Green Fig

Set somewhere in chapter 10 of The Blue Dawn...

The prince of Olympus was enjoying the full swing of the lively party. The gods had come out to play and the band was relishing in the loud cheers and drunken clapping of the dancers.

Apollo took a sip of his wine as his eyes trailed over the heads of the other gods and demi-gods until finally, they found what he'd been looking for- or rather, who.

The prince had been told her name was Aurora. Interesting name; very different to what he was used to in his intimate circle. A pretty change. Speaking of pretty, the damsel was being dragged in all directions; Artemis wanted her to join in the new dance, but Persephone wasn't done telling the new goddess her latest gossip. This was the perfect time to intervene and save the girl...

Apollo double-checked to see if Thanatos was watching from the side of the throne room, but the god of death was too busy fending off the advances of two very desperate-looking forest nymphs. The prince moved in for the attack, knowing full-well that Aurora wasn't going to go unwatched for long with an eagle-eyed guardian such as Thanatos.

Odd that his father and uncle had decided to settle on Thanatos as the custodian of this very mortal and very killable young woman. Apollo smirked, thinking it was rather like asking the butcher to invite the cow for dinner.

Apollo grabbed a fresh glass of champagne from the servant that passed him and held it out for Aurora to take. Her eyes widened a bit by the sudden foreign object, but she was happy to grab it and do away with Artemis' insistent pulling. "Oh, thank you."

"My pleasure." Apollo shot his sister a look; "Don't make yourself a nuisance, darling."

Artemis pouted deeply and lifted a brow. She eyed Aurora and then Apollo, realising that her brother wanted her to skedaddle. Artemis pushed back her dark braid from the side of her face. "I could say the same of you."

Persephone ignored the twins and tried to pull Aurora away to the other side. "Come! Let's introduce you to some of my dear friends. I think-"

"Pers." Aurora pulled back a bit and smiled apologetically. "Can we take a break? My feet are killing me?"

Persephone gushed regretfully. "Oh, of course, dear! I'm sorry! I keep forgetting this is your first party here. You'll get used to the fast pace soon enough." She winked, but Aurora didn't look to eager.

Apollo guessed that Aurora needed a helping hand to adjust. Just what he wanted- to lend Aurora his hands, among other things...

"Perhaps Aurora would like to take it slow for a bit?" Apollo suggested, directing his question to Persephone. He smiled warmly at the new mortal woman. "Or would you like to join my sister on the dancefloor again?"

Aurora chuckled and shook her head. "I'd honestly rather not. She's very fast. I need some practice before attempting that again." Her lips landed on the brim of the champagne glass and she took a swig, as if the mere thought of more dancing was making her thirsty.

Apollo laughed softly, but his moment was spoiled when he noticed Persephone glaring at him. She lifted a brow and smiled knowingly. She always knew everyone's darkest, little secrets, didn't she? How annoying. Apollo narrowed his eyes at her. "Hades is calling for you."

"Doubtful." The queen of the Underworld replied quickly; her grin was mocking him.

Aurora exchanged a look between the two and took another sip of the champagne. She kept her mouth shut.

Apollo cleared his throat and directed his attention to the beautiful blonde. "Care for a tour? The palace has the most extensive library."

"Oh?" Aurora wasn't too keen on leaving the party with an unfamiliar god, but if Pers joined, she'd consider it. Aurora glanced at her new friend. "Joining us?"

Apollo wanted to grumble, but kept it well hidden. His success in guessing Aurora would very much prefer being in a library right now than the dancefloor was enough to keep his ego alight. The prince did, however, shoot Persephone a look that spoke volumes. She didn't bother to read it. "Sure! Sounds like fun..."

Typical... Apollo thought and rolled his eyes.

"Lead the way." Aurora smiled sweetly at Apollo and he melted a bit. Well, hopefully Persephone would get lost along the way. Olympus was very big.

Apollo grabbed Aurora's hand and stepped forward, towards the back doors. "Come with me-"

"Where exactly?"

Apollo stopped dead and felt his eyes roll back in his head. He sighed flatly and glared at the darkly dressed god in front of him. Dryly, he replied; "Oh, look. It's you. Of course."

Thanatos narrowed his eyes and snarled when he noticed Aurora's hand in Apollo's. "Going somewhere?"

"Apollo was just about to give me a tour of Olympus-"

"And you thought that was a smart idea?" Thanatos grabbed Aurora's wrist, removing her hand from Apollo's.

Aurora inhaled deeply, as if to calm herself, and then spoke coolly. "Persephone was joining me-"

Thanatos didn't even bother to wait for her to finish. He turned around and pulled Aurora along with him towards the balcony. Apollo and Persephone watched as they left, both disappointed, but for different reasons.

Aurora jerked her hand from Thanatos as soon as they'd reached the balcony. "What was that?"

"Oh, please." Thanatos rolled his eyes and turned to Aurora; his eyes trying best to ignore how good she looked in her silver dress. "Apollo will try anything to seduce you and get you alone."

"Don't be dramatic." Aurora crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.

"I know him very well."

Aurora glowered up at Thanatos; "Not with Persephone around; he's not that dumb."

"Don't act like you know these people."

Aurora scoffed and placed her hands on her hips. She pulled a face at his accusation. "Like you're one to talk. You've been avoiding most of these people all night."

"I have better things to do." It was Thanatos' turn to cross his arms.

"Like what?" Aurora scoffed, but his reply was quick. "My duties. I'm the only one who actually works around here. Death is a twenty-four hour job."

Aurora growled at his obstinacy. "So is rational thinking, but clearly you didn't get the memo!"

"Oh, my gods!"

Both Aurora and Thanatos jumped back a bit when a new voice unexpectedly spoke up from beside them. It was Dionysus and he was looking particularly drunk. He giggled, which caused Thanatos to reach out automatically and grab Aurora's hand. Aurora had tried to do the same, having found her guardian's halfway.

"You two are just adorable together! So saucy!"

Thanatos and Aurora hadn't even noticed the drunken god taking a pipe-break on the balcony until he'd spoken up. Just went to show them both how easily they managed to block the entire world when they were having a conversation, just the two of them.

"Right..." Thanatos moved towards the door, pushing Aurora backwards. She went willingly, their previous argument forgotten.

"You know," Dionysus giggled again, "My chambers are right down the hall, to the left-"

"Did you say tour?" Thanatos asked loudly, directing his question at Aurora. She quickly took the bait.

"Yes! A tour. Now?"

"Now." Thanatos grabbed her by the waist and they bolted. Dionysus sighed and shrugged it off. He'd catch-up with them both later.

The night was still young...

Hello!

Hope you enjoyed this small chapter! 

Happy 2022 Xx