Aphrodite's Flame

34.

'Can we talk for a second?' I stretch my arms over my head as the god of Fire comes into my room and lights up the wood. Still half asleep I look at him and nod, propping the pillow up under my head. I like talking to him, even when we have been talking for days on end. He is sharper, more witty, kinder and more considerate than Ares. Thank Zeus he did not choose Dionysus for my husband. Thank Zeus that animal of a god chose the best of them for me, albeit unknowingly and completely unintended.

'You got upset with me the other day.' He looks serious. Confused I look at him. He spreads his hands.

'What do you mean?' I ask.

'With Pygmalion, the mortal prince. When I asked you to make him fall in love, when you watched him in his palace. You got upset. I didn't want to bring it up, because you didn't say anything and you hate it when I notice your state of mind - but I'd hate it if I did something wrong.' Thus, the god who can see my very soul. I sigh and fall back on the feathery pillows.

'It's nothing. If you look at me, you see a goddess of Beauty and Love and all things stupid and frail. Sometimes I wish I could be more than that.'

'More than the very reasons we live for? Do believe me when I say you are more than that - but being the goddess of Love and Beauty and Procreation… that is a mighty title. Sure, forging and fire are cool - but those are not the things we live for.'

'We don't even live,' I retort with a small smile. He leans over to me and cups my face with his hands, forcing me to look him in the eye.

'Sure we do, feisty little thing. We may not die but we breathe like any other living creature. We create, we feel, we make mistakes, we fight, we love, we forgive.'

'How can you see everything in such a positive light? Why are you so kind?' I don't say, in spite of your limp, in spite of your status, in spite of everyone laughing at you - but he knows anyway. Of course. He smiles at me.

'How can you be so negative? Wars have been fought over your beauty, people die because of Love, every living soul worships you. I can see you're not happy. And, since you are now my wife I see it as my job to make you see happiness. And happiness starts with breakfast. Let's go, I made sure to have all your favourites.'

***

After breakfast I'm sitting on the sandy beach, icy waves are rolling over my already numb feet. The snow has melted, but Winter has definitely arrived and left the world barren and cold. 

'You should come inside,' I hear my husband say. I smile, catching myself already liking hearing the sound of it. His voice is like thick molten chocolate with a hint of sweetness.

'Actually, I feel like going for a swim.'

'I'll run you a bath.' It's of no use trying to taunt him. He never takes the bait. Glancing over my shoulder I smile and get up to follow him back to his home.

Upon arrival I start stripping down, slowly lowering the sleeves of my dress after undoing the back. I know he is watching me, I can feel his eyes on me. Still making my way to his bath room - a large hexagon space adorned with rich marble and a huge steaming bath in the middle - I step out of the dress and look back, teasing him. Right before I open the door to the bathroom, Hephaestus slams his hand on the door, keeping it closed. Already fully naked and always fully confident, I turn around, almost touching him, feeling warmth and electricity between our bodies. 

'Enjoy your bath,' he tells me, making me feel the words, 'I'll make sure your clothes are washed and warm when you're done. Anything else I can do for you?'

'Keep me company?' His eyes flicker to my lips and back to my eyes. He smiles while lightly caressing my bottom lip with his thumb. I wish I hadn't undressed myself so he could tear my clothes off my body.

'Sure. Go in and enjoy your bath, I'll be there in a minute.'