" Who the hell are you! And what the hell do you think your doing?" I screamed.
"Me? Oh I was just going to go for a swim in my stream when I heard a crazy person talking to herself. Kinda makes you stop and think do I really want to get in the water with that?". This stranger is attractive, like really attractive he's tan and has ropes of muscles corded on his crossed arms. Bright green eyes are mockingly staring down at me, and his slightly wild, dark, hair some how only adds to his appearance.
"What do you mean your stream, this isn't anyone's land its in the forest." who did this man think he was. "you know what I'll leave just turn around for a few minutes."
" And why would I do that? If I turn you'll leave and I'll miss it. I'm just getting interested. Maybe I'll join you in the water"
"No ! I mean, I thought I was crazy I might snap at any minute, why take the risk just turn your back and then you can get in." This guy is insane if he thinks I'm gonna give him a show by getting out of the water without him turning.
"Alright I'll make you a deal if you agree to meet me back here tomorrow than I'll leave you alone today and you can continue with your swim, sound fair?" he asked smiling at me.
"What, why? I don't even know you. And you don't know me, what are you trying to pull?" maybe if I just agree though then I can leave, he wont really expect me to meet him tomorrow. "Alright, I will, just leave for a minute."
"You have to promise me, and you have to mean it, or I wont leave." I am starting to get nervous he might actually make good on his threat to get in the water.
"Fine, what time?"
"hmm how about this time tomorrow, you seem to have time at the end of the day."
"Alright now leave." I glared up at him for another minute as he stood motionlessly looking at me, and then he turned and walked away.
"Lucia are you finished with the sweeping yet" my dad asked in his monotonous whisper.
"Yes dad, I finished about twenty minutes ago, I am about to go back into town and pick up some food at market, do you need anything?"
"You missed spots," he whispered and then turned his back and walked away. My dad really is a good father, but he's pretty corrective. I could have made the floor perfect and he still would've said I missed a spot. When I was little I remember watching him and my mother dancing, and him running up and lifting me way up high . It all changed when mom died, he doesn't talk except to say what I've done wrong. I Guess that it's all he can do now and it's ok.
"your going to the market?" Temp asked.
"Yea, I want to get some food for lunch and dinner tomorrow and I thought I might pick up some soap, we are running low."
"Pick me up some thread, I need it to make clothes and be back before it gets too late, its almost dark already."
"Alright , I'm going I should be back in an hour or so," I walked outside into the warm sun and smiled my favorite time of day right before the sun begins to set, around ten minutes before twilight when the sun seems to be giving its best rays of light.
As I walked the familiar path from our house to the market I had the weirdest feeling hat I was being followed. My mind jumped back to the promise I made at the spring. . . I had given him my word. No, I must be going crazy , I don't owe him anything! He could be a serial killer for all I knew or a escaped prisoner, or just some horny guy. No matter which I don't want to deal with that.
The market is in sight now, thank the gods. I went in and picked out the items I needed darting through the semi crowded streets from stand to stand. Still the feeling of being watched was surrounding me. I tried to look through the crowd to see who might be watching me. I saw a woman, an attractive one blatantly staring, well I guess it wasn't the guy from the stream. Why did I feel slightly disappointed. I looked back at her hoping she would look away. Instead our eyes stayed locked, No way was I giving in she was staring at me. I started to take a step forward, but she looked away. A man with a young child walked in my line of sight and when I looked back she was gone. Damn, that was weird.
As I walked back home I kept thinking of her eyes. A fierce gray color, looking at me as if she knew every secret I have ever tried to keep. I couldn't stand walking home in the dark like this, Temp was right I shouldn't have taken so long at market.
My room was pitch black, and two figures stood over me talking in hushed whispers .
"I want her, He said I could have any of them, I chose her." It was the guy from the stream, why is he in my room talking to the girl from the market.
"I'm not saying you can't have her, But I don't know if she's the one you should chose. You need to pick carefully, she has too much fire in her you would kill each other in the first month. Why not pick someone who is more patient, and clam, to balance you out, Temperance would make a good match. For heavens sake even Daphne is less bull headed, if it is the looks why not take her." Temper, and Daphne, what is going on?
"I don want them, and its not just the way she looks, I like that she stands up to me, she has fight in her." I have fight in me, since when?
"Of course she does she doesn't know who you are the second she discovers it she will cower before you like everyone else. Don't you know how people work yet, mortals are frightened of everything, they are cowards. She will be just the same, - I stood up in a whoosh of sheets .
"That is enough! What is going on, I don't know what you are thinking but you will leave my sisters out of it. What do you think you are doing breaking into a young girls room in the middle of the night. You didn't even mean to wake me up what in Hades did you two think to accomplish? Get out of here right now!" I panted after my rant as I stared into the two shocked faces of these strangers. At first they didn't move just looked into my face but then he smiled. It was absolutely devastating. He smiled at me at the stream but somehow this was different. He looked proud, but also there was so much affection in this smile my knees actually felt a little wobbly.
"Ha you see, a coward, I think not. I choose her, my decision is final." He said it so decidedly.
"Choose me for what exactly?" I asked feeling a little light headed.
"Alright, brother, alright. Lucia, you have got quiet a lot to learn, for now all you need to know is that you have been chosen by the gods and you will not be living in this hole anymore so be appreciative. My brother Apollo has been given his choice of the women from your family, and he has chosen you. Tomorrow you will be ready to leave in the morning so I suggest if there is anyone you want to see before hand then you wake them up now. There wont be much time tomorrow. Brother I will see you soon." With that she literally disappeared before my eyes. I turned to the supposed Apollo .
"Look I don't know what is going on exactly but I'm not going anywhere with you people. I don't even know you, what do you mean by chose me, and what did she mean Apollo, and-" I was cut off by his lips on mine. Well this was not expected, but it was kinda nice. His lips moved softly against mine nipping at my top lip gently and then soothing it. One arm went around my waist the other softly tracing a pattern on the back of my neck. He slowly pulled away leaving me desperate for air. Still holding me close he kissed both my cheeks and then my forehead. I was so dizzy. I felt warm like I swallowed a drop of sunshine, It felt great.
"I will be back for you in the morning in the mean time you need to try and sleep. You have a very busy day tomorrow. I will answer your questions tomorrow when we have time." He was taking steps foreword forcing me to back up, until my legs hit the bed, then he lowered me onto it leaning against my side he held me to him for a few minutes. I suddenly felt so tiered, my eyes began to shut against my will.
"Sleep. Go to sleep ." he crooned quietly his lips touching my forehead as he spoke. Then I was dreaming of sunshine and kissing and soothing warm springs.
Ok guys thank you so much for being patient. it took a little longer but i think it really is worth it, I actually wasnt sure if i wanted to commit to writing this but those of you who reviewed even short ones that just said thanks for writing this, i wrote this for you read and review please !