Captivated
Chapter 5: Vulnerable
Author's Note:
Well Shells, Eris turned herself visible so that Paris can see her. Since he wasn't even paying attention to her touches she was becoming scared that he would not notice her at all. So in the spur of the moment she began placing apples around the railing; just to have an excuse of being there. Also it was an odd job even for a servant to do, so it added more mystery to her; which she wanted. Your right he is smitten by Eris but still holding on to Helen because he doesn't trust this new goddess. And I wouldn't ditch my love for a new person just like that, would you?
The bright yellow rays of the new born sun crawled over the walls of Troy, sweeping into every crack of the city. Already Dawn had her claws deep into Paris' room, brightening the house with light. It was the warmth of the sun that awoken Eris. Seeing Paris' arms around her, which must have been his doing since she dared not have stirred to wake him, brought a warmth of hope to her day.
Ares! She shot up, not bothering the stirring prince. He could be looking for me! What would he think of coming to my rooms and not seeing me there! I must go to him at once and console him if needed!
She booked out of the rooms leaving Paris to slumber on smelling of apples.
Eris didn't stop to change and walked straight into Ares' rooms. But to her dismay, he wasn't there. In his place was Apollo, her little admirer.
"Eris! Since when did you come back from Poseidon!?" He kissed her lightly on both cheeks as she stood there like a deer caught in the light.
"Where is Ares?" she whispered.
"Oh, he hasn't come back yet from the battle yesterday. It's only a matter of time before Zeus gets angry at him for cutting up so many mortal. He's been hammering away in the fields... Eris, you look flushed? And your dressing reminds me of my sister—Eris are you alright?!" His golden locks were just as like as the golden armor he wore over his manly body. The brown eyes literally popped through those fair strands of silky hair. But he looked so much older or mature to her now.
A little bit of a goatee was kicking in, and his curly hair now falls straight but they haven't lost their volume. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair and kiss that newly attractive look that must have been breached at the beginning of the war. Eris was always attracted to Apollo for his positive attitude and Apollo lusting after her for her naughty actions. Yet it was maturity that kept them apart and they were comfortable with just stroking the other gently when they mean to.
Her attraction for him, awoken the memory of Paris. "I must get ready for the day Apollo." She left the youth to change into a pure white long dress that showed off her back and dipped low into her cleavage. Her hair was tied up with some of Aphrodite's lilies that she stolen just now, knowing they would be perfect to show off to Paris.
Meanwhile, Paris woke up alone and confused of how he gotten here. First he was in the storage room with Eris, and then he was hugging her and then, smelling her. WHAT?! That's impossible, why would Eris want to see me? Then memory caught up with Paris.
It's happened before. All three of them goggling over me as if I was some new toy they were fighting over. Did she come here for another test just like them? No! I will not speak to her; it will only bring more consequences like it did last time.
As he got off his bed only to enter the main chambers he saw her standing there, as if waiting for the entire time.
She turned to beam at his entrance, as if his being brought life to her once dull world. And Paris again was besotted with her. The white robes flecked the golden locks in her hair and the honey eyes she carried. His eyes caressed over her sensuous lips that were formed perfectly with her cheek bones. He had to admit, Helen's face structure was sloppy work compared to this one's.
"I'm glad your feeling better." He finally said.
He notices me! The thought made her smile harder before speaking. "Your touch quieted me down. And I must say I apologize for my rampaging. Come sit with me my Paris."
She motioned at the lounging couches and the bowl of fruit. Apples, of course!
He joined her, not taking his eyes off of her every move.
"Was it you that tucked me goddess?" He asked before placing himself in a comfortable position on the settee.
A mischief smile played across her face as she smoothed the wrinkles of her gown.
"Yes! I must say, you look so peaceful when you sleep I envy you for it."
"There's no peace when I'm await." He scoffed.
"What do you mean?" She asked, now focused on his worries.
"Ever since Helen came my world has turned upside down. My father and brother grow weary of protecting me and Helen against the Greeks, court and the city itself...Even at night I can't sleep because I can hear the woman begging for our blood to be spilled. I'm surprised Helen doesn't feel as guilty as I do."
"I can fix that." Eris mumbled.
"What was that?" Paris questioned.
"Oh, nothing." As she played with a revolving apple.
For the next hour the two just looked at each other, face to face. Not a word was spoken; because each was scared it would break this silence that has recently become their peace. Then there eyes wandered to awe at the other's body, especially Paris since it was the first time he really saw Eris in the light.
"What's it like being able to do what ever you want?" Paris was the brave one to shatter the glass.
"Well..." Eris began but stopped to really think. She never reflected back on her life until now because reflection was a sign of guilt which Eris stayed away from. "It becomes a bore very quickly. Which is why we indulge ourselves so deeply with mortal affairs."
"But there are other's like you. Don't you relate to any of them?" Paris' questions were like child's curiosity that amused Eris so much. Yet no matter how simple the questions were, it took an even longer pause before answering.
"Allies change quicker then sand of sand dials. We have no life in us so we rely on our emotions and most of the time we get carried away with them. Even a drunken father pays more attention to his children then does Zeus." Staying still was nauseating for Eris so she got up to pace the floor.
"But it's only because Zeus has so many people to try and please. The world is on his shoulders basically." Paris pondered.
"SOOOO!" Eris raged. "Not even my birth did he care much of me, so why would he stop now!! Even Ares gets more attention then me. If it wasn't for my harsh temper he probably wouldn't know of my existence!!" Tears already began to well up in her now glistening eyes. Hold them back Eris. You can't break now, control them, hold them back! She thought to herself, but again emotions were against her will.
"NOT EVEN HIM, BUT THE WORLD NEVER THOUGHT OF NOTICING ME!!! All my life I had to fight as hard as I could to even get my name in the record of gods! Do you see any temples of me!!!? Do you see any statues of me in my grace? No of course not!!! Because I'm dead to the world....."
She picked a corner in the room to sit in. Away from the light that now annoyed her, and away from Paris, hoping to not see her so vulnerable.
He couldn't stand such a pretty thing be in such a state. He rushed to Eris' side quicker then he done with Helen and caressing her frail form with his strength.
"Now, now Eris. Don't cry." His words were soft and familiar to Eris. Only one person spoke to her like that, but she couldn't find his face. She only saw Paris.
"I noticed you." He began. "It wasn't until I learned you were a goddess that it was you and not some fly that has been pestering me all along." Finally Eris broke into that smile that Paris had been longing for.
They embraced each other in silence, rocking as they did the last time they've met. It wasn't broken until Paris added a quick question.
"So...was it you that pinched my butt the other day?" Worry was deep hidden in the back of his throat.
Eris chuckled for Hermes being Hermes. "No, I'm sorry to say but it wasn't me. You see, there are many more admirers then me, my dear Paris."
He pulled away to see her shinning face. "So you do admire me?" he joked. "Since from your sudden outburst I began that I always bring tears to you."
They laughed again, only this time did Eris notice it sounded so much like Paris and Helen. Only this time, she was Helen, and Helen was no more then air. Eris prayed that she would just walk in here and see that she has token whole of her beloved without warning.
When Helen's name resounded in her memory, the earlier thought that popped in her mind came back again.
"I'm sorry my dear. But I have some business to attend at the moment." And Eris left Paris to attend to his regular routine for the morning.
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