Chapter 2: She shivered harshly, wrapping the lace shawl tightly around her shoulders. Tonight was cold. So cold she could see her breath leave in little white clouds and hear the crunch of frost under her sandaled feet. The Goddess of Love was alone tonight. She didn't know why. She had originally planned on staying with Aries after the large feast at the palace...but tonight...tonight she didn't want to be around the regular crowds. Tonight she wanted to go home. Her actual home. It had been months since she had been near that part of Olympus. She hadn't heard from Hephaestus in even longer. The only times she saw him were brief entrances and exits from the meeting room. Brief words. A small glance filled with hurt and sadness. She couldn't remember the last time she saw those eyes filled with joy...with laughter. It had been so long. Shivering once more she rubbed her upper arms, trying to spread warmth. Almost halfway to the house shared by the strange couple, a soft glow caught her attention. Turning her head, the tall blonde gazed at the warm glow leaving the forge near their palace. There was only one place in Olympus that Aphrodite had never been...and that was Hephaestus 's forge. Biting her lip, she stared at the tall building for a few more moments before shaking her head and rolling her shoulders back. She was a Goddess damn it and she wouldn't let some strange form of fear keep her from where she wanted to go. Taking the extra steps, she began walking towards the forge, scrunching her nose as the smell of burning wood and oil reached her. She hated this smell. It made her think of the smith god...and those eyes.