Chapter Text
I stare out the large window that looks out into the rest of the Underworld. I fiddle with my ring, lost in thought.
"Hey," I hear. Apollo comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me. I feel him lean down and press a kiss to my shoulder. "What is it, my love?"
"I do not like how I feel here," I murmur. I frown to myself. "This place...it makes me uneasy. Anxious. Afraid." I feel him nod against me, listening intently. "What did Hades mean, Apollo? When he said I was one of the Moirai now?"
He nuzzles against my neck. "You have their authority now. You speak for them. You are their voice."
"It is dangerous," I mutter. He hums.
"Perhaps," he replies. He kisses my neck. "Come, my love. Let us take a bath. It will help you rest."
I nod. I release a breath that had been sitting heavily in my chest.
"With jasmine oil?" I ask hopefully. Apollo chuckles.
"Yes, of course."
He steps away from me to prepare the bath. While he does that, I busy myself with undoing my hair. I place the pins on the table, and I unweave the braids.
"Love, that is my job," Apollo pouts as he comes up behind me. I grin at his reflection and lower my hands. I can smell the jasmine in the steaming water.
Apollo works nimbly and quickly to finish undoing my hair. When he finishes, he removes my necklace and carefully sets it on the dressing table. Then, he kneels before me, takes my hands, and gently removes each ring.
"Imagine my shock if I had been told six months ago that this would be happening," I muse aloud. I smile to myself, and Apollo's blue eyes flick up to meet mine. He smirks.
"Imagine mine," he jokes. I laugh. "I mean it. I have never once doubted your devotion to me, sweet girl, but a man cannot always know for certain if his affections are returned. This is especially frightening when it comes to bonds such as ours."
"I certainly hope you know for certain now," I say softly. He nods. He brings my hand to his lips and kisses it.
"I do." He presses my palm to his cheek, and my heart melts. It is such an endearing sight to see my husband, my lord, my god knelt before me, gazing up at me as if I hung the stars in the sky. "My darling wife, I do know it."
"Do you ever wish I were still your priestess?" I ask curiously. He hums. My fingertips graze his hairline, and he lets out a noise akin to a purr at my touch.
After a moment of thoughtful contemplation, he answers, "No. I much prefer having you as my wife." He smiles. "You were a perfect priestess, utterly flawless in every way. But then...there was a space between us that I detested. I felt the distance kept me from loving you as you deserve."
His eyes trail to the embroidery on my gown, little suns hidden amongst the other patterns. He continues after a moment, saying, "Now...I am able to have you as I have always desired. For the first time in my infinite existence, I am free."
Free.
This life, bound to Apollo, has been nothing but freedom. His favor has made me untouchable, revered, held sacred as a holy vessel. His ichor has made me untouchable, infinite, powerful beyond anything I ever could have dreamt. I am safe. I am free to love and be loved as any daughter of Aphrodite should. I have bliss on Delos with my husband for eternity. I have everything. I am happy, and I am free.
It is somehow even more liberating and exhilarating to know Apollo's heart is consumed just as mine is.
"Shall we go to the bath, husband?" I ask, keeping my voice low. I let my fingers comb through Apollo's hair. His eyes spark.
"My wife will never be denied," he grins widely, suddenly scooping me into his arms.
I let out a surprised yelp at his quick movements. He carries me with an effortless ease, and he rids us of our clothing just as simply. He sinks into the tub, positioning me so I might rest against his chest.
I let out a deep sigh of comfort as the hot, fragrant water surrounds me. I hold lightly to Apollo's muscular arm that is draped around me. I cannot stop myself from yawning.
"This is what you needed, hm?" Apollo coos. He leans down to press a few soft kisses to my neck. A moan slips from my lips as I tilt my head to give better access. "Good. Relax, darling." I feel his free hand slowly trail down my arm. "My sweet girl."
"Apollo," I breathe out.
"Soon enough, everything will be back to normal," he promises. "We will be home, just you and I."
"And your mother," I giggle. I can nearly hear it when he rolls his eyes.
"Yes, and Mother," he says with a laugh.
"And Artemis at times."
"Darling!" he whines.
I grin widely, laughing at his frustration, and he hugs me even tighter as he leans down to kiss me.
•••••
The moon bleeds, bathing me in crimson and drowning me in tainted starlight. The air is cold and stale. I look up at the sky and find the light streams in through a window carved into the ceiling.
The crypt is silent. My heart is pounding against my ribcage, but I cannot even hear that. An altar carved from obsidian sits obscured by shadows, and I cannot quite make out what sits as a sacrifice.
I flinch awake. I blink a few times, clearing out the haze from my eyes.
I only relax when I feel Apollo tug me closer to him. He presses a few soft, sleepy kisses to my shoulder.
"You had a dream," he guesses, his voice giving away his languid state. I nod. "Was it anything pressing?"
I reach to hold his hand where it rests upon me. I sigh.
"I do not know," I admit. I sink closer to him. I would let him swallow me whole if it would be possible. "Probably. But it was nothing helpful. Not yet."
"Give it time. You will see it," he assures me. "You always do."