Love's Forge

by Marie Medina

  “What do you mean?” Eros asked.

  Aphrodite stared at him. It was too late. She was going to be angry, but he really wanted to put Eros in his place.

  “Harmonia. She’s my daughter.”

  Aphrodite gasped, and Eros paled. “What?” he asked. He seemed to shake his shock off after a moment. “You’re lying. She didn’t have a father. Some people thought it might be Ares or Zeus, but they both said no. I don’t know why you’d want to make this up. She and Eris were both born without fathers. They’re like twins in a way, harmony and discord—all that cosmic unity crap they both talk about.”

  “She told you when she came earlier?” Aphrodite asked in a shaky voice.

  She didn’t look angry. She looked hurt, yet he didn’t regret his words. “I’m sorry, but yes, she did. You kept it from me all this time. I think you owe me the apology.”

  She shook her head violently. “No! Just a few minutes ago when we were talking, you knew! You said you wished we’d had children, and you knew! You were trying to make me feel guilty!”

  He couldn’t believe she was going to act like the injured party in this. “You lied to me! I never knew my daughter because of you. Do you know how it felt when I told you Harmonia had been here but you asked about Eros? My mother has always favored Ares, and now I have to live with you favoring his son over my daughter.”

  “I love Harmonia! It was her choice not to live here. I didn’t want to have a child with you or marry you! I wasn’t born to be like others! I’m not supposed to fall in love!”

  “And be happy? That’s what you mean. You think you can’t love, can’t be happy!”

  She glared at him, her anger finally rising. “You said I was free to go, well I’m going!” She snapped her fingers and was gone, leaving him and Eros standing there alone.

  Eros looked at the ground. He appeared timid despite the display of temper he’d just given them. “So Harmonia knew?”

  “Yes. She liked the mortal world, so Aphrodite said she could stay if she never asked about her father or sought him out. She agreed on the condition she at least be told who it was. She kept the secret until now.”

  “My mother’s damn good at secrets. She blabs everyone else’s, but she sure keeps her own.”

  Eros looked hurt, and Hephaestus didn’t know what to say. Finally, he said, “She’s very vulnerable. I guess she likes to keep the upper hand and now she doesn’t have that advantage.”

  “At least Harmonia knew who her father was,” Eros said bitterly. “Fuck this.” He pushed past Hephaestus and headed for the door.

  Amazed at how childish they were both being, he called, “Eros, I love your mother! I wish you’d believe me.” When Eros didn’t answer, he readily admitted to himself he was glad Harmonia was his and not Eros.

  After the door slammed, Hephaestus looked around at the empty room. He’d planned a relaxing, possibly romantic day with Aphrodite. Now he was alone. Would Eros tell anyone? Probably. The gossip would be thick for days. He’d told Harmonia he’d keep the secret for now, and he wanted to apologize to her for revealing it so quickly. He headed for the door, hoping to find that his daughter was more forgiving and understanding than her mother.

  * * * *

  Zeus sat in the garden with Hera and Lachesis watching Hephaestus approach. Hera hadn’t perked up much. She’d had a brief moment of yelling crude insults at Lachesis before retreating into her own world again. Now she sat looking very passive and dejected. Lachesis appeared angry, but she could often be hard to read as well. She resented Zeus’ interference and insisted she had the power to do as she pleased. He had argued that the work of the Fates had never been meant to include manipulation, at which she’d taken more offense. She’d certainly never be sharing his bed again, but he no longer cared. He knew what he needed more than anything, and as soon as all this was over he and Hera were going to spend lots of time alone forgetting about all of this drama.

  “Hello, Lachesis. I see my mother has enlisted your help,” Hephaestus said. “I’m glad you’re willing to do this. Everything will be settled more quickly if we know why this happened.”

  “Oh wait till she tells you,” Hera said. She met her son’s gaze. “You’ll love it.”

  Hephaestus raised his eyebrows and sat down. He looked to Lachesis, who was now glaring at Hera. “I think you should go ahead and tell me.”

  Lachesis didn’t bother to smile. “Hephaestus, I told you that you needed to fight for what you wanted. You and Aphrodite have been miserable when you both could have been happy. I decided to give you good reason to fight for what you wanted.”

  Zeus watched Hephaestus carefully. He knew Hephaestus didn’t have the same temper he and Ares and Hera had, but he didn’t want to take any chances.

  “And you think you had the right to do that?” Hephaestus asked. “You thought this would make people happy?”

  “It got your blood pumping, didn’t it?” She smiled.

  Zeus scowled. “Lachesis, I don’t think you understand how serious this is.”

  “Two people who’ve had tons of sex had sex one more time. I don’t see the problem. Unethical, I suppose, but not that bad.”

  “Maybe I don’t see it that way. You put a spell on my wife and my brother.”

  “Like you care that he’s your brother,” Lachesis said, actually rolling her eyes.

  “Excuse me?” Hera said, her voice rising.

  Hephaestus held up his hand. “That isn’t the point. What I’m getting at is you in essence raped two people to get what you wanted.”

  Lachesis had the sense to stay silent for a few moments. “That’s not fair. They enjoyed it. Don’t you remember how much they were enjoying it?”

  Hephaestus began to speak, but then he paused for a moment before quietly saying, “My wife had bruises on her back and wrist. Both of them were confused afterwards. The enjoyment was short lived.”

  Lachesis sighed. “So what are you going to do about it?”

  “Nothing I could do will change what you did. Alala and Ares were supposed to get married tomorrow. The wedding has been put off. You think that’s good?”

  “No.” Lachesis looked at Hera and Zeus. “Have you told Hera about her grandchild yet?”

  Zeus wondered what Lachesis could mean. “You mean Eros? What does he have to do with this? You won’t convince us Ares isn’t his father.”

  “Oh, Ares is his father, but Aphrodite has another child.”

  “Harmonia?” Hera asked as her breathing sped up. “What do you mean?”

  “Hephaestus?” Zeus asked.

  “She’s my daughter. She came and told me early this morning. I promised I’d discuss it delicately with Aphrodite, but Eros and I had a fight and it came out then. Harmonia has forgiven me. I just came from seeing her. Aphrodite, however, may be less understanding.”

  “Gods!” Lachesis said. “Nothing works on you! Your daughter is the goddess of unity! You’re supposed to see that for the sign it is!”

  “Maybe we’re tired of signs and symbols!” Hera said. “It was a nice touch with mortals. It was fun being so powerful, being worshipped, but Zeus said something once that has made me think. We have our own lives that matter. Being deities and interacting with humans was a small part of our existence, and very often things ended badly. We were right to withdraw from their lives. Maybe those were our glory days, but I think they are long gone. You’re a part of all of that. When are you going to quit and get a life of your own?”

  Lachesis blanched. “You just told me to get a life. How mortal!”

  Hera leapt up. “You fucking bitch! You’d love for me to get pissed at Aphrodite, but this wasn’t her fault. How much of the other shit lately has been caused by you?”

  “Language, please! You are the queen of the gods, after all.”

  “I couldn’t care less. That title means very little, and you know it. Being a god means little once mortal belief has faded. Moving on is better.”

  “
And have you moved on? Still traveling back in time to tell mortals all the gossip? You’re the one who keeps the myths alive, adding on to them whenever you’re bored or need a confidence boost! Maybe Zeus should reprimand you for meddling!”

  “I know she tells mortals all kinds of tales,” he said. “It’s fine with me if she makes them up or tells every embarrassing detail. It makes her happy. She’s not demanding virgin sacrifices and obedience. She’s not frolicking through history appearing to people and manipulating their lives. She tells them stories. She inspires them and teaches lessons and entertains. She’s doing far more good than you are, especially now.”

  Hephaestus cleared his throat. “I’m going to leave you three to your argument. I’d like to be alone.” He turned to Lachesis. “I’m not going to do anything, but I think what you did was very wrong. I’d appreciate it if you’d leave me and my life out of your plans. I won’t turn the other cheek next time.”

  Lachesis smiled, but it looked false. “At least you know how to control your temper. Thank you for that.”

  Hephaestus went to his mother and kissed her on the cheek. “Mother, everything will be all right. I’m going to make things right, no matter how long it takes.”

  “Tell Aphrodite we’re not angry with her. We understand.”

  “I doubt she’ll see me. Will you send Ares to tell her what we’ve found out? I’m sure they need to talk.”

  She nodded. “Once he knows she’s free, he’ll be glad to go.”

  Hephaestus nodded to Zeus and walked away.

  “Lachesis, don’t you think you should consider what Hera said? Eternity is a long time to live only one way. You don’t have to lay down your powers to try a new way of life.”

  She shook her head. “You don’t know what that would be like.”

  “Neither do you.”

  She didn’t reply.

  He refrained from pressing her. “Look, you’re free to go, but this is a warning.”

  “What happens if I don’t heed it?”

  “I’ll let Hera do whatever she wants if you do something like this again.”

  Hera laughed and moved to stand behind him and put her arms around his neck. “I like the sound of that.”

  Lachesis nodded, and then she faded away.

  Zeus sighed with relief. “You feel like a vacation?”

  “I’d love one. Soon.” She rested her chin on the top of his head. “I thought you didn’t know.”

  “No one enjoys going among mortals the way you do.” He tilted his head to look up at her. “Contrary to popular belief, I do read books as well. You could have been a little more creative in some places.”

  She kissed his cheek. “I like seeing what they make of us.”

  “You like making me look like a jerk.”

  “Sorry. Forgive me?”

  “Maybe.” He stood and took her in his arms. “When this is over, let’s go away together. I want to be alone with you for a while.”

  She rubbed his shoulders. “When this is over, I’ll consider it.” She kissed his cheek and walked away, clinging to his hand for a moment before letting go.

  He watched her walk off into the roses. He didn’t exactly have problems of the same magnitude Ares and Hephaestus currently did, but he still had goals for his love life that he intended to meet very soon.

  * * * *

  Aphrodite sat on her back porch, thinking about what Harmonia had said. She’d had the chance to cool down by the time she made it to Apollo’s house, even though she’d then discovered Hephaestus had beaten her there and had left only five minutes earlier. That had annoyed her, but upon seeing her estranged daughter she’d felt nothing but guilt.

  The only time she’d ever seen Harmonia annoyed or upset in anyway had been a few weeks earlier when she’d told Harmonia she was infatuated with Apollo but not in love with him yet. She’d expected to find Harmonia in a bad mood today, but she hadn’t. Her daughter had been very understanding and sympathetic. Instead of expressing any anger about having spent her entire existence hiding her father’s identity, she’d asked Aphrodite if she was all right. She’d actually been concerned Aphrodite would be upset with her. Hephaestus, it seemed, had come to apologize for breaking his word to Harmonia. He was very concerned about her reaction. That had surprised Aphrodite. She’d known for a long time it had been a mistake to keep Eros’ paternity a secret. Now, she wondered if keeping Harmonia’s identity as Hephaestus’ daughter a secret had been just as big of a mistake. Harmonia had been forgiving and understanding, but she had said that Hephaestus had reacted with remorse instead of anger. It wasn’t his fault, but he seemed to feel a sense of loss at having been kept in the dark for so long, according to Harmonia. Aphrodite knew he would have been pleased to know he had a child, but at that time she hadn’t wanted that kind of tie to anyone. Now she could see how much she’d denied both of them.

  Aphrodite fought back tears. She’d lost her temper, and thus had hurt Hephaestus even more. He had lied to her, and he had brought Harmonia up on purpose to see how Aphrodite would react, but she’d been guilty of far worse manipulation in the past. Even though he’d been using his new knowledge against her, he hadn’t been angry. He’d been loving with her, as if he was happy despite her deception just because he knew they did have a child together. Harmonia felt the same after Aphrodite had told her about their talk and she’d compared that with her father’s reaction. They’d have been spending a nice afternoon together if she hadn’t lost her temper. One minute she’d been defending him and the next she’d been furious. She recalled his words and how he’d pointed out the parallels between his relationship to his mother and her own with their daughter. That had stung. She could never seem to get anything right.

  Aphrodite covered her face with her hands and sniffed. Her life seemed to be stuck on a downward spiral, and only time would level it out again. Every time she tried to take action, her plans went wrong, so she didn’t see the point in trying anymore.

  “Aphrodite?”

  She jumped, and when she looked up she saw Ares and Alala standing at her gate. She stood up, trying not to blush. As she walked over to them she passed the spot where Ares had fucked her only a few days earlier. She closed her eyes, telling herself she was going to replace all those plants as soon as possible.

  “Hi,” she said. What else could she say? What else could she do? She couldn’t read Ares’ expression, but Alala looked sympathetic. She clung to Ares’ arm and smiled at her.

  “Are you all right?” Alala asked.

  She admired Alala a hundred times more than she ever had. She felt her genuine concern, and she knew Alala would never do anything as small as say an unkind word to her over all this, no matter what she felt inside. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve been all right or anything even close.”

  “Did he hurt you?” Ares asked.

  “No. He didn’t.”

  Ares cleared his throat. “Look, I’m going to be indelicate. He was pretty angry when he took us. Did he hit you? Did he rape you?”

  She shook her head. “Ares, he loves me. He really does. What he did was…a bad decision, but he didn’t do anything like that.”

  “Did you have sex with him so he’d let me go? He said it was his own choice, but I have to know if he used you that way.”

  “Ares!” Alala said.

  “I want to know,” he said.

  “No. We haven’t had sex.” Aphrodite appreciated Ares’ concern, but she resented him suspecting Hephaestus would be violent with her. The brothers were not close and it seemed likely they never would be, but her softening feelings had made her defensive of Hephaestus. “Ares, I know you disapprove of the way we married. I do too. But I honestly wanted to try again with him. I care for him a lot. He’s a good friend, and he’s far more patient than his recent actions indicate. I promise he didn’t do anything to make my feelings for him change. I was afraid he would hurt you but never afraid he would hurt me. I’m completely unharmed,
if a little confused.”

  Ares didn’t look satisfied, but Alala spoke up. “We came here to tell you we know who put a spell on you.”

  “Who?” Aphrodite had been over and over the possibilities, but none of them had made sense.

  “Lachesis. She decided Hephaestus was taking too long to win you, and she thought the right kind of drama would speed things up to her liking.”

  Aphrodite couldn’t believe it. Lachesis was her friend, or she had been at one time. Why didn’t she just come to her and tell her Hephaestus was the one for her? She knew she probably wouldn’t have just accepted that, but she trusted Lachesis. At least, she had until now.

  “I’d like to kill her. What do you think?” Ares said, a little too flippantly for Aphrodite’s taste.

  “That doesn’t seem like an answer to me. Is Hephaestus all right? Did someone tell him?”

  “Hera and Zeus told him already,” Alala said.

  “Why do you care?” Ares asked. The earnest and searching look in his eyes told her that, despite how well he understood her, he had no idea what to think right now.

  Aphrodite had had enough. She felt she had a right to speak frankly to the man who had been such a big part of her life for such a long time. “Because if I could love anyone, I could love him. None of you see what I see in him, and quite frankly none of you see in me what he sees. He overlooks my flaws and only criticizes me to make me a better person. He doesn’t see a giggling airhead with nice tits. He’s in love with me. He loves every part of me. He doesn’t care how many men I’ve fucked. Yes, he forced me to marry him, but he has never once demanded anything of me. We haven’t even had sex since that day. I wear his ring.” She dropped the glamour on her ring and held her finger up. “And I refuse to ever hide it again. It’s to remind me he’s in love with me. His patience is unsurpassed. The last few days have been unusual, but I’m not upset with him. I don’t hold anything against him. He’s done nothing wrong. He overreacted to Lachesis’ incredibly stupid plan, but with pretty good reason.”