The War God's Woman 3

14. If it Can't Last a Thousand Years

Sage bowed respectfully and gave the goddess' their drinks. Hecate and Nyx seemed to be playing a board game. Sage glanced at the board but was unfamiliar with the symbols and pieces.

Nyx eyed Sage critically as the mortal backed out of the room but Hecate seemed not to see her at all. Hecate studied the board and rolled a piece thoughtfully between her fingers.

"That mortal is Ares' woman?" Nyx questioned, speaking in an ancient tongue. Hecate made no reply.

The door closed shut behind Sage. Nyx waited but Hecate remained silent as she made her move. Nyx examined how the board had changed and her nostrils flared in irritation. Hecate was playing the long game – as usual.

"I don't understand one of our kind taking up with mortal lover. It seems pointless." Nyx commented, as gruff as usual.

"If it can't last a thousand years – then why bother?" Hecate rasped.

"Exactly."

"Many immortals do think as you do." Hecate allowed. She continued to rotate the piece in her hand. "Do you agree?"

Hecate made her move – trapping Nyx's pieces.

"Mortals are tricky. But, also interesting."

                     Sage slowly descended the stairs, her thoughts distracted. Depression sank around her shoulders like an old scarf. She was used to having days like this. Days when she struggled living in her own head. They'd crept in for longer periods of time over the years.

"How is your archery coming on?" Eros' voice called her out of her gloomy stupor. She looked up and a wave of relief flooded over her. Eros was standing at the bottom of the stairs, leant against the banister – his arms folded. Sage quickened her steps.

"Getting better. Not very fast." She admitted. "You came to bring more food?"

"Jaz made his famous lasagne last night and insisted I bring some." Eros explained. He wrapped an arm around Sage's shoulder. "Come, I want to see your archery skills."

Two years ago, Sage had heard Eros boast that he was the best archer in the world and she'd demanded to see proof. Since that day, archery had become their thing they did together.

Eros set up a target in the courtyard and Sage demonstrated the technique he'd showed her. Eros appraised her stance and criticized her arms.

"Not bad."

Stepping close, Eros adjusted her position – his hands gliding over her arm, elbow and shoulders.

Ares came upon them at that moment. He froze, momentarily confused, as he saw the love god and Sage standing so intimately together. Sage's next arrow hit the centre of the target and Sage beamed up at Eros.

Ares watched in stony silence. He knew logically that he didn't need to suspect anything. Eros loved Jaz, who saw Sage as his daughter. But it was the easy closeness between them that made Ares' insides twist and writhe. They were family.

**

                        Adonis was walking through the concubine quarters. He'd bathed and he had a gold robe tied loosely around his hips, revealing his sculpted torso. The air disturbed beside him and Adonis turned his head.