My Slave Goddess

Why are you smiling like that?" the goddess asked me, eyes narrowing.

Her voice was sharp. "It's creepy."

I didn't answer. I was too busy wondering what would happen if I kissed her. Would I burn? Would the heavens crash down? Or worse would she kiss back?

Still, I smirked.

"Anyway," I said, looking away, "I've got my own girlfriend now."

Her expression shifted instantly. She turned with a smug grin, like a boss ready to scold a lazy employee.

"Let's go back," she ordered.

"No."

She froze. "What?"

"I said no." I looked her straight in the eyes.

There was silence between us. Then I spoke.

"Since we got here, it's always been about you. You dragging me around. You giving commands. You deciding everything. But look around for once."

I motioned behind me. A girl stepped forward Rosemary. Rose.

"The elves gave me a wife. This girl here, she loves me. But you'll never understand what that means, because you're just a flat goddess. No feelings. No heart."

My words were fire, and I knew it. But Rose flinched. She looked terrified not of me, but of the goddess standing behind me like a looming shadow.

Umm Uncle? Rose said in a shaky voice. "Can I go? I'm really scared of the goddess. She could snap me out of existence."

"Uncle?" I blinked. "Wait. Rose, how old are you?"

"Thirteen," she whispered.

I stared at her.

"Why the hell did they give a thirteen-year-old girl to share my tent?" I muttered. "These elves are stupid"

Frustrated, I turned back to the goddess.

"If you want to go back to the kingdom, fine. But I'm leading. Me. Your way of doing things? I'm done with it. I don't live like that anymore."

She didn't say anything. She just stared, silent. Then she moved closer. Her power rose with her like heat in the air, pressing down on me.

"I know," she finally said. "I've been intrusive. Maybe I wasn't supposed to be here in the first place but"

But what?

"Last nightbI heard something strange, just before I fell asleep. You did something, didn't you? Something that broke the laws of the heavens.

I sighed. Yeah. I was going to tell you about that.

She looked away, her voice soft and almost human.

I still have divine powers but my father punished me. He banished me.

I tilted my head. Punished? For what?

"I helped the elves. I interfered with mortal life. I was given two choices lose my godhood forever or wander the lower realms as a fallen goddess for thirty years."

She paused. "I chose thirty years."

I stared at her for a moment. Then, slowly, I started smiling.

I'm screwed.

So much for living selfishly. So much for marrying a proper wife and grilling crocodile meat in peace. Everything just flew out the window.

Then i said, "Do you remember the bet we made? Before we rescued the elves?"

She didn't respond. Because she knew where this was going.

She smiled that smug, divine smile.

"I'm calling in that bet. I want it now. Let's go to the kingdom."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why so eager?"

She stepped closer again, arms crossed, full of pride.

"Because I really need a slave like you to carry me to the kingdom."

She let out a groan and rubbed my face.

"What's the name of your kingdom again?" I asked, grinning like i already owned it.