Page 55 of Heroines of Olympus

He gulps and wrings his hands. “There’s a captain here to see you. He said it was urgent and to come find you, no matter what you were doing.”

She narrows her eyes at him.

“He told me it would be worth your time, and that not telling you now would get me in more trouble.”

“Does this captain have a name?”

“Uh… oh geez… Nolan? Nigel? Nick?”

“Nicodemus?”

He nods his head vigorously. Aphrodite glances back at the bathing room. Her questions for Athena will have to wait.

* * *

Aphrodite followsthe Acolyte down to one of the receiving rooms where a small group of heavily armed guards stand outside. Curious.

Even more curious, one of them is her son.

“Oedipus, what are you doing here?”

He frowns. “Why are you never happy to see me, Mother? I’m always so invigorated by seeing you?”

Aphrodite hides her shudder. “Of course, dear. I’m always glad to see any of my children. I just wasn’t expecting you.”

He wouldn’t cross a line here, would he? Out in the open, in front of others?

His broad grin does nothing to hide the sinister glint in his eye.

“I volunteered to work at this event. I told Apollo how it would be a great opportunity to see you and he was more than happy to allow this temple temporary use of your baby boy.”

“Oh. That’s lovely. I do hope we have time to catch up, but my schedule is tight getting ready for the gala. I’m sure you understand.”

Aphrodite awkwardly puts her hand on his arm and brushes past him.

When she is almost to the door, Oedipus says, “I’ll be seeing you, Mother.”

In the room, Aphrodite finds Nicodemus waiting for her. Having never met him in person, Aphrodite is surprised when he is much more handsome than she envisioned. His devilishly handsome face looks like it was made for trouble. He will be a delightful distraction to remove the ick after seeing Oedipus.

On the couch behind him is Psyche.

“I see you brought me a present.” Aphrodite turns to the Acolyte. “Leave. You live. For now.”

“Thank you, goddess.” He bows and backs out of the room at a break-neck pace.

Aphrodite returns her attention to her visitor. “How did you get her to cooperate?”

“It turns out she’s rather attached to Medusa. The monster was my goal, but I figured a traitorous god would also be a hefty prize.”

“Hmm… indeed.”

Aphrodite finally addresses Psyche. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You always had a soft spot for everything weaker than us.”

Psyche refuses to fall for the bait. “You did too. Once. Do you think we’ve forgotten who you were five hundred years ago? Back whenshewas alive.”

“Don’t. Leave her in the past. I have. Do you think appealing to the old me will save you?”

“Andromeda-”

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