Ares

Chapter Eleven: curiosity is dangerous

Elara

The scent of sautéing garlic filled my small apartment as I leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Ares move around with surprising ease. He was cooking dinner for me-or, well, attempting to cook, considering he didn't need mortal food. Still, it was strangely endearing seeing him try. His golden hair was tousled, his tanned skin glowing under the warm kitchen lights. He looked so out of place yet completely at home in my mundane world.

"Why do you even bother with this?" I asked, half amused, half curious. "You don't even eat human food."

Ares smirked, not looking up from the pan. "You need sustenance. Besides, I'm not about to let you burn the place down trying to make pasta."

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't help but smile. He was impossible sometimes, but in the strangest ways, he was starting to grow on me. I watched him for a few more moments, my mind wandering. There was something about him-something mysterious, something undeniably attractive. I had a million questions about him, his world, and the gods. And one question, in particular, nagged at me.

"Have you ever kissed anyone?" I blurted out suddenly, the words escaping my lips before I had time to stop them.

Ares froze mid-motion, the wooden spoon he was holding still in the air. He turned to look at me, his amber eyes wide with genuine surprise. The silence hung between us for a beat too long, and I shifted uncomfortably, wondering if I'd completely overstepped.

"What?" His voice was incredulous, and he finally set the spoon down on the counter, giving me his full attention.

"You heard me." I crossed my arms, leaning against the counter and refusing to back down. "I mean, you're the god of war and all, but have you ever... kissed someone?"

He raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering across his face as if he wasn't sure whether to laugh or be offended. "Is that really what's on your mind right now?"

"Maybe," I said, feigning nonchalance. "You've been around for, what, centuries? Surely you've... you know... experienced things."

He stared at me for a long moment, then let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "You're full of surprises, Elara."

"So?" I pressed, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Have you?"

Ares took a deep breath, his expression suddenly serious. He leaned back against the kitchen island, folding his arms across his chest, and for a moment, he just studied me, as if deciding how much he wanted to reveal.

"Yes," he said finally. "I have."

My heart skipped a beat. I didn't know why I cared so much, but I did. I found myself leaning in closer, my curiosity piqued. "Who?"

Ares' eyes darkened slightly, and he glanced away, almost as if he was debating whether or not to tell me. Then, with a sigh, he looked back at me, a hint of exasperation in his tone. "You're so obsessed with the gods, you should know the answer to that."

I frowned, trying to piece it together. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze steady on mine. "Aphrodite."

My breath caught in my throat. "Wait... what?"

Ares let out a low chuckle, though there was a hardness in his eyes now. "Yes, Aphrodite. The goddess of love herself. We had... an affair."

I stared at him, completely dumbfounded. Of all the things I expected him to say, that was not it. Aphrodite, the goddess I'd prayed to for love and romance... and Ares, the god of war? My mind raced, trying to comprehend it.