Love's Forge Read online

  She shook her head. “She didn’t have any children then.” She looked right into his eyes. “When you two became lovers, she still didn’t have any children.”

  His gaze nearly burned her.

  “Do you see what I’m saying?”

  He didn’t reply.

  “I was born in the mortal world. I grew much faster than Eros did. When I was one day old, I looked like I do now, even though he took weeks to grow up. No one visited me when I was born, when I was a baby. I knew who I was, what my powers were, and what my purpose was. She told me we were going home. She said she had a new home for me. Not with her, with other people. I believe she intended for me to go live with Eris, since we existed to compliment each other, but I’m not sure. I didn’t want to go, but she said we had to. I said I wanted to stay. I liked the mortal world and the mortals we were living with. She said I could stay if I would never ask who my father was. I said I would promise never to tell or ask questions about him, but I had to know who it was before I would promise. Lots of people have thought it was Ares. A good guess, given the timeframe, but wrong.”

  He stood up and walked away from her.

  “I have a casual relationship with her. I’m not asking for anything from you. I don’t care if you tell everyone or want it to stay a secret. But you should know. It was wrong of her to hide it from you. I was young and like her then. I wanted my own way and made that promise to get it. When I met you, you frightened me a little. I decided never to question her choice. I told people I was like Eris, that I had no father. It made sense because in the supernatural sense we were considered sisters. She had no father, so why should I have had a father? Eris came from Chaos, born to the goddess of the night Nyx with no father.”

  “I know where Eris came from!” he snapped.

  She swallowed. “I was only trying to show the logic. She came from Chaos and darkness. I came from love. She was discord, and I was harmony. It made sense we could each be born with only one parent, so everyone believed me. I even lied to Apollo. He thinks I’m here to save my mother.”

  “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

  He spoke so softly she barely heard him.

  “That’s fine. You have every right to be angry. I expected that kind of reaction. It was wrong of her to do this to you.”

  “She didn’t tell Eros who his father was. She kept it from him and from Ares. At least you knew. Eros didn’t for a long time.”

  “But the difference is everyone suspected the truth. Eventually it became a moot point. No one really cared.”

  “They cared. The three of them. They needed the truth to be told.”

  “I guess.”

  “I’m right. Your mother was happier after it was all out.”

  “That shows you do know her very well. I couldn’t begin to speculate about her happiness. Hopefully, she’ll feel the same way now that all of her secrets are out.”

  “At least Ares knew Eros.” He looked down at her. “This is the second conversation you and I have had.”

  She sighed. At least he believed her, and he didn’t seem too angry. “I’m sorry.”

  He shook his head slowly. “It is not your place to be sorry.” He sat down again. “Eros is like her, but it was easy to see his father in him. I knew the whole time Ares was his father. I wanted him to be mine so Aphrodite and I would share something.”

  “You knew he wasn’t?”

  “Aphrodite went back to Ares after we were married. When I put that ring on her finger, I forced her to marry me. That’s true. It’s not a malicious rumor. But I also promised her we wouldn’t have sex until she agreed to be faithful. To really be my wife.”

  “So you two haven’t?”

  He lowered his eyes. “We’ve touched. We almost had sex a few weeks ago.”

  “You did?”

  “I haven’t broken my promise though. We haven’t done that.”

  “You don’t have to talk about this. I’m not upset, and I’m not going to judge you.”

  “I didn’t think you would. I’ve never talked about this with anyone.”

  “Don’t worry about what I’ll think.”

  “I told her we wouldn’t until she asked me to.” He stood up. “Let’s talk about something else.”

  “All right. Are you two talking? She seemed hopeful about the possibilities for the future. I thought the next time I saw her she’d be so happy.”

  He turned back to her. “And instead her husband has her locked up.”

  “It was a poor decision. I think the spell affected you too.”

  “Spell?”

  Harmonia paused. He looked genuinely confused. “We’re all assuming it’s a spell. Aren’t you?”

  “I was still considering that.”

  “You let Ares go. You must have seen he wasn’t to blame and that you overreacted.”

  “It let him go because this is between me and my wife.”

  She didn’t argue with him. He knew they hadn’t set out to betray and deceive him. He was probably embarrassed by the way he’d reacted. He had to know the news had spread immediately.

  “It is. I was only asking out of concern. She obviously denies trying to hurt you. She’ll get over being angry with you. Your friendship means a lot to her. If anything will convince her to want you as more than a friend, that will.”

  “We were talking. I suppose we still are.”

  “Why do you suppose? What happened?”

  He paused, and his gaze darkened again. “When I said I wanted to talk about something else, I didn’t mean just sex. I meant something else entirely, all right?”

  “Sorry.”

  He sat down next to her and looked at her closely. After a few seconds, he said, “Your eyes are green.”

  She blushed under his scrutiny. “Yes, they are.”

  “You like the mortal world?”

  “I do, but I’m going to live here with Apollo now.”

  “Are you getting married?”

  “Probably.”

  He nodded. “I’m terrible at this. I’m sure your mother has told you all the worst things.”

  She shook her head. “She tells me good things. It’s why I wanted to come see you. This reaction was so unlike you it alarmed me. I decided you needed to know the truth.”

  “Did it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Should I let your mother go?”

  She weighed her options. “I don’t know.”

  “I expected you to say yes. Setting her free would prove whether we should be together or not. It would show my love for her.”

  “If she’s here, she has to talk to you.” She laughed. “She can’t exist without someone to talk to. I’m not afraid now. I know you won’t hurt her.”

  He smiled.

  “That’s nice. You look different when you smile.”

  “We’ve fought. In a way. She’s not really resisting. She’s responded to everything I’ve—” He looked away. “Would she stay if I told her she could leave at any time but that I wanted her to stay? For a few days? Three days? Something like that?”

  “Maybe you should talk to Hades. He made the captive seduction work, it seems.”

  “I’m serious. If I make it possible for her to leave, but ask her to stay for a few days, do you think she will?”

  “Any other time, I would have said no. She’s petty and bitchy. She’s childish. I think these past few months have pushed her beyond that. Finishing once and for all with Ares, revealing who Eros’ father is, the spell on Ares to help him win Alala, and then trying to help Apollo and Daphne? She’s been worried sick about every part of her life, and every time she’s turned around something dramatic has happened. All her plans have gone wrong. Lots of it was her fault. That spell on Ares was stupid. She could have hurt him. She should have just told him Alala was in love with him. She should have approached Apollo and Daphne another way as well, but her crazy plan brought happiness to four people instead of two. Daphne and Hypnos are happy,
and Apollo and I are happy. I was attracted to Apollo, but this made me take action. In the end, it turned out well.”

  “I’m pleased you’re happy. You’re right. I’ve been trying for months to get Aphrodite to rely on me. Ever since Eros’ wedding. It all began there. Hermes fell in love with someone else, and she and Ares reached their breaking point. I wanted her to need me.”

  “She did. That’s when you two connected again. You tried to help her as a friend would. You didn’t use her vulnerability to seduce her.”

  He looked away.

  Harmonia couldn’t help wondering what had been happening between them. He said they’d touched. Had he meant before all this? If they’d almost had sex a few weeks ago, her mother was closer to completely falling for him than she’d thought. What exactly had he meant earlier when he’d said she was responding? He’d cut that thought off quickly. She pushed the images away. That was their business, and despite her detachment from them, she didn’t want to think about her parents having sex.

  “Ask her. If she wants to leave, let her. It will tell you a lot about what she’s feeling. If you promise she’s truly free, I think she’ll believe you. She might give you those three days. Even one night would probably be worth it. Just to sit and talk without her feeling trapped?”

  “I think she’s felt trapped with me for a long time.”

  “She’s afraid of having a relationship instead of an affair.”

  “You think?”

  She nodded. “I was like that years ago. Before Apollo caught my eye and started me thinking thoughts of ‘forever,’ I had lots of sex. I’m sorry if you don’t want to hear that, but I did. I was with lots of men.”

  “As long as it was what you wanted, I’m fine. I have no right to object.”

  “You’re my father.”

  He stared at her for a moment, as if her actually saying that sentence had affected him. “I wasn’t thinking about that. Everything may go out the window when I tell her.”

  Harmonia thought quickly. “Don’t tell her yet. She hid it from you so long. I think you’re justified.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Work things out with her. I know deception usually ends badly, but try it. I can’t tell you what to do, but we can worry about this later.”

  “Was she really so scared she thought hiding you was the best choice?”

  “At the time, she was dead serious about it being a secret. Perhaps she wanted to keep the upper hand. I was born so quickly it was easier to hide me than it would have been to hide Eros. She was only pregnant a few days. The Fates are the ones who told her she was pregnant. She took advantage of that.”

  “That sounds like her.”

  “I asked her to tell you before. I was married to a mortal for a little while.”

  “Really?”

  She nodded. “A prince named Cadmus. We weren’t very happy. I told her to tell you and invite you to the wedding. She got pretty angry.”

  “I’m sure she did. Why weren’t you two happy?”

  Harmonia had to smile. “You might not find this funny. I kind of do now that it’s so far in the past. Do you remember making a necklace that would grant eternal youth and beauty?”

  He thought. “A gold necklace? I think I made one for Zeus for one of his mortal lovers. A pretty nasty gift, as I recall.”

  She nodded. “It was for Europa. My husband’s sister. She gave it to me.”

  “That necklace’s gift came with a price. Zeus gave it to her at the end of their affair, after they’d fought. The longer it was worn the more evil would visit the wearer.” His gaze darkened. “So Aphrodite’s secret made me hurt you.”

  She didn’t want him to think about it that way. “You didn’t do one single thing to me. I got rid of that thing as quickly as I could once I’d sensed its power. I lost track of it. I believe Jocasta had it at one time, and I’d say she and her son Oedipus felt its effects.”

  “You could say that. I heard it was destroyed in a fire. I hope so.” He sat back. “So that’s the extent of our relationship? I frightened you, and then one of my creations ruined your marriage?”

  She shook her head. “That doesn’t count. We can start a relationship now. My marriage would have ended unhappily anyway. That family was very screwed up, and my husband was mortal.”

  “Perhaps I should start working on the one I have with your mother instead.”

  “My mother is coy, but I’ve always been blunt. Are you sorry I came here?” She wanted to know what he really thought. Based on everything her mother had told her, she thought he would be honest.

  “No.” He paused and then half smiled. “You’re the goddess of harmony? Our child represents unity, love, and friendship. I like that. It gives me hope.”

  She touched his hand for a moment. “I’m glad. I feel justified in coming if you think that way now.”

  He looked at her hand for a second and then placed his other one over it. “I’m not going to tell your mother though. Not yet.” He stood and helped her up.

  She squeezed his hand before he let go. “Okay. It might be best that way.”

  “If you get married again, I’ll be there.”

  She knew he wasn’t comfortable with displays of affection or expressing his feelings, so the simple statement meant a lot to her. He was showing he cared in the best way he could. He was happy he had a daughter.

  “Thanks. Perhaps everything will be worked out by then.”

  “Perhaps.”

  They walked out in silence, and Harmonia didn’t push with more questions.

  “Goodbye,” she said.

  “Goodbye.”

  She walked back out into the bright sunlight. She blinked after the dark interior of the cavern. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “That’s done. The pieces can fall where they may.” She felt as if a great burden had been lifted. She’d always had a father, but for years and years she’d been saying she didn’t. She wanted to go home and tell Apollo, but she knew she couldn’t. Despite that, confidence surged through her. Revealing this secret would be good. She couldn’t explain why she felt that way. Somehow, she just knew it.

  * * * *

  Aphrodite turned when the bedroom door opened. Hephaestus closed the door behind him and walked over to her. He stood by the bed and gazed down at her.

  “I let Ares go,” he said.

  She closed her eyes and sighed with relief. “Thank you.”

  He sat down next to her, but he didn’t say anything.

  “So what happens now that he’s gone?” she asked.

  “I want you to stay here as my guest for a few days.”

  If he said she would be a guest, he probably meant it. If he actually said she could leave on a certain day, she could be sure he was going to keep his word. “How long would you like for me to stay?”

  “Three days. Will you?”

  She nodded. “That’s fine. You think three days will make a difference?”

  “I hope so. I think we’ll be left alone. I told Ares I would release you if he found proof you two were under a spell. I told him not to come back until then.”

  “You believe us now?”

  He looked into her eyes and stroked her cheek. “I’m sorry I didn’t at first. It was so hard after seeing you two together like that.”

  Her face burned with shame. “I’m sorry. That’s all I can say.”

  “You don’t have to.” He touched her hand. “Your daughter was here.”

  “Harmonia?” she asked. What had she said to him? Did she really care what happened between them?

  “Yes. She said she had the right to know if you were safe. I assured her you are.”

  “Eros hasn’t come?”

  Hephaestus looked down at the bed. “No, not yet. I guess you thought it more likely he would come. Right?”

  “Yes, but Hera or Zeus might have convinced him to stay away while you still had Ares here.” She shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  He smi
led. “Eros loves you very much. I’m sure it’s something like that.” He crossed his arms. “Harmonia is very beautiful. I can see how she appealed to Apollo.”

  She held her hands together to steady them. “Yes, but she’s also very intelligent and witty. Most men are intrigued after only one conversation.”

  “She certainly is lovely. I can see how any man would be intrigued.”

  Aphrodite took a deep breath. Was he making small talk or trying to make her jealous? Did he just want an excuse to keep talking to her? “She’s wonderful. I hope she and Apollo are happy.”

  “You think he’s good enough for her?”

  She nodded. “Yes.” She shrugged again, wanting to leave the subject. “Why does it matter?”

  “I love you. I care what happens to your children, even though neither of them are mine. I’d do anything to help either of them if you needed me to.” He put his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “I wish we’d had a child together. We certainly made love enough.”

  Aphrodite started to speak, but his lips stopped her. He kissed her sweetly, and she gave in. She didn’t want to keep talking about Harmonia or children. She remembered the day she’d found out she was pregnant with Harmonia. Lachesis had come to tell her that her daughter would be a great blessing to them all and to prepare her for what was to come. Immortal births happened quickly, and they had more to do with the work of the Fates than with how often any of them had sex. Pregnancy itself had proven to be intense, and Aphrodite had soon seen why Hera had always waved the subject of her own pregnancies and her sons’ births away. Three days later, she’d gone to the mortal world, where Harmonia had been born. When Eros was born, nothing significant had happened. The Fates hadn’t taken much notice, as if he didn’t have the same significance at all. She’d been frightened during pregnancy with each of them. With Harmonia, she’d been afraid Hephaestus would find out and become possessive of them both, and thus the swiftness of her birth had been a great relief. With Eros, she’d been pregnant much longer and had spent weeks afraid Hephaestus would kill them all, including Ares. He hadn’t. Once he’d sent her away pregnant and scared, he’d done nothing.