~Apollo's P.O.V.~
America sighed. "Fine. Go call in my maids." As Marlee left, America faced Maxon again. With a peck on the cheek, she walked off toward her suite, calling out, "Apology accepted."
As the queen of Illéa walked away, I heard Zeus walking up behind me. I waved my hand over the bowl and the image disappeared. Turning around, I faced the king of the gods.
"Good evening, Zeus. How may I help you?" I prompted. I caught his gaze on my reflection bowl, and I wished it away.
"You were watching her again, weren't you, Apollo?" Zeus asked. Nodding, I faced the floor.
"If you hadn't forced me to return, Zeus, I wouldn't have to watch her. I would still be there with her. For once in my existence, I wanted to have a family that I knew loved me. I had a mortal wife, Zeus. And five beautiful children, and a granddaughter, that you made me abandon! I missed my daughter's marriage, and now she's the queen! My daughter is a queen! And I can't even tell her how much I love her." My hands were flying in rage as I yelled at my king. Then the anger faded, and all I felt was a lonely emptiness.
Zeus sighed. "I know you miss them, Apollo. But you were a god playing mortal, and that just doesn't work. You had to come home before they realized anything unusual. I'm sorry."
"Yes, I totally believe you're sorry," I sneered. "Because you've tried loving your children before, haven't you? Of course not! You're more worried about the women than the children! Just look at your son down there! Look at what he went through because he wasn't Clarkson's son! Do you even care?" I turned away in disgust. Zeus's reply caught me by surprise.
"I do care. And that is why I suppressed Maxon's powers until the prophecy was ready to take place. I wanted him to live a normal mortal life, and though he has gone through much pain, he has grown into a wonderful man, without my interference. Apollo, I do care, but I prefer to care from a distance."
"Alright. I trust you this time. Do you want me to set the prophecy in motion? All you need to do is visit Amberly and send her back to the palace. I can do the rest."
Zeus paused a moment, thinking. Then he replied.
"Yes. Let it begin."