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Unravel the threads of fate.
It is written in blood.
One of Her kind will betray Her.
In a world where mortals are at the whims of the capriciousgods, a prophecy foretells treachery committed by one of their own, leading tothe inevitable downfall of the once-mighty Titans. The Great Goddess Rhea,seeking retribution, dispatches Her vengeance goddess, Becuille, to the land ofHatti. She is charged with the daunting task of uncovering the origins of starmetal, a substance fatal to the old gods, and finding the enigmatic Destroyer.
Disguised as a human slave in the royal palace, Becuillefinds herself entwined with her master, Prince Callileon, plunging both into atreacherous world of power-hungry gods, formidable magic, and widespreadbetrayal. As tension mounts and loyalties are tested, Becuille faces animpossible choice between duty to her goddess and the stirrings of forbiddenlove for Callileon.
Warning: Of Gods and Vengeance is a Greek tragedyfeaturing star-crossed lovers set in an era where slavery and human and animalsacrifice were commonplace.
Excerpt:
Dazed by the relentless, blindingsun, she stumbled and fell. Laughter erupted from the crowd. Becuille pulledherself up and brushed dirt from her knees as best she could with shackledwrists.
The slave trader cast her a lewdgrin, raking his kohl-lined gaze over her body. He stroked her bare thigh. “Sheis a bit clumsy, but this maiden is skilled in the arts of love and augury. Her skin is on the fair side,but she is worth the high priceI ask for her. She comes from the mysterious island in the Aegeancalled Crete. Just look at how flawlessher skin is, and her ripebreasts are like succulent apples.”
People had exclaimed awe when he’d mentionedshe was from Crete. He tuggedher tunic down, revealing one of her breasts to the mostly male audience.
His skin smelled foul like rotten fish. She pulled her chin up, recoilingfrom his dirty touch.
For her ears only, he whispered as he covered her exposedbreast, “I have to sell you to the palace as your mistress wished. They only want thebest.”
Wincing at his terrible breath, shestood still and allowed him to play his part. This was a new experience for herand already she despised slave traders and how they treatedtheir merchandise. This one had been overpaid for his services, but it was important that she be sold into the palace.She gave him a hard look, certainthe greedy Egyptianhad raised the price for her to make himself even richer insilver shekels.
“Do not let her shyness fool you. Though her maidenhead is ruined, she has more importantskills, and she is still young and nubile.”He leered at her, and she suppressed the urge to strike him. “She is truly a rare gem in the bedchamber, andshe is an augur who can speak many languages. Her talents do not end there forshe has the singing voice of a goddess, most enchanting. Thirty shekels and sheis yours.”
The slave trader moved on toanother of his prized slaves, a young Nubian man with skin as black as a moonlessnight. Selling his wares, the Egyptian continued addressing thecrowd in the blistering heat.
Becuille turned her attentionto a tall young man wearing a cleanwhite, gold-trimmed tunic who watched her with intense blue eyes. His combedhair gleamed like shimmering wheat inthe blazing sun. He wore a barbaric close-cropped beard and mustache, but his facial hair gave him a masculinity that strangely intrigued her. Royaltyswirled around him like the brightlycolored feathers of a cuckoo.He stood much taller than the men she was accustomed to on the island, and with his golden hair, muscular arms andthighs, he resembled an invincible sun god.
So,this is the land of the Hatti, brutal invadersof the lands of the Great Goddess.Hmm. This tall man did not seem brutal. She returned his penetratingstare, forgetting that a slave should always keep her gaze lowered insubmission.
“Do my eyes deceiveme or do I see a strikingmaiden with the untamedspirit of a spring mare?”He spoke in the strangeEgyptian tongue. Graspingher chained hands, he forced her closer to him.
His sheathed sword brushedagainst her thigh,causing a curiousquiver in her lower regions. If she could break her shackles, she would have pulledaway from him. The feelings he roused frightened her. Were unbridled emotions always present inside mortals? She felt asudden twinge of pity for them.
He continued to look intently ather, compressing his mouth, as if awaiting her response.
She realized he was testing her. “Your eyes do not deceive you. This spring mare will not be so easyto tame,” she whispered, answering him in the Egyptian tongue.
He stood so close to her she couldsmell his manly perfume of wood smoke, leather, and spices. She caught a whiffof sandalwood, which further aroused her. Biting her lower lip to quell herunwanted emotions, she reminded herself why she came here as a slave to thissweltering land.
His eyes burned into hers, glintingwith arrogance. “Hmm, we shall see about that.”
“Iam a freeborn woman, lord,”she said, unableto hide her sneer.
Her anger rose unchecked, and she forgother place here as a humble slave.His insolent nature intensified her ire as well as her lust.
“These chains indicate otherwise.” He stepped back, his chinand shoulders lifted in a show of superiority. “I will take this one,” he said to the slave trader,speaking again in his own language and handing him a bulging, jinglingbag.
The Egyptian untied the leather bag and inspectedthe silver shekels.
“After a long bath, she will bepresentable to the House of Suppiluliuma,” the golden-haired man said.
Seething inside, Becuille triedto ignore his insolent comment,keeping her eyes lowered and away from his penetrating, and she wascertain, mocking gaze. Was he still testing her? Did he want her to forget shewas a slave and lash out at him? His peculiar behavior puzzled her. She kepther gaze lowered, hoping he would be her first connection to finding Celmis. Sofar the plan was working. She was on her way to the royal palace. A smalltriumph on this frustrating day.
