The Vampire's Bride (Atlantis #4)(108)

"I promised to win," she said.

"Worry not, love. I'll only be a moment and will find a way to ensure your victory."

She nodded, the easy compliance so unlike her, his heart sank a little.

"What's in there?" Broderick demanded of Tagart.

"Nothing." Tagart swung his sword. Missed as the nymph jumped out of the way.

"Sure?"

"Wouldn't matter. This is my kill. I found it first."

"Yes, but I'll be the last thing it sees."

Layel dropped to his stomach and inched forward. With the combatants distracted, he could sneak into the cave and injure whatever was inside. If something was even in there. How could this be a riddle?

He didn't get very far.

A huge, monstrous creature with black wings and red eyes lunged out, teeth snapping at Layel, then at the struggling warriors, who leapt apart with shocked gasps. Heart drumming in a wild frenzy, Layel backtracked, shoving Delilah behind him. She wasn't ready for such a battle. Might not care enough to dodge a death-blow.

"I don't think we should fight it," she said, voice devoid of either fear or eagerness.

He wanted to look at her, but was afraid to tear his attention from the monster. Afraid that a single moment of inattentiveness would cause the beast to attack him, and thereby Delilah. "Why?"

"I don't fear it." Stated so matter-of-factly.

"Well, I do. And you would, too, if you still had possession of your emotions, brave Amazon warrior or not."

"No, you're not understanding. The gods said we would find something the likes of which even the bravest of men would run from, something that we fear more than anything else. We are to face it, defeat it. But the thing I feared above all else was being without you. Last night I faced that fear. I defeated it. I gave myself to you, without reservation, hopeful for the future. Don't you see, Layel? I don't need to slay this beast. I've already won the gods' challenge."

A riddle. Just as Hestia had said. He stilled, his eyes widening. Delilah had done it. Had truly done it. And she'd done it without him. The foolishness he felt at not having figured it out himself was no match for his pride in the woman who had. His woman. Grinning, he turned and hugged her close. Her arms wrapped tentatively around him, and the small gesture warmed his heart.

"Very good, my child. Very, very good. And so a winner has been declared," a laughing voice whispered through the trees. "Ah, but do not fear, vampire, nymph and dragon. No one need die this day. The losers shall be spared, as each of you proved useful in some way. And I know what you are thinking, vampire. I told you otherwise before. But how could you have faced your worst fear if there were no consequences for your actions?"

With the words, the monster disappeared, though its roar continued to echo throughout the mountain. Tagart and Broderick whipped around, confused, searching. "Where did it go?" they panted in unison.

Each of the five gods appeared in a blazing cascade of lights. As Layel blinked against their brilliance, he saw that only Hestia was smiling.

The goddess faced Delilah. "Amazon, you have surpassed my expectations. Of all the warriors, you have displayed the most strength, courage, endurance and wit. At any point, you could have given up, yet you persevered, determination your beloved companion."

"Not true! My dragon displayed the most strength. You cheated," Poseidon growled at the goddess.

"As did you," she replied smugly. "Do you honestly believe none of us heard your meeting with the dragon last eve? You told him exactly what his greatest fear was, and still he failed to understand. The Amazon is unquestionably the winner of this game. And that means I have won our game, as well."

Ares clenched his fists so tightly blood ran from his palms.

Artemis regarded them coldly, as if the outcome didn't affect her one way or another.

Apollo was popping his jaw, the glow around him more diminished than before.

Then they each nodded in reluctant acknowledgment.

War cries abounding, an army of nymphs suddenly burst past the trees, and stopped. The roars became gasps and snarls. Layel raced forward, his goal to protect the nymphs, his friends, from the gods. But before he reached them, the gods repositioned themselves, beside him one moment, blocking his path in the next. Layel ground to a halt.

"Valerian," he called.

"Layel," the nymph king responded. "What's been going on? How can we - "

Hestia waved her hand at them and they disappeared as quickly as they'd arrived. "Good riddance."

"You," Apollo said to Broderick, as though there had never been a disruption. "I have a task for you, nymph. As I am no longer welcome inside Atlantis, I feel the need to return to the surface world. And there is something you can do for me there. The least you can do, really, since you did not win me this contest." The two vanished. At least Broderick had appeared amenable.

"And, you," Poseidon added, pointing to Tagart, eyes narrowed. "You cost me sole claim to Atlantis. For that, you will be punished. And then you will exist simply to amuse me." They, too, disappeared.

"And then there's you," Ares said to Layel. "Victory could have been ours, but you chose to put love first." Despite his words, there was no anger in his voice. "I would punish you, but you seem to have saddled yourself with a permanent mate. That is punishment enough, I'm thinking."