are you?" he joked.

"Of course I didn't used to be a man, but you might find what I have to tell you bizarre."

"Okay, go ahead." He wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Tell me something bizarre."

"I am Venus, ancient Goddess of Sensual Love, Beauty and the Erotic Arts." She used her full and most formal title, deciding if she was going to tell him, she might as well be thorough. "I visited the modern mortal world several days ago on a shopping spree with Persephone." Venus frowned, remembering. "Actually it's the Goddess of Spring who is really responsible for this whole incident. She took me to Lola's, and it just so happened that at the same time Pea was there. She invoked my aid using some kind of spell that bound me here until I helped her. You know Pea used to really be a mess - she was sweet, but had no idea what to do with her hair. And you should have seen the shoes she used to wear...ugh. Anyway I've been helping her, which is why I've been staying with her. Not that I'm sorry I came here and met you and Pea,"

she added hastily, then took a deep, calming breath, afraid the explanation was getting away from her. "Persephone and that whole thing really isn't what's important. What's important is that you know I am an ancient goddess, one of the Twelve Olympians. I live in my temple on Mount Olympus." Griffin didn't say anything. He was just looking at her with a very odd expression on his handsome face. He had quit eating, though, so she was sure she had all of his attention. "My temple is actually quite nice. I'm sure you would like it. Of course you may come there." She paused, frowning. "Unless the zapping between worlds bothers you, then I'll come here. Either way, like you said this morning, a long-distance relationship is possible. And I do love you, Griffin, and want this to work between us," she finished in a rush.

"Well, at least that explains why you were so moved by my sculpture."

"Exactly!" she said, beginning to feel the stirrings of relief. He didn't seem shocked or upset. Perhaps this would be easier than she thought.

Griffin started to chuckle. He reached forward and kissed her again. "One of the things I like best about you is your sense of humor. So what you're really telling me is that you expect me to treat you like a goddess. Okay. I can do that."

Venus shook her head. "No, that's not it at all. I actually like it that you treat me as if I'm a mortal woman. I don't want you to worship me or fear me or ask boons of me, which is really how a goddess is treated. I want things to go on between us as we have begun them. But you must know the truth about me."

"That you're a goddess."

She nodded. "Venus. Or Aphrodite, if you want to address me by the name the Greeks use. I've always preferred Venus, though."

"And you're being serious. You really believe you're Venus."

She sighed. The look he was giving her clearly said he was afraid she was completely mad.

"Remember when we first met at the masquerade ball? The clothing I was wearing wasn't a costume. It was what I normally wear on Olympus. Well, minus the mask," she added. "I simply zapped the robes from my temple for Pea and me to wear." Venus glanced around them. Good. The park was still deserted. "Like this - " Venus passed her hand in front of her body, and her jeans, sweater and jacket began to shimmer until within moments she was standing before Griffin, dressed in the full, glorious regalia of a true goddess.