Of Ambrosia and Stone: Pandora's Curse

33

Bunking with Apollo was more comfortable than I expected. He and I fell into our new habits quickly. Each morning, the Sun God would get dressed and give me a few more minutes to wake up. Then he and I would start our day.

I’d go to court with him.

Sit in his office with him.

I loved it.

So much so that when Apollo finally fixed my room with a bit of magic, I continued to show up to his room each night. Though that was for many reasons. I loved his companionship but also, I couldn’t stand the thought of sleeping in my room. Not after everything. Now I use it as a glorified closet.

When I wasn’t with Apollo, I was with Artemis. In her rooms, she and I would chatter, read and be together.

“Any updates on Uncle Ov?” Turning to Artemis who’s currently reading a novel.

She shakes her head. “Nothing. We sent out trackers to hunt down Uncle’s whereabouts but with no success. Not a trace. Like someone irised him out but we’ve wards against that.”

“That and his utterly destroyed room,” I added. “And mine.”

“Yes,” she whispers. “I”m happy you weren’t harmed. It was a good thing that you weren’t in your quarters that night. Otherwise, you could’ve been like him and vanished from thin air.”

“... Or worse.” Recalling the blood on the sheets, I cringe. If the deep gouges were any indicator, they weren’t looking to make friends. I wouldn’t have made it. “Are there any updates on the culprits?”

Artemis shrugged. “Random groups having been ‘taking responsibility for the attack.’” She wraps her words in finger air quotes. “But none that we’ve been able to validate as a credible source for the hit.”

I toss myself onto the chaise which is beside her. Allowing myself to sink into the velvety folds of the soft chair.

My mind returns to the thought of Ov and all the mysteries which surround him. “Do you think Uncle Ov left intentionally? Like on his own accord?”

Artemis quirks her eyebrow in my direction. “That doesn’t sound like Ov.”

“How long have you known him?” It felt silly to ask how long someone knew a family member, but I asked anyway. “What’s your earliest memory with him?”

Cocking her head to the side, Artemis raises a questioning eyebrow.

“All of my life,” she scoffs. “My earliest memory of him would have been the day he came to the palace after mom was injured.”

All her life? Yet her first memory was when was injured. Her injury took place around the time of the time of the coup and the power wars that followed.

“Did she talk about him a lot? Your mom?” I add. Trying to not push my friend too hard but something about her uncle makes my skin crawl.

Artemis pauses, “She must have mentioned him, but I can’t think of any time in particular.” She shakes her head, her silvery hair flying away from her face. “Why have you taken such an interest in Uncle?”

Plucking a pillow, I hurl it in her direction as she erupts with laughter. I reply, “No. It’s just… he is the reason I almost left the court on the day of the Dekate.”

Her laughter cuts from her throat. Listening intently to my words.

“He told me that I would be able to slip away. Even gave me some gold to ‘start a new life with.’”

“What? Why didn’t you tell us?” the goddess demanded. Artemis is sitting up straight now, watching me in horror.

“Ov told me not to…” my voice trails away.

And even for a while after, I thought I might still slip away and use the drachma he gave me. Maybe I should’ve told them. The more and more I”m figuring out about Ov, the more concerns I have with him.

“We will need to tell Apollo. He needs to be aware of this,” she replies with a whisper. “Actually, no. Let me tell him. He can be… Unpredictable with stuff like this.”

I nod, “I won’t talk about it with him until you tell me to do so.”

“Good, now let”s head downstairs for supper.” Linking arms, we walk arm in arm through the heavily guarded hallways.

There are so many of them.

“Of course,” chimes Arista. “The hospitality Laws of Xenia don’t look kindly on a guest of a host being murdered while under their care.”

I nod.

Of course.

Xenia, the codes of conduct between hosts and guests. Basically, the course of conduct between a guest and a host. One built on mutual respect and protection. Particularly for a host, it consists of making sure that a guest is well fed and no danger comes to them in the care of the host. Guests are expected to respect their hosts, bring stories of their travels, and return the privilege of being the host if they were to ever come calling on them. Makes more sense why they’d want to ramp up security.

Entering the dining room, Artemis and I are the first to arrive. Followed closely by Athena.

Ari was already there. Sitting, she smiles at me.

That girl moves so quickly sometimes.

Sitting down, we sip on our wine. The goblet of ambrosia to its right is calling my name. I pour myself a moderate sized glass.

As we wait for Apollo, food begins to be brought in. Bringing in the most decedent smells rich with bright flavors.

The doors fly open. Clattering against the wall.

Apollo hobbles in clutching his chest, his gait looks off. I ask, “What’s wrong with you, Apollo?”

“Probably should’ve been listening to his sister.” Ari rolls her eyes as she eyes Sun God from Ov’s old seat.

Shooting her a look, she shrugs her shoulders.

“I said what I said,” Arista replies coldly.

Artemis swivels her head to her twin. “Pandy will help! She was an aspiring apothecarist!” My friend enthusiastically says as she volunteers me to take a look at her brother’s chest.

“Perhaps we should send for Chiron,” I say. The centaur has been good to me. He’s healed me several times now. “I don’t want to step on his toes… Hooves. He is the healer of the gods.”

“Nonsense,” Apollo groans as gingerly sits down. Clutching his chest, I can see how much pain he’s currently in. “Come take a look. Chiron would probably appreciate the break.”

Athena scoffs, “The healer has been pretty occupied with the droves of satyrs and nymphs coming in. The man can hardly keep up as is.”

Be cool, I tell myself. act normal.

Focus on helping Apollo… not his sculpted chest or abs.

Styx help me.

Awkwardly, I rise. Standing, I walk around the table. Trying my hardest to keep as neutral of a face as I”m capable of.

Apollo pushes away from the table. Legs spread apart, back straight. Standing in front of him, I look down at his face.

Breathe,I remind myself.

But I keep thinking of that evening at his lodge.

We lock eyes and the air escapes my lungs. Slipping his arms rather stiffly out his toga, I watch as the fabric drops to his waist. Fabric drapes loosely around his hips.

Gaia, help me.

“What seems to be the problem,” my voice croaks. Other than the obvious fact that you”re turning to stone.

Taking my hands, he pulls me closer so that I’m standing in between his legs. His thighs pressing softly against me.

“My chest, I can’t bend or move it,” his voice is full of pain as he murmurs.

I shiver as my fingers trace the marbled skin. Now it’s almost fully encompassing his chest, “Why is it spreading so quickly?”

“Because the malaka needs to stop using magic,” the irate Artemis snarks. I turn to watch Apollo’s twin who is currently glaring at her brother with a grin as icy as the marble. With her look as cross as her arms, she adds, “It only makes the plague spread faster.”

My red haired companion nods emphatically at the Moon Goddess from over the shoulder of Apollo. Ari laughs, “Exactly, if he wasn’t so proud and actually listened, he’d not be in this situation now.”

“Artemis!” Athena warns gravely, Jumping into the conversation, she grips her spear. “Do not call the Lord of Caelum a name as lowly as that one.” Standing tall, the Goddess of Strategic War looks menacingly down onto the Moon Goddess.

My eyes darted to Apollo who stared at the two amused before turning to a servant. “Fetch Lady Pandy and I some nuts and dried fruit for this fight,” he orders jovially.

The servant starts to run for the kitchen as I state, “He’s kidding. I don’t need any snacks.” Giving him a pointed look, I roll my eyes.

The servant eyed Apollo skeptically. Wordlessly asking for orders. Shaking my head, I laugh softly.

“What?” he questions me.

“You and your propensity for violence,” groaning, I pull my eyes off of the god, back to the two feuding goddesses.

“Violence? No, not me. This is entertainment,” he cackles. Murmuring a thank you to the servant who provided the requested snack. Pushing the bowl toward me, he offers for me to take some.

Putting up my hand, I say, “Pass. Thank you.”

“Athena, I didn’t know you received a promotion. Congrats on your new role as a malaka ass kisser.” With a snap, Artemis conjures a brown square of fabric, handing it to her half sibling, “Here, for your nose.”

Athena’s face grows red in fury. Narrowing her eyes, the goddess warns, “Watch your words.” Her tone raises the hair on the back of my neck.

Apollo pounds his fists on the table, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” The metal plates and goblets clatter with each strike.

“You”re a child.” I roll my eyes. “Break up their fight.”

He ignores me. Gold eyes watching the spectacle before him. “I’m not an idiot,” Apollo states bluntly. “Through my years in this palace, I’ve learned that gods don’t step between feuding goddesses… unless they wish their balls to be chopped off or something equally horrifying.”

Yeah,” I reply as I scrunch my nose playfully at him. “I like the twig and berries intact.”

“Twig?! Berries?!” he demands indignantly. “More of a branch and pomegranates!”

Snorting, I turn my attention back to the two goddesses.

The two goddesses square up. Neither hitting each other. But the threat of it’s still there. My brain attempts to wrap my mind around the disaster that two dueling gods would have. A battlefield like no other.

All I know is, I’m with Apollo on this one. that I’m not putting myself between them. I value my life too much to dare get in the middle of this.

Animatedly, Artemis responds matching her half sibling’s energy, “If he’d behave, then I wouldn’t be required to call him such an accurate name.”

The two argued back and forth as I turned back to Apollo. Gold eyes me with his deep discerning eyes, “No worries. They do this all the time. I have only lost the occasional chair or table from their arguments.”

His words are only slightly comforting to me as I try to focus on his injury. “Would you warn me if a chair comes flying at the back of my head?”

“I do you one better,” he chuckles. “If one goes flying, I won’t let a single piece touch you.”

The way he stared at me; I knew he was serious. “How noble of you,” I reply.

I gave him a slight but encouraging smile as I examined his chest. The marble is cold. Unmoving. Not even as his chest rises and falls to breath. Instead, it’s fixed in place. “No wonder this is affecting your walking. Your abs are used when you walk.”

My vision trails down past his abs. Resting at his lap, which is tenting.

Muscled thighs press against my legs. A mischievous look creeps onto my face, I scrunch my nose, “Yes?”

“You’ve to give me a break.” A crooked smile flashes across his face. “It”s not every day that I have such a pretty girl between my legs.”

I feel myself flush. The magic hangs heavy in the air. The smell of bonfire smoke swirls around us. Making my skin buzz with excitement.

“Yes, you.” He pokes my nose playfully. “You look even more beautiful when you blush.”

Swallowing hard, I take a step back from him. “Not now,” I whisper. Tossing a look over my shoulder at his two feuding sisters who are throwing chairs.

Pulling me back in, he whispers. “Nothing that they haven’t seen before.” Dropping his voice low, it becomes more serious, “My Pandy, it will be time to sit on the throne soon. The Spring Equinox is fast approaching. tomorrow evening. I can feel it. You’ll be able to help me, help the court. Of course, that’s if you choose to, but I fear that if you won’t—”

“I will. as I told you before. Nothing has changed. Once the equinox comes, I”ll sit on the throne,” I blurt. He and his court don’t have time. Apollo would be a marble statue soon.

“So, with the Spring Equinox fast approaching, I won’t need to be worried about you making another one of your little escape attempts,” Apollo asks playfully while his eyes intently watch me. “The ritual is short and simple. A blimp in our road before you and I can live our happily ever after.”

I smile widely. We will be able to live happily. With no plague. No fears. No qualms. us, our friends and family.

Maybe he”ll help me find closure about what happened to dad.

My gut tells me that he must be alive, just like in my vision.

Maybe dad can come and live with me.

Servants dish out the food for each of our plates.

Three sets of dishes. With a snap of her fingers, a set appears in front of Arista. Picking up her fork and knife, she pushes the food around her plate. Sawing at the cut of meat like it was a brick.

Drama queen. Both you and him.

“No.” I whisper. “My home is here. Even if I need to sit on that throne. I”ll do it for the greater good.”

“Good.” Tracing long and slow circles on my knuckles, he whispers, “You”re such a blessing Pandora. A gift to me and the court.”

Broadly, I grin as I return to my seat, biting down on my smile.

“I”m saying,” Athena shouts. “He is the Lord of Caelum of this court; give him the respect he is due!” Apollo and I cut into the food dished out for us.

“Some Goddess of Wisdom you are. Could you use your brain for three seconds?” Never shouting, instead my friend’s tone was almost demeaning. Which aggravated her half-sister even more. Artemis rolls her eyes and replies calmly, “He is our brother. Also, if you’ve to resort to shouting, you lost the debate.”

Apollo and I share a look as we bite back snickers.

Athena on the other hand looked like she was going to jump the table toward her half-sister. as she opens her mouth, the Sun God cuts her off with a loud booming voice, “Athena, that’s enough!” He takes a deep breath, “Your brown nosing is ruining my ability to enjoy supper.”

His crooked smile flashed to me.

“Remember my warning,” Ari mutters. Her voice is sounding extremely annoyed. “The court will take everything from you if you let it. Your freedom. Your life. Your heart.”

Not like I have a choice. I refuse and they probably could slip the ambrosia into my food or force it down my throat.

“Better fighting than taking it on your back,” Arista snarks as she pushes the food around on her plate. If Ari and Artemis could meet, I think they’d be great friends. They’re so similar to one another that sometimes I need to focus on who I”m talking to.

I take a sip on my ambrosia. The liquid dances on my tongue like butterflies through a garden.

“Moron,” mutters Arista.

The doors burst open. A bloodied guard limps into the room.

Artemis and Apollo stand. Ready for attack.

“Lord Apollo, Lady Artemis, Commander Athena,” he bows stiffly, a large black oozing cute from his arm spills onto the floor. “There’s a shadowed cloaked person in the place.” The guard cups his forearm.

Even from this distance, I can tell he is badly injured. Black inky blood is splattered on the floor behind and under him.

“Shadows,” whispers Arista almost excitedly.

I shoot her a look. Signaling that this isn’t the time to be gleeful. Someone is injured and heavily bleeding out on the floor of the dining room.

“He needs help now,” I turn to Apollo. “If we can’t get that bleeding under control he”ll bleed out.”

Looking over to the Sun God, I see fear leaking into his position. Ready to attack.

He ignores me. “Tell me what you know,” booms Apollo.

“A… a god. He has to be. With a helm strapped into his hip.” The guard whimpered from pain. “In the gardens.”

“Apollo,” I stress. “Send for Chiron. He needs help now.”

This is beyond what I’m capable of healing. Especially without any potions or remedies.

Golden eyes flash in my direction, “Do not give me orders. I”m busy.” Turning away from me, he turns to the guards around the room. Apollo orders “Guards half of you follow me to the gardens, half of you stay to watch Artemis and Pandy. Athena, come with me.”

Artemis is affronted and whips out her bow and arrows, “Brother, you and I have been trained for battle since we were children. You can’t expect me to sit here and wait here like some damsel in distress. I”m not in need of protection.” Wielding her weapon, she posed like she was ready to defend herself.

“I”m not worried about you,” his eyes dart to me. “Please.”

Crossing her arms, she pouts, “Fine. But when you don’t catch him, don’t come crying to me.”

“Apollo isn’t the type to cry. No, he is more of the type to blow up when someone doesn’t let him get his way,” mutters Ari.

Arista, how could you possibly know that? He has been a great host to us. Following the Laws of Xenia as expected.

“Like when he kidnapped you?” Ari whispers, “Just you wait,”

Please don’t talk about him this way. I think I may love him.

A realization that I have been coming closer and closer to accepting.

And I think he loves me.

Arista remains silent. The guards split up. Half staying with Artemis and me. The others exit the room with Apollo and Athena.

Standing, I approach the guard curled against the ground, “Want me to take a look? I”m no Chiron but perhaps I can stabilize it for when he can look after you.”

Checking his waist, I checked for a belt.

Nothing.

Turning to another guard, I extend my hand, I ask, “May I use your belt?” My neck craned to see his face. He was not as tall as Apollo, but he was much taller than me.

The guard paled. Uncomfortably, he brushes his fingers through his hair. “What’re you going to do with it? Don’t you think he has been through enough?”

I roll my eyes. “It”s for a tourniquet. Unless you prefer him to bleed out on the floor,” I explain. Still waiting on the belt.

Skeptically he stares down at me and then over to the Moon Goddess who states, “Listen to her orders.”

Nodding, He removes his belt, handing it over to me. “Thank you.”

The guard remains silent, now holding his pants up with one hand and wielding a weapon in another.

Turning to the wounded guard, “Ready?”

The man sits prone. Not moving.

“Artemis, help me lay him on his back,” I ask, and she jumps up. Reaching for his shoulders we pull.

Jolting backwards, Artemis and I share a look. Where there once was a man is now an empty set of armor. Shadows spread through the room as the armor plates clatter to the floor.

The inky black blood disappeared. I finger the dagger holstered in my leg chains, my hand reaching under the slit of my dress. Artemis thought this would be a great method of hiding a weapon. With a pinch of magic, I now have a concealed weapon.

“What in Hades,” I whisper breathlessly as the darkness dissipates.

She pulls her bow out, surveying the area.

Where the guard stood, now only inky black blood and his uniform lays on the ground. His body is gone.

Tossing the belt on to the guard I took it from, I murmur a thanks to him.

The belt falls to his feet as he watches his fallen comrade in horror.

“What kind of magic was that?” I ask.

“Shadow magic,” she whispers. “One of the darkest kinds in all of the courts.”

“Great, and the source of what happened to him, is what they’re trying to track?” Following up her answer with yet another question.

She nods solemnly, “Time to get comfy. We will be here for a while.”

Artemis was right. For hours we sat in the private dining room waiting for the threat to be apprehended. Idly waiting for them to return.

To pass the time, Artemis and I sit telling stories of our family. Peering out the windows and listening at the doors. To which the guards would request that we sit down for our safety, but none pushed Artemis. She was not one to cross and they knew it.

Apollo returns hours later covered in sweat and full of frustration.

“How did it go?” asked Artemis with a wicked grin. “Regretting not taking the best archer of the court?”

“I had the best archer in the court with,” he scoffs as he bows before giving her his cocky smile. “Yours truly were present after all. I doubt having the number two would have done much to help our case. He slipped into the shadows. The town”s guards are searching for him as we speak.”

Arista laughs, “Cocky little…” Her voice trails off.

Maybe this shadowy figure was the one who had it out for Ov and me.“Are they connected to the attacks?” I ask as my voice trembles.

“Uncertain,” Apollo replies, clipping his words.

I groan. “How comforting. You’ve impeccable bedside manners. Who taught you?” Pausing, I catch myself before asking if his dad taught him. With my dad, it would be a compliment to be compared to him, but Apollo and Zeus weren’t the same way. Being associated with Zeus here isn’t good.

In fact, some see it as a mark of evil.

He rolls his eyes at me all the same. “Haha, very funny,” he mutters snarkily. “You seem to be spending too much time with my sister. I don’t remember you being this mouthy.”

Artemis roars, “ME? You”re the bad influence here!”

“Are you saying that I wasn’t mouthy before? Newsflash, I definitely was.” I challenged him as I rolled my eyes.

The Sun God sees me as this wilting flower. One that if the world was too forceful, that I would crumble away into nothing.

But he was wrong and I hate being underestimated.

Crossing my arms, I glare at the man. Thinking back to the night Apollo and I met, he certainly should know this about me.

“Where’s the soldier?” Apollo asks as he tips his head toward the shadow-stained ground.

I gestured to the pile of discarded clothes and armor. “He was a distraction. His body was made of shadows.”

The tan god paled, looking in the direction of the heap, then turning back to me and Artemis, “That’s it, tomorrow we won’t be attending the festival in public. You two will remain in your rooms in the castle. I”ll head into town, fulfill my ceremonial roles and then return. When the appropriate hour approaches, we will meet in the Throne Room,” he declares.

“What?” I groan. “This is my first equinox in Olympus and I’m going.”

“No way,” he shakes his head. His eyes look about as stone-like as his chest, “Far worse than shadows are lurking in my court and I’m not putting you at risk.”

This is something that he won’t budge on.

Don’t worry,I give him a pouting glare. You won’t have to.