31
Waking up, we promptly got ready for our adventure in town. We were up so early that Artemis let me borrow a gown of hers. “It was a gift from Apollo. He should know by now that I don’t wear long chitons, yet he still gives them to me occasionally as gifts.” She rolls her eyes. “Feel free to keep that one. I don’t think I have worn it since receiving it a millennia ago.
My eyes widen as I try to conceptualize the age of the dress. Throwing it on, I feel exposed. To one side, there’s a high slit that nearly goes up to my hip.
“Ooo! I love it but I think it needs something,” she trails off.
A pin to let me draw less attention to my thigh?I silently pray to Gaia.
My friend goes digging in chest, before standing proudly. “Here you go. Put this on.”
The gold layered metal looks interesting, plates with inlays and gems are hung from its chain. “Beautiful… Is it a necklace?” I ask earnestly. Not having a clue what to do with it.
She giggles, “No silly, put it around your thigh.” I nod. Hiking up my dress, I put it around my unexposed thigh. “No. On the other one.”
So much for drawing less attention.
Placing the leg chains, I stare in the mirror. The dress was beautiful. Shimmering like the finest of starlight. I felt gorgeous. “Thank you.”
“Welcome, it’s yours.” She smiles. “Now I don’t know about you, but I”m ready for some brunch,” circling my elbow, Artemis irises away.
The familiar tug at my stomach almost knocks me to the ground. Had it not been for Artemis’s steady grip, I probably would have fallen.
Vibrant colors flow around my vision like a rainbow scattered by dew drops.
When the bright light subsided, we stood outside a small shop. “Come on, this is The Bouzouki. Which is probably the best place for brunch in this entire town.”
The restaurant is hardly marked as such. The building itself was nondescript. Stone masonry is cobbled together creating walls. Arched windows are floor to ceiling. Inside there are simple wood tables. The doors are non-existent.
Just open and pleasant air.
“Morning,” shouts Artemis of the stringed music of the bouzouki playing in the corner. “Table for two.”
Smiling, the server nods and leads us to a set of chairs not too far away from the musician. Far enough for us to still chatter while close enough to listen to her pluck the chords beautifully.
“What can I get you two?” the server asks.
Looking down at the menu, I panic. Quickly trying to decide.
Artemis thankfully chimes in, “I”ll take a raspberry ouzo slush with plain yogurt topped with nuts and a drizzle of honey.”
Hmm. That sounds good. The eyes of the server look over to me expectantly. I pause before stating, “I”ll take the same thing.”
We chattered for what felt like only moments about the different markets in town before our dishes came out. Placing our orders down in front of us before bowing to us as he takes several steps back to leave.
I guess he knows who Artemis is.
Excitedly, I sip my beverage. The sour sweet taste of the raspberry hides almost every trace of the alcohol. The liquid is chilly, perfect for a hot day. The yogurt was also fine, but the slush was the star of the meal. Well other than the instrumentalist who hardly pauses her readjust. Going from one song onto the next. Her stamina is amazing to me.
“My forearms hurt looking at her,” I whisper to Artemis.
“That’s what she said,” she whips back at me. Voice full of laughter. We were so loud that some people turned our way. Although no one said anything. I suppose being the brunch date of a goddess has its perks.
After we finished our meal, Artemis left two drachmae on the table and threw one in the direction of the stage. The bouzouki player bowed her head as we made our leave.
The wait staff grinned and nodded as we left. Wishing us a wonderful day.
Exiting onto the warm streets I follow Artemis along down a couple of streets until we hit the agora near the center of town.
“Weren’t far from the palace, aren’t we?” I ask tentatively. My internal compass spins rapidly in a circle. Entirely uncertain of exactly where we were at.
“Yep. Probably about a five minutes walk or so away. Now, if you see anything you want, let me know and it’s yours,” Artemis instructs. “Money is no object.”
Smiling, I grin sheepishly, “I have no way to pay you back.”
“Don’t you even think about it,” she counters.
We stop at nearly every cart. What surprised me is how similar markets are in this world as they’re in my home.
Textiles, secondhand goods, jewelry, and more are scattered throughout the pavilion.
“Avoid those talisman carts,” Artemis warns. “They’re a load of junk.”
We laugh quietly as we pass.
Gods, my dad would’ve loved Artemis.
He would agree with her view on marketplace talismans.
Stopping at a mobile greenery wagon, I load up on the items.
Turning to Artemis, I state gleefully, “Can you imagine all the places where I could put these? Gods, I need to figure out which ones best suit the palace.” Practically skipping between the bundles, I finger through the arrangements.
“That I can. It’s a needed change,” Artemis grins with eyes full of mischief before turning to the satyr running the stand. “Can you deliver a cart full of your finest wares to the palace?”
The wide-eyed gentleman with the frizzy hair nodded silently.
“Good. Here are fifty drachmae. Fifty more will be given upon delivery of the goods,” she slaps the baggy onto the counter with a loud THUD.
The satyr looked from the bag to the goddess to me in shock. “Yes, my ladies. Right away.” Promptly he packs up his shop. Letting us know the items will be delivered by tomorrow afternoon.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I whisper. “But thank you. But you overpaid for what we’re getting.”
“You”re welcome.” She shrugs. “But admittedly, it wasn’t just for you though. It”s a good boost for the people out here. I imagine the satyr will be mighty comfortable for a bit. Able to take care of his family and be able to breathe easy for a bit. Though I may have overpaid, it’s a kindness that the merchant is likely never to forget.”
That was so kind of her. I always thought of immortals as being wholly uncaring but the more time I”m here, I discover how this isn’t the case for everyone. Sure, I”m certain some are but not all.
Nodding at her, Artemis yanks me to the final cart before the castle.
Artemis pours over the jewelry selecting many such items for her. I, on the other hand, have a leg chain. “Ooo,” the goddess murmurs as she holds up another leg chain. “Want a second leg chain? One that you can strap a dagger too?”
She doesn’t let me answer before tossing money toward the merchant.
“Do you’ve any daggers?” Artemis eyes the box behind him. “Maybe a flower themed one?”
The merchant launches to his wares, “Y- Yes my lady. I have a perfect one.” He shuffles through his items. “Though it may be a bit large for the mortal, perhaps you could shrink it to size with a spot of magic?”
Eying Artemis, I observe the mischievous smirk in her eyes. She loves having an excuse to come to town and be. Pretend to be a normal citizen even as the entire city knows who she’s.
After many noises and searching, the shopkeeper exclaims, “Oh, here it is.”
Placing the dagger on its silk sheet, he lifts the object toward me.
The dagger was an ivy green blade with black vines crawling up the hand. Some bloom into bright gold flowers. At the pommel. Yet another flower.
Intricate patterns of flowers are etched into the blade.
“No offense,” Artemis prefaces before adding, “But that blade appears ceremonial. I would like my companion to have one that could be used in a time of dire need.”
The merchant grins. “This dagger may be decorative but it’s much more than that.”
Handing the dagger to me, I take it from him. Though it slices through the air nice, there was also some weight behind it.
“Now my lady,” he calls for my attention as he holds up a piece of silk. “Take a swing at this.”
My wide eyes look at Artemis who gives me a reassuring nod.
With that, I take a nice swing. The fabric tears away like butter with a butter knife. As the silk falls to the ground, I swipe at the limp fabric.
Yet again, the knife tears cleanly through it.
The merchant was right. This thing was sharp and downright deadly.
“Perfect.” The Moon Goddess grins. “We’ll take it.”
Tossing several bags of drachmae his way, I try to not think of how much Artemis has spent on me today but a bit of me feels guilty.
“Are you ready to head back to the castle?” My friend asks.
“Sure.” I pause at the sight of a toga clasp. It”s a bright gold saucer with flowers stamped into the background and a diamond lyre inlaid as the center focal point. My heart clenches. This pin reminds me of the time I was gardening, and Apollo was playing his lyre while I worked. “Actually, can I get this too? I want to give it to Apollo.” Sheepishly, I look up at her.
Artemis nods enthusiastically. Throwing yet more bags at the vendor. So many that I chose to ignore it to keep me at ease with my mind.
The vendor packs each piece in a velvet pouch. Taking great care in their storage. He gushes over each one, telling us about how they were each handmade locally.
After which, we make our way to the palace gates. Sure enough, they were as close as Artemis had said they were.
From a distance, we see the gates buzzing full of commotion. Guards are running all around, checking everyone coming and going heavy. The lines looked huge. “What’s going on up there?”
Artemis shrugs. “Not sure. Maybe Apollo is holding court today? Who knows with that man. But all I know is we aren’t waiting in line. We live here and we aren”t waiting.”
Skeptically, I watch her. Not willing to talk back to this goddess. She seems innocent enough, but my gut tells me that she’s not one to cross. Especially when she’s on a mission. Cutting through the long line, I duck the gate following on her heels, the guards watching us with wide eyes. With faces pale. Like they’re seeing two shades. One put his hand out in front of Artemis. Blocking our path.
Darkness covers our immediate area. Even though it’s midafternoon.
In a swift motion, she drew an arrow aiming it between his eyebrows. “I swear to Gaia, if you don’t move your hand, I”ll turn you into a goat.”
“Yeah, and not like a cute pygmy goat. An ugly one,” I smiled over to Artemis proudly.
She half laughs and half grimaces before adding, “Yeah. What she said.”
The guard looks between the two of us. Back and forth like he was not sure what to make of us before he released us. Probably not willing to risk the wrath of the Moon Goddess. Allowing us to enter the palace. I expect her to tuck away her weapon, but she holds it idly, resting at waist.
Ever confident, Artemis treks up the path. I”m nearly sprinting to keep up with her. I ask, “What’s gotten into you?”
“I have a bad feeling. The guards. They haven’t acted like this since… Well Persephone’s disappearance. Then before that… When Zeus was dethroned.” Gravely she explained. “Just stay by my side. We need to find Apollo, Athena, or Ov. Once we’ve assessed the danger, you”re free to go.”
“Get your dagger out now.” She instructs me.
Pulling out my purchases, I clasp the dagger between my fingers.
Artemis tosses her bags at the nearest guard. Ordering them to drop off the bags in her room. As we enter the palace, Artemis prowls slowly. Like a cat ready to pounce. “This dagger feels large enough to be a sword.
Sure, immortals seem to be able to shift their size based on what suits them at that moment, but for the most part, Apollo, Artemis, Ov, and Athena all are over seven feet tall.
With a snap of her fingers, the dagger shrinks down to the appropriate size. “Thank you,” I reply meekly.
A lot of good that would do me. Sure, I use it while hunting to put a creature out of its misery, but this isn’t the same. Unless of course my experience with mincing mint would be transferable.
“Right now, I still hope you won’t need to use it,” she whispers. “Half of sword play is posturing. look like you know what you’re doing.”
I laugh gravely. Not because it was funny, but because the tension was so thick in this castle that I could cut it with my dagger.
Artemis nearly floats down the hallways, past rooms and corridors. Blitzing past the staff who are rushing around us. Finding a staff member she questions in a commanding tone, “Apollo?”
The kitchen maid’s eyes widened, pointing off to our left. “The Throne Room,” she squeaks. Her voice is soft, meek, and fearful.
Finally, we reach the Throne Room which has four guards standing sentry outside. Some looked familiar but I didn’t know their names. I knew they were a part of Apollo’s personal guard detail. The four turned to each other, trying to figure out what to do with us.
Taking too long for Artemis’s impatience, she ducks under their arms and throws open the doors.
“Wait!” shouts one guard.
Ignoring them, I follow Artemis through the passageway.
“Lord Apollo instructed us not to let a soul inside,” another one added.
Artemis reared around to the two men, “Then step outside otherwise Hades may be calling your name.”
They yelped and exited the Throne Room. Not shutting the door. Instead looking to the throne for orders.
The two thrones are empty. But the dais has one person pacing back and forth. Apollo scrunches his hair, his eyes rimmed in red like he was in near tears.
He looked drunk. His face is flushed as he takes long drags from his ambrosia goblet.
As we cross the entrance, those eyes fall on us. He approaches us in an instant. “Guards, leave us.” Apollo is grim. The guards murmur something that I couldn’t quite hear of the sharp closing of the doors. Approaching, slowly and cautiously, he watches us like he couldn’t believe his eyes. Coming forward, he gives each a strong hug. Taking one of us in each arm. Near sobbing. “I thought you were dead.”
The sweet smell of ambrosia fills the air around us.
Definitely drunk.
“He’s giving Dionysus a run for his money,” quips Ari.
Not helpful.
“Brief me,” the Goddess of the Moon orders. Apollo continues to stare down at me, too caught up to answer his sister.
Looking at me like he was seeing a ghost. Someone fading away into the Underworld. Being held on only by a thread.
Like if he lets go of that tiny thread, then I”ll be gone forever.
“Dead?” I ask, “What do you mean? I spent the evening with Artemis, and we went out for brunch this morning.” Fiddling with my gift for him. “Look, we were at the market, and I found this for you.”
Holding out my hand with the velvet pouch, Apollo looks from me to the pouch and back again before extending his soft hands. I set the gift in them and watched as he unwrapped the small item. “This reminded me of the garden when I was tending to the flowers and you were playing the lyre,” I smiled up at him.
The god looks genuinely elated.
Especially compared to when we walked in. Only moments ago, he appeared to be drowning his sorrows in liquor.
Relieved, Apollo closes his eyes and pulls me to him. “I love it,” he whispers as kisses my forehead.
“Excuse me, did you want me to leave? Is anyone going to answer me? What’s going on?” Artemis snarkily states.
Warmth filling up my soul at the touch of his soft lips on me. “I have never been so thankful for you and Artemis breaking my rules.”
“Why were you so worried?” I ask. Giving him a quizzical look, I watch as he replaces his current pin with mine.
He shakes his head and gestures for us to follow him.
“Oh sure, you answer her but nooooo you can’t answer your very own twin,” she rolls her eyes as she sasses her brother. “I see how it is.”
“Artemis, I”m not ignoring you. It was a busy morning. Now come on.” Apollo leads us out a backdoor way. One that I had no clue existed. Much like the servant’s staircase in my room, a pull of a sconce releases a panel.
The door swung wide. Holding up a hand, Apollo palms a hand of flame.
Wow. Displays of magic were so few and far between. But these past 24 hours, I have seen all sorts of tricks.
Shit, he knows about the passages. Judging by how nimbly he traversed them while utterly sloshed, I’d say that he is highly familiar with the tunnels.
These dark hallways look like the ones I use. Wooden floorboards and windowless. Only the occasional torch dimly lighting a small patch. Cobwebs hang over the ceilings except for near the torches. Those have long since burned away or the arachnids have learned to avoid those areas.
“Brother, when did you find these passageways?” Artemis questions from behind me.
Apollo shrugs. “Our old friend showed me. How she ever knew is beyond me. After all, she was only here for half the year.”
They were talking about her.
Persephone.
Persephone walked these hallways. Perhaps she used them when she went missing. Perhaps they need a closer look later.
When in doubt, blame Persephone.
“What I’m more curious about,” he hiccups. “Is how Pandy found them here in such a short period of time and she’s been here less time than our old friend.” The god gives me side eye. Waiting for an explanation.
“Oh…” I stumble through my words. I can’t tell him that I saw this naked woman in my vision who showed me the way. Gods, I would be mortified. Nope. That will be a secret that follows me to my death. “I felt a draft while I was pacing my room. After that, my curiosity took over.”
Whether the gods believed me or not, they said nothing.
Thankfully they weren’t challenging me.
Scaling a set of familiar stairs, I watch Apollo who stands tall, prepared to fight.
Stopping outside of my door, he pushes on the panel of the wall. Staring at my quarters, my mouth drops. It looks like Typhon had come through.
Clothes are scattered on the floor and flayed into slices. Feathers from my pillows cover the ground like a dusting of snow. The furniture is all upended other than the bed. Which has deep slash marks and… blood?
“Gaia,” I whisper, “What happened?”
Ari leans into my ear, “I told you. Danger was a foot.”
I can see that.
The amount of blood looks like someone died, “Did you think—”
“Yes,” he replied breathlessly. “A human couldn’t survive that.”
Looking at the puddle, I can see what he means. There was blood everywhere.
Whatever came to find me, wanted no one to search for me… or they truly aimed to kill me.
“No, I don’t suppose so,” Artemis chimed in. “Were the culprits apprehended?”
The Sun God shakes his head, “No. No leads even. But it gets worse. Artemis, Pandy, take a seat.” He slurs his words.
Looking sideways at the Goddess of the Hunt, I watch her roll her eyes, “I”m fine. Don’t be a drama queen. Just say it already.”
He gulps before stating, “Ov is missing.”
My eyes go wide. “Ov? But how?” I ask.
“And the room is covered in ichor. Chiron fears the worst. He was in a state of regeneration,” Apollo explains as he looks from me to his sister.
I ask, “Regeneration?”
“When gods are so gravely wounded, instead of remaining in place, we tend to return to places of great power and significance to us. For Artemis and me, it would likely be the Solus and Luna Palaces. Where Ov is, I have no idea. But I have got guards searching for him,” he whispers.
“And my quarters?” Artemis questions.
“Untouched.”
Artemis releases a sigh of relief.
Apollo grips onto us and in a flash, he irises us back to the throne room. “Which brings me back to you,” he says as he gestures to me. “After our investigation, I”ll return your room to how it was prior to this incident.”
“Apollo,” I murmur, “You don’t need to do that. Please don’t waste your magic on that.”
His gold eyes are intense.
Locked on me.
Gods, when he stared at me like that, I could feel all my fears melt away.
“Whether you’d like it or not, it will be done,” he explains gruffly before turning to his sister. “Would you be able to give Pandy and I a minute to ourselves, sister?”
The look in his eyes said it all.
Artemis would likely not want to witness what was about to come. Something that I have been craving since our last evening together when our night was cut short by the shadowy man seen at our borders.