Memoirs of an Immortal (The Immortal Series) (19 page)

“Thank you…” I said meekly, he waited. “Father” The words came freely from my mouth.

By that time my sisters with Akhilles, Herakles and Pro had joined me. Eirene took my hand and held it tight.

Zeus keenly watched my sisters and I.

“So I hear that you and your sisters sing? That it is a sight that should be seen, that your voices are music itself. I want to experience this. Can you give me a performance?” He said as he strolled away and sat down on his chair. He raised his hand and the instruments that Prometheus had provided, were now handed to us. “Play.” Zeus commanded.

We looked at the instruments then to at each other.

“What do we do?” said Zoe.

“Well there’s not much to do, we have to perform.” I said.

“Ok how about we do the song that we always sang for mother and father, at least that one is innocent enough. Any other song and we’ll be marked as indecent.” Eirene was right. We loved creating music, but most of our music was different from traditional sound and some, just some, were a little risqué.

The song that we usual sang for my parents was more vocal. It was a song about their love. I usually sang lead and Zoe and Eirene played the instruments, while Eva and Agape sang with me.

“We’ve done this hundreds of times before, we can do it now.” Eirene was nervous, but I wasn’t. This I knew I was good at. It was the only thing that made me feel free.

Fighting was important, but that made me feel useful, but singing and playing music that was all me. I stood in front of the gods, Eva to one side and Agape on the other. Eirene and Zoe sat themselves behind us and adjust their instruments. I could see Apollon from the corner of my eye as he was scrutinizing me.

I felt Hephaistos’ eyes on me. I looked for him, I wanted some sort, well I don’t know how to describe it, but seeing him, I felt like I was able to do this. He had blended into the crowd that was forming. He let himself be enveloped. The thought of him doing that had made my heart grow sad.

The music started and I allowed the sound to take over my body. I could feel the vibrations of my sisters’ instruments.

At that very moment, I began to sing, I could sense all eyes on us. My voice was pure and loud. I wanted my mother and father to hear their song one more time. My sisters’ voices were just as powerful, our sadness overtook the song, but still it was a remarkable moment for us.

As the song ended, I felt red as heat flowed through my body. Everyone had stopped whatever they were doing and just stood silently watching us. Zeus’ face froze, while Apollon looked dumbfounded. Themis had tears in her eye. I had searched the crowd to see if I could find Hephaistos, I wanted to see if maybe my voice had reached him, but I could not find him.

“You see father, I told you this girls can sing.” I felt an arm wrap around my neck. “Long time no see.” It was Dionysus. He winked at me and grinned widely. “How about we do another duet?” He asked. Before I could answer, a larger roar came from the crowd.

“You were incredible!” Zeus clapped.

“If she is to sing a duet, it will be with me and not a drunk like you!” Apollon was staking claim and I wanted none of it.

“I thank you both, but I politely decline. I would rather enjoy my first banquet. I haven’t eaten yet, so if you would excuse me.” I bowed a little and rejoined my sisters.

“So that was Dionysus? Have you met him before?” Zoe had asked.

“Yes, at my wedding ceremony. He was kind enough to bring us wine and celebrate our wedding.” I was a bit melancholy. I would rather not remember that part of my life just yet.

“Was I kind?” I heard him ask, as he stood behind me. “I seem to recall you wanting to bite my head off.” Dio smirked. “I have to say your sister was a very unwilling host. I only got her to sing one song with me and then she proceeded to yell at me. Honestly, I even brought you my best wine of the season.” He continued.

“Will you stop! You are the one that came unexpectedly and then threw me through a loop. What did you expect me to do?” I fired back.

I felt comfortable with him, even on my wedding night. Dio was not like the other gods. He was more human and welcoming. His disposition was boastful not pretentious or maybe it was just the alcohol.

He sat himself down with us and began to drink and eat. Herakles and Pro seemed happy he had joined our little group, for Akhilles well he was too busy caressing Agape’s face to notice him.

The night progressed until early morning. I could hear the change as the birds began to chirp and the air had started to alter. The party had ended, but there were still a few who were drinking and eating, but most had gone home, while others had slept where they sat.

“I guess it’s time to head back. Hey Akhilles, will we be training today?” I had asked only to be polite. I knew that there was no way he could.

He shook his head no. “I guess you girls are off the hook today, but tomorrow we will work twice as hard. It’s time for the final stages of your training.” He stood up taking Agape’s hand and began to walk her back.

Dio was passed out on the table. I had tried to wake him, but it was impossible. Pro told had me to leave him and that he would take care of him. He waved goodbye as he lifted him up and began to walk through the forest.

Eirene had decided to follow Akhilles and Agape home, but Herakles had grabbed her hand and stopped her.

“I will take you back.” He was demanding and not asking.

The look in Eirene’s eyes said that was a no. She took his hand wrapped it around his back and placed an arm lock on him.

“First of all, if you’d like to take me back, you should have asked. Secondly, we’re not familiar enough for you to touch me, so don’t ever do that again.” She then let him go, as she walked away, he jolted up and tried to attack her. She blocked it very successfully and laughed at him.

She then froze and her expression went blank, her mind began to open up. I could see her vision materializing. It was her with her lover. She was laughing and kissing him. Her eyes grew wider, she glanced at me, her lover was going to be….

“No!” She cried out. “I refuse. The future can always be changed with the decisions we make. I will not be with a brute that is uncultured and that thinks it’s ok to be a mindless beast. NO!” She stormed off.

Herakles had stayed where she had left him. He looked confused, but before long Eirene had comeback and punched him hard in the face. He lay motionless on the ground as she walked away.

“What just happened?” Eva stood next to me witnessing everything.

I could not give her an answer I had laughed so hard that I could hardly breathe. I had finally somewhat regained my composer and followed the rest home, I was giggling continuously to myself.

‘Stop laughing,’
Eirene was mentally yelling at me.
‘Never mention that stupid vision to anyone, especially me.’

I went to sleep that night with the vision of my sister smiling happily with the one she loved. I wondered if I ever looked like that when I was with Leonidas.

Morning came and I was glad that I didn’t need to wear my usual training attire. I had and decided to take a walk around the gardens. I wanted to rest my mind and body. The day seemed beautiful. The sun was bright, but not too hot that you couldn’t enjoy it. There was a light breeze in the air and I could smell the fig trees. The scent reminded me so much of home that I decided to follow it. There under the undergrowth, I could see few of them. I remembered fighting with Eva when we were young who was able to get the most figs. The ground was littered wild flowers, the area seemed so peaceful. I closed my eyes and allowed that sounds and the scent to take over.

I laid down allowing the sun’s rays to heat my body. As my mind began to wonder, I heard footsteps coming from behind. I jerked up and there stood Apollon.

“There you are I was looking for you.”

I was taken aback. He sat himself down next to me.

“You?” I pointed at him “Looking for me?” I asked.

“You intrigue me.” He shrugged. “So why can I not look for you? I am Apollon. I can do what I please.” He stated. “Soon when your training is done, you all will be working under my supervision. I am after all the god that protects all from evil.” He said proudly.

I just stared at him, thinking that he liked to talk about himself too much.

“Is there a reason why you are here? Because if there isn’t I’ll take my leave now.” I said uncomfortable with his presence.

“Why must there be a reason to see you? Can you not be flattered that I have come this way just to speak to you?” He seemed to be annoyed.

I wanted a quiet day, away from the thoughts of my sisters, away from being an immortal.

“Thank you for seeking me out.” I said, not meaning it. “But I wanted to be alone today…” He furrowed his eyebrows at me “But if you’d like to, you can join me.” I resigned to the fact that trying to get away from him might be impossible.

“See! You wanted to spend time with me. You should be more honest with yourself.” I rolled my eyes at his statement. Please let me not ever become this disillusioned.

I lied back down on the ground, Apollon looked over his shoulder. He was puzzled.

“Is it normal to just lay there? Do you not plan to do anything today?” He asked.

“This is what I planned to do all day. I wanted to simply enjoy my only real day off since I haven’t had one yet.”

Apollon sat quietly. I was very aware of his presence. I figured since I wasn’t going to get the day I yearned, I was going to ask the questions I wanted answers to.

“Apollon, may I ask a question?”

He nodded.

“Why is it that I get the feeling that you are two different people? In one instance, you are this cold controlling creature and in another, you act carefree? To be honest your behavior perplexes me.” I was waiting, was he going to get angry.

“A lot of things have happened in my life so I tend to be far less caring then I usually am, but with you, you seem to bring out a part of me that I try to hide. That is why you intrigue me.”

He turned to gaze at me, but instead he lied down on top of me.

“I desire you.” He whispered. I was overwhelmed. His face was inches from mine, the weight of his body pinned me down.

“Stop!” My answer was involuntary.

“Why?” He asked.

“I don’t want this, not now. I’m asking you to please get off me.” I knew my strength was almost equal to his and I could easily move myself, but I wanted to give him the same respect he gave me by telling me how he felt. Apollon lingered awhile, peering into my eyes. I could tell he was anger.

“Am I not good enough for you?” He asked sounding hurt. I shook my head no. “Then how could you so easily reject me when I so easily told you my feelings?” He barked. “I want to touch your soul. I want to be part of you, to leave an everlasting mark that when you sing I could feel my adoration for you.” I gently pushed him off.

“Apollon, you seek what you can’t have. You desire many and once you have them, you easily get bored. I can’t be someone’s toy right now. I was spoiled in my last life. I was given a love that changed my very core. There is nothing in that world or in this one that will change his mark on my heart. I don’t think that you will be capable of healing that scar that he left. I’m sorry.” I truly was, had I been a lesser being I would have fallen for him, but at that moment something in my heart stopped me.

I stood up to walk away.

“I will win you, you will see, if you think I am not the one you seek, I will make it that all you seek is me.” Apollon declared himself.

As I walked back to my room, I saw Hephaistos in the hallway. I lowered my head, not knowing how to act around him.

As I passed him, my arm was pulled and I was pushed against the wall. Hephaistos’ eyes were fierce.

“Why do you smell like him?” His breathing was heavy.

At first I was afraid, but then I felt anxious like I had done something wrong.

“Did he touch you? Why did you stay with him?” His questioning was relentless.

He leaned into me, his mouth close to my neck. I could feel my body losing to his touch. I finally found the strength to speak.

“I merely ran into him and we talked.” I found my composer and pushed him off. “I don’t remember allowing you to touch me so freely.” I murmured. “And so you know who I see and where I go is of no concern to you.” I needed to say these words, but my heart fought me at every syllable I muttered.

His eyes still fixated on me, his face solemn and his mouth hard. By the gods, how I wished that I could read his mind, I waited and finally decided to leave.

As I was walking away, I fought hard not to look back.

“I worry for you.” His voice was soft and quiet. He knew I could hear him. “Your presence, it’s strong in my mind. I don’t understand it myself, but you’re there. There where no one has ever been. Your existence is important to me, so please don’t t see him anymore.” His voice was drowned out as I turned the corner and entered my room.

Finally

Akhilles wasn’t kidding when he meant, we’d work twice as hard. Each day started with us bring forth our weapons. The more I used my swords the more my body adapted. It felt natural somehow and to be honest, I felt powerful and strong.