Ellie laughed low in her throat and spun close to the comely, youthful god--very close, bringing her face to within scant centimeters of his--and murmured teasingly, "Need you ask, sweet Hermes? It's your party, is it not?"

With that, she twined her fingers in his golden hair and kissed him boldly, slightly drunk with the dance and the awareness of the interest rising around her. A feast after a famine--she wondered if that sneaky little Horseman had been exerting his own influence in an arena where Adam might be less likely to notice, or if she just hadn't been trying hard enough.

She lingered long enough to leave no doubt as to her own interest. But then, too flush with energy to remain in one place for long, she broke the kiss and twirled away toward where Crowley had just jumped up and gave every indication of intending to join in as well.