AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Frustrated, I turn back to the garden as I enter the doorway of my home. The beans where Arista sat are untouched and my friend is gone.
Of course, she left without finishing her portion of the chores, I think internally. Whenever she doesn’t get her way, she tends to pout and sulk rather pointedly.
Pausing at the entrance to our home, I slip off my mud speckled sandals at the door. Brushing off as much dust and grime as I could before crossing into the back entryway of our house in a futile attempt to not give my stepmom yet another reason to despise my presence.
My bare feet welcome the cool mosaic tiles. Thankful for the break from the heat.
Shutting the door behind me, I drag my fingers along the worn honey oak trim which lines the edges of the room.
Fresh herbs hang glowing and verdant from the walls like trophies from the woods. Wandering down the hallway, my eyes scan the small rooms for Dad.
When we first arrived, the home felt as luxurious as a palace. Old vases, portraits in golden frames, and wallpaper-covered walls.
Two years later, I recognize the facade. Most of the furnishings are threadbare from time. Meticulously cared for but one can only make items last for so long. Fading wallpaper is now patchy and occasionally replaced with plain plastered walls and hand painted murals. The rooms once seeming endlessly large, now feel small and cramped.
But outdated furniture is hardly our most pressing concern. Especially with all the tales of mortals being abducted by the gods.
It is a constant fear hanging over our heads and hearts. Not knowing who’ll be here and who’ll be snatched by the gods. Even though we know that gods don’t cross the Veil all year round, it was still a fear that was never far from our thoughts.
Some speculate that gods take suitors outside of the immortal realm. But being a mortal lover of a god or goddess is more dangerous than being a soldier on the front. A deadly role. Any mortal who sees a god or goddess in their true form is said to combust.
There was once a woman from Thebes who once begged that Zeus himself reveal his true form to her. The King of the Gods refused, knowing it would be her death. But Hera, the wife of Zeus, eventually conned the mistress into tricking Zeus. Binding the king by the River Styx to make love to her like his wife.
The maiden burned.
Thebes burned.
Mortals aren’t meant to play immortal games, especially when it comes to games of the heart.
Days like today are when non-believers pull out any protection they can think of. Weaving imaginary spells or praying to whatever patron god your family associates with. Completing duties and tasks for them in the temples which have been all but neglected for six months.
But it’s all useless.
No talisman or herb on the door or offerings will keep the gods and goddesses away from whatever brought them to the mortal lands. Though some in our village swear by them, Dad says that it would be more effective to roll in cattle shit. The stench is a far better deterrent than a useless piece of junk.
But desperate people do desperate things for those they love. The divine are like real-life boogeymen. Far spookier than any mythical monster the minds of mankind could even dream up. They can hide anywhere, be anything, and use magic to get what they desire.
Some gods are rumored to disguise themselves as animals, friends, and family to get close to who they want. Plucking them away and stealing them from the sun.
Passing each room, I peek my head in for Dad. So far, the sitting room, the kitchen, the library, and he’s nowhere to be seen. Entering my Dad’s study, I find him reading a book, his gold spectacles are low on his nose. Messy brown curls peep over the book. Old and leather bound. The title long since faded to time.
“Dad?” Tentatively, I wait for him to acknowledge. Sometimes I find him fully immersed in his books. Off in an entirely different world.
Dark eyes peek over his spectacles. “Yes Dora?”
“Pandy.” I flashed him a smile as I gently corrected him.
Recently, I have been trying something new.
After all, who would name their daughter Pandora other than my dad? An ancient name from before the Veil separated us so distinctly from the immortals. A name which means ‘the universal gift.’
Gag.
Also known as a name which gets you bullied ruthlessly by neighborhood children.
Perhaps it was best that we moved around frequently when I was a kid.
I would have been doomed from the first introduction… That’s if they could get past my damned eyes. Something that truly wasn’t a guarantee.
