A.N. I'm going with Homer's theory that Aphrodite is the daughter of Zeus and Dione and not Hesiod's more popular account of her birth: she rose from the foam of the sea where Uranus' genitals had fallen after he had been mutilated by Kronos.

Also, Cupid will be known by Cupid - as on the show – instead of by Eros (which should be his name since this is the Greek Parthenon!)  Unless Eros ran away from home and Venus lent Aphrodite Cupid so she wouldn't look like a bad mother. :-) 

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Chapter Two: The Terms

His parents' faces faded from view.  His heart raced faster and louder.  Sweat beaded on his forehead and upper lip.  He felt his knees give way.  It took all his strength to remain standing. 

"M…married?"

"Yes," his father's face was lit with evil glee. 

He had the uncanny feeling that his father knew he hadn't heard a word that had been said.  Nonsense! He had done the appropriate nods.   

"You are heir to the throne and it is high time that you gave us grandchildren," his mother continued.

"But…but I'm not ready to get married.  I don't want to."  By Zeus! he wanted to stamp his foot and he didn't care how whiny that sounded.  They can't do this to me!

"You're way past the age you should have been married.  You need something beside starting wars to fill your life,"

He stared at his mother in shock.  He had plenty going on in his life and he told her so.

His father snorted.  "Trying to kill your brother is not considered healthy.  Nor is hanging out with the likes of Discord or Strife."

"Half-brother,"

Zeus' left eyebrow rose again.

"We're doing this for your own good dear.  You've changed since Caila died.  I want my baby boy back,"

He froze at the name of his dead fiancée.  He had buried the grief, pain, and anger her passing had caused him in the deepest part of his heart and he didn't want to think about her.  He swallowed hard and when he was sure his voice was under control he said, "Mother she died a millennia ago.  I've recovered.  Besides I'm still me.  I haven't changed."

He struggled not to squirm as they stared at him.  His mother more than his father seemed to be able to see into his soul.  They could see how big a lie he had just told.

"We've made up our mind.  You're getting married," his father said sternly.

"Your sister is married as is your nephew.  Your sister's already a grandmother,"

"Dite is LOVE, Mother!  If she weren't married people would start to worry!  Cupid is the God of Love.  The same thing goes for him!"

"Still you have to get married.  It's past time,"

"Thene's not married!  Neither is Artie!"

"They're not the heir," his father said as if that explained everything.

Ares felt his frustration rise.  He didn't want to get married.  But the looks his parents were giving him told him he wasn't going to escape this one. 

His shoulders slumped in resignation.  "Fine.  I'll get married,"

"You already agreed," his father pointed out.

"We knew you'd see it our way," his mother said at the same time, "you can even choose your bride yourself."

He breathed a sigh of relief.  He could drag it out until he met someone he loved.  Wait a second…Xena!  He'd been planning on asking her one day.  Now was his chance.  I'll wait a couple of years before I ask her.  That way she can get the wanderlust out of her system.

"You have until Persephone returns to Hades to tie the knot," his father said.

That wasn't too bad.  He could find Xena and they could be married by the end of the day.

"Nor are you to marry that dreadful strumpet that you lust after,"

"I don't know any strumpets, mother," he deadpanned.

His father snorted.

"I mean it son.  You cannot marry that warrior woman.  She will not make a good wife or a good Goddess.  Besides that you can marry anyone you want that meets our approval,"

My choice my foot!  He knew he didn't have a choice so he just sighed and nodded in assent. 

"To make sure you're sufficiently motivated, if you do not get married by the date stipulated and if she is not pregnant by the time Persephone leaves Hades to live with her mother, you will lose your godhood,"

Ares stared at his father who smirked back.  It wasn't a good feeling knowing that he couldn't hide anything from his parents.  His father had him by the balls and there was nothing he could do about it. 

He wanted nothing more than to cry and feel sorry for himself, but there was no way he was letting the conniving bastard know he'd got to him.

"May I be excused?"

He bowed.  He was so angry that he was tempted to turn his back on his parents and storm out, but the penalty for that was also severe.

One thought ran through his mind on his way back home.  I'm screwed!