The Pandora Curse (Greek Myth Series Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

And what does he look like? Mayhap he would have blended in a little easier without being noticed.”
    “I doubt it. After all, he’s a she. A she with ten tails and ten arms to match.”
    “Arrgh!” Nikolai threw his hands up in the air and paced the room. “How in the name of Hades am I supposed to do anything at all with you following at my side?”
    “Hades has minions too,” Baruch said with wide eyes. “Cerberus, his guard hound, has three heads.”
    Nikolai ran a weary hand through his tangled hair, wondering how much worse it could get. He almost wondered if Hera did this to spite him, as well as Zeus. After all, Hera had never been a true mother to him. She’d been an unreachable goddess, showing her face only when it was advantageous to her. When he was born, he’d been handed over like the daily trash to his human father, Tiomoid, a poor merchant with little, but having a very big heart. Tiomoid was the only parent to ever show him love. Hera had used Nikolai’s father for her own selfish purpose, and now she was using Nikolai as well.
    A quick knock sounded at the door. It opened wide before he could answer. Nikolai glanced at the minion, then rushed to the door to try to stop the entry.
    A woman dressed in a long brown robe with russet cornsilk hair piled atop her head strode into the room, holding the door open for someone.
    Nikolai felt his heart jump into his throat when he saw who entered next.
    “Vara.”
    His stomach formed a knot, wondering how he was going to explain the minion. He jerked his head around to where he’d last seen the green blob, but to his surprise, Baruch was gone.
    “Dinner is being served, and I am appalled that you choose to dishonor me by hiding in your chamber.”
    Vara swept into the room with the grace of a queen. She had changed from her war attire, and cleaned her body. Instead of a conqueror, she looked like a lady.
    Her tight-fitting gown covered only one shoulder, which held up a wispy veil that trailed down her back. The veil wrapped around her front, tying at the top of the small bulge of her stomach. Dressed in pure white, she looked so innocent. So virginal. That thought alone led his mind astray to the vision he’d seen in his gazing orb. Her tousled hair was now neatly braided and coiled around each ear. He envisioned himself letting down those braids and unwrapping her hair with his fingers.
    “The woman with me is my closest confidant and lady-in-waiting,” she said, nodding to the redhead at the door. “Her name is Calanthra. She oversees me in my domestic affairs, while Zetes is in charge of my army.”
    “Domestic affairs?” Nikolai chuckled at that. He couldn’t imagine Vara sewing tapestries, creating poetry, or playing a lute. She may dress like a lady, but her sharp tongue and indignant attitude marked her as the warrior she truly was.
    “I will send Calanthra to you whenever I require your services.”
    “Services?” She was starting to sound like Hera. Nikolai raised a brow, leaning against a tapestry on the wall, patting it, trying to find Baruch. “Are you speaking of my gazing abilities?”
    “I’m speaking of your services. You will come whenever I see fit to call and do whatever I ask you to.”
    “I am here of my own will and do not service anyone.” With no sign of the minion, he strolled over toward the open window, nonchalantly looking out. The ground was far below, and he didn’t notice any green puddles.
    “Really?” She walked over to the bed, running a hand over the carved post. Her eyes devoured him hungrily. His palms started to sweat and he felt naked in a sense, but still, he did not move. Her attention shifted to the contents on the bed. His cloak lay in a heap, and he had the sudden thought maybe Baruch was hiding beneath it.
    “What is this?” She reached out toward his cloak.
    He sped after her, meaning to stop her, and that’s when he noticed it wasn’t the cloak that gained her attention. Her eyes were