This chapter took longer to write then I thought it would. Again thanks to all those who left me reviews! My regulars, as always you rock and if it wasn't for your encouragement I would not have continued to write this story. I love you guys and gals :)To the new readers, I am glad you like my writing. A couple people have told me they would like me to send them the love scene between Athena and Aphrodite, I'll send it once I write it. I haven't had a chance yet. Keep reading and reviewing!
"Just make sure they reach Larissa safely." Athena said sternly to the young looking captain who stood with awe in front of her. He had never seen his goddess in person. Sure he'd heard the stories and he'd spoken to generals and other solders who'd seen her but none of their descriptions did Athena any justice.
His chance to advance in Athena's army was at his feet. He never wondered why Athena was asking him of al her captains. He was rather new to the army and had only seen battle a couple times. If he'd asked Athena why she would have answered him with honesty. He would not be missed for few days and he knew the area well.
"Of course Great Athena." He stammered then stood tall with pride. "I shall take my 4 best men and we shall reach Pella by night fall. And I shall personally see to their safety." He assured her as he bowed deeply. Athena watched the boy with a raised brow. His bravado brought a smirk to her face as she turned away slight as to hide it from him. She didn't want to damage his ego right now. He still had a task to do.
"Ares has some solders heading in your direction. I am sure they have orders to upset your trip. I'll keep an eye on them." She warned sternly as she faced him. "Pyrosis don't let me down." She advised as she slowly disappeared from the tent, leaving the nodding captain to get ready for his trip.
Reappearing in her War Room she sighed tiredly and sat on one of the wooden stools next to the large map. Leaning against the table she let her mind fill with images of the day. A strange tingling started at the back of her neck, glancing at the map while rubbing her neck she frowned when the image of Aphrodite shaking Odysseus appeared over Ithaca.
Sitting up in attention Athena felt a scowl cross her face. How dare Aphrodite she thought to herself angrily. Attacking Odysseus was more of an act worthy of Ares not Aphrodite. Athena would not stand bye while any immortal pushed around her followers like that.
Standing to go in search of the Goddess of Love, Athena heard a commotion outside. Hurrying to the door she felt a smile grow on her lips when she saw Hera and Ares fighting over something. She would look for Aphrodite after she watched Ares get chewed out by Hera.
Hiding in the shadows of the room she couldn't catch everything they were saying. But she could guess he was upset about the black and blue mark on his face. With a proud smile she crossed her arms over her chest and continued to watch knowing she was hidden from view.
"You are a fool!" Hera spit at Ares after he showed her his bruise. "I gave you that advice to do something smart with. Not to challenge Athena in a fist fight." She growled impatiently as she put her hands on her hips.
"I didn't challenge her! I went to talk to her!" Ares whined as he threw his arms in the air. He was getting frustrated that once again no one carried Athena had hurt him. "She got mad cause I was telling her what to do." He explained.
Quickly Hera's happiness over the possibility of Athena's feelings for Aphrodite disappeared. "You told her what to do." She said dejectedly as she pressed her lips together firmly and cursed her stupidity to send Ares to find the truth. "That's why she punched you?"
"Yes." Ares said with a shake of his impatient head. His mother wasn't listening to him and it was getting him mad. "Now what do I do?" He pleaded with a dark tone and a flash of his eyes. "If you are so wise." He grumbled. I won't lose Aphrodite, he thought to himself.
Hera felt her wrath boil over. Widening her eyes in anger she reached a hand out to strike Ares but then quickly drew it back. "You ungrateful brat! There is nothing you can do." She growled though there was a slight smile of pleasure on her lips. She loved to see Ares humiliated and groveling at her feet.
With a soft chuckle from her hiding spot Athena put everything together. Hera had told Ares about her job from Zeus. No doubt to cause trouble for me. She thought with a wiry smile as she leaned against the door way. The sound of someone humming from down the road caught the attention of all three immortals.
With a sad smile on her face Aphrodite was walking along the road. Her sandals in her hand as she studied the ground before her, missing the questioning gazes thrown at her. For a few moments no one said anything, waiting till the goddess got closer. "Where have you been harlot?" Hera asked with a scornful scowl on her face.
Looking up at the voice Aphrodite cringed slightly at the insult but brushed it off to Hera's usual anger. "No where." Aphrodite answered as she stopped in front of mother and son. Glancing at Ares she raised a brow in question to the mark but kept her mouth shut when he shot her a dirty glare.
"Did Athena tell you Zeus's decree?" Hera asked folding her arms over her chest. Athena could hear her step-mother's loud words clearly. She felt her body tense and looked around desperately for something to cause a disturbance so she could pull Aphrodite away. The chance that this news would upset the goddess of love worried Athena.
"No." Aphrodite said slowly as she frowned. An uneasy feeling filled her stomach as she clutched her sandals tightly. Anything that came from Hera was always bad. And add Zeus to the mix and it often resulted in a disaster.
"It seems Zeus wants you to be faithful to your husband. Your free love is no longer acceptable." Ares said sharply as he crossed his arms over his chest and gave her a smug look. "He has told her to make you stop seeing me." He said as he took a step closer to her. "And she took the task with joy."
Athena felt the muscles in her jaw tighten as she made a fist and fought the urge to punch her brother again. He was going to ruin everything that had happened before she had a chance to talk to her love. She was about to join them when Aphrodite spoke with a voice that chilled all who could hear.
"Well, she never told me about that, and I am sure she was only doing it for the best of mankind." Aphrodite said as she pointed a finger at Ares. "Unlike you who does what is good for himself. So instead of constantly sneering at her, why don't you take some lessons from her."
Turning to leave Aphrodite wore a small grin on her lips. Looking up at Athena's she could make out the form of her lover hiding in the door way. Keeping an eye on me my love, she thought to herself with a happy sigh.
"What could she possible teach me?" Ares asked with a boisterous laugh. Putting his hands on his hips he couldn't understand why Aphrodite was walking away from him.
"You'd be surprised what she could teach you Ares." Aphrodite threw over her shoulder with a sly smile thrown to Athena, still unseen by the other gods.
"Not as much as I could teach her about..." Before Ares could finish his sentence the door to Aphrodite's temple burst open and Hephaestus stormed out. At seeing Aphrodite within the same vicinity of Ares he flew into a rage.
"You backstabbing jackass!" Hephaestus cried out ignoring his mother and Aphrodite. "I will teach you to mess with another man's wife! I was too nice last time!" Limping quickly he chased after Ares who was hurrying away with a snarl glued to his face.
"If Hera didn't like you more then me I'd blast you!" Ares called back with a mocking laugh to his slower brother. He knew he wouldn't be caught but he wasn't going to run off and miss the chance to make fun of Hephaestus in front of Aphrodite and Hera.
Rolling her eyes Hera crossed her arms and watched her two sons for a few seconds. With a last glare at Aphrodite she disappeared vowing that she would figure out what was going on between the Goddess of Love and the Goddess of War.
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