Page 56 of Arrogance
“Yes… And I am deeply sorry to have ever fallen for Adonis’ trick. Oh, Hyacinth!” Zephyrus stared up at the silver sky. “How could I ever have done this to you? Please, forgive me, my love.”
But I was in shock. I could not just stand here and accept this fate. No. Aphrodite and Adonis had gone to great lengths to harm my brother and me. Just how much more killing could they both resort to until they were satisfied? They wanted to ruin Apollo and me by any means necessary. I had to put a stop to it. No more. I could not wait any longer to get my revenge on Aphrodite. I needed to act fast and now.
I immediately turned completely around and began heading down the slope in the opposite direction of the other wind gods. I was cutting my hunting trip short.
“Wait, what are you doing, Artemis?” Zephyrus asked.
I was determined more than ever to destroy Aphrodite. “Something I should have done a very long time ago.”
Chapter 29
Adonis
I was finally starting to return to my former self. My emotions were no longer caged by Apollo. Having affairs with other men made it all the more easier to dispose of any lingering feelings I had for the God of the sun. It all started with Zephyrus at the discus throw competition. The intensity of the passion made me long for more wild experiences with other gods.
Now, I found myself in the bed of Dionysus, naked, physically exhausted and drained from the hours of sex we had over what seemed like endless goblets of wine. My head was still foggy, but it made me so loose with him. Dare I say the mass consumption of the wine made me perform more flexible and licentious acts on Dionysus than I ever had with any other god or goddess before?
As I laid in his bed, I pulled his purple silk sheets up to my chest to keep warm. The motion caused Dionysus to flip over and wrap his arms around me. His body pressed into mine as he held me.
Now knowing he was facing my back, I too spun around, so that I was now facing him as he held me. “Did you sleep well?” he asked, as he traced his fingers through my golden locks, parting my hair.
“Yes. Very much so. I’m feeling slightly sore from last night, with a minor headache. But other than that, I’m fine,” I replied.
“Good. You’ll get used to those headaches, especially when you drink the freshest of wine here at my palace,” he added.
“Well, I plan on returning here quite often. So, I guess I really will have to get used to it.”
Dionysus smirked at my response. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
I swept my hand across Dionysus’s cheeks while admiring his dark, luscious hair that rested effortlessly against his pillow. His eyes matched his silk sheets. A lavender gleam in them that even put the amethyst walls of his palace to shame with how stunning they were.
“I never want to get out of this bed. Do we have to?” I slightly begged to him, sounding like a spoiled child.
“Unfortunately, yes. I have a meeting with Hermes I must attend to soon. He has been tasked with a mission that I cannot disclose,” Dionysus stated.
“Oh? Well, when will I see you again?”
Dionysus rolled over in the bed and rose from it, reaching for his purple satin robe to cover up his body with as he ambulated around the room. “I am not sure. But hopefully soon.”
I was a little vexed by the ambiguity in his reply, but I quickly disrupted those thoughts, realizing that I had so many other men and women at my disposal that could easily satisfy me while Dionysus would be away and busy with gods know what, unable to see me for however long.
“I’ll be waiting,” was all I simply uttered, as I too rose out of the bed and explored his bedchamber now that I was more so coherent and able to fully appreciate how fine and ornate all of his furnishings were. My curiosity then found its way into an adjacent room next to the bedroom, which contained many of Dionysus’s garbs, all of which possessed the finest jewels with the brightest colors. I had never seen such ostentatious clothes in all my life. I was fascinated, to say the least.
“Do you like them?” Dionysus whispered behind me as he wrapped his hands around my waist.
“Of course. They are marvelous! I usually don’t see many men wear such colorful and sparkling clothing. Only women,” I shared.
Dionysus let out a chuckle. “Perhaps in the mortal world, those are the expectations and boundaries. But I am a god. I can wear whatever I want and however I want to. Who is going to criticize me?”
This was true. It must be nice to be able to be your authentic self and have no fear of what others may think of you. But little did Dionysus know that many other gods, goddesses, and even mortals, had some impolite words to describe him behind his back.
But I could only disagree with their crass remarks. I adored Dionysus and all of his valuables. So what if he enjoyed showing off his jewels and his expensive and rare outfits in front of others? I imagine I would too if I possessed such fashionable items.
“I suppose it must be nice,” I simply replied.
Dionysus removed his hands from my body and returned to getting fully dressed for the day. “And what are your upcoming plans? Attending any major events soon?”
I shrugged. “Not that I’m aware of. Aphrodite and I will be staying in Afqa for a few weeks. We love the waterfalls and rivers there. They are among the most beautiful in the world,” I explained.
