Gods and Mummies, Oh My!

Kalliope rolled over and reached out to find the spot that Lugh had occupied was empty. She groaned and buried her head in the pillow because she was all toasty and cozy. Her body protested on coming out of its warm cocoon, but her head told her she had to get up. A list a mile long of wedding preparations waited for her. Another fifteen minutes. Then I’ll get up and face the world. Her eyelids grew heavy once more. In a daze she heard the clanking of dishes near her. The enticing aroma of bacon and coffee drew her into wakefulness, and she opened her eyes. Standing in the doorway was Lugh dressed in nothing more than a red apron and carrying a tray. He set the tray down and sat on the edge of the bed. He ran his hands over her back. Kalliope groaned, hoping he would continue and massage her back. Then he yanked the covers down. Cold air blasted across her skin. She squealed. Lugh laughed. She wanted to slap him one, but her scowl melted once she witnessed his lopsided smile and warm green eyes. The god was a tanned perfection who ran around naked most of the time. Lately her betrothed had tried to act more human. His chest glinted from the bacon grease, and there was a flour smudge on his nose.

“Are you awake yet?” He brushed his fingers over one of her nipples. They hardened instantly against her shirt. He went lower and slid his hand over her stomach. She tried to ignore the smooth sensation of his palm on her flesh. Kalliope shivered and stuck her tongue out at him.

“If you’re not careful. I’ll find ways for you to use that.” He leaned in and kissed her lightly so she could taste the maple sweetness on his mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her mouth against his, hoping to taste more than maple syrup. He continued to kiss her for a few more moments until he pulled away and licked her nose.

Kalliope jerked and wiped her nose. “Eww. All right. I give. I give. Breakfast smells wonderful.” She sat up and Lugh set the tray in her lap. He lifted the fork and began to feed her. Once she bit down she tasted apples. At that moment, she knew the pancakes were made by her Aunt Constance. Even though the woman was a ghost, her aunt had a thing for apples. On the second bite she stopped him.

“Something wrong?”

She shook her head and drank a sip of the coffee. “Nothing, but I know you’re planning something. Constance made the pancakes, so what do you have up your sleeve?”

He grinned and held out his arms. “See, no sleeves so nothing to be up them.”

She ran her fingers over his arms feeling his hard muscles and barely squelching the lust she had for him. “You know what I mean.” She crunched on a piece of bacon and set some aside for Humphrey.

“You know me all too well, my love. There’s someone who wishes to meet you.”

She rolled her eyes. If she had to meet any more distance relatives, dethroned gods, or another pixie she was going to scream. Planning a wedding to a god was difficult. So far everyone had a say and she meant everyone. Zeus had offered up Mount Olympus for the ceremony. Flidais and Nas were arguing over flower arrangements and why orange orchids would be better over white ones. Morgaine had volunteered to design the dresses for all the bridesmaids who included her coven, Morgaine, Flidais, and Nas. The cake was taken care of by David the cheesecake god along with Constance preparing all the food. Music was provided by the Muses. They still needed to pin down the exact menu and the theme of the wedding. Nas had suggested unicorns for gifts to all the wedding guests. Flidais argued that was over the top. Kalliope didn’t care as long as it got done. Dread filled her when she contemplated a dress. Everyone had an idea of what she should wear, but she hadn’t found anything quite right. Now Lugh was requesting she meet someone else. I thought getting married would be easy. Why don’t we just elope?

“Who is it and why?”

The expression he wore was grim. “I’ve been trying to hold her off for as long as I could, but if we don’t get her approval then I don’t know if we can get married.”

She stopped mid-bite. Not get married. I’m so not hearing this right now! She had saved the world from bean curd eating goddesses last year, and now she couldn’t marry the man she loved? “You’re a god. I thought no one told you what to do. And didn’t you tell me that everyone approved of us getting married? Shit, I died and saved All Hail from a godly coup. Doesn’t that count for anything?”

He trailed his fingers up her leg. She watched a line of his energy go up her skin. “I know you did and everyone does, but she was on vacation hanging out with the Mayans. She is the last goddess on the Council that you haven’t met.”