Pan's Conquest

By Aubrie Dionne

Pan's Conquest by Aubrie Dionne "A delightful tale of love lost and found again— and of Gods who must learn to grow beyond their fates. Highly recommended!"—Tiffany Allee Syrinx pulled a fast one on Pan to escape his raging lust. The God of Chastity wasn't about to break her vows and succumb to his temptations. Transported to the twenty-first century, she runs a florist shop - fulfilling her fake, mortal life. Until the breathtaking Parker Thomas hires her to decorate his grand estate for a gala. Five hundred roses? Easy enough. Except Parker makes her feel things she can't ignore...

As the God of Fertility, Pan is used to maidens flocking in droves to his pastures. So when Syrinx denies him, he's determined to win the one that got away. He poses as a mortal to get close to her, but he doesn't count on falling hard for his conquest - hard enough to make a life and stay.

But Syrinx is falling in love with a man that doesn't exist. Can Pan hide his identity forever, or will the truth tear them apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Feb 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781622663460

Aubrie Dionne

I started writing because my flute students urged me to publish the stories I made up in their lessons. My books are influenced by my undying love of Star Wars and Star Trek, and by my own musical life. When I’m not writing, I teach flute and play in orchestras. You can follow me on Twitter @AuthorAubrie.

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PansConquest500.jpg

Pan’s Conquest

Aubrie Dionne

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright ©2014 by Aubrie Dionne. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

2614 South Timberline Road

Suite 109

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.

Edited by Theresa Marie Cole

Cover design by Melissa Kendall

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62266-346-0

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition February 2014

Table of Contents

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter One: A Florist Called Ms. Rain

Chapter Two: Intruder

Chapter Three: One and Only

Chapter Four: Games

Chapter Five: With Open Eyes

Chapter Six: Holding Back

Chapter Seven: Even Beat

Chapter Eight: Company for the Road

Chapter Nine: Castle in the Clouds

Chapter Ten: Desired

Chapter Eleven: A Mortal’s Love

Chapter Twelve: Sabotage

Chapter Thirteen: Truth

Chapter Fourteen: Fingerprints

Chapter Fifteen: Champagne

Chapter Sixteen: Endless Forest

Chapter Seventeen: Assistance from the Assistant

Chapter Eighteen: Greenland

Acknowledgments

About the Author

To Debussy for writing Syrinx—my inspiration.

Prologue

Syrinx sprinted alongside the river, breathless. Her bare feet fell silent in the mossy undergrowth, yet the burning sense of Pan’s pursuit followed her every move. He’d tracked her for days, all the way to the edge of the mythical forests surrounding Mount Olympus. If she could reach the waterfall and disappear in the caves before her scent caught the wind, she could lose him.

And lose him she must.

Jumping to a rock outcropping leading down the falls, she swore she would never let his invitations compromise her godly vows. She ducked behind cattails, catching her breath. The river mist sprayed her bare legs, soothing her and cooling the unwanted passion arising within her as she remembered the burning lust in his eyes. Anger burned through her. She’d chosen to embody the goddess of chastity, and no male god—especially not a wild philanderer—could change that. Why she found his godly merging of man and beast irresistible, she couldn’t guess.

She turned, ready to descend into the misty caverns under the falls, when laughter caught her attention.

A young mortal stood alongside the water, berry juice smeared over her mouth and cheeks. The girl leaned forward over the rushing waters, her simple blue cotton dress dangling too close to the edge. Something—or someone—lured her toward the depths.

Syrinx took one look down into the caves where her freedom lay, then changed her mind and dove into the rushing stream. A raven-haired nymph floated in the undulating river grass, holding a turtle just below the surface. Coral. Damn it. She’d lure the girl into the water, then tangle her in the reeds and watch her struggle.

Syrinx swam toward the nymph and knocked the turtle from her hands. The turtle swam into the reeds as Coral pushed her back. I knew it. Only a Goody Two-Shoes would stop another nymph from their pleasure.

Mortals are not to be toyed with. Syrinx grabbed Coral’s feet and dragged her down into the depths toward the falls. She’d take Coral with her if she had to. One tumble off a cliff would not kill a god.

Coral growled, What else are they for?

A splash behind Syrinx caught her attention. Syrinx turned around in horror as the girl sank into the murky reeds, her blond curls floating around her heart-shaped face. Coral lunged forward, and Syrinx held her back. Using her powers, she called to the river reeds, winding them around Coral’s ankles. Coral’s parents were both river nymphs, but Syrinx descended from Artemis, legendary mother of the wildland and the hunt. Her powers ran deep from the mountain’s core.

Coral struggled against her bindings, but could not break free. Syrinx swam to the place where the girl had fallen in and clawed at the tangled reeds. Nothing.

She checked the tide barreling toward the waterfall.

Her chest tightened. Had the girl already tumbled over? Syrinx broke through the surface, scanning the area hysterically. The girl stood on the riverbank, dripping water and laughing. Pan stood beside her, playing a melancholy melody on his reed flute. Green eyes, wild as the forest in the moonlight and intense as the raging river, settled on Syrinx. His bare chest shone tan in the midday sun. Hard abs rippled down to his waist, where the fusion of man and beast began.

Syrinx stood mesmerized as the girl turned toward her. She scowled as if Syrinx had tried to drown her. Before Syrinx could say otherwise, the girl ran into the woods, leaving her alone with the one god she wanted to avoid at all costs.

Pan’s lips curled into a grin. Enjoying your dip, my dear?

Syrinx stepped forward, rising from the water. Pan’s eyes followed the curve of her breasts as her wet dress clung to her body. She wanted to hate him, yet she reveled in the pleasure spread across his face. His admiration made her feel like the goddess she was. Just a few more steps and she’d be his.

You saved the girl. She sounded more accusatory then thankful.

Of course I saved her. Not all of us have Coral’s thirst for tragedy.

Then why must you pursue me?

Come now. He winked, and her heart skipped a beat. I’d hardly call my pursuit of your chastity tragic.

Not tragic for you. Syrinx scrounged up her willpower and inched toward the falls. She glanced at his muscular legs, then wished she hadn’t. A blush burned her cheeks. Breaking my vow destroys everything I stand for.

He gave her a suggestive smile and stepped forward. I’ll make it worthwhile.

She bet he would. Her mind wandered, wondering what those sinister lips tasted like and how it would feel to be claimed by him. He’d saved the girl, so he wasn’t as evil as she made him out to be. Yet he could have done it just to gain her confidence. Underneath his sly flirtatiousness, who was he? A child of the forest—wild and untamed, fickle and cold as the wind. She’d have him for a day, then he’d be on to his next conquest, and she’d have nothing. Not even her pride.

She didn’t trust him, and she couldn’t trust herself.

Syrinx backed toward the falls. The surge of water roared at her back.

Please. Pan held out his hand, and the pain in his eyes tugged on her heart. Give me a chance.

And sacrifice my eternal honor for one night? She laughed bitterly. You can never make it worth it.

Without another word, she spread her arms and fell back, sailing down the falls like an angel falling from the heavens. Adrenaline rushed through her, along with a bubbling sense of freedom and a strong pride in herself. She would not give in to her temptations. She was the goddess of chastity and she reigned supreme.

Syrinx hit the water and allowed the current to take her down the river. Floating on her back with her face to the sky, she watched the gods ride their golden chariots on clouds. Zeus cast lightning across the sky while Apollo sang poetry into the wind. Somewhere up there, Artemis smiled down on her with pride.

She reached the far banks of the forest and waded to shore. As she wrung out her dress, a voice followed her. You truly want to be rid of him?

Syrinx whirled around. Coral stood, dripping on the rocks, her black hair flicked across her face so only one crazy, black eye showed. Her legs were red with welts where the river reeds had grabbed hold.

I don’t need your help. Syrinx pointed to the falls several miles behind them. I can take care of myself. Besides, she wouldn’t trust that river nymph with a rock she wanted to throw away.

He won’t stop following you. Coral’s eyes grew desperate, as if she wished he would.

Murderer that she was, Coral piqued her curiosity. Syrinx shook her head, trying to make sense of this sudden show of friendship. Why do you care? All I do is foil your…enjoyment.

The black-haired nymph sniffed and turned away. Some of us desire his affections.

Syrinx scoffed. You mean you want him? She hid a rising streak of jealousy. What was getting into her? Pan was no more hers than the sun and the moon. He belonged to nature and no one else.

Coral gave Syrinx a jealous sneer. All he can think of right now is pursuing you. Take you out of the equation, and he’s ripe for the picking.

Syrinx studied Coral’s dark eyes. The cruel nymph may not be as powerful as she was, but she was more clever and sly than Syrinx ever wanted to be. Maybe she had a decent plan. If I agree, will you vow never to drown another soul?

Coral put her hands on her hips. That’s asking a lot.

Syrinx pursed her lips. Maybe I want to tease him. Maybe I enjoy this sick, little game of catch and chase. I could drag this out for centuries.

Coral pulled her hands through her knotted hair. All right. I can’t promise you every mortal on this earth, but how about staying away from the innocent ones?

Syrinx considered her answer. Coral would help her get away and stop drowning children. This was quite a deal. But could she trust her? The last thing Coral wanted was for her to have Pan, so what was the worst that could happen? Syrinx raised an eyebrow. What do you mean to do?

Chapter One A Florist Called Ms. Rain

No more glades full of maidens, dances with nymphs, or eternal spring. Pan ran his fingers along the dry reeds of his flute. The power of his magic vibrated the air columns with an almost imperceptible resonant hum. He was tempted to place his lips on the reeds one last time, but he’d have company before long, and he wasn’t about to seduce his butler.

Pan tilted his head, expecting his long hair to brush his shoulders, then remembering he’d cut it in the urban fashion of the twenty-first century, slicking it back with mousse so only a few strands curled around his forehead. Accustomed to listening to changes in the wind, the distant bleat of sheep, and the whispering of maidens in love, he could hear his butler’s distinctly measured gait from three floors away.

But Rutherford’s patient approach was not the reason he had hired him. The old man didn’t ask questions, and to a god posing as a mortal, lack of curiosity was a virtue.

Pan opened the top drawer in his mahogany desk and placed the flute under a stack of papers. If he was going to maintain his pretense as a convincing mortal, then he couldn’t use it. Besides, he didn’t need it. He was the god of fertility. Charisma oozed from his every pore. He’d won every female he’d ever wanted—whether maiden, nymph, or god.

Except for Syrinx. Beautiful, sensuous Syrinx.

A gentle knock came from the door.

Stifling a rare current of doubt, he pushed the drawer back into the desk with a squeak. Gods weren’t supposed to feel inferior, and it irritated him. Come in.

The door cracked open, and Rutherford’s bulbous nose poked in. I assume you are presentable, sir?

Pan rolled his eyes. Maybe he shouldn’t have put in that ultimate protection of the client’s privacy clause. Yes, yes, come in.

Rutherford opened the door. He wore the same kind of black-and-gray suit he’d worn the past year. Mortals lacked so much imagination. Have you spoken with the florist?

Rutherford nodded, peering at him from round, thick-rimmed glasses used by grandfathers and librarians. She called back this morning.

And you insisted she come see the grounds? Now Pan would see whether the old man deserved that big paycheck he’d conjured from thin air.

The butler bowed his head. She’s on her way.

Eager expectation filled Pan’s body,