3

I never thought that I'll be visiting Gaia nevertheless walk in the streets full of mortals. Apollo brought me here and disguised ourselves as mortals so we can talk and bond without any Gods to interrupt us. This is the fourth time that he decided to ask me out after the announcement of our marriage. He told me that every time he is pissed off with his fellow Olympians, he will visit Gaia. And now we're here because he got an argument with his sister.

"Do you want some bread? I know a place here where we can get the tastiest bread." He said enthusiastically. I know that Apollo is fond of mortals and how they live their life. I'm pretty sure he got a mortal lover that's why he brought me here. He's hitting two birds at once then. Smart God.

"Sure, that would be great. Let's go here." I followed him while observing the surroundings. This is a busy street and I'm tempted to start chaos but I don't think Apollo will like it. I can just imagine him being furious but he cannot do anything about it because he's forced into marrying me and getting mad at me is not part of his "overthrow our father" dreams. I cannot help but giggle.

"What's so funny?"

"I just thought of something. Not important, really."

"Well, if you say so my dear. We're here."

We stop in front of a small place with tables and chairs outside. Even if we're outside the store, I can smell the aroma of freshly baked pastries and it makes me want to get one and enjoy it under this Sunny day with Apollo. Goddess, I shouldn't enjoy sunlight but here I am, thinking of spending the rest of the day in a bright day with the God of Sunlight himself.

"Wait for me here and I'll get us some food to eat." And so I did. While I'm sitting and waiting for Apollo, a mortal man approached me. I'm not used to interacting with mortals so I'm not sure what to do. He is looking at me with curiosity and I'm kind of suspecting if my disguised already failed and he can see the Goddess of Discord.

"Hi." He greeted.

"Um…hello?" I replied.

"Excuse me? What do you need?" I asked in defense. He didn't answer but he gave me a warm smile and run his hands through his messy hair and offered his hand to shake. Should I shake his hand? Well, there's nothing wrong in shaking hands with mortals, it'll be a new experience to me. We shake hands and he told me that his name is Timothy. He then kisses my hand. What the hell?

"You're new here? Never saw you before. Are you with someone?" Is this mortal trying to flirt with me? I raised my brows and before I can speak he, Apollo came back with a box of pastries and bottle of juice. He looked at me and looked at Timothy.

"What's going on here?" Apollo asked, his eyes still looking at the mortal.

"He just said hello." I answered. "Let's go." I grab his hand to avoid the awaiting chaos that will happen between Apollo and the mortal. But Apollo is a stubborn God, he went back to the mortal and I don't know what happened but Timothy's eyes went wide and he practically sprinted out of the busy streets. I rolled my eyes at Apollo and he looks pissed off.

"What did you do Apollo? That's just a helpless mortal man." I said while eating the delicious bread he bought for me. We're now on our way back to Olympus.

"I saw it. He kissed your hand. What do you want me to do?" Is he jealous?

"And so what? It's just a kiss. A kiss on my hand, not on my neck, not on my lips."

"It's still a kiss, Eris"

"Oh come on, why are you so pissed off? It's not like I fucked that man in front of you. I didn't even know him except that his name is Timothy" I think sometimes my choice of words will get me killed especially now that Apollo is driving his chariot faster than a lightning that my knuckles is turning white because of holding the bar too much. He is such a jerk. It's not like I invited that mortal to talk to me let alone kiss my hand. When we landed in front of Aunt Hestia's temple, I immediately remove myself from his chariot without saying goodbye. He is getting on my nerves and I don't want to start a fight even if I'm the Goddess of Discord and chaos.

"Eris!" And now he is calling out my name? Jerk.

I didn't look back. I don't need to. When I reached Aunt Hestia's garden, Apollo suddenly grabbed my hand and forced me to look at him.

"What the hell, you jerk?!"

"So I'm a jerk now, huh? He's basically flirting with you, Eris. And you want me to happy?"

"Did I ask him to do that? I almost fell out of your stupid chariot just because someone kissed my hands? Are you insane Apollo? He's just a fucking mortal and you're a fucking God!" Thank Gaia that no one is around or they might've teased us for fighting over a mortal man. A funny scene indeed. "And what if he did flirt with me? What is it to you? We're not even lovers, Apollo. You don't have any right to be mad." He is furious, I can feel it, but I want him to realize that he is being unreasonable. Minutes passed and we're just looking at each other's angry faces until he suddenly grabbed my waist and forced his lips on me. I was surprised at the contact that my mind went blank. All I can feel right now is his furious kisses that will surely make my lips sore.

"No one is allowed to kiss you, Eris." He whispered between our kisses.

"We're not lovers…yet. But we will be and you will like it." He added.

"How'd you know I will like it? We're not married yet, Apollo. I can still say no." I forced myself to answer to make sure that he will not dominate my whole being, although I've already surrendered minutes ago.

"Then I'll marry you tomorrow." My eyes went wide. I pushed him away but his hold is stronger than my arms that I'm stuck with him, his chest on mine. "And once you're mine. No one is allowed to hold you, and touch you, even if it's a fucking mortal, especially if it's a fucking god." His words, his voice…it's frightening. Is this really the Good Son of Leto? Is this the real him?

"You're back!" Oh no, that's Aunt Demeter. "Is that you Apollo?" I turned around to see not just Aunt Demeter, but with her is Aunt Hestia, Athena and Artemis. What are they doing here?

"Hi! What's the occasion? Why are you all here?" He said with a sweet smile on his face. And now he is back with his good boy persona even though minutes ago he looks like he was about to murder someone innocent. "Hold my hand." He whispered on my ear before removing his hand on my waist then clutching my hand into his own and drag me to meet the rest of the Olympians.

"Wow, what's with the holding hands?" Artemis said full of bitterness. She is still not happy that her twin chooses to marry me. I'm pretty sure she will not be happy for the rest of her immortal life because out of all the Gods in Olympus, she hates me the most.

"Oh come on, Artemis. Aren't you happy for your brother dear? He looks happy with Eris." Demeter said that makes the Goddess of Hunter frown. She really hates me and I love it. Should I snake my hands around her brother's waist just to tease her more? It's tempting.

"By the way, the reason why we're here is because we'll have a council meeting tonight, Apollo. Hermes told us that you visited Eris earlier and your presence is needed for that meeting." Athena interrupted and they started talking about things that is out of my concern so I excused myself to take some rest. My heart is still beating hard because of our kiss and I don't think that they want my presence there, especially Artemis.

"I'll be taking some rest now." I left them and went inside my room. I need to process everything that happened today, from Timothy to the possessiveness that Apollo have shown while we're out of prying eyes. He is confusing and frustrating and I can't help myself from falling into his traps. My eyes shut down the moment my head touch the pillow, it's an exhausting day and if ever Apollo is indeed serious about what he said earlier, tomorrow will be my wedding day.

I woke up in the middle of the night with someone calling out my name. I never heard of that voice so my curiosity asked me to leave my room and follow the voice.

"Eris…." Is it Hermes pulling a prank on me?

"Eris…" The voice is soothing and chilling at the same time.

"Come here, Eris…come with me." And I did. I'm hypnotized. I didn't see anyone in Aunt Hestia's temple but I can still hear an unfamiliar voice calling out for me.

"Who are you? Where are you?" I asked.

"You'll meet me soon. Just come here dear…" If this is Hermes pranking the Goddess of Discord, then he is being careless. "Just walk…come here…come with me."

"Why should I come with you?"

"Because you need to. I'll save you from this misery…I'll save you from him. I'll save you from them, let's go Eris." I didn't know that I'm already in the edges of Mt. Olympus just by following the voice. "Now, jump…jump and you'll meet me." I was about to jump when someone snatch me away and the voices fade out in an instant.

"What on Tartarus are you doing Eris? Are you trying to kill yourself?!" It's like I was back in reality when I heard Ares's voice. I looked at him and looked at myself. I'm still wearing my night gown, and I'm barefoot. I looked around to see if anyone is with us but it looks like Ares is about to visit our father's temple and then I remember that they'll have a council meeting tonight, I'm sure that Apollo will be there.

"Are you okay?" He asked, genuinely concern about me.

"I heard someone called my name and she told me to jump…I'm…"

"You're following the voice, am I right?" I nodded.

"Do you have any idea that once you jump, it can be the death of you? You'll be thrown into abyss and…you'll be gone forever." I heard that story but I never thought that it'll happen to me. Well, almost happened to me. "Let's go. I think I have an idea who that voice is. They should know." He didn't bother asking me to change and I'm still shocked to even ask him if I can wear more decent clothe before facing the Olympians.

When we entered the council room, Apollo immediately stood up and looked at me with questioning eyes, I'm not sure what to say especially Aphrodite is staring at me with malice because I'm with her lover, Ares and I'm wearing my night gown for Tartarus sake, I'm almost naked.

"What is this, Ares?" Here asked, surprised with my sudden presence.

"It's not what you think it is Mother. I saw her at the edge of Olympus. She looks like she's not on herself. She was about to jump." He answered. "Can you imagine? Jump? Jump! She was about to throw herself into abyss, she's lucky that I saw her or else…she'll be gone." The room went silent and they are all looking at me. If I'm not shocked, I will stare at them with mocking eyes but I'm still shaking about the thought of throwing myself into nothingness. I wrapped my arms around me, trying to cover myself from their questioning eyes, I'm also shivering because of the coldness of the surrounding.

"Is that true, Eris?" this time, it is Zeus who is asking. I nodded.

"Why?" He continued.

"I…I don't know…I…heard someone. She's asking me to jump and so I…almost…"

"Is that voice familiar to you?"

"No."

"Then why did you listened to her?"

"I don't know."

"I think it's her. She's doing it. She's trying to kill you" I know that Zeus is referring to Nyx. I can still feel Apollo's eyes on me and I cannot look at him or else I might run and hug him. Oh goddess, I'm fucking cold. Why am I fucking cold?

"I'm cold…father."

In an instant, Apollo drag me away from the council room.