Aphrodite folded her arms across her chest. She looked out a window, decidedly not answering his question. "It's not him," she finally grumbled. "It's Hera."

"Why's she in a tiz?"

Aphrodite's jaw set, the tiny veins near her ears bulging.

"Why, Mother?" Eros pressed.

"She realized when I picked Psyche as my mortal daughter that there was more to her."

Eros sat up, suddenly much more interested. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Aphrodite rolled her eyes. "Maybe Leda wasn't the only one who made a baby when a G.o.d came to visit."

"What are you -" Frustrated, Eros hopped up from the couch. "Just tell me what you're trying to say and stop making me guess."

"Poseidon is Psyche's father. When Hera figured that out, it reopened old wounds about Zeus siring Helen. As much as she hates you sending Zeus off to have affairs, the idea of him having any more part-human children makes her insane. And Psyche reminded her how very possible that is."

Eros' jaw unhinged. The love of his existence wasn't a full mortal after all. Did that change anything? And more importantly, how did that make Hera p.i.s.sed at him? "Whoa. I wasn't even born for Helen and I was probably still a toddler when Psyche was born. Not. My. Fault."

Aphrodite stood and smoothed her long, white gown. "Yes, well, whether it's your fault or not, the proverbial heat is on you at the moment. I'd suggest you do something to cool all tempers involved."

Eros leaned back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. "I can tell you already have something in mind, so lay it on me."

"You need to take Iris to the Olympian council meeting this afternoon."

Uh-uh. No way was he leaving the palace today. "Not today. Maybe some other time."

"I'm not asking. You will take Iris."

Eros ground his teeth. "You can't just come in here and order me around. I'm not your little puppet."

With startling swiftness, Aphrodite placed her palms against the wall on either side of his head, fencing him in. "You are nothing except what I say you are." An edge of contempt crept into her voice. "You have powers as the G.o.d of love only because I gave you some of my province. I will take it back as easily as I gave it."

Eros only blinked at her.

Aphrodite patted her son's cheek twice as she backed away. "The council then, at noon. I'll expect to see you and Iris there." Aphrodite turned on her heel and disappeared in a puff of sea foam and sand.

Eros hated when she left like that. He wiped away the salty taste of the sea spray from his lips and shook the sand from his tunic.

Slouching down on the couch, he tried to think of a way out. He'd completely forgotten about the council meeting. And of course, he had to go. Even if he wasn't taking Iris (a command he still might ignore), he didn't dare miss one of Zeus's monthly meetings. Especially since he'd just been warned that Zeus and Hera were already ticked at him.

But the timing couldn't have been worse. If Eros was at council, he couldn't keep an eye on Psyche and her sister. He exhaled a burst of air as he realized his plans for the day would have to change.

Eros had no other choice really, which was a reality that made him even surlier than when he'd had to leave Psyche alone, waiting for her sister. The day was going downhill fast.

Chapter 33 - Psyche.

Unable to lie in bed anymore, I threw open the shutters and looked out on the gardens, inhaling the still-cool morning air. It was thick with the scents of spring: rose petals and dew, gra.s.s and purity. Today would be a good day. I could feel it.

"Alexa," I called out. "Come enjoy this beautiful morning with me."

Alexa came to my side, but not with her usual promptness. "You called?" Her tone was sullen.

"What's with you? How can you not be happy on a perfect morning like this?"

"You've slept through every morning for the past five days. They've all been this nice actually."

I shot a critical look in her direction. "Seriously, what's with you today? Did I wake you up or something?"

Alexa snorted. "That'll be the day. When you wake me up."

"Did I do something to you?"

"You might as well have," Alexa snapped at me.

"I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. Either tell me what has you so upset or take your grumpy self somewhere else."

"You don't know what I'm talking about?" Alexa was almost shrieking, but her voice wavered in a way that told me she was on the edge of tears. "You're tossing all of us away just so you can have one more visit with your sister. Do you have any idea how much you've hurt him? How much he's sacrificing trying to make you happy?"

My heart was cut in two different directions. I hated hearing Alexa so upset. Hated hearing that he was upset. But I was also angry that she was injecting her opinions into my personal business. I'd already had this discussion last night and promised Aris I'd keep my sister's conversation on track. That was between the two of us and it was settled as far as I was concerned.

"Don't you dare try to second-guess me on this. My sister is visiting today and it won't be the catastrophe everyone seems to think it will be."

I heard Alexa stomp to the door.

"Before you leave," I called after her, "I'll remind you that you will treat Chara with the respect she's due."

"Yes, ma'am." Alexa slammed the door behind her.

What was happening around here? I'd gone almost a week bonding with Alexa and Aris, certainly not fighting with either of them, and now they were both p.i.s.sed at me. Because I wanted to see my sister? Hear about my sick father?

Well, they could just stay p.i.s.sed then.

I skipped breakfast so I could get back to the mountain and greet Chara. Getting dressed took longer than usual because I didn't dare ask Alexa for help, so I ended up half-running to the front of the palace.

"It's time everyone," I called out to the servants. "Chara will be here soon. I need you to be on your best behavior. Alexa, will you come with me to get her?"

There was no answer.

"Alexa? Are you here?"

"The plans for your sister's arrival aren't quite ready. We weren't expecting visitors, you know. I ought to stay here to make sure everything is perfect." Sarcasm and resentment spilt out of Alexa faster than wine spews from a broken urn.

"Oh, okay. We'll be back soon then," I sang, hoping my happiness was as annoying to Alexa as her bitterness was to me. Did she not understand that I needed to hear about my father's health? It's not like I'd begged to see my sister just so we could sit around and drink wine all afternoon.

The ma.s.sive front doors slammed closed behind me as I darted for the mountain. "Favonius! Is she here yet? Has my sister come back?"

With a sudden gust, my dress rustled around my ankles and the Wind nearly lifted me off of my feet. "Yes," he boomed, "but I'll be happy to make her leave again if you like."

"You bring her down to me this instant."

Favonius laughed. A booming, imposing laugh that shook me to the core. "As you wish."

No sooner had I reached the base of the cliff face than Chara was dumped at my feet. Favonius had apparently swept her off the hill and plunged her down with little care for her safety. As my sister sat dazed, trying to orient herself and fix her disheveled dress, I rushed to her side and threw my arms around her neck.

"Chara!" I gushed, kissing her cheeks. "I'm so glad you're here. You don't know how much I've missed you."

Grabbing her hands, I helped her stand. Chara bent down to collect a small wooden chest she'd been carrying before being upended.

"Let me get that for you," I offered.

Chara looked relieved not to have to tax herself with the burden of carrying the chest anymore, even though it was no bigger than my hand. "It's for you anyway," she said. "Mother sent one of her honey cakes, but I ate half of it while I was waiting for you to get here."

Hmm... not exactly the sort of greeting I was expecting. Maybe she's still dazed from her cloud flight.

"Oh, well if you're hungry, let's go inside," I said. "We can have anything you like for lunch: oysters, quail, pork ..."

As I was listing off some of the finest foods I could think to offer, Chara suddenly stopped in her tracks. We had come around the tree stand and my palace stood in full view. It was still as pristine as the day I'd arrived, with the sun glinting blindingly off the golden roof and marble walls.

"That's your home?" Chara asked. Her eyebrows arched toward her forehead.

"It's something, isn't it?"

As we neared, the door opened invitingly. My doorman, Mathias, greeted us. "My ladies, welcome," he said.

Chara's eyes darted from side to side trying to find the source of the greeting.

"Sorry. I should've warned you that the servants here are invisible." I leaned in to whisper to her. "They're nymphs, so don't even think about asking to see them."

The door closed behind us and we stood in the ma.s.sive entrance hall. "Is there anything I can get for you? Perhaps a gla.s.s of water or wine until lunch is served?" Mathias offered.

My sister looked too frightened to answer and just stared stupidly in the direction of Mathias's voice. "Thank you, Mathias," I answered for her. "We'll both have some wine."

"Of course," he answered politely. At least I could count on him to mind his manners. The light swishing sounds of his robe drifted away as he went to fetch our drinks.

"Let's go to the gardens," I invited. "It's a beautiful morning and the roses are blooming. It's my favorite place so far."

I led the way as Chara followed in my wake. When we neared the doors, they pushed open in front of us. Chara gave a startled screech.

"After you," Alexa said. I shot a stern look in her direction, warning her not to deliberately scare my sister again.

"Chara, meet Alexa. She's been like a sister to me while I've been here."

Chara's lips wrinkled uncomfortably.

"Not that she could ever replace you," I added hastily. "I just ... well, you know what I meant. She's just been really great."

Chara nodded with a twisted smile. "Of course. Sisters are always so good to each other, aren't they?"

Oh my G.o.ds. She hatesme. She knows I knew about Rasmus and now she hates me. I'd said last night I could take it, but the reality slammed me harder than I'd expected.

"You've got to understand, Chara, I didn't -"

"What is this place?" Chara interrupted.

I laughed nervously, shrugging my shoulders. "Nothing. I mean, it's just a palace. What do you mean what is it?" I silently told myself to stop stammering. Alexa gave my hand a rea.s.suring squeeze.

Chara marched out into the courtyard and took in the gardens. Then she stomped back to me, grabbing my shoulders a little too tightly.

"Tell me what's going on here," she commanded. Her eyes bore into mine and all I wanted was to look away.

Just then, Mathias came into the courtyard. Our drinks hovered on a silver tray, floating in his invisible hands. He handed each of us goblets encrusted with rubies and filled to the brim with red wine.

"Let's sit." I gestured to some padded stools that'd been placed in the courtyard for us. We both sat uncomfortably on the edge of our tripods and sipped at our drinks.

I swallowed hard. "What do you want to know?"

"Where's the monster who took you?" Chara asked as she glanced over her shoulder.

I laughed nervously. Hadn't I just promised Aris we wouldn't talk about him? c.r.a.p. This wasn't going well.

"He's not really a monster. The prophecy was a little off on that. But he's out hunting right now." That seemed liked a probable explanation. Father used to go out hunting for days at a time when he was younger. "Unfortunately, he won't be back in time to meet you."

Chara's eyes narrowed at me. "If he's not a monster, then what is he?"

My eyes widened as my heart thundered in my chest. I knew I had to steer this conversation in a new direction. And quickly. Alexa's hand pressed down on my shoulder. What was she trying to tell me?

Before I could answer, Chara made her own a.s.sumptions. "You don't know what he is, do you?"

"I, ah...well..."

"Shut up," Alexa hissed in my ear, so low only I could hear her.

"I knew you could be dense sometimes, but this defies all logic." Chara glared at me. "You know what the Oracle foretold."

"Yeah, well, maybe it's not as bad as we thought," I spat at her.

Chara shook her head. "Unbelievable. It's like you only see the world in shades of gold now."

The anger boiling in my veins actually started making me light headed. Where was Mathias with the food? I needed to eat something before I had a panic attack or something.

But Chara obviously wasn't done with her lecture. "You've been so fooled by all these riches, you can't see that you're living in a tomb. Come on, we're getting out of here now." She grabbed my hand and tried to beeline for the back door.