- Apollo -
"Are you sure this will work?" I asked again, searching the woman's eyes as she handed me a small glass vial.
Circa, a minor goddess who specialized in witchcraft, gave a shy nod. "My potions are always true," she responded softly before looking up, giving me a hopeful look.
Circa had long loved me- one of the many on Olympus that did. I had once loved all the attention and praise, but I had reached the point long ago of only craving Kore's touch and gaze.
Hiding my disgust, I flashed her a warm smile before taking her hand and kissing it softly. "I'll never forget this, my dearest Circa," I whispered against her hand before pressing another kiss to it and standing. The girl's face was flushed red as she jerked her head into a nod. "I'm always here to help," She replied with a smile.
I gave her a parting smile before leaving, my face quickly dropping into a frown. Kore, forgive me," I pled inwardly. "But I have to play this game if we want to be together."
Despite having to kiss another's hand and simper, I had what I needed. The potion in my hand was strong- a puppet spell, if you will. Zeus was drinking so much today that I had ample opportunity to slip this to him. I reached up, yanking a golden hair from my head and putting it into the potion. The golden mixture bubbled and glowed for a second as the hair disappeared and completed the concoction.
I grinned, carefully stowing the vial in my satchel. Zeus would be under my control soon, and then nothing would stand in our way.
**
It wasn't hard to find Zeus- he was an attention seeker when he wasn't drunk, but even more so when he had downed as much ambrosia as he had. He was chatting with Dionysus, and had just finished his glass. Perfect.
As I approached, he gave a roaring laugh, clapping me on the shoulder. "Apollo," he greeted brashly, his voice a bit too loud in the small room. "I was expecting more of a show from you, boy! Don't tell me you intend to roll over to my little brother," he teased.
My smile became more fixed, but I played along- we had an audience, after all, and I couldn't afford any suspicion. "Not at all," I replied amiably. "But I know how you all love a good show- I thought I'd let Hades get in a win so that everyone enjoyed the Labryinth a little more. It wouldn't be much fun if I swept the competition!"
Zeus gave an approving nod. "Well said, son, well said," He replied, his words slurring together. "Can't have a boring contest, can we?!"
I raised an eyebrow and looked to Dionysus. "Don't suppose you have anything to sober him up before the next event?" I asked dryly.
The god chuckled and nodded- he had drunk more than Zeus, but acted as though it hardly affected him. "That I do!" He replied with a grin. "I'll go and fetch it."
I nodded in appreciation as the man left before turning to grab Zeus another glass. My face hardened as I quickly poured the vial's contents into the glass, swirling it in the golden drink quickly before plastering a smile back on my face and handing it to the god. "Shall we drink to Lady Kore?" I asked amiably, playing casual and happy.
Zeus grinned and grabbed the glass. "That we shall!" He declared before downing it in one swallow. He clapped my shoulder, and turned to start towards the door when he paused, swaying a bit as though he had forgotten what he was doing.
My false smile fell as I rounded around to face him. His normally electric blue eyes seemed dull, and his expression was vacant. I raised an eyebrow, and instructed him quickly, keeping my voice soft enough it wouldn't carry.
"You will act normally around others. You will not let others figure out what's happening to you. You will listen to every command I give from here on out, and not say a word about it to anyone else. Understand?"
Zeus gave a slow nod. I sighed in relief- had it not worked, I would be fried by now. I glanced around the empty hall before continuing, stepping a bit closer to the man as I lowered my voice. "I must win the competition. I don't care how you do it, as long as nobody figures out you've rigged the games. At the end of the labyrinth, you will ensure I win, and you will make sure that Lady Kore and I are married."
I paused, my mind going back to Hades' dismissal in the Underworld. My eyes narrowed- he dare to think he could take Kore from me?
"And," I continued, my voice taking on a dangerous edge, "You will find some wrong-doing of Hades. You will ensure that he is found guilty of something bad enough to get him locked away where he can't reach Kore. Do I make myself clear?"
Another blank nod came as a reply. With a final glance around, I snapped my fingers. "Get to it then- and don't let anyone catch you!" I hissed.
A little light came back to his eyes, and he continued forward as if our conversation had never happened. I watched him go for a little bit before sighing and turning to prepare for the next event. We are one step closer, my flower.
- Kore -
I had been on edge all morning. Mother had kept me away from the competitors, and for once, I was grateful. They didn't want me showing preference to anyone, and I couldn't face confronting two of the top contenders right now, for wildly different reasons.
I glanced up as Hera sat beside me and patted my hand. I had been brought to a sitting room to wait until the next event, and Mother had long since gone to survey the final preparations. I gave a wan smile to the woman. "Hello," I greeted softly.
Hera always knew too much. She could read people like a book. She studied me for a long moment, her piercing green eyes taking in everything. I was sure she was going to know exactly what was running through my head when she took me by surprise.
"Forgive my impertinence," She started quickly. "But will you be completing the Ichor Bond with whoever wins this contest, my dear?" She asked, her voice as casual as if she had asked about the weather. I looked up in confusion, trying to figure out where that had come from .
"Ichor Bond?" I repeated before shaking my head. "I haven't even heard of that, to be honest."
Hera nodded sagely as she brushed her back. "Ichor bonding is a very special thing. When one is weakening, and a god opens their vein to mesh with another, a bond is formed between their body and soul. It's rarely used- breaking an ichor bond brings a pain worse than death- but it is extremely powerful."
I stared at Hera for a long moment. "Why..why are you telling me this?" I finally asked. "Do I have to do that with whoever wins?"
Hera gave me a smile. "I don't think so, dear. A marriage will be expected, but not many on Olympus complete the bond."
I gave a slow, confused nod. "I suppose there's a lot of things about us that I don't know," I replied, my cheeks tinged with red.
Hera shrugged. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. It seems you've learned much since we last met." She paused, her eyes looking out the window as she seemed to gather her thoughts. "Kore," she started again. "Do you know why it is so odd for us to see Hades here?"
His name always did something to me, but it seemed now guilt followed directly behind it. I swallowed my emotion and shrugged. "He's awfully busy," I replied simply as I looked down at my hands, "And he doesn't care much for socializing."
Hera chuckled and nodded. "True. But that's not all, my dear. As King of a different realm, things apply to him differently. He doesn't come here often because he doesn't have to listen to a single word Zeus says. Your father could banish him from Olympus, but it would just be words. One only has control over their own realm and their own subjects. Hades avoids this place because he doesn't want to cause contention with Zeus. It's the same reason that Poseidon rarely visits as well."
I pursed my lips as I thought about that. "That makes sense," I started. "Hades hates fighting and drama. I could see why he'd want to stay away."
Hera smiled before smoothing my hair down. "Darling Kore..I'm not sure what's going on with you, but I can tell something is causing you pain." She shifted so her eyes met mine. "Don't give up, dear. The sun always rises."
My eyes teared as I studied the woman for a moment. She noticed.
A single tear tracked down my cheek as I nodded. "Thank you," I responded softly.
The woman simply smiled and stood, turning to walk out. "I will tell them you need a few more minutes."
I nodded in gratitude as the door closed and I was left alone. Hera didn't know what had happened to me, and I hated to think about it. But right now I had to focus on what was going to happen to me- and pray that Apollo didn't win.