Persephone: Leonidas' Domina

23- Stylani

Stylan Laskaris stared at her gloved hands, the carriage rocking ever so quietly as it moved.

What was she doing?

Was this not too irrational, even for her?

And to see Kynaki that surprised made her worry.

"You are going to Castle Diamandis?" Kynaki Florakis had asked, her ever teasing voice now filled with confusion. "The Apollo's Castle?"

"Yes, yes, try and keep up." Stylani was painting her nails as she replied.

"Are you delirious?"

Stylani paused and looked up at the female, "That is a question I have wanted to ask you from the first day we met."

"Do not try switching the subject, Lani." Kynaki replied with seriousness in her voice. "I am sure you have heard the rumours of that place."

"Same way there are rumours about me."

"But yours are true."

"Oh stop, you flatter me."

"I was talking about the rumours of you being evil."

"Your existence pisses me, Kynaki."

The rumours were that the daughter of Charilaus Diamandis was possessed and a Pharmakis just like her Mother, and that people who had ever managed to get close enough felt like their souls were being taken from their body.

Stylani thought that was absolutely ridiculous.

"Could you just listen to me for once?!" The Artemis Familia snapped to a tired Stylani. "You do not even like the female, talk less of going to her Castle. The thought must even terrify you to paint your nails by yourself."

"What are you talking about? I paint my nails myself."

"Without anyone for you to torture while that happens? Are you listening to yourself?"

Stylani let out a dramatic sigh as she stood up, raising her shawl over her neck and saying, "Your job is not to worry about it so stop."

"Then I shall come with-"

"No," Stylani cut in quickly, hoping that the female would just obey are for once in her life. "Are you some sort of animal? Leave me to be alone."

Yet, Kynaki was already rearranging her hair. "If you could just give me five -"

"You are not coming for the gods sake!" Stylani yelled, meeting a wide eyed Kynaki as she sighed again, rubbing her temples. "Live your life, do something with yourself, be useful. Just leave me alone for today."

"Okay."

A part of Stylani pricked at the fact she had given up and the other part was grateful that she would not be caught up in her little web of madness as she let out a small sigh of relief before turning and walking to the door.

"It's Aphrodite, isn't it?"

She froze at the door.

"You get like this after she comes. You know you can tell me -"

"Enough."

Stylani's heart was beating fast, memories of the last time she told anyone anything about Aphrodite and the blood on her hand as the person died. "We shall never talk of this again."

"Stylani-"

"I said we shall never talk of this again you fool!" Stylani snapped as she turned around, her face red with Kynaki's head bowed.