I had been lost the whole time the Graces got me ready. I had a luxurious bath with milk and oils, I would have loved it in other circumstances. Hephaestus ... I sighed as I thought about him. He is not that ugly he might be beautiful if you look close enough. He just doesn't take care of his skin. Graces told me how Hephaestus was born. He was a cute child but Hera born him herself, without Zeus, because she was envious of Athena being born of Zeus's head. But when Zeus found out, he was so angry that he threw the child off the cliff, which crippled his leg. Hephaestus was an excellent craftsman, he came back after a long time, Hera loves him or not, no one knows, they have seen her giving gifts to Hephaestus but never seen them together like she is with Ares.
All of that gave me a new sympathy, but that doesn't mean I would want to marry him. I don't even like him romantically. I may care for him and be his wife, but ... I can't even think of consummating with him. How can I when I remember Ares's strong arms holding me, his eyes taking in every inch of mine, how he tasted? Oh, Ares, I longed for him. I thought about how he stood up for me. He is fearless and so courageous for what he wants. No other gods dare object to Zeus or Hera. And then Hera told him that I'm nothing more than a whore for Olympus. That's not true, I cannot refuse when someone desires for me, I have to grant their requests anyway. Ares probably thinks I'm cheap too.
I hold back my tears and inhaled. I opened my eyes and looked in the mirror. I, for tonight, might be the most beautiful thing Olympus has ever seen. My body was clad in a tight mermaid style dress with a long transparent, lacy trail and my hair was left straight. I wore no veil and had a white pearl and diamond crown resting on my head. I should have been happy about all this, only if ...
"Lady, your carriage will be here soon, anything I can help you with by then?" One of my attendants asked.
I shook my head and walked out on the balcony, the sun was setting. I took a deep breath thinking about tonight when I heard heavy steps. I was too tired to turn so I kept looking at the distance...
"Aphrodite" I heard a whisper all too familiar.
"Ares" I replied without turning back.
"I'm sorry this had to turn out like that for you. I shouldn't have messed in the courtroom .."
"Don't worry Ares. It's about Hera, she hates me, she would have .." My voice stopped. I felt Ares's arms slide around my waist and he hugged me from behind.
"You heard what she said back in the hallways to me?"
I inhaled. Ares continued, "I knew you were there, Aph. I could feel your perfume."
"It's fine, Ares .." He cut me in mid,
"No, it's not. You know that too. I want you to know, I don't think of you that way Aph. I understand as a goddess you have to give out love. I fight wars, sometimes I have to make my troops win even when they don't deserve but that's because I'm a god. I can't help it." I felt his lips plant a soft kiss on my bare shoulders. I turned to face him.
"Oh, Ares!" I hugged him tightly letting myself take in his scent. "Do you think this is the last time?"
"Mother gave you to Heph because she always wants to make up for what happened with him. She sees you as the biggest prize for any man and it makes her satisfied she gave Heph equal love. But it doesn't mean you have to love him Aph. You are the love. Love is what you make it. You define love and you choose how to shape it." Ares buried his face in my hair.
"Ares it all means so much to me. Hera cannot bound me down by a marriage. If someone truly desires something from me, I have to grant them that." I said looking up, hoping he got my message.
Ares gave me a smirk and kissed my lips. I felt the current run through my body. I cupped his jaws, pulling him deeper in the kiss and felt a moan escape his lips. He kissed me for some more time before looking up smiling.
"What is so funny, the mighty god of war?" I said, caressing his cheeks with my thumbs.
"Well as you look so gorgeous, let us ditch the wedding and go to my bed?"
I giggled, "Wedding cannot go on without the bride."
"Lady, you need to go," someone called out to me.
I looked at Ares. No matter how much we tried to laugh it off, this empty feeling was always there.
"I like you too Ares," I said and walked down to my carriage.
