by Marie Medina
She accepted it. “Thank you.” She stared down at it. “Let’s go in here.” She led him into the living room. The coffee table was bare, so she set the bowl in the middle of it.
She knew exactly what she wanted to say and believed it was going to make him happy. Yet she couldn’t be sure of what would happen afterwards.
She sat down and gestured for him to sit beside her.
He spoke first. “I want to pick up exactly where we left off, but you look like you’re going to burst if I don’t let you talk.”
She laughed, but even that release of nervous energy didn’t calm her. “Will you let me get it all out before you react?”
“Yes. I’m still your friend, despite all the years we didn’t speak.”
“A long time by mortal standards.”
“Not for us though. Time doesn’t matter here.”
“Everyone here says that. It’s an excuse to do nothing about problems and mistakes.”
“Apollo and Daphne? I’ll agree something should have been done long ago. It’s no one individual’s fault, even if you still think it’s yours.”
“I was only partially thinking of that.”
“You must mean our fight. I wouldn’t release you, so you went to Ares. That made me angry, and we both said cruel things. We stopped talking. You did nothing to gain your freedom, and I did nothing to make you change your mind.”
“That’s only part of it. I confessed something to you before Thanatos was put on trial. You remember?”
“How could I forget? You admitted you never tried to love me. You thought it would make me feel better, but I think you regretted saying it.”
Did his ability to understand her so completely make him perfect for her, or would it make living with him annoying and infuriating? She took a breath. “I did regret it, but it was true. I’ve come to a conclusion that should make you happy.”
“I won’t interrupt again. Go on.”
“It’s pretty obvious we still have chemistry. I don’t regret what happened earlier today, but I’m glad we were interrupted. I want to try again, but I have a few conditions. All right?”
He nodded.
“I don’t want anyone to know. No matter how well you think it’s going, I want it to remain a secret. I’d also prefer to take the sexual part more slowly. I’m not saying no sex. I’m saying not right now.”
Hephaestus kept looking at her. After a moment, he shifted his gaze. “That’s all?”
“Yes. You thought there would be more?”
“Well, that’s how things are now. It’s a secret, and we aren’t sleeping together. Your willingness to try is an improvement. I’ll have no problem with this at all. You shouldn’t have worried.”
“But I am not your wife, no matter how long I wear this ring. If my feelings don’t change, I want to be released.”
“And how long will I have to woo you?”
She didn’t have an answer for that. As much as she knew about love, she had no idea what the coming days and weeks would hold. “I won’t act rashly. I won’t end this on a whim or without talking about it.”
“I think I can handle that. My mother may grow impatient soon. What do you propose?”
“Stall her.”
He laughed. “Stall my mother? That should be fun.” He moved closer. “Come here and kiss me. I’ll keep my hands behind my back I if need to.”
She reached out and took both of his hands. “This will be good enough.” She leaned in and kissed him. His lips were gentle and sweet. She wanted more, but she was convinced waiting was fairer to him. She’d convinced herself she loved Hermes, but she’d been fooling herself. She’d tried very hard to love Ares, but the Fates had made other plans for his heart. Whatever their plans were for hers, she was going to be open to them.
Chapter Nine
Apollo stood on the balcony outside Zeus’ throne room. Zeus and Hypnos were talking inside. Apollo didn’t have much to say. He wasn’t angry with Hypnos, but he was anxious to find out what was going on. He knew it was best for him and Hypnos to talk, which was why he’d suggested their meeting today.
Hypnos opened one of the glass doors and stepped onto the balcony. Apollo could see Zeus moving across the room to fix himself a drink at the sideboard that had just appeared. He looked at Hypnos and kept his face neutral.
“Based on what Zeus said, this is going to be easier than I thought,” Hypnos said.
“I’m not angry. I wanted to strangle Aphrodite for everything Daphne went through. I can hardly blame you for punching someone who could defend himself for hurting her.”
“I acted rashly. I’m having trouble understanding how to make her happy.”
“She’s very upset. I imagine she’s complaining a lot?”
Hypnos nodded. “She is. She’s paranoid too.”
“She’s always been like that. She needs reassurance. Once you two are together all the time, she’ll be better. I think. It’s hard to say how centuries as a tree affected her.”
“She always existed separately in spirit. I think she found her way to the Valley of Dreams for a reason. I meant to ask my mother, but she might not have known. She knew Helios and Gaia. Did you know that?”
“I’ve picked it up.”
“Helios told her he thought she was acting badly. That’s why she was so angry.”
Apollo knew what Helios had probably meant, but he didn’t know what Daphne had told Hypnos, so even though he felt safe, he wasn’t going to volunteer any information. “She can be sensitive. I remember that.”
Hypnos walked to the railing and looked out over the garden. In a low voice, he said, “Thank you for not taking advantage of her.”
Apollo froze. Even though he’d been assured that Hypnos no longer had power over death, he planned on treading carefully. “I wouldn’t have done that. No matter what, I didn’t want her hurt anymore.”
“She hasn’t said anything, but I can tell she feels ashamed. I figured out she must have tried something when she went to talk to you while I was away. When she was still without her memories, she threw herself at me. Somehow, she believes sex is an escape.”
Apollo decided to trust his gut. “She thinks everyone wants her to be with me, right? She came to me and wanted me to fuck her. She thought that would make them all sorry.”
Hypnos nodded. “She would think that way. I’m still afraid the spell and her liminal state affected her mind.”
“It seems likely, but all those years ago she was very specific about her attitudes toward sex. She loved to hunt and wanted to be like Artemis.”
“Your sister? That’s interesting.”
“It’s how I met Daphne. She admired Artemis and wanted to be taught how to hunt properly. Artemis trained her with some other girls. Nymphs, wood spirits, all kinds. After the training was over, Artemis never thought of her again, but I did.”
“But she wanted to be completely like your sister and stay a virgin?”
“Yeah. She liked me, but she said I could only kiss her. I thought she’d change her mind. Then things went wrong.”
“The past doesn’t matter. I care about the future.”
“I hope you can be happy. You must love her.”
“I do. We’re going to go away.”
“Where?” Apollo didn’t want to say he’d been hoping for that, but he felt some of the heaviness leaving his heart and mind.
“To the mortal world. We will live there. My place was in the Underworld, but I no longer belong there. We’re going to start over.”
Apollo sighed. “I’m glad. After I calmed her down and we talked, we agreed to be friends. I was dreading the task. Every meeting would be so awkward. It made her feel better though.”
“It did, but I think she feels the same. It’s best we leave. I can’t blame anyone for wanting to avoid me.”
Apollo didn’t know what to say to that. He couldn’t deny he was still apprehensive. “I understand. I guess it’s been hard.”
&
nbsp; “It has, but now I have Daphne. I’ve made peace with my mother. And I’m hoping to be welcome at my sister’s wedding.”
Apollo wasn’t sure what he meant, but then he remembered. “Yes, Eris is your sister. I always think of her as Ares’ sister, but she’s really yours.”
Hypnos’ expression darkened.
Apollo remembered why Hypnos and Eris didn’t talk. He’d tried to kill her, and Ares had saved her. “Sorry. Should have just nodded.”
“It’s okay. She and Ares love each other very much. They are perfect companions. They should have really been brother and sister. I’m glad she has him.”
“Well, I think Hermes has helped her. She’s much more approachable now.”
“She’s invited me. I just want to wish her well, if Ares will let me. I’m glad to see her finally find happiness.”
Apollo patted him on the back. “I hope so.” He extended his hand. “We’re all right?”
Hypnos took his hand and shook it. “Yes. We’re fine.” As he released his hand, he looked around. “So, you and Harmonia?”
“Yes, Harmonia. We’re seeing each other now, even though we were just friends when Daphne saw us together.”
“I remember her. She’s very sweet.”
“She is. I like her a lot.”
Hypnos raised his eyebrows.
“That’s all. I like her, and that’s all she feels for me. She asked Aphrodite.”
“That’s a blessing. It’s hard to love someone and not be with them at all. If either of you change, you’ll already be together.”
“She seems happy. She came on strong at first, but then thought better of it. Now I’m pursuing her. A little confusing, but exciting.”
Hypnos looked down at the path below them. “Perhaps the Fates have decided we should all be happy.”
Apollo smiled as he thought of Harmonia. “It’s possible. It’s about time they did something nice for you.”
Hypnos headed for the doors that led back into the palace. “Messing with my head was better than killing me. Let’s go tell Zeus he doesn’t have to worry about us challenging each other.”
Apollo followed Hypnos back into the throne room, wondering what other challenges awaited both of them. He felt certain Daphne would be happy in time, so now he only had to worry about not disappointing Harmonia. Or himself.
* * * *
Zeus smiled indulgently at his son. “Ares, I think Eris can do whatever she wants, including talking to her own brother. Her real brother.” He knew those last words would sting, but Ares needed to stop acting like a spoiled child.
Ares was pacing back and forth in Zeus’ study. Eris stood next to the desk with her arms crossed. Zeus sincerely wished Ares hadn’t gotten a dose of stubbornness from both him and Hera, but it seemed he had.
“He lost the right to call himself her brother long ago. I do not want him within twenty feet of her.”
Eris groaned. “I can see him if I want to. He’s coming to my wedding whether you want him there or not. I’ve forgiven him. I know he still loves me, and more to the point, Ares, I love him!”
“After what he did? You’re serious?” He looked at her with genuine pain in his eyes. “Eris, he slit your throat and left you to die.”
“You don’t understand him. You don’t understand the burdens he had. I fought against him when he tried to overthrow Hades because he was wrong. I wanted to stop him before he went so far he wouldn’t be forgiven. I would never have wished his death.”
“Five more seconds, and he would have killed you. I can still see him holding the knife at your throat. If he’d slit a little bit deeper—”
“But he didn’t!” Eris looked as if she was about to cry, and Zeus decided to stay silent. Ares had wanted to have this little meeting, and Zeus had obliged, but he still felt Ares should have discussed this with Eris alone.
Ares looked taken aback as well. Anger and disdain were the emotions everyone expected from Eris in large amounts. Zeus wasn’t sure what to do with her in any other state.
She walked toward Ares. “I love you so much. You mean the world to me, but he’s my real brother. I can’t deny what that means to me.”
Ares refused to look at her. He turned his head away. “Fine. Don’t expect me to be civil though.”
“If you can’t be civil, then keep your distance. I have forgiven him, and I plan on telling him so. Out of respect for you, I’m going to do it at the wedding instead of seeing him alone.”
“Respect for me?”
“Yes. You would be angry and scared if I went to see him alone.”
Ares looked back at her and rolled his eyes. “I wouldn’t be scared. You can defend yourself.”
“That’s not what I meant. You hold a grudge against him, but I think you’re a little jealous I might forget about you if he and I were talking again.”
Zeus really wanted to disappear. He knew Eris was right. He knew Ares was like him and always rolled his eyes when he was on the defensive. Zeus felt he was intruding.
Ares surprised him though. “And what if that’s true? You can’t blame me. If we all trust the Fates the way you do, we have to believe you were born so I wouldn’t be alone, so I’d always have a friend who understood me perfectly.”
“That could never, ever change. Having two husbands wouldn’t work for most. Having two best friends can be tricky. However, I think I’m together enough to handle loving two brothers.”
Ares held her gaze a long time and seemed to give in. He put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her forehead. He looked over at Zeus. “How much of an asshole am I at this moment?”
Zeus leaned forward. “You’ll never beat me, I’m sure.”
Ares looked back at Eris. “I’m still not crazy about it, but as long as it’s at the wedding, I won’t get in the way.”
“Good. I’m about to have a husband to protect me.”
“I know. I’m sure he’ll do a fine job.”
“Then let me get back to wedding stuff. There’re only a few days left.”
“All right.”
She kissed him on the cheek, and then turned to Zeus. “Thanks for refereeing. Sure you had a blast.” She snapped her fingers and was gone.
Ares still looked frustrated, so Zeus said, “It’s going to be fine. You can’t control everything.”
“I want to though. I conquered my jealousy of Apollo, even though I know how much Alala still cares for him as a friend. Why is it so hard to conquer this kind of jealousy?”
“Hard to say. Eris is part of you, and you have a hard time forgiving someone who hurt her, and an even harder time seeing her forgive him. I want to control everyone in my life too, but I can’t.” Zeus stood up and walked around the desk. “Let’s take a walk. It will help you clear your head.”
They strolled down into the garden, and Zeus realized he’d spent a lot of time around the palace lately, thinking.
“How’s your mother been? She seems distracted and busy lately.”
Ares frowned. “She has. She’s been pensive about Hephaestus. I’ll be glad when that’s over. Now she’s excited about the weddings though. It’s all she talks about.”
Zeus nodded. Apparently Hera wasn’t confiding in Ares. He didn’t seem to be hiding anything. “Is Alala excited about your wedding?”
“I think so. She was overwhelmed at first, but mom’s helped with that. She is excited now.”
“Ah.”
Ares cleared his throat. “I take it no news about who Hephaestus’ mystery girl is.”
“No. I think he’s trying to protect the poor thing from your mother.”
Ares nodded. “Yeah. That’s good. I adore her, but she’s so overbearing.”
Zeus laughed. “She is at that.”
Ares stopped. “I need to get back, actually. Alala might need something.”
Zeus was surprised, but he didn’t mind getting a little more time to himself. “Oh, yes, go if you need to.”
Ares nodded agai
n and turned away, walking to the garden gate quickly. Zeus stared after him, but then began walking again. What had that been all about? Hera and Alala got along very well. He couldn’t be worried about that. Was he worried about his brother? They’d never been close, but maybe something had happened between Ares and Hephaestus when they were all together before going after Thanatos. They had been alone together after he and Hypnos left for the Underworld.
Zeus stopped beside a pear tree. Ares didn’t get nervous unless he was protecting someone or hiding something, which could only mean he’d either been told or guessed who Hephaestus was in love with. He could only think of one person who was a possibility and who meant enough to Ares to warrant his protection.
Aphrodite.
Zeus conjured up a bench so he could sit down. He could only think of one thing to say.
“Shit.”
* * * *
Daphne and her father were enjoying a very hearty breakfast on his back porch. He’d been cooking more than three meals a day since she’d been home. She felt bad for leaving him, but when she’d offered he’d said he didn’t want to go with them.
“Do you think you’ll like living among mortals?” Peneus asked. “It may feel natural, since your mother was mortal.”
She smiled because she was starting to get excited. “I think I will. If I still had any friends here, I’d want to stay. I’ll come back to see you all the time, but I really don’t want to live here. It will be better for Apollo too.”
“Yes, he can move on. I often wondered why he never left.”
Daphne pulled a cinnamon roll apart and licked the frosting off her fingers. She was definitely going to miss her father’s cooking every day. She popped half of the roll into her mouth. After chewing for a moment, she said, “His sister is here. Twins are supposed to be very close, but I doubt she approved of his romantic escapades. Her absence during all of this tells me they aren’t exactly bosom companions anymore. Maybe they can be as close as they used to be.”
“That’s a good point.” He shoved the syrup over to her. “Have some on your pancakes. It’s raspberry.”