Happily Harem After Page 24

  So he made some adjustments.

  When we landed at last, on an island in the middle of nowhere, Dionysus was there waiting for us. He gave the Captain and my guards a good talking to, and then he offered me a chance, if not a way out precisely. He said that I would remain on the island, but he would make it more hospitable toward me. Dionysus would create a little world just for me; an island attached to, but separate from, the world of the humans. There, I would never grow old, never want for anything, and never be touched by the evils I had unwittingly released on the world. Instead, I would be revered as the guardian of the jar and would keep Hope safe forever.

  I accepted immediately. What did I have to lose? Either way, I was stuck on the island, so I might as well make the best of it. Dionysus worked his magic, and the island grew, transformed, and sprouted forth magical beings. Mermaids filled the sea, Indians roamed the plains, and fairies flew through the forest. Oh, yeah, and the ship, along with its Captain and sailors, was stuck on the island with me. Once Dionysus set the wards in place, only gods could come and go from Neverland.

  Yeah, the name was Dionysus's idea too: Neverland. He thought it was a nice play on words. So many “nevers” there; never aging, never wanting, never suffering the evils, and never leaving. I was also never supposed to open the jar and now, I would never allow another person to do so. It was a land of never.

  To help me guard our precious Hope, Dionysus turned the loyalties of Epimetheus's men to me. They would protect me for eternity. The warriors were surprisingly okay with that, but Captain Kadmos and his sailors weren't too happy about being stuck on an island for all eternity.

  Dionysus had intended for me to be safe from the evils I'd unleashed, but he'd forgotten that humans had already been touched by them. The Captain and his crew brought Hatred and War into Neverland with them, but they didn't let it show until long after Dionysus had left.

  And I had to deal with them alone. Okay, not entirely alone.

  Chapter Two

  “Pandora, are you listening?” Straton growled.

  I looked up from the pool in the center of our living room. The wood planks that covered the dirt and roots of the massive tree we lived within were cut away in a circle, to reveal the enchanted well of clear water beneath. Tinker Bell, the first fairy who had befriended us on Neverland, had led us to this place and showed me the well of magic within it. The water was sweet and clean, perfect for many uses, but mainly, I enjoyed staring into it. Because the pool showed me Earth.

  Technically, I was on Earth, but Neverland was completely cut off, and the pool was like a window to the world of the humans. I could watch them grow, suffer, love, and survive the horrible things I'd set free from the jar. Not only that, I could look forward in time, and see where they were headed. I especially loved learning their words. I suppose it was because of the curiosity and wisdom I'd been blessed with, but I've always enjoyed learning new things and especially new ways of communicating. Words are wonderful.

  “I don't want to train today,” I whined.

  “Pan,” Drakon called from the kitchen, “you know how much Straton wants you to be able to defend yourself.”

  “I know, and stop calling me Pan,” I growled. “You make me sound like a cooking vessel.”

  “You are perfectly aware that 'Pan' means 'everything,' Ms. I-Love-Words,” Straton crouched before me, his muscles bulging out even bigger than they were normally. “Stop vexing Drakon.”

  All of my guards were muscular like really muscular. They were Greek warriors; it kind of came with the territory. But Straton had been the commander of his little group, and he was the buffest of the bunch. He also had a pair of the bluest eyes I'd ever seen, and a jaw you could slice tomatoes with. I swallowed past the dryness in my throat and looked back into the pool.

  “I wasn't trying to vex Drakon,” I said as I fluffed a pillow beneath me. “I was hoping to vex you.”

  Drakon's laughter drifted out to us; rich and as sweet as one of his desserts. Dear gods, he was a master in the kitchen, and it made me wonder what other hungers he could fulfill. Drakon was just as handsome as Straton, but his hair was a shade lighter, and his eyes were green–a deep, emerald green. He had a face that women had wept for as we sailed away. I'm serious; there were wailing women at the dock, screaming Drakon's name when we left Greece. I didn't blame them either.

  “That's wonderful.” Straton rolled his gorgeous eyes. “Just lie there and vex me then, and when one of Kadmos's men come upon you in the forest, you won't know what to do.”

  “I shall scream for you.”

  “Pandora!” Straton snapped. “You know how much they hate you. If they get their hands on you–”

  “What?” I sat up. “They can't kill me. They may have carried in Hatred and War, but they didn't bring Death.”

  “There are a lot of things worse than death,” Praxis said as he came down the wooden stairs. “And those men will try them all on you, Pan.”

  “Not you too?” I huffed.

  “I'm sorry if we want you safe,” Praxis growled.

  “No, I meant; not you too about the 'Pan' thing.” I got up and went to see what Drakon was cooking.

  Not that I wanted to leave the combined heat of Praxis and Straton. Praxis had hair as light as Straton's was dark and pale blue eyes that were usually alight with mischief. It made him a perfect foil for the stern Straton, and I had spent many nights at sea admiring the two of them conversing together.

  “They're right, Pandora,” Erastos called from his bedroom above us. “Go and train.”

  The tree had several floors inside its massive trunk, and each of my five guardians had his own. My room was on the top floor, and it was also where I kept the jar. This was in case an enemy made it into the tree. They'd have to get past all of the warriors before they reached me. It also meant that I had to pass each of them on my way to bed at night. Talk about sweet torture.

  I know I must sound like a pervert, but you need to understand; I was made to tempt men, and I was also made to love them. I had a heart in me that wanted to love so badly that it hurt, and other parts of me ached for more erotic reasons. I had been married for only three months when I opened the jar; just barely an introduction to sex, and it had been with that fool Epimetheus. Now, I was stranded on a magical island with five, gorgeous, muscle-bound sexpots, and it was messing with my well-being.

  Erastos was the most sensual of the warriors, and the one whom I had the biggest shot at seducing. Because he'd probably seduce me first. He'd already made some comments that had me blushing and hopeful. So, I should have concentrated my attention on him and given up on the rest of them. But as much as Erastos's dark curls and even darker, bedroom eyes appealed to me, I couldn't help being attracted to all of them. They were lost to the rest of the world anyway; maybe I could convince them to make due with what they had: mainly, me. I had been shaped to resemble a goddess, after all. That should make them happy.

  But warriors could be weird about things like not sleeping with the woman they were guarding.

  “I'm not training today,” I shouted back at Erastos before I leaned into Drakon's side, pressing my breast into his arm as I pretended to simply be inspecting his food. “What delicacy are you making for us today?”

  “Lemon and basil chicken,” Drakon's voice sounded strained, and his arm tensed.

  Yes! Result!

  “Mmm,” I purred and licked my lips, “it smells delicious.”

  “So do you,” he muttered under his breath.

  “What was that, Drakon?” Akylas, the last of my guards, came striding into the kitchen.

  “Nothing,” Drakon glanced at me with lust-filled eyes.

  My heart started to race as I leaned closer.

  “That looks fantastic!” Akylas slid his arm between us and stole a piece of chicken.

  When he drew his arm back, he did so smoothly, rubbing it into me. I looked up at him in pleased surprise and found his turquoise gaze as hot as
Drakon's. Akylas winked at me and slipped the food into his mouth. I watched his full lips move, and then his tongue swished out and licked a bit of sauce from them. I nearly fainted.

  “Can I speak to you two?” Straton was suddenly in the kitchen doorway, giving the three of us a hard stare.

  Akylas flicked his dirty-blond hair back, over his shoulder, and smirked as he sucked his fingers clean. Then his hand snuck down to squeeze my ass before he left.

  “Sure thing, Commander,” Akylas said. “Come on Drak; Pan can watch supper for a few minutes.”

  “Stir it slowly,” Drakon said as he handed me the spoon.

  I took the spoon from him, my fingers sliding over his, and he inhaled sharply. I looked down and saw his cock straining at his breeches.

  “Go on then, I've got it,” I said as I slipped in front of him, acting as if I was getting into position to stir the food while I rubbed against his erection.

  “Dear fucking gods,” Drakon groaned, his hand going to my hip briefly, and pulling me back against him.

  “Drakon!”

  Fucking Straton, always ruining my fun.

  Drakon left, and I started stirring the food, contemplating why I, a woman formed by the hands of gods, always seemed to have the worst luck with men. I took the pan off the fire, and eavesdropped on Straton telling Drakon and Akylas that they couldn't get involved with their ward; I was blessed by Dionysus himself, and he had given me to them to protect, not fuck. I heaved a huff and headed toward the back of the kitchen, where a trap door led to a tunnel which led above ground.

  I'd had enough of this bullshit. Maybe I could meet a nice Indian boy.

  Chapter Three

  “You do need to learn to fight,” Tinker Bell said as she fluttered along beside me. “But there's something even better that I could teach you.”

  “Yeah, what's that?” I turned to face the pixie.

  Tink was a little fairy, but she had a huge heart. She took us around the forests of Neverland and introduced us to the Indians. She showed us where we could find food and shelter, and had a whole flock of friends that watched the forest for us, warning us whenever the Captain and his crew came around.

  “I can teach you to fly,” Tinker Bell whispered.

  “To fly?” I asked in excitement. “Really?”

  “Yes, it's easy.” She tossed her platinum blond curls over her shoulder. “All you need is a little pixie dust and some positive thoughts.”

  “Positive thoughts?” I frowned at her. “Like I can control my thoughts.”

  “You absolutely can.” She did little somersaults before me, blinking her massive green eyes. “I will teach you.”

  “Not right now, Tink,” I said as we approached the Indian village. “I'm looking for a man.”

  “A man?” She canted her head. “But you have five of them back at the tree.”

  “And Straton won't let any of them be with me,” I huffed. “I just want a little love, Tink. Is that too much to ask? I'm lonely.”

  “They all think very highly of you, Pan,” she said sweetly. “I'm sure they'll even love you in time. Why are you lonely?”

  “I want more.” I sighed and sat on a mossy boulder. “I want affection... intimacy.”

  “You want to have sex!” Tinker Bell declared in epiphany.

  “Yes.” I rolled my eyes. “But that's not all; it's just the most urgent of my urges.”

  “You want sexy love.” She nodded sagely. “Love that makes men write poetry and music. Love that makes people dumb.”

  “Yes, exactly!” I declared. “Now you understand! I want dumb love.”

  “Oh, then tell them that,” she suggested. “You are the most beautiful woman on this island, and they live in the same tree as you. You can have them all if you want.”

  “That was my thinking precisely,” I said. “But Straton is stubborn.”

  “Positive thoughts will help,” Tinker Bell said. “Trust me; the only way to circumvent stubbornness is to show it how to be happy. Focus on your true emotions, the love and loyalty you can show them, and then the rest will follow.”

  “Focus on love and loyalty?” I scoffed. “All Straton wants me to do is train.”

  “Well, we'll train first,” she gave me a secret smile. “Then you'll be prepared to train with him.”

  “All right, Tink,” I gave in. “I'll try this positive thinking out, but if it doesn't work, I'm going native.” I waved my hand toward the tribe, and she giggled.

  “You've got a deal,” Tinker Bell flew off.

  “Hey, where are you going?”

  “Come on; we need to find the perfect spot.”

  “I need a perfect spot to think positively?” I huffed as I hurried after her.

  It turned out that I did. Tinker Bell led me to the top of Dionysus's Drop: the tallest cliff in Neverland. She told me to sit at the edge and breathe deeply, letting all my frustration drain out of me into the rock. When I felt as if my body was lighter and nearly numb with relaxation, she had me look out across this magical paradise that had been built just for me. She had me acknowledge all of the good things I'd been given and then had me focus on them–be grateful for them. It was a momentous shift for me.

  I don't mind admitting that I was a bit self-centered and selfish before Tink's little meditation session. I knew how and why I'd been fashioned, so a lot of what I felt had been instilled into me by the gods themselves. But I'd also been created with kindness and generosity, so even though I could get a little blasé about my beauty, I did so matter-of-factly, not out of pride. It didn't seem like a big deal to me since the men I lived with were each as beautiful as I, in their own ways, and also, my beauty had only gotten me in trouble thus far. Through meditation, I realized that I'd learned to associate beauty with trauma, and even though I wanted my warriors, I couldn't allow myself to love them. They were just too handsome, and I couldn't trust that.

  Silly, right?

  Tinker Bell showed me that beauty was not good or bad, it simply was something nice to look at. Sometimes the person who wore a pretty face wasn't pretty inside, and sometimes they were. I needed to release the bondage my beliefs had placed upon me because my life hadn't been entirely unlucky or tragic. I could have been abandoned on this island as Epimetheus had intended.

  Zeus had screwed me over, but Dionysus had done the best he could for me. If I focused on the wonderful things I'd been given in exchange for the heartache I'd endured, I could see that I had come out ahead. I would never age or sicken, and I would never be touched by most of the evil I had released on the world. I had a sanctuary and warriors to protect me. That was lucky. I was blessed, and I needed to remember that. A glistening happiness filled me.

  Then Tinker Bell sprinkled me with pixie dust.

  “All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust,” she sang out.

  I felt even lighter, and something rushed through my body like a landslide–powerful and rumbling. I opened my eyes and found myself floating out over the edge of the cliff. I gasped and flailed and then plummeted down toward the rocks below. I started to scream.

  “Happy thoughts, Pan!” Tink shouted. “You can't fly when you're sad or scared. Think of something that makes you happy! Close your eyes and do it now!”

  I focused back on my warriors, seeing them as more than possible lovers, mere romantic distractions, and as the men they were. I had grown to know each of them intimately, but I had denied that sort of intimacy. I had been afraid. I didn't want to be hurt by a man again. But now I saw them for who they were. I focused on the traits that made them special. Drakon's skill, Praxis's humor, Erastos's sensuality, Akylas's kindness, and even Straton's steadfastness. They were another blessing, and I hadn't appreciated them. Not truly.

  My rapid descent whipped my long hair up, and my stomach went with it, lodging in my throat as fear filled me. I pushed it away determinedly and focused back on the men. My gorgeous, loyal warriors. I was lucky to have them with me. I felt my spe
ed slow, and then I stopped entirely. I opened my eyes and found myself mere feet above the ground.

  “That's it!” Tink exclaimed gleefully. “You can fly!”

  Chapter Four

  Neverland was beautiful from above. A sparkling gem set upon a sea of blue velvet. I hovered hundreds of feet above it with Tinker Bell at my side and felt absurdly happy.

  “This is amazing,” I said to her.

  “I told you.” Tink nodded. “Positive thoughts and a little pixie dust can solve nearly any problem.”

  “You're a very wise pixie,” I said softly. “And I'm thankful for you too. You've done a lot for the men and me.”

  “Well, you needed someone to guide you.” She shrugged. “I was made to be helpful.”

  “I can understand that,” I whispered as I looked back at Neverland. Then I grinned. “Want to dive bomb some mermaids?”

  “What is 'dive bomb?'” She made a face at me.

  “It's a term I picked up from the humans in the future,” I said. “It means to shoot downward through the air and fly by someone or something very fast so that you startle them.”

  “That sounds fun!” She exclaimed. “Wait; humans of the future can fly?”

  “They have metal conveyances that carry them through the air,” I explained.

  Tink's eyes went wide and glassy, a look the men often wore when I tried to talk to them about what I'd seen in the pool.

  “Never mind,” I said. “Just follow me.”

  I swooped down, pulling up short just above the treetops, and felt the smile spread across my face. This was the freedom I'd been needing. From the moment of my birth, I'd felt imprisoned, as if nothing was in my control. This was mine. I could fly as high as I wanted to or as low. I could twirl and swoop, and see things that no one but the fairies and the birds could see. The sky was a new world to explore.