The Olympian's Concubine

Chapter 6

Ares broke the moment by growling.

"We have to go, or my father will be pissed about us going late," he said in a gruff voice, Alkmini and I turned to look at the god, my arms instantly going over my chest, crossing my arms. "For your information, the gods can wait, I just woke up and I have alredy n¡veen bombarded with information my brain is still processing, my "CPU" needs time to press if you know what I mean".

Ares' eyes narrowed, a flicker of impatience crossing his sharp features before he exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening. He stepped forward, towering over me, the weight of his presence palpable. "Aurora, this isn't a request," he said, his voice steady but with an edge that could slice through stone.

Alkmini shifted beside me, her hand grazing my arm as if to calm the storm that was brewing. I caught her worried glance, and a rush of mixed feelings surged in my chest—relief that she was here, but also simmering frustration at her secrecy.

I squared my shoulders, refusing to let him intimidate me, even if my heart was racing. "Well, Ares, if I'm going to meet the big boss, I'd like to do it without my head spinning and without feeling like I'm about to pass out."

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, a glimpse of the warrior who found amusement in the face of defiance. "Then walk faster, and maybe I'll find the patience for your "CPU" to catch up."

Before I could respond, he turned on his heel and strode toward the massive doors, his armor glinting in the light, every step echoing authority. With a sigh, I exchanged a look with Alkmini, who simply nodded and squeezed my hand.

"Come on, Aurora. It's time," she whispered. The unease in her voice sent a chill down my spine. This was bigger than anything I could have imagined, and there was no turning back.

I braced myself, drawing in a deep breath as Alkmini and I moved quickly to keep pace with Ares, who didn't so much as look back. We practically jogged through the vast hallways, our footsteps echoing against the marble floors. The towering columns and intricate carvings seemed to close in around us, whispering stories of power and eternity that made my skin prickle.

Finally, we reached an enormous set of double doors carved from ancient wood, their surfaces adorned with scenes of mythic battles and victorious gods. Ares paused only for a moment, pushing the doors open with a force that sent a deep rumble through the stone walls.

And then, I stopped in my tracks, frozen as my eyes took in the grandeur before me. The room was expansive, more a throne room than a meeting hall, with gilded accents and a ceiling that seemed to stretch into the heavens. At the far end, an imposing throne sat upon a raised dais, occupied by a figure so commanding that the very air seemed to thrum with his presence.

Zeus. The king of the gods.

Around him, the other Olympians sat in regal splendor, their eyes sharp and assessing as they turned to take in our entrance. My pulse pounded in my ears, drowning out the subtle murmurs. I felt Alkmini's reassuring touch on my arm, but it did little to stop the chill that seeped through my veins.

Ares settled into his throne with a casual confidence that sent a jolt of anxiety through me. He leaned back, arms stretched wide, as if he owned the place—which, given the circumstances, he probably did. His presence was commanding, effortlessly drawing attention even as I stood like a deer caught in headlights.

Athena was already perched in her own seat, her expression unreadable. I glanced between them, wondering how she had managed to get there so quickly while I had been left in a state of confusion and disarray. The other gods around the room began to settle, murmurs of conversation fading into a tense silence as their gazes turned toward me. It felt like they were sizing me up, dissecting every detail of my being.