The Forgotten Witch

17 ~ Josef

Josef cursed Melinoe in his filthiest Norse as he followed Lexi through the corridors of the palace. The witch had left him with specific instructions: seduce a goddess. The simplicity of the task was laughable. He had run mutiny on his own father's ship. Fought battles with a bloodaxe. He subjugated everyone he met, including those he seduced. He was Josef the Vanquisher.

But Melinoe had never submitted to him, even when he had her in his bed. Even after he had her for months at sea and through bloody battles. She was the only one who could bring him to his knees, and the scheming heksa was doing it again. Death had not saved him from her wicked internment. She enjoyed holding the threat of eternal damnation over his head, reminding him what happened to an incubus if he didn't play nice. He found himself in the pits of hell.

And damned if Melinoe hadn't left him clueless about the goddess he needed to seduce. All she mentioned were Lexi's good deeds. What goddess didn't do that...apart from Melinoe? But Josef had no idea that Lexi's lifeforce was rivaled only by the sun, and that he would want to seek her out like a dying man seeks oxygen. He had been there too many times to count, taking from someone so strong, and he knew the consequences were many if he stayed too long.

Regardless of what Melinoe believed, Josef did not take the lives of those he fed on. He may have been a vanquisher in his human form, but he had not found it necessary as an incubus. Of course, a god had more life to give than a human, and if this was to be his last hurrah, he would make it count.

One floor up from the grand bedchamber, at the opposite end of the palace, the north tower bedroom lay discretely inside an alcove. Lexi told him the room had been vacant for years, so he had less chance of being discovered there. As he followed her through the halls, he hovered in the wake of her powerful lifeforce, already eager to spend more time with her. The goddess's sexuality simmered like a potent love potion, the vapors arousing him and taking his thoughts back to her bed, where he felt her flesh and sensed the enticing fragrance she carried with her.

Josef's thoughts had him distracted long enough that he nearly passed right through Lexi's body when she stopped in front of a door. She looked through him as she glanced around suspiciously before pushing the door open, and when Josef entered the room, he let his essence brush her shoulder. He knew she couldn't feel him, but the rush he received had him staggering back.

"Okay, Josef. This will be your home until I figure out how to handle the situation." Lexi spoke to the room as Josef collected himself and surveyed his surroundings.

They were inside a large bedroom, decorated to a female's taste. Josef's perception of color had faded over the years, but he detected blue, white, and the gleam of silver. It wasn't until he noticed the crystal chandelier hanging over the bed that he grinned at his good fortune. He had not met a woman yet who wasn't dazzled by diamond light. Toss in an angel with golden hair, and they swooned.

"You should probably leave these closed," Lexi said as she peeked through a set of thick drapes. "The chandelier will give you enough light."

"I don't need much light." Josef swept up beside her, manifesting into his solid form but taking care to keep the cloak on. She had nearly detected his wings once, and he wouldn't take another chance until he had her trust. "It's an impressive chandelier. Have you ever slept under one?"

Lexi bit her lip as she walked toward the bed, which was embellished with decadent linens. "Yes. I used to sleep in this room...when Hades and I first met."

"Oh? Why didn't you share his bed?" Josef watched Lexi carefully as she prepared her answer, enjoying the way her cheeks colored.

"He was still with Persephone at the time, and we thought it was best that I have my own room."

"And by 'we' do you mean 'he' thought it was best?"

Lexi swept her fingers across the bedspread, looking distracted. Probably reminiscing. "It was his suggestion, but I knew it was the best thing to do. He and Persephone shared a bedroom for a long time. I would have wanted the same consideration if the tables had been turned."

"Still, that must have been difficult for you. How long was it before you were invited to share his bed?"

"I wasn't forbidden from his bed, but it wasn't until he and Persephone broke up that I officially moved into that room. So... I used the north tower about four months."

"I suppose that isn't very long when you compare it to eternity. Do you know why Hades and Persephone tired of each other?"

Lexi shrugged, keeping her gaze averted and talking to the bed. "I don't need to know more than I already do. People grow apart, especially in long-distance relationships."

"And eternity is long, too. I'm sure that is why so many gods take consorts...to keep away the monotony."

Lexi finally looked at Josef and released her lip. "I should go. I'm paying a visit to Olympus. There's a crisis and... Nevermind. Is there anything you need before I leave you?"

"My needs are few," he said, holding her gaze for as long as she let him. "I'm sorry about your tree in the grove. Melinoe told me she had grander plans beyond the joke she played here. Of course, I was powerless to do anything about it."

"Melinoe hates me like poison," she said sternly. "She's jealous of my gifts and she wants my husband. I thought we were making progress, but I was wrong."

Turning sharply, Lexi made for the door, and Josef reached for her hand, stopping her. He knew she was trying to avoid his gaze, and his touch forced her to look at him. "Thank you for helping me, Lady Lexi. May I call you Lady Lexi? Is that the proper title for the queen of the underworld?"

"Yes. That is my proper title." She stared at him long enough to confirm that he had her sympathy, which was half the battle right there. He also saw the glimmer in her eyes, the one he knew to be attraction, and he smiled as Lexi blinked up at the chandelier.

"Remember to keep out of sight," she said abruptly, taking back her hand. "I'll return as soon as I can. Pleasant day, Josef."

Lexi hurried to the door, pressing her ear against it to listen before slipping into the hall. Josef stared after her for a long while, imprinting her image in his mind's eye. The young goddess carried herself with confidence, yet her embarrassment at his personal questions had him intrigued. And her lively blue eyes - the way they danced in the light of the chandelier - he could be mesmerized by them if he allowed it. Lexi may have been queen, but her unblemished virtue could not be overlooked. She was a treasure that was too precious to steal.

Josef paced the room as he pondered the strange position he found himself in. He always had the upper hand, or fist in many cases. Commanding a horde of bloodthirsty seaman required it, and not a soul refused him, only Melinoe. The heksa had tricked him all those years ago, promising him immortality on his deathbed, imbuing him with the powers of seduction and other handy gifts. But at what cost?

Now, Josef was in the land of the dead with his fate resting firmly in Melinoe's hands. So close to the pits of hell he could feel his immortality like a bad taste on his tongue. He could not fail in his mission. Of course, he had no intention of failing. He already ached to be near Lexi again, and he looked forward to luring the enchanting goddess beneath the crystal chandelier and making her forget her lover.