Disclaimer & Notices: See the prologue.

AN: What you think so far? :) FYI, there will be an update for To Fight For What is Mine maybe this weekend or beginning of next week. It depends on whether I am flying my plane on Sunday or not. Anyway, onward!

And please enjoy.

Started: February 21, 2015

Series: One Shot

My Immortal Love

by Red Hope

Chapter 1

Gabrielle of Potidaea playfully shoved her friend, Perdicus, away and laughed at his joke. "I do not believe you."

"Well if you do not believe me then we should try it," Perdicus argued. He was seated beside his friend along the creek. He had yet to catch any fish, but Gabrielle already had two of them.

"No, no." Gabrielle shook her head several times. "We will get in trouble."

Perdicus grinned like a cat. "Who will know?"

Gabrielle was seated on a log beside her friend. To her left were two fish that had stopped breathing awhile ago. "Your father will figure it out." She leaned closer to Perdicus. "Then he will tell my father."

Perdicus chuckled and teased, "You do not want to do it because you know the sheep will not go back down the steps."

Gabrielle knew Perdicus was lying to her just so he could dare her. However, Gabrielle refused to find out if it was true that a sheep could only go upstairs, not back down them. If they attempted it in Perdicus's house, as he suggested, then they would get in big trouble.

"Come on. It will be fun," Perdicus tried again.

Gabrielle swatted her friend and stated, "No." She returned to her fishing.

Perdicus still had his grin. He admired his friend's beautiful features. He remembered when she was a bit chunky as a kid. Now as young teenagers, he could see that Gabrielle would grow into a gorgeous woman. He prayed his father could seal an agreement with Gabrielle's father and give enough in dowry for him to marry Gabrielle. In the next seasons, his father would start arrangements with Gabrielle's father. Thankfully Pericus's family had slightly more wealth due to their success with the sheep herding business.

For awhile, the friends continued to fish until it was just after noon high. Gabrielle reminded her friend she had to go home, especially with the fish. She gave him one then said goodbye to him, with a quick hug. She promised to see him in the next day or so. Gabrielle was looking forward to going home because her friend, Melitta, was due to stay with her for the night. Melitta was also close to Lila too.

"Hello, Gabrielle," Hecuba greeted her daughter.

"Hi, mom." Gabrielle gave the fish to her mother then went to put her fishing items away.

Hecuba was happy to add the fish to tonight's menu. She turned her head and called, "Melitta is here."

Gabrielle went to her shared room with Lila and found Melitta already settled into the guest bed. She and Melitta exchanged warm hugs before they sat on a bed and chatted about recent events. Shortly, Lila arrived and the same greetings passed between friends. Shortly, Hecuba announced that dinner was ready for everybody.

Gabrielle was famished and ate the fastest. Her mother told her to slow down, but it rarely worked for her. After dinner, she and Melitta went outside to play before sunset. Lila only joined them after she helped her mother clean up the kitchen.

By sundown, the girls were exhausted and returned home for a quick snack before bed. Lila settled into bed first and rolled onto her side after she heard her sister and Melitta get into bed. She was happy when the candles were blown out.

Gabrielle lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling. She sighed at her sister's soft snores. She turned her head to the right and wondered if Melitta was still awake. Not quite ready to sleep, Gabrielle slid out of bed and went over to Melitta's bed.

"Mel, you asleep?"

"Not yet," Melitta replied. She scooted over when Gabrielle moved under the blanket with her. "That fish you caught was really good."

Gabrielle smiled brightly. "It's one of my favorites."

"What kind of fish was it?"

Gabrielle considered it for a moment. "I think a pike fish."

Melitta had no idea what a pike fish was other than the taste of it. "Did you go with Perdicus?"

"I did."

Melitta smiled and asked, "How is he?"

"He is good." Gabrielle had always liked Perdicus since they met a few anni ago by the river. They had both been fishing but on opposite sides. Perdicus had crossed over and joined her. His home was on the other side.

"You think you and Perdicus will marry?" Melitta questioned.

Gabrielle snuggled in closer to her friend, glad for the warmth. She considered the question and looked at Melitta.

Melitta was an annus younger than her. She had the classic Macedon features with a round face, larger nose, and dark curly hair. Her eyes were honey brown in the right light. She was quite beautiful and more beautiful than Gabrielle, in Gabrielle's opinion.

"I don't think about such things," Gabrielle admitted.

Melitta giggled and challenged, "Why ever not?" She poked Gabrielle in the side. "You are almost marrying age."

"So are you," Gabrielle challenged. "Do you think about it?"

Melitta pushed her hair out of her face. "At times I do." She grinned and added, "I want a little girl so much."

Gabrielle smiled at the idea of children. "I want both."

"A boy and a girl?" Melitta saw her friend's nod. "Girls are so much easier than boys."

"But boys can do more than girls," Gabrielle reminded. "I wish I could do half of what Perdicus gets to do."

Melitta softly laughed at the idea.

"I am serious," Gabrielle argued.

Melitta bit her bottom lip but quietly asked, "Like what?"

"You know, like ride a horse."

Melitta giggled and teased, "You of all people. You are liable to hurt yourself, Gabby."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "I could learn."

Melitta picture her friend riding a horse then falling off, and it made her giggle again.

"Oh come on, Mel." Gabrielle poked her friend's side a few times. "I could work in the fields and actually own the land."

Melitta listened to Gabrielle's rant.

"I could learn how to use a xiphos."

Melitta's eyes went wide and a gasp passed her lips. "A sword, Gabrielle?" She shook her head and teased, "You would kill yourself in that case."

Gabrielle swatted her friend this time. "I am not that clumsy."

"Why sure you are," Melitta insisted.

Gabrielle was offended shoved hard against Melitta.

"Ouch," Melitta complained. She was surprised by her friend's strength. "You must wrestle with Perdicus."

Gabrielle chuckled and nodded. "I do, sometimes." However, lately their wrestling had grown different. Gabrielle did her best to stay away from such things with Perdicus. She became serious and softly stated, "I could also marry whoever I wanted to rather than who my father says so."

Melitta was quiet and then quietly asked, "Who would you marry then?"

Gabrielle seriously considered the question. "I would marry my best friend." She studied Melitta's gorgeous features, which were slightly distant.

Melitta considered her friend's idea for a bit until a warm hand was against her cheek. She was startled to find Gabrielle's face so close to hers. Then without warning, Gabrielle's lips were pressed against hers in a feather light kiss. Melitta was so stunned that she remained paralyzed until Gabrielle withdrew from her. She let out a low, shocked gasp.

Gabrielle briefly had a lost look, unsure what just happened a heartbeat ago. The awkward moment replayed in her mind, and she became suddenly scared. "M-m-mel, I-I-I am so sorry."

Melitta came out of her shock after those words. She suddenly started pushing Gabrielle away, to the edge of the bed. "Get away from me," she hissed.

Gabrielle tumbled out of the bed and hit her side against the wood floor. The air was knocked out of her lungs, but she quickly sat up on her knees.

Melitta was sitting up too. She had a dark look and pointed at Gabrielle. "Get away before-"

"Melitta, I'm sorry," Gabrielle hastily attempted again.

"I am going to scream and tell your parents if you don't…" Melitta's threat fell short when Gabrielle had already rushed out of the bedroom. She trembled as she heard Gabrielle's soft footfall fade away.

Gabrielle hurried out of the house and nearly fell down the steps. She felt a brief, false sense of freedom by getting outside into the warm, dark night. However, the house and Melitta were just behind her so she took off at a run. Her bare feet scraped against the stone pathway until she was onto the grass beside the barn.

Panic set in deeper and caused Gabrielle to run faster, past the barn. She entered her father's tilled field, but she ignored the soil that coated her feet. Gabrielle raced through the field to the only place she felt safe.

The lone Juniper tree waited for her. As she neared it, the tree almost seemed to extend its branches down to her. Gabrielle hurriedly climbed up to a thick branch. Her feet were dirty, scraped, and her ankles had a few scratches. However, Gabrielle noticed none of it as she curled up in her favorite spot in the Juniper tree. She felt as if the tree enclosed its leaves around her so that she was hidden from the world. High above her, the crescent moon provided a soft, silver hue over the tilled fields that surrounded the tree from all sides.

Gabrielle shivered from her spot in the tree. It was a warm night, but her fears about what she had done to Melitta scared her. She started to pray, to any god or goddess, that Melitta did not tell her parents about tonight. If Melitta did then Gabrielle had no idea what her father would do to her. Tears started rolling down Gabrielle's flushed cheeks.

Distantly in the field, a tall figure slowly formed behind Gabrielle. Under the moonlight, a beautiful woman glowed in her pink chiton. Her blond, curly hair seemed like gold under the moon's rays. Aphrodite gazed on in despair and listened to Gabrielle's soft sobs. However, she remained rooted in the field, unable to comfort Gabrielle and instead could only sense Gabrielle's emotions. Aphrodite remained there, vigilantly watching over the young mortal.

Gabrielle's tears slowed after half a candlemark. Her trembles halted shortly afterwards, and she realized just how drained she felt after tonight. Yet, Gabrielle refused to go back in the house and to her room.

Carefully, Gabrielle climbed out of her favorite tree. She started through the field and back towards the house. She entered the barn and climbed up to the loft where there was lots of straw. Gabrielle found a comfortable spot and curled up for the night. She moved some of the straw over her body, and she quickly warmed up.

Once Gabrielle slipped into a dreamscape, Aphrodite emerged from the shadows of the loft. She almost seemed to glide across the loft, not one straw moved in her wake. She knelt beside Gabrielle and cupped the teenager's flushed cheek. She could see the puffiness in Gabrielle's eyes from the tears.

"Rest easy, sweet pea," Aphrodite whispered, "Everything will be okay." Her hand briefly glowed wherever it touched Gabrielle's skin. She stood up and silently vanished into the night.

Aphrodite traveled through space and reformed in a familiar place she and many others of her kind called home. She stood at the edge of the acropolis and gazed upon the mortal world below Mount Olympus. Even from here, she could still see Gabrielle among all the mortals. None stood out so brightly to her than Gabrielle.

"That was just her first taste," spoke a calm, female voice.

Aphrodite turned and faced her half sister. "Art, I am so not in the mood."

"Now is a perfect time," Artemis argued. She came to Aphrodite's side and also gazed beyond Mount Olympus. Like Aphrodite, she centered her eyes on the sleeping mortal, Gabrielle. "Are you really going to let her continue this way?"

Aphrodite crossed her arms and glared at Artemis. "We both know how father feels about intervening."

Artemis chuckled and grinned at her half sister. "Oh please do not give me that Centaur shit." She folded her arms too, but she bore armor and a bow with a filled quiver at her back. "It's not as if you have not already intervened in her life."

"She was a child then," Aphrodite argued. "She thought I was like a priestess or something." She chuckled and joked, "Can you imagine being around that smelly fish all day?"

Artemis was hardly detoured by Aphrodite's attempt. "And what do you call tonight?" She glanced one last time at the mortal, who slept soundly tonight. "As if a sleeping spell isn't divine intervention?"

Aphrodite rolled her eyes, dropped her arms, and walked away. "She had a bad night, Art." She glared at her sister from over her shoulder. "Get off my back."

Artemis slowly followed her sister's footsteps. She had her hands behind her back, under the quiver. She held back a grin by biting her lower lip. "How about I do better than that?"

Aphrodite pretended to ignore the Goddess of Hunt. She remained poised over the edge of a grand, illuminated map of the celestial stars in the center of the acropolis.

"If you take your precious mortal to my Amazons then I promise she will not suffer any harm in the nation." Artemis stood at the Goddess of Love's side, and she watched Aphrodite's profile.

Aphrodite was quiet until she met Artemis's gaze. "She would leave her family and home?" She shook her head. "I don't think so, Art."

"And what is a home… or a family?" Artemis debated. She held out her hand towards the land of mortals. "It is not as if her family will ever accept her." She lowered her arm. "But, my Amazons will."

Aphrodite stared hard at the stars mapped out in the floor. She loved how they twinkled back at her. "So what's the catch?"

Artemis fidgeted and quickly replied, "There is no catch." She was about to say more until Aphrodite looked at her, coldly. Artemis stiffened at the red shine in Aphrodite's eyes, and she knew not to toy with her sister.

"I totally know you are lying, Art." Aphrodite's eyes continued to shine a bright red in warning.

Artemis sighed and finally revealed, "The Amazons could use somebody like her."

Aphrodite faced the Goddess of Hunt and slowly approached her. Her eyes had yet to calm as she spoke slowly and dangerously. "You want my precious mortal there so she can better your nation." She smiled, slyly. "Are your precious Amazons not able to hold their own?"

Artemis shifted on her feet and sighed. "The nation is weakening," she softly admitted to Aphrodite.

For a moment, the Goddess of Love read further between the lines, and her eyes calmed to normal. "This is far beyond what the Fates chose for her." She shook her head and walked away from her sister. "You can totally forget me taking her from her home."

Artemis watched Aphrodite glide through the celestial map to the other side of the acropolis. "You may think otherwise once she marries her prison," she called across to the Goddess of Love. "Think about it."

Aphrodite paused before she vanished in a soft glow of pink.

Artemis heavily sighed and muttered, "That could have gone better." She shook her head because her sister was so stubborn, just like their brother, the God of War. She could only hope that Gabrielle's future would force Aphrodite's hand.

As time passed on Earth, Gabrielle grew older and closer to the age of marriage. Her father had agreed to a fine dowry from Perdicus's father. It was only a matter of time before the ceremony would take place then Gabrielle could live in the house Perdicus was building with his father. For Gabrielle, the pending wedding ceremony felt like an approaching ice storm that would freeze her to death. She prayed that day would never come for her. However, next spring seemed to be when the ceremony would take place.

Hecuba spent the winter preparing for her eldest daughter's ceremony. She wanted it to be perfect as possible for Gabrielle. Lila was also excited for it. Herodutus was simply thrilled to have a wonderful dowry for Gabrielle's hand and beauty.

Once winter thawed away, spring felt closer to death than life for Gabrielle. Her world was pressing inwards and would crush her soon. She started to spend much less time with Perdicus and many noticed it. Hecuba assumed it was the jitters about being wed soon. But it was Lila that noticed Gabrielle actually spent her time with another girl about Gabrielle's age.

Her name was Helena, whose family was the local butcher in town and quite wealthy. Gabrielle had met Helena at the agora about an annus ago. Helena often came over for a night or two and played with Gabrielle. They fished a lot and enjoyed long talks in Gabrielle's favorite tree. Other times they went for walks and went shopping in the agora. On occasions, Gabrielle would help Helena and her father at the butcher shop. She made a few extra coin for her trouble. Gabrielle never spent her coin and instead hid it away in her room, not quite sure for what though.

On a beautiful spring day, Gabrielle and Helena walked hand in hand to the river. They had their fishing rods in their free hands. Gabrielle had enjoyed a nice morning in Helena's bed because Lila had awoken early to help their mother. Now they planned to enjoy time alone after they did a few things in the garden.

"In a fortnight is your wedding," Helena brought up. She regretted the topic instantly because Gabrielle let go of her hand. She said nothing and went around the brush to their favorite spot to fish.

"I haven't forgotten," Gabrielle quietly replied. "Everybody likes to remind me."

"Are you not excited?" Helena pressed. She unraveled her fishing line and casted the bait into the water. "Mine won't be long after yours."

Gabrielle had a bad taste in her mouth at the mere mention of Helena's wedding. She was thankfully betrothed to a dull but gentle man. But Helena's betrothed was a greedy handsome man. She loathed him, in many ways.

Helena noticed Gabrielle had yet to cast her bait. She was about to ask what was wrong until Gabrielle took her wood pole. Both hers and Gabrielle's rods were set on the ground.

Gabrielle moved in close to Helena until their bodies were pressed together.

"What is it, Gabrielle?" Helena cupped Gabrielle's cheeks.

Gabrielle leaned in and softly kissed Helena. She felt slightly better when Helena returned the tender motions of their lips. She then leaned her forehead against Helena's head. She inhaled the soft golden olive scent that was Helena. "I do not wish to marry," she confessed. Her eyes fluttered a few times. "At least not to Perdicus."

Helena lifted her head and stroked Gabrielle's cheek. "But you are already betrothed to him."

"That doesn't mean I have to marry him," Gabrielle argued.

"Of course you do, silly." Helena ran a thumb across Gabrielle's full lip.

"You don't have to marry Straton," Gabrielle continued.

Helena frowned and cupped Gabrielle's cheeks again. "Gabrielle, what has gotten into you?"

Gabrielle reached up and took Helena's hands into hers. "We could runaway together." She watched Helena's hazel eyes grow. "I saved up enough coin." She squeezed Helena's hands and hastily explained, "We could leave here, find another village, and live together… forever."

Helena softly laughed, out of mere shock. She shook her head and replied, "Gabrielle, you talk as if we could… could live together like husband and wife."

Gabrielle had a small smile now. "We could."

Helena shook her head repeatedly this time. "Two women can't marry, Gabrielle." She was dumbfounded by the idea. "We could not have kids or… or own the land."

"We could find kids to taken in," Gabrielle argued. "And we don't have to own the land to live together."

Helena could tell that Gabrielle had thought a lot about the idea. She was still in shock.

Gabrielle leaned in and kissed Helena again. After the sweet kiss, she softly pleaded, "Come with me." She swallowed hard and harshly whispered, "I don't think I can watch you marry Straton."

"This is crazy, Gabrielle." Helena was starting to absorb Gabrielle's idea more. "And impossible."

"But I love you, Helena," Gabrielle desperately told her. Her eyes started stinging and her stomach pitched down. "I want to always be with you."

Helena bit her lip and squeezed Gabrielle's hands harder. "I want to always be with you too, Gabrielle. And we will always have each other. It's not as if we will no longer see each other." Helena swallowed hard as Gabrielle blinked a few tears. "But, this just… isn't right or real."

Gabrielle felt as if the water from the river was rising up, coming up to her head, as Helena spoke to her.

"We are both betrothed and will have fine husbands." Helena freed her right hand and held Gabrielle's cheek again. "You will have beautiful children, like you." She weakly smiled. "You will be happy, Gabrielle."

"But I won't be," Gabrielle breathed out. "That life… that's not real." She gritted her teeth and hotly argued, "This is real. What we have is real."

Helena bit her lip then hoarsely confessed, "Soon it won't be real anymore." She leaned in and softly kissed Gabrielle. "What we have is special, but it's just not right." Yet, Helena felt so wrong as Gabrielle suddenly went cold on her.

"I… I understand." Gabrielle broke her contact with Helena. She walked away from Helena, who hastily called after her.

"Gabrielle!" Helena grabbed onto her friend's arm. "Gab-"

"I will walk you home," Gabrielle cut off.

Helena nearly protested but closed her mouth when Gabrielle continued without her. She followed after Gabrielle, who moved at a fast speed.

The fishing rods beside the creek were long forgotten.

The walk back to town was a silent and long one that normally was very enjoyable. Gabrielle kept a certain distance from Helena. She took her friend directly to her home. Helena tried to kiss Gabrielle goodbye, but she was rejected by Gabrielle stepping away from her. Helena was in shock and watched her friend leave, like it was the last time.

Gabrielle walked faster and faster so she could get away from Helena. She was at a full sprint and was drawn to the one place she had not visited since she was a child. Gabrielle hurried up the steps of the temple and cleared the steps with a newly developed grace. She entered the quiet temple and went directly to the pool.

A priestess was seated by the pool, on a bench. She was reading scripture and paused when the newcomer came to her. "Can I help you?"

"I uh…" Gabrielle was unsure where to start and decided to be direct. "I'm looking for a priestess. She is rather tall with light colored hair… that's curly."

The priestess had a baffled look because she had been tied to this temple for many anni. There was no such priestess such as the one the young women described to her. "Do you know her name?"

Gabrielle licked her lips in a nervous habit. "She..." She knotted her hands together and finally answered, "She said her name was Aphrodite, but perhaps it wasn't her real name."

The priestess chuckled at the young woman's uneasiness. "I see." She patted the open space on the bench next to her. She sensed the young woman was trouble by something. "I have been here for quite some time. I do not recognize anybody by that description."

Gabrielle slid into the spot. "Oh," she murmured, quite disappointed. "Perhaps she was not a priestess, I just thought…" She shook her head. Her thoughts were quieted when the priestess touched her knee. She peered up into concerned features.

"What is wrong, child?" The priestess hoped she could help the young woman.

Gabrielle gathered some of her skirt's material into her hand. She was uneasy to tell the priestess everything, but she decided some of it she could tell her. Gabrielle softly told the priestess about her pending wedding ceremony and how she wished not to marry Perdicus.

The priestess carefully listened to Gabrielle's troubles. She was hardly surprised because many women at Gabrielle's age were quite nervous about such a major change in their life. After the young woman quieted, the priestess gathered the petite hand into hers.

"I understand your fears." The priestess squeezed Gabrielle's hand. "It is very normal to feel this way before your wedding."

"It is?" Gabrielle countered. She was confused and was sure the priestess was more confused than her.

"Of course." The priestess softly smiled at the young woman. "It is hard to leave one's family and start a new life with a husband." She leaned in and promised, "But it will get easier. You will start a routine with your husband and eventually you will have children."

Gabrielle sharply jerked her hand free and stood up. "That is exactly what I do not wish to do."

The priestess stared wide eye up at the young woman. "That is what every young woman your age does with their life." A furrow creased her brow. "What else could there be other than a life like my own?"

Gabrielle was starting to gather such a life may be better than her future. She shook her head several times and took a step back. "It's not going to be my life," she hissed. Gabrielle stormed off.

The priestess's eyes followed the young woman. She hollered, "It's not your choice." She frowned because Gabrielle left her.

Gabrielle rushed out of the temple. She hurried back home. Her mind went in millions of directions, but she knew that the priestess was right. She had no choice. Even if she ran away, there was nowhere she could go and would eventually be caught by a slaver. Gabrielle truly had no choice in the matter.

Once home, Gabrielle discovered her mother was washing clothes outside. She entered the kitchen and sought out only one item. She grabbed her mother's kitchen knife, which was her freedom. Gabrielle charged out of the front door and hid the knife in her clothes in case anybody saw her. As she passed the barn, she heard her father in there working on something.

Gabrielle could hardly care and instead went through the field to her favorite hideaway. The old, large Juniper tree warmly greeted her with a bow of its leaves. Gabrielle placed the knife between her teeth and started up the tree. She nestled into her favorite spot and sadly admired the rolling landscape beyond her father's field.

In her hands, Gabrielle turned the sharp knife a few times. She studied the blade that once had a mirror finish but now was dull. However, the actually blade was rather sharp because her mother kept it that way. Gabrielle felt just how sharp when her thumb went across it.

The broad, gorgeous landscape rolled for a long distance, beyond Gabrielle's view. It seemed like freedom, but Gabrielle was at a loss. Nothing could be done to change her future. She lost hope once Helena rejected her and her love. There was no reason to keep her life.

Gabrielle held the knife in her right hand and then placed the blade over the inside of her right wrist. She had no idea how deep to cut, but she planned to use all her strength to dig out her life from her veins. Then she could go to the Underworld where there would be peace. She started to apply pressure, and the initial sting started on her wrist.

"Stop, Gabrielle!" a strong voice yelled at her.

Gabrielle was both startled and frightened that she dropped the knife. Then she lost her balance and tumbled out of the tree. She gave a low cry and waited for the ground to strike her. Yet, she was snared out of the air and found herself neatly held into a set of arms. Gabrielle opened her eyes and found the most beautiful blue eyes worriedly looking at her. Gabrielle had never forgotten those eyes that she often saw in her dreams.

"Aphrodite," Gabrielle breathed.

"Yeah… it's me, sweet pea." Aphrodite carefully set the young woman onto her feet and waited to see if Gabrielle could stand okay. Her eyes cut to the knife, which was standing upright in the tilled soil.

"I… I tried to find you."

Aphrodite focused on Gabrielle again. "I heard," she simply replied. She frowned and demanded, "What are you thinking?"

Gabrielle opened and closed her mouth a few times. She realized Aphrodite was her last hope, and she repeated what she had told the other priestess at the temple.

Aphrodite shook her head and argued, "That is no reason to kill yourself." She knew Gabrielle would have gone straight to Tartarus for committing suicide.

"But-"

"You are very special. You are worth far more than a million Helenas," Aphrodite stated.

Gabrielle was about to reply until it occurred to her that Aphrodite knew about Helena even though she had said nothing about Helena. She snapped her jaw shut. "How… how do you know… about Helena?"

"I know every little piece of your life, Gabrielle." Aphrodite softly smiled and cupped the young woman's cheek.

As Gabrielle studied Aphrodite's eyes, she caught sight of a red shine in them that was anything but normal. She took a step back and whispered, "You're…"

"Yes, I am the totally badass Goddess of Love." Aphrodite grinned and held up her hands to her side. "I am that Aphrodite." She placed her hands on her hips.

"I must be dead," Gabrielle breathed. She looked at her left wrist, but it only had a tiny nick in her skin.

"Thankfully not." Aphrodite held up her right hand, palm up. Suddenly the kitchen knife appeared in it. "And you can go back to your home." She glared at the knife before she made it vanish back to the kitchen in the house.

Gabrielle was awestruck and felt her knees start to give way to her shock. However, Aphrodite vanished and reappeared instantly in front of her. Gabrielle's waist was hooked by the quick Goddess of Love.

"Easy," Aphrodite advised. She leaned down, closer to Gabrielle, and whispered, "Do not ever try that again or else I will tie you to one of my temples for the rest of your life." She lifted her right eyebrow and teased, "Right near the fish too."

Gabrielle laughed and held onto the goddess's arms. She was happy for a laugh after such a bad day. It had been a long time since she laughed at all. "I'm sorry. I just…"

Aphrodite sighed and drew Gabrielle in closer.

Gabrielle was warmed by the hug, and the goddess's heat soothed her upset emotions.

"I know," Aphrodite murmured near Gabrielle's ear. "I know, sweet pea."

Gabrielle withdrew after the hug and asked, "What do I do?" She gazed upon the Goddess of Love, who surely would know the answer. "I cannot marry Perdicus," she rasped. "It will kill me."

Aphrodite opened her mouth to reply, but she faltered at the desperate expression on Gabrielle's face. "Gabs…"

Gabrielle tensed at what she believed the Goddess of Love would tell her. She jerked free and harshly snapped, "I refuse to marry him." She shook her head and snapped, "You are just like everybody else." She quickly left the goddess until suddenly Aphrodite appeared in front of her.

The goddess held out her hands and argued, "That is not what I was going to tell you."

Gabrielle swallowed hard and waited this time instead of assuming Aphrodite's advice.

Aphrodite lowered her hands and moved in closer. "You have another option." She hated that Artemis was right. However, it was much better and safer than Gabrielle committing suicide. Aphrodite just hated to take Gabrielle from her family and home, but it seemed as if they were part of the problem.

"What is that?" Gabrielle pleaded. She was frantic to live a free life and be herself.

"You can go to the Amazons." Aphrodite hoped it was the right choice for Gabrielle.

"Amazons?" Gabrielle repeated. She was quite confused and stared oddly at Aphrodite.

"They are a nation of women that… live and bond together." Aphrodite was hardly an expert on the Amazons, yet she knew it was better place for Gabrielle. "You could be happy there." She finally admitted it was true, for Gabrielle's sake.

"Where are they?" Gabrielle's hopes climbed higher.

"They are west of here, towards the setting sun." Aphrodite saw the excitement grow in Gabrielle's eyes. "It's a long journey, about a fortnight by foot."

Gabrielle grabbed the goddess's hand and pleaded, "Take me there, right now. Please!"

Aphrodite understood Gabrielle wished her to transport her there. "If I could, I would this instant." She held Gabrielle's hand, tenderly. "But you are mortal and cannot travel through space like I do otherwise I would do so."

"But… how can I get there?"

Aphrodite nibbled on her bottom lip. She nervously glanced over at the house and then back to Gabrielle. "We can travel there together."

"On foot?"

Aphrodite nodded.

"We can go now," Gabrielle decided. She started towards the house. "I only have a few things." However, her wrist was hooked by the goddess, and she was drawn back to Aphrodite.

"We should wait until your family is asleep." Aphrodite could see Herodutus catching up to them once he borrowed a horse from a friend. "It'll be way safer."

"To travel at night?" Gabrielle knew better. Once nightfall started then the bandits and rapists came out.

Aphrodite squeezed the mortal's hand and asked, "Do you trust me, Gabs?"

Gabrielle smiled and softly replied, "I do."

Aphrodite nodded once. "Then meet me by this tree after your family has gone to sleep."

"How will you know I am ready?"

Aphrodite smiled and promised, "I will know."

Gabrielle had forgotten that Aphrodite was the Goddess of Love. "Right," she murmured.

Aphrodite's smile turned into a grin. "See ya tonight."

"Okay." Gabrielle mirrored the goddess's smile before she hurried to the house.

Aphrodite briefly watched Gabrielle go then she let out a low sigh. "Damn you, Art." She was going to hear it when she returned to Mount Olympus. She planned to turn it back on Artemis. She vanished from the field and returned to her personal space on Mount Olympus.

Aphrodite was hardly surprised to find her sister, Artemis, standing there with a huge smirk.

"Good choice, sis."

Aphrodite shot a glare. She approached the Goddess of Hunt. "Do we still have a deal?"

Artemis had her arms folded and the largest smug look. "Yes." She freed her right arm and held it out. "I swear to protect her so long as she is in my domain."

Aphrodite clasped arms with her sister. "Until her death?" she clarified.

Artemis nodded. "I swear it."

Aphrodite sighed and released arms after they shook on it. "I swear, you warrior types are so damn dramatic." She walked past her sister.

Artemis was amused because the Goddess of Love could be far more dramatic. "You will not regret this, sis."

Aphrodite peered over her shoulder. Her eyes flashed red, and she stated, "If I do then so will you." She snapped her fingers, which forced her sister to leave her personal quarters on Mount Olympus. She still heard Artemis's low chuckle, which made her sigh. Then another thought came to mind. "What in Hades does one wear for a fortnight on the road?" She realized exactly what she had promised Gabrielle. "What was I thinking?" Aphrodite knew she had not been thinking clearly, even though she was doing it for Gabrielle.

"This totally blows!"

To be continued.