Read Online (Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips by Gerry Bartlett - Free Book Online
Authors: Gerry Bartlett
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a sound and I noticed that she really wanted to say something but kept her mouth closed at a sharp glance from Zeus. He nodded then went on.
“Of course we respect the bonds of matrimony as my wife reminds me. Hebe regrets her lapse and has been adequately punished for that by losing touch with Gloriana for many, many years.” He glanced at Hera and was rewarded with a slight smile. “But that will not keep us from now acknowledging this daughter and seeking to bring her into our world here at Olympus. I am sure you will make her welcome. And I am sure Gloriana’s father will be happy to learn he has a daughter as well.” Zeus paused, for dramatic effect, I was sure.
“Mars, come forward and meet your daughter.”
There were gasps and a stir as the crowd parted and Mars strode forward from the back of the room. No armor for him tonight. He was in the same snowy toga as the rest of the men. It was short to show off his muscular legs and he wore it belted. He wore a shiny silver breastplate, small and emblazoned with a crest that marked him as a military man. He stopped just feet from my mother and touched her hand.
“Hebe, is this true? We had a daughter and you never told me?” He looked very solemn, no, furious. “Where has she been all this time?”
I could almost see the crowd leaning forward, eager to get the gossip as my mother nodded, tears streaking down her cheeks. I couldn’t stand it.
“Mars? Are you really my father?” I blinked as tears filled my eyes too. “Will you acknowledge me?”
He quit glaring at my mother and turned to me. He looked me up and down and the most beautiful smile broke over his sun-browned face. Before I knew what he was going to do, he stepped forward and grabbed me, picking me up in a tremendous hug.
“By the hand of Zeus, I acknowledge this beautiful girl as my own daughter.” He kissed me on each cheek then set me down again. His dark eyes were glittering. “I couldn’t be more proud.” He looked up at Zeus. “This is an honor I didn’t expect, Sire. Thank you for allowing me to claim this perfect child. If I’d known she existed, I would have raised her from a babe, taken full responsibility from the moment of her birth.”
Zeus smiled. “I am sure you would have. You and my daughter need to talk. I hope you will resolve your issues and work together to make Gloriana’s life here a happy one.” He quit smiling. “Now is not the time for such a discussion however. We are here for a celebration. I want to see everyone eating, drinking and,” he glanced at Hera, “enjoying themselves. It is my command.” And with that he stood and walked down to the crowd, nodding to certain courtiers and kissing some of the women on the cheek. He suddenly had a goblet in his hand and totally ignored his wife, still on her throne.
“Mars.” My mother edged closer to me.
“You heard your father, Hebe. Not now. I want to speak to my daughter.” Mars reached out and snagged two goblets off a tray being passed by a handmaiden. “We are celebrating. Come, Gloriana, there are people I want you to meet.” He put an arm around my waist and led me into the crowd.
I looked back and saw my mother approach Hera. My grandmother was surrounded by handmaidens who were bringing her food and drink. Several courtiers had also come closer and were fawning over her. My mother looked lonely and actually a little scared. Then a handsome man approached her and I saw her light up, turning on the charm like she always did.
“Don’t worry about your mother, Gloriana. She can take care of herself.” Mars stopped next to a banquet table. “But she obviously didn’t take care of you. Tell me what happened. But not here. We need to meet. I want details. I know something of your background because of how we met before.” He picked up a perfect apple and tossed it up and down like a baseball. Nerves? I couldn’t believe it.
“I think we have to stay here for a while. I’ve already
“Of course we respect the bonds of matrimony as my wife reminds me. Hebe regrets her lapse and has been adequately punished for that by losing touch with Gloriana for many, many years.” He glanced at Hera and was rewarded with a slight smile. “But that will not keep us from now acknowledging this daughter and seeking to bring her into our world here at Olympus. I am sure you will make her welcome. And I am sure Gloriana’s father will be happy to learn he has a daughter as well.” Zeus paused, for dramatic effect, I was sure.
“Mars, come forward and meet your daughter.”
There were gasps and a stir as the crowd parted and Mars strode forward from the back of the room. No armor for him tonight. He was in the same snowy toga as the rest of the men. It was short to show off his muscular legs and he wore it belted. He wore a shiny silver breastplate, small and emblazoned with a crest that marked him as a military man. He stopped just feet from my mother and touched her hand.
“Hebe, is this true? We had a daughter and you never told me?” He looked very solemn, no, furious. “Where has she been all this time?”
I could almost see the crowd leaning forward, eager to get the gossip as my mother nodded, tears streaking down her cheeks. I couldn’t stand it.
“Mars? Are you really my father?” I blinked as tears filled my eyes too. “Will you acknowledge me?”
He quit glaring at my mother and turned to me. He looked me up and down and the most beautiful smile broke over his sun-browned face. Before I knew what he was going to do, he stepped forward and grabbed me, picking me up in a tremendous hug.
“By the hand of Zeus, I acknowledge this beautiful girl as my own daughter.” He kissed me on each cheek then set me down again. His dark eyes were glittering. “I couldn’t be more proud.” He looked up at Zeus. “This is an honor I didn’t expect, Sire. Thank you for allowing me to claim this perfect child. If I’d known she existed, I would have raised her from a babe, taken full responsibility from the moment of her birth.”
Zeus smiled. “I am sure you would have. You and my daughter need to talk. I hope you will resolve your issues and work together to make Gloriana’s life here a happy one.” He quit smiling. “Now is not the time for such a discussion however. We are here for a celebration. I want to see everyone eating, drinking and,” he glanced at Hera, “enjoying themselves. It is my command.” And with that he stood and walked down to the crowd, nodding to certain courtiers and kissing some of the women on the cheek. He suddenly had a goblet in his hand and totally ignored his wife, still on her throne.
“Mars.” My mother edged closer to me.
“You heard your father, Hebe. Not now. I want to speak to my daughter.” Mars reached out and snagged two goblets off a tray being passed by a handmaiden. “We are celebrating. Come, Gloriana, there are people I want you to meet.” He put an arm around my waist and led me into the crowd.
I looked back and saw my mother approach Hera. My grandmother was surrounded by handmaidens who were bringing her food and drink. Several courtiers had also come closer and were fawning over her. My mother looked lonely and actually a little scared. Then a handsome man approached her and I saw her light up, turning on the charm like she always did.
“Don’t worry about your mother, Gloriana. She can take care of herself.” Mars stopped next to a banquet table. “But she obviously didn’t take care of you. Tell me what happened. But not here. We need to meet. I want details. I know something of your background because of how we met before.” He picked up a perfect apple and tossed it up and down like a baseball. Nerves? I couldn’t believe it.
“I think we have to stay here for a while. I’ve already
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