Page 41 of Arrogance
“She needs to know her place. Artemis should realize that she cannot threaten us without consequence. And that leads me into stating what I need from you, Apollo. You will do me this favor or I swear to the other gods that I will confess about your desecration on the Shrine of Delphi!” she exclaimed.
I had no choice but to give into whatever favor she asked of me. Either that, or likely be sent to Tartarus in destitution. “Fine! What is it you want?”
“It has been brought to my attention that Artemis has a new companion alongside her. Shockingly, a demi-god, for that matter, named Orion. From what I’ve been told, she has become quite fond of the hunter. The two are practically inseparable.”
“Yes. Orion has become her companion recently. Why does he matter?”
“Oh! He matters a great deal, Apollo. She has caused angst toourlover, so it’s only right that we take the next step in causing harm toherlover, or whatever he means to her,” Aphrodite stated.
“And what do you want me to do about it?”
“I need you tokillhim, Apollo! It’s the only acceptable punishment for the actions she has taken against us. Maybe you don’t need to be the one to outright kill him, but perhaps find a way for him to be killed. Be creative with his demise.”
“But Artemis would be so hurt by this!? How could I…” but before I could finish the thought, I was interrupted.
“Let us not so quickly forget of how she never tookyourfeelings into consideration when demanding you no longer see Adonis. How couldshedo such a thing to you is what you should be asking yourself,” Aphrodite clarified to me.
But I could not argue with her on that point. Artemis threatened to destroy me so easily. She was corrupt and should have never made such a declaration to me. Clearly, she was power hungry. And currently, Aphrodite had backed me into a corner, one I could not get out of.
“So, I have to find a way to kill Orion? That is your request? And if I do this, you will never tell a soul about what happened between Adonis and me at Delphi. Is that correct?”
Aphrodite nodded. “Yes. And I will give you no more than one year to get the job done. Do we have a deal?”
She stretched her hand out to reach mine, and I reluctantly grabbed to shake it. “It’s a deal. I will make sure Orion is killed in the near future.”
Chapter 20
Adonis
What had come over me? I flailed myself and flopped onto the limestone boulder against the cliffside. My face was buried into it, not wanting the world to see the heavy flow of tears streaming down my face like a cataclysm caused by Poseidon.
Why was I foolish enough to seduce Apollo at Delphi, of all places? Had I maintained self-control and not let my sexual instincts take over me, I wouldn’t be in this predicament. But I let it get the best of me, and Apollo showed no restraint either.
How could we have been so shortsighted?
All it took was that one simple mistake to ruin our entire relationship. It was a decision I knew I would grow to regret for the rest of my life.
Enraged with myself, I beat my fist into the rock, continuing to cry. But I could direct this anger nowhere else but to myself. I was the one to blame. And now I would suffer an inconceivable punishment as a result. Losing the love of my life.
“Let it all out, Adonis. It will feel so much better,” a tempting, soothing voice whispered from behind me, along with a hand that I now felt tracing up and down my back. I didn’t even have to turn around to know that it was Aphrodite who had approached.
But I couldn’t remove my face from the boulder. I wouldn’t dare look at her in the eyes. After all, she must know about my secret affair with Apollo. And I had no desire to express my sorrow for betraying her. I had so much guilt already piled on me, I was incapable of adding any more.
My ignoring Aphrodite prompted her to continue to speak. “You really did love him, didn’t you?” she asked with what sounded like sincerity.
I was unsure of what to make of this. I was expecting Aphrodite to be vengeful. To be heated. But instead, what I was receiving was sympathy from her, a feeling I had no clue the Goddess of love even possessed.
This had to have been some sort of trick. Why would Aphrodite not be irritated by my dishonesty towards her? I had deceived her. I gave her my word that I would never become emotionally attached to anyone else besides her, yet I allowed myself to do so with Apollo. She should punish me in some shape or form, yet here she was comforting me.
I peeked my head away from the boulder, glancing over at her. Aphrodite’s face was relaxed, with a worried expression on it. Perhaps she truly did feel sorry for me.
“I did love him,” I finally confessed to her. “I’m sorry, my Goddess.” I tucked my head back into the boulder and sobbed more, refusing to let Aphrodite directly witness my hysterics.
“Oh Adonis! You have nothing to apologize for, my love. These things sometimes happen. I, too, have found myself in a few situations where I have loved more than one man. But in the end, they all lied, cheated, or somehow managed to abandon me.”
Once my crying diminished and stabilized into a mere weeping, I returned my gaze back in her direction. “You’re not disappointed with me?”
“Not at all. Is that what you were worried about? Adonis, just what kind of goddess do you think I am? I couldneverbe disappointed in the man I love,” she admitted.
