He watched her from a distance,
His eyes unable to leave her for a second after landing there by chance.
And he wondered how he was unable to see her there before.
She was breathtaking, her allure undeniable.
Dark hair shone gold in the rays of the setting sun behind her, every strand curling this way and that, ending just below her shoulders.
He envied the wine colored fabric clinging so modestly to the smooth skin he so desperately longed to feel beneath his fingers.
He took offense to the areas of skin that remained bare only, it seemed, for the sake of teasing him.
Her warm brown shoulders leading gently to the firm swell of her breasts. Her bare middle and the length of her legs.
It was torture he'd never known until now.
"That, my lord, is my youngest sister, Aegle." The nymph at his side informed him.
He'd all but forgotten her presence save for the arm wound through his. He tore his eyes away from the vision before long enough to acknowledge her.
She merely repeated knowledge he already knew and her once sought after presence now irritated him.
He returned his eyes to the nymph in the distance.
Aegle lifted a delicate hand to the trunk of the dark tree at her side and ran her palm over the rough surface. Her rose colored mouth moved softly as she spoke inaudibly.
Beneath her hand, the tree radiated a soft light, extending all the way to the golden apples hanging from its branches.
It was a stunning sight that could only be challenged by the smile that spread from her eyes to her lips.
A smile, in response, found its way to his mouth.
"It's an honor, really." Her sister, Hespera, began again.
His blue eyes fell to her once more, his annoyance burning fiercely behind them.
She must have taken the intensity in his eyes as desire for she continued.
"Tending this garden and maintaining its beauty for the Queen of the gods herself. My sisters and I take much pride in it."
"She is beautiful."
Confusion drifted over Hespera's lovely features. She followed the gaze of the god who's arm she held closely and realization set in.
"Perhaps we can persuade her to join us although I must tell you that she is not as well versed in the acts of love as my second sister and I."
He frowned at the subtle insult masked as simple information and silently vowed to but the knowledge the older nymph so openly bragged about to the test.
Sly comments aside, he was more than enticed by the idea of sharing a bed with the beauty before him and minded not to let the opportunity flutter by.
He replaced his frown with the most charming smile he could muster, which proved to be no task for him, and fully faced Hespera.
"Introduce me."
"Of course."
She led him over to where Aegle stood with her back to them. They slowed to a stop a few paces away so not to startle the girl.
"Sister," Hespera greeted. "We have a visitor."
Aegle spun around, her hair flouncing about her shoulders.
Her eyes, as golden as the apples she tended, met the gods briefly before being shielded by a thick fall of lashes.
"I am honored, Lord of Light." She bowed gracefully before him.
Unable to resist touching her, he took a step forward and took her hand, earning him another look into her soft eyes.
"The honor is mine." He replied, bring her fingers to his lips.
She smiled gently, causing his heart to leap, before pulling her hand away.
He held her gaze until she looked away, drawn by the voice he was beginning to detest.
"Aegle, would you like to join Erytheia and I as we entertain our guest? I'm sure it would be an occasion none would hope to miss." Hespera informed her.
Aegle pondered this for a moment.
"I would love to." She declared.
A smile instantly leapt to Apollo's face but feel just as quickly as she continued.
"But I'm afraid I must respectfully decline."
Hespera raised her eyebrow, confused though not clearly as much as the god.
"For what reason, sister?"
"I'm afraid my heart may belong to another."