Forbidden Love

Chapter 7

“So... What was that Pei?” asked Persephone as she walked alongside Peitho exiting the arena.

“What was what?” Peitho asked, feigning innocence. Persephone rolled her eyes at Peitho’s answer.

“It's no secret that Hephaestus isn't your favorite person Pei, but it seemed to me like you were rooting for the other team, and everyone knows your Mitéra asked you to persuade Vulcan to lose.”

“I did,” she lied. Persephone gave her a sideways glance. “Didn’t you see me press against Vulcan and whisper in his ear? I told him to take it easy on Hephaestus. I even offered myself to him as a thank you.” Peitho finished. Persephone pulled Peitho to a stop and gaped at her.

“ you did WHAT?!?!”

“Mitéra told me to offer myself to him as a means for Vulcan to throw the competition. I checked him out, Seph. I knew from the start that Hephaestus didn't have a chance. He also didn't seem to care much. Did you notice that? if Hephaestus didn't care enough to try, then my assist wouldn't work anyway.”

Persephone nodded in agreement, linked arms with Peitho, and guided her out of the arena. When they reached the exit, Hades ran forward, scooping Persephone up in his arms, and kissed her passionately. Peitho swooned slightly at the sight of them together. Hades was gorgeous with jet black hair that he kept slicked back and ice blue eyes. And as tall as a mountain. When Hades broke the kiss, he looked up to see Peitho staring. He gave a small laugh and winked at her. Peitho felt her cheeks flame when he did so and quickly cast her eyes to the ground.

As she trailed behind them, she realized how much she longed for someone to hold her the way Hades held Persephone. She clenched her fist in anger as she walked, knowing that it wouldn’t happen for her because Aphrodite made Peitho swear a vow of celibacy. Peitho hated her mother for it. She felt someone roughly grab her arm and pull her along, breaking her from her train of thought. She glanced up to see Aphrodite glaring at her.

“Mitèra, let go that hurts” Peitho shouted as she wrenched her arm out of her mother’s grasp.

“That is nothing compared to what I should do to you, Korì,” Aphrodite snarled in her ear. “Why do I get the feeling you purposely did not do what was asked of you?” She continued. Peitho sighed heavily before she replied.

“I promise you, Mitèra, I did as you asked,” lied Peitho. “It isn’t my fault if Hephaestus didn’t give it everything he had. Have you spoken with him? He’s clearly miserable, and it makes no difference to him whether or not he’s given the honor of building the volcano. Just let the Romans have it,” said Peitho with a wave of her hand.

Aphrodite whirled around to face her. “It matters to ME, Peitho.” She spat. Peitho sighed in response. With a roll of her eyes, she spoke. “Mitèra, maybe Hephaestus would care more about succeeding for you if cared about him.” Aphrodite scoffed at Peitho’s words. “If you simply pretended to care for him, he would work harder for you, I know it.” Aphrodite took in what Peitho said, gave a curt nod, and stormed off.

******

Cupid ran to Vulcan and enveloped him in a big bear hug. “You did it, Fratello!”

“Can’t breathe,” Vulcan said as he pretended to gasp for air at Cupid’s grip on him. Cupid laughed, placed him back on the ground, and clapped him on the back. Before he could speak, Venus ran at Vulcan, practically bulldozing him over.

“I’m so proud of you, Tesoro.” She said as she smashed her lips against his. Vulcan smiled against her lips as he pulled away from her. Vulcan draped an arm around her shoulders as they walked to keep up the guise of their relationship. Venus pulled him to a stop just outside the arena when she noticed they were in Aphrodite and Peitho’s line of vision. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled Vulcan close. She kissed him deeply, moaning in appreciation as she did.

Vulcan noticed that as Venus was kissing Him, she kept her eyes on Aphrodite, no doubt in hopes of making her jealous. When he realized it, Vulcan pushed her away.

“I will not be a pawn in your game with Aphrodite Venus. I’m only marrying you because Jupiter deemed it so. Have you forgotten what else he’s requested of us?” Asked Vulcan.

“Remind me?” She asked. Vulcan smirked at her response.

“The only bed you’ll share now that we’re engaged is mine.” Venus gaped at him. “Jupiter said that?” She questioned, feigning ignorance. Vulcan could see by the look in her eyes that she knew exactly what he spoke of. He gave her one of his best smiles before he responded.

“Sorry to disappoint, but yes, those were his words. But don’t fret, Amore. We both know it won’t be long before you’re back in his bed. Next time try not to get caught by Mia Madre,” he said with a smile. Without another word, he was gone. He flashed himself back to his armchair in his temple that stood in front of his fireplace.

As he sat there, he let his mind race with ideas for the new volcano. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. Vulcan was tired from the long day. It had been a long time since he’d used that much power all at once. His eyes grew heavy, and he began to drift off. Before giving in to sleep, he replayed the conversations he had with Peitho in his mind and smiled to himself. He wasn’t sure what, but there was something about her that, against his better judgment, kept her in his mind. Go figure he would find a Goddess he couldn’t get out of his mind AFTER Jupiter forbade him from having an outside affair. With a sigh, he whispered “Goodnight Peitho” to himself and finally gave in to sleep.

Unbeknownst to him, Peitho had snuck to his temple again. She stood outside, planning to use telepathy to talk with him, but she could sense how tired he was and decided against it. Just as she went to leave, she heard it. “Goodnight, Peitho.” She felt her stomach flip at the sound of it.

“Goodnight, Vulcan,” she whispered.