Page 29 of Loved By Aphrodite

He nodded, her confidence grounding him despite his apprehension. He reached out his hand, and she took it without hesitation. They disappeared, reappearing moments later on the rocky shores of Sirenum Scopuli.

The roar of the water hit them immediately, a thunderous sound that reverberated through the air. The wind whipped around them, carrying the scent of salt and danger. The rugged cliffs loomed ahead, their dark surfaces slick with seawater.

He looked around, his gaze wary. “Well, this is cheerful.”

She ignored his comment, her eyes scanning the horizon. “The leader of the sirens is here somewhere. Let’s move.”

Reluctantly, he followed her toward the cliffs, the sound of the crashing waves echoing in his ears like a constant warning.

Before he could take a second step, a lilting voice floated on the breeze. “Visitors, how rare.”

A siren emerged, her golden hair shimmering even in the overcast light. Her sea-green eyes locked onto Hephaestus, and her smile was like the first warm rays of dawn. “And such a strong, handsome visitor,” she purred, stepping closer. “What brings you to our shores, oh mighty God of the Forge?”

Hephaestus blinked, feeling a strange pull in his chest as if the siren’s voice had sunk into his very bones. He opened his mouth to respond, but a sharp pain in his arm made him whirl around.

Aphrodite’s nails dug into his bicep, her grip like iron. Her face was the picture of annoyance, her jaw tight, her lips pursed, and her gaze piercing. “I’ll talk to the sirens.” Her voice dripped with venom.

The siren’s smile dimmed slightly, her eyes flicking to Aphrodite, then back to Hephaestus, as though sizing up the situation. “Of course,” she said smoothly, stepping back with a faintly apologetic tilt of her head. “We meant no offense.”

Aphrodite released her hold on Hephaestus, brushing past him without a backward glance. “Stay here,” she ordered over her shoulder, her tone making it clear that this was not a suggestion.

Hephaestus sighed, rubbing his arm where her nails had left faint crescents in his skin.This is going to be fun.

He watched her approach the siren with the kind of authority only Aphrodite could command. Her anger was as unrelenting as the thunderous roar around them, and even the siren seemed to hesitate.

“She’ll handle it,” Hephaestus murmured, half to reassure himself. But even as he said it, he felt a pang of unease.

Aphrodite demanded to see Melodia, their leader. The siren before her smiled. “Melodia does not meet with just anyone. Perhaps you should?—”

“Spare me,” Aphrodite snapped, sharp enough to cut through the siren’s enchantment. “Your weak excuse for power doesn’t work on me. Tell Melodia to come here. Now.”

The siren blinked, her confident smile wavering. Before she could respond, a smooth, resonant voice echoed from the shadows. “Aphrodite, to what do we owe the honor?”

The siren materialized near the jagged rocks, her silvery hair shimmering under the muted light filtering through the stormy sky. She tilted her head with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Aphrodite wasted no time. “Melodia, I don’t have the patience for games today,” she snapped, holding up the green scale between her fingers. “I found this at Matt Anchises’s home. Tell me where he is.”

Melodia’s eyes flicked to the scale, her expression unreadable. “And if I don’t?” she asked, her tone carrying a mock sweetness.

“Then I’ll make sure you regret wasting my time.”

Melodia’s smirk faltered for just a moment before she regained her composure. “You’ve always had such fire,” she mused. “Fine. If you want your answers, you’ll have to solve this.”

She straightened, her haunting eyes gleaming as she began to speak in a rhythmic tone:

“In a place where the land kisses the sea,

Where the sun once set on your family,

The truth is buried, a tangled plea,

Look to the shadows where memories flee.”

Hephaestus frowned, glancing at Aphrodite. “A riddle? Really?”

Aphrodite rolled her eyes. “You sirens love your theatrics,” she said, exasperated.

Melodia chuckled, her laughter echoing eerily off the cliffs. “Consider it a parting gift,” she said, slipping back into the shadows as if she had never been there.

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