Carystus

Perfume

I woke up in a bed of cool linen sheets to Aphrodite's face above me. What? Had I been tricked into kissing the goddess of love? No. She was probably the one that set the path for Thais to find me. I sat up and blinked rapidly.

"Holy Olympus," I gasped. And I wasn't joking. I was actually in Olympus, inside of the sanctuary of love, also known as Aphrodite's personal temple. She smiled, and I noticed that she had made her lips fuller to resemble Thais'.

"Well, well," She said warmly, batting her eyelashes at me, "What do you say to the host of this home?"

"Um…" It took me a little longer than I would like to admit to get my thoughts together, "T-Thank you, Lady Aphrodite. It is a privilege to be in a sanctuary like yours."

She arched a delicate eyebrow at me.

"This one actually has manners," She said, as if she were amused, "Most men my children fall for are…how should I say this? Jerks."

I nodded. Right, like I understood.

"That's unfortunate, ma'am." I said.

Aphrodite sneered, and for a moment her face darkened into something ugly, "Unfortunate indeed," she snarled, and I couldn't help but flinch at her ferocity. "But you will have to repay me for my kindness, handsome or not."

Of course. Everything came with a price tag in Olympus. Even love.

"And what is your price?" I asked carefully.

"I will tell you in the morning," She said, and I looked outside to realize that I had probably slept for ages, because the sky was darkening fast. Aphrodite reached into the folds of her chiton and pulled out a ceremonial Greek robe and a night-gownish sort of garment. She chucked them at me and turned her back to me, "Hurry up, put some clothes on," She ordered, and I felt myself turn pink when I realized I was naked. Thank goodness for the bed-sheets that had stayed around my abdomen and legs. I changed as fast as I could, all the while keeping an eye on the goddess of love, just in case she turned around. When I was done, I stretched, marveling at the amazing healing powers of the nymphs who had tended to me, and cleared my throat.

"Lady Aphrodite?" She turned to me and opened the temple doors.

"See those temples?" She asked, pointing, "Go there. You may roam as you wish anywhere you would like at night, except for here. I trust you won't do anything foolish," She added, narrowing her eyes at me. I nodded; feeling petrified, and sprinted away from the smell of her sickly sweet perfume.