CHAPTER XVII
Warning: Mature
Athena stood in the hallway just outside conference hall. She leaned against the wall, her mind spinning as she absently inspected the marble pillars that lined the walls.
Even small spaces like this in the Palace of the Great King Zeus were attended to with great care for decorative detail. Shimmering gold lined the bases of the marble pillars and tapestries displaying the heroic feats of the king himself hung along the length of the walls. Torches lit the hallway with a warm light that fell on Athena's skin and danced in her eyes.
Hades' testimony and subsequent swift exit left the members of the hearing in a silence weighted by unease. Every word he had said raced through Athena's head as she tried to make sense of it all.
After a silence that felt as long as the trip to Zeus' Palace itself, Zeus sighed.
He pulled on his beard pensively, as Athena had seen him do so many times before.
'This needs deliberation,' he said in a low voice. Hera huffed.
'Deliberation?' she said breathlessly. Poseidon and Hera glanced at each other.
'Thank you for your assitance Ma'at. Olympus is in yours and your kingdom's debt.' Zeus said evenly.
As Hades had said, he and Ma'at did indeed employ a similar sort of sorcery. Ma'at bowed her head and almost immediately her form began to dissipate in a similar fashion to Hades' exit. It was an equally mystifying display that captured Athena's attention. Ma'at's wings shuddered and burned away in the air above their heads and her gentle face burned with it. In a matter of seconds, she and her scales were gone, returning to the bronze sands and scarlet sun of Egypt.
Athena did not pay much attention to the events that followed and couldn't remember clearly what was said. She remembered that Zeus had thanked everyone for attending and suggested that a higher council deliberate and on what had occurred in the hearing. Athena knew that a 'higher council' always referred to the generation above hers and this was Zeus' polite way of telling her, Apollo and Ares to leave. Athena did not protest. The members were further instructed not to divulge any of the information that had been discussed in the hearing until further notice.
As the council room was filled with a flurry of frantic questions and bold suggestions, she stood up and in somewhat of a daze, quietly slipped away from the table and made her way to the doors. Apollo gently caught her arm before she could step out.
'Wait for me,' he said. Athena looked at him for a moment before nodding and quickly entering the hallway.
Now, alone in a quiet space, she could collect her thoughts.
The entire hearing had been quite the ordeal. From Ma'at's sudden appearance to Hades' admissions, Athena wasn't sure how to react just yet. All she knew was that there was an unbearable anxiety bubbling within the pit of her belly.
What would become of Olympus if Typhon were to attack again? Back then, sure, the Olympians were not nearly as experienced in battle as they were now, millennia later. But at the time of Typhon's attack, it had only been a millennium or two before when the Olympians defeated the Titans. When Typhon descended upon Olympus, the kingdom's morale was still high and its spirit of battle still fresh. Now, after millennia of peace and with a well-established kingdom, the Olympians idly occupied themselves with trivial matters. Athena sighed deeply, as she looked up at the ceiling.
Such as matters of the heart.
To an extent, if one could ignore his scathing criticisms, Hades was right. Olympus was out of touch, disconnected from the reality of the state of the realms. And if there was one thing that would bring Olympus back to reality, it was Typhon.
The doors of the conference room swung open and Apollo stepped out hurriedly. The colour that had drained from his face during the hearing seemed to have returned, but his expression was still a mix of concern and confusion. He spotted Athena and she pushed herself from the wall as he approached.
'What did you think?' he said in a hushed tone as he stopped before her.
'Think of what?' Athena asked, looking up a him. Apollo blinked. He raised a brow, questioning the absence of urgency in her voice.
'Of the hearing. Of Hades. Do you believe him?'
'Well,' Athena shrugged with a sigh, 'Ma'at's scales don't lie. If they didn't tip, he must be telling the truth, surely.'
'But Typhon…' Apollo trailed off as he looked off to the side, 'Typhon has been locked away in Tartarus for millennia now. To think that he has started to breed on his own down there, and not to mention in his dormancy? I just…I don't know. I'm not sure what to think but, with all due respect to Lady Ma'at and her scales, this hardly seems plausible to me.'
Athena looked down at the floor for a moment, before returning her gaze to Apollo.
'But what if it is? Plausible, I mean. Zeus said that there needs to be 'deliberation,' but I already know that it means being left in the dark until the last minute when he decides to delegate tasks to us, his foot soldiers. If any of this is true – and I don't see why it wouldn't be if Lady Ma'at's scales have never been duped before – then Olympus needs to know now so that we can prepare for the worst.'
'You aren't wrong, Athena, but telling Olympus of the news now would only cause utter chaos and panic. Perhaps its best that we allow this 'deliberation,' whatever it may be, to take place until we have a definitive plan to deal with it.'
Apollo watched the expression on Athena's face shift. She averted her eyes and seemed dissatisfied with his response. He smiled sheepishly.
'I know, I'm not quite the man of action that you are,' he shrugged his shoulders, 'I'm a pacifist.'
Athena looked up at Apollo and was met with a gentle expression. There was a perfect harmony within Apollo's face. It displayed an immaculate symmetry and elegance while maintaining a warmth that drew others to him like moths to a lantern. His deep, honey coloured eyes were at times transfixing, and always reassuring.
Athena cocked her head, a faint smile on her lips.
'Olympus wouldn't have you any other way, Apollo,' she said and Apollo's expression displayed how endearing he found her for saying that.
A few seconds went by in which both said nothing. Not for lack of conversational material, but because they were both lost in thought and comfortable enough to be momentarily lost together.
'You look exhausted,' Apollo finally said and Athena hadn't noticed that he had been inspecting her face carefully. She stretched her neck and tried to dismiss his words.
'We all are, I'm sure. These last few weeks have been a blur,'
'In fact,' Apollo tapped his finger against his chin, 'I was thinking perhaps that we all need a little–'
As if prompted by Apollo's words, the large doors to the conference room opened. Heavy footsteps made their way out of the frame of the door and Athena, seeing nothing but the glimmer of golden buttons on a neat red military jacket out of the corner of her eye, promptly spun around and beelined to the exit in the opposite direction.
'Athena?' Apollo called as he passed her.
'I'll see you,' she must have muttered as she went.
Perhaps it was cowardly of her to be evading him as she was, but it had been weeks since they had seen one another and the last time they had seen each other face to face was when they were…well, chest to chest.
Athena couldn't be sure which emotion gripped her first when she saw Ares: shame, fear guilt, or perhaps a mix of all three. Then there was the passion and profound longing that plagued her mind whenever the room she was in was a little too quiet. She wanted to pretend that nothing had ever happened, and she would have been perfectly able to if it weren't for Ares' eyes.
That night and morning, Ares and Athena had sated one another's desire almost endlessly until they finally collapsed, breathless on the warm sheets, their faces only an inch apart. When they had caught their breaths, Ares inched towards Athena and gently rubbed the tip of his nose against hers before backing slightly, and looking into her eyes.
As bleary as they were, those burgundy eyes spoke to Athena of secrets forged between them and them only. They promised labyrinths of pleasure, balmy and breathless words and evenings saturated by the light of a sleepless moon. More than anything, they told Athena that she was his, and he was hers and that was an unshakable truth.
Passing the buzzing servants and attendants, Athena descended the stairs of the palace's entrance and stepped onto the grounds. Her steed, which had been as still as the obsidian from which it was made, suddenly shook its head with vigour upon her approach.
'Let's go,' she said quietly as she stroked its cool head. Swiftly, she mounted her horse and pulled on its reigns. The obsidian horse neighed before turning its back to the palace, ready to head out towards Athena's temple.
Athena looked back at the Zeus' Palace. Dread filled her, followed by a profound sadness – and then nothing.
'Come, there's too much to think about here,' Athena said as she tugged at her steed's reigns and led it towards the horizon.
*.*.*
The walls of Aphrodite's private quarters were lined with enormous and intricately framed windows that spanned the length of the walls themselves. They were made from a fine crystal that Hephaestus hae mined and forged, and they were fitted as per Aphrodite's request.
Hephaestus introduced the crystal to her during one of his conjugal visits many moons ago. He had discovered the crystal in one of the mines near his lair and it had taken him days to mine it from the stubborn rock. He wrapped the small crystal carefully in a satin handkerchief and presented it to Aphrodite as a gift. It did not surprise him, the expression of discontent she wore when she saw it. However, as the sunlight that streamed through the open arches of her palace struck the crystal, an ethereal glowing light of shifting hues poured onto Hephaestus' face and illuminated his weathered features. For the first time, Hephaestus was sure, Aphrodite looked upon him as though she were in love.
It took Hephaestus half a human century to mine and forge enough crystals to fulfil Aphrodite's request.
Now, when the sun was in just the right position, Aphrodite could bathe in the glowing light of the crystals which only seemed to magnify her beauty.
She sat upright on a divan that faced the most centre window as a hand servant carefully brushed her silken hair. Before her feet were several ottomans laden with trays of delectable sweets whose sugary coatings glistened in the sun's rays, and freshly picked fruit whose dew twinkled.
'Haven't you much of an appetite, milady?' the hand servant's voice tinkled.
Aphrodite, who was deep in thought, glanced downed at the dishes momentarily and then returned her gaze to window where she watched the horizon. She had not touched a single dish. Hesitantly, her servant pressed.
'Milady hasn't had a single bite,' she pulled in a lock of smooth hair from Aphrodite's shoulder, 'in fact, I've noticed that milady hasn't been eating as much–'
'Stop.' Aphrodite said suddenly. Her voice was stern and the hand servant flinched.
'Stop, with the milady,' the dulcet quality to Aphrodite's voice returned, 'it's just us two, Neri.'
Neri was Aphrodite's most trusted and favoured hand servant. She was quiet and timid, but there was a whimsicality in her eyes that Aphrodite enjoyed. Neri smiled, smoothing her mistress' hair.
'Yes,' she said quietly. Neri worked her fingers to the base of Aphrodite's head and gently ran her fingertips along the soft, milky skin above her neck. Goosebumps spread across Aphrodite's face as she closed her eyes. This was also part of why she so enjoyed Neri's service – she was incredibly attentive to what delighted her mistress.
'Perhaps,' Neri said softly after a few moments, 'the absence of your companion affects your appetite?'
Aphrodite did not respond but instead thought for some time. The beast attacks on Olympus had been preoccupying the attention of nearly every Olympian and god in the kingdom. There was not much that Aphrodite could do about it, apart from keeping out of harm's way here in her palace, while everyone else toiled away on the battle field.
It goes without saying that her beloved Ares – even Hephaestus – had not come to see her of late.
And what a shame it was. If it were at all possible, her beauty seemed to have leapt in bounds over the last few weeks. Her skin was smoother than before, like white marble, and not a single strand of golden hair seemed to fall out of place. As the sunlight filtered through the crystal windows and sunk onto her skin, her lips resembled two dewy rose petals, her skin glowed warmly and her eyes were blacker than the absence of light itself.
'His attention is elsewhere,' Aphrodite said with the faintest of smiles, 'my companion. He serves his kingdom now – I wonder if he still even remembers me.'
'It would be impossible for him not to. My mistress' beauty is unmatched and cannot be erased from one's mind so simply.' Neri spoke with conviction as she combed through the ends of Aphrodite's hair carefully with her fingers.
She continued brush her mistress' hair attentively and with caution, so as not to snag any locks. Aphrodite's hair was smoother than anything she had ever felt; smoother than cotton, silk or even cream. It made Neri's cheeks warm knowing that only she had the privilege of attending to it in these moments.
'Leave,' Aphrodite said.
Neri paused, her hand hesitating with the brush.
'Milady?' she said almost inaudibly.
Aphrodite turned to look at her. With the sun's light on her back now, it looked as though there was a golden halo encircling her silhouette. Her eyes seemed to receive the slightest bit of light and sparkled ever so slightly. Aphrodite placed a delicate hand on Neri's cheek and stroked the fair skin.
'Leave now,' she repeated, 'I wish to rest. Your duties are done for the time being, so let your mistress rest.' Aphrodite's voice was distant, and her eyes preoccupied and dreamy. A kind smile played on her lips. Neri stared at her for a moment, but did not protest.
'Yes mistress,' she bowed her head. Clutching the hairbrush, Neri did not dare hesitate one moment and quickly made her way to the large doors that led out of Aphrodite's private quarters. With one last glance at her mistress, she exited quietly.
Aphrodite sat for a moment before reclining on the divan. The sun would be setting soon and she wanted to bathe in its dying rays before the moon came to consume the night with its white light. She closed her eyes and rested her hands delicately on her lap.
Even as slowly and deliberately as she breathed, her eyes still flew open.
In truth, it had been several weeks since Aphrodite had actually slept.
*.*.*
Each god and goddess in the kingdom had a preferred method of passing messages along through Olympus. Some gods were better known for their unique methods than others – and Apollo was one of them.
Athena was in her private office, poring over a map of Olympus where she had marked with a small red 'x' all the places where a beast had appeared and attacked. She searched for a correlation among the attacks – if there were locations that seemed to draw more attacks. And of those locations, were there some that drew more of a certain type of beast than others? If there was some correlation, she could pre-empt their attacks by stationing warriors in watch-towers at hot locations, or by sending warriors specialising in a specific kind of combat to patrol areas prone to the spawning of beasts that their combat skills were honed to fell. As she analysed the map, she suddenly heard a soft flutter of wings and quiet coo.
Looking up, she saw that a snow-white dove with crimson eyes had landed on her desk. It seemed to gaze at her expectantly.
'Oh, hello,' Athena said as her attention shifted. She tenderly stroked the little dove's smooth head and it cooed cheerfully. One of the owls perched on a bookshelf in the far corner of her office, turned its head to look in its master's direction. Golden eyes fixed on the dove, it hooted indignantly.
'Don't be jealous,' Athena said sternly and her owl whipped around with a petulant ruffle of its feathers.
'You have something for me?' Athena noticed the note tied around the dove's leg. It stuck out its foot proudly and Athena began to untie the ribbon that held the slip of paper together.
Apollo truly did have a flare for the mystical. The paper was scented with sweet oils and written on the thin parchment were the fine and neatly written words of its sender.
What made Apollo's letters so special – and quite a delight to receive most times – was that he enchanted them with a magic that allowed the recipient to hear a tune as they read the words. Each word delivered a musical note and the culmination of notes created a tune with an instrument of Apollo's choosing. When the reader stopped, the music ceased to play and when they continued, the music continued with them. The tune's speed depended on the speed of the reader, and its cadence and tone often reflected the message of the words written. Regardless of whether the recipient read aloud or not, the tune could still be heard.
'Dearest Athena, I hope this letter finds you well.' Athena read to herself and the introduction of a lyre's song began.
'You fled from the palace so swiftly, I was quite sure something was amiss,' the lyre's song was sombre, 'but shortly after, I came to understand why you were so hesitant to stay.'
As Athena read the words, the melody took a sultry and warm tune with the lingering notes. Athena was sure that she heard the brief, velvety notes of a second lyre beneath the melody of the first.
She rolled her eyes and glanced up at the dove that absently picked at its feathers.
'Had you stayed only a moment later,' she continued, as did the music, 'you would have heard me express my desire to hold a night of healing and feasting at my temple, and to have you as one of my intimate guests.' The melody gained in tempo and expressed a cheerfulness.
'These last few weeks have been taxing on all of us, and today was no different. In fact, I'm sure you are in some dark corner of your temple, nose buried in some strategy texts, trying to figure out how to solve this mess all on your own.'
The music ceased as Athena glanced around the room urgently, wondering if some spy had hidden somewhere and given her away. She looked at the little dove.
'Are you telling him from all the way over here?' she said as she gently tickled beneath its beak. The dove hopped towards her and cooed delightedly. A sour hoot sounded from the corner of the room.
'Alright, alright,' Athena said glancing at her owl as she withdrew her hand. She continued on the letter.
'I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to come for some treats, music and a dip in the healing ponds. I do hope you will attend – everyone will be delighted to see you. Yours Sincerely, Apollo.'
The melody ended on soft, dulcet notes as the letter came to a close.
Apollo was quite skilled when it came to persuading others into doing things that they usually didn't do – and Athena knew this. She wasn't one to attend gatherings very often, intimate or otherwise, but the fragrance of the paper along with the promise of healing ponds and lyre melodies were truly enticing.
But there was much that needed doing at her temple and she couldn't–
Oh. A Postscript.
Athena noticed the untidy scrawling squashed at the base of the parchment that totally contrasted what had been written above. As she began to read, an endless flurry of sharp notes from the floghera resounded.
'PS. I know exactly what you're thinking. You're still thinking of staying cooped up in your temple, aren't you? Well don't! Please do come, we haven't had the chance to sit and chat the way we used to ever since this mess started and I'm sure you're miserable, beating yourself up over all of this. Apollo said today at Zeus' temple was very tense. What happened? No one will tell me. Anyway, you have to come because I miss you dearly! Artemis.'
Athena's head spun as the cacophony of floghera notes came to end. She sighed as she rolled up the note, tied its ribbon around it and stashed it in the drawer of her desk. She looked around the office.
It truly was the dark corner Apollo described it to be. To be fair, it was kept that way so her owls could sleep in peace while she worked for the day, but other than that it didn't seem to have many other redeeming qualities. It wasn't well organised and dust laid on the surface of books and old pieces of armour that Athena didn't have the heart to discard.
Athena looked down at the little bird. It watched her eagerly. She extended a finger and the dove hopped towards it, nudging it with its head and pecking at it lightly. Athena smoothed the feathers on the dove's head and thought for some time as it delighted at her touch.
'Go now,' she said with a tickle of its beak. The dove ruffled its feathers and with one final soft coo, gracefully flew out the window through which it came. Athena looked up at the dark corner of her office.
'You, come,' she said. Her owl, without hesitation, swooped towards her and landed on her hand. Its clawed feet gripped her fingers as it steadied itself.
'Look at you, acting up when we have guests.' Athena stroked its head and it hooted tersely, 'I'll be gone for a bit this evening, but I'll be back soon. You'll all take care of the temple for me, won't you?
The owl nipped at Athena's fingers and hooted softly in assurance.
*.*.*
Athena tugged at her dress and with a shimmy, it fell from her form. She stood completely bare in front of a clear mirror and inspected herself. Her body was laden with scars, old and new, and bruises that refused to disappear. Beneath her breast was a wound she had procured several days ago when an infuriated sphinx swiped at her chest after she could not decode her riddle. The wound was healing well and soon the stitches could be removed, but it was unsightly and tender nonetheless.
She was in a small dressing room that was adjacent to the healing pools at Apollo's temple. The chirps of crickets and night creatures could be heard amidst the sound of water sloshing and cycling through the grounds. With a sigh, she picked up the complimentary white robe offered to her by a servant and slipped it on.
It was only an hour ago when Artemis and Apollo greeted Athena at the entrance of Apollo's temple. The siblings donned light, white clothing that billowed in the wind and their soft, glowing appearance contrasted Athena's.
Artemis rushed towards Athena and flung herself onto her friend, swinging her arms around Athena's neck and squeezing tight. Athena wheezed as she steadied Artemis in her arms.
'Be gentle, Artemis,' Apollo said, descending the stares as though he were gliding along water. Artemis ignored him and cupped Athena's face.
'You actually came! I knew you would! But at the same time I guess I thought you wouldn't,' she pulled Athena's face towards hers and inspected it carefully, 'look at you – you look haggard.'
'Which is why you shouldn't be so rough,' Apollo said as he caught Athena's hand and Artemis rolled her eyes. He placed a peck on Athena's cheek.
'I'm glad you're here; I was concerned about you today. I could tell that if I didn't persuade you to come out tonight at least, you wouldn't leave your temple until the next attack.'
Athena smiled sheepishly.
'I suppose you're right,' she said. Quite honestly, she didn't see herself leaving her temple at all this week until she could find that correlation she had been searching for.
'Speaking of which,' Artemis perked up, 'what happened today at Zeus' temple? Why were you both called in so urgently?'
Apollo and Athena exchanged a look. Athena knew if one of them didn't say something, the matter would never end with Artemis. Apollo gazed upon his sister affectionately.
'I told you. In due time everything will be made clear to the kingdom, but we are under strict instruction not to disclose–'
'But its just us three!' Artemis tugged at both their arms as she whined. Apollo, amused but staunch nonetheless, ruffled her hair.
'When the time is right, you'll be the first to know.' He said. Artemis glanced at Athena meaningfully and Athena averted her eyes. She sighed, turning away and trotting towards the stairs.
'I'm going to find out somehow,' she called, hopping up the stairs.
The two siblings lead Athena through the temple as though she had never been there before. As they walked passed the breezy arches, Apollo and Artemis chatted casually, Artemis gesturing wildly and Apollo listening with amusement. Athena looked out through the arches and watched the sun descend into the horizon.
The pale walls of the temple were bathed in a deep golden glow that shifted between warm hues and landed on Athena's skin. Soft music could be heard from every corner of the temple and a symphony of night creatures begun their quiet chorus. Athena felt her body become heavier and lighter at the same time.
Apollo's temple truly was a calming place to be.
In a small, private banqueting room were intricately woven carpets laid out across the floor and on them, silver dishes of fresh fruit, meat and fish and deserts of all kinds. Sitting around the dishes were the few guests that Apollo mentioned, and though few they were, they seemed to be more than capable of entertaining themselves and one another.
Demeter wheezed with laughter as Thalia regaled her with a witty story and Thalia couldn't help but burst into bouts of laughter as she went along. Not far from them, Persephone picked at grapes and ate them one after the other without pause, only stopping momentarily to offer a few to Calliope who was consumed with plaiting her auburn hair. Hermes took a large swig of wine before raising his goblet to Terpsichore who danced with fervour in circles, her dress whipping about her shins, as Euterpe and several accompanying bards played a rousing melody.
The party welcomed Athena with the drunken warmth that is usually ascribed to gatherings like this one. With no time to spare, she was pulled in several directions until she found herself plonked between Demeter and Persephone. As Apollo took his seat beside Calliope, gently pulling her towards him by the waist, Hermes grabbed a jug of wine and a goblet and raised it into the air.
'Athena!' he hiccoughed as his eyes struggled to focus on her face, 'Let me be the one to pour you your first–'
Artemis swiped the jug and goblet from his hands before shoving him over with her foot.
'Oh, be quiet,' she said, pouring the wine instead, 'you weren't even invited, you drunk.' Hermes sprawled out onto the carpet and groaned.
'Artemis, you're too cruel,' he moped, feigning anguish.
'He was passing by so why not have him stay for a drink or two,' Apollo said as he rested his head on Calliope's as she stretched with conviction to complete the braid in Persephone's hair she had so diligently started. Artemis handed Athena her goblet and Athena accepted it, knowing she wasn't inclined to drink much anyway.
'But you know Hermes, you really do know how to drink nowadays.' Apollo's voice expressed curiosity, but his eyes gleamed.
Artemis dropped down onto her belly beside Hermes and rested her head in her hand.
'Dionysus must have taught you well, huh?' she grinned, swinging her feet in the air. Hermes, struck with a sudden sobriety, cupped his hand over Artemis' mouth as she giggled.
Ten or so minutes passed in which Athena listened to the chatter and laughter of the guests, chirping in here and then when it behoved her. It really was an intimate setting, much more enjoyable than the huge, pompous banquets Zeus held or the riotous parties at Dionysus' temple. And yet, Athena still found herself struggling to be present. There was still so much on her mind, from Hades and the threat of Typhon to the beast attacks and the plan necessary to quell them. She barely noticed when Persephone placed her hand on hers.
'Your fingers,' she said, her small voice barely audible above the tune of the bards.
'Hm?' Athena, her attention caught, glanced at her hand and then at Persephone. Persephone lifted her hand and inspected it. Her own hands with small and dainty, the skin beneath them smooth.
'Your hands, they're stained.' Athena looked down at her hands. Her hands were indeed stained with red ink – the same ink she had been using to mark the map of Olympus just a few hours ago.
'Ah, yes,' she said awkwardly. Looking at her own hand in Persephone's, it was larger, the fingers slender but calloused and the ends of the nails were brittle.
'I probably should have cleaned up a bit before coming,' Athena said and Persephone smiled tenderly. She was a beautiful girl, with round, doe eyes and a slender plinth of a neck. Carrying a charm and innocence that enchanted those around her, it was no wonder to Athena that Hades had taken such a liking to her. Even though Demeter never ceased to criticise and revile Hades for his seizure of Persephone centuries ago, Athena had not once heard of Persephone speaking ill of her husband.
'Ah, now that I think of it–' Athena looked up at Apollo who had been whispering something to Calliope. She giggled and nudged him.
'Apollo, you mentioned the pools,' she said and Apollo turned his attention to her, 'I didn't get a chance to wash up before coming. Maybe I should take a dip before digging in.' she gestured to the dishes, still glistening with dew and olive oil.
Apollo looked at Athena for a moment. His eyes lit up, and then his expression turned cool and languid.
'Yes, of course,' Apollo gestured to a wispy servant who had been sitting off to the side of the room, swaying to the music of the bards. Seeing her master's command, she hopped up and approached Athena. She bowed and extended her arms, caught the goddess's hand and whisked her out of the room.
Now, Athena stood in the small dressing room where the servant had escorted her, and for the first time in her existence, she did something she never thought she would ever do.
She looked at her body critically.
She felt as though her shoulders were a little too broad, and perhaps her hips weren't wide enough. Her body was rippling with toned muscles, but she wondered if a bit more weight would smooth her out and make her appear more feminine.
Why did this bother her only now?
Slipping the robe back onto her shoulders, she fastened it tightly and exited the dressing room. Stepping out onto the grounds, she was met with the reason as to why she wanted to come here in the first place.
The grounds of the healing springs and pools of Apollo's temple was one of the most magnificently peaceful places in Olympus.
The banks of each pool were laden with small bushes and shrubs that allowed a visitor some privacy as they bathed. Large cherry blossom trees loomed over the pools and their leaves fell from the branches and landed on the surface of the water. The cherry blossoms trees, affected by the same healing magic that gave the pools their name, never wilted and their leaves remained a pale pink throughout the year. Some pools were cool in temperature, while others exuded a steam that permeated the air and left a humid cloud to float through the grounds. In the centre of the grounds there was one pool, larger than the others. Within it was enormous rock formation that glistened with steam and Athena figured that the pool must have formed around it, creating a moat like effect.
Following the stone mosaic path, Athena walked through a few shrubs and up to the bank of the most centre pool. Dipping her toe into the water, she felt that it was warmer than she expected. She untied the ribbon that kept her robe together and let it slide down her shoulders. With a toss, the robe landed on a shrub and Athena steadily entered the water.
Her body was engulfed in warmth as she submerged herself. It was just the right temperature and the layer of sweat that had accumulated on her body during the ride over melted away. The floor of the pool was a soft soil that slipped between Athena's toes as she walked towards the rock.
Athena felt her muscles loosen as she waded through the pool. Cupping a handful of warm water, she lifted it to her face, scrubbing the skin carelessly. Unsatisfied, she plunged into the water and resurfaced with a gasp, smoothing her wet hair back. She beamed – it was great. The water was great, the air was warm and the night was filled with distant songs of the lute and lyre, and the hoots of curious owls.
'Who's there?'
Athena froze. From behind the large rock came a voice. The words were tense and rumbled deeply. All movement in the water ceased. Ripples of water moved towards Athena as the figure of the voice moved into view.
Droplets of water spilled from the ends of Ares' hair down his face and onto his chest.
The two stared at one another, unblinkingly.
Athena's heart sunk. Though she stood motionless, she wanted to do nothing more than cover her body. She wished the surface of the water would turn opaque and solid so that she could wrap it around herself and hide. But she couldn't. She was here before Ares in almost the same fashion that they had seen one another weeks ago.
The water around them ebbed quietly.
'Why are you here?' Athena wished she had said the words with more conviction, but her voice seemed to leave her. Ares blinked.
Moonlight flooded the pool, making the droplets of water on Ares' skin glimmer like glass. For someone Athena had thought was always so transparent, his expression was unreadable.
'Apollo invited me,' he said. The hoots of owls and night birds could be heard in the silence between them. Ares, seemingly wanting to say something, slowly began to wade through the water toward Athena.
'Stay there,' Athena held out her hand and the water around her splashed, 'You stay on your side and I'll stay on mine.'
Ares halted and didn't move beyond where he stood. His eyes mused on her and, feeling a heat and frustration build up within herself, Athena turned away. She submerged her face into the water once more, rubbing at it until the skin felt raw. Her face was probably a bright crimson and rubbing it so hard would not make it any better, but she wasn't sure how else to distract herself.
Why didn't Apollo tell her that he was here? Why didn't anyone tell her? Athena suddenly remembered that glimmer in Apollo's eyes when she mentioned the pools. Silently, she cursed at him – and at herself.
As she scrubbed furiously at her skin, hoping to get out as soon as possible, she realised that the pool, except for her own splashing, was very quiet. Slowly and carefully, she rubbed the ink from her fingers, tempted to peer over her shoulder.
'You've been avoiding me,' Ares said. His voice was a little distant now and when Athena glanced over her shoulder, she saw that he was out of view, having returned to his place behind the rock.
She turned back to her hands. Idly, she picked at the ink stained cuticles.
'When did you get here?' she said. It wasn't clear whether she deflected purposefully or if she really did want to know. Her skin was still flushed at the sight of him.
'Probably not long before you,' his voice resonated throughout the pool, 'Apollo invited me after the hearing, when you ran off.' He sounded mildly amused. Athena gritted her teeth. His arrogance was already unbearable.
'I didn't have anything to say to you, so I left. That's all it was.'
'Why? Wasn't I good to you that night?'
Athena felt her skin prickle and her face heat up even more. She closed her eyes hard, took a few breaths and allowed her mind to clear. Once she composed herself, she spoke in a stern voice.
'Listen, I don't have time for this. And neither do you. You heard everything that Hades said in the hearing; protecting Olympus should be our focus, not playing around and–'
Athena stopped. She realised that the pool, except for where her own movements made small ripples in the water, was entirely still and silent. She looked behind her.
The leaves of the cherry blossoms rustled as a gust of wind blew through the grounds. The water disturbed at its force momentarily, and then returned to an eerie stillness. A handful of cherry blossom petals fell into the pool and tenderly landed on the surface of the water.
The large rock formation's dewy surface glistened, but there was no sign of movement behind it. Athena turned away from it and huffed, wading toward the bank.
'Why do I even bother with you when I know you don't listen–'
The water before Athena broke suddenly. In an instant, Ares arose from the pale depths with a gasp, water cascading down his face and shoulders. Droplets dripped onto Athena's face as he towered over her, huffing. Athena froze, blinking water from her eyes.
His broad chest obscured her view of the bank behind him and as the moonlight spilled onto both of their forms, it exposed the slew of scars and lacerations on his skin that seemed new. Some were deep and others were shallow but all newly incurred over the last few weeks, Athena was sure.
Ares approached, closing the space between their bodies. Athena hesitated and just before their faces could meet, she placed her hand on his chest. His skin was even warmer than the water.
'We're not doing this again, Ares,' she said, her hand unsteady.
'Doing what?' Ares gently rested his forehead against hers. He looked into her eyes and Athena fumbled with her words.
'You know what. We've done it once before.' she pushed against his chest, 'You won. You took what you wanted. You should return to Aphrodite.'
The last words made Athena's chest ache as she said them. Ares placed his hand over Athena's and brought her fingers up to his lips. His eyes closed, he kissed each finger before moving to her palm and nipping at the skin on her wrist. Athena, despite herself, let her fingers explore the contours of his face.
'Is winning not good enough you?' she muttered to herself. Though she was here in these healing waters, everything was aching. Ares caught her words and his eyes opened to fix upon her.
'That night,' he placed her hand on his cheek, 'you told me that you were afraid to be alone. That you couldn't bear to lose me. Now I'm here, and you're still frightened.'
Athena retracted her hand from him and clutched it in the other. She stepped back.
'I said those things in the heat of the moment. I was…delirious and tired. And probably overwhelmed.' Athena took another few steps back. Ares lowered himself so that the water lapped over his shoulders. He slowly glided towards Athena, his eyes like those of a water serpent.
'You didn't mean it then?'
'We can't do this anymore,' Athena placed her hands over her face, exasperated and a little defeated, 'I mean, why did we even do it in the first place? It was all just impulse. Olympus, with everything that's going on, needs our utmost attention. You were there, you heard Hades, I–'
She felt Ares' fingers encircle her wrists. He pulled her hands from her face.
'Why are you so ashamed?' he said, contemplating her, 'Was it such an egregious crime, wanting pleasure and comfort after a night of chaos? You told me you needed me, and I showed you that it was the same for me. Why is that so shameful?'
Athena was frozen. Her eyes were bleary and though the steam obscured Ares' face, she knew it was his voice that spoke. So why did he seem so different?
It was almost as if her body wasn't hers. She felt Ares pull her arms around his neck, and her body drift towards him in the water. Not once did his eyes part from hers as he placed his hands on her waist, lifting her a little and then wrapping his arms firmly around her.
'If Typhon were to swallow up this kingdom tonight,' Ares brushed his nose against Athena's, his voice soft, 'would you not want to have me once more before we go?'
Athena, unable contain herself, pressed her lips against his.
Their breaths were unsteady but they did not relent. Athena tightened her arms around Ares and she felt his one hand clutch a handful of her hair as his other arm held her fast.
She felt dizzy as their tongues met. It was warm everywhere. In the water, in the air, on Ares' skin and in his mouth. As the sound of distant songs resounded in the grounds, Athena thought that she might ignite. Her chest was pressed up against his and she was sure she could feel his heart pounding against her own.
Athena had been avoiding Ares for weeks, but now she was kissing him as though she feared he might leave. Ares' fingers worked her back, tracing every raised scar and running the tips along the vertebrae, sending chills down Athena's spine.
Athena tore her lips away from Ares and panted for air. He watched her for a moment, also breathless, before hoisting her up, forcing her legs around his waist and lowering his head to her neck. Athena trembled, her stomach somersaulting as Ares' tongue traced shapes on her skin, trailing to her chest were his teeth grazed against her collar bone.
'Enough,' Athena whispered, clutching a handful of his wet hair, 'no more.'
The heat was rushing to Athena's head but Ares seemed too entranced to hear her. Deep sounds emanated from his chest as he tried to steady himself, sliding his hands up Athena's waist. He was ready for the next step.
'Ares, wait,' Athena's vision began to blur, 'I feel like I could…collapse…ah!'
Athena flinched, grabbing Ares hand as it grazed against her most recent wound beneath her breast. She gritted her teeth as a pang of pain spread across her chest and cleared her vision entirely. Ares, suddenly alerted, removed his hand exposing an unsightly wound that was red and swollen from the heat.
'You're hurt,' he said, his fingers lightly tracing the skin beneath the wound, 'let's get out–'
'No–' Athena protested. Her response was strong and Ares stared at her, a little surprised.
'No,' she said more softly, 'let's stay here. It's just a little raw…it's already been stitched up.'
Athena didn't want to leave yet – even though she felt like her head might go up in flames and her scar ached furiously, she did not want to leave yet.
A mischievous grin appeared on Ares face.
'Weren't you the one who said we couldn't do this anymore?' he tightened his grip around her. Athena merely looked at him with dewy eyes. Her face couldn't feel warmer at this point.
'Alright then,' his velvety voice rumbled through Athena's chest, 'let's just take it easy then.'
He pressed his lips against Athena's. Athena wanted more but he was careful to meter their passion so as not to aggravate her wound. The grounds were peaceful again, haunted by the sounds of timid creatures and ephemeral melodies.
'Tell me,' Ares said between kisses, 'what's really been on your mind?'
Athena's fingers, while exploring Ares' neck and jaw, managed to find his ear. She tugged on the lobe.
'What else?' she said, tugging again. Ares tilted his head as if he enjoyed it.
'Hades, do you believe him?'
'Apollo asked me the same thing. I don't see why we shouldn't. Ma'at's scales do not lie. Am I naïve for believing in them?' Athena explored the ridges of Ares ear with her fingers. He pouted in thought.
'No, I suppose not,' he said, kissing her again. This time the kiss lingered and before he could pull away, Athena nipped at his lip in frustration.
'And what he said about Typhon? If it's true, does it frighten you?'
Athena wouldn't admit to anything more to Ares. She merely inspected his face.
'Are you frightened?' she asked. Ares smiled almost bitterly.
'I have nothing to live for beyond these moments,' he said, lowering his voice as if there were someone other than Athena who might hear him. Athena felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up and a fire within her ignite.
They kissed again, their tongues meeting. A small moan escaped Athena's lips as Ares massaged her tongue with his, their breaths becoming laboured again. Between kisses, Ares gently spun her through the water, cupping a handful of water and pouring it along her neck and over her shoulder. Carefully, he combed through her wet hair with his fingers, twisting wild locks around each one. Admittedly, Athena felt a little pampered.
She wanted more, but Ares refused to give it to her, being more attentive to her wound than she was. Athena pulled away and Ares looked at her curiously. Hoisting her up a little, he placed his fingers on her wound and lightly traced the stitches.
'Should I clean it for you?' he said, letting his fingertips brush the wound and then explore the curve of her breast.
'No,' Athena caught his hand and clutched it, 'its fine.'
Ares looked up and could see the mounting frustration on Athena's face. With a child-like impatience, she squeezed his fingers and he felt his heart melt. Her fingers explored the muscled ridges of his back before her arms gently tightened their grip around his neck. Her lips brushed his ear.
'Is it safe to do,' she asked with her cheek pressed against his, 'even in water?' She heard a chuckle and buried her face in Ares' neck. He kissed her shoulder and rested his head in the crook of her shoulder and neck.
'Why don't you come with me tonight? We can–'
Suddenly, the bushes behind them rustled violently and the urgent footsteps of a panting figure could be heard. A servant emerged, huffing with sweat above his brow. Athena and Ares stared at him. When he saw them in their embrace, his face turned a bright pink before he disappeared behind the shrubs.
'Forgive me!' He yelped. Athena, embarrassed, tried to pull away from Ares but he met her resistance with a tight grip.
'Speak,' Ares demanded sternly, glaring in his direction. The servant must have run from the opposite end of the temple; he panted and fumbled with his words.
'Sir, it is an emergency! A distress report was sent in from Aphrodite's palace: an unknown beast is rampaging through her abode and the surrounding forestry. It is reported to resemble the one that attacked you in your own domain, sir!'
*.*.*