For the Love of God

ς | nineteen

I COULDN'T STOP SMILING TO MYSELF as we quietly nibbled down our supper. Tyhi was seated awfully close to me so that his shoulders brushed mine whenever I raised my arms to stuff my mouth. Viquen eyed us from time to time as if measuring the sliver of gap between us and deciding if he could name it suspicious. Blissia, surprisingly, didn't seem to notice as she was flying with joy over the new improvements in her life.

Aphrodite had given her a gratuity of drachmas for her work, clapping her shoulders in appreciation and gratitude for the magic she wove for her everytime. Blissia was called the only designer who was worthy of making gorgeous dresses fit for the Goddess of Beauty herself. If Blissia had found a little self-praise there, she didn't mind it. Seeing her shed happy tears made me really proud. I might or might not have put in a word for her with Aphrodite.

"More gravy, dear?" Hyacinth asked and I shook my head, thanking her with a grateful nod.

Once we'd offered our portions to the Gods (Blissia gave away a generous amount of it), we took a stroll in the backyard. As days passed, it had become my favourite place to catch a breath from the overwhelming events that bubbled around me. The soft clatter of dishes from the pantry as Hyacinth cleaned up was the only sound harmonizing with the gentle whoosh of the cold wind.

I was sandwiched between Blissia and Tyhi on the platform, as we soaked in the comfortable silence. Viquen joined us a few minutes later after visiting his beloved green friends. I couldn't help but notice that his expression was troubled. I reached over and squeezed his hand, tipping my chin to ask what was wrong.

"Do you all think I'm making a mistake?" He asked, capturing our attention. "I am scared to leave Mother alone and scared that I'll end up like her one day if I don't join Lady Demeter's school."

"Why are you worrying about it now? Did something happen?" Tyhi questioned.

Viquen lowered his eyes. "I crossed paths with Lady Demeter," he whispered as if it was a sacred thing to say out loud. "She knows me."

"What do you mean?" Blissia asked.

"She knows who I am, Bliss. She called me by my name and squeezed my shoulder saying that she knew about the plants I grew to help the healers and that she was glad for me. She asked me why I haven't applied to her school yet and I-I- couldn't give an answer." He sounded strangled. "I couldn't say that I didn't want to leave Mother alone. I'd probably be the first person in Olympus to give such an excuse."

"Do you think she didn't know about that too?" Blissia asked.

Viquen grimaced and I rubbed circles on his hand. "She probably did. But it's hard to say it aloud."

As if pulling the words straight out of my mouth, Tyhi said, "Viq, you shouldn't be ashamed to admit that you love your mother too much to let go. It's one of the purest things I've seen in Olympus and Hyacinth is so lucky to have a son like you. But, as a mother, Hyacinth wants to see her son grow into a significant man and not toil away in a kitchen or some abandoned backyard. She is scared that you will end up like her. Hyacinth's case was inevitable because she didn't realise her gift. But knowing that you are gifted and not ready to use it breaks her heart because she knows how much being a part of the fifth tier is looked down upon. She wants the best for you and so do we."

I squeezed Tyhi's hand to let him know that I agreed with what he said.

"But I don't want to leave her alone."

"Viq, I'll be around for a few more etos with her. If Tyhi decides to leave as well, someone new and kind will take our places. Mother wouldn't be alone," Blissia wrapped an arm around her brother. I noticed how she didn't mention me and a pang of unbelongingness swam in my chest.