Page 35 of Hephaestus
But my brief moment of being carefree was cut short when my focus was diverted back to the front of the hall. Aphrodite rose from her seat, trying to get everyone’s attention. Once the room was completely silent, she proceeded with her speech.
“I would like to make a toast to my wonderful, new husband, Hephaestus,” she stated, with her goblet of wine raised up. “As the Goddess of love, I can undeniably recognize that for what most may think Hephaestus lacks in grace, love and beauty on the outside, he surely makes up for on the inside.”
Part of me was jealous that Aphrodite was able to make such proclamations to everyone about Hephaestus. I only wished I was the one in her place, able to give such a speech. As I took another sip from my goblet, I glanced back up toward the front of the hall, now watching as Hephaestus made eye contact with me once again. This time, his gaze remained fixed on me, which put me in an extremely awkward predicament. I could not allow anyone to catch wind of his odd behavior and mine, too. So, to spare us the speculation of others, I rose from my seat and ambled out of the dining hall, wanting to get some fresh air.
It had been quite some time since I last had the opportunity to explore Dionysus’s grounds. So, I made my way into his gardens, hoping the gorgeous flowers, exotic plants and well-kept shrubs would serve as a pleasant distraction from the turmoil I had been experiencing all day.
They were indeed spectacular. I had delved further into the gardens, further away from the palace, now able to be alone without having to tolerate the presence of anyone. This was the perfect temporary escape, and just what I needed to regain my composure.
But as I continued to explore the deeper parts of Dionysus’s gardens, I heard the rustling of leaves from behind me. This was no gentle breeze that was causing them to produce that much noise. No. Someone had to have been in the vicinity, likely concealing their identity from me.
“Who goes there?” I called out, hoping they would reveal themselves, whoever it was.
Now there was dead silence, with the noise subsiding, but I knew better than to believe that the person I had called out to was no longer present.
“I know someone is there. So come out and reveal yourself. Spare me the insult of assuming I’m oblivious enough to not hear you following me,” I further shouted, while I glanced about, trying to find the source of the sound.
“Fine!” a voice yelled, before the figure stepped out from behind a tall bush, revealing himself to me.
I recognized his hairy face and his well-endowment the instant he showed who he was. “Priapus!” I exclaimed in a vexed tone. “What are you doing out here? And why have you been following me?”
“I could be asking you the very same question,” he replied. “Usually, you’re never away from the confines of your palace without someone by your side. Luckily for me, I’ve managed to strike and find you alone while the iron was hot. Speaking ofiron, it’s a real shame to see your blacksmith lover married off to someone else. Don’t you agree?”
Priapus held an impish grin on his face, one that I wanted to smack right off him. However, I was never one to condone violence. I preferred to use my words when it came to battling others and getting my point across.
“If you came to gloat, then I suggest you walk away, because I will not be hearing any of it,” I simply said, before turning back around, taking steps in the opposite direction of him.
But Priapus was persistent. He moved quickly around to stand in front of me, causing me to stop since I was now blocked by him.
“How can you think so ill-willingly of me, Hestio? You should know how I feel about you. I’ve made my intentions quite obvious.” His arm reached out, with his hand rubbing the side of my head, brushing my loose strand of auburn hair behind my ear.
I flinched at his touch, flinging my hand to push him off me. “I suggest you keep your hands to yourself, Priapus. And I’ve mademyintentions known to you as well, yet here you are still not takingnofor an answer.”
“That’s a pity,” he sarcastically commented, sounding completely fake. “Too bad for you, I no longer care about your feelings toward me. If you could love that ugly and hideous excuse for a god, then you can easily learn to love me, too.”
Before I could even reply to Priapus, he was already reacting. He grabbed me, throwing me against the nearby tree, pinning me against it, while gripping my wrists from behind my back so that I could not fight him off.
“Let go of me!” I screamed. “Help!”
But before I could yell another word, one of his dirty, grotesque palms reached around to cover my mouth. I could feel his long, hardened cock firmly pressed against me from behind.
Priapus craned his neck, leaning forward to intimately whisper in my ear. “Not a chance. I’ve been waiting for this moment for far too long. You’re going to take it and enjoy it. Once you’ve had it for the first time, you’ll be begging me for…”
I heard a loud pummeling come from behind, interrupting Priapus’s threat to me. At the same time, I realized his restraint against me was no more. I could spin around and move freely once again.
As I turned to see what the sudden commotion was, I placed my hands over my mouth, gasping. Priapus was sprawled out, laying on his back on the ground, while Hephaestus was on top of him. He threw a punch to his face with his massive fist before struggling to stand back up, stepping away from him.
“Are you okay?” Hephaestus asked, glancing through his periphery at me.
All I could do was nod, for I was speechless whilst trying to process all that had just happened.
“Good,” Hephaestus simply stated, before turning his attention back down to Priapus, who now had traces of blood dripping down the side of his cheek. “And you… you will never come near Hestio or me ever again. For if I do ever see your face again after tonight, I will be sure to have you banished to the Underworld. Do you understand me?”
Priapus sat on the ground, still stunned, wiping his face with the sleeve of his disheveled tunic. He slowly rose to his feet before running off.
“Hopefully, this will be the last time we ever have to deal with him,” Hephaestus commented to me.
It was difficult for me to say anything to him. On one hand, he was my savior, rescuing me from Priapus’s aggressive advancement towards me. On the other hand, Hephaestus was now a wedded god, no longer able to love and be passionate with me. My mind was so distracted by everything that had gone on today that it left me bewildered with finding the proper words to use.
