Joined (The Secret World Of Atlantis 4)

Chapter 9 - The Goddess's Visit

It feels good, not having to hide in front of my own people anymore. The streets are quite full for this time of the day, and I can probably blame that on the spectacle that the citizens were able to witness not so long ago. By that I mean our group flying above Dairelis when we were looking for Zara.

I don’t know how much they know, but I could bet there are already dozens of different theories circulating around the city. The people here lived for gossip after all. I don’t have time to tone it down, however. It’s time to say a prayer for Flora, while it can still help her.

I enter the Temple, like so many times before, Eros, Elena, Demitri and Emilia all beside me. We all have solemn expressions on our faces from what just happened. We haven’t spoken a word the whole way from the Palace into the city. We’re all too wrapped up in our own thoughts. Or should I say worries?

There is only one person inside. It’s Iora, the Mother of the Maidens. She is sitting in the centre of the Temple, her eyes closed, and her palms placed against one another. She is praying.

We descend a little closer to the middle, already starting to unwrap our clothes, when her eyes finally flutter open. She pins them directly into me, her lips slowly curving up. “Children. Welcome,” she greets us, getting up from the ground to come closer.

“My Gods, I reveal to you my humbled heart,” we all mutter in unison. She raises her thumb, drawing circles on our foreheads with it. She starts with Eros and finishes with Emilia.

“Your spirit lives in us,” she then responds with a clear voice, bowing to us all, before turning to me and Eros. “Congratulations on behalf of your betrothal, Your Majesties. I don’t think I’ve had the chance to tell you that yet,” she adds, smiling at us warmly.

“Thank you, that is very kind of you,” I reply, offering her a smile in return. She then glances between the five of us again, a curious expression on her face.

“Not all of you live here. Did you come seeking help from me or are you simply here to pray to the Gods?” she asks, her eyes glistening in wonder.

“We came to pray for a friend, who is fighting for her life,” I say, before I’m able to stop myself. Iora stiffens as she hears those words, deep sympathy suddenly visible on her face.

“Oh, my … Then I shall include them in my prayers as well. I hope the Gods will hear us,” she offers, a determined look inside her eyes. “May I know their name, so I can tell them who I want them to help?” she asks next, making me nod.

“Of course. We’re praying for Princess Flora Io,” I reveal, almost making the Mother’s jaw drop. She barely holds it in place as she hears me say the name. Her hand travels up towards her mouth, covering it in shock.

It takes her a moment to compose herself, a tense silence falling upon the Temple. When she speaks up again, I can notice that her voice is trembling slightly, no matter how hard she is trying to hide it. “So, Ares, Aphrodite and Hera. They might be the ones to respond first. Thank you.”

After saying that, she simply bows again, retrieving back into the centre of the Temple. I put my hands together, just like I did so many times before, and close my eyes. I focus solely on my mind, brushing away every thought that I deem unnecessary in this moment. Even the ones about Zara.

Please. Please, please, please. Gods, if you hear me, save Flora’s life. We never got along, I know. But we’ve just started to mend things between us. Please don’t take her away, before we manage to fix them. Before we even get to call each other cousins. Save her. Please.

I take a deep breath, contemplating whether I should be as bold as I intend to be just now. But in the end, I decide it’s worth it. If it saves Flora’s life, I will live through any punishment my audacity might get me.

Aphrodite. I know you might not like me. Even if you did choose me as one of your own. You think your son won’t return to you because of me. But I need to ask you a favour. I need you to listen to me. Flora is one of your own as well. And she is fighting for her life because of the decision I’ve made. Please, I am begging you, don’t let her leave this world. It’s not her time yet. Help her get out of this. She doesn’t deserve to die. Please.

In that moment, something strange happens. I keep my eyes closed, but I swear I can smell the scent of the richest, most beautiful roses. Then, I can feel someone approaching me. But not physically. Inside my mind. I quickly grow a shield around it, trapping whoever came inside it, unable to get out.

The next thing I hear is laughter. Soft and melodic. Unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. So, you’re willing to beg to get what you want. My, my. I didn’t have you for the begging type, sweet, naïve Arya. I would use the word innocent, but we both know that isn’t the case anymore, is it? a familiar voice speaks to me. I freeze, barely believing what is happening.

A-Aphrodite? I stutter, trying not to panic. There it is. I can hear her laughter again. It’s true. She’s here. The Goddess herself is inside my head! Am I supposed to show my respects? Tell her that I’m sorry for what I just said? Panic now or forever hold myself back?! My Goddess, I reveal to you-

There’s no need for that nonsense. Not when Zeus isn’t around. He’s the only one that insists with that silly greeting, she interrupts me, making me wrap myself into silence. You don’t have to be nervous around me. I am not going to hurt you, she then adds in a reassuring tone. But I’m not sure how to respond to that either.

Er … You don’t … You don’t hate me? I finally manage to get the words out, making her laugh again.

Hate you? On the contrary, I love all of my owns. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t choose them. And you my dear, shine like the brightest diamond amongst them, she answers. My brain goes completely fuzzy at that revelation.

But … But the bond … Eros said you were in charge of all things love-related, now that he’s down here. Including the bonds. He said you took our bond, I babble, hoping that she’ll understand what I’m trying to say and that I won’t make her mad by any chance.

Well, yes, he was right. About everything. But I shouldn’t have taken the bond in the first place, so I gave it back along with your wings. You deserved them. And I added a little apology note … Or should I say apology colour? she retorts, sounding like she’s barely holding her excitement. But I am completely shocked by her confession.

You … You did take our bond? Why? What did we ever do to deserve that? I thought you loved your son! And you just said you loved me as well! I argue, barely believing what she just said. I can hear her sigh.

Oh, so that’s all you heard. Not the part where I said that I gave it back along with your wings. Made them a bit bigger, shinier, more unique. You’re welcome, by the way, she tells me. But that’s not enough. I’m still waiting for an answer. Okay, fine. I was jealous of you, so I took away the one thing that was joining you with my son. The bond. I thought it would bring you apart, but it didn’t. It brought you even closer together, so I realized I shouldn’t be mending myself into your relationship and I gave everything back instead. The concoction wasn’t helping your wings at all, you know? It was I, who made them regrow. My dear son almost blew it when he wanted to heal you. It was a good thing you refused.

I keep quiet for a long moment, processing everything she’s just told me. In the end, there is one thing, that still doesn’t make sense to me. I’m sorry, but … Why were you jealous of me? I’m just a petty little mortal, and you’re the Goddess of beauty and love! I exclaim, barely believing that she could be affected by someone like me.

For a moment, I already think she’s gone, but I can still feel her presence inside my head, so I know that isn’t the case. Why is she thinking about this for so long? What is she going to tell me now? Isn’t it obvious to you? I was jealous, because you were able to be around my son all the time, you were even with him, when you weren’t supposed to be. You were with him when I couldn’t be. That’s what kept bothering me so much, she finally admits, leaving me completely stunned. I never realized the reason behind that could be so simple. Now, what is it that you want from me? I don’t have much time left.

I … I want you to save Flora. She was bitten by a werewolf and is fighting for her life. Please … She doesn’t deserve to die, I tell her, my voice pleading as it never was before.

She keeps silent for a long moment, before finally responding to my plea. I agree with you. It isn’t her time yet. But I don’t think there’s much I can do about it. I am not the Goddess of healing, she responds, making my heart sink. No. No, how? Why? Iora said that the Gods, that chose Flora, might be able to help save her life, if they heard our prayers!

But you can give her hope at least! Speak to her, like you spoke to me! I try again, refusing to give up on her. I can hear Aphrodite sigh inside my mind again, before responding.

I would love to, but mortals can’t take speaking to a Goddess as well as you do, she tells me, making me freeze. What in the three regions of the Underworld is that supposed to mean? I will try to put in a good word with Apollo. Flora isn’t one of his own, but perhaps I can use this to make him repay a favour I’ve once granted him, she speaks up again. Her words spark a gleam of hope inside me, and I can’t help but chuckle happily.

Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I squeal, barely believing that this is truly happening.

You’re welcome, child … Could you let me out of your mind now, please? I can’t be here much longer, she explains. I lower the shield, letting her drift away from me, but not before I scream a thank you behind her one more time.