Elysian Dreams

by Marie Medina

  “Daphne,” Hera began calmly, “it may not be the Fates. You spent so much time living between our two worlds you naturally went to the Valley of Dreams. Dwelling there must have had an effect on you.”

  “We are meant for each other.”

  “I didn’t deny it. I only wanted to say it might not be the Fates.”

  “Why do you all have to meddle so much?” Daphne said.

  “We’re trying to help you,” Zeus said. “Hypnos is very different. I will protect everyone in Olympus, no matter what it takes.”

  “I want you to set him free and leave us alone. I am done with Apollo and ready to be done with all of you.”

  “So you’re angry with Apollo?” Hera asked.

  “I love Hypnos. I was so concerned about letting Apollo down easy, but I found him with another woman.”

  Hera frowned. “I can’t believe that. What were they doing?”

  Daphne hesitated. “They were having dinner, but with Apollo you know what that means.”

  “I understand why you feel that way,” Zeus said, “but you shouldn’t jump to conclusions. What did he have to say?”

  “He said they were just having dinner.”

  “And you do know that—”

  “Apollo can’t lie, I know!” Daphne clenched her fists and groaned with frustration. “Why is everyone watching us and judging us? I apologized. That spell was not my fault.”

  “Daphne, no one is judging you,” Hera said.

  Daphne stood up and walked away. Zeus looked up at Hera, but then he saw Apollo walk into the room. Ares halted him, but Zeus stood and motioned for Ares to let him come forward.

  “I only have one thing to say,” Apollo began.

  Daphne whipped around. “You arrogant ass! Get out of here!”

  Zeus held up his hand. “Give him a moment, please.”

  Apollo continued, “I think Hypnos only meant to teach me a lesson. He was angry because Daphne was upset. I don’t think he’s dangerous. He could have killed me, but I doubt he would have gone through with it. He did it because he loves her, and he deserves to be happy without worrying about someone from her past causing her pain.”

  Zeus expected Daphne to soften, but she was glaring at Apollo.

  “Daphne?” Zeus said. “He’s defending Hypnos, and that means a lot. We will give it its due weight.”

  “He’s trying to make himself look good. He’s manipulating us.”

  Apollo looked hurt. “I can’t lie, you idiot! What is wrong with you? Someone who can’t lie also can’t manipulate.”

  “You all claim to be on my side, but none of you are. I will only be happy with him, and you’re going to ruin that.”

  “If you don’t trust them, perhaps you will let me step in,” a woman said.

  Zeus recognized Nyx’s voice. He looked around with everyone else, but she waited a moment to materialize. She reclined on the couch. Her very long black hair was arranged in three braids and then twisted together at the nape of her neck. She wore a full-length, long sleeved black dress with a high neckline. Points of light swirled slowly over the dress, like a rapidly changing night sky.

  She stood and turned to face Daphne. “Will you trust me?”

  Daphne paled. “Who are you?”

  “Nyx. I’m his mother, and I’m one of the old gods. Didn’t he tell you?”

  She shook her head but seemed to recover a little. “Why are all of you taking such an interest?”

  She smiled. “Helios was only trying to help you. Gaia couldn’t care less if you hurt Apollo. Helios was concerned though. He saw how much unhappiness your immature behavior could bring.”

  Daphne laughed bitterly. “Helios came to tell me how wrong I was. That’s his opinion.”

  Zeus wondered what Nyx might have in mind. If both she and Helios had taken steps to become involved, he might very well need the help of the older deities.

  “He was concerned your behavior would cause more strife and pain,” Nyx insisted. “I will not argue with you. Let Zeus deal with my son, or let me help him. I will not wait long for a decision.”

  “You think you’re so much better than any of us, don’t you?” Daphne said.

  Nyx laughed. “Your father may have been a river god, the son of two Titans, but your mother was mortal, and you are only a nymph. You have almost no powers. I am better than you.” She turned from Daphne, dismissing her. “I’ve been thinking about my son often, Zeus. I mean to take him.”

  “I can stop you if he doesn’t want to go,” Zeus said.

  Her eyes darkened. She snapped her fingers, and Hypnos appeared next to her. She pulled on the chain that bound him. It shattered into a dozen pieces.

  “Mother?” Hypnos looked confused.

  She stroked his cheek. “You’ve suffered long enough. Their stupid scheme was not what you needed. I can give you peace.”

  “Hypnos?” Daphne said.

  He turned to Daphne and went to her, and she clung to him desperately. “You shouldn’t have worried, Daphne.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

  Everyone was astonished. She had in fact been telling the truth. Zeus considered what it could mean. If the discord between Hypnos and Apollo could be ended, nothing drastic needed to be done. However, he simply couldn’t trust Nyx.

  “This can be settled here,” Zeus said as he touched Nyx on the shoulder.

  She turned to face him and shook her head. “I owe him. I sent him into this world with such a terrible gift and left him to deal with it on his own. It was too much for any being to bear.”

  Daphne and Hypnos whispered together, and Daphne began to cry. She shook her head violently. “No! No! No!”

  Hypnos pulled away from her. “Just trust me.” He went to his mother and clasped her hand. “I’ll willingly go with you,” he whispered.

  They both faded away.

  “No!” Daphne dropped to her knees with her head in her hands.

  Zeus cursed under his breath. He couldn’t do anything because Hypnos had gone willingly. Hera looked distressed, and she squeezed his hand before going to Daphne. “Leave us alone please.”

  He lingered for a moment as Apollo and Ares went out into the hall. Hera knelt by Daphne, who immediately clung to her and cried harder. He turned away and walked out quickly as he heard her choke out the words “I’m sorry” over and over again. It tugged at his heart. She was only a nymph, and though immortal she simply didn’t have the power or strength they did. She had been through so much no one could blame her for making mistakes out of hurt and frustration.

  Apollo looked anxious, and Ares seemed angry. Ares never reacted well to crying women. Something about that particular manifestation of pain set him on the warpath.

  “Are we to have no end of his troublemaking? You weren’t going to hurt him! Why would he go with her?” Ares said.

  “I don’t know. If you had to choose between receiving help from me or Hera, who would you choose?” he asked his son. He could tell Ares resented the question.

  “Probably her, but this is a little different. Nyx is everything that is dark and chaotic and primal. Giving birth to the god of death is an excellent example.”

  “Who better to help him with his own darkness?” Apollo asked quietly.

  Ares stormed off. “Whatever. I hope I don’t have to say I told you so.”

  Apollo sighed. “I’m sorry, father. Harmonia was only trying to comfort me. We’re friends.”

  “Harmonia is a beautiful and wonderful woman. She’d be hard for any man to resist.”

  “But I did. I wanted her, but a chance with Daphne meant more.”

  “And now?”

  “I feel safe in saying I don’t want Daphne anymore.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. All of this should be over soon.”

  “You believe that?”

  “Yes.” He suddenly wished he had his son’s ability to only speak the truth. It would have made that yes sound so much more
comforting.

  * * * *

  Daphne sat alone in her bedroom. Her father had spent an hour trying to calm her down. She’d finally stopped crying, and she had assured him he shouldn’t worry. She was terrified though. What was going to happen to Hypnos?

  After listening to Hera, some of her anger had dissipated. Zeus had been wrong to interfere, but Ares couldn’t be blamed for defending his brother. However, she still felt everyone was against her and Hypnos being together. Zeus could have done more. Maybe she was no match for any of the primal gods, but Zeus stood the best chance. If he wanted to protect everyone, why not her and Hypnos? Zeus would be the first to point out that Hypnos had gone of his own free will if she tried to persuade him to take action. She knew Hypnos had done that to end the conflict. Maybe she didn’t know what Hypnos had once been like or what Thanatos had done while he existed, but she knew the man she’d fallen in love with. He was still there, and he was good.

  Daphne stretched across her bed and thought of Apollo again. She still remembered how it had felt to see him sitting there with Harmonia. Hypnos had told her Harmonia was Aphrodite’s daughter. It figured. She had no choice but to believe what Apollo had said, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t had other plans in the back of his mind. Being “just friends” with such a beautiful woman would be something to fall back on, and he had obviously suspected Daphne would choose Hypnos over him.

  Nyx disliked her, and Helios wanted her for Apollo, though he’d probably deny that. Helios’ reprimand had hurt the most, proving he was like all the others. He might have said he wanted her to “think,” but he had really meant he wanted her to submit. She’d spent her whole life being told that because she was “only a nymph” she wasn’t important. The will of the gods took precedence. If Nyx had her way, Hypnos wouldn’t want Daphne at all when he returned.

  Nyx had been right about one thing. Daphne had very few powers. She did have some though. The gods wanted her to love Apollo. They were going to get what they wanted, but they weren’t going to like it.

  * * * *

  Apollo finished drying off and threw the towel over the shower rail. The cool air in his bedroom felt bracing as he stepped into it, but he stopped after only a few feet.

  Daphne sat on his bed, a seductive smile on her face and nothing on her body.

  With a thought he was dressed, but his nakedness wasn’t the biggest concern. “Daphne, whatever you’re doing, please don’t.”

  “What do you think I’m doing? Maybe I only want to be comforted.”

  “Then go talk to your father, or your friends. Don’t sleep with someone you don’t care about. Watch mortals for a few weeks and you’ll see what a bad idea it is.” He turned his gaze away. “I’d call someone, but that wouldn’t be very gentleman-like behavior.”

  “And you’re such an expert? I know what you’re an expert of. How many women have you fucked? Mortal, immortal, before and after me, what’s the grand total?”

  He knew the number, and telling her would hurt her, no matter how little she felt for him. His only option was silence.

  “Tell me.” She walked behind him and ran her hands over his shoulders. Her touch was tentative and unsure, showing her lack of experience. All the more reason to stop her.

  “One hundred forty-seven.”

  He felt her flinch. Then her arms went around his waist, but her touch felt even less like seduction than before. She was shaking, and she probably needed to hold on to him to stand up. He cursed himself silently.

  “If you wanted all of them, why don’t you want me?” she asked.

  “Wanting someone and wanting to fuck someone are different. At least slightly. Even if you really want to fuck me right now, which I doubt, Hypnos is the man you want.” He touched her hands gently and pulled her off him. “Does that make sense?”

  She came around to face him and ran her hands up his chest and around his neck. “Make it all go away. Please. If you love me so much fix it. Protect me and take care of me.”

  He wanted to hold her, but she would misunderstand his intentions. He put his hands behind his back and took a deep breath. “Daphne, that was a spell. I don’t love you any more than you love me. I cared for you and desired you very much before the spell made me love you. All of that is in the past now. I will help you, but this won’t help anyone. Both of us would regret it.”

  “Do you love Harmonia?” Daphne asked, frowning but not letting go of him.

  “I barely know her. My feelings for her are no stronger than my real feelings for you ever were, but there is one difference.”

  She hesitated, but then asked, “What?”

  “She wants to help me. Maybe her motives are selfish, but she genuinely likes me. I have the feeling you don’t. She wouldn’t hurt me to get what she wants. I’m thinking you want revenge.” He unclasped her hands and tilted her head up. “If that’s what you want, it’s what you’ll get.” He kissed her deeply and crushed her body against his.

  He’d expected her to fight him or recoil, but instead she responded by kissing him back and running her hands through his hair. He realized exactly how much he’d miscalculated when she rubbed her leg against his cock.

  He broke the kiss. “Daphne, no. This is wrong.”

  She refused to release him. “I bet you’re good, after fucking that many women.” She ran her hand over his cock. “We have to do this. It won’t be over until we do.”

  He swept her up into his arms and took her to the bed, but instead of climbing onto her, he put her under the covers and then got on top of her.

  “What are you doing?” she asked. She didn’t struggled, but she looked at him like he’d lost his mind.

  “A naked woman rubbing up against me is a bit distracting.”

  She gave him a reproachful look. “You kissed me.”

  “You showed up naked in my house. I was trying to show you that you don’t really want this.”

  She turned her face away and didn’t say anything.

  “Daphne, you’re hurt and want to hurt the people you blame. I’m sorry. You’ll get hurt even more in the process if you go on like this.”

  She looked back up at him, but he couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

  “We can probably never be friends, but if we had sex it would be worse. Hypnos would hate me even more, and everyone would look at me as an even bigger jerk. They’d pity you even more, and something tells me you don’t like that.”

  “What?”

  She looked a little panicked, and he knew he’d hit a nerve. “Everyone trying to comfort you, tiptoeing around you. Only a couple of weeks have passed, but you’re tired of it.”

  “I want to be left alone. With Hypnos. My friends aren’t my friends anymore. They only wanted me to tell them everything so they could spread it around. Hera and Zeus just want me to behave.”

  “That’s not true. They’re very worried about you.”

  “They claim they want to help, but what are they doing?”

  “I have no idea what she’s planning, but I doubt Nyx will hurt her son. She abandoned him long ago, and this gesture tells me she wants to make everything right. I think you need to be patient and wait to see what she actually does.”

  She struggled a little. “I’m dressed now. Let me up.”

  He did so, after checking to make sure she indeed was clothed, and she sat up and moved to the edge of the bed. He sat beside her.

  “Will you tell anyone?” she asked.

  “No. This is personal. You were upset and made a rash decision.”

  “You could have had me. I came here to seduce you. I wouldn’t have told anyone afterwards. I would have admitted I’d been the aggressive one.”

  “You’d have felt ashamed. You’d have regretted it.”

  She shrugged. “I suppose so.”

  “And so would I.”

  She met his gaze. “I still need help though.” Tears fell from her eyes.

  He put his arms around her and let her cry.
He didn’t know what to say. After a few minutes, she pulled away and stood up.

  “I want to believe it’s all going to work out, but I can’t make myself do that.”

  “I’m sorry I can’t convince you. If you really love him, the Fates wouldn’t take that away. Not after what you’ve both been through.”

  “If I forgive you will you forgive me? Everything?”

  “There’s a lot to our ‘everything,’ but I would like that. Let’s call a truce. We’ve both been through enough.”

  She reached for his hands and squeezed them. “Thank you. Hold me to it.”

  He stood up. “I don’t think I’ll have to.”

  She shook her head. “You proved tonight you’re stronger than me. Hold me to it. I’d rather trust you than anyone else while Hypnos is gone.”

  “All right. I promise. Should I take you home?”

  “I’ll be fine.” She released his hands. “Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  She disappeared.

  He sat down on his bed. He wanted a very strong drink, but he decided to resist. He thought of Harmonia. It would be so nice to tell her all about this and then spend the night in her arms. Not having sex, but just being near her and holding her. However, he’d never show her she wasn’t a “rebound” girl if he did that. In two days, he would see her again. He did like her. They might not be destined for a great love story or a happy ending, but he felt she would soon be a regular part of his life.

  Despite all the things pressing on his mind, the idea made him smile.

  Chapter Seven

  Harmonia read Apollo’s note again. It was very short, but it said a lot to her. He’d said he really wanted to see her because a couple of things that had happened had made him realize how much he wanted and needed a friend, someone to talk to.

  She wanted to be friends too, though she wanted more as well. Was he apologizing for coming on to her? Was he trying to show he wouldn’t do it again? That wasn’t exactly what she wanted either. However, she had said she didn’t want to be a rebound girl, and this note implied he understood and would respect that. Being friends was a start, so she had to smile.