Ecstasy Claimed(13)

They’d known the victims were somehow being abducted and sent to Cyril in Tetartos. They had informed the Guardians of the Realms, but the idiots hadn’t been able to find the asshole. He and his siblings hadn’t been able to go to Tetartos because it was a one-way ticket. The Creators had set the confinement spell long ago, when they’d sent the Immortals to live there. Alex’s other rare gift of knowing things had given them the ability to hide from exile and remain on Earth for an unknown reason, which the three of them never questioned. Alex was powerful. That was why their parents had secreted them away from the world.

If he was on Tetartos with all the other Immortals and Demi-Gods, were his brother and sister there too? Shit, Alex had felt they were needed on Earth. It was too dangerous to go against her intuitive powers.

He clenched his jaw tight. Fuck, he still couldn’t remember. Did the Guardians relocate him? When their mother and father were sent away to sleep with the other Gods, Erik, as firstborn male, took his father’s place in caring for his siblings. It was a duty he took seriously. He hadn’t been able to prevent Alex’s rape, but he would do anything in his power to ensure she was safe. She and Vane both. Gods damned, had he gone after his mate on Tetartos and gotten his sister and Vane exiled?

A niggling at the back of his neck alerted him that he wasn’t alone.

He was relieved and concerned when he saw his twin. Vane’s long sun-streaked hair lay against his shoulders, and blue eyes stared back at him, knowing. Alex stood next to him. His family.

Hey, man, good to see you back, his twin said inside Erik’s mind.





Chapter 5



Paradeisos Island, Tetartos Realm



After a whirlwind of notes, packing and finally teleporting, which was never fun, Rain and Alyssa were finally situated on comfortable lounges at an island paradise that would put an end to her virginal state.

“I’m getting more cocktails and paying for these waxing packages. I may not be getting the full training arrangement like you, but hell if I’m not going to blow some coin on this vacation,” Rain announced with a cheeky little grin.

They had only been in Paradeisos for a few short hours, and it truly felt like she’d entered paradise. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her. She had never realized how trapped she’d felt within her existence in Lofodes. Her nerves were no longer twisted. She still felt the pang of rejection in the pit of her stomach, but her new resolve made it less piercing. She refused to let herself wallow.

The first thing they’d done after arriving was drop their bags in the huge two-room suite she’d splurged on. They’d set their stuff in the opulent rooms and then checked out the view of the gorgeous sparkling sea visible from their balcony. The salty breeze had called to them, so they’d slipped into tiny bikinis and headed to the beach.

She lay back on the cushioned lounge and relaxed with the sound of the waves hitting soft sand in front of them. It was a truly magical place, so different from their home. It had the most decadent amenities, and she refused to skimp. This was a turning point in her life. A new Alyssa would emerge from this trip, and she had plenty of coin saved to let loose as well. She was gaining her independence, and she deserved to celebrate. Neither of them had ever gone anywhere but the Emfanisis.

She sipped from the fruity drink Rain had ordered. She enjoyed the cool slide of it down her throat. The warm air was cooled by the salty breeze, lulling her in its caress. The seating areas were separated by trees and shrubbery, giving the illusion that they were the only guests there. Two Nereid males stood in the water, patrolling the swim area for serpents. They were even more beautiful than the sea surrounding them. She and Rain had spent the first twenty minutes completely entranced by their male beauty.

“I’m not kidding. I don’t care if my whole savings gets spent. I plan to do this right. When will we ever leave our businesses again? Neither of us has gone on a real vacation before, and we work our asses off. Not to mention, you deserve some fun for all of your years buried in sketches and fabric, avoiding the idiots of the Hippeus clans. I promise to make you enjoy yourself to the fullest and forget all the crap while you make plans for the new independent Alyssa,” Rain said with feeling as she continued to read through the brochure she’d been absorbing since sitting down.

She grinned at her friend’s exuberance. She was so glad Rain had made this happen. Sitting alone somewhere, stewing, had sounded horrible, but she’d been prepared to do it. Major changes needed to be made, and staying in familiar territory would have been a mistake.

The sun was high, and sparkles dotted the water farther out. The sea here was so different from the ocean near Lofodes. The water was a beautiful turquoise, not a deep cold navy. The temperature warm, but not hot. The cool condensation dripping from her glass felt nice against her heated skin. It was absolutely perfect in their shaded spot. She considered relocating her business to the island and grinned to herself. She would be broke in no time if she attempted that. She’d done well through the years and spent very little, but the island was decadent, and the resort took over the entire thing, and the suite had not come cheap.