But I intended to make the most of every minute.
If only I could have a drink. The hunger bothered me but not nearly as much as the thirst. Swimming had turned into torture after awhile. Especially after all that exertion. I was so thirsty that I nearly took a sip from the pool.
“I can't deal with this anymore,” Trevor said as we lounged on the grass. “I need some water.”
“Me too.” I was grateful that he was the one to say it. “I may be able to survive dehydration, but the bits in between recovery are not fun.”
“Da,” Kirill said. “It's vorth ze risk. If Nemesis undoes ze curse, it von't matter anyway.”
“Good point,” Trevor said eagerly.
Frankly, my thirst raged loudly enough to compel me to agree with anything that got me some damn water.
“Shall I make us lunch?” Narcissus offered.
“Yes!” We all shrieked.
Narcissus laughed and waved his hand. A blanket appeared beneath us and a spread of food between us. Dishes worthy of royalty cast their alluring aromas up to me; roasted chicken, rack of lamb, prime rib, and a whole salmon all done up fancy on silver platters. Bowls of steaming sides nearly outshone the main entrees; vegetables, mashed potatoes, and hot rolls crying out to be consumed. There was even a cool, crisp salad. But my hand immediately sought one of the four pitchers of water first. I barely managed to get it in a glass before I lifted it to my lips.
I moaned as I drank and similar sounds came from my husbands.
Narcissus laughed as he filled his plate. “That's the one thing here that I can guarantee is real. I manifest the water myself.”
“That's why your visitors don't die of dehydration,” I said when I came up for air.
“Just so,” he said.
“Man, you should have mentioned that earlier,” Trevor huffed.
“Sorry.” Narcissus gave Trevor a guilty look. “I didn't think about it until now.”
I contemplated Narcissus. His speech still carried a bit of a modern twist, but he'd toned it down. I had a feeling that his exclamation the night before had been a slip. So had the bikini, but the chance to see a woman nearly naked had undoubtedly been worth the risk to him.
After we quenched our thirst, we took our time easing our hunger. I savored the rich and complex flavors of each dish. If I hadn't known about the illusion magic, I wouldn't have suspected. They even filled my belly with warmth and satisfaction. I laid back with a groan after I finished, my pregnant belly bowled out firmly. Damn; I hadn't even considered how my starvation and dehydration could have affected Vero. I rubbed my hand over my stomach protectively.
“I've made a glutton of myself,” I declared. “Now, I can't move.”
“A nap is in order,” Trevor agreed as he stretched out beside me.
Kirill took up a position on my other side, and Narcissus laid out where he was and crossed his arms behind his head. It felt very companionable, and I forgot my suspicions as I settled securely between my husbands. Sleep overtook me quickly. One moment, I absently listened to my husbands' deep breathing and the next, I joined them.
My little siesta proved more restful than the full night's sleep I'd had the night before. I think my mind needed the respite even if my body didn't. As a goddess, I could do without sleep if I had to, but I didn't do it often. Sleep provided more than healing for my body; it healed my mind too. And this particular slumber delivered additional benefits; someone was waiting for me in the Dream Realm.
“Morpheus,” I said happily as I walked across the surface of the Moon toward him, my feet crunching on the dry soil.
The Greek Dream God grinned as he inspected the scenery. “Interesting dream, V.”
“Well, I am a moon goddess after all.” I shrugged. “And I should have remembered that you're a dream god and could reach me here. Did Odin send you?”
“Yeah.” Morph shook his head with sympathy and disbelief. “This is a new level of messed up, even for you.”
“It's not my fault,” I said immediately. “Re's the one who gave me that damn mirror.”
“He's pretty broken up about it.” Morpheus grimaced. “Odin, Azrael, and Toby are giving him heaps of hell.”
“I told Odin not to do that,” I growled. “Well, kind of. I gave him a stern look.”
Morpheus mushed up his mouth. “As a man who's been a recipient of one of your stern looks, I'm shocked that Odin wasn't instantly cowed into obedience.”
