Daughter of Mars

Milk and Wine

By the time Mars had calmed himself only Mercury and Diana remained.

"I'm not trying to anger you brother but it looks like the gifts Mercury and I brought have disappeared with your now ex-wife," Diana told him.

He looked and saw that indeed the quiver, bow and winged sandals were missing from the pile of gifts. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw his Aunt Ceres approach. She was arguably inhumanely clinging tight to his swaddled child.

"I do not know if this is a bad time but if you need a nanny. I think I would make a good nanny. I mean, what I am trying to say is. Do you need a nanny?"

He ignored her completely. He wasn't about to let that nut job watch his daughter.

"That wasn't Venus. For all of her shortcomings, she's not a thief. It must have been those envious sons of hers. Did you not notice that they had not shown their faces at the christening? The servants assured me they were informed. Curse those bastards! They are no longer sons of mine!" He slammed his fist against the table.

"If that is all that it costs to be rid of them, then so be it."

Ceres jumped at his tone, realizing quickly she had picked a bad time and with a wave of her hand, a crib appeared in the grand hall. He watched her lay his daughter in the crib before she backed away slowly until she disappeared from sight.

His eyes then landed on the crib. It was frilly and consisted of nothing but delicate white fabric and way too many ruffles. He crossed the space between them and lifted the tiny infant from the crib, pulling her close to his body. With his right arm, he held her tightly and with the left, he banished the hideous thing from his sight.

The baby girl moved in his arms and his eyes instantly landed on the tiny mortal. He watched her snuggle into his warmth and then settle in comfortably. He smirked liking the child already. She was undoubtedly beautiful and even as an infant he could tell she was going to be a real treasure, more lovely to look at than the goddess of love herself.

At that moment he genuinely thanked his mother for her gift. 'It will drive Venus crazy.' He thought, chuckling to himself.

He studied her for a moment. 'It's also going to make you a target. For both the Goddess of Love and suitors.'

He knew mortals would have a hard time getting to her but what he really feared were the gods who may take an interest in her when she comes of age.

His thoughts drifted to what Venus had said. 'And may that love be a torment to the one she calls father.'

He feared what that meant and to be honest, he couldn't bear to think of all the horrible possibilities. He heard footsteps approaching from behind and turned his head when his eyes landed on Diana.

She smiled."May I hold her?"

Without hesitation, he held the baby out to her. "Of course."

She took the child from him, brought her close and cradled her against her chest. A smile spread across her lips when her eyes landed on the child's face.

"Mother?" She guessed to who had given her the gift and looked up to meet his eyes.

He nodded in response. She began to rock the child in her arms and as she did so she sang sweet nothings to her. He could hear the child's soft coos, loving her aunt's attention. A smile came onto his face as he watched them. Most wouldn't have known that the great goddess of the hunt had a soft spot for children.

"I think I would make the better nanny." She chuckled.

Mars smiled at her and Mercury burst out into a fit of laughter. After a moment, she continued. "I was being serious."