AN: I know, I know, I have been unfaithful to the story, and I apologize a thousand times over. The reason I picked this back up, I suppose, is because I'm angsting over this guy…and well, I'm sure every writer will agree with me that a story softens the pain. Enough of my troubles. Read on!

It had been the worst week Hera ever had in her life. Every day she sent Hermes out for medicine, and every day without fail, he managed to show up seconds before her nerves would snap.

"What takes you so long?" she had screeched once, gesticulating to Dane.

Hermes had shrugged. "I can see Zeus's attraction to mortal girls," he had answered with a wink and snap.

So while Hermes was busy chatting up and making doe eyes at the village girls, she had to watch over her servant boy. This, of course, infuriated and frightened her beyond measure.

Today was the seventh day, and Hermes had been gone for three hours once again. Dane had only fitful dreams and once or twice, he called out a girl's name. Whoever that girl was, Hera wished her all the curses the Fates could give her.

She had placed him on one side of the room and situated herself on the other side for two reasons. One, it gave him more air to breathe, and two, he wouldn't have the chance to gag over her. Yes, Hera learned the meaning of upchucking. That was her mistake on day number three.

His moan rattled her thoughts and she instinctively retreated into her corner, wishing Hermes would hurry back and deal with him. Gritting her teeth, she waited for the cry to pass.

"Hera?" he asked. She approached him and saw his body shaking like an earthquake. His eyes were deep hollows in his cheekbones. She guarded a skeleton.

"Are you…well?" she asked finally.

He laughed harshly, coughing at the end. "Sure. Sure." His face turned serious. "How's Aristedes? You…you have been feeding him, haven't you?"

She felt a flash of irritation. "Obviously."

"That's good," he sighed. "Family. You have to take care of them."

Hera wondered whether he was delirious, but his eyes snapped open and he cried hoarsely, "Oh Hera, please let me go. I have to see Vanni. I don't know what I'm going to do."

"You know what will happen if Apollo found you."

"I don't think I care very much. Hera, you have the key, not Apollo. Just let me see her once. I can't stand it!"

"Are you so very in love?" she heard herself sneer.

"She's my sister. She's a part of me. But you won't let me see her." His head sank into the crook of his arms. "Sometimes I don't understand you."

Hera didn't speak. She slowly returned to her refuge. She understood herself. After all, she was Hera. A jealous goddess. One who loved so fiercely she would let nothing get in the way. Not even a little sister.

DANEDANEDANEDANE

Apollo pulled the cloak over his face and rubbed his jaw, feeling calmer than he had for a week. He glanced over the dark streets of the human world, the flickering torches casting dull yellow spots of light in the night.

Presently, he raised his head and stared keenly into the night. Shuffling footsteps made their way haltingly toward him, and before long, the ghastly light cast in sharp contrast the girl he wanted.

She had on an oily apron, her hair wispy and bunched back with an equally dirty cloth. He cleared his throat, and as expected, she looked up.

"Hullo?" she asked. "How may I help you?"

"Pretty girl. What is your name?"

The girl immediately stiffened. Imperiously, she tossed her head back and snorted, "Oh please. You're the man with the ring of girls around him who tried to talk to me during lunch. Well, just letting you know, I still don't like your winged sandals. Where did you get them, anyway?"

Apollo stifled a laugh with the back of his hand and pulled back the hood. He knew that his appearance would render the girl with absolutely no chance to resist. "Pretty girl, I have not seen you before, nor you I. Pray tell me, what is your name?"

She looked at him with a shrewd expression that unsettled him. "I'll tell you," she said slowly, "if you tell me that you will not do me harm."

"I won't," he said immediately.

The girl smiled. He saw she had cracked lips. "Say it. I want you to say, 'I will do you no harm.'"

Apollo gritted his teeth. Out of all the elements on the Earth and heaven, he had to be the one trapped as the god of truth. Once he said it, he would be forced to follow up on his word under serious consequence. "I will do you no harm."

"Well," she said mildly, "I'm Vanni. It's nice to meet you."

"Vanni, is it? Why don't you show me around the village?"

"Oh, I don't think you would need my help. After all, you know everything." Her face contorted, as if she was struggling with a secret. Her excitement won out. "I've read and heard all about you, Apollo."

Wordlessly, his fist caught her under her jaw, and she sank to the ground, unconscious before she hit. The moment his hand had connected with her, he felt a terrible, rushing pain in his head, and like her, he too fell to the ground, gasping. Black spots trembled in his sight, and he choked out bitter bile. He placed a trembling hand over his eyes. It cost him much to lie, even to a silly mortal girl.

He struggled to recover his composure and pulled the hood back over his eyes as his stomach lurched and forced him down to his knees once again. After a few dragging minutes, he finally gained enough strength to pick up his charge. He felt pity for the creature in his arms, but there was no help for it.

He was the prophet. It was up to him to make false his prophesy.

AN: I know I don't deserve feedback, but I hope you might forgive me and review anyway. If it's just to review to scold my behavior, that's quite all right. Rest assured, I will continue to update as long as my love life isn't working out. Trust me, this story will probably finish, at the way things are going.