Any Other Way III

Xena tread carefully up the crumbling stairs. After she and Gabrielle had settled into the rooms that Aeetes had provided, they took leave of the castle. Xena had sent Gabrielle to the market to purchase them suitable attire for the Blood Moon Masquerade. After a quick stop at the market to purchase rose oil, Xena headed out of town. She rode five miles along the coast until she found the narrow pathway that led to the shrine she sought. As she walked toward the cliff's edge she found the staircase that had been carved out of the rock face. it hadn't been worked in a while and, Xena knew it was only a matter of time before it tumbled into the crashing sea fifty meters below.

The view from the top was worth the climb. Not only could she see the majestic waters of the Black Sea but she had a bird's eye view of the entirety of Colchis. Fragrant rose bushes lined the pathways of the shrine. A pomegranate tree dominated the yard. Its fat fruit hung enticingly low. Xena knew better than to pluck the forbidden fruit. Two cherubs played harps in the shade of the tree. A single priestess lounged on a large cushion near the altar.

"Welcome," she stood to greet Xena.

"Thank you," Xena walked toward the altar and kneeled down.

She poured the rose oil she'd bought at the market into an empty bronze bowl and whispered, "I need you." She waited. Nothing happened.

Disappointment crinkled her face. The priestess tried to reassure her, 'I am certain the goddess heard you. Remember sometimes the gods give us what we need rather than what we want. Perhaps he's not right for you."

Xena had tried to call Aphrodite earlier in the day, from Colchis. When the goddess didn't answer, she thought Ares' darkness might be shielding the city from the other gods. She knew she was taking a chance by coming to the shrine. it was possible that Aphrodite had forsaken the eastern shrines for the growing cult of Venus in Roman territories. Still, she was going to need divine help and Aphrodite owed her.

"Not right for me, tell me something I don't already know, Lady," Xena rolled her eyes at the priestess and headed back down the treacherous steps.

She walked across the field where she'd left Argo to graze. She felt the tingle in the air just before she started to mount her mare.

"What's up, Warrior babe?"

"Aphrodite, you came?"

"Well, it isn't every day that Xena: the Slayer of Gods pays tribute to a goddess!"

"I was trying to get your attention."

"Well, it worked."

"I was worried that it wouldn't. I tried to call to you earlier. I was in Colchis."

"Colchis, that's one of Ares' strongholds. Other gods avoid it if possible." Aphrodite checked her nails. She was clearly bored with the conversation. "So, what gives? What did you need?"

"A spell."

The look that flitted across the goddess' face was almost humorous.

'Xena, I'm shocked. You want to spell somebody?" Aphrodite placed her hands on her voluptuous hips. Maybe there was hope for Xena after all.

"Actually, I want to spell myself."

"Oh, I see. I know what's going on here," the goddess's pleased look turned quickly to one of disapproval. "I am the Goddess of Love, Xena, my job is to spread it. Not eradicate it. I can't make you quit loving him. I won't do that. You are going to have to learn to deal with those emotions yourself."

"What? I am not in love with anyone. I don't know what you are talking about," Xena protested.

"Denial! That's cute. You do remember that I am the Goddess of Love, right?"

"Whatever. This isn't about Ares."

"Then, what's it about?"

Xena shook her head, "Ares."

"Right. Is this a riddle?" Aphrodite hated riddles. They made her head hurt.

"I mean, it's not about my feelings for Ares, or lack thereof. I need a different kind of spell, not a love spell."

"But those are my specialty," Aphrodite reminded.

"I know, but surely you know how to cast a masking spell."

"Of course, that's one of the earliest spells godlings learn. Wait, you are wanting to spell yourself? Oh, you are hiding from him. I get it."

"Not really hiding. I just need to be somewhere that he may be tonight, and I'd rather he not know that I am there."

"And you're asking for my help, you never ask for help, especially from the gods."

Xena ran her palm through her hair in frustration. "Look, if I thought there was any other way, believe me, I wouldn't be asking. But, since I did get your goddesshood back, I thought you might be inclined to help me, as a friend."

"Xena, you know I am here for you. So, you're going to the festival? His party at the temple? How long since you've been to one of his Blood Moon parties, Xena?"

"Over thirty years," Xena remembered back to the last one she'd attended. She'd nearly convinced him to give her ambrosia that night. He'd been so inebriated. He'd vowed his love to her. They'd fucked wildly, madly. It had been glorious. Xena shook her head trying to dislodge the memory.

"You miss him," Aphrodite accused.

"No," Xena lied.

"Then why do you need to go to the party?"

"I'm doing a favor for a friend." Xena answered.

"A lot of favors going around.'

"Are you going to help me?" Xena was growing impatient.

Aphrodite snapped her fingers and a small pink vial appeared in her perfectly manicured hand. "Drink this and wait five minutes. Your soul signature will be scrambled but the effect is only temporary."

"How temporary?"

"Xena, these things are never exact," Aphrodite huffed. Mortals!

"Ballpark?"

"Half a day, I don't know ten hours. But it'll be long enough to get you in and out of the party. Unless, of course, you planning on spending the night. He'd never know it was you, you know. You could indulge in your little fantasies without him ever being the wiser."

"Aphrodite!" Xena grabbed the vial from the goddess.

"You know, you used to know how to have fun! Toodles," Aphrodite vanished into puffy pink rose petals.

Xena tucked the potion between her breasts, mounted Argo, and rode fast for town. The sun was moving closer to the horizon. She hoped Gabrielle had found them suitable clothing. She wouldn't have much time to get ready.

As she rode, memories from the past flooded her brain. Then a terrible thought occurred to her. She should have killed Aeetes when she had the chance. He was the only one who knew her secret. Why had she let him live to use it against her? Maybe she should put a quick end to all of it.

No.

She wasn't a murderer anymore. She'd been a fool to let him live. Maybe she'd wanted the truth to come back and haunt her.