Of Ambrosia and Stone: Pandora's Curse

19

The all too familiar sight of the infirmary greets me like an old friend.

A hand holds mine. Our fingers interlocked.

Blinking my blurry eyes, I follow the hand all the way up to the person who owns it.

Apollo sleeps soundly in a chair pulled right up against my bed.

His other hand rests on a sword.

How long has he been here?

Apollo looks horrendously uncomfortable. His neck is resting at an odd angle.

How long have I been here?

Stretching, I take care not to move his hand. Sheer warmth radiated from him. like a summer day and it was delicious.

Gods, he makes things stir in me that shouldn’t be there.

I can’t be falling for one of the gods. The gods who abducted me and kidnapped my father.

Yet, moments like this with Apollo… I can almost feel it.

He can be cruel, but he is also kind and protective.

All while trying to manage from the trauma of growing up in a fucked-up family overcome with politics, secrets, and backstabbing.

Maybe he has the potential to change.

If I tell him what I need from a relationship, then perhaps he’ll listen.

Hearing me stir, Chiron looks in my direction. “Morning, Pandora.” He smiles. “You’ve been keeping me busy.”

Groaning, I blink and try to clear my bleary eyes. “How about we plan to meet not in the infirmary next time.”

Chiron smiles. “Yes, that may be for the best.”

“How did I survive? I should’ve died from that amount of quicksilver.” Three glasses took out a god according to my vision. Not any god, but an Olympian.

One glass drunk by a mortal… That should’ve meant death.

“I wish I knew.” Chiron shrugs. “Yet another mystery. Unfortunately, I don’t have those answers for you.”

“Do you think it has to do with my dad?” I whisper as I hear Apollo stir at my side.

Chiron paused for several moments, waiting for the Lord of Caelum to still once more before adding, “Distinct possibility. You seem to have a tolerance for it.”

Lucky me.

Arista bursts out, “Yeah, you”re lucky you”re still alive.”

I groan. Both at her and Chiron.

“I do have some other unfortunate news for you though. I have not tracked down even a small lead for medicine to control your visions. I”ll keep looking but so far, nothing.” Rolling a blue potion in its bulbous vial, I think of medicine dad used to give me. With the unknown liquid and properties.

At least that one is familiar. It appears to be a sleeping draught.

One that I”ll likely need.

That way Chiron can ensure the poison leaves my body all while making sure that I’m not excessively suffering.

I smile back at him. Though admittedly, it was a disappointed smile. I know that Chiron tried his best, but I”m so curious to find out what it was and what its purpose was. Dad always had his reasons. “Thank you for trying.”

When dad was here, I took advantage of his constant presence in my life. But with him gone, I feel like I have thousands of questions for him that I”ll never get answered without crossing into the Underworld.

Perhaps I”ll cross his path in the plains of Elysium, depressingly I mused.

Knocks sound on the door.

Chiron moves across the room slowly.

Clip.

Clop.

Clip.

Clop.

Creaking the door open, the smiling face of Uncle peaks past the centaur. Pushing past the caretaker of the infirmary, Chiron follows close on his heels. Taking a detour to his workstation. He places the large flask down, looking for a specific vial.

“Chiron, old friend, I must speak with her immediately,” Uncle Ov announces.

“One second,” he replies.

“Thank you. Please leave us,” the elder god instructs. Ov crosses close to my bedside.

“Yes, in one second. I need to make sure that my patient is taken care of before I step away.” The centaur gives us a speculative look. “Take this draught when you”re done with your conversation. It will help you sleep and reduce the adverse effects of the poison.” Tossing me the small coin sized vial of blue liquid, I rolled it back and forth in my palms.

Flourishing his hand, Ov flicks his wrist. A familiar feel and motion passes over me.

He and I were in a sound sealed space. One that Chiron and Apollo won’t be able to hear through.

Gods, this won’t be good.

Dread fills my bones.

At the sound of Chiron exiting, Ov pulls the chair close to the bed. The wood squealing along the stone floor like nails on a chalkboard, I flinch at the hideous sound.

“Thank you for saving my nephew.” Ov’s voice is flat. Like he isn’t truly happy at all.

No.

I must be reading too much into it.

Of course, Ov’s happy to see that Apollo’s alive… Right?

The man then states, “Fortunately, you even survived.”

An uneasy feeling spreads through my stomach.

“Yes, I don’t get it either. I”m thankful that I was able to assist Apollo.” Even though it turned out to be a one-way ticket to the infirmary. I could’ve been in Marium by now.

“Now, let’s not talk about our little conversation at the tea house. Apollo does not respond well to treachery. His actions are assured to be quick, deadly, and fierce, understand me?”

I nod.

“It is good to have you back in the castle, Pandora. I”m happy you didn’t leave,” Ov says as exits the infirmary. Slamming the door behind him.

“Happy to be back.” Tipping my head back, I gulp the liquid down my throat. The pleasant taste of lavender fills my senses as my eyes flutter. The lights dim around me.

Arista whispers, “Watch out for that one. Bad news follows in his wake.”

I smile reassuringly at my friend. She’s always been a bit easy to frighten.