Ian and Galene

Chapter 1: Frozen on Fire

I hear Ares's voice singing a battle song before I even see him—the surface of the water ripples and crashes, obstructing my view. I take one quick look at my phone. I reread the text which summoned me to this location. It has been too long since any messages from Ares has appeared on my phone. I never expected it to be one requesting my presence. Part of my heart briefly flutters at the sight of the message. I sigh steadying that feeling. It is just an elicit response of his name from someplace deep inside of me.

As I read the summons, I realized it was nothing more than a formality that the higher gods present to the lesser gods when conducting business. Although, I do not know what type of business I have with the God of War. Calming the seas seems very far from the type of energy Ares wants.

The last time I saw Ares, we were laid out in his house in makeshift hospital beds. Asclepius was tending to us. Asclepius...That is a name I haven't thought about in over a month. When me and Asclepius ended our relationship, it was final. There was closure, but Ares...

I look one more time at the phone, not knowing what to expect but knowing I must rise from the ocean, which blankets me from the world above, to face him. I take a deep breath and break the surface. My eyes focus on the shore. I see Ares dancing around with one other person.

"Easy, Ares," cautions Hades. "I think you have done a bit too much celebrating."

Ares laughs and throws his sword straight up in the air. The power of the god sends it, shooting like a rocket toward the heavens. Hades lets out a sigh and taps his bident in the sand. A shield forms and Hades holds it over his head as a precaution for the sword, which will inevitably fall back toward the ground. Ares laughs at the reaction and takes a swig from the jug grasped in his other hand.

I walk forward out of the ocean.

"Greetings, Hades," I say, walking towards them.

"Galene'" welcomes Hades. "It is so good to see you."

Hades's words seem to have an undercurrent of hesitation, but I let it slide.

"Ares," I acknowledge him. "It has been too long since the last time I saw you."

He begins walking closer to me, and I step towards him. I hear his sword whistle and see his hand reach out to catch it. His eyes never leave mine.

I feel my body tighten, and my heart lightly picks up pace. Each step he takes closer quickens my heart's beats. Ares stops inches away from me, forcefully thrusting his sword into the sand. The sand bends to his will holding it upright and ready to be grabbed. I forgot how much taller he was than me. I see the specks of dirt and grime upon his glistening skin. I look down to see the blood-soaked sandals on his feet. My gaze focuses back on his face as I feel his hand touch me.

I smell the alcohol on his breath. I see the fire lapping in his eyes like they do during times of war... and times of passion. His distance comes uncomfortable close. I feel his leg pressing down on my thigh.

"It has? We can always go back to what we do best," he purred in my ear. "My goddess."

Every word he spoke could have been the right word under different circumstances, but now, in this place swaying unevenly under his inebriation, they are nothing more than flashing fireworks whose spark is brilliant but fades too quickly leaving nothing.

I push his hand away and posture, taking the steps closer to the water, giving me power. I turn around and look at Ares. His clothes are tethered. His left hand is wrapped in cloth covered in splotches of blood from the battle he just left. His helmet sits neglected on the earth from which it was forged. I look at his smooth, beautiful skin and see the dapples of dirt and blood. Briefly, the thought of washing his body clean comes to my mind, and I push it out.