CHAPTER XX

CHAPTER XX

Athena was not used to failure. But every single one of the gods and goddesses had returned from the human realm with callously cruel grins on their faces and patted each other on the back for jobs well done, unaware of the true nature of their mission. She had smiled in appeasement at them − for her instruction to them had been to cause havoc in Amara’s life in the hopes the priestess would alchemise each challenge − while inwardly seething.

Aphrodite, it appeared, had been right. Willing to put her pride aside for now if it would ensure her victory − and the survival of the humans − Athena decided it was time to end this little feud. Which was why she was currently on her way to her sister’s gardens on the northern side of Mount Olympus.

Eventually reaching the cream-coloured pillars that were topped with swans carved in marble and laced with myrtle flowers, and which announced the beginning of Aphrodite’s land, Athena stepped into Aphrodite’s territory. Immediately she was greeted by Dike, who, as the spirit of justice, often gave measured advice in Athena’s counsel too. Why she chose to spend so much time with Aphrodite made Athena shake her head in despair. Dike would never understand that she would always be a justification, a reason, an excuse for both herself and Aphrodite as well as the humans. She would never hold her own. Justice by itself was never cause enough for the humans to act. There was always something she had to be paired with. Most often Dike chose to align herself with Aphrodite and so justice was almost always sought for the love ofsomething.

“Lady Athena.” She bowed demurely. “Have you come for LadyAphrodite?”

It wasn’t a foolish question for Aphrodite was often in the company ofmany.

“Yes.”

“Please, followme.”

Together they walked along delicately winding pebbled paths, either side encased by soft, moss-green grass that was littered with red and white anemone flowers. As they got closer to the entrance to Aphrodite’s rooms, rose bushes sprouted strong and proud from the soil, some of their flowers red, others white. All thriving. Aphrodite had always had a natural aptitude forvegetation.

At the large, stone-white doors with gilded gold trim, Dike knocked twice before they entered upon approval. Where Athena’s war rooms were sparse, Aphrodite’s rooms were filled with plushness. Red velvet chaises were artfully placed, with white column pillars beside them housing all manner of items: an intricately decorated vase detailing Aphrodite’s rise to fame and life itself, a bowl of grapes, a pure gold decanter.

The floor covering consisted of one large silk woven rug, made by Arachne if Athena wasn’t mistaken, the most talented spinner before she had challenged Athena to a duel. The poor girl had hung herself to avoid Athena’s fury, and so she had mercifully turned the girl into a spider − for such talent was too good to be gone from the world.

Like Athena’s war rooms, the windows were large enough that they gave a spectacular view of the gardens Athena had just come from, meaning her sister had watched her walk here. And waited. She was, however, not alone.

Opposite her, on a different chaise, was Dionysus. A goblet was raised to his mouth as he watched Athena assess him. If he was waiting for shock to grace her face, her youngest half brother would be waiting a while. He raised the goblet in a half-hearted greeting.

Aphrodite, meanwhile, sat waiting for Athena to make formal introductions before she rose from her lounging position.

So, Athena reasoned, she is stillfurious.

“Sister,” she greeted her in a calm tone.

Aphrodite did indeed then rise and cross the space to place a cold kiss on either cheek.

“Athena, please sit. Dike − you may leave usnow.”

The door closed quietly. For several minutes, there was no sound beyond that of the birds frolicking in the garden. Eventually, having measured her words, Athena spoke.

“If I were to hazard a guess, I would say it is no coincidence that I find you and Dionysus in each other’scompany.”

The last time they had been seen together, there had been rumours he had fathered Priapus with Aphrodite, a claim neither of them would confirm nor deny. Athena wondered if he was just here out of coincidence or if Aphrodite had roped him in for some plot twist to her plan as she hadPrometheus.

“It appears you may have been right in your estimations of Artemis’ plan.”

“Oh?” Aphrodite cocked one perfectly manicured blonde eyebrow, but there was no surprise there, only vain delight.

Athena pursed her lips, her jaw aching under the pressure of clenched teeth. She despisedlosing.

“The fear took too great a hold. The ways − our ways − did not penetrate the priestess’ psyche. She has lost her alchemy somewhere in the recesses of her mind. I would say true love remains a last resort ... but I know your hand has been long involved, has itnot?”

Aphrodite giggled before plucking a plump grape and biting down on it delicately. She could make even that lookseductive.

“Oh come now, were you notimpressed?”

“How did you manage to get Prometheus involved?” Athena scowled.

Aphrodite crossed to another table to retrieve two goblets and poured them both wine from the decanter to celebrate, now that cold formalities had been acknowledged. Usually the nymphs would assist in such matters, but nymphs had a terrible knack for gossip, more so than anyone else of Mount Olympus.

“Not intentionally,” Aphrodite scoffed, handing over a goblet and resuming her seat. “The fool would not hear me out. Luckily for me, the Moirai saw fit to find me favour, and Tyche helpedtoo.”

“Tyche?” Dionysus interrupted, a small furrow in that round baby face of his that made him look, still, like a petulant child despite his manyyears.

“My daughter and Prometheus have long since been friends. Did you notknow?”

“I didn’t suspect the fickle goddess to be quite so friendly with one as stubborn as Prometheus,” Dionysus quipped back.

“Careful,” Aphrodite tempered with a sharp glare. “That is mydaughter.”

Dionysus raised his goblet in mock salute, though Athena was sure Aphrodite missed the sarcastic smile behind it. “Of course, I am here to helpyou.”

“Where did the Moirai find in your favour?” she interrupted, for she was far more interested in their play thanDionysus’.

Aphrodite simply leaned back, raising her hands to the heavens as if she was presenting herself as the gift. Athena put two and two together.

“You managed to circuit break your little parlourtrick.”

“Thankfully, or we would be in a mess now would wenot?”

Athena took a sip of wine, humming in agreement. While she could be a sore loser, in this instance she was grateful. There was hope yet. “I thank the Fates that they allowed you to play a part I ... had not given enough consideration.”

Aphrodite tilted her head slightly, taking the acknowledgement gracefully. After a moment’s pause, Athena came to ask the question she was actually here for.

“Are you certain it willwork?”

Aphrodite smiled coyly.

“You are not to worry that heavy head of yours with more burdens,” she nodded, pointing at Athena’s helmet made of gold that curved at a point on her forehead and gave the resemblance of a beak, a homage to Zeus’ eagle. “You are not the only one the Moirai consults with. It is all taken care of. Welcome back, sister, to the winning team.”