Chapter 16: Deception

I chewed on my lip, absentmindedly stirring my now cold soup. While everyone else at the large table enjoyed the feast Zeus threw to celebrate the return of Persephone and the peaceful resolution we've come to regarding Hades's wrongdoings, I wasn't in a celebratory mood.

Not only did Hades escape punishment, but I also learned that my own grandfather had a dark past, and I didn't know how to approach him about it.

As Zeus said at the Hearing, there were no casualties. The people of Asterin were safely back in their kingdoms. Persephone was back in Olympus, and I was free of the serpent's curse. I should simply move on, shouldn't I? The other Gods already have, switching their attention to new events and latest scandals, which seemed endless in their realm.

My mind was so preoccupied with trying to figure out how to ask my grandfather about what Zeus had told me, that I paid no mind to Persephone's incessant contact with Eros at the table, touching his arm every chance she got in front of my very own eyes.

I could understand that she felt fearful at the Hearing, sitting in front of Hades and her father that easily gave her away, so she relied on Eros -- the God second to Ares himself in the art of battle -- to protect her. Now I wasn't too certain if her motives were innocent, but I had other problems to solve at the moment. Besides, I trusted Eros.

All the chatter and laughter around me made thinking difficult. Since I wasn't in the mood to eat either, I decided to get up and leave the feast to find a quiet place to gather my thoughts.

I walked around the palace of Olympus until I found myself in a beautiful garden full of ancient trees that proudly stood together, adorned with their vibrant green leaves and delicate white flowers. Even the air felt cleaner here.

I sighed in content, my heart lifting slightly at the sight of such natural beauty. I carefully climbed one of the giants and sat on its thick branch, leaning my back against the trunk. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath to calm my mind.

I felt his presence beside me before he spoke. "Are you all right?"

Keeping my eyes closed, I shook my head. "I don't know what to do."

"With what Zeus told you?"

My eyes flew open and I turned to look at Eros, who was sitting on a branch next to mine. "You know what he told me?"

He shook his head. "I don't, but I know he must have told you something that caught you off guard. Your face completely changed after you approached him with that book at the Hearing. Did he threaten you?"

"He threatened me with my grandfather," I said. "And your parents... He told me that their dark pasts would be revealed to everyone if I went against Hades."

Eros ran a hand down his face, looking angry and frustrated. "He hasn't changed at all. Always using threats to get his way." He sighed, then opened his arms wide. "Come here."

As soon as I moved to sit on his branch, he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close, my back against his strong chest. Placing a gentle kiss on my neck, he said, "I will punish them."

I turned my face to look up at him. "How?"

Eros looked at my lips, then gave them a soft peck. "I'd already planned my revenge when you were brought back to Olympus unconscious and pale." He took my hands in his and rubbed slow circles on my skin with his thumbs. "It took every ounce of my self control not to make things worse by destroying Hades, so I waited for the Hearing to see if he got a just punishment." He laughed humourlessly. "After all these years in Olympus, I should have known that Zeus would never let his beloved brother be harmed."

I sighed, resting my cheek on his shoulder. "I've never been to Olympus before recent events. My grandfather would often visit us in Asterin, but I'd never visited him here. Now I wonder if he didn't want me here for a reason..."

"You should speak with him," Eros suggested, eyes softening as he looked into mine. "There is no doubt that he loves you, and I'm certain he had good reasons for keeping you away from here, no matter what his past was. Olympus isn't as great as humans often make it out to be. He was protecting you."

"You'r right, I should speak with him about this," I said. "I shouldn't let Zeus and his words make me doubt my own grandfather without even hearing his side of the story." I smiled. "Thank you for helping me clear my thoughts."

Eros smiled back and dipped his head to place a quick kiss on my lips. When he moved to pull away, I turned my body around to face him and tugged him back into the kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck. He groaned and pulled me to straddle him on the tree branch, his hands moving down my back and leaving a trail of fire on my skin.

Remembering how Persephone clung to him like a parasite, jealousy suddenly fuelled my desire. I deepened our kiss and moved one hand to unbutton his tunic, but stopped when he put his hand over mine and pulled away from my lips.

"Not here," he said, catching his breath, voice strained. His eyes reflected the clear desire I had in mine. "Not like this."

Feeling rejected, I started to pull away, but he held me in place.

Meeting my gaze, Eros swallowed thickly. "You don't understand the amount of self control I have to use whenever I'm around you, love," he confessed. "I'm too close to letting go of my restraints and I don't want to do that here. You deserve much better."

I blushed at his honest confession. How long has he been restraining himself for me? It must be hard for human men to do that, and I couldn't imagine how he's managed to do it as the God of carnal love.

He cleared his throat. "Would you like to help me with the first part of my revenge plan?"

"Right now?" I asked. When he nodded, I laughed. "Are you using this to distract yourself from me?"

"Definitely."

I laughed again. "All right. What's the plan?"

He jumped off the tree branch and held his arms up to catch me when I followed, taking his hands off my waist as soon as he could and clearing his throat. "It should be ready by now."

"What should be ready?"

"My arrows."

I raised a brow, curious about what his plan entailed. "Why do you need arrows?" I paused, eyes widening. "Do you mean your arrows of love? The same kind you used on Hector to free me from that cage?"

Eros simply smiled, without a word of explanation.

I followed him down a series of hallways until we reached a very familiar room. Eros locked the door to his chambers and walked up to a thick wooden box that laid by the foot of his bed. "The arrows were delivered here."

He clicked open the golden clasp that held the box closed and lifted its lid to reveal two arrows.

"You still haven't told me your plan," I reminded. "Who are you planning on using your powers on?"

"Hades," he said, rising to stand. "Zeus seemed to be very supportive of his brother's love pursuits, helped him even. I wonder what he'll do this time when he becomes his obsession."

"But Hades is back in the Underworld, isn't he?"

Eros shook his head. "Not yet, he's not. But he's leaving Olympus soon, so we have to act fast." He picked up the bow that laid on a table by the wall where his golden battle armour used to hang. Grabbing two arrows from their case, he said, "I need you to lure Hades into the gardens we just came from. I'll be hiding in a tree to shoot my arrows."

I nodded, then tilted my head. "Why do you need two arrows? Isn't one enough?"

"I don't want the love spell to wear off too soon," he explained, hiding his weapon into a coat he'd shrugged on. "With two arrows in his heart, the spell will be much more potent."

After going over the revenge plan in more detail, Eros and I parted ways as he went to hide in the gardens and I went to look for Hades in the palace. I found the God brooding in a corner of the meeting room where the Hearing took place not too long ago. Luring him to the garden was easy once I mentioned Persephone's name and that she wished to speak to him alone.

"She should be here soon," I assured him. "You must wait here."

Hades gave me a curt nod, his eyes hopeful as he paced the gardens.

I looked up at the trees around us, but didn't see any signs of Eros. Trusting him to get his side of the plan executed, I walked away from the gardens and waited in the library where we agreed to meet after.

I browsed the various ancient books in this vast chamber of knowledge until I came across an old journal. Smoothing my hand over its rough leather exterior, I opened to the first page, but soon realized that I couldn't read it as it was written in an ancient language I've never seen before.

"I see you've found my journal."

Startled, I turned to see my grandfather approach me, looking at the journal in my hands.

"It's yours?" I asked, widening my eyes. "It seems very...old."

Grandfather chuckled. "It has been quite a long time since I've written it. You can read it if you'd like. I've had quite the adventures in my past."

I smiled uneasily at the mention of his past. "I can't read it. I don't understand the words written in here."

"Ah." A look of realization flashed through his golden eyes. He opened the journal to the first page. "If you concentrate hard enough, you can decipher the meaning of the words. You have my blood after all."

Curious, I did as grandfather instructed, and to my surprise, the unreadable scribbles transformed in front of my very eyes. I looked up at him excitedly. "It worked!"

"You see?" he chuckled. Then his expression suddenly morphed into shame. "Cassia," he said carefully, "Zeus told me he'd mentioned to you about my past mistakes."

I froze, managing to give a slow nod.

"Aren't you curious about that?"

"I was... I still am, but..." I looked away. "I didn't know how to approach you about this."

Grandfather sighed. "I should have told you and your mother long ago. I was simply ashamed to even bring it up, and since it was all in the past, I didn't feel the need to."

"Did you keep mother and I from visiting Olympus for the same reason? To hide your past?"

"Yes, and to keep you both away from the Gods up here. There are a few of them who are still very...close-minded," he said. "Like I once was."

I raised my brows, wordlessly asking him to elaborate.

He looked around our aisle to check for other curious ears that could be eavesdropping on our conversation before settling to sit on the floor, crossing his legs and leaning his back on a book shelf behind him. He patted the ground to his left for me to sit as well.

"As I said, I was once very close-minded. Very. I'd lived for a long time and always believed in my purpose and stubbornly held on to my beliefs, which at the time many more Gods had shared. It wasn't until I met your grandmother and learned about the birth of your mother when I finally saw reason. When I finally opened my mind and let go of my illogical hatred. The things I've done... I wish I could reverse time and fix all of my mistakes, but I can't."

"Hatred?" I questioned.

He blew out a heavy breath and nodded. "I used to be a purist, you see," he said, ashamed. "I was against half-bloods crossing into our realm. I was against Gods mingling with humans. I thought too highly of our kind and hated seeing our blood mix with those of mere mortals. I know I was wrong in my thinking. I know it now. But at that time I was an ignorant, arrogant fool."

I didn't know what I'd expected him to tell me, but this definitely wasn't something I'd imagined him to say. I stayed silent and listened to him speak.

"When I knew of half-bloods being kidnapped and tortured for simply existing, I looked the other way," he confessed, squeezing his eyes shut. "I could have prevented it. Could have interfered. But instead I chose to ignore it all, thinking that their actions were justified. I was a bystander who offered no help." He shook his head. "What I did... I was just as terrible as the ones who hurt them."

"Is that why grandmother rarely comes to Olympus?" I suddenly realized. "Does she feel unwelcome here too?"

Grandfather nodded. "When she became a Goddess after marrying me, a lot of purist Gods weren't happy to have a human come up here and voice her opinions on our matters, as they put it. Of course, many of them have changed their minds after mingling with humans and having half-blood children of their own, but there are purists among us still."

I pursed my lips, thinking about everything he just told me. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that some could hate an entire group of people based on something they have no control over. And even kidnap and torture them for living their life?

I blew out a breath. "It's not something I expected from you," I said honestly. I'd always seen my grandfather in a golden light, literally and figuratively. Never would I have imagined that he was capable of such blind hatred. "But it's in your past, and I know that now you do everything to stand up for what's right." I turned my head and smiled at him. "I just wish everyone else saw the faults in their ways."

"Me too," grandfather said. "I truly wish that." He lovingly patted my forearm. "Are you feeling all right, by the way? I know that it must've been hard to watch Hades walk away from the Hearing without a proper punishment, but unfortunately, that's the way things usually turn out here."

"I gathered as much," I grumbled. "But I'm okay now. Eros and I have a revenge plan with several parts to it. We won't let him get off that easily."

He chuckled. "I should've known you'll find a way to serve justice. Has your plot already begun?"

I nodded. "Eros should come by any minute now. We've agreed to meet here, but I don't see him yet." I frowned, a bit worried now. Did something happen to him? Did he get caught in the act?

Reading the look on my face, grandfather stood and offered me his hand to pull me up. "Go look for him. I can see that you're worried."

After giving him a quick embrace, I left the library to look for Eros, walking in the direction of the gardens.

"--doesn't matter. You're here now."

I stopped in my tracks, hearing his voice coming from the chambers to my right. With the door not fully closed, I could hear it clearly. Stepping closer to the door, I looked through the crack and saw him standing and speaking with someone I couldn't see.

"How much longer do I have to see you with her?"

My eyes widened when I heard that voice and realized that he was talking to Persephone. Moving away from the door to hide myself in case Eros saw me, I held my breath and listened.

Eros sighed. "Just be patient. It won't take much longer."

"I hate it!" Persephone whined. "You said you only got close to her to save me, but why is she still around you? I hate the way she looks at you! Like she's in love! End it all now." After a pause, she continued. "Why are you hesitating? Don't tell me you grew to like that disgusting half-blood," she scoffed. "She's even more human than a half-blood and still got gifted with powers. Bloody Hecate. And Helios is no better. He used to be so much more likeable before he got himself involved with humans, and now we have to deal with his wife and her offspring."

It didn't take me long to realize that they were speaking about me. I formed my hands into fists as I listened to the way she spoke of me and my family. Just as I was about to barge in and show her what my powers could do, Eros spoke up.

"Of course not," he said, disgust in his voice. "I would have never gotten close to that human if it wasn't to save you from Hades. And of course she looks at me with love. I'm the God of Love. If I couldn't get a mere human to fall in love with me, what would that say about my skills?"

His words cut like a knife straight to my heart and I suddenly lost my ability to breathe. Crushing pain, much worse than the one I'd felt when I was under the serpent's curse, made my knees give out. Eyes burning with unshed tears, I leaned against a wall to support me, feeling hurt and confused.

Persephone giggled. "You're right. I don't know what I was thinking. You know how jealous I can get."

"I have to go meet her in the library. I'll see you later?"

"Don't take too long!"

"I won't."

The door opened and I came face to face with Eros. His eyes immediately widened with panic when he saw me. I didn't have the strength to move out of his way, my body still unresponsive from the shock I just received. I could feel tears dampening my cheeks.

"Looks like you don't even have to go to the library," Persephone snickered, looking at my face with glee. She approached us and gave me a little wave. "I hope you don't come back to Olympus again. Wish her a safe trip back to Asterin, Eros. I'm sure she's heard our conversation just now. There's no need to continue your deception anymore."

"Is it true?" I managed to ask him, swallowing the lump in my throat.

Eros clenched his jaw. "You should go," he said coldly.

I searched his eyes for any sign of hesitation. I waited for him to explain himself, tell me that what I heard was an illusion, that I was dreaming. But his eyes remained expressionless and cold.

"You should leave," he said. "Human."

I recoiled as if he slapped me. Heart shattered into pieces, I managed to muster up enough strength to get my legs to move. I looked for Nephos, and once I found the white dragon, I asked him to take me home.

Far, far away from Olympus.