“Oh.” She didn’t sound as if she cared.

  “I love you,” he croaked out.

  She yawned. “I know. I love you, too.”

  At least she knew, even if she couldn’t feel. Hestia had been right in urging him to use logic. “Do you remember everything you promised me?”

  “Of course. It’s my emotions that disappeared, not my brain.”

  He sighed. “It’s time to find and destroy the monster, love.”

  “All right.” Unhurried, she rose and dressed.

  He’d half expected her to insist he allow her to continue sleeping. Hopeful, he pushed to unsteady feet. After he’d donned his pants, he plucked several berries from a nearby bush and held them out. “Eat.”

  “I’m not hungry.” She studied the length of several blades before sheathing them at her sides. She didn’t look as if she cared to use them or even knew what to do with them.

  “Eat. Please. You need to stay strong.”

  Reluctantly, she took and ate the fruit.

  “You said you remembered what you promised me, but do you remember last night? What happened between us?”

  “Yes,” she said, looking at him. Blinking without concern. “Are you ready? I promised to win this contest, which means I need to fight a monster.”

  He grabbed her shoulders, desperation flooding him. “Delilah.”

  For a moment, one sweet moment, warmth fluttered over her expression, chasing away the cold, but it was quickly gone. And then the beast was roaring in pain and fury, the high-pitched scream enough to bust his eardrums. Layel stiffened, realization settling deep. “The monster has been found. Come.”

  He clutched Delilah’s hand and jerked her into motion, racing through the trees, his heart pounding against his ribs. She stumbled several times, and he began to worry for her ability to do what would be needed. Whatever would be needed. Not knowing what else to do, he picked her up and leapt into the air, flying high…higher…

  An eternity passed, the mountain seemingly never ending. Trees knifed toward him, slapping, but then the beach came into view and he knew he was farther away from the action, not closer, the monster’s newest roar weaker. With a twist of his body, he turned them around and headed back into the trees. Where in Hades were the other warriors?

  Finally, in the center of the mountain, he caught a glimpse of Tagart exiting a cave, sword raised. Broderick jumped out and attacked him with a sword of his own, the two men swinging and thrusting at each other, grunting and slashing.

  Layel didn’t want Delilah fighting in this condition, but he didn’t want to risk defeating the monster himself, either. Damn the gods! What should he do? He set her down. She didn’t protest. Just sat there, watching the fight through indifferent eyes.

  “Stay here,” he whispered.

  “I promised to win,” she said.

  “Worry not, love. I’ll only be a moment and will find a way to ensure your victory.”

  She nodded, the easy compliance so unlike her, his heart sank a little.

  “What’s in there?” Broderick demanded of Tagart.

  “Nothing.” Tagart swung his sword. Missed as the nymph jumped out of the way.

  “Sure?”

  “Wouldn’t matter. This is my kill. I found it first.”

  “Yes, but I’ll be the last thing it sees.”

  Layel dropped to his stomach and inched forward. With the combatants distracted, he could sneak into the cave and injure whatever was inside. If something was even in there. How could this be a riddle?

  He didn’t get very far.

  A huge, monstrous creature with black wings and red eyes lunged out, teeth snapping at Layel, then at the struggling warriors, who leapt apart with shocked gasps. Heart drumming in a wild frenzy, Layel backtracked, shoving Delilah behind him. She wasn’t ready for such a battle. Might not care enough to dodge a death-blow.

  “I don’t think we should fight it,” she said, voice devoid of either fear or eagerness.

  He wanted to look at her, but was afraid to tear his attention from the monster. Afraid that a single moment of inattentiveness would cause the beast to attack him, and thereby Delilah. “Why?”

  “I don’t fear it.” Stated so matter-of-factly.

  “Well, I do. And you would, too, if you still had possession of your emotions, brave Amazon warrior or not.”

  “No, you’re not understanding. The gods said we would find something the likes of which even the bravest of men would run from, something that we fear more than anything else. We are to face it, defeat it. But the thing I feared above all else was being without you. Last night I faced that fear. I defeated it. I gave myself to you, without reservation, hopeful for the future. Don’t you see, Layel? I don’t need to slay this beast. I’ve already won the gods’ challenge.”

  A riddle. Just as Hestia had said. He stilled, his eyes widening. Delilah had done it. Had truly done it. And she’d done it without him. The foolishness he felt at not having figured it out himself was no match for his pride in the woman who had. His woman. Grinning, he turned and hugged her close. Her arms wrapped tentatively around him, and the small gesture warmed his heart.

  “Very good, my child. Very, very good. And so a winner has been declared,” a laughing voice whispered through the trees. “Ah, but do not fear, vampire, nymph and dragon. No one need die this day. The losers shall be spared, as each of you proved useful in some way. And I know what you are thinking, vampire. I told you otherwise before. But how could you have faced your worst fear if there were no consequences for your actions?”

  With the words, the monster disappeared, though its roar continued to echo throughout the mountain. Tagart and Broderick whipped around, confused, searching. “Where did it go?” they panted in unison.

  Each of the five gods appeared in a blazing cascade of lights. As Layel blinked against their brilliance, he saw that only Hestia was smiling.

  The goddess faced Delilah. “Amazon, you have surpassed my expectations. Of all the warriors, you have displayed the most strength, courage, endurance and wit. At any point, you could have given up, yet you persevered, determination your beloved companion.”

  “Not true! My dragon displayed the most strength. You cheated,” Poseidon growled at the goddess.

  “As did you,” she replied smugly. “Do you honestly believe none of us heard your meeting with the dragon last eve? You told him exactly what his greatest fear was, and still he failed to understand. The Amazon is unquestionably the winner of this game. And that means I have won our game, as well.”

  Ares clenched his fists so tightly blood ran from his palms.

  Artemis regarded them coldly, as if the outcome didn’t affect her one way or another.

  Apollo was popping his jaw, the glow around him more diminished than before.

  Then they each nodded in reluctant acknowledgment.

  War cries abounding, an army of nymphs suddenly burst past the trees, and stopped. The roars became gasps and snarls. Layel raced forward, his goal to protect the nymphs, his friends, from the gods. But before he reached them, the gods repositioned themselves, beside him one moment, blocking his path in the next. Layel ground to a halt.

  “Valerian,” he called.

  “Layel,” the nymph king responded. “What’s been going on? How can we—”

  Hestia waved her hand at them and they disappeared as quickly as they’d arrived. “Good riddance.”

  “You,” Apollo said to Broderick, as though there had never been a disruption. “I have a task for you, nymph. As I am no longer welcome inside Atlantis, I feel the need to return to the surface world. And there is something you can do for me there. The least you can do, really, since you did not win me this contest.” The two vanished. At least Broderick had appeared amenable.

  “And, you,” Poseidon added, pointing to Tagart, eyes narrowed. “You cost me sole claim to Atlantis. For that, you will be punished. And then you will exist simply to amuse me.” They, too, disappeared.

  “And then there’s you,” Ares said to Layel. “Victory could have been ours, but you chose to put love first.” Despite his words, there was no anger in his voice. “I would punish you, but you seem to have saddled yourself with a permanent mate. That is punishment enough, I’m thinking.”

  A mate was not punishment, Layel thought. A mate was a reward. But he gave no protest as Ares, too, vanished.

  For several heartbeats, there was silence. Then a female sigh echoed. “Enough distractions. I will now award Delilah’s prize.” Hestia merely blinked at them and they were suddenly standing in front of the Amazon camp, a cliff rising in front of them. The women obviously couldn’t see them, for they were readying for war, unconcerned by the vampire in their midst.

  There was the young girl, the one who had been locked in the dragon cage what seemed an eternity ago. To Layel’s delight, she was leading a scowling Brand by a chain, as though he were nothing more than a pet.

  “Lily,” Delilah said. She reached out stiffly, as though the action were automatic rather than heartfelt.

  “Delilah,” the goddess said, stopping her in her tracks. “As you know, my precious, you have earned a boon. What would you like? Name it, and it’s yours. Remember, your sister Nola is out there, perhaps in pain.”

  Layel’s jaw clenched. Low blow, he thought. Remember your promises, he projected to Delilah. Remember my promises. Please remember. During their night of passion, he had vowed to help her search for Nola, and he would. However long it took. He would not rest until her sister was safe. The boon wasn’t needed for that. Would she remember? Would she care?

  “Or I could give Layel back his mate,” the goddess continued. “That would please him, I think.”

  Layel locked gazes with Delilah, letting all of his love pour from him.

  “May I ask a few questions first?”

  “Of course,” the goddess replied magnanimously.

  “What happened to the nymph army?”

  “The army was returned to Atlantis, healthy and whole. If your fellow competitors Broderick and Tagart are lucky, they will someday follow suit.”

  Delilah nodded, satisfied. “Since you have already agreed to spare Layel’s life, I ask for my emotions,” she said, and Layel sank to his knees in relief. “I want my emotions returned. My love for him.”

  “I planned to return them anyway,” the goddess surprised Layel by saying. “After you chose your prize. Logic aids us so much more than sentiment, after all. Besides, mere emotions don’t seem a large enough reward for your efforts. Is there nothing else you would like?”

  “Loving Layel, being with him, is what I desire most. But as you are giving me that, as well, I ask for Nola’s safe return.”

  Hestia studied her a moment, then nodded. “Very well. All that you have named, you shall have. But not all at the same time. Nola has much to learn first.”

  A moment later, Delilah’s body jerked and she screamed in pain, just as she’d done the night before. All Layel could do was gather her close and hold on to her until the throbbing subsided. Finally she collapsed, panting, sweating.

  “Thank you, thank you,” he said, raining kisses all over her face. “Thank you for remembering. Thank you for loving me.”

  Her violet gaze lifted, piercing him. “Does some part of you wish I’d asked for your mate’s return?”

  “Ah, but you did ask for exactly that. You are my mate. My greatest prize.”

  Slowly she grinned. “A prize,” she said with wonder. “Me. It’s what I’ve always wanted to be, what I secretly dreamed of each night in camp and every time I saw other creatures holding hands and basking in each other.”

  “It’s what you’ve always been, what you will always be.” He kissed her forehead, her nose and then her precious lips. “We will never be parted again, I vow it. We can live in my palace or I will be your eternal slave at the Amazon camp.”

  Her eyes widened. “You would be my slave?”

  “I am your slave, love.”

  Now those widened eyes filled with happy tears, her smile brighter than the sun. “I would love to live in your palace. To have you all to myself, no war or battle-training to distract us. Maybe, though, we can visit my tribe upon occasion.” She looked down, as if it was too much to hope for.

  “Anytime you wish. The girl, Lily, can even stay with us when we return, if your queen will allow it. Perhaps she can help us practice our parenting skills.”

  “Oh, Layel.” She kissed and nipped at his face. “I would like that. And I think Lily would, too.” Her head fell back and she laughed, a sound of true joy. “We’ll have to deal with her new slave, though. Are you sure—”

  “My quest to kill the dragons is over.” He shrugged sheepishly. “But perhaps I will torture Brand a wee bit. Or perhaps he will prove useful as we rescue Zane and Nola. Because if I know my Amazon, you will not be content to wait for Hestia to send the girl to us, just as I am not content to leave my soldier in torment.”

  “You, Layel, are a wonderful man. My dark and passionate king.” She cupped his face, her thumbs tenderly brushing his lips. “So…now that you have me, what are you going to do with me?”

  “That’s easy, love,” he said, holding her tight. “Cherish you, all the days of my life.”

  Gena Showalter

  The Amazon’s Curse

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter One

  Nola stood in the center of the battle tent, watching as her sisters-by-race lined up. Each shifted eagerly from one foot to the other, clutching their weapon of choice. She spotted several axes, a few spears, but mostly swords.

  Mating season had officially begun.

  Soon the females would break into groups, fighting each other for the right to whichever stolen slave they desired. Those slaves, eight in number, were currently chained to the far wall at the end of the spacious enclosure. Three dragon shifters, two centaurs, two male sirens and a vampire. All eight were muscled, beautiful…and all but one was grinning. The vampire.

  Her vampire. Zane.

  The men would be bedded this night and for several weeks to come. Then they would be freed, never to return. That was the way of the Amazons. Capture, breed and abandon. Of course the males were happy about this. All but Zane.

  Zane had dark hair, equally dark eyes and the fiercest temper she’d ever encountered. He didn’t like to be touched and had actually injured many Amazons—not an easy feat—in his quest for freedom. Finally, in an effort to tame him, they had stopped feeding him the blood he needed for strength. Now he was physically weakened, only able to lean against the wall and wait for his mistress to be declared.

  However, nothing could weaken his hatred—or the promised retribution that radiated from him.

  Nola had met him what seemed an eternity but had actually only been four months ago. He’d desired her, had tried to win her affections—and she’d tried to kill him. With the memory, guilt filled her. But in her defense, she hadn’t known him then. Had only been concerned with her own survival. The gods had swept them to a remote island, along with several other creatures, and pitted them against each other, forcing them to fight, to watch helplessly as their friends were executed.

  More than that, she’d spent her entire life hating men and the pain they brought with them. As a young child, she’d been sold by her own mother to male after male; she’d been used, hurt, taunted…ruined. Zane’s desire had frightened her, and she had lashed out.

  And now, she was paying for that.

  No one could see her. No one could hear her. Though she was encircled by the bright, golden light seeping through the tent’s apex, no one knew she was there, that she’d been among them, month after month. The gods had cursed her with invisibility when she’d been eliminated from their impossible contest—and then chained her to this camp as surely as Zane was now chained.

  The gods had seen to Zane’s captivity, as well, gifting the vampire to the Amazons to use as they saw fit. And use him they would—and had. Because mating season had not begun until today, they had forced him to work their land, hauling boulder after boulder for the building of more tents. He’d had to find sticks and sharpen them into weapons. They’d even forced him to feed many of the women by hand. Of course, he’d tried to escape, so they’d resorted to starving him. That starvation caused him to weaken unbearably, rendering him useless. Lately all he’d been able to do was lie in place and curse.

  “Stand before the slave you wish to claim,” Kreja, the Amazon queen, commanded. She stood at the edge of her royal dais, her gaze scanning, expectant. She was a lovely woman, with pale hair and light eyes, both of which gave her the appearance of fragility. But she possessed an iron core, a vicious nature.

  The warrioresses broke apart, as Nola had known they would, and crowded around the males that tempted them.

  Nineteen of the thirty-two females chose Zane.

  She had hoped their aversion to biting and blood would deter them. She should have known better. Strength was prized among the Amazons, and Zane had nearly won his freedom. Twice. They wanted that strength for their offspring, which was the entire point of mating season.

  “Excellent,” Kreja said with a grin.

  Zane snarled.

  That delighted the women around him, edging them to a new level of eagerness.