It was weird, I decided when I woke up the day after.
Ares brothers and father had talked to me, being to being. And it'd felt…nice to be able to just talk without it feeling like an interrogation. They'd asked me questions about myself, about stories from my childhood. I hadn't thought that it would've felt nice to talk to them, but it did. And it came as a bigger surprise that I'd enjoyed their company too. The atmosphere changed after Ares placed me in his lap, it hadn't been tensed or overwhelming anymore. It felt like any other social meeting I'd ever been too. Even though I was talking to creatures that had roamed the earth long before my ancestors had. I didn't even feel bad about hiding some things or flat out lying about most things.
Zeus had ended our meeting with the promise to meet today, at my birthday. I'd been too shocked to say anything. And I didn't think that I could protest. Especially not after he insisted that the five of us celebrated my birthday together at the same hotel roof where everything had begun. And I was so relieved to be let out of the house that I couldn't really object. I wasn't even sure I tried very much.
It didn't come as a surprise that I was smiling when I looked at myself in the mirror. Ares had brought me a stunning dress. Just stunning. It was a white one shoulder dress. I usually preferred two, but this was an exception I was happy to make. The band of the shoulder was wide with a pattern layered with diamonds that swept down towards my breast and ended by the armpit. The band was in cream white and stood out from the rest of the dress. There was another band, a replica of the shoulder at the waist, that showed of little peeks of my stomach. And let's not forget the slit on the left leg. It was as bit daring, and stretched up to the middle of my thigh. But it didn't matter, it still looked as expensive and luxurious as ever. The dress was one of the most beautiful things I'd seen in my life to put it in words.
I had to admit that I looked beautiful in it. My skin was tan, a couple of shades darker than usual and it stood out perfectly to the white of the dress. It hugged my waist and breasts like it was made for me, while the bottom of it flowed like running water whenever I moved. I matched the dress with high heels in the same color of the shoulder and waist band, they were simple, just like I wanted. I didn't want anything to draw the attention off of the masterpiece I was wearing.
My makeup was simple, as usual. Being a woman didn't really help me when it came to it, I was still as hopeless as I'd ever been. So, mascara, eyeliner and rouge had to do. My hair wasn't a problem today, and it came as a shock to me when it surrendered to my wishes. I let the front of it hang loose and grabbed a small share and made a little braid. The rest was just as loose as the hair in the front. I knew just by watching myself in the mirror that Ares would be pleased and smiled. And then I wanted to smack myself. I wasn't supposed to want to please him. I was supposed to make his life a living hell. Not that it was working out for me.
I wasn't shocked that Ares stood waiting behind me when I turned. He probably heard me move and ran here before I noticed him. He casually leaned against the doorway and Jesus.
Jesus.
He looked. My lord.
Sweet baby Jesus.
I drank him in. The suit pants and how they made him look more refined but just as deadly, just as sexy. The suit, and how it framed his body and made me too dumb to speak. The shirt beneath that wasn't buttoned all the way up too his throat that gave you a glimpse of his powerful torso. I had never in my life seen a sex appeal like his before. There was something about him, like all pretense of his human self was gone and left was the predator.
I tried to look away. But daaaamn.
Ares looked like I couldn't grasp a single cohesive thought.
He took a step into the room, his eyes locked into mine. I could barely breathe when he looked at me like that. I didn't even notice that I was taking a step back for every step he took towards me until I backed into the desk. I grabbed the desk and held it hard enough for my nails to break. And he kept coming, like a tiger playing with its dinner. He had a small knowing smile on his lips, it made me want to combust.
I had to remind myself that Ares blood was still in my system, and it was haunting me for the moment. I swallowed when he came close enough to touch me, but he didn't. He loomed before me, a creature that I swore was greater than the Gods.
"You look beautiful," he said with a deeper voice than usual. I couldn't help myself, I had to take a steading breath since I still couldn't speak. He knew what he looked like. I didn't need to say anything out loud. The sparkle in his eyes told me that he was reading my every thought.
"Thank you." I managed to get the words out, but they were hoarse. It sounded like my voice was weak from misuse, and not from watching Ares.
"Are you ready to go?" his voice made the hair on my body stand up in attention. A shiver ran along my spine as I tried to collect myself. I smiled a little when his words finally registered in my mind. He asked if I was ready, I was a small surprise, but that simple question pleased me.
"I am," I breathed and finally let go of the desk.
He motioned me forward with his arm. And the steadiness in my legs returned when he cast his eyes away from me. I was about to walk past him when big hands gently grabbed my waist. I kept my hiss to myself when Ares hands covered the bare skin on my stomach. One of his hands trailed along my arm, down to my hand and brought it up. I watched in silence, not knowing what to expect. He simply lifted my left hand and murmured something to quiet for me to hear. "One last thing," he whispered into my ear and made my body arch involuntarily.
The movement was so small that I wouldn't have known about it had I not felt something slip around my finger. I stared down at my left hand and was more dumbstruck now then I had been before. There, upon my finger rested the most exquisite ring I had ever seen. I hadn't even known what taste I had when it came to rings before I looked down at my once bare hand.
It was round, I had always though that I preferred a simple band. But damn, Ares proved me wrong once more. There was a huge white diamond in the middle, big enough to reflect the sun itself. There was a pattern around the diamond, it reminded me of a shield with intricate patterns that had me staring, trying to understand what the pattern was. The pattern braided itself together and created intricate knots wherever my eyes landed. The outer line of the ring was just as complex as the braided one close to the middle. The pattern changed, and looked like tiny teardrops, I gasped when I saw that each little teardrop was set with a small diamond. I also saw that there were three small diamonds on each side of the band. The ring was so complex and breathtaking in its beauty that I couldn't stop myself from staring.
"Ares," I gasped when I finally found my voice. I didn't know what else to say.
His face was still leaned against the side of my face, I could feel him smiling into my hair as he whispered, "happy birthday omorfia."
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"Where did you get this?" I asked once we were on our way in the car. I kept staring down at my finger, I just couldn't help myself. I was sorry to say, but the dress was long forgotten by now.
"I've had it a long time."
"That's not really much of an answer, is it?"
"I suppose not." His smile was content, his eyes still on the road instead of me. But I knew that he wanted to stare at me. I had known from the second he saw me standing in the bedroom. He found me as beautiful as I found him. Or maybe not beautiful. I wasn't even sure if he found me beautiful or if he called me omorfia just to tease me. But I knew that he desired me, as I desired him. And lust could be just as strong…and dangerous.
"It's my birthday," I reminded him as I touched the delicate ring on my finger. Yes, I was obsessed with it already.
"I know that."
"Were you really born at winter solstice?"
"Yes," he frowned but smiled at the same time, "why would Manes lie about my birthing?"
"Oh, I don't know," I started and saw Ares smile grow. "It could have something with the fact that you are all conniving liars, but I'm not really sure."
Ares chuckled. "Do not worry yourself. All of my brothers and father can attest to my birthing day."
I finally drew my attention from the ring and looked at Ares. "They were there."
He frowned, and gave me an almost angry glare. "Of course they were."
"All eleven of them?" I teased.
He laughed to my surprise, his smile was big enough to split his cheeks. "Yes, all eleven of them."
"You miss them," I suddenly said and hated how dumb it sounded.
Ares shook his head. "I told you omorfia, I am not devoid of human emotions. Yes, I miss my brothers, some more than others. But they are all missed by us in their own way."
"You never told me their names." I didn't even know why I wanted him to talk about them. But I somehow knew that I wanted to hear about them.
"You never asked."
"Was Achilles always the oldest?"
"Yes," he said and drove even faster. "Achilles was born first. And then Caerus came," he said it with the most genuine smiles he'd ever offered me. "And then Apollo, followed by the twins Crinacus and Opus," his smile wasn't as big now, but his eyes still held the same spark. "Hermes was born, and then Heracles, and Graecus after that. Arcas was born after, Olenus followed a couple of years after that. And then Manes and lastly, me."
"Let me guess," I said and waited for him to agree. He gave me a small nod. "You miss Caerus and Opus the most."
"Yes," he agreed but didn't offer anything else.
"Why?"
He took a deep breath before he answered me. "Because I was closest to the two of them. Crinacus and Opus were never close even though they shared a womb. The two of us always got along better. As was the same with Caerus. He was much older than I was, but it never mattered." He shook his head in quiet laughter. "The five of us, Caerus, Opus, Heracles, Achilles and me wreaked havoc when we were younger." Another laugh followed. "It was absolute carnage. Zeus banned us from seeing each other for a hundred years after that."
"What did you do?" I couldn't keep the laughter out of my voice. Even when I knew that whatever would come out of Ares mouth wouldn't be no laughing matter.
"We fought in the war," he said with a shrug of his shoulder. He didn't need to clarify which war he was talking about. "We faced the Gods, and it wasn't a pretty sight."
"You fought the Gods?" I asked in total disbelief.
He laughed to himself. "Yes." He started drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. "Neither our father nor Zeus was happy with the result. I think that we scared the Gods for the first time in their existence. They finally saw what five of the Galanis brothers could do."
"And it had them thinking what all twelve of you could to together."
"Clever girl."
"And then the truce happened?"
He nodded in agreement. "The Gods swore to leave us and our brides alone as long as we left them alone."
"How did they die then?"
"Crinacus was always reckless, to the point of stupidity. We always told him it would lead to his death. And I don't think any of us were surprised to find that we were not mistaken," he got quiet. Quiet as in someone deep in their own thought, their most intimate memories. "Opus loved his twin even though they weren't close. He loved him more than any of us had ever done. When word reached us that Crinacus was being held captive…let's just say that Opus didn't take it well. They were both killed before the rest of us got there. Graecus and Olenus were always much…weaker than the rest of us. They had close to little abilities and the ego of a men twice of their power. All of us were a long way from the place where the twins had died except from them. Our father ordered them to stand down, they didn't listen and died shortly after that."
"And Caerus?"
"Caerus was one of the noblest creatures to ever exist. We are still not sure of his death. We never found any evidence to indicate he died. But he must be dead. He would have come back to us otherwise. Family was the most important things to him. He acted like the oldest of us, he was always protecting the whole family and made sure that we always got along with each other." He gave me a short laugh and shook his head. "You would have liked him, he was the perfect mix between Heracles and Achilles. Wild but steadfast, charming but deadly."
Ares had a smile on his face, and he looked happy enough. But I could feel his pain just as sure as if it had been mine. "He sounds like a wonderful person," I said even though I knew close to nothing about his brother.
"He was. Heracles, Achilles and I have never moved past Caerus and Opus deaths."
"I don't think you can ever come back from that sort of loss. I believe that there are days when it's easier to deal with the truth. And other days when you deny it to the point where you believe they're still alive."
Ares turned to me then, I wasn't even bothered that he watched me instead of the road. It's not like he would hit anything. "You miss her, Joan."
"Yes, I miss her." I could have said more, but I didn't need to. Ares knew what it was like to lose a sibling, I hardly needed to put anything into words. Being without Joan felt like being without a limb. I knew that it wasn't there anymore, but I could still feel the lingering pain from losing it, from feeling that it wasn't there.
"I don't know if it will be of any comfort to you," he began in a quiet voice, "but Manes wasn't trying to kill her."
I clenched my fingers into fists. "It doesn't change anything, does it? My sister is dead because your brother killed her. Don't delude yourself into thinking I will ever forget that."
"She was his bride."
I narrowed my eyes into cruel slits. "You're lying."
"He was trying to turn her. But she didn't survive. That's why Manes isn't present with us. Because he is punishing himself and suffering on his own."
Did he think that everything was alright now? Even if Ares was speaking the truth…no. I shook my head. It didn't matter. I didn't care what Joan had been to Manes. I cared about what she still was to me and Chrystal – she was our sister. And that filthy leech took her from us. "Be sure to tell Manes to give me a shout if he needs help with that. I'll be more than happy to help."
"You are a fool if you think he needs any help Lysandra." The way he said my name had me turning in my seat towards him. "Losing one's bride is pain beyond your imagination. You will never be able to understand the agony. You can't even fathom what Manes is going through." He sounded angry, his grip on the steering wheel hardened to the point where the leather creaked. "He will bear the shame of losing his bride for ever more. And he will know her pain in her last seconds before she drew her last breath until he dies."
"Good." And why shouldn't he suffer? I was glad that Manes was hurting, happy that he would find no relief. "How many brides does Manes have?" I already knew that they could have several brides.
"Two, you can imagine his delight when he found a third one. His other brides are very old, and he never found happiness with either of them."
"What do you mean old?" Something by the way he said it made me frown.
"It is hard for my brothers to find their brides." I barely even noticed that we were inside of the city. I was too caught up in Ares words. This was the first time he actually offered me any insight of himself and his brothers. The first time he treated me like something more than his pet.
"In what way?"
He took a deep breath as the light switched to red. I smiled, Ares was a very impatient man. "There is a certain…scent to the bride. The problem is that the scent is weak when the bride is young. Some of my brothers didn't even understand that their bride was standing in front of them before they took them to bed or bit them." Ares was once again drumming his fingers, the cars in front of us were driving much to slow for his taste. I heard him mumble curses under his breath before he continued. "Once they find their bride and taste them one way or another, they're lost."
"What do you mean lost?" It sounded ridiculous to my ears. But I still didn't understand Ares world. I couldn't understand which instincts drove him and his family.
"They feel an overwhelming need to claim what is theirs." Claim what is theirs. I hated those words. The women, brides, that Ares talked about sounded like property. "And that instinct is fiercer and more dangerous when the bride is young, it is much harder to control. Manes has two other brides, yes," he said and then cursed at the next red light. "But he found the other two when they were old, close to dying. That's why he lost control with Joan, he'd never found anyone so young, and it drove him over the edge."
"It sounds like a lot of bullshit to me."
"I can imagine that it does to you," he said with a small growl.
The thought hit me then. "Ares," I said and turned to the city instead, "did you lose your mate?"
He snorted, "I wouldn't be alive if I had." I kept quiet, he knew in which way I meant. "Perhaps I did," he said after a while, "all I know is that I haven't found her yet. She might have died, or she might not have been born yet."
We already had that talk. I'd been terrified that Ares thought that it could be me. He'd laughed himself hoarse when I asked him if he thought I was his mate. He simply answered, after laughing some more, that no, he did not think that it was me. That had calmed me in a way I couldn't describe. It felt like the weight of the world suddenly lifted from my shoulders. Being Ares was once thing. I knew that I would die, sooner rather than later, and I was fine with that. But knowing that I could have been Ares for…well forever had sent sparks of fear into me. Hearing that I dodged that bullet was the best news I'd gotten in my life.
Knowing that Ares would kill me one day felt like a blessing.
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We said nothing as we stood in the elevator. It felt like ages had passed since I last stood here. In this god damned elevator, that had in a way, sealed my fate. Joan and Chrystal had been with me the last time, and I couldn't let myself think about it. I was never going to be with the two of them again. I wasn't even sure if I would see Chrystal again. But I decided to trust Ares, he'd told me many times that he would let her go. Although I didn't know what he wanted from me, I would do my best to give him whatever he wanted.
The elevator stopped, and I took a deep breath as Ares offered me his arm. I took it without hesitation and he led me to the place where I least wanted to be. Or well, our old hotel room would have been worse. I was likely to torch that place down if I ever sat my foot in that room again.
The roof was just as beautiful as I remembered it. With an open sky and the city waiting below. There was a lot of stars in the sky, even though the sun hadn't properly set yet. I found the view to be stunning, like the rest of the things Ares usually showed me. I wondered what it looked like to his eyes. The view was breathtaking for me, what did he see then with his superior eyes?
The others were already waiting. The males were dressed just as impeccable as Ares, with tuxedos that hugged close to their gorgeous bodies. I almost stumbled when I saw Ianthe, I was pretty sure that the bride hated me. She offered me a small smile that made the lump in my stomach grow rapidly.
Her hair was pinned, but small curls were down and framed her face in a way that had me staring. She was just as breathtaking as the first time I'd seen her. She wore a black dress, it was simple in its making. But it looked a lot like the one I had one, like a dark match to my light one.
She was the first to come forth and greet us. "I heard that black was your favorite color, I hope you don't find me bold to dress in it." I was first to stunned to get a word out of my mouth. The spell broke when she held her hands before her and waited for me to grasp them. I did and found that I had to hold back tears I hadn't even known were there.
"Certainly not," I said and meant it, "a creature as stunning as you can dress in whatever you like and never apologize for it." I wanted to throw myself to the ground before her and beg for her forgiveness. What I'd done to her had been cruel, crueler then I had understood by the time. I knew now that I never would have made her feed Ares if he'd just told me about the bond the brides shared with their husbands. I felt ashamed. I had wanted nothing more than to lash out on every one of them. And forcing Ianthe to feed Ares had seemed like the best revenge I could get.
My breath caught when Ianthe smiled at me. It was an open smile that caught me off guard. Ares quickly went to his brothers and made sure they left me and Ianthe be. "Never apologize for what you did Lysandra. There is no need for it." There was something in her eyes that told me she knew what I was thinking. I wanted to cry in dishonor. Ares had told be so much about Ianthe that I wanted to rip my eyes out. He'd told me of her gentle nature, and the love she felt for Heracles. Damn it.
"How?" I asked as her thumbs started caressing my hands.
"I am an empath. I can't control feeling, but I know what you are feeling." Too bad for her, I only felt shame and regret at the time. "You did what you felt necessary, I will never fault you for that. You are my kúpia, I will follow your words," she said with kind gentle eyes. I couldn't understand how she could look at me like that. "But I will not be saddened if I never have to do that again."
"Never," I swore and gripped her hands. "What I did – "
"Don't apologize kúpia, I will not hear it."
"I wronged you."
"You are not the first to do so, and you will not be the last."
"Nevertheless, I won't do it again."
"Thank you. I had hoped that we could be friends, if you would wish it."
The problem with all of Ares stories? Ianthe was so alike Joan that it had hurt just hearing him talk about her. It had almost been like hearing Joans stories from another person. And I had known before I even met Ianthe again that I could never hurt her in any way ever again.
Jesus, how could I do anything else but agree? She looked at me with hesitation and hope mixed together. "I would like that very much."
"It will be an honor to have you as a friend," she said with a voice laced with happiness.
I laughed out loud, I couldn't help myself. But I would do my best to mend what I had done wrong. "You don't know me very well then."
She giggled and I almost swooned when I heard it. She was simply stunning in everything she did. Grace personalized. "I already know your heart," she said in a small but strong voice. "And I think you already know mine too."
I didn't know what to say. How did you answer that? So, I simply smiled and pressed my lips to both of her cheeks. Heracles didn't waste any time when we parted. His arms were already spread, waiting to crush me against him. "Don't you dare!" I said with a warning finger.
His answering laugh boomed over the city as he swept me up in his bearlike arms. "Happy birthday adelfí!" He didn't swing be back and forth this time, but he didn't let me go as he kissed both of my cheeks.
"You know what?" My words were muffled by his shoulder. "I was wrong, you are the worst!"
Another laugh escaped him and my body shook with it. His lips were by my ear and he whispered it so low that I almost didn't hear him. "Thank you." And I somehow felt that he'd forgiven me, but not forgotten what I'd done. I doubted he ever would.
Achilles followed with a smile that told me he liked what he saw. I smiled as he took hold of my hand. "Well, hello handsome," I teased and laughed when I heard Ares warning growl. Achilles lifted me in his arms, but not like the way Heracles had done. He was much more careful and made sure I could breathe.
"Charoúmena genéthlia adelfi," he whispered and i felt myself smile at his words.
"Thank you, adelfós."
The others waited by the table as Zeus made his way over. He smiled in a way that had my lips tugging too. I stood in his arms and he watched me like a father watching his daughter, it felt…strange. "You are a prize child," he said, kissed my cheeks and wished me a happy birthday. He lifted my left hand and the smile he offered was a warm one, full of emotions. "I am glad to see this again."
"Ares didn't tell me where he got it from," I said as Zeus led me to the table. There were six chairs. And Ares placed me and himself in the middle with Zeus and Achilles across from us. Ianthe placed herself besides me and Ares, and Heracles sat himself on the empty chair across from us.
"I am a big girl Ares. I can sit by myself." His response? He wrapped his arm tighter against me, making it impossible for me to move.
"While I am aware of that," he began in a teasing matter, "I must insist." I turned slightly, annoyed that Ares let me move of my own will. I mouthed 'brute' into his smiling face. A playful growl escaped him, I smiled, it was another sound I'd never heard before. Ares was much more…playful yet serious in the company of his family.
"It used to belong to his mother," Zeus answered when we all sat down. Countless of questions popped into my head is I heard it. But neither of them ever spoke of their mother, it felt like the topic was off limits. "It fits you well. My mate would be fond of you."
"You gave this to her," I suddenly realized as I watched Zeus.
"I made her that ring, and offered it to her the night we were mated." His whole demeanor changed as he spoke of his mate, he softened.
"I can't accept this," I said in a rush and moved to take the ring off.
"You will not take that ring off of your finger," Ares said and covered my hand with his. "That ring is yours and yours alone. And you will wear it from this day until the day you die."
"Don't be thickheaded," I argued and tried to slip my hand from his. "You can't expect me to accept this."
"Child," Zeus interrupted, "I would have ripped it off of your finger myself if I hadn't wanted you to wear it." His words stopped both me and Ares. "You see, Ares was supposed to give that ring to his mate when he found her." I suddenly felt like vomiting all over the table. "While you might not be her, I find it hard to believe that she would do the ring justice." And I found it hard to believe that I was still able to keep my dinner down. "You see," he continued and probably ignored the unease on my face. "it takes a special kind of woman to wear that ring. A special kind of strength to do it justice." I swallowed hard, hard enough to draw all eyes to me. "You remind me much of my mate when we were young, about your age. That is the reason I'm allowing you to wear it. And because I know that my mate would have wanted it."
Heracles laughed besides Achilles. "Mother would have flogged you had you tried to take it back from her."
They all shared a laugh that told me much about the missing female. She had been very loved by her mate, her sons and Ianthe. And she was deeply missed. "I would have let her," Zeus agreed. He must have seen the confusion in my eyes. "I would take the punishment if my mate ever felt the need to put a whip to my skin. Because I would have known that I deserved it for angering her." It suddenly became clear to me when I heard Heracles grunt in agreement that their women might be more than just possessions. They seemed to wield a power on their own, a power that made them masters instead of slaves.
"They do," Ares agreed. "Heracles," he called and smiled, "what would you do if Ianthe suddenly told you that she no longer cared for your company?"
He didn't even contemplate the question before he answered. "I would leave her be for as long as she needed."
"And if she never wanted you again?"
"I would grant her that wish if it made her happy."
Ares nodded in agreement, even though I found it hard for Ares to understand what his brother was saying. He'd never experienced it by himself after all. He turned to me. "You only see our instincts, you only believe that we want to dominate and destroy. But you do not see the way our brides or mate can wield us. We are as you thought, little more than slaves in comparison to them."
"I'm starting to see that now."
"Enough with this," Heracles suddenly said, "it's time for the presents!"
I couldn't hold my laughter, he looked like an excited little boy. "That is not necessary, truly."
"Nonsense!" Heracles barked back and handed me my gift. It was an triangular shaped package, I almost wanted to shake it but managed to contain myself. "Go on," he said, just as excited as before, "open it."
I ripped it open and laughed until tears gathered in my eyes. I looked up at Heracles, he was laughing with me. Another attack got to me when I looked down at the dagger in my hands. It was the same dagger I had used on Leyla. The same dagger I stabbed Arcas with. My laugh eventually settled, I had to wipe the corners of my eyes. "Thank you," I chuckled and placed the dagger on the table, "that is, by far, the best present I've ever gotten."
"We thought you might like it," Ianthe said with a small knowing smile.
"Like it? I would sell my firstborn for this dagger!"
"And you can use it to stab Ares while he sleeps." I wasn't surprised that the advice came from Heracles, not at all.
Another rough laugh escaped me. "Don't tempt me." I looked at Ares smiling face beside me. "You better behave now," I threatened with a finger.
He threw his head back and roared with laughter, as did his brothers. "Omorfia, you couldn't even hurt me if you tried."
"No?" I asked with a raised brow.
"No." He was as confident as ever.
"Tell that to your balls."
"You cheated," he reminded me, but there was still humor in his eyes.
"Doesn't matter. I still hurt you."
"I guess you did." He smiled as he said it. There was a dangerous gleam in his eyes, a quiet challenge. I almost wanted to do it again, just to prove his proud ass wrong.
Zeus shook his head with a quiet smile. "A lesser man would have killed you for less. You are lucky that Ares enjoys your company."
I snorted, and awaited Ares growl before I continued. "Please, Ares is lucky that I enjoy his company most of the time."
Achilles suddenly reached under the table and held out yet another gift. "Ares told me about your fascination with the war," he said with a wry smile, "I couldn't think of anything else to give you. Although I know this is a poor thing to offer you."
The gift was much smaller, like a box of jewelry. I had no idea what would be so poor to offer me, so I opened it without thought. Inside lay a necklace. It looked to be of the same material as the ring Ares had given me. Both looked like white gold, but I knew that it was something else entirely. Something older. Stronger.
The necklace was round, and was about the half the size of my palm. I could tell that this was made for a man, it was too…rough, too wild for a woman. I noticed that the outer line was in the same diamond form as the ring. The rest of the necklace looked like a…compass of sort. But still not. There weren't lines as a usual compass had. No, it looked like two suns that overlapped each other and each ray offered a different path. And there weren't any cardinal directions on it. But I could feel something the second I picked it up and held it in my hands. A faint pulse emitted from the core of it, and I strained to listen to what it said. Strained to understand what it was trying to tell me without speaking.
The whole table had gone silent, and watched me. "What is it?" I asked after studying it in silence. I was too fascinated with it too look up as I spoke. It kept humming, in a melody too low for me to make out. I wanted to place it around my neck and sit in a quiet room, so I could hear everything it was offering me.
"It was given to me by the Gods, when the war started. It is supposed to lead you to what your heart most desires when you wear it."
I understood now why this seemed like a bad gift. But I loved it. I wanted to put the necklace on and never take it off. "Did it?"
There was some gravel in his voice as Achilles stared at me. "Yes."
"Why would you give this away?"
"It is no longer of use to me," he said with a dismissive shrug, "and I thought you would like it."
"I do," I agreed and watched the necklace, "I really do. Thank you." I laid it back in its box, I didn't want to think about my hearts desires for now.
"My pleasure."
Zeus clapped his big hands together and rubbed them against each other. He once again looked like Hermes and shared the same mischief. "Allow me to present the best gift of the night." I almost laughed in disbelief, I couldn't imagine what this old fox had conjured up. He held up his arm and pointed it towards the elevator.
I was too happy to even smile as Chrystal emerged. She looked like my sister, and not the broken thing Arcas and Leyla had made her. She held her chin high as she made her way over to us, her heels clicked for each proud step she took. There wasn't any mark on her, nothing that indicated any harm. I did smile when I saw that her eyes held the same steel they usually did. She wore her short dress and makeup like an armor. I couldn't stop staring at her midnight eyes and wicked smile.
She stopped when she reached the table and placed her clutch on it, I hadn't even noticed that I stood up. I made my way over to her. "Hello bitch," she greeted with her usual snarky voice. It sounded like music to my ears.
"Hello slut," I purred back.
Her blue eyes met my violet ones, there was a quiet understanding in her eyes. A quiet promise that I wished the others never saw. We watched each other in silence for the longest time before we laughed and threw ourselves at each other.
I let out a quiet sob when I felt her in my arms. She smelled of her favorite perfume, her hair of her favorite conditioner. She wrapped her arms around me with the same strength as I held her. I never wanted to let her go.
"You'll make me cry!" she complained into my ear. I smiled even though tears threatened to pour out of me. "It took me an hour to get my make-up done!"
I didn't fully let go of her. Our arms were still holding each other. "Fitting that it'll take seconds for your sentimental ass to fuck it up."
She laughed and leaned her forehead against mine. I grabbed her face and kissed her cheeks over and over, and could hardly believe she was here. "You're all right?"
"Yes. They won't even come near me anymore." Her answering smile was ruthless. I loved it. Loved seeing how hungry she was for revenge. I would've given it to her in another way if I could.
"Good," I agreed and felt the same smile reflect on my lips.
"Our names are still carved into her skin." Her eyes glittered as she spoke.
I began in a low voice, "don't worry, I'll put them back there if they ever fade. It will be my pleasure." And I would. I wanted to carve Chrystal's name into the heart of that whore. I probably would if the occasion ever rose. Chrystal saw it in my face and once again smiled.
I lead Chrystal to the table, and sat her into the empty chair next to me and Ares. Our hands held each other on the chairs armrest. Zeus was watching me, and I understood what he wanted to hear. I chuckled. "You won, thank you."
"Of course I did." He sounded might proud and certain of himself. He cast his eyes on Chrystal, who in turn was staring back at him. She probably thought he was Ares twin. "I am sorry for what my son did to you."
"Maybe you should have raised him better." I almost chocked as I laughed.
Zeus raised his brow at my sister. "Careful now," he said in a condescending voice I'd never heard before. "Your sister might wield a great amount of power. But that power does not include me."
Chrystal nodded as she laughed. Ares made a sound in the back of his throat and laughed with her. "You really have no idea who my sister is." I clenched my hand around her hand, she hissed and swatted my hand away. I wanted to strangle her. "But don't worry yourselves, she'll show you soon enough."
"Chrystal!" I hissed and grabbed her hand again. "Keep your fucking mouth shut." She looked at me then, and simply shrugged her shoulder at my anger. I'm going to strangle her.
"Why won't you tell us who your sister is then?"
"Better yet," Chrystal said with a smile, "why don't I show you?"
"That's it!" I exclaimed. I fucking knew what she was doing. I was going to kill her. I could already picture myself throwing her over the balcony. "You're going back to Arcas!"
"Don't be such a drama-queen. It'll be fun." Chrystal bumped my shoulder with a mean smile on her lips.
"I take it back," I hissed to Zeus, "this is the worst gift of them all."
"Come on Lys!" Chrystal groaned.
"I will choke you with my bare hands Chrystal!"
"Do you know how much time Joan and I spent getting this shit together?" That shut me up. "She's in it too, it took us a whole week to pick the best parts," she murmured, her voice laced with sadness. "So suck it the fuck up. We're watching this shit."
Ares was already moving, I was too focused on Chrystal to really care about what the fuck he was doing. "I must have been fucking Eva Braun in my former life to deserve a sister like you." Chrystal howled with laughter, she knew she'd won the moment she mentioned Joan.
Another evil laugh escaped my dear sister when Ares held out his hand. Chrystal hand disappeared into her bag before she gave him a USB-stick. And the whole table laughed at me when I hissed, "this is bullshit!"
Ares came back and rested his hands on the chair and leaned down. "Come now omorfia, it will be fun," he murmured against my ear.
"For you, yes!" I was fuming in my seat when Ares turned my chair around. "Ah, come on!" I complained when I saw the projector screen. Ares had already set everything up, the only thing left was to press play. He simply lifted me and once again placed me in his lap.
"Will you shut the fuck up?" Chrystal demanded while laughing at my expense.
"You could possibly be the worst human being on this earth," I grumbled back.
"Come on Lys!" She laughed again. "It's not like they don't know!" she said and pointed to the rest of the table.
"Did the thought ever occurred to you that they didn't know?" I hissed back and leaned into her chair. Her mouth formed a surprised 'O'. Yes, I was good at my job. No, fuck that. I was fucking brilliant at my job. And I'd managed to keep things off of me and career until Chrystal had to open her big mouth. I could tell that the others would let this go just as much as Ares would. Which was a big fucking 'not happening'.
I could see that she felt bad, her shoulders slumped a bit, a slight blush crept into her face. "They would have found out sooner or later!" she argued and tried to hide her shame.
"And I would have preferred later, or fucking never Chrystal!" I was yelling now, and I was very aware that the whole table was watching me. Yes, I wasn't acting like I usually did with them. But my sister had always had an uncanny ability to bring out the worst in
me.
Ares drew me back into our chair. I barely noticed that I was more in Chrystals lap than his. "Settle down, the fun is about to begin." I looked behind me, to the table where the dagger rested. Ares laugh made my body jump. "You will not be quick enough omorfia."
"It's my birthday. I think you should let me stab you, as a gift."
He was all serious when he looked down at me. "Do you want to stab me?"
I almost laughed. "Very much so." Wanted was a poor word to describe how badly I wanted to sink that dagger into him. I'd pictured myself doing it more times than I could count by now.
"As you wish. I'll let you stab me after we watch what Chrystal brought us."
I knew I squinted my eyes in suspicion. "I can stab you wherever I want?" I noticed that the others didn't say a word. They probably didn't find this odd. But I had to admit that I'd never had a conversation like this in my life.
"Wherever you want," he echoed with a smile.
"What if I stab you in the heart?"
"It will make no difference to me."
I huffed. "See, I always knew you were heartless. But I didn't know it was in the literal sense." I think Zeus laughed the loudest of them all. Although Heracles laugh probably echoed in the city.
Ares motioned for me to turn around once more. I crossed my arms, obviously in a sour fucking mood when Ares pressed play. I didn't even want to know how he did it while he was sitting beneath me. I knew for a fact that he couldn't control anything electrical. Fuck it, I though as I saw Joan. This was the first time I was grateful for my father's trusting issues. We had cameras in every fucking room in our house. A fact that neither me nor my sisters had ever forgiven him for.
Nothing mattered as I saw Joan again. There she was, healthy, happy and alive. And in that moment when I saw her again…I could pretend. For this short while at least. I would pretend that my sister was still with us.
She and Chrystal were at home, sitting in my workroom. Where they fucking knew they weren't allowed. I had a beautiful old oaken desk, with bookshelves on every wall. The window behind the desk was floor-length, I had always loved big open spaces. And I had always loved to read, always loved to surround myself with books. Both of my sisters were sitting on my desk, I could see that they were anxious. They were always anxious when I was away on a mission, and always waited in my workroom for me to get back. They finally saw me and stopped dead. "What the actual fuck are you wearing?" Everyone laughed with Chrystal, including Ares and his family. I could see why.
I was dressed as a nun, bearing the cross and everything. It had been one of my favorite roles and costumes. "May the lord have mercy on you, child, you will need it when judgement day arrives," I told Chrystal and made the holy mark in the air.
Joan could barely stop laughing. "So, it's done?"
"The accused shall stand trial before our Lord. He will deem him worthy of heaven and forgiveness or condemn him to an eternal hell for his accursed soul."
"She went too deep into this one," Joan said while shaking her head at me.
"In the name of the son, the father and the holy spirit, I condemn thy sluts."
"You're not so fucking holy yourself!"
"I am nothing but a humble servant to our Father. A bride to our lord!"
"Will you cut that shit out? You're giving me the creeps," Chrystal hissed.
"I shall smile the day I met our Father and stand proud in his presence, knowing he has been with me every day!" I shouted as I removed the veil and the close fitting white cap. "No, seriously though. He's dead." Chrystal and Joan laughed in the video, just like she laughed beside me now. I couldn't stop the tug at my lip. I had really liked playing a nun. It had seemed fitting somehow.
"Are you sure?" Chrystal teased and turned her back to me.
The cross still hung from my neck. I pulled it from my neck in a motion too quick for my sisters to see and strung the Kevlar wire around Chrystals neck. She gasped in surprise when it rested against her throat. I leaned in and made sure she saw my face. "I am quite sure."
"Lys, cut it out," Joan said but still laughed.
I did, and Chrystal began massaging her sore throat. "That better not leave a mark!" she hissed and turned to me. Concern clouded her eyes. "What will you do if you ever get caught."
I watched myself laugh at her concern for me. And then smiled as I saw tears gather in my eyes in a matter of seconds. I threw myself to the floor and desperately pulled at Chrystals leg. "Please, please!" I cried, "I had no choice. He, he, he attacked me." I stuttered and started hyperventilating, and pulled my hair just to be dramatic. Joan and Chrystal watched in amazement as I stood up, wiped my eyes. "Works every fucking time."
"You should be institutionalized."
"Watch it, if I'm going down, I'm making sure the two of you get matching cells with me." The images died along with our laughter. I chuckled too, even if I hated watching it.
The scene changed, but it was still the same. My sisters were hunched over my desk, and were currently laughing themselves hoarse. "She is going to flip her shit!" Chrystal yelled out and laughed at whatever was in the file before them.
"She won't accept this."
"Of course she will. It'll give her a chance to finally release her inner slut."
"I'm not sure she has one," Joan insisted while reading the details of my next assignment. "I mean, she's been with Kevin for how long? And he's barely been to second base."
Chrystal purred, a sound I knew all too well. "This will unleash her once and for all. I promise you, Kevin will finally get into her soaked panties."
I turned my head to Chrystal and huffed. She shrugged in her seat. "Could have worked."
"Yeah, not likely," I answered. I already knew which mission this had been. I had hated every god damned second of it.
My sisters heard me come home in the video and quickly scrambled out. I entered merely seconds after their not so subtle escape. There was a fresh cut on my cheek and a big bruise on my jaw, I remembered exactly how I'd gotten it. And the damn bite marks the dress concealed. "How many fucking times do I need to tell you to keep out of this fucking room?" I yelled even though my sisters were hiding just outside the door. Both had their hands to their mouths, and were barely able to keep their laughter in.
I watched myself read the file, and saw my angry frown and the hard set of my jaw. It took me a split second to explode. "This is bullshit!" I yelled and slammed my hand against the desk. My sisters came into the room, and laughed so hard that they cried.
"Oh my god, you should see the look on your face!" Chrystal exclaimed and pointed at me. She had to lean against one of the double door to keep standing.
"This is not funny!" I roared and kicked the desk with my bad leg. I cursed loud enough for my sisters to finally take me in.
"Are you alright?" Joan said and held her hands out, like she was afraid I was going to fall over and die.
"No!" I yelled while grabbing my injured leg. "I am not fucking alright! What the fuck is this!" I kept on ranting and pointed to the file.
"Yeah," Chrystal agreed with a saccharine smile, "you're gonna have to take it off for this one," she said and gave my dress a pointed stare. "No nun this time."
"Fuck this shit!" I hissed, "we're going on a long vacation after this," I swore then and there.
"Lys, seriously, are you alright?" Joan said but made no move to touch me.
I waved her concern away. "Peachy. Things just got a little messy."
"I can see that," Chrystal snorted, "I hope your bruises are healed before you get on the stage," she teased. I saw myself clench my hands into fists and still remembered the urge to beat her into a pulp.
"Messy as in how?"
"Messy as in the bastard put up one hell of a fight."
"But you're alright?" Joan insisted.
"Joan please, I've already told you so two times."
Joan rarely lost her temper, but she snapped her next words. "Then why are you favoring your left leg?"
I sucked my teeth before I answered. "Because I got bit by a wolf."
"A wolf," Chrystal echoed with a raised brow, "are you sure it wasn't a really big dog?"
"I still would have thought you lied," Chrystal whispered beside me and rolled her eyes. I chuckled at her childish gesture.
I revealed my leg and saw each deep bite mark in my thigh. "Does this look like a fucking dog to you?"
Both looked on my leg with silent horror. Even I had to admit it wasn't a pretty sight. Deep puncture wounds rarely looked good. Especially not when they were stitched together and starting to heal.
"You actually killed a fucking wolf." I'd never seen Chrystal so…dumbfounded.
"Of course not!" I snorted.
"What did you do with it then?" My answering smile was big and mean. The meanest one I had ever given my sisters. Chrystal watched in horror. "Ah hell no!"
"He'll be here in about three days."
"You did not adopt a fucking wolf!" Chrystal howled louder than the wolf ever would.
"Of course I did! It's not like he had anywhere to go, who would want him now?"
Chrystal was panting with rage by now. "That's the fucking point Lysandra!" She only ever used my full name when she was seriously pissed. "It's a wolf not a fucking Chihuahua you can carry in your purse!"
I feigned a frown. "I would never carry Sascha in a purse. He's simply too big for that."
Joan was quiet, watching our exchange with a mix of horror and amusement. Chrystal was yelling so loud that I still remembered how it echoed in the house. "You fucking named it!"
"Duh. He has to have a name."
"Lysandra I am begging you. You are smarter than this. You are fucking smart enough not to adopt a wild animal that bit off half of your fucking leg!"
"Chrystal, calm down. Breathe."
She threw her hands up in the air. "Fuck this!" she said and started to storm out of the room. She stopped by the doors and turned with a nasty smile. "What will your stripper name be?"
I didn't miss a beat before I answered, "Chrystal."
"Bitch."
"Slut."
It ended with Joan and me talking shit, as usual. "Wait," Heracles voice rose from behind me. I glanced back at him. "Did you really get that wolf?"
I smiled in answer. "Yes, she did. That beast is half feral!" Chrystal was very quick to join in. I kept on laughing until I heard another video began playing. I shivered when I heard the song and even went so far as to reach my hands out to capture my dear sisters neck. Ares laughed and held me firm against him.
I was standing by a stripper pole that had been inserted in my usual workout room. Everything was gone, except for the pole and the mirrors than ran along the whole wall.
I wore hot pants and a training bra on. The marks on my leg was gone, and the scars would be soon enough too.
"Will you get the fuck out?" I snarled at my sisters, who here sitting in front of the mirrors. Both had matching smiles on their faces.
"No," Joan had simply said.
"No way!" Chrystal said, "shouldn't you get used to a crowd before you walk out on stage?" I had wanted to bash her teeth in then. She only did it to tease me. Or humiliate, one could never be sure with her.
"As you wish." I answered and started swinging myself on the pole. My sisters started yelling encouragements while I was working my body up and down the pole. I could still remember how hard I had to train to be able to lift my entire weight with just my arms or legs while still keeping myself graceful on the pole.
I could barely breathe while I was in Ares lap. I knew what was going to happen the second I climbed up the pole and turned myself upside down and hung there. Chrystal and Joan were yelling. I grabbed my own breasts and slowly slid down the pole.
"Jesus," a male voice sounded from behind. And I could see my horror as I met Kevins big round eyes in the mirrors. I almost fell off the pole.
"What," I began and heard my voice tremble in embarrassment. I cleared my throat, "what are you doing here?"
"I invited him of course," Chrystal said from behind me.
"Of course you did." I leveled her with the nastiest glare ever.
"I must say, I'm impressed," Kevin said and strode into the room.
My God he was beautiful. His hair was a bit longer than his usual army cut. His eyes held a hidden promise that still had my insides dancing. His green brown eyes were his best feature. Even though the rest of him was beautiful, his eyes had been gorgeous. Everything from his sharp broad nose, to his full mouth, and powerful cheekbones had been perfect in my eyes. He was still beautiful to me, although it didn't feel fair comparing him to Ares, I did. And found that Ares was more…handsome. Fucking damn it.
He looked healthy and happy as he stopped before me. "I am not putting on a show for you."
His laugh echoed in the empty room and even drowned out the music that was playing. "You don't really have a choice," he said. He suddenly bent down, grabbed the back of my knees and hung me over his shoulders like a Neanderthal.
"Kevin!" He only laughed and walked out of the room, with me hanging over his shoulder like a price.
"Try to relax Lys! The first time doesn't have to hurt!" Chrystal taunted.
"Bite me slut!" I yelled as Kevin carried me out of the room.
"Do you think they'll?" Joan asked in a hushed voice.
Chrystal laughed. "Hell no!" She looked to the door before she told Joan. "Kevin thinks she's going to stay a virgin until she marries."
"Oh my god," Joan breathed. "He's going to ask her to marry him.
Chrystal nodded in agreement. "Well, she's gonna have to fuck him then!" They both laughed at my expense.
The next scene came and I didn't know whether to curse or cry. My sisters were in the hotel room, and both were watching their shoulder like I was going to burst into the room any second.
"Hi Lys," Joan said and waved at the camera. "We know that you hated watching that, but someone," she said and turned her eyes to Chrystal, "insisted that we did this. So please, don't kill us after this."
"Anyhow," Chrystal interrupted, I could even tell that this had been filmed the night Joan had died, "we wanted to tell you that it's time you fucked Ares."
The whole table laughed and I slowly turned to Chrystal. Ares laugh was the worst. She had a sheepish look on her face as she shrugged her shoulders. "This does seem a bit awkward now that I think of it."
"Ya think?" I said in a serious manner.
We were interrupted as Joan turned to Chrystal. "Chrystal!" she hissed, "that is not what we wanted to say."
"No," Chrystal argued, "that's not what you wanted to say. I wanted Lys to know that she'll spread her legs for him eventually."
"Chrystal!" Joan groaned and reached her fingers towards the camera. The video ended for a second before it came back on. "Let's try this again," she said with a laugh.
Chrystal was standing behind her and started humming Under the Sea, from the little mermaid. I shook my head as I watched Joan trying to get Chrystal to focus long enough. But Chrystal had other things in mind. She danced around Joan started singing. "Hop on his D, hop on his D!" I had to laugh at my idiot sister even though I wanted to smack her. "Send him them nudes, show what that mouth do, flash him them titties!"
"Chrystal!" Joan was yelling now.
"What!" she demanded back. "I mean come on, she's not fucking blind! That man is fucking sex on a stick, God's gift to women!" Her hands were almost curled into fists as she talked.
"We've talked about this," Joan answered and drummed her fingers against her forehead. "She'll change her mind about Ares soon enough."
Chrystal seemed unfazed by Joan. She was clenching her hands at the camera and Joan. "Why won't she fuck him? What is wrong with her!"
Joan sighed. "Can we just," she said and gestured to the camera.
"Sure," she said and turned to it. "Lys, I swear to God, that I will send Sascha away if you haven't fucked Ares by the time you see this."
"You know what, you're fucking useless! Out!" Joan finally yelled and started to push Chrystal out of the room. Chrystal was yelling all sorts of nastiness as Joan closed the door. "Alright," she said and sat down. "I wanted to wish you a happy birthday. And I wanted to tell you that I love you more than you will ever know. I am so happy to be your sister, I am so grateful for everything you have ever done for me. I hope you've enjoyed this trip as much as Chrystal and I have, although something tells me you haven't," she said and laughed. "I just wanted to tell you that you are the most important person in my life – "
"Hey!" Chrystal yelled from behind the door.
"Chrystal, I swear to God!" Joan yelled and didn't finish her threat.
"Fine! I'll be quiet."
Joan turned back to the camera, a big smile on her lips. "As I was saying. Me and Chrystal are so proud of you, and we love you to the moon and back. We always have, and we always will. So, happy birthday sweetie." She smiled and stretched her hand towards the camera.
"That was beautiful Joan, real fucking Shakespeare shit! And I totally agree," Chrystal yelled.
Joan laughed, shook her head and bit her lip before adding. "Fuck it. You really should sleep with Ares."
Chrystals laugh echoed, "I fucking knew it! Joan you little – " And Joan turned the camera off while giggling.
I took a steadying breath as I looked at Chrystal, she had quiet tears running down her face. "Thank you," I said and wanted to say a whole lot more than that.
My insides turned to ice as I heard Zeus tsk from behind. I was already grimacing badly before Ares turned both us and Chrystal around with his power. Shit, shit, shit, shit. That's it. They know I've been lying now. Zeus eyes were like steel when he watched me. "It seems like you've been quite dishonest with us child."
Fuck.
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A bit messy, and not at all what I had envisioned
Struggled a bit with this, but well, enjoy.
