Navigating Hermes (Book Two)

Chapter Eight

Welcome back to another chapter! I have nothing new to say except for thank you for supporting this story, and thank you to those of you who have chosen to support by purchasing the ebook or paperback for the published version (basically the same) of Apollo's Prophecy! Please let me know what you think. As usual, I'll leave inline comments if there's something I want to expand on/isn't super common knowledge about mythology. Don't forget to vote if you enjoy and I'll see you next week! - Amy

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     Julie woke up to the wretched sound of her phone's alarm, groaning as she sat up in bed. She felt disoriented for a moment, but slowly realized she was no longer in Hermes' bed, but instead back in the guest room's bed in Danika and Apollo's condo. Hermes must've transported me back when I fell asleep, she realized, but a blush did form on her face as memories from their night surfaced.

     "Fuck," Julie swore, feeling butterflies in her stomach. I have real feelings for him.

     It was the day of Danika and Apollo's wedding, which meant Julie would have to start getting ready soon. Her stomach grumbled right on time and Julie quickly put clothes on before leaving the room and heading for the kitchen. She was surprised to see Danika sitting at the island. "What are you doing up so early?"

     Danika spun around in her barstool and smiled sheepishly at her best friend. "I couldn't sleep," she complained and turned back to the island now that Julie was rummaging through the fridge. "It was too weird not having Apollo there. I can't remember the last time we slept separately," Danika frowned as she played with her bowl of cereal. "I woke up for a midnight stroll around the condo and noticed you weren't home. When did you get back?"

     Julie removed her head from the depths of Danika's fridge and looked at the bride. "I don't know. I thought Hermes would've transported me back after I fell asleep, but maybe he passed out. He was pretty exhausted."

     Danika let go of her spoon and smirked at Julie knowingly. "Exhausted taking care of you?"

     Julie couldn't hide her smile. "Perhaps."

     Danika's grin grew wider. "You're blushing!"

     Julie stuck her face back into the fridge, ignoring Danika's teasing.

     "Tell me everything," Danika begged.

     "No way," Julie laughed and decided she'd also have a bowl of cereal.

     Danika pouted at her. "Come on, you have to. I'm the bride so you have to do anything I want today," she said, smiling diabolically.

     Julie sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine, it felt different and it was very intense." She grabbed a bowl and cringed slightly while she filled it with the sugary cereal Danika loved. Unfortunately for her, Apollo had used up the normal cereal.

     "How so?" Danika asked. "Did anything specific happen?"

     Julie sat in the barstool next to her best friend. "Aside from him being incredibly romantic, he just seemed different. I don't know what it is, but the way he was looking at me made me feel like the only woman in the world."

     Danika smiled. "I don't doubt it. Has he finally gotten over that ego of his and admitted to having feelings?"

     "No," Julie sighed and took a large bite of the marshmallow-infested milk. "I really thought he was going to say something, but he didn't."

     Danika, not caring since only her best friend was around, drank the remaining milk directly from the bowl. She pushed the empty bowl away and swivelled her chair to directly face Julie. "Did you tell him about your feelings?"