Sink More Than Just Your Teeth Into A Sizzling Summer Novel

Book Details:
Title: The Heart of War
Author: Lisa Beth Darling
ISBN:978-0615424682
Pages: 516
Publisher Moon Mistress Publishing USA

“I’ve been busy.” Ares looked at the boulder knowing Alena and the other women were locked safely away from the entrance and could not over hear them. Still, he did not want to take any chances, Alena was a slippery woman.  “Come down to the beach.” Not wanting for a reply Ares vanished from sight and reappeared on the shore at the foot of the cliff. Apollo followed.  “How does it feel to be reduced to Zeus’ Errand Boy?”

“Shut up, Ares.” Apollo snapped. “You know Zeus wants her on Olympus.”

It must really burn Zeus’ ass that he needed his Son’s permission for this.  “How is the Old Man?” Ares asked as he picked up a few stones and began skipping them across the water.

“Pissed.”

That made Ares laugh. “It’s good for him.”  He snorted and then turned toward his brother. “What does he want with her?  She doesn’t know anything about Artemis.”

“Zeus believes otherwise.”  The wind around them changed direction and instead of blowing in from an easterly direction off the water, it blew from the north. Apollo got a good whiff of the thick scent of fresh sex then let out a loud grunt. “Oh! Really Ares!  You REEK of her!” He shrieked with contempt. “Tell me she’s still alive. How did you even get the belt off her?”

“She is and she reeks of me as well.” Ares returned with a sly grin, raised his hand to his face, and took in a deep breath of the scent of her still on his hands. He ran his thick forefinger over his bottom lip and licked it to get the lingering sweet taste of her.  He let out a satisfied “ahhhh’.

“You’re disgusting!    You don’t know what you’ve done. This is too much even for you it’s over the top.  Is there not an ounce of respect and decency left in you?”

Ares thought his brother overly dramatic as usual. “So she’s betrothed to Cernunnos, so what?”

“Betrothed? She’s his WIFE you idiot! You couldn’t keep your hands off her for one more night?  Zeus is going to be livid.”

Although it was clear to Ares that Cernunnos had intended to make Alena his Wife, Alena never said anything about the marriage taking place.  If there had been such a ceremony, after last night, it was clear it had never been consummated, therefore, it was no marriage at all. “I don’t care whose woman she was, she”s mine now.  Mine.  She’s not going to Olympus without me.”  No more did the words get out of his mouth than the darkening clouds on the horizon began moving swiftly toward the island. Even from this distance, Ares saw the streaks of lightning flashing over the water. “The woman belongs to me now. Father!” Ares shouted to the darkening sky.  “You will allow me to accompany her to Olympus or you cannot speak with her.”  He turned his smoldering dark eyes to his brother. “I don’t owe you or them a damn thing. They turned their backs on me and you told lies about me, did you think I forgot?  Now you come to me because you want something from me”¦go to hell.”

Apollo grabbed Ares harshly by the upper arm. “This is ARTEMIS we’re talking about. Artemis! Our sister. I can’t believe you would use her to bully your way back to Olympus.”

Ares upper lip curled as he bared his teeth and let out a deep growl.  With a rough hand, he shoved Apollo away from his body. “Don’t you ever touch me.”

“You’ve rendered her useless!”

“I wouldn’t say she’s useless she has many truly inspiring uses but I know what you mean.”  Apollo’s face turned ashen as he realized the plan backfired and couldn’t explain why.  “You wanted my stupid little gray haired bitch for yourself, just as you wanted Artemis.  You had your hands all over Alena, I saw your prints, you have the nerve to molest my woman””did you tell that to Zeus or did he just watch you do it?” Trying his best to keep hold of his temper and not haul off and flatten Apollo here on the beach, Ares drew a breath and then spoke again in a tone that was just as cold and controlled but a little bit lighter. “Be a good little errand boy and take my reply back to our Father,” Ares said and patted Apollo on the cheek twice with the flat of his hand as though he were a child or an underling. “Don’t come back until you have an answer for me.  Don’t you ever speak about Alena again.”

“Or what?” Apollo challenged.

Ares stepped in close to his brother to whisper, “You won’t live long enough to regret it.”

Apollo stepped back. “I don’t know who’s using who here, Ares. If you’re using her or if that little savage is using you.” Apollo stopped when Ares’ eyes began flashing fire.  “Whatever you’re up to brother, it will do you no good.” He warned.

“Get off my island, Apollo.”

Ares stood on the beach alone gazing out at the water watching the storm move closer and waiting for an answer from On High.  He did not like the last words Apollo had to say.  Alena was a slippery woman and maybe she had used her virginity to barter with the God of War after all, maybe last night was nothing to her other than ensuring her own survival. While that barter may have been the catalyst for last night, that wasn’t all there was to it. Not after she told him she loved him. Then again, he could be wrong.

The wait was not a long one.  Apollo was back within fifteen minutes.  “You may accompany the Fey to Olympus, brother.”  He said with disdain.

“Tell Zeus we’ll be there within the hour.”

“What’s wrong with now?” Apollo huffed.

“Oh, well, as you said”¦.I reek. So does she. I’m sure Father would not appreciate the scent of our love making stinking up his hallowed Council Chamber.”

“By all means, please, bathe.” Apollo ordered before he disappeared again.

Available From–

Also Available in iBooks

Paperbacks from Amazon.com $12.95 until July 31, 2011