The Wrath of Aphrodite - Book 2

Uncertain Certainty

I wake to the slam of my son's door.

My eyes shoot open, my face smashed into the pillow. I haven't slept so carelessly in a long time: bare, leg hanging off the edge and my body directed sideways over top of a sleeping man beside me.

Does he know?

I screach and scramble out of the bed. A sleeping Ares does not even stir in response. I am not sure if I should shove him out of bed, drag him out...or....I suppose the best option is to pretend he's already left.

I kneel on the side of the bed where Ares lay, dead asleep. Quickly, I grab his chin and lean in intensely. "Listen, and don't make a sound." I hiss sharply, causing his eyes to open immediately, almost comically. "Eros is awake. He must know nothing about this incident as long as I am undecided. You have already left and you are not to leave this room until we have left the house. Understood?"

I release his chin and he scowls. "Undecided? Well, isn't that disappointing to hear..."

I silently acknowledge his feelings with a slightly sympathetic but impatient stare.

I try to roll over him to get out of bed but he pulls me back by my arm, causing me to flop back onto his chest. I gasp abruptly try to lift myself back up. He does not allow me to succeed, and flips me beneath him, pinned on the bed. Without a word he simply kisses  me. It was closed mouth, but passionate.

The message was clear.

He wants me to be certain.

His eyes staring into mine after he pulls away from our kiss only solidify the message for me.

Finally, he unpins me and allows me to slip out from underneath him. I sit up on the other side and pause for a moment as the butterflies in my stomach settle. I would have to lie to claim that he hasn't unearthed genuine feelings I had buried...but in one single twenty four hours? Pathetic of me...isn't it?

I get up and rush to my wardrobe swiftly. I pull on my undergarments and a white silk robe. I open the door and casually walk to the kitchen where my son sits on his own, his hair disheveled.

He is so pale, and painfully hungover.

"My poor baby." I pout and pinch his cheek jokingly. "First hangovers are rough, aren't they?"

I grin and cross the island in front of him to lean on the counter and face him. "What are you craving? You need to eat."

Eros finally looks up at me, revealing his puffy eyes.

I stand upright, now serious. "Have you been crying?"

Eros rolls his eyes. "...No. I barely slept." 

I suspect he is lying, but I also suspect he perhaps is only half telling the truth. He did cry, but he also did not sleep.

"Why is that? Did the hangover hit early?"

"No! Mother, I know. Okay? I know!" Eros stands angrily. "How could you be so forgiving mother? He whispers sweet nothings for one night and he can accompany you to bed. Is that how it works? Is that how it should work?"

I am mortified and turn away in my embarassment. He heard...how much he heard I do not even want to know.

Eros is silent as I stare away from him towards the kitchen cupboards. A little tear falls as my heart sinks. I wipe it away as discretely as I can but he notices.

"Mom...no. It isn't like that. I just don't want history to repeat itself. You need to have higher standards for yourself and resist your impulses." He comes up and hugs me from the side. He rubs my shoulder comfortingly as I silently calm down.

"I know that you're right. I just...hoped it would mean something. You two were getting along and I am just-" I cut myself off, deciding not to state my ridiculous feelings out loud to my son.

"You're lonely, mom, I know." He hugs me tighter. "Everyone needs love, you and I know that more than anyone. We specialize in it in a way, don't we?"

I nod silently.

"Exactly." He says. "You have the right to feel that way. You have been alone for a long time."

I laugh, and turn away. "I just wish you hadn't heard anything."

Eros flinches and laughs also. "We are in agreement of that."

My faces flushes and I groan. "Okay, okay. Should I let the poor man out of my bedroom now?"

Eros sighs exaggeratively loud. "Fine! I suppose so!" He smiles and sits back down.

I half smile and walk back to the bedroom, not sure how to feel about welcoming him to have breakfast with us or not...it would be jumping to sitting down and eating like a family. I am not sure if I'm ready for that...

I open the door and let out my held out breath. I don't know exactly how disappointed I should feel to see that he has snuck out the window, obviously assuming that he was solving my problem of having to sneak him out.

He made the choice for me...and that is fine.

"It looks like he let himself out." I announce to Eros emotionlessly.

"Oh." Eros responds netrually, trying to feel out my emotion on the matter.

"I conveyed I did not want you to see him still here...so it's not surprising." I walk back to the kitchen. "Now that it's just us, what are you craving? You never answered." I smile warmly and push aside my feelings. I will serve my hungover son with a hearty breakfast, lots of water, and his mother's attention.

"Water first, please." He answers, drinking it quickly as soon as I hand it to him.

"Would you like to find some matches with me today. I made a promise to some nymphs while you were away..." I grimace, hoping he is up to the task regardless of whether or not I can do it on my own...I would rather have his company.

He chuckles. "Of course you promised...and of course I will help. I still have lots to learn about when to shoot that arrow." He acknowledges.

I feel relieved at his answer, knowing that I will feel a little less empty today with him with me.

His father may be the man that sneaks out the window without a goodbye...but his son will not be that type.

That is one thing I know for certain.