Page 13 of Arrogance
“It can’t be helped. Besides, I have plenty of things I can do to bide the time,” I revealed.
Melaina then cozied up beside me, squeezing my bicep firmly in a seductive manner, whispering intimacies into my ear. “I know of how we can help you bide the time, master.”
The other Thriae giggled, and I could not help but chuckle with them. “Yes. It’s been a long day. I could
release some steam right about now.”
My father called upon me only three days later. I was able to use the chariot he had given me to fly from Delos to Mount Olympus. I sprung from the chariot and was greeted by Zeus’ servants, who quickly escorted me into his palace. The columns were of the finest limestone, while the white opal floors and walls glistened from every angle as I glanced at them.
As we moved down the long and windy corridors of his palace, we finally arrived at the throne room. My father was seated in the left high throne. His facial hair was as pallid as the columns of his palace. To his right sat a woman in a golden tunic with a glorious headpiece embedded with the finest of jewels, partially covering her brunette hair. She held a permanent scowl on her face from the moment I walked in. Based on her physical attributes, I immediately concluded that this must be Hera, my father’s wife, Queen of the Gods.
However, she didn’t utter a single word. It was my father who made the introductions. “My son! Welcome to Mount Olympus!”
I bowed down to the king and queen. “Thank you, father, for seeing me on such short notice.”
“Yes. I was quite taken aback by the sudden request, but I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt and take into consideration your ignorance as a young god,” Zeus revealed.
I heavily gulped, nervous that my father would hold these actions against me, having disappointed him. But I pressed onward, trying not to let that moment of subtle tension linger on any further. “I came to ask a favor of you.”
Hera began snickering at my comment, holding her hand over her mouth, as if she were pretending to hide it. “You’ve done nothing for us in your entire life, yet here you stand asking a favor from the King of the Gods? How dare…”
Zeus held his arm in front of his wife, halting any further words from her. “Enough, Hera!” My father lowered his hand and returned his gaze back over to me. “Continue, my son.”
I gave another gulp before proceeding. “I recently became aware that my sister had an audience with you just several months ago, where she acquired many titles and gifts from you.”
Hera twisted her neck quickly at her husband, aghast at what I revealed. “Is this true?”
Zeus nodded. “Yes. Artemis did meet with me. I did give her a few titles she requested as a goddess.”
“Which is why I stand before you today, father. I wish to have titles bestowed upon me as a god, just as Artemis has,” I revealed.
“Very well. It’s only fair, since I granted several wishes to your twin sister. So tell me, what titles do you wish to add to your name?” Zeus inquired. “I will give you a total of three of them for now. No more and no less.”
“I want to be the God of healing,” I stated, still thinking about my former herds of cattle and other livestock that have been injured and put to death. If I had healing powers at the time, I could have easily saved their lives.
“Done.” Zeus waved his hand in the air. “And the next?”
“Music. I already have the ability to create the most gorgeous sounds in the world with the instruments I’ve made. It’s only fitting,” I explained.
“Very well. And the last one?”
This one was a given. If Artemis was the Goddess of the moon, it was only right for me to have the counterpart. “I want to be the God of the sun.” This was the most important title to me. I felt one with the sun when I was underneath its soaking rays. It enhanced my powers and I felt invincible in its presence.
“I cannot give you the sun, Apollo,” Zeus declared.
I raised my brow, confused. “But why not? You were able to give Artemis the moon.”
“Because, you fool, the sun already belongs to another,” Hera explained. “Helios would never relinquish it.”
I stammered my foot and clenched my fists. “But I must have it! I would do anything to receive that title.”
Zeus began stroking his white beard, deep in thought. “Hmmm. Well, I’m not opposed to the idea. It would further our power as Olympian gods over those titans.”
“But my King, there will be consequences for stripping Helios of his title. We’ve worked so hard to gain the loyalty of the titans. This would lead to disrepair,” Hera proclaimed.
“I won’t strip Helios of his title without warrant. No. We need to be clever and discreet about how we go about this. Let Helios come to us. There will come a time when he has no choice but to request the services of us Olympian gods. And when that time comes, we will put forth the necessary negotiations. We will offer help only if he gives us the sun, in return,” Zeus thought aloud.
“How do you know Helios will ever need us to help him?” I asked.
