cupid's curse

03 | THE HOME OF THE GODS

THE GODDESS MARVELS AT the intricate details which fabricated the art of the high ceilings. She studies the room which she had been ushered to by one of the Kharites, the attendants of the Goddess, Aphrodite. The parlor was lined with pillars of marble and gold, lush chesterfield sofas were arranged around the room, their color schemes varying from white to gold to obsidian black. The absence of her father only made the deafening silence of the room more unbearable, it made her antsy. She might as well replace Oizys as the Goddess of distress and anxiety.

After Mother Gaia revealed the stairway to Olympus, the Kharites were already stood by the gates, ready to attend to them. Kharis—one of the three Graces—led her father to the throne room as he was requested first by the twelve while she was told to stay in the parlor until called. Her cobalt blues fixate on the door leading to the hall, anticipating the moment the doors would open. It took another thirty minutes—which felt like centuries—when they actually do. Her father steps into the room, his bottle green eyes finds Hedone's. Hedone catches a glimpse of something in them but just as fast as it came, it was gone. "They're waiting for you," he clears his voice, "Kharis is just outside the door, she'll bring you to the throne room." She heaves a sigh and nods before exiting the parlor, and just like her father had said, Kharis was stood outside. Kharis had skin tone the color of kalahari sand and warm brown eyes which crinkle at the sight of Hedone before she gestures for the goddess to follow. Just like any Olympian, she was gifted with beauty.

Kharis eventually stops in front of a large door with gold carvings decorating its surface. From the other side of the door, Hedone could already hear the voices in the throne room arguing. Kharis steps aside letting Hedone enter first. The goddess places a hand on the door, pushing it open. Immediately, the altercation seizes and all twelve pairs of wondering eyes were on her. The Olympians and all their glory were all seated on their thrones, each one of a different design. Her eyes raked over each of them, some she had seen walk among the mortals and some she'd only seen their statues of. A feeling of dread washes over her as her gaze reaches a throne made of gold, incrested with beryls and aquamarines and on it sat a strikingly beautiful woman with deep brown locks of hair framing her face and a pair of silvery eyes—Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, also known as her grandmother.

"Hedone, daughter of Eros and Psyche, come fort." Aphrodite's voice is sultry like it had always been. Hedone advances until she and their thrones were at close proximity. The Olympian Goddess' lips twitch upwards as if to taunt the girl before her. Hedone had figured a long time ago that her grandmother has always hated her even as a child. She has only ever met her once before and it was when she was presented to Olympus several years after her birth. Even then she had scoffed at the sight of her beloved son's only daughter.

Aphrodite rises from her throne, grey beady eyes set on Hedone. "I have a task for you," she starts, "One of which comes with a prize : the gift of requited love." Hedone's heart swells with hope.

"There is a young man living among the mortals with the name of Lukas Rye, you have a month to find him and convince him to come to Olympus with you." She explains further.

"But what's the catch?" Hedone dares to ask, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Aphrodite lips extend to a smirk, "You must not fall in love in the process. May I remind you I am the Goddess of Love and if you fall and lie, telling me you do not look at him with even a hint of attraction, I will know."

Although she was dubious, she did not question Aphrodite's intentions with this mortal man or what she meant by lying any further. She merely nodded her head and agreed to the deal. The idea of finally being loved fueling her newfound determination.