A Gentle Ride

                                    

                                          
Zephyrus purposely took Khloris high into the air, well above the scattered clouds that dotted the sky. He wanted an excuse to cuddle the curvy little nymph. She was a delectable armful and he planned to enjoy holding her for as long as possible. It had been a long time since he felt any desire, having no interest in any form of companionship since that dark day that he could well have been a shade for all the interest he had had for any physical relationship. The awakening of his body was both a blessing and a curse. That he should feel it for the woman who would soon be gracing Eros' bed was disconcerting. 
                          
"Is it really necessary to freeze me half to death?"
                          
Brought out of his musings with that tart question, Zephyrus looked down at Khloris' upturned face. Seeing her shiver, he brought her closer to him as he sent warm air to form a tight cocoon around them. She would have to stay tightly pressed against him if she wished to stay warm. "Is that better?"
                          
Feeling her wrap her arms tightly around him as she snuggled closer, Zephyrus hid a smile as she fell neatly into his trap.
                          
"Yes, thank you."
                          
Zephyrus tried to keep his curiosity about her in check. She was planning to bed Eros, he kept reminding himself, and his interest in her would cause nothing but trouble. He knew all too well the dangers that jealousy could cause. He had no wish to be the reason for the death of another. Lost in his dark thoughts, he was unaware that he had tightened his grip until he was startled out of them by her yelp of pain. Realizing what he had done, he cursed under his breath and loosened his grip. "My apologies Lady Khloris, I did not mean to hurt you. Are you all right?"
                          
He made the mistake of looking down at her as he spoke. She was giving him what he was sure was her best glare, and he was caught by her gaze. She was quite adorable in her anger; he reluctantly had to admit to himself.
                          
"Hmm, and here I thought you were the gentle one of the Anemoi, I believe I will have to count myself fortunate that it was not one of your brothers that Eros sent to escort me to his home."
                          
The thought of her being in close contact with one of his brothers sent his protective instincts raging. His brothers had earned their poor reputations for a reason when it came to women. They were not known to take no kindly. She would stand no chance against them if they took an interest in her, which was a real possibility now that she was outside the protection of the Blessed Isle. It was cold comfort that at least Eros was known to protect the women he had bedded and discarded from the unwanted attentions of other gods, his reputation alone kept even the most forceful god in check.
                          
"What is the matter? Cat has your tongue? No? You will not speak with me? It would seem that I must exchange silent for gentle then to describe you. Ahh well, a silent man is always a boon, I suppose."
                          
"What is that supposed to mean?" he demanded.
                          
Laughing softly, she turned an innocent look his way, "Oh nothing, it is just that with your reputation for being a recluse, I always thought it was because you liked your privacy. Now I see that it is because you lack conversational skills, so silence is a good thing. It would be too painful to listen to you trying to make small talk to pass the time, now wouldn't it?"


                          
Coming to an abrupt halt, Zephyrus looked down at her in shock. Indignation heavy in his voice as he snapped, "I will have you know that I do not lack intelligence, despoinída, which I can assure you is needed to make small talk as you call it. I would think twice before insulting me."


                          
***


                          
Khloris could not stop herself from laughing as she beheld the sour expression on Zephyrus' face. She much preferred his look of anger over the heart wrenching pain she had glimpsed in his eyes when he had thought she was not looking. She did not like to see anyone in pain, and his had called out to her. It made her want to give some ease to his suffering, even if only for a moment. Why that was, she did not wish to examine too closely; especially now that she had a mission to complete. 
                          
"Really, is that a threat?" she shook her head at him, "I was just making an observation. No need to ruffle your feathers over it, my dear."
                          
Eyes narrowed, "Is that so? You think you are safe because you plan on bedding Eros? Please," he sneered, "it is your own intelligence that is in question, thinking you could make Eros fall in love with you. Many have tried, and many more will follow you."
                          
Cheeks flushed with anger, she violently bit back her retort, hating the fact that she had to sacrifice a bit of her reputation for the greater good. While she agreed with Eros' assessment of how to best keep their true purpose a secret, it still did not mean that she had to like it. Let alone suffer the condemnation from Zephyrus over it. "Whoever said I want his love?"
                          
"Why else would you leave your home?"
                          
Rolling her eyes at him as they continued to hover as they argued, Khloris could not stop herself from needling him, "Of course, because only males have needs, wants, and desires. Women cannot possible want a physical relationship, companionship, pleasure for pleasures sake if marriage is not in the bargain. Please," she sneered back, "let me enlightened you, my dear foolish god, women have the same needs, wants, and desires as men. I do not wish Eros for marriage, simply pleasure and friendship with no expectations beyond the ease of loneliness between two friends for a time. Nothing more and nothing less."
                          
Khloris felt like hitting herself for her foolishness. She never meant to tell Zephyrus something so close to the truth about herself, that she was lonely and wished for a male to help ease the oftentimes-painful loneliness and desire that had been plaguing her for some time. Though it was not just any male she wished to end her loneliness, she realized with a start. The desire that had gripped her when she first laid eyes on Zephyrus had shocked her in its intensity. It had sent a painful shard of desire through her, and the fact that she could never act on it made her angry. After today, she would probably never see him again, and if they should cross paths, he would never look at her as someone to have a relationship with, only as one of the many women who had graced the bed of the god he served, and called friend. 
                          
Turning her head aside, she quickly blinked back tears, unwilling to let him see just how much he had hurt her with his barely concealed contempt. How dare he judge her for the very thing he and all the other gods had done?
                          
It was several moments before she realized that they were not moving. Keeping her face turned away, she muttered, "Well, what are you waiting for? Let us get to the island quickly so that you do not have to suffer my presence longer than necessary."