Goddess Kiss

chapter 12.3

The air in the Cave of the Nymphs was thick with a strange energy, a mixture of damp earth, ancient magic, and something that smelled faintly of… burnt cheese.

I couldn’t help but wonder if the Telchines had a fondness for fondue or if it was just the lingering scent of Circe’s latest spell.

“That was brilliant, Louise,” Circe said, her laughter echoing through the cavern, a sound like tinkling bells.
“You lied to that Telchine with a straight face. You didn’t even blink!”

“I know, right?” I said, trying to sound nonchalant, but my cheeks were burning.
“It was all about confidence, you know? And a healthy dose of cheese.”

“I was worried he wouldn’t believe us,” Hygieia said, her voice laced with concern.
“He’s a Telchine, after all. They’re not known for their sense of humor.”

"Don't worry, Hygieia," Athena said, her voice a melodic chime. 

"Louise has a knack for convincing people.  He's a doctor, remember?  He's used to dealing with all sorts of characters, and he's got a way with words.  This journey is more about wit and strategy than brute force.  It's not about spilling blood, but about unraveling secrets and finding solutions.  It's a different kind of adventure, one that requires a different kind of hero.  And Louise, my dear, is exactly the hero we need.  He may not have the muscles of a demigod, but he has the heart of a champion."  She winked at me and  I couldn't help but to turn red
"Besides, I'm sure he can still pack a punch when he needs to."

I immediately touched my biceps, feeling the lack of muscle beneath my fingers.
“I don’t have a single muscle!”

Circe, who was walking beside me, chuckled and ran her fingers along my skinny biceps.
“Oh, Louise, you’re so charming. And cute.”

“Circe,” Athena said, her voice a low growl,
“I suggest you don’t touch another woman’s husband.”

“Oh, come now, Athena,” Circe said, her smile widening.
“I was just admiring his… unique physique. He’s got a certain… charm.”

“Charm?” Athena snorted, her voice laced with sarcasm.
“You call that charm? He’s more like a walking cheeseboard.”

“Hey!” I protested.
“I’m a doctor, a cheese enthusiast, and a husband. I’m a triple threat!”

“Yes, a triple threat to your own sanity,” Athena said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
“You’re always comparing me to your cat. You even switch our names sometimes. I can’t believe you called me ‘Ethy’. I swear, I’m starting to feel ungodly.”

“Oh, come on, Athena,” I said, my voice filled with mock offense. “You’re not ungodly. You’re just… incredibly divine. And a bit grumpy.”

“I’m not grumpy,” Athena said, her voice a low growl.
“I’m just… protective of my husband.”

“Protective?” Hygieia asked, her eyebrows raised.
“You’re more like a possessive cat.”

Circe laughed, her laughter echoing through the cave, a sound like tinkling bells.
“This is going to be fun,” she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
“I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

And as we walked deeper into the cave, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.
This was a place of magic and wonder, where the boundaries between the mortal and the divine blurred.
And I knew that we were about to experience something extraordinary.

Something that could change everything.