Memoirs of an Immortal (The Immortal Series) (22 page)

I didn’t want to hear my sisters questioning or have anyone bother me, so I slipped back into the great hall and found a small seating area. Though I enjoy the dinners and banquets the gods’ held. I truly was very selfish when it came to my time alone.

I loved my quiet and I would do almost anything to have it. My time alone was now no longer an option, now that I was able to hear everyone’s thoughts. If I didn’t hear the thoughts of my sisters, I could hear the quiet murmurs of those who couldn’t completely block their thoughts from me. Themis had said that with time, I would control my ability and would be able to choose what I could hear and even convey my thoughts to others.

‘
Psykhe, where are you?
’ I knew this voice.
‘Well come on girl, speak I don’t have your ability.’

“I’m here… father.” I whispered.

I knew he could hear me. He walked into the great hall and found where I was. He sat down on the ledge of the window. The sun was coming up from behind him.

“Well that was an eventful evening. I honestly did not know that music could sound so different.” He stated.

“It’s not that different, everyone dances and sings like this now. Maybe you’ve been here for too long.” I retorted.

Zeus’ face looked somber. “Daughter, you know that you will have to settle this dispute among my sons.” I gave him a pointed look. “Now, now! I know you didn’t do this and it’s not like you are encouraging it. Are you?” He slyly asked. The look I gave him showed my annoyance, but all he did was laugh. “Hephaistos is special to me. He may not know this, but I truly feel sorry for him.” He waved his hand at me. “Don’t misunderstand. It is not because of him being different, but rather why he became this way. I do not know what to do, so I do nothing. I tried to make things up to him by offering Aphrodite, but there was no love, for she only loved Ares. To be honest, I think I made it worse, because he was left more alone. I was grateful to Akhilles’ mother Thetis for taking him in when he was little and caring for him. At least he grew to have a loving relationship with Akhilles, but he still feels as though he is not part of our world. He was born with great abilities, but his mind is too scarred, it is only with you that I have seen a change. If you were to be with him…”

I stopped Zeus from continuing.

“So what you want is for me to pacify your son? You want to hand me over to him like you did with Aphrodite, is that it?” I began to yell at the god of all gods.

“Your life has already been decided. It is not me that controls the fates. It is their will and their will alone. Would it be so bad? I have seen the way you both are together. You feel something for him…” Zeus’ words began to trail off.

“I DON’T WANT THIS!” I roared.

“Father, please stop. Don’t make this any worse for her.” Hephaistos was there listening to us. My heart dropped and I felt faint. I couldn’t turn to face him. My emotions were all messed up. I wanted to fix this, I wanted to correct it, but what was I going to fix?

I had gotten up to leave, but Hephaistos put his hand on my shoulder. He leaned in close to my ear and began to speak softly.

“You don’t have to do anything. I didn’t ask my father to do this and I don’t want you to feel disgusted by me. I’m sorry that I am not… good enough.”

I turned my head slightly, as he leaned in closer.

“To me you are the sun that has awoken my nights. A light, which I can now turn to. A warmth, that I desire beyond anything I have ever imagined.” The heat from his breath, the words that he was saying began to melt my heart.

“Enough, enough, ENOUGH!!” I screamed.

His words sang to my heart, a heart that had died long ago, that heart that now wanted to be resurrected.

“No.” I shook my head violently. “I don’t want to hear you say anything anymore.”

I turned to face him, his face so full of concern. It nearly stopped me from continuing.

“To me, you are a reality that will become a dream. You are a truth, which will become a lie. I can’t afford to give myself to anyone anymore. I have nothing left, so stop trying. Stop trying to breathe life into my dead soul. Stop. Just stop.” I kept repeating that word until it no longer made sense.

I dropped to my knees. My face fell into my hands. My tears were falling uncontrollably. I finally was able to finish what I wanted to say.

“You are a love that will never happen.” Why did it burn my soul to speak these words?

The three of us stood there, the sun now peering through the clouds.

“I’m tired so I’ll leave first.” My voice sounded raw.

I didn’t want to be there. I wanted to be in bed, away from everyone and everything.

I began to leave.

“Psykhe?” Zeus called out. “Psykhe, we are not finished.”

I chose to not hear the words that Zeus was saying. I walked out of the great hall and finally found myself in front of the door to my room.

I yanked the door opened and stood in my room. The night’s events were reeling in my head.

I washed up and walked over to my bed. My anger now was gone. How could I love any other man, the way I did Leonidas? How could I be with anyone else, the way I was with him? How could I let another touch my body? If I had let that all happen, then Leonidas would really be gone. He would only be a forgotten memory. The thought twisted my soul. Why is it that at this moment I couldn’t see Leonidas’ face, but the image of Hephaistos’ and how much I had hurt him? When all I was doing was protecting what little I had left. Why was he always a victim? What kind of cruel fate did he have?

A few days passed. Agape feeling my uneasiness was constantly hovering around me. I chose to ignore her and focus at the task at hand. Prometheus had asked us to ready ourselves, for we were summoned to the great hall.

As we entered, I felt a nervousness creep in. This I thought to myself, better not be about what had happened before with Zeus. The doors slowly opened to hall. The sun lit up the whole room, various colors of orange and reddish hues glowed as Zeus was sitting on his throne.

To Zeus’ left stood Athena while Apollon stood by the window with his back to us.

“Welcome my girls.” Zeus’ voice bellowed across the room. “Your training is now done.” He announced without hesitation. “It is time to let you go on your own, but still under some supervision, but only for now.” He lifted his finger, before I could protest. “Just for now!” He narrowed his eyes at me.

“I will have Athena and Apollon in charge of you. They will assign you your tasks and duties and summon you when you are needed. When enough time has passed, then I will allow you to be on your own completely.” Zeus leaned himself back into his chair.

“Father, it isn’t necessary. We have spent enough time here to understand what is expected of us. We have learned the ins and outs, the who’s and whys, could you not….” Athena interrupted me.

“This world that we live in, is vast and its magic great. You all are still too young to handle yourselves, with time, which you have plenty of, you will be able to be on your own, but until then, so the answer is NO.” Athena’s words were wise, but my temper was short. I hated this place. I wanted to live my life, away from the palace and away from the creatures that lived here.

I turned my head not wanting to look at them. My eyes focused on Apollon. He hadn’t said anything the whole time we were here.

“There will be some changes Psykhe do not worry. I realize that being here might be to suffocating for you all.”

Apollon’s back stiffened as Zeus spoke,

“You will be moving to your new home. It will still be here on Olympos, but at least not in the palace.”

I don’t know why, but at that moment I felt anxious. I lived here long enough to know there is always a twist at the end of everything.

“I have built you a nice home just near Faunus forest, its close enough to the Halia Ocean. There is a room for each of you to enjoy. This is my gift to you.” Zeus smiled.

“Father, we must choose which one will lead them. Each has the skill, but not the fortitude, safe one. I told you my decision, I realize that you disagree, but one with the awaken eye such as Eirene’s, will only get in her way. She will not be able to do this well enough.”

I looked over at Eirene, listening to Athena speak to Zeus.

‘I am the eldest. I should be the one. I have skills that are greater than those of my sisters even Zeus sees it.
’

She then realized I could hear her. Our eyes met and she felt betrayed. I hated my gift. I hated knowing every single thought they had. I knew for a fact they felt upset and violated, even though they didn’t blame me. I still felt like it was my fault somehow.

“Psykhe has best ability. She will be able to control her army and her sisters’ as well. She can even hear what the Diavolis are thinking.” Athena was blunt.

“Enough, only I will decide and now is not the time.” Zeus waved her off, Athena then left. “Psykhe! I will want to speak to you before you head to your new home.” He paused and leaned forward. “Without any of your sisters here.” Zeus eyes commanded them to leave and I was left alone.

“You will live with your sisters, but know that I have already given you to Hephaistos.” Zeus stared at me intently.

“Father, this joke has gone far enough. Do you honestly want to subject her to his bad temper and horrible character?” Apollon never moved from where he was standing.

“What is it then my son? Should I give her to you? You, who are the most spoiled of all my children. You, who I allow to do whatever you like? No. I won’t. If anything you will rip her wings off, you are far too possessive for her spirit.”

Zeus had leaned back onto his throne. “Now Psykhe, I realize you may be angry with me, but I am doing what I believe is best.”

I wanted to vomit. My insides were burning with feelings of being violated.

“What you think is best?” I said mockingly. “Am I some sort of tool, that you can use whenever you feel like it? Am I a toy? Am I a thing?”

My voice became louder with each question.

“I call you father, but you don’t know the meaning behind it. Am I really your daughter? Have you no love for me?”

Zeus flew off his throne and grabbed me. His grip was so that is nearly broke my arm. Apollon moved swiftly to help, but was not quick enough. Zeus flung him back. Apollon collided into the wall behind us.

“Do you know who I am?!” Zeus roared. “I have given you some liberties because of who your father was to me. I grew to love you and you still disrespect me. Remember this little one, we maybe blood, but I am the god of all gods and I do what I choose. My son hurts. Therefore, you will be my solution. Do never cross the line with me again.” He shook me hard as he bellowed. “Understood?” Zeus finally released his grip. My blood rushed back to the rest of my body.

My body shook from the icy cold look he gave me. Zeus can be fearful when he so chose to be. Apollon had gotten up from where he landed. Pieces of marble fell onto the ground, leaving a large dent on the wall. He sped over to me and gently reached out his hand.

“Are you ok?” he asked softly.

I could hardly hear him. Zeus’ voice was still ringing in my ears.

“Come!” Apollon lifted me up and carried me out of the hall. He walked me out of the palace and sat me down next to the fountain.

“Father has always had a bad temper. I suggest that you wait a while before tempting him again.”

I still didn’t answer as I sat. I was too far into my thoughts.

Apollon lowered his face to mine. “Don’t worry, we will figure out a way for you to get out of this, ok?”

My eyes met his, as he reached and caressed my face.

“Don’t look at me like that, because if you do, I will take you to my home and start a war. To me, Psykhe, you are worth it. Would you want me to take you? Tell me now and I’ll do it.”

Even though I wanted Apollon’s help, I knew the consequences. I stood up, my arms already feeling better.

“Thank you for saying that, but I think it best I go home to my sisters.”

Apollon nodded looking solemn with his head hung low, as he headed back into the palace.

I sighed, exactly which home was I supposed to go to? I closed my eyes and from a distance I could hear a faint whimsical voice calling me. I looked everywhere, but no one was there. I began to follow it, as it led me to a path near the Faunus forest. As I had gotten closer, the voice had gotten louder. I followed the trail that kept calling my name. It led me to my new home that Zeus had given us.

My First Night

Zeus had built us a beautiful home. It was extravagant, but I had to admit, it felt like home. There were gorgeous pink flowers adorning the stone walls that led to the gate. The gate itself was made of wood with rich engravings on it.

I opened the front door and it led me to a large courtyard. In the middle of this vast open space, was a beautiful olive tree, in mid-bloom. Its fragrance had overpowered me.

‘
What did Zeus want with you?
’ Eva had come out to greet me.

I pretended I didn’t hear her question and asked my own.

“So have you looked around? Anything interesting?”