Thief Of Truth's Heart

Chapter 35

"Is this man bothering you?"

Apollo momentarily stopped tickling his beloved wife to look down at the young nymph girl with a high pitched voice, who was eyeing him with suspicion.

Atlanta laughed brightly before picking up the young three year old nymph and placing her on her lap.

"You can tell me. I can fight him off while you run.", the young nymph replied earnestly, earning an amused look from Apollo.

"I take it that you have met Cygnus?", Apollo asked casually.

The nymph girl nodded in surprise. "Yeah. He was the one who told me about you. How did you know?"

Apollo smiled brightly. "Cause he is my son and no one other than the bunch of sons I have usually dare to bad mouth me to others."

Atlanta laughed at her best friend's response before booping her tiny nose. "Yes, he is bothering me. But you know what? He is also my husband and best friend. I kinda signed up for this."

"Lana.", Apollo whined.

Atlanta kissed her best friend's cheek, making him start to glow happily before he kissed her cheek back with a giggle.

The nymph blushed before apologising to the Godly couple. "Sorry Lord Apollo. I thought that you were just bothering Lady Atlanta."

"No problem!!", Apollo grinned before swinging up the young nymph in his own arms, making her giggle. "That kinda happens when you spend time with any of my sons. Brain cells tend to die in their presence, so don't worry all that much. It's normal. What's your name, sweet child?"

The young brunette with doe-like forest green eyes giggled at his response. "My name is Daphne. I am a nymph, the daughter of the River God Peneus, and have several other sisters. But they don't like me getting into fights!!"

"Hey Phoebus, doesn't she sound like someone we know?", Atlanta asked teasingly.

"Very much so.", Apollo agreed humorously before telling the little girl with a smile. "You know, I have  a daughter around your age. Her name is Lyra. Did you meet her yet?"

Daphne shook her head.

"Well, you can generally find her near me, my wife or Cygnus.  But seeing that we are here for Kore's first play date, she might be busy advocating my little half-sis against my son.", Apollo told her knowingly.

"Then she will be easy to find.", Daphne replied with a smile.

"I know that I shouldn't really ask you this but I just wanted you to know that you have an option.", Atlanta asked the energetic child. "When you grow up, my sister-in-law would be more than happy to have you in my hunt, I am sure-"

"Yes!!! I was waiting for this moment my entire life!! I would gladly serve Lady Artemis!!", Daphne fist pumped into the air.

Apollo looked at his best friend with an amused grin. "Arty will be jumping in happiness to hear you recruiting maidens for her Hunt."

"I am merely making up for my own refusal to Arty's offer of joining the Hunt by offering it to someone who will appreciate it more than I ever could.", Atlanta reminded her husband before turning back to the young nymph. "Artemis will get to you later then. Now off you go."

Daphne grinned at the couple before nodding and running away.

Apollo stared at his wife. "She looks like you. Can we adopt her? Angel was asking for a playmate other than her annoying brother as well."