Love and Fortune

Author's Note:

This is Chapter 3 of Book 2 of the Love and Fortune series! If you're new, feel free to start at the beginning of Book 1, but know that Book 1 is mostly laidback sexytimes, without much of a gripping plot. If you'd rather start with the action, feel free to jump in at Chapter 13 (the start of Book 2, which is more about adventure and conflict).

This Chapter Contains:

an old flame returning as a new friend and benefactor, a cruise across the Aegean that turns sexy fast, Jianjun's arrival and check-in at a fancy hotel -- plus naughty room service free of charge (thanks, Chaos Magic) -- How to Capture a Goddess With One Easy Trick, and a telepathic blowjob from a continent away. As always, you've been warned.

Chapter 15: Strangers in Paradise

Ben's party flew first-class. Even for a mission as urgent as this one seemed, Eleni had insisted on comfort as they traveled. Ben had no objections. Their outset from the Haven, their ride to the airport in Nairobi, and the takeoff had all gone off without a hitch. Now, in the air flying north toward Athens, Ben's mind spun with thoughts of the coming adventure.

He didn't know a lot of what lay ahead. He didn't know who else might be seeking out the distressed Living Goddess of Victory -- or what their motivations, advantages, or powers might be. He didn't know who or what had captured Nike in the first place, or what might stand in the way of her rescue. He had only the vaguest idea of where they'd be starting -- and it was a name Eleni had mentioned to him.

"Nikoleta Vasilakis," he spoke now, turning to the French heiress in the seat beside him. "That's the friend of yours we're meeting when we land in Athens?"

"She'll receive us at the airport, yes," Eleni repeated, nodding. "And she's very dear to me. We go back a great deal. Her father and mine were close -- and she and I grew closer still through our childhood and teens. We had a bond. We still do."

Ben caught a hint of longing in her eyes; of memories. It didn't take magic for him to read between the lines, but a faint thrum of his bracelet confirmed it. Eleni and Nikoleta had clearly been more than friends once.

"You've never mentioned her," he pointed out. It wasn't a judgment, but it was a fact all the same. Since he'd met Eleni, they'd bonded deeply and shared much. He knew of her past as a socialite; of the parties and glamour she'd been all too eager to leave behind. He'd heard her mention summers in Greece. But this woman, Nikoleta, had never come up.

"Ah, well. We haven't spoken in some time. Not for any bad blood. Just years and distance doing what they do. I suppose we drifted. But it's never too late to reconnect." She smiled to herself, a hopeful look. "I'm sure we'll pick up right where we left off."

Ben cocked his head, a certain mild concern in his gaze. "You told her, right? What we're here in Greece to do? I'm sure she's lovely, and I'd love to meet her, but if we're about to drag someone into something they don't understand or want to be involved in..."

"She knows," Eleni reassured, though her tone was terse. "I told her what she needed to know. Nothing earth-shattering yet -- no goddesses or magic -- but enough. She knows we're here to help someone. She knows there might be danger. She's more than willing to assist. She has resources. More than that, she has a summer villa on Karpathos that we can use as a home base while we're there. This isn't any of us dragging her into anything. She's offering."

"Alright." Ben smiled in understanding. "Sorry. Didn't mean to accuse or pry. Just a little anxious."

His lover squeezed his hand. "It's fine. I know all this is a big ask, even for the most loyal of friends. And I suppose I can't promise anything yet. I hope Nikoleta will be willing to stick around and even help us once she understands the whole truth. We're going to have to break it to her together, I think. But outside the circles the two of us have already formed... I don't think there's anyone I'd trust more to be in our corner than her."

The young Zawadist nodded. He felt reassured. He'd trust Eleni's judgment. They shared a moment of quiet, their hands clasped, their smiles meeting. Then Eleni chuckled. "And besides. She's a hell of a fuck."

Ben almost choked. "Really? That's what you're thinking of right now?" His eyes darted down the aisle; Priyanka and Lenore were seated a row ahead, but not so far they couldn't hear. Sure enough, Priyanka glanced over her shoulder, smirking, before returning her attention to the book in her lap.

Eleni shrugged. "It's a big part of why I remember her so fondly," she answered with a grin. "Mmm, if you think my love life was never interesting before you and your magic and the Haven, well... I could tell you stories." She leaned in to whisper in his ear. "But maybe it's better if I just let you experience those things for yourself."

Ben felt his cock stir.

"Fuck. Eleni. We're not going to Greece just to fuck your ex-girlfriend."

"Right, right; there's a missing goddess, too." The heiress winked. "But we could be there for a while. And there's no reason we can't find our fun while we're there. And maybe, just maybe... part of my reason for volunteering was knowing I could finally pay Niko a visit. And introduce you to her. And share with her all she's been missing. Mm, maybe that's all a little selfish." She smiled. Ben could hardly begrudge her.

"If you're not worried," he finally said, "I won't be, either."

Eleni gave his hand one last squeeze, then turned back toward the window. The sea below sparkled in the morning sunlight. Not so far ahead lay the coast of the Greek mainland. And there, apparently, awaited their first ally in this mission.

Ben's bracelet buzzed excitedly.

They touched down in Athens not long after. Once they'd disembarked, Eleni led the group with confidence and certainty, her stride powerful and her gaze steady. Ben kept pace with her, his bracelet seeming to pull him along. Priyanka and Lenore followed behind, the latter's eyes wide as she took in all the new sights and sounds. And it didn't take them long to spot the person they were looking for.

Nikoleta stood out, even among a crowd. Tall, tanned, and slim, with a head of flowing black hair, she wore a stunning sundress and high-heeled sandals that clicked on the floor. She caught sight of the four and made right for them, a smile spreading over her face.

"Eleni!" Her voice carried a Greek accent, bright and musical. Ben's heart swelled as he watched the two women meet in an embrace, kissing each other on the cheek as old friends. "It's been too long."

"It has," Eleni agreed, beaming. "Much too long. And thank you. For everything. Your help in all this means the world to me."

"I heard you say someone was in trouble," the Greek woman replied. "That you were going to Karpathos to help, and needed a place to stay. That was all I needed to know." Her dark eyes, deep as the ocean, slid over to Ben and the others, curious. "And you brought friends."

"I brought lovers." Eleni grinned as she admitted it.

Nikoleta, for her part, didn't miss a beat. Her lips quirked in a smile and her eyes roved approvingly over Ben, Priyanka, and Lenore in turn. "Lucky you," she said. And Ben could hear the flirtation in her voice.

Even on a mission, even with much at stake and much on his shoulders, Ben didn't forget the magic boons that came with being Zawadi's devotee. He didn't forget the powers of seduction and attraction that his bracelet granted him wherever he went. Nor could he ignore how his bracelet seemed to respond to Nikoleta. The pull was undeniable. Even now, with work to do and danger ahead of him, Ben's charms weren't on pause -- and he couldn't help wondering, prompted by gleeful thrums of his wooden beads, what Eleni's old flame might be like in bed.

Eleni made introductions. "Niko, meet Ben, Priyanka, and Lenore."

"A pleasure," Nikoleta said, extending her hand to each in turn. Her skin was smooth, her handshake firm. Ben didn't see or feel any jealousy or contempt in her. If anything, there was intrigue and attraction. "I hope I can be of assistance. Really. Eleni was a little light on the details, but I'm sure she had a good reason. So whatever this is..." Her eyes flicked over the quartet of travelers, lingering on Ben's bracelet. "...it's something I can't wait to learn more about."

"We'll explain as much as we can," Ben promised. "But right now, we're just grateful for your help."

"Of course," Nikoleta replied, then turned her attention back to the French heiress. "Our ride is outside. We'll go to the docks. Then it's just a boat ride over to Karpathos."

"A ferry?" Ben guessed.

"A yacht," the Greek woman replied in amusement. "It will be a little more comfortable than a common ferry."

Lenore perked up. "Oh, wow. Never been on a yacht before. Yours?"

Nikoleta nodded, then shrugged. "Old money has its perks. If you've known Eleni for a while, I'm sure you already know that." She chuckled. "Let's be off. The sooner we get there, the better, right?"

The yacht was moored at a private dock, just a short drive away. Ben got his first look at it from the window of the spacious rental SUV that Nikoleta drove. The sleek white boat shone in the midday sun, a beautiful vessel whose decks and cabin gleamed with the clear signs of care and money. He took a breath. Wealth and luxury were still things he felt far from used to, even after a while spent with Eleni and more time after that amid the Haven's own lavish comforts. He imagined he'd never quite get used to it if he didn't feel used to it by now. But as Zawadi's good-luck magic had spirited him away from his original suburban paycheck-to-paycheck existence to a life like this, he'd never once complained. Now was no exception.

He stepped out with his companions, pausing to gawk. "Yep. Still crazy," he muttered. "Spent most of my life resenting the hell out of rich people and their yachts. But now..."

"You're right to resent most of them," Nikoleta assured as she brushed past, taking his arm. "It's like I mentioned. Old money. I'm not exactly proud of it. My father, you wouldn't have liked. He made his millions in the shipping industry. As for his free time, he spent that on anything frivolous and self-serving he could think of -- anything besides caring for his family."

"Ugh," Lenore lamented. "Dads. Am I right? Mine didn't have the money, but he was an asshole, too."

"I'm sure we've all got stories." Nikoleta's eyes looked sympathetic. "I was the daughter he never wanted. Not that I cared. I didn't want to be his daughter, either."

Lenore laughed at that. "Oh, boy. Nikoleta, I think the two of us are going to get along great."

They boarded together, Nikoleta leading the way with confidence and ease. "I did end up with most of his assets when he passed, though," she confessed as they reached the deck. "Some of the money went to a few floozies in Rio and Monte Carlo. I was still the heir, though. Took way too many lawyers to sort that out. But that's that." She sighed, but shrugged it off with the ease of a woman who didn't dwell on unpleasant memories. "Eleni and I have had all kinds of discussions. What to do with our fortunes and privileges. She's put hers to noble causes for a long time. I'm sure she's told you."

"She has." Ben smiled as the French blonde moved up to join Nikoleta. "Charity galas. Foundations. All that, for years."

"And these days," Eleni finished, "I'm mostly helping a community in Kenya. A very special place." She shared a glance with Ben, knowing and conspiratorial. "How about you, Niko? What have you been up to lately?"

Nikoleta took a long look out over the sparkling Aegean, her expression thoughtful. "You know me. I love the oceans. I've been trying to protect them. I help fund environmental initiatives. I work with startups that clean up pollution. It's an uphill battle. But an important one." She gestured to the control room of the yacht. "My vessel here? She's solar-powered. And I've been using my name and clout to try and push out more environmentally conscious practices in the shipping business." She shrugged. "That's my professional life, more or less. It's... not enough. But I hope I'm making a difference."

Ben gave the Greek beauty an encouraging nod. "That's amazing. You've got a lot to be proud of. And I know lots of people who'd love to hear about what you're up to. My cousin, Belle -- she'd probably love you."

"Maybe you'll have to introduce us sometime." Nikoleta winked. Then she turned toward the controls. "I'll get her started up and take her out. Make yourselves comfortable! Karpathos is a ways out. We'll need to make a stop in Santorini before we reach the Dodecanese. But it will be a smooth ride."

"Does this vessel have a name?" Priyanka curiously asked.

That made the Greek woman pause. A roll of her shoulders; a look back that said 'fuck it.' "Eleni," she replied, and gave her friend another smile. The yacht's namesake returned it.

Lenore nudged Eleni with an elbow as Nikoleta slipped into the control room. "Okay, El. This friend of yours is totally still into you. And hot as hell." The pale goth girl smirked. "I know it's not my place to say. But if it were me? I'd get rekindling. All the way. If you need a wingwoman..."

Eleni blushed. "I'll keep that in mind," she muttered. Then she cleared her throat. "Come on. Let's see if we can't get ourselves comfortable while Niko gets us moving."

Ben settled in alongside his lovers, finding a comfortable seat on the deck as the solar yacht's engines purred quietly to life. With Priyanka's warmth to his left and the softness of Lenore's body to his right, he reckoned the journey was bound to be comfortable -- even if the work that awaited on the other side might not be. He could think of no one else he'd rather take with him into this kind of uncertainty.

The ride was smooth, and fast, too -- enough that the land soon receded in their wake and left them surrounded on all sides by ocean and sky. The group shared their time between conversation and comfort, exploring and enjoying the decks and cabins of the sleek boat. And Ben couldn't help noticing how close Nikoleta and Eleni stuck, both to each other and to the quartet's own little circle. He felt his bracelet thrum, the warm wood a constant presence at his wrist. It seemed to foretell good fortune to come.

Ben followed Eleni at one point into the control room while Priyanka and Lenore hung back on the deck to enjoy the sea breeze. For a while, he stood privy while Nikoleta peppered Eleni with all the catch-up questions she'd been holding. How had she been? What had she been up to? Was she still on the board of her father's company? And what was the story of her new partners? Nikoleta asked a lot, but Eleni didn't mind the conversation. Neither did Ben.

"So, to get all this straight," an incredulous yet amused Nikoleta finally said, her eyes roving over Ben. "You met this guy, fell head over heels in love, decided to leave everything you'd been working toward for the last ten years behind... and then went with Ben and the others in your, erm, polycule, to his cousin's commune in Kenya? Mmm. I think what's happened to you since we last talked beats what's happened to me by a mile."

Ben offered a grin. "If it matters, Nikoleta, I can hardly believe it, either. Eleni's been amazing the whole way through. She's given more than I'd ever know how to ask for." He paused. "You're not... mad, are you?"

"At Eleni's good fortune and happiness? Never." The Greek beauty chuckled, giving her friend's hand a squeeze. "And you, Ben? If Eleni's heart belongs to you now, that means something. I want to get to know you, too. What's your story?"

He shrugged. "There's not much to tell, honestly. Grew up in suburbia. Mostly stayed there. Used to design websites." He felt a subtle hum from his bracelet. A sense that he didn't have to worry about the truth. "Then everything changed. Belle sent me this."

Nikoleta looked long and hard at the bracelet as he raised one arm to show it. She studied its beads and carved runes. Then her lips quirked into a small smile. "It looks African, but not from any culture I'm familiar with. Newly crafted, yet it feels ancient." She glanced at Eleni, then back to him. "I think I'm forming an idea here. Of how all of this connects. Part of me wants to say I'm crazy, but the other part..." Her dark eyes gleamed with wonder. "Go ahead. Tell me the rest. And don't feel you have to spare the details."

"There's magic. And a goddess. And she wants me to help another." Ben's gaze didn't falter from Nikoleta's curious face. "That's why we're here."

It took Nikoleta only a moment to process what she'd heard. "Hm," she said. And her lips curled into a grin. "Sounds like quite a quest."

"You're not surprised?"

"I'm Greek," the beautiful woman replied, shrugging. "We love our myths and our stories, our gods and legends. If a man comes to me bearing a magical relic from a faraway land, saying he needs my help to go to an island and rescue a goddess? Count me in. Hah, I feel as though I've just stepped into the middle of an Odyssey."

Eyes aglow, she reached for Ben's hands. The Zawadist took hers in turn. He felt an instant connection -- and not just through physical touch. Magic reminded him, not at all subtly, that if he wanted, this beautiful woman could be his. Goddess-magic laid out the consent, and genuine chemistry would carry over from there. He could bend Nikoleta over the console right here in this room and make her his slut, while Eleni watched with all her love and approval. Why drag it out? Why hold back?

Only his lingering focus on the mission ahead made him object to those internal questions. Like he'd told Eleni, they weren't here in Greece just to fuck her ex-girlfriend. Getting too distracted here would hardly be prudent. Would it?

He tried not to dwell too hard on the thought of it -- Nikoleta Vasilakis speared on his cock, crying out in bliss and begging for more -- but it wasn't an easy one to forget.

"Thank you," he finally said, breaking the silence. "For understanding. I'm glad you don't think this sounds crazy."

"I've dealt with a lot crazier," Nikoleta simply said, squeezing his hands and then releasing. "Now, get ready. Santorini's coming up soon. The view at sunset is to die for."

***

Jianjun was buzzing all over. It had been a pretty indulgent flight.

Even now, as the small plane made its final approach toward the airport in Athens, the Chinese devotee of Eris still rode high on the vibes. Sprawled back against the seat, still half-undressed, still not caring, Jianjun thought back to all the ways she'd passed the long twelve hours in the sky.

A little bit of chaos, aptly applied, could do a lot to keep things interesting.

Yilin was just the prettiest piece of that. Her tight little body had made far better in-flight entertainment than any airport novel or streaming movie ever could have. The professional assistant had given up everything to the tattooed punk for hour after hour, hot chaos magic just amping up the sex, turning Yilin from her shy and professional self into a sex-hungry slut.

She'd gone several rounds riding Jianjun's fingers like a woman possessed, cumming her brains out over and over again while the stowaway kissed and nipped at her bared breasts and neck. Yilin's body was a canvas Jianjun knew she was born to mark, and her pussy was an instrument Jianjun could play like a virtuoso. But there'd been more to their fun than that, and even wilder ways for chaos to make a good time better. And as the long day in the little plane had stretched on, Jianjun and her play-partner had gotten pretty bold -- and pretty creative.