|| This chapter has been edited. ||
"Kore? Kore, wake up!"
I blinked my eyes groggily as my hand went up to block the light streaming from my window. "Mother? What's wrong?"
"You silly girl, you've slept in. I have to visit with Ares today. You'll be going with the nymphs to our meadow- now, hurry up child, and get ready!"
Mother bustled out of the room as I relaxed back into the bed with a groan. "Another day in the life," I whispered sarcastically before yanking myself from bed.
Thirty minutes later, my hair was braided elegantly down my back, spring flowers popping from the hair. I wore a green dress- my original one, red, was quickly rejected by Mother for having too low of a neckline.
Anywhere Mother goes, I have to follow. "Mother, can't I just stay here?" I pleaded as we walked to her waiting chariot.
She rolled her eyes. "We've discussed this, Kore. You are not staying alone now or anytime soon. Now, shape up, or you'll hurt your nymph friend's feelings."
I shook my head, biting back my response. Those nymphs weren't my friends, they were loyal subjects to Mother. Huge difference.
We arrived to the meadow- my second home, really. It was a protected space only gods and goddesses could enter- anyone else had to have Mother's permission. She was gone quickly, and the nymphs were obviously less than thrilled to have to babysit me again. "Should we play hide-and-seek?" One suggested, like I was still a child.
However, I enjoyed the game- I am a good hider, and it gave me time to myself. "Sure!" I responded with a fake smile. "I'll hide!"
As soon as my back was turned, the smile dropped. Counting filled the air as I quickly ventured into the forest, making my way as far as the boundaries Mother had would allow.
"I wonder if the Fates do refunds," I grumbled when I finally found a nice rock to sit on. "Playing hide-and-seek for a lifetime is a major disappointment."
I hummed to myself as I sat and played with the flowers around me, trying to see what I could make blossom.. when suddenly, a gleam caught my eye.
I turned towards the light, my face scrunching in confusion. There was nothing natural in the forest that would make the light glare like that except for water or an unearthed gem, and the nearest lake was half a day's journey away. I stood, and began walking down the meadow's edge of the forest, where, technically speaking, I was strictly forbidden to go.
There, a few rows of trees back, the source of the gleam caught my eye. I hesitantly bent down, and picked up a sparkling sapphire. "Beautiful.." I mumbled to myself as I turned the stone in my hand. I had never seen one this size before, much less been able to hold such a pretty thing.
It had a foreign beauty in the forest- it was cold, harsh, and something so starkly different from the meadow around me. I paused as a twig snapped behind me, my body freezing up.
It was foreign because it didn't belong here, just like the stranger behind me.
I turned sharply, my pale green dress twirling gracefully around me as my eyes met another pair with a start. A tall, muscular man with long blonde hair, pale skin, and piercing blue eyes was staring back. He wore black armor, but no crown or emblem in site.
My heart pounded. Who was this?
A long silence stretched between us before I finally pulled myself from a trance. My cheeks flushed red as I realized I had been staring,  a small smile turning my lips up. "Hello," I greeted quietly.
The man gave me a warm smile back. "Hello," he replied, his voice friendly and soft.
I had never felt butterflies before, but I had read about them before. This felt more like lightning than a butterfly. My blush deepened, but I forced myself to keep talking.
"Are you here to see the flowers?" I asked. For not the first time, I cursed my sheltered upbringing. What on earth was I supposed to say to this man?!
The man glanced around him, as if he had forgotten we were in a forest. "Ah- yes," he replied quickly, his blue eyes meeting mine once again. "I miss the greenery of this place. I find it comforting to visit."
I smiled in reply, but had used up all my courage to talk. My eyes skittered downwards as I desperately tried to come up with something to say, hoping he'd either speak or leave before it became even more awkward.
The snap of a twig pulled me from my thoughts. The man had stepped forward, and stood only a pace or two away now. My heart was pounding wildly now as we stood there, each studying the other for a moment.
"I haven't seen you in this part of the forest before," he started. His voice was comforting and warm, like honey on a spring day.
I blinked at him twice before startling. "Oh! I'm sorry," I apologized with an awkward laugh. "I am Kore," I introduced quickly. "I- I haven't really been this far into the forest before." I paused for a minute, trying to keep it together. "And- and you are?"
The corner of the man's mouth twitched upward. I was sure he was going to tease me for my less than stellar social skills..but instead, he took me by surprise and bowed.
I blinked in surprise. I had seen others bow to Mother before, and everyone bowed to Zeus when it was official business, but I had never had someone show me that kind of respect before.
"Thank you," He started, his eyes flickering up to meet mine. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Kore." He didn't offer an introduction for himself.
Another long and awkward silence stretched between us as the man seemed to struggle with what to say. I fidgeted with my skirt, giving a shy nod in reply.
"I'd like to see you again, but I can't stay anymore today," he started hesitantly as he straightened. "I can come back at anytime to meet you, if it would suit you."
A thrill went up my spine. He was saying he wanted to see me again? This man wasn't rude or brash like Ares or my father. He seemed..gentle, and far more polite.
"I have to follow my mother's schedule," I admitted, my cheeks turning red. "Not that I'm a child," I hurriedly explained, "But she's- she's just really strict. But I bet that I can convince her to let me come back tomorrow," I finished hastily.. "If the heavens will it. If not then, then sometime within the next seven days, I'm sure."
I wanted to smack myself. That had to be the most pathetic excuse in the world- and it made me sound like an absolute child to boot.
The man chuckled before taking me by surprise once again and taking my hand. I had to look up to meet his eyes as he took a step closer. My breath hitched- we were standing right before each other. "Lady Kore," He started, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Don't be shy. I know your mother well, and I am aware of her...protective nature over you. If you could come tomorrow," he continued, his voice growing a bit softer, "I would very much enjoy that."
I startled- where his ears turning red? Did he feel as out of place as me?
My eyes widened as he tightened his grip on my hand, just a bit. "But if you can't come tomorrow," he continued, not meeting my eyes now as his cheeks tinged red, "Then I'll come back every day until you can come back."
I stared at him in surprise. "You'd wait for me?" I asked incredously, tilting my head to try and meet his eyes.
His gaze met mine, suddenly piercing as a smile turned his lips up. "As long as it took," he replied.
Just then, Demeter's voice was heard across the way. "Kore? Kore! Come out little one, it's time to go!"
I jumped in surprise, my hand startling out of his as I whirled around. Of all the horrible timing! I cleared my throat, trying not to sound nervous. "Coming Mother!" I called before turning to look at the man.
He was obviously amused, but just gave another bow. "Go on," He instructed. "I'd hate to meet Demeter's wrath." His eyes twinkled mischeviously.
I gave a hasty nod before turning and dashing off. As I reached the treeline, I turned back, my eyes scanning the trees until I spotted the man where I had left him. A grin spread across my face as I waved, turning away and running into the clearing where Mother waited before I could see his response.
"Did you have a nice time?" Mother asked as I climbed into the chariot. I nodded, trying to keep myself contained and calm.
"It was nice," I replied lamely, turning my attention towards waving goodbye to the nymphs as we took off, grateful Mother couldn't see my lingering blush
AI returned, I wasn't quite so obedient. My thoughts were straying from flowers and spring, from my nymph friends and from Mother to the most beautiful and striking color of aquamarine she had ever seen, and a small smile, that, for some reason, I really wanted to see again.
For the first time ever, I actually wished that Mother would really bring me back to the meadow tomorrow.