by Marie Medina
“He knows what will save him. He knows what he needs.”
Eris felt the ground under her shake a tiny bit as she tried to disperse her anger. “So he has to suffer through this and figure out your damned riddle as well.”
“He will know. Tell him that.”
“I don’t understand you.”
Aphrodite turned away. “No, I suppose you don’t. I’m not just a silly, cruel bitch.”
“You can be one from time to time though.”
She turned back and smiled sadly. “Fair enough. I hope you will think more of me when this is over. He will be happy.”
“I can’t believe that.”
“Try.”
“It’s rather hard,” Hera said. The queen of the gods appeared behind Aphrodite. “I thought I hated you at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis when you pulled your little trick. I despised you for giving Helen to Paris and sparking Troy and Greece to war. You should’ve been blamed for the Trojan War all this time, not Eris. And then your son Aeneas abandoned Dido, queen of my favored city Carthage, and she killed herself. Zeus should never have granted him immortality at your request.”
“Why bring all that up?” Aphrodite asked. Eris could tell she was afraid of what Hera meant to do.
“Love. All that sorrow happened in the name of love. Paris’ love for Helen, Dido’s love for Aeneas. You think anything can be excused because of love.”
“No, I don’t.”
Eris didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want to defy Hera, but she feared the queen might act rashly out of love for her son.
“You don’t love my son, so why are you doing this?”
Aphrodite took a breath. “Can’t you trust me? He will find what he needs and be happy.”
“I want more reassurance than that.”
Aphrodite wrung her hands. “Wake him and tell him what I said. I was just telling Eris what she needed to do.”
Hera looked at Eris, then back at Aphrodite. “Why do it like this? I don’t know what you intend to happen, but wasn’t there another way? A way that wouldn’t leave my son in such pain?”
“If he sleeps, he feels no pain. Tell him what I said. I cannot go near him while he’s under the spell.”
“You can’t?”
“No. I might say too much. If I reveal too much, it won’t work.”
Eris stepped forward. “Hera, why don’t we try? Aphrodite will still be here.”
Hera stared at the goddess of love, but then she nodded. “I can’t think of an end result that will make me forgive you.”
Aphrodite’s eyes filled with tears. “Well then, one more person will despise me. Just go to him.”
Eris stayed silent as she and Hera left. She didn’t want to anger her queen at a time like this.
Hera sighed. “Hypnos is with him. We can wake him with little pain and tell him.”
“Do you have any ideas?”
Hera sighed. “I believe we both do. Alala may have to do something.”
“She’ll do anything for him, but we will have to protect her. She’s never been to the Underworld before.”
Hera shook her head. “I don’t think it will be that serious. If Hypnos has kept his brother away, Ares will not have entered the Underworld.”
“Then what? A quest?”
“I don’t know, but I’m certain it will involve Alala. She once had to find ambrosia when he was wounded. She could do that again.”
Eris nodded. “I feel sorry for Arion. It has to be obvious how much Alala loves Ares.”
“He’s a sweet boy, but perhaps better suited for a mortal girl.”
“I think so too, but it still has to hurt.”
“You’ll forgive me for caring more for my own son’s happiness.”
“Of course I do. I feel the same. Arion will recover.” Eris thought for a moment. “Perhaps she must choose between them? Hardly a challenge, but maybe it’s symbolic? Then again, we can’t assume it has to do with love. I think Alala will have to do something because she loves him so much. I’m not sure he knows how much he loves her.”
“He does. I saw the look in his eyes when Arion kissed her cheek. His pain doubled, but she realize why. She only saw the pain in his eyes. She didn’t understand the cause.”
“I don’t understand why it’s so hard.”
Hera shrugged. “A stubborn and pessimistic man and a proud yet unconfident woman? They’ll both laugh at what fools they were.”
“I hope we’re right.”
“We won’t know until we wake Ares.”
Eris took a deep breath. She’d never been so scared.
* * * *
Alala watched Hypnos. He was very handsome, but in the way vampires are in romance novels and movies, very pale and ethereal, distant yet sensual. He looked up and caught her staring.
“Sorry.”
He smiled. “You shouldn’t be. You seem less afraid. I’m glad.”
“You’re not as scary sitting here, I guess. I don’t really fear you. Why would I?”
He considered this. “Well, my powers could be as terrifying as my brother’s, wouldn’t you say?”
She nodded. “I suppose so. It’s hard to tell you apart on the battlefield with your helmets on.”
“Ah. Perhaps that is it. But then again, you’re a goddess. You have little reason to fear us.”
“You’re right. Perhaps I’m more mortal than I thought.”
“Your mother was mortal?”
Alala was surprised. “Yes. Only a few people know that. Ares doesn’t even know.”
“Well, she was honored when my brother…escorted her to the Elysian Fields. And Polemus came to see her on the shores of the Acheron.”
“He did? He said he never saw her again after he brought me here.”
“You weren’t permitted to be with her, so perhaps he didn’t want you to know.”
Alala felt sad. She wouldn’t have preferred being among mortals, but it would’ve only been while her mother was alive. She’d never understood the ever-changing rules Zeus imposed on them. “She was beautiful, but I knew nothing about her. She was a warrior, and not very motherly.”
Hypnos nodded. “True, but this isn’t what I intended. I’ve given you another sorrow in trying to distract you.”
She shook her head. “It’s fine. I feel safe with you here.”
The doors opened, and Zeus and Megaera walked in.
“Meg?” Alala asked.
Meg hid behind her brown hair, and Alala saw a few streaks of blood on her face, which meant she had been crying. The tears of the Furies were always made of blood.
Zeus put his hands on Meg’s shoulders. “Alala, Meg needs to tell Ares something. When she placed the spell, she didn’t have time to tell him what would break it. We need to leave them alone.”
“Who did this?” Alala asked.
Meg spoke up. “Aphrodite. Please, Alala, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t disobey her.”
Alala sighed and met her gaze. “I understand. May Hypnos stay? I don’t trust this spell. Aphrodite is not the best at them.”
“Hades has assured me Thanatos will not come for my son. You have no reason to be afraid.” Zeus reached for her hand. “Come with me. You need to be taken care of too.”
She took Zeus’ hand and left the room with him and Hypnos. When they reached the hallway, she saw Apollo standing by the window.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, the words coming out more sharply than she’d intended.
Zeus and Hypnos both looked surprised, but Apollo at least had the decency to look a bit sheepish.
“I came to offer any help I could. I was talking to Eris when she felt what happened. She told me to stay away, but I didn’t listen.”
Alala scowled at him, not caring that the other two men wouldn’t understand her anger. “I’m sure she did. Perhaps you should have.”
Zeus stepped forward. “Apollo, is there a quarrel between you and Ares?”
Apollo color
ed, and Alala thought it was more from fear than from embarrassment. “There may be one soon enough. May I speak to Alala?”
“I don’t think she wants to speak with you at all,” Hypnos said.
“I don’t, so if you will all excuse me.” She turned and walked quickly down the hall. She couldn’t get away fast enough, yet she couldn’t help smiling as she thought of leaving Apollo with Zeus and his determined curiosity.
* * * *
“And you’re here because…” Eris asked venomously when she saw Apollo outside Ares’ room.
Apollo looked very uncomfortable. “I came to offer help, but I think I may be the one who needs it now.”
Hera looked at Zeus. “What has happened?”
Zeus took a deep breath. “I will tell you as soon as Megaera comes out. She’s been in there a long time.”
“What is she doing?” Eris asked.
“She’s completing her spell. She was supposed to tell Ares what would break it, but when she touched him before, he tried to fight her and cried out for Alala. She didn’t have time.”
“We went to Aphrodite, and she told us about the spell.”
The door opened and Meg emerged, looking confused.
“What?” Hera demanded.
“I don’t think he understood me. He just keeps asking for Alala.”
Eris held her breath. “And you asked him what he needed? You told him he knew what would cure him?”
Meg nodded. “He didn’t seem to see me though. He keeps repeating Alala’s name. I can’t be sure of his answer until she’s here.”
Eris looked around. “Where is she?”
Zeus glared at Apollo. “She didn’t care for Apollo’s company, so she left.”
“I told you to back off!” Eris yelled.
Apollo met her accusing gaze. “Look, I came to try to help. I thought it would be a good start to making things right.”
“You have the worst possible timing, as usual. I’m going to find Alala. Perhaps Ares will be more himself when she’s here.”
Meg touched Eris’ arm to stop her from going. “Maybe she’s all he needs. Aphrodite said he would know no matter what. Maybe he wasn’t confused after all.”
“Maybe.” She looked out the window. “I have to find her. Why doesn’t someone explain all this to Hera? That should be fun.”
Apollo narrowed his eyes, but then turned away.
You deserve it, she said to him.
Maybe I do, he replied.
She felt sadness from him, but she didn’t have time to worry about that. She had to find Alala.
* * * *
Alala sat in Demeter’s kitchen with Arion. She felt as if she was in the kitchen of an enormous palace. It obviously took up half of Demeter’s home.
She suddenly wished Arion weren’t so shy. She had no idea how to begin. To her surprise though, he spoke first.
“We’re still friends, and we always will be. That’s why I liked you so much.”
“What?”
He touched her hand. “You always had your guard up when I talked about Ares, and now I see why.”
“It was wrong to lead you on.”
“You didn’t.”
He was being too kind, too submissive. She wanted him to be like Ares just for one moment and get angry. That she knew how to handle.
“I did. We’re very different, and I’m in love with someone else. It was wrong.”
“I had a good time. We spent two very nice nights together.”
Alala squeezed his hand. “How can you be so kind to me?”
“You were kind to me. You respected the fact I’m still a virgin, while everyone else laughs. You cared about my feelings when you could’ve seduced me with a look. You’re a wonderful woman. I’m glad I meant something to you, even if it never became more.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’m glad you don’t hate me, because I can’t be alone right now.”
He took her into his arms. “I’m your friend. That hasn’t changed.”
She held him close. “I don’t know what to do.”
A hand touched her shoulder. “You need to come with me. He’s asked for you.”
She looked up at Eris. “He’s awake? What do we need to do?”
“He needs you.”
Alala felt her heart pound harder. Was he going to die? How could Hera allow it? “Please, how is he?”
Eris pulled her to her feet. “Come with me now. He can’t be well without you at his side.”
Arion nodded. “Go. He needs you.”
Alala followed Eris, wondering what she was about to face.
* * * *
Ares felt a hand on his forehead. He knew his mother was there.
“Alala.”
“She’s coming,” Hera whispered.
The pain in his chest worsened when he took deep breaths. All he could see was Alala. He couldn’t rid his mind of the image of Arion kissing her. She’d watched Arion as he left, sadness in her eyes.
The pain grew worse. He wanted to be unconscious and just forget. He couldn’t stand thinking of how he’d lost her, what a fool he’d been.
He heard others talking, Zeus and another man. He couldn’t tell. Then he heard Alala’s voice.
“How is he?” she asked.
He tried to open his eyes, and he saw her in a blur. Her red hair fell against his chest as she leaned close.
“I’m here, Ares. Tell me what you need.”
“You,” he managed. He tried to touch her, but he couldn’t lift his hand. He still didn’t know what he had done. He’d stumbled and reached for Megaera when she touched him, but she must have thought he was attacking her. He hadn’t been able to explain when she came back that he knew it wasn’t her fault. She’d told him he knew what he needed. But he didn’t. He wanted Alala. She completely filled his mind.
“Ares, do you understand what we’ve said? You are the only one who can tell us what you need.”
“I need you.”
She leaned closer. “What can I do?”
He pressed his cheek to hers. It felt cool, and he knew he must be burning with fever. His strength sapped, he couldn’t say anything else. He drifted back into sleep, wanting to stay in her embrace despite the pain.
* * * *
“I don’t understand!” Hera exclaimed. “Alala is here. Why can’t he tell her? Why can’t he tell me? Something has gone wrong. I’m going to kill that little bitch!”
Zeus cleared his throat. “Perhaps you should talk to her first.”
“That did no good. She said she can’t come here. It will destroy the spell.”
Hypnos asked, “Isn’t that what needs to happen?”
Hera shook her head. “It will kill him. The spell must run its course.” She looked at Alala and moved closer to Zeus. “You know she loves him?”
Zeus nodded.
“Then what? If he needs her, doesn’t he have her? I mean, it is one of Aphrodite’s spells, but I can’t imagine they have to have sex, not with him like this and her worried to death.”
“Perhaps it isn’t sex. It must be love.”
“But what is supposed to happen?”
Alala looked up at them, but then she turned back to Ares.
“We should leave them alone,” Zeus suggested.
Hera gazed at her son. He looked so pale, and she wanted to snap her fingers and take it all away, but she couldn’t. “If you think so. I can’t think of anything else to do.”
* * * *
Alala watched Zeus and Hera herd everyone out. Hera kissed Alala on the cheek before she left. She wanted Hera to say something so she’d feel better, but she only walked away and closed the door.
She turned to Ares. Sometimes she felt his hands tighten around hers, but she thought he must be dreaming because he didn’t open his eyes.
“Ares, can you hear me? I don’t understand what I have to do. How can I do anything? How could I save you? It doesn’t make any sense.” She rested her head on his chest
and listened to his heart beating. Something grazed her forehead, but she couldn’t open her eyes. She was falling asleep, but she didn’t want to.
“Hypnos?”
“Shhhhh.” The hand touched her again, and she drifted off into sleep.
* * * *
Alala opened her eyes and found herself in the arbor where she used to meet Apollo. She looked around and finally saw Ares.
“Why are we here?” she asked.
Ares looked around. “I don’t know.” He flexed his arms and took a deep breath. “I don’t feel any pain.” He pulled her into his arms. “Because you’re here.”
“I don’t know what to do.” All of her confused feelings churned within her. She didn’t know what was about to happen.
“Why is this place important?” he asked. “I don’t think I’ve ever been here.”
Alala buried her face in his chest. “I suppose I have no choice but to tell you.”
Ares held her away from his chest so he could look at her. “Why don’t you want to? Alala, you’re trembling.”
She laughed nervously. “It’s so silly. I shouldn’t be afraid. This is where I realized I loved you.”
He held her chin up and smiled. “So you do love me?”
She nodded. “I think I have to tell you everything.”
“Go on. Don’t be afraid.”
“I lost my virginity here.”
He stiffened. “And these two things happened on the same night? I find that a little hard to believe.”
“It’s true. You’re going to be very angry with someone when I tell you.”
His arms tightened around her, and his eyes burned with orange flames. “If you were forced I will have the man’s heart in my hand as soon as I wake up!” The anger in his voice made her shiver, and he cradled her face in his hand. “You shouldn’t be afraid or ashamed. Tell me who it was.”
“I wasn’t raped. Another god appeared to me as you. I thought I was making love to you.”
“That sounds like rape to me. Who was it?”
She could still feel his anger, but sadness had crept into his eyes. She didn’t want him to blame himself for what had happened, but she knew he would. “Apollo. We continued to have an affair afterwards. I came to him when I felt lonely.”
