Page 3 of Prometheus' Priestess

“Just as wretched as you remember.”

For while Hephaestus was currently married to Aphrodite, she had not been the first sister he’d had his eye on. Originally, he had been after Athena. But Athena − cunning, brilliant Athena − had vanished from their marital bed before it was consummated. Aphrodite, on the other hand, had experienced what she liked to call ‘a momentary lapse of judgement’. After Hera had caved to her son’s demands − and who fell for such a stupid trick as to be stuck to a throne? − Zeus had demanded Aphrodite be married off to Hephaestus as per his request. Her father had tried to reason that it would prevent other gods from fighting over her, but Aphrodite hadlikedother gods doing that. Still, she preened at the attention from Hephaestus at first. He may not have been the most attractive god, but he had lathered her with honour and attention, and when he had presented her with a beautifully adorned, saltire-shaped girdle that accentuated her breasts and enhanced her beauty, she had agreed to consummate the marriage.

It had been many moons − and lovers − since they had been that happy and Hephaestus’ attitude now matched his ugly exterior. Aphrodite couldn’t bear it, but she could bear agrudge.

“I blame you, you know,” she said, laughing. “If Zeus had not borne you out of his head, Hera would have never felt the need to bear that greatheffalump.”

Athena shrugged. “She says she loves me. Until she says or does otherwise, I’ll choose to use that to myadvantage.”

“What Hera feels for you is not love. She tolerates you as Zeus’ favourite.”

Athena let out a small smile at the acknowledgement she thought her sister couldn’t see. They weren’t sisters in truth, which is perhaps why Aphrodite could make the remark without seething in jealousy, unlike the rest of their siblings. She was technically Athena’s great aunt, but politics in the family were rife and so she had been “adopted” by Zeus to keep the lineage all neat and tidy. No one could tell the difference anyway, for Aphrodite’s skin was as pure a white as milk and with a glow that made her look ever-fertile. She would never look heryears.

“Regardless of how I feel about Hera,” Aphrodite continued, “and even if we did ignore the ruling that we can’t meddle in the affairs of humans anymore, I can only gift them love. It won’t transmute the fear. It will just mean they hold both at once. What you need is analchemist.”

Athena nodded in understanding. Hera had, more specifically, forbidden her husband from actively participating in the human realm, given his penchant for other beautiful women. She hated how Zeus had petted over them, cosseted them. The nymphs had been bad enough, but to keep follying with the humans? No, to that she’d put her foot down. But, so as not to embarrass him, Hera had made the decree for all Greek gods and goddesses alike. It had been in place for the last two thousand years, give or take a couple of extra centuries, for time meant little to immortals. Of course, that hadn’t stopped Zeus or any of the rest of them meddling, but the decree had been declared as a rule in Olympus, nonetheless.

The unspoken rule remained. If you were going to meddle in the affairs of humans, it had to go unnoticed. It was why the humans didn’t believe in them, the gods, anymore.

There was a quick three-tap knock on the door.

“Enter.”

A wizened older woman shuffled into the room. Her hair, the colour of straw and curls cropped close to her head, was held together by a woven band that was detailed with snakes and olive branches intertwined and spoke of how she held the office of High Priestess for Athena.

“Ah Lysia, your arrival couldn’t be any moreopportune.”

“My Lady, I come with matters of state you have been asked to oversee.” She walked over to Athena’s desk by the arched window closest to Athena and placed the papers exactly in the order of importance and in a precise spot so as not to disturb anything else on the desk. She then stepped back and bowed deeply to both goddesses.

“You would think,” Athena muttered, “that after the Romans ransacked my office and we relocated here, I would have less to dealwith.”

“I’ve taken care of most of it, my lady. Your keen eye to make sure all is as it should be, as well as your seal, is all that isrequired.”

“Ah Lysia, must you take your leave this season? You truly are one of the most adept high priestesses to hold my office.” In truth, she was the tenth in her family to take the title of High Priestess. Athena would mourn her stepping away, but already Lysia’s daughter was training to take her place so that she might have a reprieve. She had certainly earnedit.

“I will leave you in capable hands, I promise. Is there anything else I can do for you, mylady?”

“Actually there is.” Athena pinned her with an eerie stare, and despite their relationship and her slight shuffle, from old bones weary from work, Lysia stood column straight with rigid shoulders as a soldier might stand to attention. “Do we have any in the Athenai sisterhood who are skilledalchemists?”

The High Priestess closed her eyes momentarily, stepping into a mind palace of archives. So great was the depth and breadth of this woman’s knowledge, Athena didn’t so much as appear startled when she received a reply.

“I will have to confirm with the parchment records, but I believe you have one who travelled to study under Circe, the firstwitch.”

“Who?”

“Amara.”

“Amara ... I know that name. Why do I know that name?” Aphroditeinterrupted.

“I believe she also served at one time under you, my lady.” Lysia inclined her head in acknowledgement. This did startle the two sisters, and Athena’s bright eyes swivelled to a woman whose intellect was as sound as her judgement.

“You are sure, Lysia?”

“Almost certain, my lady. What’s more, she also had a brief stint in Artemis’ court.”

Aphrodite let out a sharp whistle between perfect pearly teeth. “How did she manage to serve under each of us without the others ever knowing?”

Priestesses were allowed to serve under whichever deity they chose, but to serve as a priestess was to find favour with the goddess you chose and to serve her for the period of time agreed. Most chose to serve only one for the span of her natural born life, when they were allowed to take mortals for priestesses, but there were the occasional immortal priestesses that could find such favour that, should she wish to be released, her lady would grant her those privileges.

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