Chapter Twenty-Three: Godliness

Than came to Mount Olympus more often in the past year than he had his entire life, and it seemed the other gods were less wary of his presence, which was good. He felt less disconnected from the rest of his kind. He had Therese to thank for that.

He avoided Hera’s hard, cold gaze and did not look forward to her treatment of Therese when Therese arrived with the golden apple. Hera was not pleased by the gorging on her fruit by the Hesperides or by the injuries to her pet dragon, but worse was the fact that Artemis possessed one of her precious apples. The garden was a wedding present from Gaia to Hera when she married Zeus. The apples were precious to Hera, and she was stingy with them. They’d only been touched by others a few times, and the one stolen by Eris had been the start of the Trojan War. Eris had thrown the apple into the company of gods and goddesses with a note attached, “For the most beautiful,” and three goddesses—Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera—had each claimed the apple belonged to her. They agreed to let a mortal named Paris choose. Hera was not chosen, though secretly Than believed she should have been. He wondered what Artemis planned to do with her apple.

Than knew Ares had just left the city of Paris for Mount Olympus and had timed his own arrival with that of the other god’s. After a rendezvous with Aphrodite, Ares might be in a good mood. Than spoke with his mother and grandmother briefly then turned to the god of war, the only god present except for Zeus and Hephaestus.

Ares recoiled in surprise. “What could you possibly want from me, Cousin?”

“It’s what you want, Ares.”

“I’m listening.”

“Which would you enjoy more: a quick slaughter or a more evenly matched battle?”

“You know the answer.”

“Then join me tonight in the dream world to give Therese some advice on how best to face the Minotaur. She has no experience with her sword.”

“Last summer was a disappointment.”

“She’ll die at the Minotaur’s hands, but with your tips, she may delay her death and entertain you.” And give me time to save her, Than thought.

“Tonight then.”

Before Than turned to leave, he sensed Therese’s presence. All of the gods toned down their brightness to prepare for mortal eyes, and in a split second, Therese appeared before Hera bearing a golden apple and a fan of peacock feathers.

Hera’s raging voice made Therese fall to her knees. She set the apple and fan at the goddess’s feet.

“What will Artemis do with my apple?” Hera screeched.

“I don’t know,” Therese said meekly, her eyes to the marble floor. “But it was the only way I could protect my friend. You’re the goddess of marriage and children. Surely you understand my friend’s need of the crown.”

“You shouldn’t have dropped it in the first place.”

Than was about to speak on Therese’s behalf when Zeus beat him to it. “She’s only human, dear. Don’t be so harsh. I’m pleased she’s made it this far.”

Therese dipped her head, and climbed to her feet. As she turned to leave, she met Than’s eyes and rushed to his side.

“I’ll come to you tonight, in your dreams.” He touched her lips with his and then left the palace before his presence made her weak. He hovered above to watch her from a safe distance.

He was surprised to see her walk across the palace floor to Hephaestus.

“I thought you might feel better knowing Hera doesn’t like me either,” she said.

“Not to worry,” Hephaestus said with a crinkly smile. “Whoever is cursed by Hera is automatically protected by Zeus. You now have the special protection of the king of the gods.”

At that moment, Than vowed to himself to help his cousin whenever it was in his power to do so.

 

Hades had given Than permission to change places with Hip once more because he’d been pleased by Therese’s performance. Hip refused to trade until Therese was asleep, wanting to hold off the odious duties of death for as long as possible. So now, Than hovered above her house, waiting.

His heart lightened as he listened in on Therese’s conversation with Jen. The two girls lay side by side on the bed with Clifford between them, their heads turned close, their voices low. Jen told stories about her horses, her brother Bobby, and a classmate they both disliked. Therese warmed him with her musical laugh, running her fingers over a hole in the middle of the mattress. He couldn’t wait to hold her.

When the girls finally turned off the bedside lamp and said their goodnights, Than met Hip at the field of poppies and entered the world of dreams.