Chapter 17

Rafael paced Bellonas apartment, needing to do something while waiting for her to return. Set had already run him through drills in the apartments gym and given him tips and tricks with his hand-to-hand self-defense to wear off some of his worry.

The sun was setting, and Bellona still hadnt returned. Rafael was starting to fret.

What if she is lying in Tirones garden with a bullet in her head? he asked.

Set was lounging on Bellonas couch like a great lion in the sunshine. Then give her an hour to work the bullet out, and shell be home.

That doesnt make me feel any better!

Set said, Shes been in worse scrapes than this, Rafael. Shes just eliminating immediate threats right now. This is what shes born to do. Trust her to do it.

I do trust her. I just dont like the idea of her getting hurt because of me. Rafael sat on one of the armchairs and put his head in his hands. This is such a fucking mess.

Itll work out. Bellona will fix the problem and wont stop until you are safe. Trust me.

What makes you so sure? I barely know her.

Set let out a sigh. Id be the same with Ayla. Hells, thats how we met. She was in the same kind of situation. I couldnt stop until she was safe either. It doesnt matter how long you two have known each other. Shes got it in her head that youre hers, and thats it. Its why I asked how you felt about her because its not something she can switch off.

I dont want her to switch it off. Rafael ran his hands through his hair. But I still dont like the idea of her getting hurt because of me.

It takes a lot to kill a god, Set said with a shrug. His phone started ringing, and he pulled it from his pocket. Rafael sat up straighter, hoping it was Bellona.

Steady on, its Thoth, not Bells. Set answered the phone, and a strangers face popped up. Whats up?

Ive had a look at the pictures you sent through, and I want to have a better look on video call. Is Rafael with you? Thoth asked. Set sat up and gestured for Rafael to sit beside him. A womans head popped in next to Thoth.

Ohhh, you are Bellonas guy, huh? I can see why her panties have been in a bunch for so long, she said.

Set laughed. Rafael, this is Thoth and his consort Kema.

Can you hold up your arms for me? I want to see the gold, Thoth asked and Rafael showed him.

Its all over my chest too, he said and lifted his shirt.

Kema giggled so he quickly dropped it again.

Thoth was frowning. And when did this happen?

The back of Rafaels neck went hot. Ah, when we… When she…

When you were fucking? Kema asked and roared with laughter.

Rafael frowned. Whats so funny about that?

The gold is a sign of her divine blessing, Thoth said, struggling to keep a straight face. She lost control and?—

Blew her divine load on you, Set finished, now laughing as well. I cant wait to tease her about this. She didnt know what it was, which means shes never intentionally given her divine blessing to anyone.

Okay, so what does having her blessing mean? Rafael asked, trying to follow what they were implying.

It means that if another god, man, or beast tries to mess with you, Bellona has the right to smite them in any way she sees fit, Thoth replied.

Well, we already knew that. You should see how adorable she is with him, Thoth. Its got me nervous to even look at the kid funny, Set said and patted Rafael on the back. Its about damn time, I say.

This is so weird, Rafael said, staring at the gold on his arms. He didnt hate it, and he was grinning before he could stop himself. Im not mad about it.

I should think not, Thoth said before he and Kema hung up.

Rafaels grin slipped when the door to the apartment blew open and Bellona strode in. Her eyes were burning with golden fury and her face was flecked with blood. Both Rafael and Set stood up on reflex.

Okay there, Bells? Set asked. Bellona ignored him, her eyes fixed on Rafael. Ooof. Yeah, shes riding her power right now. Im going to get out of your hair. You have this. Set walked around Bellona and said, Ill be next door when you come back.

Bellona didnt move or acknowledge she had heard him. Set gave Rafael a thumbs up behind her back before shutting the door.

Bellona? Are you okay? Rafael asked, moving towards her. Can… Can you hear me?

Rafael, she said, her voice sounding strangely deep and far away.

Yes, dea mia. Are you hurt? He saw a few smears of gold on her clothes that could have been her ichor. Her hands were clean, but her nails had blood under them. The black of her outfit was probably hiding more red than gold.

Bellona let out a low growling sound and launched herself at him. Rafael caught her, and her legs wrapped around him.

Rafael, she said before she kissed him. Her mouth was hot and demanding, making him groan as his concern turned to burning lust. Fuck me.

He pushed her up against the nearest wall, making the pictures and weapons shake on their hooks.

You need to work this out, do you? Rafael said breathlessly. He bit her neck, the sweet, spicy taste of her making him hard in a blink.

More, Bellona gasped, grinding her pussy against him.

Anything for you, goddess. He put her back on her feet, only long enough to strip them both, and then she was back in his arms and against the wall. She was kissing and biting any part of him she could reach. Rafael stroked her clit, groaning when he found her already wet.

He slid into her, making her gasp, and it was the sexiest thing hed ever heard. She tried to wriggle, but he only laughed and grabbed her wrists, pinning them above her head.

Oh, no, youre not in charge of this. If you jump into my arms demanding to be fucked, then youll take what I give you, Rafael said, kissing her already swollen lips.

Fuck, she was beautiful. It didnt matter that she was a goddess and deserved reverence and respect. He wanted to do filthy things to her, and he would do all of them if she let him.

Rafael held her wrists tight with one hand and her hip with the other. He pounded into her like the world was ending. She made him feel desperate at the best of times, but when he was inside of her, he couldnt get deep enough, fuck her hard enough.

Rafael, she groaned helplessly, her back curving and her gorgeous breasts pressing into his chest. You feel so good.

Rafael could see the gold leeching out of her eyes, turning them blue again. Welcome back, baby.

Harder. I need it harder, she begged.

Hang onto me, Rafael commanded, freeing her arms so he could carry her into the guest room. He dropped her on the bed and flipped her over. God, your ass is a masterpiece.

He dragged her back to the edge of the bed, ran his hands over her ass, and slid his dick back into her tight pussy. Bellona gripped the sheets and pushed back against him. Rafael grabbed the thick rope of her braid and wrapped it around his arm.

Oh, fuck, yes, Bellona gasped, head thrown back.

Rafael was losing his mind and any decency he had left. He fucked into her mercilessly, the sight of his dick moving into her making his control shred. Maybe they were both crazy, and he didnt care. He would do whatever she wanted. Give her whatever she wanted. Her inner walls gripped him, and she was crying out his name as she came hot around him.

Fuck, he didnt know what hed done in his life to deserve this, but he would be a greedy fucker and take it all.

You look so fucking perfect like this, goddess, Rafael said, dipping his hand under her to give her mound a squeeze. Bellonas whole luscious body shook, her fingernails shredding the sheets. Look at you, so spent and Im just getting started.

So good, she stammered.

Rafael pulled out of her and flipped her on her back. I want to see your face as you come for me again. Her golden skin was flushed and shining with a layer of sweat, making her glow. Her eyes were heavy with lust, and her lips so flush and wet. Gorgeous. Yeah, thats what I need to see.

He dragged her legs around him, holding her high, and pounded back into her. Her breasts bounced, and he palmed one, teasing her pink nipple, making it flush brighter. He stroked her clit, not slowing his pace as he slammed to her limit over and over. Come for me, bella mia. I need to see you break for me.

Bellona groaned, golden light flickering under her skin, making her scars glow. I break for no one.

Rafael only laughed breathlessly and then proved her very wrong. She was elemental as she came again, her whole body moving with a sensuality that had him following her over the edge.

He kissed her over and over, covering her in words of worship that he couldnt hold back. She was his goddess, and he was feeling more possessive than he ever had in his life. Maybe her divine blessing made him feel this obsessed with her? He didnt care as long as she was beside him.

Bellona pulled him down on top of her, her arms and legs snaking around him and holding him tight. Rafael rested his head on the groove between her neck and shoulder.

Are you okay? he asked softly, a little worried that she was still lost in whatever her battle rage did to her.

Bellona kissed the top of his head and whispered, I am now.