The Light Of Apollo's Love

Chapter 10

Eros had perched himself upon a branch within one of the willow trees, hidden out of sight with his bow in his grasp and his quiver on his back. Myrrh was laying upon the grass near the lake, basking in the warmth of the sunlight, having some time to herself. She rested with her hands behind her head, and sighed, taking in the lovely sound of the leaves on the willows as they swayed in the wind. She closed her eyes, finally having a few moments to relax. Apollo was busy at the moment with other gods, and she had slipped from Artemis's view to get some alone time. Yes, she was happy to spend time with them, but she did need time alone to herself. She was still trying to process everything that had happened and was also in the process of trying to uncover more of her memories. Myrrh could not help but feel a tad lousy for somewhat avoiding Artemis. She cracked her eyes open and touched her lower lip, furrowing her brows at the remembrance of the kiss she had received while unconscious. She heard a small crunch and rolled over and rose onto her knees, resting her hands on her lap as she looked in the direction of the noise, seeing Artemis standing on the edge of the woods, a small smile playing upon her lips.

Eros let out a small sigh of defeat, hoping to catch Myrrh with Apollo instead of Artemis. He dropped one of the lead arrows back within his quiver, feeling a pang in his chest, although he was not sure if it was guilt or disappointment. All he needed was a clear shot of Myrrh's heart, and Apollo's, and for them to be the first people they see. Then they would hate each other, and Myrrh would be returned to earth, and Apollo would go back to his normal, and maybe even fall in love with another god. It was funny, here he was having to tear Myrrh, a mortal, apart from Apollo, a god, when he had a mortal wife. Of course, the situation was different. Apollo was obsessed with Myrrh, while Eros simply loved his wife with all his heart. He could not disappoint his mother at failing such a simple task. He knew another opportunity would arise soon.

Artemis sat down next to Myrrh, gazing out at the water as the breeze made ripples across it, and reached over and tucked a few of Myrrh's curls behind her ear, earning a small smile from her. She moved her hand to her cheek, but Myrrh grasped her wrist gently and moved her hand away. Artemis tried to hide the hurt in her eyes, slowly folding her hands in her lap and looking out towards the lake. They sat in silence for a while, and it slowly became uncomfortable, as Myrrh fidgeted with her hands.

"Artemis, why did you kiss me?" Myrrh looked at Artemis as she spoke, her dark eyes filled with confusion. Artemis stammered for a response, before closing her mouth and taking a moment to think of how to respond to the upfront question. She furrowed her brows, and then let out a gasp when she received a tight embrace from Myrrh, her burying her face in her chest, and Artemis hesitantly reached up and played with her dark curls. "I'm sorry Artemis. I am sorry that I cannot be what you want me to be. I simply don't see you the way you see me." Myrrh gazed up at her with her dark eyes, before cupping Artemis's face in her hands and planting a small kiss on her forehead. She smiled at her, and Artemis returned it, before they both stood up, Artemis offering a hand to Myrrh that she gladly took, before walking along through the woods with her. Eros had clasped his hand over his mouth to stay quiet, knowing that what he had seen was something that should have been a private moment. A moment he almost ruined.

Apollo had been sitting upon his velvet chair in the sitting room at Mount Olympus, sipping on a fragrant glass of wine with Dionysus, while Zeus, Aphrodite, Hera, and Chloris were sitting around the room, either drinking wine also or eating some of the fresh fruit that had been laid out upon the table. Apollo had been somewhat tense of the sudden calling for the meeting between a certain set of gods, and already had a vague feeling of what it was about or more of who. Dionysus had given Apollo a gentle pat on the shoulder, and a reassuring smile. Zeus had set his glass down on the table next to him, before rising from his seat.