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Eros' POV
The sun, the rain, the wind... they chased each other around my head... thoughts left and pure serenity reached my senses... there was nothing to hear, nothing to see, nothing to think... time dissipated... All that existed was the universe in its raw form and me... I didn't mean to run... I saw myself and she... a chant of Gaia ran in my ears... seeing myself causing pain to all others... Bea crying and shielding herself from the world... all my past lovers... Bea cleaning herself as I left her personally satisfied...
Their tears became my tears... their pains and dried tears became mine... As a cold grasp upon my heart I awoke to a sunset dying by the grasp of the ocean and the overwhelming presence of the moon... The time spent there had given me clarity although at an unknown cost... there were no time records... I could have slept past her lifetime... Fully awake I stood allowing dust and animals to leave my body... As they all left, and safely out of danger I leapt to the heavens with my wings fully open and in seconds I found myself in my house...
So quiet... so seemingly dead... my chest rose and fell rapidly... then as if I deserved it she came into view, sitting by the now clean library... her eyes traveled to my scroll… the scroll that could potentially thrust my heart upon the winds, expose it to the elements…
I could not allow that to happen; before her hands had finished their unfolding the paper stood blank, my powers serving me once again. Her face fell as she sat in quiet dead meditation… soon enough she called forward Petry, the librarian but by then I was gone. I no longer could stand her pain – internalizing her woe surrounding it with my own. I went to Athena – I had a thought – a shadow of a plan – only she could tell whether it was worth the pain.
I reached her chambers where, as always, her bed lay empty as her head lay betwixt the books. Before I landed with the dexterity of a feline – she had already noticed my presence
"Dear Eros, what help is it that you seek after not coming to me for near a year?"
She knew where I had been, yet her tone was angry… She had always hated me running off since our youth and accused me of being but a child. She, nevertheless, understood that if I didn't allow distance to isolate me, my mouth would run off killing me bit by bit.
My amorous nature when in doubt, trouble, or any sort of feeling aside from placidness, would flare up killing all those bonds I cherished. I had to get away before I did something regrettable.
I stayed in silence – there were no excused only my nature juxtaposed with hers and the right thing to do. As always, they neverseemed lined up.
"Your mouth has no control but at least have the common decency to make me privy of your destination or proof of your existence. I hate not knowing – even more so; I hate the pleasure others take in realizing that I do not know something. It is unacceptable and although humbling, I would rather keep the fault of perfectionistic knowledge of all things – which by default includes you. Understand? If ever again you betray me – I will not help you when you come groveling back confused, dazed and so obviously in love."
My mouth had long ago fallen open… I had never heard her talk so extensively or so candidly about anything – for once I see her faults – not the perfect being we had all seen her to be… I could not contain my laughter and as it rang out across the marble floors and silver walls – she smirked… It was impossible to deny that I did feel something though… love seemed too huge and demanding. But I was wise enough not to try and find fault in her rant. Between laughter I teased her
"So my dear Athena – is that a chip in your armor I see?"
Her eyes opened up fully in panic as she searched her unbreakable, impregnable armor screeching
"Where? Tell me for I must go to Hephaestus – I cannot allow anyone to see me in shambles!"
Seeing her act so human and not realizing the metaphorical intent in which the comment was given allowed more laughter to bubble up, depriving me of breath.
Soon enough she caught on and tackled me as we began wrestling as in our youth. I, as always, allowed her to pin me down for we were equally matched and as her relenting spirit proved – she would have never stopped – I in the other hand was not so committed as I tapped out, pushing her off of me. Sitting on the floor in front of me she breathed heavily as did I, between pants she spoke
"So.. has… the island… proved itself… worthy of 11… months of your… time?"
I responded as best as I could, knowing fewer words with her where always better,
"Clarity…. Serenity…. Perspective…. But no plan…. Not a full plan anyways…."
She looked at me knowing what I had thought and her silver eyes sparkled always wanting to prove herself right
"So tell me… what has the god of love come up with?"
The laughter had died from the air and although her tone tried to keep the aura jovial the plan I decided to embark on was so painful it sucked the life from my very breast.
"As you know, as you always do, I think I feel for this girl… she annoys me greatly… well… her mortality does and I do not like to be manipulated and I fear she may have that power over me… which consequently brings her into more danger by my mother and her maternal instinct… I do not want her to die… or live without me but as I have learned I do not want to see her sad… it is quite perplexing seeing how all the possible venues I would habitually take have been clogged up by feelings…"
I paused not only to regain my breath but also dreading the thoughts in my head… softly I said
"I will continue to be her master… she my servant… I will take care of her in all ways necessary for a human… including finding her a husband… that will include someone of strong character, and obviously a god… that way after I bless their union they can petition Zeus to make her a goddess and she shall live forever… and although at a distance… I will longingly glance her way as lovers do the nighttime heavens when apart… To keep me occupied I will henceforth begin to search for a wife… as per my mother's recommendation and also, specially, to throw her off doubting or even thinking about… about… Aurae…. For my mother is the greatest danger any human can ever inflict upon themselves – Hades is absolutely no match for Aphrodite when in her spiteful mood. She… Aurae may care for me as other humans fall in love when seeing me but her infatuation will wane and as she frees herself I shall aid her with the correct distractions and tools…. So… with your wisdom and eyes-that-see-it-all… what do you think of my decision already taken?"
She had casted her eyes to the window above us… thinking deeply… not ready to respond just yet. As I had spoken my voice had remained low and monotone but as I had gotten to her name… my tongue could not form it without having my heart skip its usual tempo… something she clearly noticed… when she was ready her piercing silver eyes saw through me as she spoke
"You underestimate her and her will… you may have grown in strength but so have your feelings and temptation will present itself. It is a solid plan of action and unusually self-less for a god… which, along with your heart's tempo, leads me to believe your feelings have, exponentially grown for the girl… I bless you and hope for the best but I beg you to take heed; not all is as it seems – the lineage can break it all. "
I looked at her trying to understand what she meant – hating her for loving intrigue…
"I know my mother can hurt her but no one else in my lineage would mind… Hades would bed her if given the chance… But I will take care to ensure the husband's lineage is clear and accepting enough for her as mortal"
Her eyes shone as her mouth close deciding to divulge no more. I stood up and headed towards the window using it to propel myself off; the winds carried her last words, obviously meant to tease me
"Indeed as a mortal."
I headed home as I saw Aurae go into Athena's house. Once home I had the servants run a bath as I relaxed and prayed for strength of will. Eventually as I became dizzy with the heat and perfumes the half nymph Petra head of household came in to present Aurae. Thus our dance began.
She walked in and from her blushing face I knew this wasn't exactly how she thought we would be formally presented. Fastening my façade, I looked over her as nothing but a commoner… having my heart drumming my chest made it harder but nonetheless I was able to. Her sadness increased as did mine. Petra spoke first after both bowed,
"Master, before you left I was given this girl by a cherub, I do not know whether you knew but I want to assure you she has been a good servant, although mortal, she has proven herself useful, specially to the librarian by helping to catalog all those scrolls. I take full responsibility of her and beg you to allow her to stay. "
It was obvious neither the two cherubs nor the girl had spoken to the household of the circumstances of our meeting, deciding to prove myself nonchalant I shrugged it off saying
"I trust your judgment woman, she may stay."
Deciding to do as I would usually, I stood up elegantly exposing myself fully to them both as the other servants rushed to get my towels and dry me. Allowing my cocky nature to fill my overflowing heart I looked over to her and her shocked expression saying with a husky voice
"You are dismissed servant. Leave"
Being commanded made her angry as I had hoped and she stormed off. As she left, the smirk covering my face had dissipated allowing sadness to take over. I needed to have her hate me. For her I would become the ingrate I was before… for her I would dare not change… for her I would sacrifice my happiness and wishes… I think for her… I would sacrifice my immortality…
19 YEARS EARLIER
Clarification: (Back to Peitho-Ancora-Kratos) – Ancora is Aurae's mom
Kratos' POV
Peitho slithered her arms around me – she was frail but venomous.
"So, future husband are you pleased with your future wife?"
Her presumptuous nature assumed I had fallen for her façade instead of seeing the charcoal hue of her heart. She reached across for a kiss and as fighting with a deadly serpent I side stepped so fast she stumbled trying to regain her balance. She turned to me with furious eyes but said nothing waiting to bite my words off of me first.
"Mistress Peitho – I came here to meet you, not to make everlasting promises. You seem like an amorous creature who will have no problem finding someone who deserves you unlike myself... I came here out of my mother's wishes and respect for your father."
Her anger, at being denied for what would obviously be the first time, bubbled through her soft appearance turning her eyes crimson red, and her features morphed to almost feline-like attributes, I would not be frightened and as she shrieked with an inhuman voice I was not moved
"Father – you would bring someone into our house to insult me thus? This usurper deserves to hang for compromising my heart in such premeditatedly evil manner"
Hermes did not move – the stars had taken him and as Peitho stormed off he remained stone-still. As I prepared to leave his soft voice reached me
"That mortal better be worthy Kratos – leave without offence child, mea culpa"
I passed the courtyard where Ancora had been beaten and noticed the man no longer laid unconscious. Although the altercation had proven more difficult on Peitho' s part my spirits seemed exalted. I had found the one I belonged to. I headed towards the servants' chambers where she had disappeared but before making it the image of Peitho' s angry red eyes staring down Ancora flashed before me. For a while now I have been able to receive images from the future… as mother being an oracle it was understandable.
The image, a Nanosecond, no sound or movement but it made my blood boil. I could do nothing since it had not happened except perhaps prevent it. The cause would have to be my choosing Ancora over her. She must not know. Running faster than I have ever, in minutes I was by Nike's side. She looked startled and looked up from her reading. We had always been close – she knew me as her and knew as I looked it was important.
"I am in love, Peitho hates the one I love, I need to save her – please help me."
She raised her eyebrow as she smiled. She looked at my eager face and softly replied
"Even a mortal is better than Peitho for a sister"
She got up and we both ran towards Hermes' house. Nike and I had always been as twins – ideas shared as mere thoughts yet clear as screams in the still of the night. We breached the house from the back – behind the golden wall of the gallery where I met Hermes. We ran and as we caught momentum we jumped upon the roof having a perfect view-point of the courtyard without compromising ourselves. We lay atop the roof inspecting those living below. Finally she spoke
"Stealing her is not the smartest way brother."
Formality between us was useless therefore I honestly answered
"I suggest you give options rather than obvious assumptions sister"
"Very well brother – let us play Peitho for the vain creature that she is – she has always yearned for my friendship – I shall extend my hand and as per godly custom she would not dare break – she shall give me what I covet."
Thinking and agreeing with her I continued to allow her to lead the conversation;
"Wise sister – so what is it that thy heart covets?"
She looked at me with sisterly mischief as she said
"Whatever keeps my brother off my back which just happens to be a mortal girl on hers!"
We laughed as softly as we could without giving ourselves out. Waiting for the right distraction which happened to be another girl getting beaten – we left with the information we needed of the people that lived there and a plan. A plan to fight for what should be everyone's right; the holy commandment of gambling it all on a hope – a dream of a perfect union betwixt two people who complement each other so fully it's as if the titans themselves forged them from the very same stone.
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Persiannissimo - Please review if worth it :)
