Kendaa looked briefly around her hut, then took off her armor and laid it aside. She was more tired than she could ever remember. The battle had been brutal but because of the skills of the forum members and the weapons of Hephaestus, the casualties had been low to the Amazon Nation. The tall warrior slid out of her leather vest and skirt and threw them aside. She sat down on the side of her bed and sighed.

"That's all I care about. It's over and my sisters are safe," she said to herself quietly. She looked around the hut again. She had left in a hurry and there should have been disarray. But her hut was tidy and all the things that had been strewn about in her haste to gather necessary provisions had been put away. She frowned.

"Well, that's odd." Then she shrugged. "I'm too tired to care," she said to herself and lay back on the bed. She was dressed in the cotton panties that she wore under her leather. The room was growing dim as the sun set. She had no desire to move.

Then something brushed her face. The fatigue gave way to alarm and she swung around although she could see nothing. She sat up as she heard a gentle laugh.

"Whose there?" she asked angrily.

Slowly in the dim light of the room, a figure formed. First she only saw the bare outline of a tall man. Then she smiled as the figure became flesh and she could smell the leather of the dark God of War.

The sultry god's eyes stared at her and a smile formed at the corners of his mouth.

Kendaa got up and sauntered over to the basin and pitcher that sat on a stand in the corner. She poured water into the basin slowly. Her movements were fluid. She made no effort to cover herself. When the water was poured, she pulled off the panties and tossed them aside. She could hear the god's breathing increase as she began washing herself, letting the water run down her back.

"What do you want?" she asked after what seemed like an eternity.

"I came to wish you a happy birthday," Ares said quietly.

She turned and smiled but the smile held the same reserve that the green-eyed Amazon held for everyone who crossed her path. The water glistened on her golden skin. She walked unself-consciously over to the tall man and stood before him, crossing her arms over her chest. The motion made her breasts rise up.

"Thank you. I was not aware mortals got this kind of service from Olympus."

He grabbed her by the arms and pulled her up so that their faces were close. Now he could see the flecks of gold in her eyes. Ares' jaw tensed and his nostrils flared.

"Why do you do this to me?" he growled.

"Why do you let me?" she retorted. Her lips were pursed now and the reserve had turned to playful teasing. He let her go and turned away.

He started to pace angrily back and forth. Kendaa laughed and sat down on the bed again, drying herself now with the towel that she had laid aside for that purpose.

"What do you want from me?" Ares asked finally, turning and standing before her with his hands on his hips. "I am a god. I have heavy obligations -- obligations that mortals cannot understand."

The Amazon laughed. "Well then go. Go and do your duty," she replied. "You must know by now, my lord, that I have strong feelings about the importance of fulfilling one's commitments." She crossed her legs and one leg swung up and down as she spoke. She sat back on the bed leaning back on her outstretched arms. Ares gazed at the object of his confusion and desire.

"I ask you again," he whispered, "What do you want from me?"

"Right now, this instant?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Right now, I want you to take off your clothes. Slowly....so I can watch each piece come off. Then I want you. Tomorrow, you can be a god. But tonite, you belong to me and to me alone." She got up again and walked over to the tall dark figure. She could see the desire in his eyes. The room was very dim now. She slid her arms around his waist and then let her hands travel slowly down the small of his back to the firmness of his buttocks.

He pointed at the cold fireplace and a fire ignited into a blaze. Now she could see him clearly and watch his face as anger was replaced by a smile. He kissed her, gently at first and then with passion.

She was still embracing him. He drew away and smiled again.

"If you don't let me go, how am I going to undress for you?"

The Amazon went back to the bed and sat down....