Warrior Rising (Goddess Summoning #6)(76)

“Simply pass the word amongst the tents tonight that Achilles has called a special training session for the morning. They are to meet here.” Venus gestured around them at where they stood on the beach, halfway between the Greek and Myrmidon camps. “Shortly after dawn. Imply that he has become restless. The men are already surprised at his choice to withdraw from the fighting. It will take little to convince them he has returned to his old ways.”

Patroklos nodded slowly, considering. “True, and if Love is keeping Achilles busy in his tent, he won’t hear of the early training session he was supposed to have called.” He grinned. “My cousin will be truly angered when he finds out he’s been duped.”

Venus’s smile was blinding in its beauty. “And by that time the war will be over and the Greeks victorious. Achilles will be too busy rejoicing and making plans to return to Phthia to be too angry with you.”

“You, my lady, are brilliant,” Patroklos said with a gentlemanly flourish and bow.

The goddess batted her long-lashed eyes coquettishly. “Of course I am, darling.”

“And the Greeks—will they be told Achilles is going to lead the charge?”

Venus raised a slim brow. “I do believe Odysseus can aid us with spreading word of that.”

“Then it is decided.”

“It is. At dawn I will await you behind your tent.” Venus paused, as another thought came to her. “You’ll need to get Jacqueline out of the way. She’s a modern woman, and she’d never sit idly by while you led the Greeks into battle.”

Patroklos nodded and chuckled softly. “Jacqueline would not sit idly by ever. She has the body of a sweet maiden and the heart of a brave warrior. She is a most unusual woman.”

“Well, she is, but you don’t know many modern mortals. Still it causes a problem for us in the morning. She is truly besotted with you and she won’t…” Venus’s words trailed off as she began to smile.

“Goddess?”

“She is so besotted with you that she wishes very much to please you. Before dawn awaken her.” The goddess smiled suggestively. “Awake her thoroughly, and then tell her that second only to her you desire the young, tender clams that the sea exposes at low tide.”

“Low tide?” he said, obviously not understanding.

Venus sighed. “Low tide will be at dawn. Ask her to dig clams for you while you train with the men. She’ll leave your tent at dawn and be out of the way.”

“Are you sure she’ll do that for me?”

“Fulfill her first. Pledge your love to her. Then she’ll dig clams for you. Modern mortals are logical. You did something nice for her—she’ll want to do something nice for you.”

Patroklos smiled. “It’s really that simple?”

“Well, it will be after a sprinkle or two of my magic. Now go to her brave Patroklos, and on the morrow be prepared for glory!” Venus clapped her hands together and disappeared in a poof of glittering smoke.

Patroklos, grinning broadly, kicked into a swift jog, determined to take Jacqueline into his tent and spend the remainder of the night worshipping love.

It wasn’t difficult to find Athena and Odysseus. It didn’t take the divine magic of being love incarnate to recognize the moans and murmured sighs of the passion they were sharing. Out of consideration, Venus materialized around the curve of the beach inside a grove of slender trees. Quietly she approached the lovers. Athena was lying back on a satin blanket, wearing only a transparent silver robe. Odysseus, completely naked, and, Venus noted with appreciation, much more powerfully endowed than she had imagined, was kissing the arch of the goddess’s foot. Venus hoped Athena had bothered to have the forest nymphs give her a thorough pedicure, and made a mental note to speak with her later about such things.

Venus cleared her throat.

Odysseus grabbed his sword and in one quick motion whirled around, crouching defensively in front of Athena.

Venus raised a brow. “How deliciously protective you are, darling.”

Athena was on her feet in an instant, stepping between Odysseus and Venus. “How dare you interrupt me! You have no right to—”

“Oh, blah.” Venus rolled her eyes. “Save your bluster for the mortals. And I’m not interrupting for long. I just have a quick message for Odysseus.”

Athena’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want with him?”

Venus’s smile was slow and knowing. “Jealousy? How very amusing. Ridiculous, but amusing. But, no, I have no intention of ravishing your lover. Odysseus, darling?” Venus looked around Athena, who continued to glare at her. Odysseus stepped to his goddess’s side, giving Venus a delightful look at his full frontal glory. “Good, there you are. And may I say you are looking quite well.”

“The message!” Athena snapped.

Venus sighed. “Oh all right. It’s just this—Achilles will be leading the Myrmidons into the battle tomorrow morning shortly after dawn.”

Odysseus’s fists clenched and his smile was fierce. “I knew he would relent!” Then he turned to Athena and dropped to one knee. “Tomorrow my goddess, my love, the Greeks will give you victory over the Trojans.”

“Yes, isn’t that interesting?” Athena answered, but her eyes never left Venus. “And why would that be happening?”