Part Three

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

I almost had been raped just a few minutes ago, and now I had to present myself in front of my entire court, the olypians, and my father zeus.

My eighteenth birthday party.

My mother had all of the Olympians invited. Normally we would just have something small and modest, but for my eighteenth birthday my mother insisted my father Zeus and his entire court come too. I was so nervous.

Sitting in my childhood room in my mothers palace, I never could have imagined going into my eighteenth year more strayed or confused from the path she had set for me.

From such a young age my mother had my life planned entirely. Lessons, prayer and devotion, friends picked out, routines, schedules. Never in my life would I think the start of my eighteenth birthday celebration would begin with me being touched by not one but two large men.

I had to act calm and as if nothing had happened. If my mother found out or any of her virgin goddess friends, I’d be cast aside and banned.

—

My mothers palace was one of the most beautiful and unique structures known to man.

Overlooking a large lake in Palos, the estate was perfectly warm year round. The seasons varied slightly, with chillier mornings in the winter, but year round it never dropped too low.

We had so much vibrant and fruitful land here. Groves of lemon trees, oranges, olives, nearly every citrus known to man. We had fields of flowers, bountiful amounts of honey, and plenty of grapes for wine. It was a beautiful oasis that I had only ever known. The land was so vast that even I had not yet had enough time to see it all.

The palace’s structure itself was perhaps even more beautiful than the scenery itself. And in my opinion, even put the glorious Mount Olympus to shame.

Ancient Mediterranean stone and white marble mixed in with flowers and vines. Outdoor spaces and beautiful coliseums perfectly blended into both a functional and elegant paradise. Closer to the castle were miles of manicured gardens with statues and other various remembrances of the dead.

My mother loved art. Her libraries and museums were only what you could describe as places where one who has lived forever peacefully could accumulate.

It was so strange to now be considered an adult in this palace. I felt I knew every corner and inch of inside the palace grounds, but almost nothing of what lay beyond. We owned hundreds of miles of land in every direction, so even on my more adventurous midnight strolls I could only go so far. In our land we did rule over several large Grecian cities, but my mother only rarely let me visit them. Athens was my favorite, and sometimes I dreamed of attending university there among the morals. My mother would never allow it.

My birthday party was in our largest plaza. My mother had been decorating it for days now. It was decorated with wildflowers and lanterns. But before a night of dancing and wine drinking (modesty apparently overlooked the consumption of alcohol) first we had to suffer through a dinner in our grand hall.

The dinner was for one hundred guests. The table was in a long hall outside overlooking the lake and lined with fifty foot tall carved marble pillars. It was typically my favorite hall. I had grown up having birthday dinners here. I was usually surrounded just by my friends, close family, and the goddesses of chastity.

However tonight everything was different. My father Zeus sat at the head of the table tonight. I held my breath as I walked into the room. Everyone stared at me and my ladies in waiting.

“My beautiful daughter” Zeus announced at my arrival. I smiled warmly at him.

My eyes briefly switched over to my mother who stood at the other end of the table. Her smile was wide but her eyes looked angry when she saw the makeup on my face. I couldn’t help but giggle at that, maybe I did look beautiful.

“Father” I said respectfully, bowing to him and staring at the ground.

“Come child” he motioned to me, opening his large arm to welcome me. I walked slowly from one end of the table to the other. I felt as though I could barely breathe as I passed the Olympians and other important guests.

“You look beautiful” Athena said, embracing me in a warm hug.

“I’m surprised your mother allowed you to wear makeup,” Hera said in a sharp tone.

“Your Majesty," I said, bowing to Hera deeply. No matter what I did, she had always hated me. It most likely was due to the fact that I was walking evidence of one of Zeus’s many infidelities.

“Princess Kore” a man said, I turned and was met with Hermes. One of my favorite Olympians and a long time friend.

“Hermes!” I said, running and hugging him. Hermes picked me up and spun me around. He placed me down gently.

“I have a surprise for you” he said to me,

“Oh you didn’t have to” I said to him, hoping my rogue would conceal the natural blush forming under my cheeks. Maybe our friendship was a bit of a crush.

“I’ll take that, thank you very much” Athena said, plucking the present from my hand before I could tear at the gold tissue paper. Athena was one of the three goddesses of chastity. Although wittier and more fun-loving than my mother, she too strictly swore of men for all of eternity. Athena was also brilliant and could definitely see through my long time crush and admiration for Hermes.

“Ah, now that we’re all here, let us eat in celebration of my daughter-” Zeus began, but before he could finish a loud commotion came from further down the hall.

“What in the heavens” Hera said, I looked down the table to my mother, I could tell she was livid about the interruption. My mother stood up and looked at the noises.

“Curse you” I heard a man yell, the entire castle was shaking as if-no it couldn't be- two gods were fighting.

Suddenly the two gods burst into the hall. They were covered in dark blood and yes, fighting one another.

“Oh no” I said out loud.

It was blue eyes….and Eros.