Of Ambrosia and Stone: Pandora's Curse

10

Apollo, Artemis, Ari, Uncle Ov, and I sit in what could loosely be described as the informal dining room. Compared to many of the other rooms, this one is much smaller.

Instead of rigid wooden chairs which looked nice until you’d to sit on them for any length of time there were plush velvet chairs. A small oval table, which could comfortably fit about six, takes up the majority of the room. Starkly different from the lengthy but regal table that I had imagined. One where we’d be shouting down the table at each other or sitting in utter silence.

This room is far from that.

In fact, it almost felt homey.

Having taken my seat, I watch as Ari sits down in the only other spot available. Although there wasn’t a place setting for her, she beamed at the thought of being included.

“Good to see you Pandy.” Artemis smiled at me warmly. Her silver bobbed hair tucked behind one of her ears.

“It’s nice to be here with you all,” I reply.

Well, most of you all. Decidedly not my rather grouchy host who is brewing at the head of the table. Probably thinking of some scathing comment or some way to boss me around.

Servants flowed through the room. Dishing out the various entrees of our meal. Mutton was seasoned and was rich in flavor. Other sides flowed around too like vegetables, fruit, biscuits, and more.

There was so much to try. So many options compared to home.

As we wait on the staff to finish serving us, I look at where the captain is heading. Half wondering if she”ll be unknowingly kicking Ari out of her seat.

Instead, the captain takes her place at the entrance of the room. As she stands, the goddess’s vacant expression. She was incredibly bored.

The all too familiar marble stone flows into this part of the palace too. White polished walls and ionic columns support the ceiling. A red rug spans the room. A large fireplace is roaring with a comfortable fire which reflects off the glass windows of the opposing wall.

Taking my first bite of the mutton, it nearly melts in my mouth. The food back home does not compare to the food here. Simple things like fruit and vegetables have so much more flavor. More fragrant.

“Good to have you joining our family, Pandora,” the deep voice of Apollo rumbles.

“It”s Pandy,” I reminded him as I cut my food.

Arista snickers as she pushes the food around her imaginary plate. My smirk broadens.

Sighing, he nods Taking a couple of bits of his steak before Apollo gestures his silverware to the dishes outstretched in front of me. “Pandy, there’s a miniature teacup set by your cup, do you see it?”

I nodded once, curious about where he was going with this. Peering at its contents, I recognize liquid immediately.

“Drink your ambrosia. We need to continue having you build up your tolerance,” he explains.

Leaning forward, I watch the golden liquid with trepidation. Raising the glass to my lips, Ari reaches out, catching my hand. I pause to look at her.

“Don’t drink it Pandy,” whispers Arista. Her grip on my wrist tightens. “It will only bring bad news.”

Pausing, I pretend to take a sniff as I think to myself, not now Ari.

It”s not like I could dump my cup into the soil of the nearest dead plant.

“What’s the hold up?” Ov asks in a gruff tone. One eyebrow cocked to the sky as he laughed with a loud rumbling chuckle. “Do you see something on an empty table setting? Shall we fetch a servant to clean it up?”

Lifting the cup, I raise my glass sarcastically to Apollo before downing the molten liquid. I swirl the liquid back in my throat. Trying not to splutter at the taste of alcohol invades my senses.

Ari groans, “Don’t come whining to me when you figure out what they’re doing.”

Ari, you make it sound like they’re poisoning me.

“I wouldn’t doubt it,” huffs my friend. “You hardly know them as well as I—”

“Thank you for your concern,” I half replied to Ov while trying to discreetly reply to Arista. Regardless of her help, I didn’t want to feed into her worries. With how long I have known her, I know that her fears are unending. “I just wanted to savor the ambrosia. It”s not everyday a mortal gets to drink it while keeping their mind intact.”

Ov analyzes me. Eyes peering deep into my soul.

If someone could read minds, that would be the look they would give.

Looking like he wanted nothing more than to move on from this trivial topic, Apollo clears his throat. “I have received word from the Marium Veil Crossing.”

“What reports do they have for us,” Ov asks intently with a raised eyebrow. “When was it sent?”

Intently, I listen while trying to look disinterested. Focusing on my food instead while masking how interested I truly am.

“It was sent days before the Winter Solstice, but we barely got to it this morning,” explains Apollo. As he thumbs the correspondence from the outpost. “They discussed they’ve been having issues with people attempting to cross the Veil.”

Pausing my meal, I couldn’t help but lift my gaze to watch the four gods.

Artemis was listening as intently as I am. On the other hand, Uncle Ov looked like he was only half listening.

Apollo looks rather bored as he reads through his scroll once more.

“Why?” Artemis asks in a tone of disbelief.

“The plague,” he sighs. “It is spreading once more. Though it’s just as bad in the other courts.”

All of us sat in silence. Images of the stone covered chest of Apollo sends a chill down my spine. For several minutes the five of us sat in uncomfortable silence. The plague felt like a thing from nightmares. A tale told from merchants from the population heavy city centers from distant lands.

Ever since my first day here, I inspect myself before bed. Checking for the slightest change of me turning to mud. So far, no changes but who knows with the plague. From how the gods see it, they seem terrified of it and I’m a mortal.

Surveying the room, I see mostly worried expressions. That is, except one.

Athena continued with her normal stony demeanor. It seems that since she sided with her father, she prefers to take a more neutral stance these days.

Uncle Ov sighs, “Well that was distinctly not the news that I was hoping to hear. The blasted curse seems to continue spreading through the lands with each passing day.” Pointing his fork with a chunk of divine meat on its prongs in my direction, he adds, “Just last week I lost my favorite errand boy. Now I need to train someone entirely new.”

My eyes widened as I took my meal. Uncle seems more upset at inconvenience rather than the life of the person lost in the situation. It all felt so out of touch.

“You could say that again.” Ari rolls her eyes.

“On another note,” Apollo adds, “Hera sent word today from Demeter’s Court.”

Scooping the immortal fruit, Artemis replies, “Oh?” From what I could tell, the goddess feigns polite interest.

“Yes. Together we finalized a deal between our houses,” Apollo answers nonchalantly. The fireplace flickers around us. The candles dancing on the table.

“Splendid,” murmurs Artemis, who is only half listening to the conversation. “Her terms were likely as unagreeable as they always are?”

Unagreeable? I suppose that makes sense for someone who used to be married to Zeus and then plotted to overthrow him.

“Thankfully, I caught her in a more affable disposition. Rare for her, I know.” Apollo puts on a forced grin, a look that screams that he’s trying to wrap up horse dung with a bow and give it to his sister as a present.

“Hera is never good natured. Only scheming to get what she wants,” reminds the Moon Goddess with a terse tone.

Aww. So, I see my assumptions were right.

Replying with a grave look Ari grunts, “She’s not wrong there.” My eyes flash over to my friend, who in turn shrugs in my direction. “What? As you’ve said countless times, they can’t hear me.”

Valid point.

Peeling my eyes from the empty chair, I turn back to watch the twin gods. Waiting for one to elaborate on the developments with Demeter’s Court.

Gaia, who knew immortals were full of drama, worrisome family dynamics, and political scheming. All of which are heavily present in the former House of Zeus.

“Naturally,” Apollo”s voice thundered in a deep laugh. Trying to make conversation, he adds, “Hera provided an update on her children. You two were close when we were all growing up, right?”

“Close?” Artemis raises an eyebrow. Pausing from her meal, she takes in her twin’s appearance. “At best, Hephaestus and I were acquaintances. Someone that I would wave at in the hallways of the palace. Though we hardly ever interacted.”

“No, no.” Apollo waves his arm. Gesturing with his fork, he adds, “The other sibling.”

Raising an eyebrow, Artemis replies, “Hebe? Well, I mean, we were kind of friends, but she was so young when dad–”

“No Artemis, not Hebe,” Apollo corrects, “Ares.”

Arista snaps her silverware. The shards of metal clatter onto the floor.

For the love of Gaia, please be quiet!

“Easy for you to say,” Ari snaps back at me. “He is a foul and bloodthirsty man. No one deserves what”s coming.”

What’s coming?

“Just wait and see,” she warns as she turns back to Artemis.

Repulsed at the very mention of the name, Artemis looked sickened. “Ares! No no no. We were never friends. We could hardly breathe the same air before weapons were drawn.”

Rolling his eyes, Ov replies, “Artemis, you”re being overly dramatic. I don’t remember a single instance of you two fighting. You make it sound like this was a lifelong rivalry.”

Artemis raises an eyebrow. “Uncle, you’ve been with us for as long as I can remember. How could you forget Ares and me feuding? It”s not like we were quiet or subtle about our arguments. The giant oaf is entirely incapable of being inconspicuous.”

All eyes fell on Ov who was slicing his mutton. “Hmm, no. Nothing comes to mind. Perhaps you”re over exaggerating—”

“Whole sections of the town were damaged in the last duel,” chimes Athena as she cuts off Ov. With a slight smirk on her lips, this was maybe the most emotions that I have seen from her thus far. Although, she still looks incredibly bored, like she’s willing the time to pass by quicker. “Father had to pay each of their weights in gold and gems thrice to expunge the debt from the destruction they caused.”

Odd. The more I learn of Uncle, the odder it gets.

“Your battles were mostly of the sibling sort.” The Sun God focuses on the dishes in front of him. “But I do agree with Ov. You”re being dramatic.”

His twin glares daggers into him, “Dramatic, eh? Keep it up and I”ll show you dramatic.”

Apollo rolls his eyes. “Childhood battles between siblings hardly count as anything more than a bit of sibling rivalry. Ares is certainly not your enemy.”

“I doubt he’d agree with that,” she mutters.

Rubbing his temples, Apollo groans, “Do I even want to know?”

“I have stabbed him more than the pin cushion that mother gave me all those years ago,” she smirks proudly. “And he has never struck me. He was always too slow. Ares focuses too much on weights and should have been practicing his cardio.”

My silverware clatters to the floor. Not snapped like Arista’s in shock of using swords to fight their siblings. I can’t imagine this. But gods are gods I suppose. “Wait, what? You weren’t kidding?” I question in horror, “You drew weapons on your siblings?”

“Pretty typical in our world.” Apollo dabs the corners of his mouth with the luxurious gold embroidered napkin.

With a snap of his fingers, a new set of silverware lands in my hands

“Thank you,” I smiled at him.

His eyes wander to mine. Amber orbs watching me intently. Instantly I feel my heart race. A place that he’d mostly been avoiding. Giving me a quick nod and a crooked grin, he replies, “Welcome.”

Gods, those eyes may be the death of me.

But like with our dance, the moment came and left.

“Apollo, save your magic,” chastises Artemis. She warns him in a serious tone. “You know as well as any of us that the plague intensity speeds up when you”re overusing your magic.”

Uncle Ov groans pensively while clutching his head. “Hmm, maybe the plague is affecting my memory these days. I can feel it spreading.”

“That’s just old age,” mutters Athena from the doorway.

“Oi, missy!” Ov waves his fork at her. “You can leave the ageism at the door… Oh wait, you already beat me to it.” Proudly he looks around, pandering for compliments on his joke.

Biting back some giggles, I take a swipe of my wine.

Apollo ignores Ov and instead rolls his eyes at his sister while simultaneously not answering his twin. He takes a couple of moments to finish chewing on the tender meat in his mouth. “Anyways, Hera sent word that she’s so graciously agreed to our counter terms–”

“Aww so she was not as agreeable as you initially stated.” The twin sister narrows her eyes skeptically. “See, I know our stepmother. The woman is ruthless. She only wants the impossible. I don’t know why you even entertain her these days.”

“You very well know why.” Warns the twin to his sister. Apollo sat as straight as unmoving as stone. So stiff, I thought I was looking at a statue. “Regardless, she agreed to a deal that will let us rest much easier.”

“Only a fool would believe in a deal like that ever existing,” scowled Artemis. “House Hera wants one thing and one thing alone, to have a son sitting on your throne. Brother, you best not forget it.”

Taking another sip of my wine, I feel the tension bubbling in the room. With so many immortals in one condensed area, I can practically feel the magic in the air.

Clenching his jaw firmly, I see muscles tense on the gods face. Apollo replies curtly, “But we won’t need to deal with an open rebellion. Working in the shadows is what I do best.”

I laugh. “Ironic being you”re the God of Summer, Light and the Sun.” I softly giggle to myself before looking up at my dinner mates.

They all stand as stony faced as Athena.

“Sorry, I thought you were kidding,” I grimace. Turning my attention to my wine, I contemplate if I have had too much to drink or not enough.

Uncle leans over and taps my hand. A normally comforting gesture but we’re all much too on edge for this.

Arista hisses at the gesture. Muttering under her breath, “Some company you keep.”

“Maybe I have a craving for the Underworld. Afterall, I still owe them a bit of retribution over my last visit,” the lord says snidely. His face looked as emotionless as a stone statue.

“What was the witch’s terms,” the low voice of Uncle echoes through the silent room. The harshness of his tone sends chills down my spine.

Sighing loudly, Apollo collects his thoughts.

“Apollo, it can’t be that bad. It’s not like you signed away our lives.” The Moon Goddess puts down her utensils and crosses her arms.

Wincing loudly, Apollo saying nothing.

My eyes flit back and forth between the twins. Artemis glares at her brother. Becoming more frantic at each moment of his silence.

I clarify, “Right?” My eyes are growing large from worry.

Steepling his fingers, Apollo presses his pointer fingers to his lips.

“Hera has offered a union between our families to keep the peace,” sighs Apollo. His voice strains as he replies, “The integrated merger of our houses would help stave off future conflict.”

Rolling her eyes, Artemis scoffs, “Isn’t Hebe a bit young for you? Or are you looking to marry our stepmother?”

Apollo presses his lips into a fine line. Biting back the frustration pooling within him. “Good thing this arrangement isn’t for me.”

Artemis freezes. Saying not a single word. Instead, she looks like she”ll throw up.

“Ares?” I blurt, “But Artemis doesn’t love him!”

“Yes. Though it matters little.” Apollo swirls his wine glass casually.

Widening my eyes, I look on in horror. “How so?”

“This isn’t a marriage for love. Her marriage will be for the security and power of the realm. Artemis, the twin sister of the Lord of Caelum. Ares, the favored son of Hera.”

“Wait, isn’t Ares also a child of Zeus?” I ask. Now further confused by the family dynamic. “She’d be marrying her brother. Don’t you see the problem with that?”

Apollo hisses at the name of the mention of the old king of all the gods.

Who knew that the gods were so superstitious.

“Ares and Hephaestus are the biological children of Hera. Zeus adopted them to strengthen his claim to the throne. Only Hebe shares our blood and Hera’s. Zeus has a couple of other biological children like Hermes and Dionysus,” elaborated Apollo.

Why can he say Zeus but when I say it, it’s a hissy fit? This is bullshit.

“But Zeus,” I clarify as Artemis takes her turn to hiss in my direction. “The old king,” I correct, “And Ares aren’t related? But that’s what my people spoke of in our history.”

Apollo chuckles, “Yes but don’t your people all still think the world is flat?” The silver-bob-haired woman looks on in horror. Though, I doubt it’s because of Apollo’s lineage discussion. “Artemis love, I don’t particularly care if you”re not attracted to the brute.” Apollo”s face reddened. Not from being flustered but from irritation. “Take lovers for all I care. Fuck whatever men you fancy but you’ll be marrying him.”

“Since you”re so keen on this diplomatic relationship, why don’t you marry into the family?” I suggest. “Do they have someone who’s about your age that you could marry?”

Intensely, Apollo stares at me. His face is unreadable.

From the moment we lock eyes, he refuses to look away. Our strange little battle. “Be reasonable. We do not want to give Ares and therefore Hera a direct line back onto the throne. With you, we just need me to have a couple of children. Then he”ll be out of the line of succession.” Though intense, his voice and demeanor are level. With a mischievous grin, he asks, “What do you say, Pandora. Interested in assisting in the cause.”

My heart raced at the suggestion of us together. Having sex with a god. Gods help me.

“Oh,” Apollo almost purrs. “The mortal can’t help but imagine herself splayed out in front of me. Quivering from my touch—”

“Stop.” I shoot him an annoyed look. A blush burns my cheeks from ear to ear. “Some of us are trying to eat.” My normal feisty nature is all but gone. Replaced by an almost pleading tone.

With a mock affronted look, Apollo replies in a low tone, “And here I was describing the most decedent of meals.”

Fuckkk.

I don’t think I”ll be able to look at any of the immortals in this room after this.

A million questions blitz through my mind.

Who talks like this in front of their family?

Is he actually attracted to me or being a horny god?

Embarrassed, I furrow my brow. I lash out. “You”re a lewd man.” I narrowed my eyes. “Plus, I doubt that Hera would be perturbed by demigods.”

“A lewd god,” he corrected. “There are ways around the demigod situation but alright fine. Should your answer change, you know how to reach me.”

Flicking my eyes over to Artemis, I watch her haunted expression from the corner of my vision. She may need therapy after hearing her brother flirt with her friend. Stepping in, I state, “Artemis is obviously not interested in Ares and who can blame her. From what little I know as an outsider; he sounds like a monster. A god who’s little regard for those around him. Plus, from what little I know of you Olympians, isn’t Ares already practically married to Aphrodite.”

“... Plus, they’ve like five children together,” Artemis added meekly.

Apollo scoffs at his twin, “And? How many different partners did Zeus have for his children?”

Ov meekly watches his niece and nephew fight. His face was pale as he watched the madness ensue.

Standing, Artemis smacks the table. “Don’t compare me to our father. He was a cruel man but even he never would have requested this from me.”

The smell of bonfire spreads through the air. Pervasive. More so than what the fire could emit. I assume that this must be from Apollo’s magic.

Even with magic in short supply, anger has a way of pulling deep into energy reserves. Had I not known any better, the room felt like it was becoming the forge of Hephaestus in Mount Etna.

His face reddens from anger. “You misunderstand. This isn’t a request.”

“Apollo, you must understand. This is hard for me. I”m a maiden. Our father promised that I would never be married to a man.” Horror and disgust bleed like a painful wound across her face.

“Dad isn’t here anymore.” Apollo cuts his mutton into small pieces.

“You want us to not question you and blindly obey. You and I know that this isn’t how the House of Leto holds themselves. Since mom entered her period of regeneration, you and I have made decisions together. I don’t appreciate you going behind my back on this.” Artemis buries her hands into her chiton. Keeping her hands occupied on strangling the fabric rather than her twin.

Apollo turns back to Artemis who looks on in horror. The twin threatens, “Sister, mark my words. You’ll marry Ares. You’ll like it. When the day of your engagement is commenced, you’ll smile through the hand binding. You’ll act in love in every public gathering. If not and you willfully choose to hurt our reputation, I”ll have no qualms with casting you out of this family and this court.” Uncle, Artemis, and I gasp at the Sun God’s forceful words.

“But she’s your sister!” I exclaim as I slap my hands onto the table. His flirting is forgotten in my mind as I watch their argument unfold. Artemis’s goblet tips over from the force of my strike. “She shouldn’t marry anyone that she doesn’t love!”

“Welcome to Olympus and its games of immortal politics.” Whispering into my ear, Ari murmurs, “The gods don’t care about love, only advantage. You’d do best to accept that fact immediately.”

Her voice is grave and all knowing. Tucking her long red locks behind her back, before she sits down once more.

“Pandy, calm down, it”s okay,” soothes Artemis. Standing, she wraps her arms around me.

At the cool touch of her arms, my vision clouds.

No.

Not now.

Not here.

Blinking away the feeling, I try to push it far from my mind. Begging my brain to listen to me for this one time.

“I understand,” Artemis inclines her head.

The world feels fuzzy. Like a mesh cloth is dividing us. Pulling me back away from dinner.

“Thank you, sister, for understanding the gravity of the situation,” Apollo purrs. “This is a major arrangement and shouldn’t be taken lightly. With this deal secured, the House of Leto and the House of Hera will be inexplicably tied. Pandora, you must learn how to hold your tongue.”

I stare blankly ahead. Spots cloud my visions as I begin to sway.

Artemis’s hands shake me. “Pandy? Are you alright? You”re looking a bit peaky.”

Shaking me harder, I try to respond. To tell her that I”m here. To acknowledge that I”m listening. But my mouth is sealed closed.

The warmth of the dining room fades into a cool breeze.

Scooting my chair back, I make for the door.

“Pandy,” Artemis’s voice echoes. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Please sit down.”

Not again.

Please not right now.

Swaying, I feel my legs give out from under me. My body smacks the ground.

“Send for Chiron. I believe she’s ill.” Artemis scoops me up into her arms as I blink away the vision. “I”m going to bring her to the infirmary. Make sure he is there.”

Closing my eyes, I feel myself overcome by the vision.

Smoke and pine hang in the air. Though my dinner was wonderful, the smells didn’t compare. Swirling around me, I take in the sights of the town all around. Cool cobbled streets with piles of stacked snow. Town homes decorated in lights, fir, wreathes, and mistletoe decorate every single house in sight.

The townspeople wander in their fur lined cloaks. Though I can’t feel the normal frigid air of winter even with my silken chiton dress. My bare shoulders welcome the cold like an old friend. The snow capped mountains that brush up against the city aren’t like Caelum.

“Pandy,” whispers the voice of a woman who grabs my wrist to drag me along. “It is a wonder that you never get lost. I swear, at some point we may need to tie a piece of ribbon around your waist to prevent you from wandering off.”

With the woman’s back to me, I couldn’t tell who or what she was. Though her voice was filled with kindness.

Familiarity flooded the situation from the woman to the mountains, even the town.

“Hey Artemis! Found her. Pandora got distracted watching the mountains again,” the oddly familiar woman with the dark hair states.

Smiling serenely, Artemis wraps her arms around me, “Pandy, don’t do that to us. We thought we lost you. Can you imagine the god’s frustration if we lost you? He’d have our hides after he tore his home apart to find you.”

The world feels fuzzy as Artemis releases me from the tight embrace. “Where’s Apollo and Ares?”

Both women”s faces control shrewdly at the mention of those two names. “Who knows where Ares is but good riddance.” Artemis leans her head into the shoulder of the dark-haired woman with the steel-colored eyes.

The woman felt so familiar yet not quite. The curve of her heart shaped face, her sun kissed skin and those eyes. But where did I know her from?

The woman in turn tucks her arm around the Goddess of the Moon’s waist. In a lazy but practiced way. “Are you feeling okay? It looks like you’ve seen a shadow.”

I know her face. Not well but I recognize her, nonetheless. Not from my old home.

Not even from the castle, I suspect. “Excuse me, do I know you from somewhere?” My gut tells me that I know her.

“Of course you know me,” laughs the dark haired woman before sharing a look with Artemis.