Have you read The Gods Part One - Mt Pelion Castle?
***
The horses' hooves flicked up mud as they thundered through the forest. Her blood thundered through her veins at the same pace. The arrogance of that mortal! How dare he speak to her like that. Why didn’t he grovel like the others?
She pulled up at a particularly crooked tree. Checking over her shoulder, she quickly turned the horse off the main track. They picked their way through the trees, following the sun west. Birds fluttered and chirped overhead. Snaking around another tree, she saw it.
A huge, ancient oak tree with a split in the trunk came into view. Through the split was a garden, like a portal. She gently guided the horse through the split. The arch opened up to a warm, bright clearing. Sunlight sparkled on the lake as swans floated across it. Marble statues of the twelve Olympians were dotted around the clearing.
Sliding off the horse, she tethered it to a tree. She made her way to the edge of the pond, dipping her toes in the warm water and breathing deeply to try and quell her racing pulse. The water of Kipos Lake had calming qualities, but dipping her toes in wasn’t enough. She waded into the water, her dress blooming around her. As she submerged she felt the anger flow out of her. How could she let a stupid mortal get to her like this? As she floated on her back staring at the crisp blue sky she decided she wouldn’t bother going back to the castle.
“Oi! What the hell do you think you’re doing running off like that!”
With a splash she searched for the source of the shout.
“What the hell are you doing here!” she shouted back, the water around her going cold.
Calix was standing at the water's edge glaring at her, his horse tethered next to hers. “I asked first! Why did you run off?”
“To get away from you! You shouldn’t be able to get through the arch...” But as she said it, it dawned on her. The arrogance, the lack of grovelling, the ability to access the hidden Kipos Gardens. “You’re a demi-god, aren’t you?”
“It’s none of your business,” he said with huff. “You need to come back to the castle. Now!”
She watched him prowl up and down, his boots leaving heavy footprints on the soft shore. He may be a demi-god but he was clearly closely tied to his mortal roots. Idiot. The water warmed around her again as she lazily floated away from the shore.
“You need to calm down,” she called to him.
“I do not need to calm down! You need to get out of the water now!” he shouted back at her.
She laughed. “Yes you do. Kipos Lake has calming abilities, you know. You should come for a swim.”
“Get out of the water,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Join me,” she countered.
He scowled at her from the shore. Finally he threw his arms in the air in frustration and strode to a nearby rock. She watched the ripple of his muscles as he pulled off his armour and boots. He made his way to the water’s edge in his trousers, his broad chest shining with sweat.
***
The water was warm as it lapped over his toes. Instantly a sense of calm rushed over him. He sank into the warm water, letting out a long sign.
“Feeling better?” Krysos called from the middle of the lake where she was floating on her back again.
“Hmph,” was the only noise he made in response.
She laughed, a soft musical sound. He watched her float along, her eyes closed, her expression soft and peaceful. She was a pain in the ass but he couldn’t stay mad at her, not when he felt so relaxed. He turned onto his back and stared at the clear blue sky. He hadn’t been to Kipos Gardens for years. Not since his mother passed.
After a while he heard a splash at the shore. Krysos rose from the water, the wet material of her dress clinging to her body. He knew he shouldn’t stare, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the delicate curves of her body.
“It’s rude to stare,” she called over her shoulder.
“I wasn’t staring,” he mumbled as he flicked his eyes back to the sky.
Eventually he also made his way to the shore. Krysos was sunbathing on a large rock. She opened one eye to peer at him.
“It’s warm,” was all she said as she patted the empty space next to her.
He wandered over and lay next to her. The rock was warm and smooth on his back. They lay side by side in a surprisingly companionable silence. The wind rustled the trees, carrying a soft, earthy smell and the song of the birds perched in the branches.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were a demi-god?”
He looked at her but her eyes were closed, face tilted toward the sun.
“I prefer not to think about it,” he said eventually. She opened an eye to peer at him again, her golden eye piercing him with the silent question. “My father was a dick.”
She chuckled. “Let me guess, Zeus knocked up another mortal?”
“She wasn’t just another mortal,” he said, bristling. “And no, it was Ares.”
“Ares? I didn’t think he was fond of mortals. She must have been something then, your mother.”
“She was,” he said, crossing his arms behind his head. Out of the corner of his eye he caught her watching him. “She was General Polemistis. She ended the Wars of Iteas.”
Krysos raised her eyebrows. “I can see why he liked her then. She must have been an intelligent and brutal general.”
“She taught me everything I know,” he said with a smile, but it quickly turned to a scowl as he said, “Of course Ares fled as soon as he knew she was pregnant. Useless piece of shit.”
“Gods tend to do that. Helios left my mother as soon as he found out there would be four of us. Gaia raised us to help her with the seasons. Theros got summer, Anoixi spring, Cheimonas winter, and I got autumn.”
“Are you and your sisters close?”
She made a noncommittal shrug and they lapsed into companionable silence again. They snoozed on the rock until the sun slowly sunk over the treetops, taking the warmth with it.
“We really should head back to the castle,” he said as he pushed himself up with a yawn.
But she was already up and bolting for her horse. “Race you to the castle!” she yelled over her shoulder.
Cursing, he took off after her. But he couldn’t stop the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
***
She fell into the steady rhythm of life at Mt Pelion castle over the next few weeks. Every dawn, noon, and dusk she ate in the great hall. She watched the soldiers train, wandered around the never ending castle halls, and curled up with books amongst the cushions and throws that litter the library. She hadn’t been outside the castle walls since the day she went to Kipos. Calix’s scouts had been keeping tabs on a large mercenary group operating just over the border for the past few months, and they’d started inching closer.
She also found herself seeking out Calix more often than she thought was wise. Today she wandered down to the green at the back of the castle where he was overseeing the weapons training of the Tenth Division. They were split into pairs with wooden swords and shields, thuds and shouts filling the air. He stood with his legs apart, hands clasped behind his back, eyes roving over the trainees.
“Any good?” she asked quietly as she stood next to him.
“I’ve seen better,” he murmured, not taking his eyes off them.
“Looks like they’ve got the drills nailed. They lack creativity though,” her eyes roving over them as well.
He gave her a sideways glance. “I was thinking much the same.”
“Care to give them a demonstration?” she smirked at him.
He raised an eyebrow at her. “I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”
Her blood thundered in her ears. “You better watch what you say next pretty boy,” she snarled as she stalked over and grabbed a sword, not bothering with a shield. “Move!” she growled at the nearest soldiers, who paused to watch her. She moved to the centre of the green, planted the tip of her sword in the ground, and pierced Calix with her golden eyes. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you,” she called, loud enough for the entire Tenth Division to hear. His face was like thunder as he stormed over to grab his sword and join her.
They circled for a moment, eyeing each other's balance and familiarity with the weapon. She kept her body light as air as she flew forward with a rapid series of cuts to his torso and legs. He was quick, but she relaxed her wrist as the sword flew through the air, using his parries to flick the sword around. The soldiers watched silently, the only sound the rhythmic thudding of the wooden swords.
She twirled to the left bringing her sword around in a wide arc, ready to change the rhythm of her blows. But he swayed out of the way, her sword slicing through air. She only just regained her balance before he was upon her. He cut at her with broad, powerful strokes. He was slower than her but the power behind each stroke was immense. She kept herself loose, using her fluidity to absorb the impact.
They darted around in a deadly dance, neither giving or gaining an inch. Some of the other soldiers and castle staff gathered to watch. But they never took their eyes off each other. Calix struck again and, quick as a striking snake, stepped toward her. His sword slid down the length of hers, the hilts locking together between them. They were so close she could see small flecks of red in his dark brown eyes. Their breath intermingled, clouding between them as they panted.
“Come to my rooms at dusk,” was all he said before he pulled away and stalked back toward the castle, leaving her alone in the middle of the silent spectators.
***
He paced back and forth in front of the roaring stone fireplace. Maybe he’d made a mistake asking her to come. He glanced at the table in the corner. Candles twinkled in their golden stands, reflecting off the crystal wine glasses and unopened wine bottle. Before he could readjust the glasses for the millionth time, there was a knock at the door. He moved quickly to sit on the sofa, hoping he looked relaxed.
“Come,” he called.
His breath caught as she slipped into the room. She wore a stunning silky dress the colour of sunrise, a chain hanging delicately down her thigh. Her eyes moved around the room, taking in his clean but sparsely furnished sitting room before settling on the wine.
“Want a glass?” he asked, standing up and heading toward the table.
“Please,” she said, walking over to him as he opened the bottle with a pop.
“You’re a pretty good fighter,” he said, pouring the deep red wine into the glasses.
She laughed. “I suppose you’re not half bad yourself.” He handed her a glass, watching her as she swirled it and took a sip. “To be honest with you, I’m surprised we’re so evenly matched.”
“What do you mean by that?” he asked, frowning.
“Well, you’re half mortal,” she shrugged.
He gritted his teeth. Would she ever stop pissing him off? Muttering, he walked away from her toward the fireplace.
“What?” she asked, following him.
“Nothing,” he scowled into the fire.
She peered into his face. “I’ve offended you, haven’t I?”
“All you gods are the same!” he exploded. “This is why I avoid you all, because you’re pompous prats who think demi-gods and mortals are beneath them. Nothing’s ever good enough for you is it!”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” she said quietly, placing her hand on his shoulder. A tingle spread down his arm. “Your mother was an exceptional… person. Much better than your father, even if he was a god.”
He turned to meet her gaze. She was closer than he’d expected. He could make out the circular patterns of gold around her pupil under her long lashes. Her soft pink lips were slightly parted as she stared back at him. As he leaned closer he could smell the soft honey scent which had become so familiar and comforting during her short stay. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, caressing her cheek with his callused hands.
Suddenly, there was a sharp rap on the door.
They jerked apart. He swore under his breath, as he stormed over to rip the door open.
“What?” he barked at the soldier on the other side.
“S-s-sorry to intrude captain,” the soldier stammered.
“Get on with it!” he spat.
“It’s the mercenaries. We’re under siege.”
***
Read The Gods Part Three - Mt Pelion Siege now!