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Maybe this shadowy figure was the one who had it out for Ov and me. “Are they connected to the attacks?” I ask as my voice trembles.
“Uncertain,” Apollo replies, clipping his words.
I groan. “How comforting. You’ve impeccable bedside manners. Who taught you?” Pausing, I catch myself before asking if his dad taught him. With my dad, it would be a compliment to be compared to him, but Apollo and Zeus weren’t the same way. Being associated with Zeus here isn’t good.
In fact, some see it as a mark of evil.
He rolls his eyes at me all the same. “Haha, very funny,” he mutters snarkily. “You seem to be spending too much time with my sister. I don’t remember you being this mouthy.”
Artemis roars, “ME? You're the bad influence here!”
“Are you saying that I wasn’t mouthy before? Newsflash, I definitely was.” I challenged him as I rolled my eyes.
The Sun God sees me as this wilting flower. One that if the world was too forceful, that I would crumble away into nothing.
But he was wrong and I hate being underestimated.
Crossing my arms, I glare at the man. Thinking back to the night Apollo and I met, he certainly should know this about me.
“Where’s the soldier?” Apollo asks as he tips his head toward the shadow-stained ground.
I gestured to the pile of discarded clothes and armor. “He was a distraction. His body was made of shadows.”
The tan god paled, looking in the direction of the heap, then turning back to me and Artemis, “That’s it, tomorrow we won’t be attending the festival in public. You two will remain in your rooms in the castle. I'll head into town, fulfill my ceremonial roles and then return. When the appropriate hour approaches, we will meet in the Throne Room,” he declares.
“What?” I groan. “This is my first equinox in Olympus and I’m going.”
“No way,” he shakes his head. His eyes look about as stone-like as his chest, “Far worse than shadows are lurking in my court and I’m not putting you at risk.”
This is something that he won’t budge on.
Don’t worry, I give him a pouting glare. You won’t have to.
Spring Equinox
Divine days melt around me. Not so easily estimated and counted. Mortal days have a distinct beginning, middle, and conclusion like a story book. Divine days are like the wind pushing leaves across the horizon. Dancing in the sky, following the beck and call of the wind like music.
It felt like I had only been away from my home for weeks. Yet the Spring Equinox has arrived. Magic thrummed in the air. I couldn’t help but roll over in my bed and throw a pillow over my head. Goosebumps ripple from the sensation of magic across my skin. Reminding me of someone dragging feathers gently over my skin.
Nearly unbearable, I roll my hips underneath my blankets.
Damn, why is magic affecting me like this?
Stretching, I know what I want. Craving to feel the magic closer, I crawl out of bed and stare out of the window. Pinpointing the area in town where the magic seems to be thrumming from.
Vanishing in such a heavily guarded castle would be nearly impossible. Especially when the manor seems to be on such a strict lockdown from the recent attacks.
That’s, except for the hidden passageways.
No, I warn myself. That’s not what I’m doing. I don’t want Apollo upset… Even if the festival looks so interesting and fun.
Maybe I can get my fill from afar from my window instead.
Stepping toward the window, I watch minor gods and goddesses shuffling in and out of the courtyard in masquerade masks. The normal garments accustomed to the Apollo’s court have been abandoned. The crowd was all wearing shades of red, white, and pink. Satyrs, nymphs and other creatures scattered amongst the crowds with brilliant masks.
Masks…
I wonder if masks would make it harder for the guards to find me, even if I were able to slip out?
