The God & The Shadow

Chapter 55

HERMES

Lore strode in the room by the time the grandfather clock struck twelve midnight. A servant approached him in a haste when he called them by name, then left with a nod alongside a muted smile.

Hermes rolled his eyes at this and leaned back on the couch he was settled in. "Where the hell have you been?"

The god ignored him entirely and stopped in front of Florens directly across Hermes, whose eyes were intent solely on the leather-bound book she was reading, her only source of light from the burning hearth. The cotton knit sweater she wore looked far more comfortable than the designer suit Hermes decided to wear today, but he had no regrets in choosing style over comfort.

"You're a woman," he started.

Florens turned a page and raised her eyebrows without looking away. "It has been established that I am."

"I need your assistance." Lore grabbed the book without warning and laid it on the coffee table. Hermes snuck a glance at the cover and saw that it was a book about psychometry.

"Assistance on what, exactly?" She queried with an annoyed tone.

"How familiar are you with the concept of female hospitality?"

Florens scoffed and crossed her arms, "Did you take home some drunk girl?"

"No," he answered with a serious tone.

"Prostitute?"

"No."

"A virgin?"

"Florens."

"Whatever. And no, I don't want to do whatever it is you want me to do with some bitch you slept with. She's your responsibility." She waved him off and moved around him to grab her book.

Lore rolled his eyes and left without another word. Hermes peaked around the corner until the door closed, then turned to Florens.

"What was that about?"

"Hell if I know," she turned a page. "Probably some relapsing. He'll turn back into the asshole manwhore he once was soon enough."

Hermes shook his head in disagreement and stood. "He wouldn't, would he? It's too soon. And he doesn't just ask anyone for help."

Florens loudly slammed her book and threw it to the couch next to her. She stood and faced the door, then turned to Hermes. "We all cope differently. Don't think just because he dropped everything for Veronica doesn't mean he'll just pick them all up again. She's moved on, and so shall he."

He hated everything she said. Moved on? How could she move on when she doesn't even remember anything? Remember them? She didn't have that choice, and yet here was the most viable man to help her, sleeping with other women.

All of their efforts, just for Lore to throw it all away. Hermes could not allow it. He decided that at that moment, enough was enough.

The sound of Florens' scoff was the last thing he heard when he walked out of the room. Soon, resounding footsteps followed him through the halls of the castle, accompanied by some of the servants' greetings.