34. New Eyes

Sage sat at a table on her own on Castle Hill. She poured herself another drink and leant languidly on her elbow as she necked the strong spirits. Around her, people laughed and chatted and Sage smiled to herself – watching them.

Marvelling that she could once again, watch them. She'd missed this.

Her new eyes, crafted by the gods, were beautiful. They were a vibrant shade of lapis blue and, up close, their mystic origin was slightly hinted by subtle extra pupil that only showed as a thin black ring in her iris.

Sage's phone buzzed next to her hand with a message from Jaz.

Where are you? It's late.

She snorted and shook her head at her phone screen. It wasn't that late. The pubs were still open and serving. And she wanted to soak in the atmosphere a little longer. A wind rattled the marquee and Sage looked up at the clear plastic sheeting and admired the night sky.  She would never again underappreciate the ability to see stars and the moon.

Tears pricked her eyes but she didn't notice them. Hiccupping, she refilled her glass. Her head was becoming fuzzy but she didn't mind that. She'd been hoping for it. She drank and she sighed happily.

For four months she'd been trying to cope. She'd been clinging onto the good things in life and trying to accept that she would never see again. Now, a miracle had happened. She felt like she'd become a small boat that was drifting out to sea. How much of herself had she shut down, to cope with the loss of her sight? She'd ignored any feeling that hurt too much. Any dream or wish that felt no longer possible.

Now, everything had been returned to her. She rested her chin on her hands and smiled contentedly. It was overwhelming. It felt too good to be true. It was hard to accept. It was impossible not be afraid that one day she'd be blind again.

Sage shivered and tried to push away the fear. It bubbled up inside of her, clawing its way up her throat. With grim determination, she downed her drink and tried not to think at all.

Her phone vibrated with an incoming call and Sophia's name flashed up on the screen.

"Hello?" Sage answered dreamily.

"Jaz is having kittens. I think he's worried some spectre from the underworld has come to steal your magic eyes." Sophia's tone conveyed fully that she was rolling her eyes.

"No, no spec-spec..." Sage gave up with the complicated word. "I'm all good."

"You sound merry. Should I come join you for some drinks?"

"Aren't you busy?"

Sophia got an uber to Castle Hill and was there in twenty minutes. She sat down with Sage, ordered food (to be sensible) and drink (to screw being sensible).

"Wow." Sophia murmured, staring at Sage's new eyes for the first time. She'd known to expect them, but they weren't as she'd imagined. "Couldn't they get you your old colour?"

Sage shrugged.

"I guess not."

"Well, I'm happy for you, Sage."

"Are you still living with Jaz then?" Sophia asked as they clinked glasses. Sage nodded.

"For now." She'd already sold her apartment months ago and so didn't have anywhere else to go yet.

"I thought you might move in with Ares..." Sophia commented, failing to hide her rampant curiosity. Sage pulled a face and fervently shook her head.

Ares had suggested that they live together, but Sage had delicately switched topic rather than give an answer. Honestly, she wasn't sure she was ready to live in a place with just her and Ares. He was a god - it would probably be deeply embarrassing to live one on one with him. He wouldn't block a toilet, get sick, have bad-hair days or fart. He was perfect all of the time.

"Things are still very new with us now." Sage mumbled. Her words were too slurred for Sophia to properly catch. Sage drank, trying to shake away her insecure thoughts. Things were so new between her and Ares that she wasn't even sure what they were yet. Boyfriend and girlfriend? More than that? Less than that?

"The caterers are all set for tomorrow." Sophia commented, digging into the food. "Are you still good for getting Jaz out of the café whilst we set up?"

Sage nodded.

"We're going litter picking, Jaz loves that." Sage burped and the grimaced, her burps tasted of rum.

Later, after many more drinks, Sophia and Sage were struggling to get a taxi. Even with Sophia offering money – the drivers were reluctant to take Sage. It probably had to do with the vomit.

"Don't call him." Sage moaned.

"I haven't called him." Sophia lied. She'd called Ares.

The war god was very quick to arrive, he took in the sight of Sage with ruby cheeks and shining eyes and he smiled, amused.

"Take her. She's your responsibility now." Sophia passed over Sage into Ares' very welcoming embrace. Sage puckered her brows and pouted unhappily.

"I told you not to call him." She whined. Sophia shrugged, her face the picture of innocence.

"I didn't hear you. See you tomorrow!" She bid them a hasty goodbye before vanishing into a taxi.

Sage tried to chase after her but staggered and would have fallen, if Ares hadn't caught her. He gazed down at her and smiled.

"Did you have fun tonight?"

Sage thought about this and then nodded. "That's good. Let's get you home."

Sage pushed him away suddenly.

"Go away!" She exclaimed. "You- you can't see me like this."

"Why not?"

"I'm – I'm... I'm gonna –" And then she'd thrown up. Again.

Ares held her hair back away from the danger area and rubbed her back soothingly. Once the throwing up was, at least temporarily, over – Sage sagged against Ares. "Ergh!" She groaned, trying to hide her face from him. She was mortified.

"Stay still." He urged. "I need to wipe your mouth."

Sage wished that the ground could swallow her. It didn't.

Ares carried her home. He held her easily in his arms and Sage's heart thudded anxiously. His face was so close hers. His handsome, perfect face. She felt shy. But she also couldn't bring herself to look away. She could see him again. That Ares had really returned and that he was claiming to want her – was the biggest miracle of all.

Ares carried her home and was greeted by a flappy Jaz.

"She's just drunk." Ares reassured him as he carried Sage up the steps to her room.

"But was it safe for her to be –"

"I told you that I'm being careful. She was always protected."

"Creatures will want those eyes for themselves."

"I know that. But I'm being careful."

Huffing, Jaz left them to go and make a hangover brew for Sage. Sage gave Ares a questioning look. "Don't worry about it." He whispered. Ares set Sage carefully down on the bed. "Change into your pj's. I'll fetch you a glass of water." He also delicately nudged the bin closer to the edge of the bed in case she needed to hurl.

When Ares returned with the water, Sage wasn't in her pj's. She was still fully dressed and fast asleep. Ares smiled and set the glass down. Picking her up easily, he readjusted her so that she was more comfortably settled on the bed. Humming a lullaby, he smoothly removed her shoes and jacket.

Sage made snuffling sounds in her sleep, as she searched for a warm spot. Ares noticed that she'd spilt drink down her top. With quick, precise movements, he supported her head as he removed her top. Sage lifted her arms to help, still caught between half-waking and being fully asleep.

Despite his best intentions, Ares couldn't help his gaze from dropping to Sage's chest. Her bra straps seemed to have chaffed the skin on her shoulders. He considered removing the very modern garment but wisely decided against it. It was best not to test his self-control. He'd been wanting to bed this woman since the first time speaking with her. Now months on, and in love, his desire for her seemed to burn his insides.

With a gaze full of regret, he draped the covers over her and pulled them modestly up to her chin. Sage sighed contentedly in her sleep as Ares stroked her face. He stopped humming and stared loving down at her.

"When will you be mine?" He asked her in a whisper. "No matter how long you make me wait." He leant in and kissed her forehead. "I'll love only you."