10. Aphrodite
10
APHRODITE
“ G oddess, are you certain we cannot help you with anything?” The acolyte’s voice is timid, and the meekness of it compounds Aphrodite’s irritation.
Huffing at the sweaty tendril of hair that continues to cling to her face, Aphrodite snaps, “Get. Out.”
She smirks at the sound of eagerly retreating footsteps and looks around the heaping piles once more. In her many years of immortal life, she does not recall a single time that she has stepped foot into the storage rooms of her temple. Piles of junk clutter every surface, and Aphrodite sifts through the ancient linens, dusty furniture, and useless trinkets.
“The fates of many may rest in your hands. An object of great power, forgotten by all, will play a role in the days to come. Something you possess, goddess. Can you see it?”
The words from the woman beneath Athena’s temple cycle through Aphrodite’s mind on a loop. What could it possibly be?
Coughing as she wipes the dust of the millionth painting away, she squints to make out its subject. Large stones jut out of the earth, with the ground around them peppered with small white flowers that feel so familiar, but she cannot recall why.
The paintings fall back against the wall with a loud clack , and she brushes the dust from her hands on her skirts before calling it quits. It has been an entire day since she last saw Icarus, and Aphrodite is eager to return to Athena’s temple to see her lover.
When she reaches the top of the steps leading up from the storage room, Aphrodite pauses to check her reflection in the large mirror hanging on the wall. Her eyes skim over the familiar ridges and scales of the dragon that wraps around the circular frame, swallowing its own tail. There is a mirror exactly like this one in every temple, but if they possess any magical qualities, they have yet to be discovered.
Satisfied that her reflection meets her meticulous standards, Aphrodite walks the quiet halls of her temple back to her chambers. The ocean breeze fills the open-air corridors and wraps around the goddess, kissing her skin with salt and sunshine.
Soft rose scents greet Aphrodite when she enters her rooms, along with her curtains flapping happily in the oceanic gusts. A pang of homesickness clamors in her chest. She has spent centuries making her temple feel like home, but there has been very little time lately to spend here. It’s all worth it, though. To see her again.
Guilt nags at Aphrodite, an unusual emotion for the goddess. This is Icarus’s last life cycle. She knows she needs to tell Icarus but cannot bring herself to do so.
It will change everything. It will put too much pressure on Icarus to love me. She deserves to live this life unburdened with the knowledge that it is her last.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Aphrodite collects a few items and calls for an acolyte. A small girl comes running in, eyes wide as she awaits the goddess’s instructions.
“Prepare my ship. If it is not ready to make for the Temple of Wisdom by the time I reach the docks, the next vessel this crew sees will be ferrying them across the Styx.”
“Yes, goddess.” The acolyte nods vigorously and quickly exits her chambers.
T he private dock for the gods at the Temple of Wisdom is calm and quiet as Aphrodite’s ship pulls into the harbor, sailing past the main marina and its cacophony of sound and activity. The vessel gracefully slides into one of the open spaces, and Aphrodite narrows her eyes when she sees Zeus’s vessel alongside Athena’s, grumbling under her breath. This will surely further delay her reaching Icarus.
Aphrodite recalls the time when gods could be with whomever they chose, when they were able to be out in the open together. It was during Andromeda’s life cycle that the Pantheon’s pettiness and ego grew—along with their paranoia.
Leaving the crew to handle the ship, Aphrodite makes for the main temple, walking as quickly as she can without appearing in a hurry.
Mount Stymphalia is visible in the distance behind the top of the Temple of Wisdom poking between the trees.
As she makes her way through the manicured walkways lined with oleander and poplar trees, her mind is a jumble of thoughts and worry. It is likely Zeus is here for an innocuous reason, but Aphrodite will be on edge until she knows what that it is.
Only a few steps into the temple, a low voice greets Aphrodite. “Ah. There she is.”
Turning to her right, Aphrodite finds Athena and Zeus walking into the large foyer. “See? I told you we would be better off waiting for her here.” Her deep red lips twitch into a smirk as her voluminous curly red hair tumbles over her armored shoulders.
“Aphrodite,” Zeus begins, stroking his long grey beard, “what a surprise to find you here… again.”
“I did not know my movements were being monitored and restricted,” Aphrodite responds evenly.
Zeus laughs, and Aphrodite fights a sneer. “Nonsense. I am just curious. However, your deflection makes me question if the matter does not warrant further scrutiny.”
He is suspicious. He will kill Icarus. I cannot lose her again—for the last time.
“Of course not. I just needed a change of scenery.” Aphrodite pats Zeus’s chest playfully. “Besides, I wouldn’t expect you to be complaining about me being closer.”
Zeus’s eyes darken. “Indeed, I would not be, but this time you are spending here seems to be keeping you from my bed.”
“My deepest apologies.” Aphrodite paints a demure smile on her face. “I was unaware that our carnal activities were this important to you. I assumed the great Zeus could easily have any maiden in his bed and surely would not notice the absence of a lone goddess.” Fluttering her eyelashes, she clings to Zeus’s bicep in a way that she knows makes him feel strong and powerful.
“Until I release you from my bed, you are not to make assumptions about what I do or do not want.” His tone is icy, his eyes hard as he glares at Aphrodite.
“Of course.” Aphrodite nods, bowing slightly, fighting the look of disgust desperately trying to break free.
Athena steps forward. “Shall I have the most beautiful daughters here on my island rounded up and sent to your chambers?” she asks.
Zeus nods at Athena, only turning to leave after letting his stare simmer over Aphrodite for another moment.