Epilogue
“Idon’t believe it! We’ve done it, wind man!”
Zephyr watched in amazement as light filled the once-gloomy Underworld. Thanks to their meddling, the final Son of Olympus had fallen in love, and the flames of Olympus would burn brightly once more. The breezes danced around him and Iris in excitement, engulfing them in a scattering of blossom, until the pair gazed into each other’s eyes.
“Does this mean… we’re heroes?”
“You bet! I always knew we’d make quite the team.” Iris’ eyes sparkled in the light, until she broke into a warm smile. “Thank you, for the greatest adventure of my life.”
Zephyr drew a startled breath, taken aback by the mischievous Goddess’ unusual sincerity.
“Iris, I…” Zephyr gazed into Iris’ technicolor eyes as he tried to summon the right words. He thought of all the times his doubts had held him back. But if he’d learned one thing from the Sons of Olympus, it was the importance of speaking from the heart. He summoned his courage, and drew on the strength of his winds to guide him. “There’s been something I’ve been wanting to tell you…”
Before Zephyr could finish, a golden light enveloped his body, until he was lifted high into the heavens. He blinked in surprise as he found himself returned to the palace of Olympus, where a sea of well-wishers greeted him, and the sound of music filled his ears.
“What the…”
“Behold, our heroes have returned!”
A chorus of cheers echoed through the marble palace of Olympus, while a spectacle of fireworks filled the heavens. Zephyr looked in bewilderment as a party launched into full swing within the palace courtyard, and watched as a Minotaur led a conga line across the dancefloor, while Artemis merrily used a toffee apple stall as target practice for her archery.
“My Queen?” Zephyr looked in surprise as Hera emerged breathless and red-faced from the conga line. “What is the meaning of all this?”
“Why, it’s your hero’s ball, of course! You’ve done it, both of you.” Hera smiled warmly, before she cleared her throat and addressed the revelers. “When darkness threatened our lands, one hero and heroine set forth to restore the flames of Olympus. They braved the fiercest of storms and the hottest of infernos, plunged into the depths of the oceans and ventured into the darkest of nights, all to fill the Sons of Olympus’ hearts with the light of love. And thanks to them, Olympus will shine bright once more. Behold, the flames of Olympus!”
A roar of flames erupted from the hearth, powered by the magic of the Sons of Olympus. Zephyr watched in awe as the magical flame burned brighter, filling the palace with light, until the darkness receded from its touch.
“I always knew that the two of you would make quite the team.” Hera smiled as she turned to face Zephyr and Iris. “And now, for your reward.”
Zephyr blinked in surprise as Hera conjured two objects in her hand. Between his brush with the ghosts of the Underworld, and his crush on Iris, he’d forgotten all about his reasons for setting out on this adventure. He peered closer at the sparkling objects, before Hera spoke once more.
“For you, Iris, a key to my personal vaults. Take any treasures that will add an extra sparkle to your rainbows.” Hera’s smile deepened as she turned to Zephyr. “And for you, my loyal subject…”
“My hero’s license!”
Zephyr looked in wonder at the parchment, stamped with the official hero’s seal of Olympus. For years, he’d dreamed of this moment. Of officially becoming a hero, and being welcomed into the Heroes Bar with open arms. Of spending long nights drinking champagne in the company of the greats, and regaling the Muses with tales of his heroic adventures. And yet, despite being granted everything he’d wished for, Zephyr felt flat, as though the wind had been taken out of his sails.
“Is something the matter?” Hera glanced between the crestfallen pair. “Are these not the treasures you desire?”
“No. I mean yes. I mean…” Zephyr ran a hand through his windswept hair, and shook his head. “I’m not sure, really. I always thought obtaining my hero’s license would be a dream come true. But something feels like it’s missing...”
“Hmmm.” Hera paced along the marble floors, deep in thought, before she smiled knowingly at the pair. “If that’s the case, perhaps you should remember what you’ve learned on your adventure.”
Zephyr scratched his head. “That too many meat buns are bad for my cholesterol?”
“No, Zephyr. You must remember that the greatest treasure in the world isn’t an object of riches, or power, or status. It’s love.” Hera glanced between the pair, while her eyes twinkled in the starlight. “Enjoy the party, heroes.”
At once, the revelers resumed their festivities, until the palace of Olympus was filled with merry-making once more. Zephyr yelped as a sea of well-wishers and social climbers fought for his attention like a tug of war, each desperate to hear juicy tidbits of his grand adventures, before he stumbled towards the dancefloor. He searched through the swaying crowd, trying to spot Iris, before a melodic voice filled the air, and a hand grabbed his.
“Zephyr? Our hero!”
Zephyr balked in surprise as nine radiant women surrounded him. Each of them wore flowing silk chiffon robes that highlighted the curves of their body, while their perfectly styled hair gently billowed in an invisible breeze that carried faint notes of an enchanting melody. One by one, their painted lips curved into a smile, while their beautiful, bewitching eyes were focused on him.
“The… Muses…“ Zephyr stuttered in surprise, convinced this must be some kind of cosmic misunderstanding. “Wait, I’m your hero?”
“Of course you are. Why, you’re the most popular hero in all of Olympus!” Zephyr’s eyes widened in shock as Calliope, the leader of the group, leaned in suggestively, while her retinue fussed and fawned over him. “You must tell us everything. Was it dangerous? Did you overcome Herculean trials, and single-handedly fight armies of foul beasts?”
“Well, not exactly… I was more of a meddler…” Zephyr’s stomach rumbled as he inhaled the irresistible scent of fried onions, before he plucked a hot dog from a passing waiter. “But all that work sure built my appetite!”
As Zephyr squirted a dollop of mustard onto the bun, the Muses collectively gasped in horror at the sight of the snack. He yelped in surprise as Calliope slapped the hot dog from his hands, before he turned to her in confusion.
“Hey, what are you doing–”
“You’re a hero now, Zephyr. Which means you need to look and act the part.” Calliope flashed Zephyr a smile that reminded him of a crocodile before it devoured its prey. “From now on, there’ll be no more meat buns, and plenty more of these.”
Zephyr looked in despair as Calliope passed him a glass of sludgy green juice.
“Kale smoothies?” He took a sip, and grimaced at the bitter slimy taste. “Ugh, this tastes like a Titan’s toe fungus…”
“Come now, Zephyr, you’ll have to get used to this if you want to be a hero.” Calliope placed a hand on his chest, and batted her eyelashes suggestively. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“I guess…”
“Good. Hera has put us in charge of your press tour, which means we have no time to waste.” Calliope clicked her fingers, like an army general summoning the Muses to attention. “Melpo, measure him for a new set of robes, and burn these mustard-stained rags in the hearth. Clio, get him booked into Ares’ Boot Camp right away. And Urania, would you stop staring at your reflection for once, and do something about that wind-swept hair of his?”
Zephyr’s heart sank as the Muses disappeared in a flurry of their silken robes. So much for being a hero. If Calliope and her Muses had their way, they would change every single part of him. He gazed at the party glumly, feeling more alone than ever despite the crowds, and paced along the overflowing banquets, longingly looking at every forbidden deep-fried treat. As his stomach rumbled in protest, he checked the coast was clear, and snuck a hot dog in his pocket, before Calliope could spot him. But he paused as he spotted a lone figure in the distance, who sent rainbows arcing across the clouds like skimming stones.
“Iris?” Zephyr drifted away from the party, before he joined the Goddess of Rainbows. “I was worried you’d be halfway across the world, picking fights with leprechauns by now.”
“I thought I’d stay and see what all the fuss is about.” But Iris sighed as she watched the festivities unfold. “Although this party isn’t as fun as I thought it would be.”
“You can say that again.” Zephyr’s heart sank, before he returned his gaze to Iris. “You know, I’ve been thinking. I know we’ve reached the end of our adventure with the Sons of Olympus. But what if…”
“Zephyr? There you are!”
Zephyr groaned as Calliope and her retinue of Muses marched towards him. He held up his hands in peace, and glanced guiltily at the hot dog stuffed in his robes.
“I haven’t eaten any meat buns, I swear!”
“I should hope not! Now quit dawdling and get yourself to the Heroes Bar, pronto. We’ve assembled every journalist this side of Olympus, and they’re dying to hear about your heroic exploits.” Calliope’s mouth thinned as she took in Zephyr’s wind-swept appearance. “But first, we need to get you into hair and makeup. Perhaps something from Aphrodite’s beauty drawer will help you look the part…”
“I guess…” A wave of dread washed over Zephyr at the thought, until he glanced at Iris. “Aren’t you coming too? We’re a team, remember?”
But despite the sparkle in Iris’ eyes, Calliope shook her head dismissively.
“Sorry, Zephyr, but it’s a heroes-only policy. And that technicolor troublemaker doesn’t have a license.” Calliope sneered dismissively at Iris. “The Heroes Bar has standards to maintain, after all.”
Iris’ brows furrowed into a deep scowl, while her hair turned a deep shade of green. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be leaving soon, anyway.”
Zephyr spluttered in surprise. “You will?”
“That’s right. I have a score to settle with some tiny Irishmen, who seem to think they can help themselves to the pot of gold at the end of my rainbows.” But Iris’ steely glare softened as she turned to Zephyr. “Unless… you wanted… to join me?”
Zephyr’s heart soared in his chest at the prospect, like a bird catching the most glorious of breezes. But before he could respond, Calliope stepped between them, her eyes narrowed into a menacing glare.
“Of course he doesn’t wish to join you. Zephyr is a hero of Olympus now, and he can’t be seen cavorting with the riff-raff.” Calliope sneered at the hurt in Iris’ eyes, before she took Zephyr’s hand with a pincer-like grip, and pulled him towards the Heroes Bar. “This way, Zephyr! This is the beginning of the rest of your life. A better life…”
Zephyr glanced between the two women. “Iris, I…”
But the light that had once sparkled in Iris’ eyes faded, until only darkness remained. Her hair turned to a dull gray, before she lowered her gaze to the floor.
“She’s right. I wouldn’t want to cramp your style, hero.“ Zephyr flinched as Iris spat out her words like poison. She looked at him with hurt in her eyes, before she turned her back on him, and on Olympus. “See you around, wind man.”
“Iris, wait, I…”
But Zephyr cursed as Calliope pulled him through the crowds with the strength and determination of a Minotaur. His mind tossed and turned like winds at sea, while his heart sank with every step. This was supposed to be everything he ever wanted. He’d returned to Olympus a hero, and had finally gained the attention of the Muses. And yet, with each passing second, it felt like a big mistake. There would be no more harebrained, daredevil adventures. There would be no more meat buns. And there would be no more Iris.
A deep rumble shook the marble floors, shaking the delicate fairy lights hung above. Calliope paused, and glanced at her surroundings warily.
“What was that?”
“Probably my stomach.” Zephyr glanced at the food-laden tables hungrily. “I’m positively ravished.”
“No, look!”
Zephyr followed Calliope’s gaze, to the hearth of Olympus. His eyes widened as the flames spluttered out, until the golden light that had once bloomed now faded to darkness. The shadows lengthened and extended, consuming everything they touched, until a terrible roar shook the foundations of Olympus.
“I don’t understand.” Zephyr turned to Hera as she raced from the dancefloor. “What’s happening?”
“The light of love doesn’t burn brightly enough.” Hera’s face paled as the shadows advanced, while fear shone in her eyes. “We failed… and Olympus will fall.”
Zephyr drew a startled breath as the darkness lengthened and solidified. A pair of claws emerged from the shadows, followed by a long reptilian body with wings that stretched into the sky. Zephyr looked in horror as a vast obsidian dragon prowled from the darkness, its reptilian skin made from the most twisted of shadows, before it released a flame of darkness into the air. But as its eyes narrowed at the party-going Olympians, Zephyr knew that this was no ordinary beast. It was a Titan.
At once, the party erupted into pandemonium. Zephyr watched in bewilderment as the Minotaur charged through food-laden tables in fear, sending pyramids of champagne flutes shattering to the ground, while Aphrodite and Athena played tug of war with the Helmet of Invisibility. Where once the party had been filled with merry-making and mirth, now chaos reigned. And as Olympians fled for their lives from the sight of the fearsome monster, Zephyr knew he had no time to waste.
“We need to get out of here!” Calliope tugged Zephyr across the dancefloor, while her retinue cowered behind an elaborate ice sculpture. “Quickly, to the Heroes Bar!”
But Zephyr studied the crowds fearfully, sensing something was amiss. He searched through the sea of panicked party-goers, only for his stomach to lurch as he noticed one person remained missing.
“Wait, where’s Iris?”
“Oh, who cares where that rainbow-making ruffian is?” Calliope shook her head in disdain and tugged Zephyr towards the safety of the bar. “The best thing we can do is to sit in a bar, drink champagne, and wait until the danger passes, like true heroes.”
“But she could be in danger!”
“Then we’ll write a moving ballad about her untimely demise.” Calliope tugged Zephyr towards the Heroes Bar once more, before she fixed him with a furious scowl. “I won’t ask you again, Zephyr. Either you come to the Heroes Bar this instant, or you’ll lose your chance to step foot in there, forever.”
Zephyr met Calliope’s gaze, knowing that if he followed her, he could finally live the life he’d so desperately wanted. A life where he would finally be noticed, and treated as a hero of Olympus. He looked longingly at the Muses, and the cloud-covered Heroes Bar, knowing they were just a step away. And he realized he’d made his decision.
“All my life I’ve wanted to fit in with the heroes of Olympus. It’s why I agreed to find the Sons of Olympus and set out on this adventure. I did it all to impress you. To finally feel like I belong here.” Zephyr smiled, before he shook his head. “But I was wrong. I never needed to fit in here, and I never needed to impress you. Because I’ve found where I belong. And it’s with that rainbow-making ruffian!”
“You’re going to choose her over us?“ Calliope turned to Zephyr with fury in her eyes. “Think about this, Zephyr! With us, you could have everything you ever dreamed of. You could be worshiped across Olympus. You could fill entire vaults with riches and treasures–”
“If I’ve learned one thing from the Sons of Olympus, it’s this.” Zephyr smiled as he turned his back on the Muses. “The greatest treasures in life are those of the heart. And I’m going to save mine!”
“Zephyr, come back here this instant!” Calliope stamped her foot with rage, her usual melodic voice now tainted with fury. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Zephyr broke into a wide grin as he bade farewell to the life he’d once wanted. “I’m going to be a hero. A real hero!”
Without another word, Zephyr raced towards the pandemonium. He leaped over fallen tables, slid past melting ice sculptures, and searched through panic-stricken crowds. With every step, he let his heart guide him, as he sought to find a lone figure within the chaos.
“Iris!” Zephyr called out for her, summoning his winds to carry his plea. “Iris, where are you?”
“Get off me, you oversized brute!”
Zephyr’s blood turned cold as Iris’ voice echoed from the darkness. He turned to see a flash of her technicolor hair as the Titan snatched her in its claws, holding her tight with a vice-like grip.
“Iris!” Zephyr called out fearfully as the Titan released a plume of fire that singed the surrounding air. “Just, hold on!”
“Wind man?” Iris glanced at Zephyr in surprise, before she folded her arms and shot him a formidable glare. “I’m surprised a hero like you has time for the riff-raff like me.”
“I’m sorry, Iris.” Zephyr held her gaze beseechingly. “Please, let me help.”
Iris’ eyes narrowed, while her lips pursed with indecision. But as an earth-shattering roar from the Titan echoed through the palace, she groaned in defeat.
“Fine. If you want to help, you can start by teaching this brute some manners.” She held her nose as the Titan dangled her towards his jaws. “His breath stinks!”
“Perhaps it would be best to avoid insulting the Titan until we get you down from there…” Zephyr gulped as the dragon turned its reptilian eyes towards him, before he cleared his throat and summoned what little courage remained. “I say, you there! Would you be an awfully good fellow and release her this instant… if you don’t mind?”
Zephyr yelped as the Titan released a bellowing roar that shook his bones. He staggered backwards from the force, and whimpered as the giant creature approached. He racked his brains, trying to find a solution to free Iris, and end the darkness once and for all. But right now, he needed a miracle.
Zephyr drew a startled breath as a flash of golden light filled the air. At first, he thought it was a comet, or a shooting star. But his eyes widened as the light neared, until two figures sped towards him.
“I warned you that nothing good would come from Spooks’ jelly parties with the Titans.” Zephyr looked in surprise as the winds carried the bickering of a familiar pair of voices. “Now, let’s get you back to Tartarus, where you belong.”
Zephyr watched as Shadow and Zoe soared through the air in their spectral forms, their bodies shimmering in a magical dance of light and shadow. The darkness rippled at Shadow’s command, until thick vines ensnared the Titan’s legs, trapping it in place.
“What the…”
The Titan roared in fury and thrashed in a savage display of strength. Deep fractures emerged along the vines as they struggled to restrain the formidable beast, before it gathered a plume of flame within its jaws. But before the Titan could release its blow, a flash of stardust filled the air, until another couple approached.
“Looks like you need a helping hand.” Locke broke into a roguish grin as he flipped a coin between his fingers. “A sprinkle of Lady Luck’s magic should help even the odds.”
With a joyful laugh, he surfed along a golden path of stardust, while Thea raced beside him. Together, they soared past the Titan in a flash, disorientating it until it staggered backwards from the blinding light.
“That oversized brute has two left feet!” A third voice echoed from the heavens, as a pair of birds sped through the clouds. “And I, for one, think it’s time it left the spotlight.”
A pair of gold and silver birds burst through the clouds as Luc and Calli flew on the backs of their familiars. The creatures gathered a magical energy within their beaks, before they struck the Titan in an explosion of light. But despite the onslaught, the great beast roared once more, and lashed out with its gigantic tail.
“It’s time for you to return to whatever depths you’ve come from.” A voice called from deeper in the palace, until the sound of galloping hooves echoed across the marble floors. “Perhaps this will change the tides of this battle.”
Zephyr watched in amazement as Kai and Cora raced through the palace on two horses. He waved to Meg as she whinnied in greeting, while Kai’s magnificent white stallion charged towards the Titan. Together, they wove a fishing net across the great beast, binding it in place. It reached towards them with its giant jaws, its fangs snapping as it tried to devour them in one fell swoop.
“I’ve spent my life fighting toothier monsters than you.” A pair of winged figures soared from the heavens, a golden light radiating from heart-shaped pendants at their chests. “And with the light of love, we’ll banish you back to the darkness where you belong.”
With a roar, Valentine and Elle flew towards the beast, striking it with golden blades of light. It reeled from the impact, before it bellowed with a deadly fury. But Zephyr braced itself as the Titan gathered a plume of flame in its jaws. The creature might be wounded, but it could still burn Olympus to a crisp.
“Looks like things are heating up around here.” A gravelly voice reverberated through the skies, followed by the beating of wings. “Which means we’re just in time.”
A flash of gold sped through the heavens like a comet, as a golden dragon soared towards the Titan. Ash roared in greeting, before releasing a fireball of golden flame, while Ember hurled a javelin from her perch on his back. Zephyr watched in awe as they struck the creature of darkness, until its body began to fade from the onslaught. But he gasped as the beast tore free from its restraints and beat its wings, trying to make its escape with Iris still clutched firmly in its claws. He braced himself as the Titan’s wings summoned powerful gusts of wind that tore through the palace, until dark storm clouds billowed in the surrounding skies.
“So much for the calm before the storm.” A deep voice reverberated through the skies like a peal of thunder, as the pitter patter of rain fell from the heavens above. “Hold on to your umbrellas. Something tells me it’s going to be one hell of a ride!”
The thunderous revving of motorcycle engines echoed through Olympus as the Stormchasers sped through skies. Together, Tempest and Zed raced towards the Titan in a blur of pure speed, until they struck the creature with a pair of lightning bolts. A plume of smoke engulfed the creature, until its howls shook the foundations of Olympus. But as the smoke cleared, Zephyr cursed as the creature remained standing. A deadly fury blazed within its eyes, until it turned to Iris with a snarl.
“Hey, let go of her, you big bully!”
Before he could think twice, Zephyr charged towards the Titan with a war cry. He reached into his robes, hoping to withdraw a legendary weapon worthy of a hero. He longed for a Herculean club, for Achilles’ spear, even for Apollo’s bow. But his eyes widened as the scent of fried onions filled the air, and he retrieved a squished hot dog from his pockets.
“Help me, wind man!”
Zephyr glanced at the hot dog, and narrowed his gaze at the Titan. Well, it might not be the finest weapon in Olympus, but it was better than nothing.
“Take this!”
With a roar, Zephyr hurled the hotdog at the Titan. It soared through the air like a javelin, until it struck the creature in the eye, in an explosion of mustard and onion. The Titan howled in pain, before it stumbled towards the precipice of Olympus and plummeted into the void with a ferocious roar. Zephyr gasped as Iris tumbled from its claws, and summoned his winds to break her fall.
“Iris?” Zephyr drew a shaky breath as his winds gently laid her on the marble floors of the palace. “Iris, are you okay?”
With a groan, her eyes fluttered open, until they gazed at Zephyr in surprise.
“Wind man… you saved me.”
“Of course I saved you!” Zephyr sighed with relief, before he helped the goddess to her feet. “Iris, I have something to tell you. Something I’ve been trying to tell you for some time now.” Zephyr drew a breath as he tried to summon the right words. “You might be the most infuriating pixie woman I’ve ever met…”
“Is that so?” Zephyr gulped as Iris broke into a fierce scowl. So much for finding the perfect words. “Well, you’re a big bag of hot air.”
“Let me finish! You’re reckless, you’re hot-headed, and your harebrained ideas have nearly ended the world countless times. And yet…” Despite the murderous glare in Iris’ eyes, Zephyr broke into a smile. “Being with you has been the greatest adventure of my life. And I never want it to end.”
“You… you really feel that way?” Iris’ scowl softened, yet her uncertainty remained. “But what about your new hero friends? Don’t you think they’ll have a problem with you hanging out with a technicolor troublemaker like me?”
Zephyr pulled his hero’s license from his pocket, knowing he had to make a choice. He smiled as he gazed at the document, knowing it was his ticket to finally fitting in with the rich and famous of Olympus. And yet, as he returned his gaze to Iris, he knew this was the easiest decision he’d had to make in a lifetime. With a grin, he tore the parchment in two, and chuckled as he heard the shriek of the Muses drift from the Heroes Bar.
“I don’t need a piece of paper to tell me I’m a hero. Because when I’m with you, you make me feel like the greatest hero in the world.” Zephyr glanced at Iris nervously. “That is, if you’ll have me by your side?”
Iris’ brows furrowed in thought, until her scowl eased, and her eyes sparkled once more.
“Well, I suppose we do make quite the team.” Iris’ hair turned into a kaleidoscope of colors, until she broke into a smile. “You’ve got yourself a deal, wind man.”
With a joyful laugh, Iris leaped towards Zephyr, until their lips met in a glorious embrace. As they held each other for the first time, the winds danced in delight, while rainbows arced through the sky in celebration. At once, a golden flame roared to life within the hearth of Olympus, until the palace, and the heavens beyond, were filled with a radiant light.
“I… I don’t understand.” Zephyr looked in surprise at the beautiful sight. “The flames have returned. But… how?”
“Love, Zephyr. That was always the key to saving Olympus.“ Hera smiled as she emerged amongst the wreckage of the party, before she gazed pointedly at the pair. “For the flames to return, we needed all of our Sons of Olympus to find their true love. Yourself included.”
“Me?“ Zephyr spluttered in shock. “Do you mean to tell me this was your plan all along? That you’ve been meddling this entire time?”
“Oh, whatever would give you that idea?” Hera broke into a calculated smile. “I merely promised that you would both find the greatest treasure in the world. And it looks as though you’ve finally found it.” Hera’s eyes sparkled joyfully as she gazed at the embracing pair. “Now, I certainly won’t let a Titan’s tantrum stand in the way of our festivities. We have a party to enjoy!”
With a clap of her hands, the merry-making resumed once more. Zephyr watched as the Sons of Olympus and their true loves joined the festivities. He smiled as Luc and Calli took to the dancefloor, chuckled as Thea scolded Locke for pocketing ancient relics, and marveled as Shadow and Zoe guided a group of will-ó-wisps to perform a beautiful light show for the onlookers. As Valentine and Elle soared through the heavens in a shimmer of stardust, Zed, Ash and Kai raced across land, sky and sea, much to the dismay of their partners. Everywhere Zephyr turned, he was greeted with scenes of laughter and joy. And as the Sons of Olympus’ hearts filled with love, the flames of Olympus burned brighter, until the last of the shadows melted away.
“Looks like we saved the day.” Zephyr sighed with relief, and smiled as he held Iris in his arms. “I, for one, am looking forward to a well-deserved rest.”
“Not so fast, Zephyr.” Hera appeared beside the pair, while her lips curved into a smile. “I have a job for you.”
“You’ve got to be kidding?” Zephyr spluttered with indignation. “I’ve only just finished this one!”
“What can I say?” Hera smiled, as if delighting in torturing the long-suffering Olympian. “There’s no rest for the heroes of Olympus.”
“Oh, no…” Zephyr shook his head at the calculated gleam in his queen’s eyes. “I refuse to meddle in the affairs of any more Olympians. Your love lives are hardly fairy tale romances. They’re nightmares!”
“Well then, perhaps this assignment will be more to your liking.” Hera’s eyes flashed with a calculated gleam, before she handed Zephyr a parchment of instructions. “I need you both to visit the town of Ever After. It’s a perfectly picturesque town home to all manner of fairytale folk. But if my information is anything to go by, its happily ever afters have gone awry. And you need to find out why.”
“Fairy tales?“ Zephyr shook his head. “But, Hera...”
“I won’t hear your excuses, Zephyr. Ever After is in terrible danger, and the only way to save it is to help its residents find their happily ever after.” Hera turned to Zephyr and Iris pointedly. “Which means someone has to play matchmaker.”
“Absolutely not! Every time we meddle in the affairs of others, it always ends the same way. Disaster!”
“Relax, Zephyr. This time, neither of you will have to play the role of Cupid. That job falls to a certain layabout Frog Prince and a swamp-dwelling pixie.” Hera broke into a flawless smile as she tucked Zephyr’s instructions into his robes. “You just need to blend into the background, and keep an eye on things. Consider it a vacation to reward all your hard work.”
Zephyr groaned, knowing any further resistance to the Queen’s plan was futile. “You’d think, just once, that people would take charge of their own love lives…”
“The affairs of the heart are never straightforward, Zephyr.” Hera smiled and clapped her hands, as if the matter had been decided. “Now go, both of you. Ever After needs you. The fate of the world is in your hands.”
With a burst of golden light, Hera disappeared into the heavens, where she took her place in the constellations. Zephyr sighed in defeat, and glanced glumly at the instructions.
“So much for our hero’s return. We’ve become nothing more than Hera’s personal matchmakers.”
“Oh, quit your grumbling, wind man. It’ll be fun!” Iris plucked the instructions from his hand, before a rainbow arced through the sky and to the earth below. “And just think of the mayhem we can cause. A sprinkle of fairy dust up the Beast’s nose… joyriding a pumpkin carriage… picking fights with the Seven Dwarves… there’s no time to waste!”
“Hey, Hera put me in charge!”
“She said no such thing.” Iris broke into a scowl, before she sped along her rainbow road. “Race you there, wind man!”
Zephyr sighed as Iris sped into the distance with a cackle. Clearly, some things never changed. Still, a smile crossed his lips as he watched her technicolor hair billow in the winds, and her eyes sparkled with delight. Because he knew he never wanted their adventure to end.
With a smile, he turned his back on Olympus, where the party got into full swing. His hero’s welcome could wait. Because right now, he had a fairytale prince to catch.
*