“See something you like?” he asked with a grin.
I shook my head. I couldn’t deny it. He had caught me checking him out fair and square. My cheeks were on fire as I tried to casually continue our conversation. Cadmus had laughter in his eyes. He knew exactly how embarrassed I was and it amused him. I had to admit, it was a little amusing. Here I was…a goddess on Mount Olympus and a mortal man had completely taken over my senses. I deserved to be the object of his humor. I smiled pleasantly.
“Are you coming to speak to my father?”
He eyed me. “Yes. I was trying to beat you here, so that I could speak for myself. I should have known that would be a futile effort. You did say that you were impatient.”
I was indignant. “That’s not true,” I told him, the red flush back in my cheeks. “It’s not a futile effort. You’re a grown man. You can speak for yourself.”
“Well, I know that,” he told laughingly. “But do you?”
He had me again. I had definitely been on my way to speak to my father and it hadn’t occurred to me that Cadmus might want to do it himself. I fidgeted with my ankle for a moment and Cadmus laughed.
“I have your number, don’t I?” he asked me with a grin. “You know, before I met you, I always pictured the goddess of peace to be…well, peaceful. You have a more colorful personality than I would have guessed.”
“I am peaceful,” I told him. “Most of the time.”
He laughed and I realized that I could listen to that sound all day long. But we had things to do and dragons to speak to.
“Are you ready to talk to my father?” I asked. “I mean, are you still planning to speak to him?”
“About your hand in marriage?” Cadmus asked, surprised. “Of course. I fully intend for you to be my wife, Harmonia.” He looked at me. “Did you think I had changed my mind?”
Maybe, I thought.
“No,” I answered aloud.
“Liar,” he grinned. “I was merely commenting on how you are more colorful than I anticipated you would be. I like it.”
I felt more relief with his words than I would ever admit.
“So, are you ready?” I asked instead. He nodded.
“Goddesses first,” he opened the door and stood to the side to allow me to pass. As I walked past him, he leaned in and inhaled.
“You smell good,” he whispered in my ear.
“It’s my natural scent,” I told him, aware that many mortals and even some goddesses wore perfume.
“I know,” he nodded. I felt myself flush again.
As we entered the dining hall, the Olympians and various other minor gods and goddesses were eating their breakfast, chatting and socializing. But one by one, as they noticed us, they stopped talking and watched us approach Ares. I could feel several dozen pairs of eyes upon me as we made our way across the room. It made me self-conscious, though I tried hard not to show it.
When we reached Ares, his dark eyes were twinkling.
That could be a good thing or a bad thing. It could mean that he was in a good mood and was inclined to be cooperative.
Or it could mean that he was inclined to give us a hard time for his personal entertainment. There was only one way to find out.
“Father,” I began.
“Ares,” Cadmus interrupted me, with a sideling glance.
I snapped my mouth closed. I had already forgotten that he had wanted to speak for himself. Color once again exploded into my cheeks and I realized that I had blushed more in the past few weeks than I had in my entire life.
“Yes?” Ares raised a dark eyebrow, waiting. I sighed. He was going to be difficult for his own amusement. I could tell already.
“Today marks the end of the eight years that I was sentenced to serve you,” Cadmus began. “It has been so much more interesting than I would ever have thought before and I am surprised to find that I consider you a friend now. I respect you and I value your opinion and insight. I humbly come to you now to ask that you release me from my bondage.”
Cadmus paused and looked at me. I held my breath.
“And?” Ares asked, his eyebrow still raised.
He reached over and grabbed a goblet of nectar, casually sipping from it as he waited to discuss my future. I was dying of anxiety inside, but I tried to calm myself. I had a feeling that both Ares and Cadmus were prolonging this on purpose to try my patience.
Cadmus smiled.
“I would like to come to you as a free man, free of all bonds, to respectfully ask for your daughter Harmonia’s hand in marriage. I swear to you that I will protect her every day of her life with my own.”
Ares appraised Cadmus silently.
“You are a strong lad, which is apparent. You are brave and true, as you have proven. You are a man of your word, which is commendable. My question is: Will you be a good husband to my daughter?”
Cadmus nodded without hesitation. “I will.”
“Will you honor her?”
“Yes.”
“Can you manage her?”
There was absolute silence, then the entire room erupted into laughter. Even Cadmus himself chuckled. Ares’ eyes were twinkling.
“You think that I jest, but my daughter has more spirit than you might realize. So, again, I ask you, can you handle her?”
My cheeks burned once again as I waited for Cadmus’ response. I stared at my feet until Cadmus reached over and lifted my chin with one finger.
“I promise that I will work as a partner to your daughter. I will try to be a strength to her weaknesses, and listen when she advises me on mine. If she can handle me at my worst, I can handle her at hers.”
The room was utterly silent at the perfection of his answer. My heart swelled in my chest at his words, at the sweet tone of his voice, at the warmth in his chocolate brown eyes. If my father didn’t grant his permission within the next minute, I felt that I might quite literally die.
Ares turned to me, the laughter gone from his eyes.
“Do you want to marry this man even though he is mortal?”
My answer was immediate.
“Yes.”
My father stared at me for a moment, reading my thoughts, studying my face.
“So be it,” he finally replied. “Be happy, sweet daughter.” Turning to Cadmus, his tone firmed up. “Make her happy,” he instructed sternly. He puffed his chest out as only the god of war could, creating an ominous, commanding presence.
Cadmus didn’t even flinch. “Yes, sir.”
Ares sat back down. “Very well, then.” He turned to Zeus who was seated at the head of his table next to his wife, Hera. “Zeus, do you have anything to add? Do you approve this union?”
My grandfather stared at me quietly, his white-silver hair standing up crazily on his head as it always did. He seemed to stare directly into my soul and he was silent for minutes on end. It was unsettling. Finally, he spoke.
“I foresee that you will have many, many adventures in life. You will love each other deeply. Never forget to hold tight to that love. It will sustain you no matter what comes, no matter what you may face.”
“Yes, grandfather,” I agreed.
Zeus turned to Cadmus. “Since you did not return to Tyre with Europa, am I safe to assume that your father will not welcome your return now?”
Cadmus’ expression hardened. “I assume that is correct. My father has not contacted me in any way throughout the past eight years. I assume that he has taken another heir to his throne. I am free to continue about my own destiny.”
I froze. We would not need to live in the mortal world?
Zeus smiled. “Ah, my son. You will soon discover that there is no such thing as ‘your own destiny.’ Our destinies are often intertwined with and determined by others. In life, we make choices and decisions based on the actions of others, therefore re-carving our destinies time and time again. You will have a long, twisted path in life, Cadmus. But your life will be worth it.”
I stared at my grandfather in puzzl
ement. A long, twisted path?
Zeus ignored my gaze, choosing instead to continue speaking to Cadmus.
“Because of your bravery in saving Ortrera and Harmonia and because you have served your sentence with honor, I offer you this gift. During your travels to find Europa, you built a small city called Cadmea. It has grown in your absence and is a bustling and successful metropolis now, frequently referred to as Thebes. I make you this offer: You can, if you choose, live in Thebes as ruler. You will be king of Thebes, and Harmonia will be your queen.”
Cadmus was silent, considering the offer. I chose this moment to interject.
“Grandfather, will Cadmus remain mortal? I ask, because based on his bravery alone, I think that it would be reasonable to suggest that he be granted immortality. I do not wish to watch my husband grow old and die in front of me.”
Zeus studied me for a moment. His silver eyes reflective.
“What you say is true, granddaughter. And I have taken it into advisement. However, if you choose to live in the mortal world, you must do so as mortals. But I offer you this option: You may live as mortals until such time that you would like to return to the Spiritlands and make this your home. At that time, you will regain your immortality and I will grant immortality to Cadmus, as well.
“In doing it in such a way, you would gain the best of both worlds. You will experience mortal life while at the same time ensuring that you will also live forever at any time that you choose. The one caveat is that you must not die while in the mortal world. If you do, your fate will pass from my hands to my brother, Hades, since he is the god of the dead. And he is well-known for wanting to keep souls in his kingdom, the Underworld. It is not likely that he would allow you to leave. So, in taking this deal, you would be taking a risk. But Harmonia, bear in mind that sometimes in life, the greatest things are attained by risk-taking.”
I swallowed. Then swallowed again. Turning to me, Cadmus took my hands.
“What do you think, Harmonia? I will not force you to live in the mortal world if you do not wish to do so. I think we would have magnificent adventures, though. With you by my side, there is nothing that we cannot do. I fully believe that. And then after we are tired and have accomplished much, we can return here to your home and live here together, forever. What do you think?”
Every eye in the room was upon me as I pondered the choice. Zeus was correct. It was a risk. If I died while in the mortal world, I would instantly be removed to the Underworld where I would live under Hades’ rule. His warning from months ago returned to me and I almost shuddered. Had he been trying to tell me something? Did he foresee that my mortal life would end badly?
I stared into Cadmus’ eyes, and found them to be warm and true. I knew, in that one instant, that I would go anywhere he wanted me to go. I would take any risk that needed to be taken, as long as I was by his side. I pushed Hades’ warning from my thoughts and nodded.
“I will go with you.” Turning to my grandfather, I added, “Someday we will return to Olympus and I will resume my place as goddess of peace and harmony. Until that time, I will rule Thebes at the side of my husband.”
The entire room erupted in applause.
Cadmus pulled me to him gently and any lingering doubts that I had vanished with his kiss.
Chapter Ten
My home in the mortal world, in the city called Thebes, was almost as beautiful as the home I had just left in the Spiritlands.
Thebes, just as my grandfather had described it, was busy and successful. Our palace was situated in the center, so that we could see every angle of the city. Our palace was made from the finest of stones, of marbles, granites, limestones and onyx, not that it really mattered to me. Finery was fine, but it wasn’t necessary. I found that all I really needed was Cadmus. And very soon, he would officially be mine.
I decided within a few hours of arriving in my new home that the mortal world wasn’t nearly as dismal and horrible as so many of my friends and acquaintances had always made it sound. Not even close. It was actually lovely here. The weather was tropical and warm, the sun bright and cheerful. I most certainly could not complain about the beauty.
The people of Thebes had welcomed me with open arms, as well. They were a colorful and loud people and they already respected me for giving up a life on Olympus to be with their King. Although, in all honesty, it wasn’t nearly the hardship that they imagined.
We had invited the entire city to our wedding this evening, as well as the Olympians. It was to be a grand affair, much grander than I needed, but exactly as grand as my mother thought it should be. Aphrodite simply could not resist putting together a party of epic proportions.
“Harmonia,” she called, entering the sitting room portion of my suite.
She padded lightly across the woven rugs and cool marble floors before she stood in front of me. She was radiant today, in a mint gauze gown and silver jewelry that matched her eyes. She held out her hands.
“Are you ready to see your gown?” she asked excitedly. “It is going to look beautiful on you. We hired the services of the best seamstresses in the city, so your gown is actually made by local mortals! I thought that would be a nice gesture.”
Aphrodite chattered excitedly as she led me to where my wedding dress was hanging. Strangely enough, I didn’t care what it looked like. I simply wanted this day to be over so that I could begin my life with Cadmus. I felt as though I was in limbo right now, simply waiting for my life to start. But very soon, we would be together. We would be married and it would be official.
He would be mine.
Because of that thought, I was able to patiently smile at my mother.
“Alright. Show me.”
She pulled away the sheets and my dress hung before me. She was right, as she almost always was in these matters. The gown was beautiful. It was strapless and the bodice was made from lace. The gauzy skirts were made from the finest of silk with pearls embedded in the hem and the voluminous fabric seemed to float to the floor. It was simple and elegant, exactly my taste. I turned to my mother.
“Thank you for keeping it simple. I love it. It’s perfect.”
“I know,” she agreed happily.
My mother continued chattering as she called in my new maids and everyone began the process of making me beautiful for Cadmus.
My long dark hair was twisted into an elaborate chignon, my eyes were made up intricately with green cosmetics, my lips were painted with red. My mother and my servants had just buttoned up the hundred pearl fasteners that lined my back when there was a knock on the doors to my suite.
A maid quickly appeared to me with Hephaestus, my step-father, limping at her heels. He had limped for as long as I had known him, the result of a birth injury.
The girl bowed low. “Your step-father, your highness.”
“Thank you,” I told her, then looked in confusion to Hephaestus.
He and I didn’t interact very much, since he obviously detested my father. I was a product of Aphrodite’s dalliances with Ares. I couldn’t quite blame Hephaestus for not wanting me in his sight. I was a visible reminder of my mother’s constant betrayal.
“Hephaestus,” I greeted him, kissing both of his cheeks. Hephaestus was a giant of a god, so I had to stand on tiptoes. “I’m so happy that you came.”
“I wouldn’t dishonor Aphrodite by missing her daughter’s wedding,” he told me gruffly. “Every other Olympian is in attendance. I should be here as well.”
“Well, thank you, all the same,” I told him awkwardly. Hephaestus wasn’t known for his social graces.
He thrust a large velvet box into my hands.
“Your wedding gift. I made it myself. I thought you might like to wear it to the ceremony, as a reminder of home.”
Surprise rushed through me, then warmth. Perhaps he didn’t hate me, after all. It was an interesting turn-of-events, but my very nature craved peace. I would accept any olive branch that he cared to offer me.
I snapped the
velvet lid open and gasped. Nestled among silk, a perfect red bloodstone glistened from the white folds of fabric. It was at least three inches long and hung on a glittering, thick golden chain. It was quite a stunning olive branch.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathed. “It must be very rare. I’ve seen many green bloodstones, but rarely a red one.”
“It is most assuredly one of a kind,” he replied. “I thought it would look lovely on you.” He stepped around Aphrodite, ignoring her astonished expression, and lifted the heavy necklace from the box. Unclasping it, he fastened it around my neck.
It came to a rest against my chest and I felt a shiver of cold run down my spine from the cool stone. It was large, the side of half my fist, a crimson blood-red with dark black veins running through it. I ran my fingers along its face, enjoying the cool smoothness of the stone.
“Thank you, Hephaestus,” I gushed to my step-father. “This will be my favorite gift today, I am sure of it. It is breath-taking. And so very thoughtful of you.”
He flushed, a rare show of emotion for him and then nodded his large head.
“I am glad you like it. As I was making it, I fancied that it might bring you fortune throughout the years. As my wife’s beautiful daughter, you deserve any fortune that it might deem fit to bring you. Congratulations on your wedding, step-daughter.”
He nodded once more and then took his leave, limping slowly across my sitting room to exit the double doors. I turned to my mother.
“How kind of him,” I said in wonder. “I never would have thought that he would even bother attending my wedding, much less bring such a lovely gift.”
“Yes, it is strange,” my mother agreed, her eyes narrowed as she stared after him. “Very strange. But, let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth, right? The necklace is beautiful and he is right. You look lovely in it.”
I fingered the cool stone again. It was such a heavy presence in my fingers and resting against my chest. It was a piece with substance. It felt just right against my skin.
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