Eva Pohler - A New Goddess

A new goddess

the underworld saga, book three

Eva Pohler

Copyright 2013 by Eva Pohler.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

Eva Pohler Books

20011 Park Ranch

San Antonio, Texas 78259

www.evapohler.com

Publishers Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the authors imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

Book Layout 2017 BookDesignTemplates.com

Book Cover Design by B Rose Designz

A New Goddess/ Eva Pohler. -- 1st ed.

Paperback ISBN 979-8610699943

For my children.

Contents

Chapter One

From the Ashes

T

he smell of ash permeated the air, and the cry of birds echoed over the valley. Thereses mouth was dry, her lips parched. She opened her sleepy eyes, her lashes momentarily sticking together, and found her face pressed against Thans chest. The pain had finally stopped. She knew exactly where she was.

She wasnt sure how long shed been asleep on the altar beside Than beneath the Grecian skies at the base of Mount Kronos outside of Demeters winter cabin, but her last memory was of the pungent scent of burning flesh, and that had been replaced by the fresh smell of morning dew. Blinking her dry eyes to produce tears, she wondered at the gray papery flakes of ash covering the two of them like dirty snow, which, when she flicked it from her arm, lifted in the air and floated before drifting to the ground. She shuddered, realizing she was brushing away bits of her old self.

Than met her bewildered gaze and gave her a hesitant smile.

You okay? he asked.

Were glowing. Like embers.

Like gods. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. My grandmothers method worked. The transformation was a success. You should see how beautiful you look. He propped himself up on his elbows, gazing lazily at her.

What?

He pulled a mirror from thin air and handed it to her. She gasped at her own reflection. Her eyes were brighter, her hair shinier, gleaming like the sun. Even her skin and teeth were impeccable, in spite of the flakes of ash peppering her face.

She was also much brighter than humans. Humans. It felt weird not to be included in that category anymore. And she was drop-dead gorgeous. Every one of her features was in better harmony with all the others. She looked airbrushed. Then she had this thought: I look like my mother. She blinked her eyes several times. Tears formed but didnt fall. She was a goddess.

Her mouth dropped open. Does this mean?

He smiled and nodded, a soft chuckle playing from his throat.

She jumped to her feet and brushed more of the ash from her arms, her legs. What was she wearing? The short white tunic was the only part of her not covered in the gray flakes. When she touched the silk, her dusty hand tainted it.

I put that on you, just before you woke up, Than explained.

Blood rushed to her cheeks. Other than the locket from Athena, which had survived the flames, the tunic was the only thing on her. Did that mean he saw her naked?

The soft chuckle played from his throat once more. Your modesty is

What? She hadnt meant that defensive edge in her voice.

Sweet.

She relaxed a bit and smiled back at him, handing over the mirror, which immediately vanished. I cant believe this. Am I dreaming? She pushed off the ground and soared above Than, not quite reaching the treetops surrounding them. Disappointment quaked through her as she landed on her feet in front of the altar. Are you a figment?

Youre not dreaming, and Im not a figment. That little test of yours wont work anymore, now that you can really fly.

Now that I canwhat? Are you saying I can fly?

You dont have very high expectations for what it means to be a god.

I can fly? While Im awake? She jumped up into the air, turning somersaults just above Thans head. I can fly! Woohoo! Images from Peter Pan rushed to her, and, though she laughed at herself, she didnt stop twirling in the air.

Than shook his head. Come back down here, you crazy girl.

She continued to turn and glide across the sky, daring to go higher, above the trees. Whoa, she cried when she wobbled and dropped a few feet. Then, confident again, she soared up to the clouds. Wheeee!!! Slowly, she descended, feet first, back to the ground, but before she landed, another idea struck her. She took off running up the mountain and was halfway there in seconds. Look how fast I can run! Spotting a boulder wedged in the mountainside, she stopped, tugged at it, easily loosening it from the surrounding earth, and lifted it above her head. Look how strong I am! Her voice echoed throughout the valley.

So I can finally kiss you without killing you, and youd rather fly and lift heavy rocks?

She giggled and flew to the altar and lay beside him, propping her head on an elbow. Sorry. Im all yours. Then, as Thans face moved near hers, she frowned.

Whats wrong?

Can we take a shower somewhere? Were both covered in ash. She shuddered again. Yuck. Her own dead body. Shed like to get clean of it as soon as possible.

Than snapped his fingers and a black cloud appeared above them. The cloud opened and dropped cool, refreshing rain.

Mmm. Therese lifted her face to it and allowed it to cascade down her cheeks, neck, shoulders. Can I do that, too? Make it rain?

He swept her wet hair out of her eyes. Do you really want an education on what it means to be a god? Right now? With each word, he moved his lips nearer to hers.

No. She looked at his mouth. No, not really.

He reached his lips towards her, but she stopped him once again.

Now what?

You burned, too. I saw you pour the kerosene all over yourself. Why?

He cupped her chin. I didnt want you to go through that alone.

Wow. Thats so

He covered her lips with his as the exhilarating rain softly washed away their ashes and reinvigorated her. She slipped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his. He pushed her hip down onto the altar and lay half on top of her, crushing her, but she didnt mind, wanting to be as close to him as possible, making every part of her touch every part of him. She curled a leg over his and reveled at the sound of a moan escaping from his lips.

Oh, Than. I cant believe it. Were finally together.

He snapped his fingers, and the rain stopped, and the morning sunshine warmed and dried them as they kissed, caressed, and stroked one another on Demeters altar.

Memories of Than anointing her bodyevery inch of itwith ambrosia, his hands stroking her, quickly but lovingly, filled her with desire.

Maybe we should go somewhere more private, Than whispered.

Therese nodded, but asked, nearly breathless, What happened to your mom and grandma?

Than stopped and sat up. Thats a good question.

Therese sat up, too. Are you worried?

They gave me the vial of ambrosia. They could be in trouble.

We need to find out.

Ive just disintegrated and dispatched to Mount Olympus to look for them.