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Eying the man, I look for any sarcasm. Spotting none, a flash of excitement jolts through me. Apollo has been talking about me. My heart skips a beat at the thought.
Ari groaned at my thoughts. “Apollo thinks about anything fuckable. That doesn’t make you special.”
Ari! A wave of hurt emanates from me.
“What? That’s nothing against you. It’s the horny god being a horny god,” Ari muses.
What, and you call yourself an expert when it comes to horny gods?
“That I am,” she declares proudly.
Whatever. Turning back to Ov, I introduce myself. “My name is Pandora. Though I'm certain my life is much less interesting than yours. I lived with my family in Karpathos where I worked at a local apothecary. Helping keep our herbs stocked. I also apprenticed —”
“— Interesting that my nephew has selected a mortal who is been cursed by Hades himself.” Ov’s eyes narrow on to me.
The sudden change in tone shocked me. One minute he wants to know everything about me. Then the next he wants me to answer his specific questions. Forcing a pained half smile. “A curse to the mortals and gods alike. Yahada yahada yahada. Yeah, Uncle Ov, I know.” Muttering the same mantra that I have heard from every single new person that I have ever met. To say that I’m annoyed is minimizing how over I'm with those worlds. I let the sass drip from my voice. “Back home, the priestesses would tell me of how those with my eyes are destined to live lives of woe. Lives held together by sorrow, troubles, and distress. But let me tell you, I would have much preferred that your nephew had picked anyone but me.” I explained.
“Oh no, my dear. That was an observation. Nothing against you or your character. Rather an observation of my nephew.” Uncle sighs, allowing himself to pause as he thoughtfully considers his next words. “You see, my nephew has always been an interesting one. I'm certain he has his reasons behind his decision in selecting you. What else, my dear?”
“I can assure you that being selected by your nephew was not my choice.” Grouchily I murmur as I let my eyes drift off into the distance. Watching the confines of the small private garden, it appeared it was only walled off from the main area. Like a private reading nook in a library.
The patio was nothing remarkable.
Almost the entire portion of the sectioned off garden is dead. The place is nearly desolate, lacking any semblance of life.
But the bones of the garden share a different story. One where it was full of life and was cherished by some past own. Decrepitly, there appears to have been a meticulously cared for garden filled with flowers but now… Now it’s dusty and withering.
The ruins of this garden look like a corpse.
The flowers don’t seem to take to the earth here. Like spring has no place in this land.
How unexpected for the court of the Sun God?
Chewing on my bottom lip, I try to focus on my conversation with Uncle Ov.
“These eyes aren’t a curse. Some see it as a blessing,” I state. A fact my dad tried to remind me of repeatedly.
Somehow, I cheated death but one day, I might have to pay in spades for an agreement that I don’t remember. For all that I know, I could’ve sold my soul to Hades. After my next death, I might be required to live a life of indentured servitude without an end in sight in the darkness filled lands of Erebus.
Mortal dread consumes me. My mind spinning around and tossing out the worst bargains that I could’ve made with a god who has everything.
Money or other material goods wouldn’t hold any sway over him. Hades is practically the embodiment of wealth. With the Underworld being below ground, the God of Death is known for his collection of gold, gems, and other treasures of the earth.
Ov plays with his beard. Twirling the long gray whiskers of his goatee around his finger. Though fit, he is burlier than all the immortals that I have seen thus far. Though admittedly, I have not seen a ton of Olympians. Nor do I hope to see many during my time here. “That may be true, I mean, that you gained favor with Hades in some unknown manner. Trust me, he is a god that isn’t pleased easily. You're a rarity, that I can assure you. Then you must have promised him something,” Ov pushes back on his chair. Leaning on the back two legs heavily. Balancing nearly perfectly.
My brain continues to spin. Trying to think of what I could’ve possibly traded a god. “What could I possibly have given Hades? He has everything that even a god could ask for. Riches beyond compare, the uncontested ruler of his realm and absolute control of his court. Plus, I don’t even remember the deal.”
“That’s not a question for me to answer. How Olympians handle bargains is different for each deity. Unique to that god or goddess,” Huffed Ov as he laces his fingers over his stomach. Giving off the appearance of indifference. “Now back to my previous question. Please tell me more about yourself.”
His tone was anything but a request. Mortals are even more strange in the land of the gods than gods are in the land of mortals.
Uncle is probably concerned about my curse and what it could have in store for Apollo’s kingdom.
Because of his concern for his family, I tell him everything. Anything that I could think of. Prattling on about my former life in Karpathos, I discussed my family, my friends, and what my life was like before Caelum.
Well, everything except for dad. With Artemis, it was easier to talk about, but with Ov… I don’t know.
“What else?” Ov presses further.
