Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
APHRODITE
“ T itan!” I screamed as I abruptly sat up in bed. Two days have passed since the fight between Ares and Hephaestus, and the recurring nightmares have returned.
Since the altercation, everything seemed thrown off, like a train had been derailed from its tracks. I’d tried reaching out to Ares, but he kept his distance, leaving me with a gnawing sense of uncertainty.
I struggled to push aside my feelings for him, but my heart refused to let go.
Ares was a whirlwind of contradictions—calm yet chaotic, a source of both tranquility and turmoil. Perhaps he was keeping his distance because he needed time to sort through his own storm of emotions, or maybe he was trying to protect me from the chaos that seemed to follow him. Either way, his absence only intensified the storm brewing inside me, making it even harder to find my footing in this disarray.
His touch haunted me like a ghost that refused to fade. I closed my eyes, desperately yearning to feel the warmth of his skin against mine once more. I longed for those moments when our eyes met, sharing a silent, powerful connection as we held each other close.
But instead, I found myself alone, the bed beside me cold and empty. The absence of his touch was a void that echoed through the stillness of the room, leaving me with a deep, aching loneliness. The shadows of our shared moments lingered, amplifying the emptiness I felt.
My wedding day was quickly approaching, and all I wanted was to escape this inevitable fate. Wherever I looked, Hephaestus was there.
He was a venom that was consuming me.
It felt like he was monitoring my every move. I couldn’t handle it. It felt suffocating being trapped within the compound walls. He disapproved of me working at Odyssey, but I wasn’t about to stop and forfeit my plan to gather information that could potentially solve my brother's murder.
I was scheduled to have my dress fitting today to meet the demands of the rushed wedding Ouranos insisted on. Although I despised the thought of marrying Hephaestus—I, as the future bride, had to play the role. I knew that I still had to try and stop this wedding from happening, but the time to do so was slipping away from me, and fast.
I stood on the platform, staring at my reflection in the mirror. The white silk dress clung to my body, but it felt more like a noose tightening around my neck—a symbol of my impending demise. A seamstress knelt at my feet, meticulously adjusting the hemline while Gaia circled me like a hawk eyeing its prey, her gaze sharp and unforgiving. She didn’t miss a single flaw, pointing out every imperfection with a cold detachment.
The room buzzed with chatter, but all I could hear was the relentless pounding of my heart, anxiety gripping me like a vise. My father’s lie to Zeus about Gaia wanting to be involved in my dress fitting was apparent—Gaia didn’t care about any of this. If she had her way, she’d have me eliminated without a second thought.
This was supposed to be a special moment, one I should have shared with my biological mother, but that chance was lost to me. Instead, I was trapped here with a woman who had despised me since the day I was brought to the manor as a baby. Gaia had never shown me a shred of love, and in this moment, her disdain was as palpable as the silk constricting around my throat.
Gaia looked as though she hadn’t slept or taken care of herself since Titan’s murder. Her skin was pale and fragile, and she wore no makeup. I couldn’t help but wonder if my real mother had felt this same kind of pain when she lost me. Did she weep like Gaia, whose every breath seemed to shatter her more?
As she glanced over at me, her gaze was a haunting reflection of Titan’s. For a brief, fleeting moment, I saw a shadow of him in her eyes, a resonant reminder of his presence. It was as if Titan’s spirit was manifesting through her, bridging the gap between the living and the lost.
The resemblance was almost too much to bear, and I felt a sudden, overwhelming rush of his essence surrounding me. I closed my eyes, struggling to capture and hold onto that fragile, transient connection. It was a brief encounter with his memory that made the grief feel both distant and immediate, a reminder of the depth of our shared loss.
I need to know why he was murdered.
Salvation was what I really needed right now.
“You know you’re lucky.” Gaia spoke as my eyes widened from the sound of her voice. We were alone. I stared at her from the mirror as she crossed her arms tightly against her chest.
“Lucky? How so?” I questioned as I watched her slither around the room .
“You will be free from the Aetos family now that you are marrying Hephaestus.”
“You think that’s freedom? I was given over to him as bargaining chip.” My voice deepened with anger, feeling the strain of her words. There’s no such thing as freedom in this life.
Gaia let out a cold laugh, shaking her head in disdain. “You're delusional, thinking you're worth anything. You've never mattered, and you never will.”
Without waiting for my response, Gaia turned on her heel and left the room, her footsteps echoing ominously as she walked away. The door clicked shut behind her, plunging me into a heavy silence that seemed to press down on me from all sides.
Anxiety surged through me like a relentless storm, its intensity making my chest feel as though it were being squeezed by an invisible vice. Each breath became labored and shallow, as if the air itself had thickened and become more difficult to draw in. The weight of her words lingered, amplifying the crushing sense of dread that filled the room.
I gazed through the window as the black Range Rover pulled into the compound, lost in thought, before coming to an abrupt stop. I hopped out, and before I could even close the door all the way, Gaia’s driver took off, peeling out of the parking lot.
My life had so little value to my family. I was nothing more than an object to be used and mistreated, something to be discarded easily, without care or appreciation.
I walked into the Odyssey and music was blaring, the bass reverberating through my feet. The song, You Don’t Own Me by Lesley Gore was playing, which seemed fitting for my current situation. Artie was setting up for a local band that was going to be playing. She noticed me walking over as she was pulling out the tables for guests .
“Look at the blushing bride,” she teased with a playful smirk.
In the short time I’d been here, Artie was the only person who seemed to genuinely care about how I felt. Her presence had a soothing effect, providing a comfort I desperately needed. Paris would have adored her. I wished she were here—or at least would respond to my calls. I’d texted her several times over the past few days, but there had been no reply.
“I guess tonight’s theme is badass women in music,” Artie said, heading over to her phone to select the next track. “I’m all about that energy, but don’t let it fool you. I’m no badass.”
“Why not?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “You and Athena always seem to hold your own against the men around you.”
“That’s exactly the problem,” Artie said, pointing at me. “Hephaestus can’t stand that Athena is part of the gang. He believes women don’t belong in his world—a world he thinks is strictly for men.”
I looked at her, puzzled. “I thought you were okay with the wedding.”
“You seemed fine with it.”
“I’m not,” she said. “Hephaestus always acts like he’s better than everyone else. He’s never satisfied—always wants more, always looking to crush anyone in his way. And Ares? He’s his favorite target. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the spark between you two. I’m not blind. I can see it in the way Ares is around you. He’s into you, and trust me, that’s not something you see often with him.”
Artie’s troubled expression sliced through me, dragging my guilt to the surface. Her concern was a reminder of the tangled mess I was in. After the argument, I knew I had to distance myself from Ares to focus on what really matters—finding the killer to my brother’s murder.
Avenging his death demanded my full attention, pulling me away from the intoxicating, dangerous allure of Ares. As much as the spark between us burned fiercely, the shadows of my brother’s death loomed larger, and I would do anything to find the answers I so desperately needed.
“I’m trying to find the individual responsible for murdering my brother, Artie. Ares offered his help.” The feelings of guilt persisted, and I found myself unable to deceive her further. Artie leaned against the bar.
Crossing her arms, she said, “I’ll help, but can you promise me something?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Do not hurt my brother. He may never heal from it.”
Artie had a profound affection for her brother, and I realized I had to honor and respect their bond. The same principle had applied to my relationship with Titan. Despite him being my older half-brother, I had always attempted to safeguard his heart.
I told her I would do my best not to hurt him, even though I knew I couldn’t make any promises. I realized that my actions could have consequences that I wouldn't be able to shield him from, but my emotions would have to be put aside for now.
The crowd at Odyssey was loud. The music blasted from the speakers, making the counters vibrate. Artie juggled serving multiple men while I struggled to make one mixed drink. Prometheus surprised us by jumping in to help and together we worked as a team.
People poured into the club, a mixture of familiar faces and strangers. Hephaestus sat in the back corner with an older man and Apollo. Although I had conflicting emotions about Ares, I had hoped to see him tonight. He was unpredictable, and I didn’t know how I felt about everything that had happened two nights ago.
“Hey, do you mind bringing these over to the guys?” Artie asked while handing me a tray of miscellaneous shots. I nodded and accepted the tray.
Trying to keep the liquor balanced, I made my way around the bar and through the crowd. I noticed Ares sitting with the members of Olympus Syndicate. Hephaestus was leading the conversation, and as I approached, he stopped talking and looked up at me.
“Look, it’s my beautiful future wife,” he said. I placed the tray on the table, and he pulled me toward his lap. My skirt slid up, but his arms trapped me in place, stopping me from being able to adjust it. Out of nowhere, he planted a forceful kiss on me, catching me completely off guard. I tried to pull away, but he held me tighter. It felt like he was a snake wrapping around its prey, ready to crush and consume it.
“What’s the matter?” His hand held the back of my neck. I looked into his eyes, struggling to come to terms with the fact that this man was going to be my husband.
“Nothing.” I plastered on a fake smile as my curls draped over my face.
“So, as I was saying…” Hephaestus leaned his head away from me and continued chatting with the people at the table.
Under Ares’s piercing gaze, I felt a shiver crawl up my spine. Every fiber of my being strained to look away, using every last ounce of self-control I had. I feared that any misstep or careless word from Hephaestus could ignite Ares’s simmering rage, setting off a chain reaction that would spiral out of control. The weight of this anxiety pressed heavily on my chest, making it almost impossible to breathe.
“…Ouranos wants the wedding to take place at the Aetos manor. I thought it would be best to ask my future bride it she has a preference.”
Everyone seemed indifferent to what he was talking about. Athena was engrossed in a conversation with Apollo, and Hades had a woman sitting on his lap. Meanwhile, another woman slid into the seat next to Ares.
With her golden hair cascading in soft waves around her sweet, angelic face, she looked stunning—almost ethereal. The fitted black dress she wore clung to her curves, the fabric hugging every contour of her body, accentuating her figure in a way that drew every eye in the room.
She leaned into him, pressing her breasts against his side, and the sight sent a sharp sting of jealousy through me. His lips moved close to her ear, whispering something that made her giggle, her eyes twinkling with mischief. I swallowed hard, trying to push down the envy burning inside me, and turned to Hephaestus.
“I would love that,” I said, forcing a smile.
In a moment of weakness, driven by the need to silence the gnawing jealousy, I kissed him. I shut my eyes, desperately imagining Ares's lips tracing my skin, caressing me with the same intensity I craved. But as my eyes fluttered open, the fantasy shattered, yanking me back to the cold reality of where I was and who I was with.
The kiss with Hephaestus was empty, a poor substitute for the one I truly longed for. Hephaestus whispered into my ear, “I like kissing you,” his breath caressed my skin. It didn’t spark the same fire in me that Ares’s breath did; instead, it left me feeling cold, a knot of unease twisting in my gut.
“I need to head back to work, Artie is a bit overwhelmed,” I said, trying to change the topic, but he only clung onto me tighter.
“She can handle it.” He grabbed one of the shots I had brought over for them. He threw the amber liquid back in one gulp, then emitted a low growl. His blue eyes lingered on me with determination. I pressed the palm of my hands against his chest, attempting to flirt my way out of his hold. “I’ll be right back,” I said with a wink, feeling his grip loosen just enough for me to slip free and stand up.
“Fine,” he muttered, licking his bottom lip. I stole a quick glance at him before my gaze drifted to Ares, who was deeply engaged in conversation with the woman sitting beside him.
Desperate to get away, I headed toward the back of the club, my heart pounding with each step I took. I pushed open the door to the restroom and looked around at the cold, sterile space. It offered no comfort. I leaned against the sink, staring at my reflection, feeling the weight of my situation crushing down on me.
Foolishly, I thought I could escape. That maybe there was a way out of this nightmare. I even scanned the restroom for a window or a hidden door, something—anything—that could lead me to freedom. But there was nothing. No secret passage, no emergency exit. Just cold tile and the hum of the fluorescent lights above me.
The reality hit me like a ton of bricks—I couldn’t run. The Olympus Syndicate would hunt me down, and my father would never let me go. I was trapped, with no way out, and the walls seemed to close in tighter with every breath I took.
I attempted to conceal my tears and splashed some cold water on my face to try and regain my composure. At that moment, the beautiful blonde woman who I saw with Ares entered the room. I casually reached for a paper towel to dry my face.
“You’re Aphrodite, right?” The woman caught my eye in the mirror. She crossed her arms over her chest, pushing up her ample bosom as if to flaunt her curves.
“Yes?” I said as I threw out the paper towel. I could see that I annoyed her as she watched me with serpent-like eyes.
“Listen, you need to stay away from my boyfriend. I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been getting too close to Ares. He has no interest in you, got it?” She moved closer, jabbing her finger in my face. I wanted to slap her then, but causing a scene was out of the question.
“Who told you that about me and Ares?” I snapped back. Was there talk?
“ Honey, you can’t be that naive. There are eyes everywhere.” She let out a devilish laugh, her glare was unsettling.
“Don’t worry, I don’t want him.” I said, feeling small and like I wanted to be anywhere but here. Pushing the door of the women’s restroom open, I headed back towards the bar focusing on my task at hand. Talk to the patrons. There was a man sitting at the bar who I managed to strike up a conversation with.
“You’re Ouranos’ daughter?” The elderly man was probably pushing eighty. He had a thick white beard and short silver hair. He seemed frail, but somehow, he still seemed to have life in his eyes.
“I am,” I slid him his beer, giving him my full attention.
“It’s sad what happened to your brother.” He said to me as he took a sip.
I flashed him a small smile that didn’t meet my eyes, not knowing what to say to that. “Eventually, the truth will come out,” he said, his voice a dark rumble that seemed to seep into the room like a creeping shadow.
I froze, my pulse quickening as the weight of his words sank in. The way he spoke sent a chill through me, a warning that whatever he was hinting at was far more dangerous than I could imagine. “What do you mean by that?” I asked, my voice barely steady as I took a cautious step back.
His eyes locked onto mine, a sinister gleam flickering within them as a slow, wicked grin spread across his face. “Oh, darling, where’s the thrill in giving everything away at once?”
His cryptic words wrapped around me like a tightening noose. I was done with the twisted games and the endless mind tricks.
I needed to speak to Hermes again. He’s already given me some information about my brother’s murder, and during our encounter I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was holding back. If there was more to uncover, he would know.
The only other option was to speak to Atlas, who despised the Olympus Syndicate. Despite his hatred for them, he might be willing to help if it meant bringing down their power.
The problem was, talking to him could draw even more dangerous attention, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that. But the need for answers outweighed my fear.
I slipped out of the bar without saying goodbye to Hephaestus. Artie recognized I needed some space and let me out early .
The night air was cool, and a group of men stood outside smoking, their eyes tracking me as I walked by. They whistled and called out as I headed for the metal stairs leading to Artie’s apartment. This place was crawling with outlaws, every one of them howling for my attention.
“Aphrodite, where you going? Sexy, come here?”
“Ouranos’s daughter looks like she gives good head.”
“Maybe she’s like her mother, I heard she was a fucking whore.”
I heard what they called me. The Aetos’ bastard. It was a constant reminder that I was worth nothing in this world.
As I entered my bedroom, my fingers instinctively reached for the light switch. But before I could flick it on, a firm hand closed over mine. The door clicked shut behind us, plunging the room into darkness. The only source of light was the ethereal glow of the moon through the windows, casting a ghostly sheen across the room.
My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight before me. Ares stood just inches away, his presence so overwhelming it seemed to drown out all else. The air between us crackled with a palpable tension, each second simmering with intensity.