Aphrodite 

The daily gathering of Olympians had been cut short today. No doubt. it was due to one of Zeus's many "emergencies," as he called them. Though, everyone was well aware that it most likely involved one of his many lovers. It was that very fact that always made me pity Queen Hera.

Though, the expressionless look on her face simply told me that she would not appreciate such sympathies. It was seeing the way that the queen carried herself, because of which, I had learned not to concern myself too deeply with the king and queen’s matters. It was much safer to remain as neutral as possible. At least on the outside. 

Apart from that, I was quite happy that our meeting had ended so soon. I found these daily gatherings to be utterly tedious and tiring. It consisted of nothing more than Zeus singing his praises anyway. And to the extent that would make even Narcissus seem humble.

I had come to the heavens with such high hopes. I had hoped to touch the heavens' beauty that I had heard so much of. But more importantly, I had hoped to gain the love of a father.

But all such dreams had shattered as soon as I had come to Olympus. I had been a naive fool to not realize the harsh truths. I was simply nothing more than one of the many illegitimate children that Zeus had begotten and abandoned.

Athena was the only child the king truly cherished. And after the goddess of war, Zeus only held his children with queen Hera to be of most importance. But Zeus still did not fawn over Ares and his two sisters, the way he did with Athena.

It was because of this, that I still did not understand why Zeus had given me a placement in Olympus.

I was not powerful like Apollo nor glorious like Artemis. I was also not useful like Hermes. And I was not a leverage the way Dionysus was for Zeus to use against the dark god. It was certain that Zeus had not held any love for my mother the way he did for Athena's mother. And there was nothing that I could do, that the Queen already could not. And Queen Hera would probably perform the tasks better than I could ever hope to. 

But now it was impossible to go back to my childhood home. The only place I had known any familial love. I badly wanted to return to my home. To the sea where my mother and sisters were. But Zeus undoubtedly would take it as a great insult if I were to abandon the position he had so "graciously" granted me.

Still, it was not completely unbearable as I saw my closest friend waiting for me at the entrance of my palace. Ariadne had become such a warm existence for me in this disingenuous place.

“I did not see you in the hall today?” I asked as I got closer to her. The look of distaste on her face was not hard to miss, “He never changes. What is the point?" My friend was referring to the king's indiscretions. Ariadne found Zeus' habit of deserting his kingly duties to fornicate utterly disturbing. 

She was very firm in her belief that if anyone willingly signed up for something, they should perform their duties. Despite the strange phrasing I had both understood her meaning and agreed with her sentiments.

“At this point, I simply do not understand the queen. If it had been anyone else, they would have already resigned themself to her husbands' infidelities.” I did not mean to criticize the queen, but her actions truly did not match her heart. She acted like a jealous wife even if she held no love for her husband. It just seemed so exhausting. 

"Be careful of what you say about the queen Dite." My friend warned, even if we had already entered the safety of my palace and had neared towards my salon. Ariadne knew what I was thinking as she continued. “It just seems too careless to underestimate the queen.” Her words were completely true. 

Zeus may hold the highest status in Olympus. But that was about it. Undeniably, the real power lay within the queen’s hands. It was Queen Hera who saw to the daily functions of Olympus. And almost all the beings who resided here went to the queen first, before the matter may even be brought up in front of Zeus. And if an issue was ever brought to Zeus's attention, the king only heard and saw what the queen approved of. 

He only ever saw what she wanted him to see. 

It was so plain to see just how capable and fearsome Queen Hera was. Perhaps the arrogance that was undoubtedly prevalent in Zeus's blood, made it difficult for him and most of his children to accept this very obvious fact.

"You are correct," I replied in answer as I put the thoughts of my father and the queen to the side. “So any particular reason Dionysus did not attend today."

No one else in Olympus would have dared to ask Ariadne about her husband. Her status as the goddess of poisons and officially the daughter-in-law of the dark rulers made everyone keep their distance from her. 

But as her closest friend, her only friend. We quite literally ended up sharing almost everything. Even the painful things we may desperately want to avoid thinking about. 

“He was summoned to the Underworld. It did not seem like even he knew why he was being summoned,” she stated in her detached demeanor that she always tended to employ when speaking about her husband.

Not that you would have bothered asking even if it seemed otherwise, I thought quietly.

“You have to admit that it is surprising since Persephone will still be here for a while yet." I had heard the rumors about how things were strained between Persephone and King Hades ever since Dionysus's birth. Though, that was to be expected considering who had fathered the wine god.

“I like to keep myself out of their matters unless Dionysus drags me into it for some reason.'' Ariadne shrugged as she finally settled onto the settee opposite of me.

“It is just so unfortunate what King Hades and Persephone had to go through.” 

It was almost tragic to see a truly loving couple be so utterly destroyed because of someone else's selfishness. It may not be obvious to most. But as the goddess of love, I could never miss a pair bonded by their souls. And the dark king and queen were one of the few pairs who shared a true fated love between them.

“You simply feel too much Dite.” She smiled fondly which let me know she did not mean to chide me. “But the royal triad does not need our concern. I would go as far as to even say that they would not even appreciate receiving concern from lowly beings like us.” She said with a far-away look.

If it had been anyone else, I would have assumed that they were bitter. But in moments like this, I could only see an inexplicable pain in my friend's eyes. It made her seem older than her years. “You have such an ancient air about you sometimes, Ari." 

She simply smiled before a mischievous glint entered her eyes, “The real issue lays with your own young heart Dite.” She sighed dramatically before continuing, “ I can not help but wonder what you will do if you end up with someone as boring as Prometheus.” The imp chuckled merrily as my face turned red.

One day we ended up discussing the kind of males we found attractive. And Ariadne had been genuinely surprised that I found none of my Olympian brethren were appealing. Ares's brawn was simply put, too daunting. Apollo admittedly was beautiful, but his character was too similar to our father. And Hermes was too youthful.

The only gods who had captivated me so far were Prometheus and King Hades. Though, I had not dared voice my admiration for her father-in-law. Both were highly intelligent and good-looking. Though the dark king was by far the most breathtaking god I had ever seen. No one, except perhaps Poseidon was that handsome. But there was something about the two brothers that made them even more enthralling than their visage alone.

Still the point being, as someone who was highly emotional and admittedly naive at times, I ironically found myself madly attracted to the beings who were intelligent and logical.  Cold and distant even, rather than the flattery some gods and goddesses resorted to. 

“Prometheus is not boring. He only ever had a preference for peace. A brilliant mind like his must need to ruminate a lot.” At this point, I was not sure if I was defending Prometheus's reputation or my fascination with someone like him. 

I had felt such affinity with Prometheus, that for one blinding second, I had been mistaken into thinking that he was the one. It had only made me more wistful for the time when I would finally chance upon my fated. At times, it seemed as if the long wait was slowly chipping away at my sanity. 

"I honestly cannot wait for the day when you finally will fall in love Dite. I can only imagine how protective you would be for your own if you are so defensive for someone you barely know." 

"Are you that amused by my desperation Ariadne?" I asked her archly, as I moved to pluck a few grapes arranged on my side table. She shrugged as she also took some of the fruit. "I only have you to live vicariously through." 

"You liar. What about that handsome Theseus? He seemed quite taken with you." And of course who would not be? Ariadne was stunning with her dark curls and her radiant complexion. There was a time when she had tempted even me with her beauty. 

"He may be handsome on the outside. But he is nothing but a selfish swine." From the expression on her face and the way Ariadne crushed the grape in her hand, I could guess that she was imagining that it was her lover's very own head. 

"So may I presume your rendezvous with the mortal has come to an end." I made it sound as if it were a question, even if I already knew the answer. 

"Ha. I cannot believe that I am about to say this," Ariadne closed her eyes as she continued simply telling how much she was affected by this topic. "But getting rid of that pretentious hero is the one good thing my husband did for me." 

"Truly, Ariadne why have you never given Dionysus a true chance at being your husband?" I knew some of it had to do with the fact that she had been forced to marry my half-brother. But I could not help but wonder if there was something more to this than just that. Ariadne had a very strong sense of justice. There was no way she would blame Dionysus for something that he was an equal victim of. 

"Are you the only one allowed to wish for the one meant for you?" She asked a bit sharply. And while I was not the most astute, I could still read my friend well enough. And the fact that she was not meeting my eyes simply told me she was being dishonest. 

Even if it was not at all common for many of us to wait for our fated ones, I would still have believed her. But she had hoped to be with Theseus, who she had admitted had not been the one the fates had decided for her. 

I was not too sure, but I was beginning to suspect that while her indifferent facade for Dionysus while still strong on the outside, was crumbling from the inside. And I could guess that after the way her marriage had begun from the outset, she could only feel uncomfortable if she was softening towards Dionysus. 

Though, perhaps it was just the romantic in me being a bit fanciful. I was someone who lived for dramatic painful love stories.

"I only want you to be happy Ari," I said as I made my way towards her to hug her. Even if she were to fall in love with Dionysus, it would only be temporary for both of them. 

Because I had witnessed the utter agony and heartbreak lovers went through when one of them finally met their fated ones. It was not an easy dissolution no matter how the Olympians pretended otherwise. 

"I know Dite." She said softly as she returned my hug with more feeling than I had expected. 

And it was at that moment that I thought about my greatest secret, fear really. I was truly afraid that when I met my true mate, he would already be bonded to another in some fashion. I wish I could be one of those strong females who could simply forgive and accept it, but I knew it would hurt me tremendously.