It was evening on Mount Olympus. Apollo and Hermes strolled in the gardens, enjoying the gentle wind.

"The war is coming to an end" Hermes started conversationally.

Apollo nodded gravely. "It is".

"I think it is time to forgive that girl" Hermes went on.

"And I think it is not" the older god replied matter-of-factly.

The messenger turned to face him, annoyance clear in his eyes.

"Give it a rest already, Apollo. Fine, she hurt your feelings, I get it. Do you need to punish her for a thousand years?"

Apollo blinked in surprise. It was unusual for Hermes to speak so harshly.

"We already talked about this" he replied in a soft voice.

"Well, maybe we should talk about that again. She is mortal, Apollo..."

"And what does that mean?"

"Don't interrupt me" Hermes replied sharply, and Apollo almost stepped backwards. "She is mortal and she was very young when you declared your love. Well, young people happen to make mistakes sometimes! Maybe she is even sorry about that. But you are going to punish her until the end of her short and miserable life, no matter what! I expect more from you, Apollo, much more than the pettiness you are displaying now"

"Watch your mouth, Hermes" Apollo replied, still very calm.

"Believe me, I am watching it already. Look, she is going to die a horrible death very soon. Could you not give her some peace of mind before she dies?"

"Listen, Hermes, I know that you have a generous spirit. But she didn't just hurt my feelings, she deceived me too"

"Apollo, our friendship began after I stole your cows and I lied to you. Yet, you forgave me right away, I just had to apologize"

"She did not apologize"

"You never gave her a chance to do that. Apollo, please. At least go talk to her. See if she has something to say to you"

Apollo sighed deeply.

"Very well. Since it means so much to you, I will talk to her"

The following morning, at sunrise, Apollo headed to his temple.

-O-O-O-

(Cassandra's POV)

I couldn't sleep on that night.

I was so used to knowing what was going to happen that I had forgot what it feels like when you don't know.

I didn't know for sure if Apollo would come and when but I instinctively trusted Hermes. It was funny: I trusted the god of thieves more than I had trusted Apollo, who was called the god of truth.

I had to tell Apollo the truth, it would have been silly to waste Hermes' help. But how could I find the courage? How could I even face him after such a long time?

Since I couldn't sleep, I stood way before sunrise and started cleaning the temple.

I was about to begin the morning rituals when I felt Apollo's presence. Then I saw him standing next to a column, clad in white, expressionless.

Hermes had kept his word.

For a moment, I was just taken aback by his beauty - I wasn't used to it anymore.

"Sir..." I said, bowing.

"Is there something you want to say to me after so many years, princess?" he answered without moving. His tone was cold.

"Yes" I answered, my voice quivering "but I'm afraid you would not believe me"

He looked mildly surprised. He probably didn't expect me to reply right away.

"Go on" he prompted. He was as still as a statue.

I breathed deeply. This was my last chance and I couldn't screw it up.

"On our last meeting I was not entirely truthful with you" I started, immediately regretted my words.

Apollo looked outraged.

"I was already aware of that" he hissed. I feared that he would go without hearing the rest but he didn't move.

"Go on, princess"

"I mean to say... that I didn't want to deceive you. The reason why I rejected you was another"

I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Did he believe what I was saying?

"And what was the reason?" he asked, unperturbed.

"The night after you gave me that gift... I dreamed about Hector's death and about my own destiny. I asked myself why you had not warned me, how you could woo me while knowing what was to come. And most of all, if you really cared for me, why would you let Ajax touch me? So when you came back... I felt repulsed"

"I remember warning you that your visions and prophecies could hurt you, and asking you whether you still wanted the gift" he replied pointedly.

"You did. And I would have been glad to give back the gift, had it been possible" I answered.

"I also remember inquiring about your well-being, since you looked very perturbed. You could have spoken up" he went on.

"I told you that I was upset because of the visions and you replied that I would get used to it. You certainly knew about Ajax, yet you said nothing about it". I was trying very hard to keep my voice low.

"I was not aware that you had seen Ajax. You were not supposed to see that. It wasn't even supposed to happen, since you had apparently accepted my courtship and would thus become my spouse. Which makes me think that you reconsidered your decision before you started dreaming"

"I was wary of your love declaration" I said, my voice now positively trembling. "I wondered why you would love a mortal since you are surrounded by goddesses. I suspected that I was going to be abandoned, maybe pregnant. I thought that the gift of prophecy was a way to win me over. And after that dream I felt like my fears were confirmed"

"Prophecy is not a love token, Cassandra. It is not to be taken lightly, as I told you years ago. I chose you because I thought that you were suitable, it had little to do with my feelings. I never intended to use and abandon you" he said. His voice was still unperturbed but I didn't miss the fact that he had used my name.

"Then why didn't you give me the gift before proposing?"

"Because then you would know that you were meant to die very soon, and you could feel compelled to accept my courtship" he answered immediately. "I spent much time with you and allowed you to get acquainted with me. I assumed you would trust me".

"I'm sorry that I haven't been straightforward with you. But I never meant to deceive you, or to trick you into giving me that gift" I whispered.

I didn't know whether he was going to believe me but at least I had tried.

Apollo closed his eyes, looking wistful.

"All of this could have been avoided" he said softly. He sounded aggrieved.

He opened his eyes and looked at me intently.

"I regret that I wasn't more considerate. I should have understood what was bothering you"

Was he forgiving me?

"Your city's destiny is already written, Cassandra. There is nothing I can do about that. I also cannot take back my gift, but I can take back my punishment. You will be believed now. In practical terms, however, I'm afraid this isn't going to change much"

"Thank you, Sir" I managed to say.

"Also, I was unfair to you and I should compensate you for my mistake. I will think about it. For now, good day".

And with that he disappeared, leaving me too stunned to speak.