19. Obsession

Ares blinked.

"Say that again." He held his breath, barely daring to hope.

"You," Sage repeated, her voice a little hesitant and hazy. "Ares. I... I think I'm in love with you."

Ares laughed, then became serious, stroked her face and then laughed again – overwhelmed by a barrage of emotions.

Sage had been struck with obsession and was obsessed with him.

"What are you? Get away from her." Ezekiel had almost reached them. Ares ignored the human, no longer bothered by him. Ares rose up into the air, righted their position – keeping Sage safely nestled in his arms. "What are you!?" Ezekiel demanded.

He remained on his knees. Rain soaked his clothes and ran in rivulets down his tattooed face. "You're some kind of alien. A monster. You're not human."

"I'm a god." Ares sneered, amused by Ezekiel's expression. The Mad Dog attempted to stand but Ares put a foot on Ezekiel's shoulder – keeping him down. "You can stay kneeling."

"Ares," Sage interceded, her voice still breathier than usual. "He knows everything."

Ares shrugged. He didn't care. It wasn't as if one human's ramblings would convince the world, and if they did, well.... He'd be worshipped once more. Humans could rebuild his temples. Ares sighed sadly. Probably, the Olympian's would prevent that. They wanted humans to forget gods and goddess.

The fates could deal with Ezekiel if they wanted to ensure his silence. Ares would leave it in their hands. He turned his back on Ezekiel, leaving him to kneel in the rain, and carried Sage through the downpour.

"But he knows."

"Good. Now he'll know to stay away from you."

Ares used one of his shields to protect Sage from the rain. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," Sage admitted.

Ares had noticed that she was struggling to keep her eyes open. He rested his chin on her head, encouraging her to nestle against him.  "Try to stay awake." He suggested, though without full conviction. He'd seen the effects of obsession but he'd never seen the initial casting off it before – he wasn't sure if Sage's sleepiness was normal or not.

Ares took Sage to Jaz's café, not needing to bang on the locked doors but instead marching easily past them.

"Jaz!" He hollered; in case the guy was asleep. Jaz emerged, still dressed, and smiled brightly at them both. "I need you to take a look at her."

Ares settled Sage down in one of the booths, where she lolled back sleepily.

"Is she drunk?"

"Aphrodite struck her with obsession."

"Shhh," Sage interceded, putting her finger to her lips. "He's not supposed to know," she slurred.

"Jaz knows about me. It's fine. He's an immortal too."

"I never told you that." Jaz commented, whilst examining Sage's eyes.

"No, I figured that out on my own."

Jaz didn't confirm or contradict him, instead he rolled up his sleeves.

"I'll make her some tea. A special brew."

Ares had to help and coax Sage to drink because she was too tired to cooperate. Jaz watched her as she drank, his frown deepening.

"What's her obsession?"

Ares' struggled to keep his lips from smiling smugly.

"Me."

"This works out for you then." Jaz commented, his tone sharp.

"And for Sage. I'm in love with her, now we can be together. I can make her happy." Ares brushed Sage's hair out of her face as he spoke to Jaz, his attention not fully able to leave her.

"Obsession isn't the same as a love arrow." Jaz reminded him. "It can drive those who suffer it to madness."

"It won't be like that for Sage."

"How much do you know about it? Have you seen what obsession can do?"

Ares couldn't meet Jaz's gaze. He nodded slowly.

"I saw what happened in Crete."

Sage's head drooped and she fell asleep. "Is there a cure?"

"Not that I've ever encountered. I'll make her teas to try to lessen the effects, but I have no guarantee how well they will work."

Ares moved Sage's head so that it rested against his shoulder. He stroked her cheek, his rough hand gentle as he touched her smooth skin.

"It won't be like it was in Crete. I won't hurt her."

**

Sage remained sound asleep so Ares bid Jaz goodnight and took her home. He got some strange looks carrying her into the apartment building but Ares ignored them. He didn't care about the thoughts of insignificant humans. Once they were safely in the Penthouse, he carried Sage to his bedroom and laid her gently on his bed. He removed her shoes and jacket before wrapping her in the duvet. She murmured sleepily and burrowed deep into the warmth.

Ares watched Sage sleep. Dimly, he was aware of traffic building up outside as night turned into day – but the world outside his room felt distant and unimportant. This night was the happiest of his entire life. Sage had told him she loved him. Just thinking about it made him break into a goofy smile. She loved him back.

The morning light was creeping in from a gap in the curtain – the light bothering Sage's slumber. She twitched, jerking her head to the side to avoid the glare. Ares smiled, charmed by how sweet and innocent she looked just then. He extended an arm, his hand casting a long shadow that engulfed her elfin face. Sage's brow soothed – contented.

Ares stood still as a statue, his gaze gentle. He'd stand there as long as she required. It felt nice, to help her in some way – even small. He hadn't meant for his presence to make her life harder. Moments like this would ease the guilt in his heart. Sage murmured incoherently, lost in her dreams, and Ares sighed - would she never stop bewitching him? Even her dreams piqued his curiosity.

**

Sage stumbled sleepily into the kitchen, her slippers thwacking against the tiles. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and headed for the kettle. Coffee. Every morning needed coffee. Sophia was already up, her headphones on – blasting out music only she could hear as she busily made breakfast for everyone. Sage watched Sophia, considering. She could easily slip away with her coffee – and the lazy, tired part of her definitely wanted too. But guilt stopped her.

It wasn't fair on Sophia that she had to house and cater for them. Glumly, Sage opened her mouth – about to offer her help. But Ares suddenly appeared, smiling smugly as he wrapped his arms around Sage's waist.

"Morning, beautiful." He cooed. Sage glanced to Sophia – who still obliviously had her back to them. Judging it safe and that they didn't have an audience, Sage smiled.

"Morning."

She made to wriggle away, still intending to help Sophia.

"Where are you going?"

"To make breakfast."

"Oh, I don't think so." Grinning, he hoisted Sage up into the air and settled her over his shoulder.

"Ares!" Sage exclaimed, suddenly faced with a view of his broad back. She clung onto him, powerless as he marched back into the bedroom.

He deposited her onto the bed. "Ares, I was going to help Sophia." She scolded.

"Sophia's fine." Ares dismissed. He joined Sage on the bed, his eyes shining with mischief. "I'm only thinking about you. Aren't you anxious to have me all to yourself?"

He hovered over her – his hands planted either side of her head and supporting his weight.

Sage trembled and closed her eyes. She pulled him closer, so that her lips could reach him – and kissed him deeply. Ares' heart was roaring in triumph. This was how he'd wanted things to be between them. She kissed him and he lost himself, overwhelmed by the feeling of joy. But when Sage broke apart to catch her breath, Ares was hungry for more.

He kissed her neck, expertly teasing the sensitive skin so that Sage's breathing became ragged. His hands roamed, slipping up the hem of her pyjama top to caress her smooth stomach. Sage closed her eyes, tilting back her head to stretch out her neck as he blazed a trail of hot kisses. His hands explored, squeezing her waist playfully before skimming their way up to the slope of her breasts.

"Breakfast is ready!" Sophia barked from the other side of the bedroom door. Ares scowled angrily but was determined to ignore the interruption. He found Sage's lips and kissed her deeply. Sage gripped his shoulders and pushed against them. Ares huffed and pulled back.

"No," he whined – his kissed her again. Sage smiled.

"I'm hungry." She murmured. Ares sighed, resting his forehead against hers.

"So am I."

"I'm hungry for food. Which I actually need to stay alive."

Ares relented. He rolled off her and stared up at the ceiling, waiting for his body to calm down. Sage clambered off the bed, readjusting her clothing so that she was appropriately covered. Ares watched her movements, his gaze forlorn.

"I need you – for me to live. I feel like I'll die if I lose you."

"I'm not going anywhere."

Ares pouted, watching her open the bedroom door.

"You're leaving me now."

"To go to the kitchen. The distant, far off –impossible to reach – shores of the kitchen." She teased. Ares sighed,surrendering. He listened to Sage's footsteps as she left and heard her softgreeting to Sophia.

They'd past the first obstacle in their relationship, herfeelings for him. So, why did it still feel like there was vast gulf betweenthem?

What was keeping them apart?