Out of Practice Aphrodite (The Goddess Chronicles Book 1)

by S. E. Babin

  Zeus was known to listen to reason, but he had an arrogant streak a mile wide. I hoped he was in a good mood today. I also hoped Hera was out on other business. She was the last person I wanted to see and if she’d had a hand in this mess, odds were good she’d convince Zeus to throw us out.

  A knock on the door shook me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I said, expecting Artie to bug me about hurrying it up. I stepped away from the mirror, smoothed my toga, and took in a steadying breath.

  Hermes stepped into the room and abruptly stopped. His mouth fell open slightly and he cleared his throat. “You – you look gorgeous,” he said.

  I smiled and touched my hair. “Thanks. It took a while, but I wanted to make sure I looked my best for your daddy dearest.”

  “It was worth it.” He sat down on the edge of my bed and motioned me over to him. I was nervous so I walked slowly until I was standing in front of him. He stared at me and released a deep sigh. Hermes had also done his best to clean up before the meeting. Even sitting down, I could see the power in his lean form. A forest green chiton encircled his bare shoulders and fell at his knees. No matter what he wore he was gorgeous.

  “Before we go to Olympus today I felt like I had to say something. I know you don’t owe me anything. We’ve known each other for so long and have never been more than friends. I just want you to know that I care about you. But I also know you’re struggling with your feelings for Marshall. I won’t claim to understand it, but I want you to know I will be here when he’s not. It’s none of my business if you get involved with a mortal. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.” He dragged his fingers through his hair and rubbed his face.

  I sat down beside him and clasped his fingers within mine. “I can’t deny I feel a pull toward him, but I also can’t deny my growing feelings for you. I think until everything is over we shouldn’t pursue anything. Give me the chance to sort this all out. I think you deserve someone who will love you like you deserve, and right now I’m not that woman.” Tears clouded my eyes.

  Hermes bowed his head and took his hand back. “I understand,” he choked out. “I hope you find what you need, Abby.” He stood up and exited the room quietly.

  A piece of my heart shattered as he walked out and I cursed myself for being an idiot. Why was I holding myself back from him?

  A hesitant knock sounded and when I looked up, Artie strolled in and sat down beside me. As always, she looked gorgeous. She strayed from the jewel tones and elected for a sunny yellow toga. Her dark hair hung in a shiny wave down her back, adorned with a jeweled clip. An ornate silver bracelet wound up her arm, stopping at the top of her shoulder.

  “So,” Artie said, “looks like Hermes was in a hurry to get away from you.” She patted my hand and adjusted one of the wayward gardenias in my hair.

  I leaned against her shoulder. “No doubt,” I said. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me, Artie. There’s something about Marshall I can’t quite put my finger on.”

  I stood up and faced her. She looked down at the floor, but not before I saw the disapproving look in her eyes.

  I gasped. “You don’t like him.”

  Artie raised a hand to stop my accusations. “It’s not that. It’s really not. But Abs, he’s mortal.”

  “I know he’s mortal,” I shouted. “Don’t you think I’d love to stop these feelings?”

  Artie, looking so regal and proper, said nothing. The look in her eyes told me everything. I felt dejected. First Ares had betrayed me and Keto had left. Now Artie was judging me. The only one here on my side was Hermes and even he couldn’t understand what it was about Marshall.

  “I’ll be ready in a few minutes,” I said and opened the door for her to let herself out.

  Artemis started toward me, her hand held out in a beseeching manner. “Abby–”

  I turned my back toward her and walked toward the washroom. I closed the door with a soft snick and leaned against the sink, my head resting against the cool glass of the mirror. A few moments later, I heard the bedroom door close and I released the breath I was holding. I allowed myself to stay there for a little while, my head spinning with all of the developments. This didn’t make sense. Artie, Keto, and I had been friends for so long and never had we fought this much. Granted, the stakes were much higher, but we always banded together when the chips were down. My mind skimmed over everything that had happened in the last couple of days and I thought back to finding Orpheus at the cabin. Everything had been fine until we ran into Eris.

  Eris.

  Goddess of Chaos and Destruction. I raised my head abruptly as a thought came to me. One of her talents was sowing discord wherever she went. I rushed out of the bedroom and through the house trying to find Hermes and Artie. They were both waiting in the living room for me.

  “I need you to look through your clothes, shoes, jewelry, anything you’re wearing.”

  Both gave me bewildered looks. “Why?”

  “Because I think Eris may have planted something on one of us.” I bent down to take off my shoes. The odds were low anything was there because I had just created them, but one couldn’t be too safe. Artie gave me a strange look and took off her arm bracelet and rings. I watched her as she tried to take one of her earrings off. She pulled and tugged, but it wouldn’t budge.

  “Abby?” There was a strange tone to her voice. “I think I might have found it.”

  I moved closer to her, tugging off my rings and necklaces. A faint sickly orange glow emitted from the back of one of her ears. Fear sparked in her eyes. “Let go of it,” I said gently. I moved her hair back and examined her right ear. The magic had attached itself to one of Artie’s favorite items of jewelry, golden hoop earrings she wore almost every day. They were simple and unadorned, but now there was a tiny metal snake curled around the backside of the hoop. Something she probably wouldn’t have noticed if she kept her hair down, which most of the time she did.

  “Ah, looks like you did find it. I’m not sure how we can get that removed, but I think I found the thing responsible for all the fights we’ve had over the last few days.”

  I moved to touch it, but Hermes snatched my hand away. “Don’t. We don’t know what she could have rigged up to it.”

  I pulled my hand out of Hermes’. “Well then how are we supposed to get it off of her ear?”

  He shook his head. “Father will be able to take care of it when we get there. Right now we have bigger things to worry about.”

  Artie’s face was drawn and pale. “You’re telling me I have to wear this until Zeus feels like taking it off me?”

  Hermes took her by the arm and pulled her closer. “We’re leaving now, Artie. No matter if everyone is ready or not. Eris has brought the game to us. We need to start being proactive instead of reactive.” Still touching her, he held his hand out for mine. Reluctantly, I let him grasp it. A spinning sensation overtook me and sparks of golden light flew from his eyes. I closed my eyes and tried to relax into the magic.

  Once we stopped, I left my eyes closed for a moment while my nausea calmed down. Hermes released my hand. I opened my eyes and looked around. Olympus hadn’t changed a bit. Not that I had expected it to, but sometimes you hope people will catch up with the times. It was still beautiful, yet still reeked of ancient times.

  We landed in the courtyard of Zeus’ palace. Lush tropical trees surrounded the area and the smell of blooming citrus trees teased my nostrils. I inhaled deeply and smiled. Olympus was a place where beauty was the norm. I enjoyed coming back for visits, but soon enough the politics always ruined my stay. I was too jaded to believe this time would be any different.

  I glanced over at Artie. She was still pale but seemed to have regained some of her composure. She nervously smoothed down her toga and fiddled with her hair as she looked around. Hermes stood stock still staring at the palace. It arose from the mountain, crystal spires touching the clouds. It was massive, something fit for the King of the Gods.

  No matter how many times
I had been here or even inside, the palace never failed to inspire awe in me. The spires reflected the sunlight, glinting a gorgeous ice blue. The palace looked like a rock formation on steroids. Built directly into the mountain of Olympus, it hosted not only Zeus, but other major gods, including Ares. Someone I didn’t care to see right now, or ever again if it turned out he really was on Eris’ side.

  Hermes broke the silence when he turned to us. “Are you ladies ready?” Artie and I gave each other a nervous glance and nodded. “Very well,” he said and offered both arms to us. With me on his left and Artie on his right, Hermes walked us down the grassy path toward Zeus. I had been nervous all morning, but the jitters grew worse as we got closer. Hermes bumped my hip and grinned at me. I returned his smile, relieved that at least for now we were okay.

  People milled about us, some casting curious glances our way. It wasn’t often Olympus saw three major gods seeking the audience of Zeus. None of us made eye contact. They’d have to keep wondering about this one. I, for one, wasn’t about to send the mountain into a premature panic.

  We walked briskly down the path and when we reached the silver doors, my stomach lurched and I had to take a few deep breaths to calm myself down. Hermes extricated himself and patted both of us on the hand. “Stay here for a moment and allow me to request entrance.”

  I nodded, and watched him disappear through the doors. Artie fidgeted with her hands. “I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

  I offered her a bitter laugh. “I never feel good about anything that involves Zeus,” I said. “No matter which way we go we’re bound to lose.” I brushed a loose curl out of her face. “I’m sorry about what happened back at the house.”

  She grimaced and looked down at her sandals. “Me, too. I don’t know what came over me. I have no right to judge anything you do. I felt fine up to this morning and then I became so angry about it. I can’t explain why.”

  “Eris’ magic,” I offered. “We can’t forget about her gifts. She has the ability to divide us through strife. It’s a subtle art, and one we shouldn’t underestimate.”

  She nodded and I watched her reach up to her ear before her hand stopped. “I have to get this thing off,” she muttered.

  “We will, Artie. Have faith. I have no doubt Zeus will take care of it.”

  I barely heard her whisper, “But at what cost?”

  13

  Chapter Thirteen

  The silver doors opened and we stood there gaping at the palace’s splendor. I’d been an unfortunate visitor a few times over the years and this place never failed to inspire my inner gawker. Olympus as a whole might never change, but it looked like Hera had been infected with the palace decorating bug. The last time I was here the furnishings were sparse and modern.

  Hera may hate mortals, but she loved their workmanship. The new look offered a warmer feel to the place instead of the old Ikea store feel it had the last time I was here. Rust colored walls were decorated with landscape paintings and tapestries of the god’s exploits. Dark mahogany furnishings littered the room and the floor was a deep burnished, polished wood. I liked this new look better.

  Hera had used decorating to warm the place up. I guess it was good to make your guests feel comfortable before they met with Zeus, just in case it was their last meeting. I shuddered at that unpleasant thought.

  A guard stepped up to greet us as soon as we stepped into the foyer. He nodded and gestured for us to follow him. We fell into step behind him as he led us to Hermes standing outside of the throne room. The guard said nothing the entire time, but bowed to us before he left.

  “He was chatty,” I quipped. Artie snorted, but Hermes gave me a quelling glance.

  “No time for jokes, Abby. Zeus is finishing up with one of the dryads. He’ll be with us shortly.”

  My hands began to shake. I needed to get myself under control. Zeus could smell fear like a bloodhound. We were here with bad news so I was right to feel nervous. You could look at Artie and me and tell we were scared speechless. Looking at Hermes all you could see was a cool and calm demeanor. It must have taken him a long time to be able to school his features like that. We’d all known Zeus for many, many years, but Hermes had grown up with him and now served as his messenger. He must have learned quickly.

  He stepped forward and motioned for us to get behind him in a triangular pattern. I stood behind and slightly to the right of him. Artie took her spot on the other side as the doors to the throne room creaked open. A gorgeous red-headed woman walked toward us. Her bearing was regal, but the skin around her eyes was tight and strained. She offered us a small smile and swept past us on her way out. I decided if that was all the worse we looked when we left, we were doing well.

  The only sign of distress from Hermes was the deep breath he took before he squared his shoulders and stepped forward. We followed him into the room and dropped to our knees when we were close enough to the throne. It was rare I saw Zeus in his palace. I liked the man as much as anyone could like someone so powerful, but seeing him here was always unexpected. A crown of jewels rested atop his head as he lounged in his seat. His posture belied the coiled strength in his frame.

  He said nothing nor made any move to welcome us. Making us squirm most likely. Zeus was no benevolent king. I bowed my head in supplication, waiting for him to make the first move. The silence was deafening. None of us moved to break it. After a few tense moments, his voice rang out through the room.

  “Rise,” he said.

  We all scrambled to our feet, smoothing down our clothing as we rose. I placed my hands behind my back and stared at a place to the right of Zeus’ head. I was content to let Hermes take the lead on this one. Artie also said nothing, but a cool arrogance rested on her features. My stomach slid. I had a feeling this wasn’t going to go very well.

  Hermes stepped forward. “Father, we are here with news.”

  “I should hope so,” Zeus said, “Otherwise why would you be here? I do have to say, son, I am surprised at the company you’re keeping these days. One would think you’re familiar with the old adage about dogs and fleas.”

  Hermes flushed and I felt anger roil through me. His jaw tightened. “Aside from the insults, we’re here to save your ass.”

  Zeus sat up straighter and bared his teeth. “You dare? I–”

  “I dare,” said Hermes. “We’re here about one of your errant daughters.”

  Zeus laughed, loud and long. He sat back and crossed one leg over the other casually, as if he had nothing to fear from anyone. Most days that would be true, but today it would seem there was a lot more at stake. “My daughters?” he echoed. “Do tell. Did one of the nymphs use too much water in her shower? Or maybe it was one of the dryads. Does she need to mow her grass? Really Hermes.” Zeus chuckled, an amused look on his face.

  I could feel myself losing patience and tried not to fidget. Hermes needed to get to the point.

  He stood there, stiff and regal and bowed slightly. “It’s Eris.”

  There was no reaction from Zeus other than a slight flinch I would have missed if I hadn’t been looking straight at him.

  “Nonsense,” he scoffed. “She’s been banished to earth. She’s of no concern to me.”

  “I beg to differ, Father. She is responsible for the death of Orpheus and has planted a strife spell on Artie.”

  From the way Zeus paled and his body slouched, word of Orpheus’ death had not reached him. “Orpheus? Orpheus is dead?”

  “I’m afraid so. Abby and Artie found him when they went to Asheville under your orders. She had just finished the job when they arrived at his house.”

  Zeus turned a critical eye to me. I squirmed under his direct gaze. “Why am I not surprised you’re involved in this?”

  I opened my mouth to respond but quickly shut it. I was going to say as little as possible in the hope we all walked out of here in one piece. Artie looked at me before she turned her gaze to Zeus and stepped forward. I was impressed. Zeus scared the hel
l out of Artie. For her to willingly speak in front of him inside of his palace meant she was either trying to protect me or was very, very angry. I voted for angry. She was at her bravest when she was pissed off.

  She bowed deeply and when she stood up, she said, “My liege, the only reason she was involved in this is because you forced her to be. We went to Asheville with the best of intentions, yet when we got there we saw one of our dearest friends burned to a crisp and your daughter skulking out of the house with that freaky smoke thing she does. Then the bitch planted the strife spell on me. On my earring. And I can’t get the Damned. Thing. Off.” The last few words were said with clenched teeth. Artie stood ramrod straight with a glare directed solely at Zeus.

  I hoped she survived this day. I’d miss her. But Zeus let out a belly laugh and slapped his knee in mirth.

  “I’ve been waiting for you to finally come out and play, Artemis. You don’t think I bought the meek and mild shepherd act you’ve been putting on, did you?”

  I glanced over to Artie. She looked flummoxed and opened and shut her mouth a couple of times before she finally elected to frown at him.

  “My children know that I watch them, but they still find themselves surprised when I call them out. I watch everyone, my dear. There are few secrets in Olympus.”

  It was my turn to frown. “Oh, really? Sure seems like you were surprised about Eris.”

  As soon as I said it, I regretted it. What got into me sometimes? Zeus turned his emerald gaze toward me. “Ah. Now she speaks. Only to say something childish.”

  I bristled. Then I sighed and slumped my shoulders in defeat. “Zeus, I really don’t know what you’re looking for here. You told me to make a love match, conveniently leaving out the fact it was Orpheus and Eurydice. You said they were mortals, for crying out loud, not demigods.”