Page 37 of Arrogance
Ares slapped his hand to his forehead. “Would it be prudent of me to admit that I, the God of war, fear you, Aphrodite?”
His words gave me great solace. It made me feel all the more powerful, as I should. “Well, if you truly possess that fear, then you know to never disappoint me.” I pressed my index finger to his broad chest before tracing it up and down his torso, admiring every massive muscle in his body.
“I wouldn’t dare disappoint you, Aphrodite,” Ares softly whispered, leaning down so that his burly body could reach mine. His head lowered to press his lips into my own. It was then I realized how badly I missed him. Ares’ lips were full, but rough. I could practically taste the ash and blood from the battlefields that lingered on him. It triggered an arousal in me. I was going to experience the fullness of this masculine warrior who killed countless men in battle over me, pressing himself inside me, allowing us to become one.
“Good,” I nonchalantly replied, separating my lips from his. “Well then, you better do your best to please me. You know how easily disappointed I can become.” I pushed Ares back so that he fell into the bed and I hurried to jump on top of his body, claiming him as I
did all of my men.
I spent several days with Ares, locked away in his palace, wishing this could be a permanent fix to distract me from the turmoil I knew I would return to experiencing when not confined by these walls with him.
But I knew it was impossible for us to isolate ourselves from the world. We had duties as Olympian gods and goddesses we needed to fulfill. Speaking offulfill, I still had other needs that required my attention. I had to admit, the last day or so spent with Ares did become rather dull. As we made love with each other, I found my mind wandering to thoughts about other men and their bodies on my own. It was natural for anyone to become bored with the same person over and over again. The body and the mind always longed for new experiences, new adventures when it came to the art of love. Mine were no different.
As I emerged from his palace, I planned on returning to Cyprus to visit several of my high priestesses. While I was preparing for my departure, a voice called out from behind me. “Already staking your claim on Ares when he barely stepped foot back on Olympus, I see.”
I abruptly turned around, both surprised by the suddenness of the person to show up behind me without me being aware of their proximity, while also shocked by the audacity of their ornery introduction.
I scanned the figure up and down, rolling my eyes. I recognized those raggedy garbs and small traces of debris lodged in her hair. Her bow forever carried on her back at all times. “Artemis… for what to do I owe the pleasure? Or rather, suffer the intolerability of your presence?”
“I didn’t come here to banter with you, Aphrodite. I came to warn you. We have quite the dilemma involving those closest to us,” she stated.
I had a hunch she was referring to Apollo and Adonis, of course, but was clueless as to how their relationship affected her. Obviously, she was the Goddess of chastity, so I suspected the thought of her brother being sexually active, let alone with another man, likely repulsed her.
“We do?” I asked.
“Yes. Clearly, it seems you can’t keep your young lover tamed. The troublesome mortal has managed to seduce my brother,” Artemis explained.
“And what do you expect me to do about it? There is nothing wrong with the two of them being physically attracted to one another. The more I try to step in, the more prone they are to defy me and meet often, anyway.” Secretly, I wanted Apollo and Adonis separated just as much as Artemis did. However, there was no way I would be divulging my jealousy to her. I would never allow this wretched goddess to know I was vulnerable and weak.
“Youwilldo something about it,” she aggressively stated.
“Excuse me?” Was she threatening me? Artemis should know better that I do not respond well to threats. Just who was she taking me for?
“There’s been a recent development that puts my brother and your lover in peril. I caught the two of them making love, right out in the open on the Shrine of Delphi,” she revealed.
I tried to withhold my gasp, but could not manage to. “No. Adonis would never be stupid enough to do such a thing,” I thought aloud.
“But he was. And my brother is even more of an idiot. He could lose the shrine, all the prophetic abilities he’s worked so hard to obtain. The consequences he could face are dire. Our father would have no choice but to ban him from Mount Olympus for eternity. He will surely rot in Tartarus for years to come. And as for Adonis…” she paused.
I knew exactly of the words that were going to come out of her mouth. I had no desire for her to speak them to me. I was well aware of Adonis’ fate if word got out about the sacrilegious crime he committed at the Shrine of Delphi. The King of the Gods would show no remorse for such treason. Adonis would likely parish and turn to ash on the spot by him. I couldn’t imagine parting with him in such an abhorrent way.
“No need to elaborate any further,” I replied. “Who else caught witness to them in the act?” I needed to tie up all the loose ends. If anyone besides Artemis and me did know about this transgression, I would need to make sure they never uttered it to a soul. If it meant killing them, then so be it.
“It was just me,” Artemis replied.
“Oh? Well, we should have nothing to worry about then. Surely, you would never tell on your own twin brother and have him damned for an eternity, would you?” As I asked this out loud, I became aware of the answer to my own question. If Artemis had no intention of admitting this information to anyone else, then she would have kept this secret to herself and not have me involved in it. She had another angle she was going for by seeking me out. And I knew I would be finding out what her end goal was with all of this shortly.
“That all depends on what happens from here on out.” Artemis had a devious glare on her face. One that was even unsettling to me. “I’ll discuss this with Apollo soon. He will be given an ultimatum. If he continues on in having this affair with Adonis, I’ll have no choice but to inform Zeus of their indecency at Delphi. Youwilldo the same for Adonis. Explain to him that his continued encounters with Apollo will result in both of their damnations. Do you understand me?”
I never liked Artemis, and this gave me even more of a reason to despise her. She was adamant about separating Adonis and Apollo. And for what? Her own values and beliefs that she felt were being defied? As much as I detested her for givingmedemands, I had to admire her resolve. She did not realize that she was also doing me a favor with this scheme of hers. Much to my relief, Apollo and Adonis would no longer be able to meet each other, and I wouldn’t even have to risk or take any sort of blame. That would all fall strictly on Artemis, much to my satisfaction.
“Yes. I understand and know what must be done,” I acknowledged.
“Perfect. I’m relieved to hear we agree on the same terms, for once.”
I would commit to this plan of hers. I had no choice in the matter, after all. I could not chance losing Adonis forever. I needed him in my life, more than I cared to fully admit to myself.
However, I would be remiss to not be cautious around Artemis. There was more to her than I gave her credit for. I completely underestimated her conniving skills. It made me realize that she posed a great threat to me as a goddess. I knew I would need to find a way to bring her down. She needed to meet her demise before she further posed problems for me and Adonis. And as I mentioned earlier, I do not respond well to any sort of threats.
