The Wrath of Aphrodite - Book 2

Days of Mourning

My first few days with Harmonia are my only solace. I take care of her from morning till night, barely looking aside. I had to rip myself away from constantly checking if Eros was coming.

I only let myself cry the first day. I don't doubt something important is keeping him away...but no matter what, it is proof of what I must mean to him now. Especially with his baby sister on the way...why would he wait so long to come back?

After the first day, I let the anger seep into my bones, spreading through me numbly until I find I would be too angry for him to return just yet anyway. I would scream and yell...and perhaps he knows that, knowing me like the back of his hand. I thought I knew him the same.

Clearly not.

Something must have happened.

It is four days before I break down and let myself call for Ares, using Hermes. Perhaps my on and off lover has intervened and contacted him. Perhaps Eros doesn't want me to be angry that he's off seeing his father. A clear possibility...but not the worst it could be.

It could always be worse than that.

"Who's this?" Hermes tries to he pleasant as he politely greets me with Harmonia in my arms. "Must be new, haven't seen her introduced at Olympus yet."

"Four days new." I groan, my tiredness surely must show, even for the Goddess of Beauty. "Her name is Harmonia."

He smiles and peers down at her. "Lovely...well, I am in a bit of a rush, Persephone is calling for me, but what can I do for you?"

I roll my eyes. I have no quarrel with her at the moment, but the Goddess is needy. She's used to Hermes rushing towards her even if she is married to Hades. "I need you to fetch he who shall not be named."

"Figured you would be angry with him to see him again, after leaving like that." Hermes drops his expression, clearly disappointed, and making an array of assumptions.

"I'm not aiming for another child or anything! I need to know if he knows where my other one is. By the way, have you seen Eros?" I say desperately, Harmonia wakes in my arms and begins to stir. I better tend to her soon. So far, she's the most spoilt daughter in existence.

"I have not, unfortunately. I'm sure someone else must have though. I will take the liberty of asking around...." He trails off. "Are you sure you wish to see Ares regardless?"

I ponder on it, my curiousity eating me. "What...has he been doing anyway?"

Hermes shrugs. "He's always doing the same thing, Aphrodite. His true love is war...or have you not realized?"

I bite my tongue and move on. "And our son? How is he?"

Hermes darkens. "You haven't asked that before. Why so suddenly curious?"

"I'm...having some realizations sitting here alone. I feel terrible I haven't kept in contact. But I'm sure you see him...right?" I rock Harmonia anxiously.

Hermes seems stern, but disappointed nonetheless. "Hermaphroditus is no longer as he was. A nymph fell in love with him, and begged to never be parted from him. Now, he is a part of her, a man and woman combined into one being. The Gods made it so."

My eyes widen, horrified at how out of the loop I have been.

"They are alright, but...it's a big change. They're together I suppose..." Hermes coughs. "Our son was too beautiful to resist I suppose. Poor girl fell in love with him on sight." He says, trying to make light of the situation. "In all seriousness, they are fine. Together, and just fine."

I swallow and hope the best for them. I'm not sure what else should be done, or if anything does need to be done.

Hermes coughs and gestures down to Harmonia. "Would this be Ares' patting gift?"

I scowl, but nod my head. "Just...please get him for me. He should know about Harmonia either way, and meet her."

Hermes nods, "Be well, Aphrodite."

I watch as he flies away, and ponder on my first son for a moment. If I messed that up so badly...and now Eros is gone...what hope do I have left for Harmonia?

I feel choked up and overwhelmed as I wander back inside.

Now, is time to wait.

*           *             *            *              *
In the middle of the night, Harmonia's cries wake me. I sing to her softly as I rock her back to sleep. She really is a pretty little one...no doubt meant for much better things, just like Eros, her big brother.

Hopefully he's doing the right thing, whatever he's doing. Despite my anger, I feel a trust in him. He never fails to do right, does he? The gentlest thing.

A startling, gentle knock alerts me. I peer at the window with narrowed, tired eyes. I must look a mess. For a moment, I focus, and straighten the knots out of my hair and freshen up in an instant before standing up and setting Harmonia down in her crib.

Eros wouldn't knock, it's Ares.

His dark, solemn eyes look down at me when I open the door. "Are you angry with me, my love?"

I scoff. "Mhmm. You're a man of war, I get it. I just gave birth to your baby though, if you're interested." That doesn't begin to cover it, the horrible pit in my stomach whenever he appears and then leaves. It's beginning to become unbearable.

His expression lightens. "You certainly don't look like you just gave birth."

"It's a miracle." I roll my eyes. "It's a baby girl. I named her Harmonia."

He's looking past me now. "May I see her?"

I hold up my hand, pushing him back. "In a second. You can answer something first, before you try to convince me to have another one of your children."

He chuckles and holds up his hands. "Don't tempt me love, the battlefield may be exciting, but equally lonely.

"Perhaps I would have visited you, if I knew where you were! I shouldn't have to call for you to see you if you feel anything for me!" I retort. "Now, do you know where our son is or not?"

Ares sighs heavily. "I don't." It doesn't come off very convincing.

"You...just don't? Well, he isn't here." I growl in frustration.

"The boy was old enough to go off on his own. He was a long time ago." Ares sighs, anticipating my reaction. "He was already thinking about it when I talked with him."

I scrunch my brow angrily. "Hello? And you didn't tell me?" I feel like shoving him and sending him tumbling into the nearby pond.

"He confided in me. I am his father. I'm sure your first son confided in Hermes over the exact some thing. Neither of them were confident that you would be okay with them leaving, I'm sure." Ares continues defensively.

I am at my wits end and turn away from him, flinching vulnerably. I hate to appear this hurt by this realization, but I can't help it. Ares is speaking the truth, I can tell.

"Why...couldn't he have talked to me about it?" I walk back into my home. He follows somberly, closing the door gently behind him. "And why do I have to love someone who...leaves me?"

Ares holds my shoulder from behind. I don't know why, but I let him pull me into a hug. He whispers that he still loves me, just as he said he did. He has obligations just as I do...but he never forgets me.

I weep into his chest, simply listening without absorbing his words quite yet.

The only truth I care about right in this moment is that Eros is gone for good, only because he knew I wouldn't have ever let him go.