Page 6 of Arrogance
“These aren’t just your typical nymphs,” Hermes continued. “The Thriae have exceptional powers in the art of divination. Powers that you too possess, Apollo.”
“I have powers of divination?” I was stunned to learn this. I don’t recall foretelling any scenes that occurred in the future nor any sort of prophecy.
“Of course. Your grandmother, Phoebe holds such powers. Zeus informed me that you too have them. You may not be able to recognize them now, but that’s why the Thriae are here. They will train and assist you in cultivating your prophetic skills.”
Melaina rose to her feet along with the other nymphs. She returned to them, giggling and whispering about something. I could see their eyes glare at me as they squinted in such an intimate way. Had I managed to seduce them?
Hermes also had a sly smirk appear on his face. “I’m sure they can assist you in…other waystoo, beyond learning the powers of divination.”
And thus, Melaina, Kleodora, and Corycia became my constant companions for the next year on Delos. They were beyond willing to please me, with whatever it was I desired, whether it be sex, fetching me food and drink, and most importantly, of course, teaching me how to harness my prophetic powers.
We sat by the still lake in the middle of the island every day. The Thriae gathered as many stones and pebbles as they could find scattered across the island and collected them here for me.
“Study the ripples carefully, Apollo,” Kleodora stated, in what seemed like a seductive whisper.
“Let the patterns of the ripples be your guidance as you skip the stone,” Corycia followed with.
I flung one of the perfectly round stones into the water just as they had taught me. I watched the trickling of the water and each subtle splash made by the stone as it crossed the lake. I studied the expanding ripples carefully, with great focus.
Melaina hovered over my shoulder. Her chin pressed in the cup of it. Her delicate fingers rubbed against my body as she traced them up my abs and torso, then firmly grasped my broad chest. “What is it that you see, God?’
“I see my grandmother, Phoebe…” And I did see her. My mind was painting an abstract image for me to visualize. “She is here on Delos.”
“What else?” Kleodora interrupted. “Concentrate. Surely you see more.”
I did as they instructed and soon the mental image was becoming clearer. “She is offering a shrine of some sort to me… wait… I see it now. The Shrine of Delphi? She is giving it to me and the priestesses associated with it.” The image then disappeared.
The Shrine of Delphi was sacred to mortals. A single oracle known as thePythiapresided over the shrine. Gods could directly communicate through the oracle to provide mortals with prophecies about their world. It is a place where many leaders and kings of the surface go to for counsel in regards to major decisions they make for their nations, as well as during times of war. And based on my premonition, that shrine would eventually becomemine.
“What a fortuitous vision!” Corycia exclaimed.
But I was too distracted to hear Corycia. Another image came before me. This time, however, it was just a person. A young man, actually. An astonishinglybeautifulyoung man. He sat on the ground, lying on his back, with his elbows propping himself up. He dipped a single grape in his mouth as he smiled at me. The smile was beyond captivating. He was the most attractive creature I’ve ever seen before. His intricate, fine golden hair blew with the gentle breeze as he posed. Then he leaned towards me, mouthing something.
The vision then subsided. I shook my head, wondering who this alluring man was and when I would get to meet him. I could feel my face begin to flush. My stomach felt a little uneasy, but in a pleasant sort of way. I’ve never felt this way in my life. Never have I been so desperate to want to meet someone like this before. I had to see him. The anticipation would now eat me alive.
The Thriae became suspicious of my sudden change in behavior. “Is everything okay, master?” Melaina worried.
I decided not to disclose my feelings and this vision I had of the charming young man whom I was giddy over to the Thriae. “Yes. Everything’s fine. Let us return to the dunes,” I declared.
And so, we traveled back to the dunes. The Thriae lectured me as we strolled along the warm sand. But I was completely distracted by thoughts of the boy with the golden hair. Who could listen to what the bee nymphs had to say when I knew somewhere in the world this boy was existing? Now that he was a part of the world,myworld, their words went in one ear and right out the other. But I kept my face stern, so that the Thriae would not detect my mental absence from their teachings.
My mind was solely consumed by one thing only. And based on the single word the beguiling creature whispered to me in my vision, I was certain that it’s what his name was. What he was referred to as.Adonis.
Chapter 4
Aphrodite
“Have you seen anyone more beautiful in your entire life? No one can compare to my daughter. Not even Aphrodite, herself.” These words were spoken by that pompous Queen Cenchreis of Cyprus repetitively over the course of the year. When I first heard her make this claim, I shrugged it off, giving her the benefit of the doubt. It must have been an accidental slip. No sane mortal would actually think that, would they?
However, Queen Cenchreis, persistent to pluck my every last nerve, continued with this nonsense. Soon, all of Cyprus learned and even had the audacity to believe that her daughter Myrrha was more beautiful than me, the Goddess of beauty! Well, I was not going to stand for it. Not one bit.
My face burned every time word got back to me about Queen Cenchreis’ continued defiance and betrayal towards me. Her proclamations became even
more outlandish. Once I could feel the flames on my face practically fuming, I decided I needed to take immediate action. Queen Cenchreis needed to be put in her place. She and the rest of Cyprus would learn of the power of this Goddess of love and beauty. They would also know of the consequences one would face for being disobedient to a goddess with such power.
I had to be methodical in how I would go about in punishing Queen Cenchreis and her daughter, Myrrha. The one thing I had going for me was that all of Cyprus already knew of the scandal that lurked around their family. The Queen’s husband, King Cinyras, was known as a chauvinistic bed hopper, often inviting maidens and married village women into his private bedchambers when his wife was away.
So, how could I use this information to my advantage? It then hit me, like Zeus’ lightning bolt striking a target. I would curse Myrrha. I would make her fall in love with her own father. King Cinyras would be stupid and disgusting enough to give in to her seduction. The whole thing would ruin their family forever. Queen Cenchreis and the rest of Cyprus would know to never make such ludicrous statements against the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus, ever again. They would know their place in this world, which was far beneath me.
