(Book 1 of the Mythology Series)
Aphrodite~ Goddess of love; fertility.
She stayed in the clouds, looking down upon the humans as she helped them fall in love. She stayed in the clouds, watching as the celestial beings found their mates. She did not...
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A groan left Aphrodite, feeling changed. She cleaned herself off before returning to the kitchen, watching the maids look at her worried.
"Are you okay, your majesty?" Tiana asked softly, checking her. Aphrodite chuckled and nodded, amused by her concern.
Tiana was a small, brown-skinned human that had lost her mate in a war. He'd been the only reason for her to be in the Kingdom of Lycans and now that he was gone, she needed all the protection she could get. The castle was the most cunning place to be but she kept her head down to avoid any attention. It was easy that way.
Until Aphrodite came and saw her. She wasn't just another face in the crowd.
"I am perfectly fine, Tiana."
Madolynn huffed, not believing her. "Goddesses do not get queasy. There has to be something wrong."
Is it because I've been in this realm too long? She hoped not. Her heart wouldn't be able to take being unable to be with them. She blushed softly at the thought as she wondered when she'd grown so attached. How could she not be? But did they grow feelings for her just as she did?
"What's going on in that brain of yours, your majesty? You went from looking sickly, to happy, then sad..?" Claire said, moving around the kitchen.
"My mates." That answer was enough for Claire to get that she was worried about their relationship.
She grinned. "Oh? They'll be back soon. I'll tell them that you miss them-"
Aphrodite laughed softly. "Not like that... it's just... have my mates ever been in love?"
She paused before giving it thought. "Honestly, no. But you're their mate so I know they'll grow to love you. We never really had the best role models so it may take a while. Just give them time."
Time. Aphrodite knew she must be patient. But she wanted them to love her as she did them at that moment. She wanted them to say it while they had sex and right after it before they fell into their deep slumber. Her entire being craved to be loved by them and when she didn't get what she wanted, her mind fell into a state of overthinking for an hour.
Her mates were inside the war room, whispering amongst themselves. They had been very secretive lately, leaving her in the mornings and coming back at night only to sleep or make love to her.
She pushed the doors open with a glare and they all looked back at her with a snarl but it was replaced with affection when they saw it was her. They were so focused they didn't notice her coming, which let her know they were doing something private and without her knowledge. His council sat inside the room, all slightly tensed at a woman being in the room. They weren't allowed there, no matter their status. Everything went silent and she got the gist she was interrupting their meeting.
"What is this?" Before she could get a clear view of the sheets on the table, Lucian began to put them away while Markus walked up to her with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Good morning, Ang-"
"Don't step one more fucking inch." She growled at him coldly, not liking this at all. Markus stopped in his tracks, eyes wide. He wasn't expecting her temperamental state.
"Tell me what's going on." She demanded as she looked at them all. Many men spoke up, not being able to resist her command.
Lucian growled lowly as his men spilled their guts and Lucifer snarled at them.
"Stop being petty and tell me." Lucian's jaw clenched while Markus sat her next to them.
"Ares has been taking men and women belonging to the Fae kingdom. Angel... We didn't want to worry you with this because the ladies said you've been ill." Markus was pouting as he finished and she looked away so that she wouldn't give in to plead for her to understand.
Her eyes landed on gruesome images. People were cut open or their bodies were positioned oddly with no eyes. A sick feeling grew inside her, and she resisted the urge to cry or throw up when she saw the women had their uteruses removed and tossed aside. It was a message. A mocking gesture towards her role as a goddess of fertility.
"I..." She looked at them, angry and disgusted. Mostly disgusted with herself. I laid with him for years.
Tears threatened to spill as Lucifer took her in his arms, comforting her after hearing her self-destructive thoughts. "Do not think of yourself that way. You didn't know. He's doing this because he wants your attention."
Lucian's anger was noticeable through their bond and it was only towards her.
"I.." She was annoyed with his anger directed towards her. And the pinch of guilt in her chest didn't go unnoticed. Is he.. blaming me?
"We don't have much time. What we need to do is finish this plan before he does anything more." Markus said, glaring at a cold-looking Lucian. But she was already sad at the silent blame game Lucian started through their bond.
"What is the plan?"
"You," Lucian spoke again.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You were with the man for years. You know things we don't, Angel." Lucifer stated as if it was a fact, but it wasn't.
"No, I don't. I never loved Ares so I didn't feel the need to get to know him when I didn't see a future with him." She said and they looked at her questionably.
"Then why the fuck were you marrying him?" I had no choice. She still remembered the feel of his hands around her throat and the fear that crept into her spine. Her mates went quiet, taking in her inner turmoil.
They ended the meeting around supper time while Aphrodite listened in on the complaints and strategies. She retired to their room and curled in bed, almost afraid of being alone then. Thankfully, Markus held her close.
"Why didn't you tell us?" She thought of lying but she could only tell the truth.
"I... I was embarrassed. I thought that maybe if I just didn't think of it, it would go away. That I'd probably forget and move on. But he has a way of coming back into my life. I should've known I wouldn't be able to have my happy ending." Markus said nothing, only holding her tighter in his arms. Eos made sure to comfort her demoness, letting her know that no one could take her from him.
She cursed every god in the clouds, tears threatening to spill. She never asked for anything in life, so why couldn't she just have this one thing?
