THIRD MEETING
Three days had passed since Aristaesus visited and Kaikias sent me the wind. Calla and Aristaesus returned a few hours after I saw them together. He gave me the proper greetings and withdrew his marriage proposal. He did not once look at Calla, but after he left I noticed Calla was missing. She reappeared hours later and came to me. She told me she had taken him out and made love even though he was there for me, so she sought my forgiveness for acting so rashly. "It's alright, Calla. You should take love where you can find it." I smiled at her and she just nodded her head and hugged me. In the last three days I have seen her beaming when a bee would fly by her or she took fruit from the trees. It was odd to her in this kind light. Most times she would take a lover then forget about him the next day, but with Aristaesus it was different. She talked about how nervous he was to the others, but she enjoyed the little noises he would make and the way he tensed when she stroked his member. Although she was careful not to talk about him while I was there. She could have Aristaesus because I would see Kaikias in a matter of days.
I took a breath, watching my nymphs play in the water. They did not have to worry about the matters of gods or the world. They tended to the plants and nature as the god's assistants, but they did not have to make the decisions nor worry about the connection between gods and humans. When I was younger, I thought I was a nymph, but they referred me as their higher being and Demeter would always give me the command over them. Nor did they concern themselves with the connections between all the gods and goddesses. In Olympus every deity had to watch his or her's back, so they would not be caught off guard.
For example, the alliance between Hermes and Hera is practically unknown. When Hephaestus, Hera's true son, asked for permission from Hermes for better trading routes to be formed through the mountains Hermes declined. Hera supported Hermes' position after Demeter agreed with Hermes. If the trade routes were formed then Hephaestus could allow the blacksmiths to spread their craft and give Athens and Sparta the same weapons, which would allow the same military strength. Hephaestus' proposal was tossed aside with Hera's support.
I glanced briefly at the sun thinking about Apollo's offer. In truth, the arguments he made for a union between us would benefit the mortals, but I did not like him as anything more than an acquaintance. I saw the troubles of Olympians marrying each other and I did not want to deal with that. Hera and Zeus were always at odds while Aphrodite and Hephaestus made fools of each other. I wanted a marriage of mutual respect, love, and comfort. If I married Apollo that would not happen, we would learn to be friends, but there would not be love.
Then I felt a chill run down my spine from the gentle breeze. It wrapped me in a secure cloak of frost, and I smiled. Kaikias was here and I would go to him. I stood up and the nymphs paid no attention to me, not even Willow who was splashing water at Minthe. I smirked slightly and slipped away from the river. I passed the rose bushes before I charged where the chilling breeze was leading me. I felt a rush of giddiness at meeting Kaikias in secret.
I jogged for five minutes before finally noticing the frozen pond and Kaikias whispering to the wind with his back turned. I stood there holding my breath and wanting to disturb the frosty sanctuary. Catching my breath, I took long strides towards the tall man and stood my toes to whisper in his ear, "Kaikias." I laughed lightly when he turned around with his light blue eyes sparking. A smile appeared on his face and his smooth lips captured mine without hesitating. They were gentle, but so cold, almost like a corpse, but he commanded the bitter northeast wind. It was expected. I wrapped my arms around his neck as a way to deepen the kiss. I let it continue before I pulled my head back.
"Fern," He murmured. I shivered as he used the counterfeit name. It was safer to give him that name than tell him I was Persephone and so far out of his reach. Ironically, I could be my true self around him, but it was all under a fake name. "I could not get away, so I apologize for not coming sooner." He said and his thumb brushed my lips. I nodded in understanding. Duties of a god came first then pleasure except the Olympians had forgotten such duties in their pride or glutton. "Do not not keep me waiting again for weeks without a message and I shall forgive you." I warned with a brief smile. He nodded and looked into my yellow hues. I held his glance to affirm my words. I took his hand away from my face and held it in mine.
"I am glad. So what have you been doing while I was gone?" He asked. "Should I not be the one asking you that?" I questioned and led him away from the frozen pond. The nymphs would notice his presence if they saw that. "My godly duties, nothing a nymph needs to worry herself with." He mused. I bristled slightly and gave him a scornful look before leading him into a meadow surrounded by lilies. Although the nymphs did not command the forces of the world they still affected it.
"Do you truly that?" I asked dropping his hand. He gave me a stunned look before reverting back to his icy gaze. "Because nymphs, like myself, concern themselves with just as much as the gods and goddesses do. They are the ones who tend to the fields making it possible for the mortals to exist while Demeter fights with Hera, Apollo, and other gods over ridiculous events, rituals, and marriages. The last time Demeter want on her hands and knees plowing a field was years ago." I spat. The grass under my toes became dry from the rage I felt. "Just because nymphs have limited authority over nature does not mean they are any less important, intelligent, or capable of understanding godly duties, Kaikias." I finished and then softened my eyes to let him know I did not want to continue this conversion. He smiled lightly. He would not treat me as a lower being because everyone deserved the same respects despite status. "Now tell me what have you been doing while you were away." I said, switching topics.
I sat down in the grass and pulled Kaikias down with me. I folded my knees and Kaikias crossed his legs. It did not unnerve him to lower himself to the ground with a nymph. I briefly noted the action as creditable. "I command the Northeast wind, so I have been causing a gentle breezes in the north. Laelaps and I have also had to track down a few more spirits for Hades." He began. I shivered and shut my eyes at the idea of more wrathful spirits wandering the countryside. Sometimes I would wake up in a sweat after dreaming about the woman who tear out my organs and made them shiny, red ribbons. "Did I offend you?" He asked as he leaned into me and touched my face. I could smell his pine scent and the wind wrapped itself around me in comfort. I opened my eyes and saw his clear gaze only inches from mine before shaking my head. "No, I just dream about that woman sometimes. Her screams ripping through the air, but I cannot see her until I feel her hands in my stomach tearing me apart." I cringed again and his cool hand stokes my cheek. I meet his eyes again, finding strength in them. "I am glad you came with Laelaps when you did." I kissed his wrist lightly in thanks, still holding his gaze.
He nodded. "I will not let another spirit harm you, Fern." He promised as my golden curls brushed against his hand. "They would steal your essence and leave you only as a fern. I could not allow such a kind and inspiring lady to die that death." Kaikias said. "You have to remember I flirt with death." I tried to lighten the mood, but his eyes hardened and he froze for a split second. I opened my mouth to take the joke back, but his thumb ran across my lips.
"I guess I have competition then." He smirked now. The irony of the situation made me snort. I was Persephone with two Olympian, yet the one I wanted and loved sat before me as a minor god. All I had to do was accept one of their proposals and I would become an Olympian as well. That would not happen as I sealed my fate. "There is no competition, Kaikias. I love you." I admitted. He paused and considered the words. My heart beat rapidly as he watched me, but I was not afraid of what he had to say. He would never hurt me. I took a deep breath before I lifted my hand to his face, accepting his cold face and hard features. He was unlike any of the Olympians who danced and played with the mortals as a cat would a mouse, but he still had a distinct aura that said he would not be messed with by immortals or mortals. I wanted to be his partner.
"I want you by my side, Fern, until your life ends." He said in a low voice. Nymphs were considered immortals, but in truth they lived for only a few thousand years before they weathered into their namesake. He made no movement as he waited for my response. I watched his face tense and feel his eyes trying to capture my yellow hues. "I want to be by your side." I smiled before I felt his lips trail from my forehead to my cheeks across my nose before finding my lips.