Page 55 of Guided by the Stars
What do these boys go through? Last night was proof enough, these markings are just scratching the surface of the daily agony these gods inflict on each other. With effort, I prevent the tears from falling and move closer to Alexius. “How many times does this happen?”
Alexius stands rigid, frustration seeping from every strained muscle in his body. By his avoidant look alone, it’s clear he doesn’t want this conversation, or at least not with me. But I refuse to be kept in the dark. I turn my attention to Daemyn. “How many times? And what the hell type of peacocks does Olympus have?”
At Alexius’ lack of communication, Daemyn rolls his eyes and explains, “Hera’s choice of animal is a peacock. Not just any, but the ones she breeds herself. She tends to them proudly, feeding them the blood of her once-loyal servant.” If he saw my eyes bulging out to that comment, he didn’t bother to acknowledge it. “Her peacocks are strong and designed to become her eyes whenever she needs them. Just like her servant was.”
“She rips off their feathers and bleeds the peacock out, then uses that to scorch into our blood.” My stomach turns with Alexius’ sudden, disturbing input. “She’s discovered that by searing that blood in, she has more influence over howshe wants her mind games to work. It gives her the power to control a person’s mind.”
Daemyn pinches his nose between his eyes and then nods towards Alexius. “Right. And this time she’s learned how to make it last longer and further away. Somehow, she’s able to let her electricity burn you repeatedly and still control you from as far away as the Halls. She must have laced it with something.” Daemyn nods in agreement to his own thoughts and questions, “Any idea?”
“I don’t really know. I was in the Feast Hall with Zeus. My orders were to stand as his keeper…” he trails off, clearing his throat, “as he was becoming familiar with a few nymphs. Hera jetted out of the corners with the damn feather already grasped in her hand. She convinced Zeus with a simple bat of her eyes that it was my fault she had to bear witness to his,” again his eyes darted to mine, before continuing “conquering another creature. She must have snuck in prior.”
“Wait, you were in the room when he was…you know…with…what type of creature?” The warmth of my cheeks spreads with the failed attempt to stop my mouth from blurting that question out.
What the hell overcomes these gods?
Both boys chuckle at my expense, but seeing the small amusement in Alexius’ eyes was worth it. “Yes, Nora. It was an irrelevant water nymph that Poseidon brought with him.”
Growing more serious, his voice lowers as he redirects his sole attention to Daemyn, “Point is, Hera was ready. Zeus struck me without remorse. Next thing I felt was the chains pinning me facedown on the table as her hands made their way over my body.”
Fuck that bitch!
Jealousy, completely out of place, flies through me. Before I can ask anything about her hands, Daemyn jumps in, refocusing my thoughts on the genuine issue. “Think about it. You had to have seen stuff. I’m guessing this was in her garden, like that one time?”
That one time?
Alexius closes his eyes several times, creases lining his forehead as he concentrates. “She had the typical stuff. Some petals, the jagged chains, blood, and some potions. I’m sure she got those from Persephone.” Then, as if remembering something, he shakes his head with an annoyed chuckle. “The bitch went out to her pond and came back with a set of lotus flowers, roots and all. She’s warned me about it before.”
“Fuck, we can’t have any more mistakes. Check the room next time.” Daemyn’s voice is lined with annoyance, but his face softens when he turns back, looking into my confused eyes. “The lotus flower re-blooms on its own, but the roots in her pond are what anchor it and allow it to regenerate.”
Knots line my stomach at the memory of seeing him in pain, those roots capturing hold of his mind, transforming him into a being he loathes. With a step forward, I place my hands on his chest, needing to touch him, wanting to remind him that that’s not who he is. Before words can even leave my mouth, he lowers his head towards me with an intense darkness blazing behind those blue eyes of his. “Look Nora, steer clear of me, of all of this.” His voice raises in anger as he continues, “I’m not a prince in shining armor or whatever the fuck you are looking for here. This is our fucked-up life, our reality—”
Daemyn pushes his way between us, placing me behind him in protection, while putting his hand against Alexius’ shoulder in warning. “Back the fuck off right now. You’restepping over a line.” Alexius’ hands ball into a fist, and I shrink back as they engage in a silent stare-down, looking ready to tackle each other.
In defeat, Alexius’ nose flares while he shakes his head. “Everything around us is dark, filled with torment and looking to destroy anything beautiful. I don’t want that for you. If you’re smart, keep your distance and avoid knowing our world,” he spits out, his voice laced with disgust, before storming out the back door.
Daemyn’s heavy sigh gives away his irritation, but he gives me that sweet, comforting smile. “Don’t let him get to you.” His hand reaches for my wrist and he picks it up with care. “He’s pissed you got caught in the crossfire. These bruises…make him right. Our world is dangerous.” His head dips lower and his soft lips come to my wrist, giving me a kiss on each bruise.
***
Alexius headed straight to the shower after his workout, avoiding me altogether for yet another day. Every time he sees my wrists, he draws himself further away. Of course Daemyn is caught between us, standing strong by my side. With a bit of guilt, I knowingly took advantage of this today when I asked to sit outside for a while. Without hesitation, he brought me some tea and left me to my thoughts.
I know in time I’ll go in, but it’s nice to enjoy the peace of the trees swaying in the breeze. Stress just keeps building. It’s been a few days since Hera’s so-called games and although Daemyn has tried to explain most of it, I’m still tossing and turning at night, reliving it. Even the cracked door isn’t helping. It petrified me that one or both of them could have died.Daemyn assures me it is close to impossible, but the images of their bodies laying limp that night have struck fear in me.
The worst part is knowing that one way or another, I will have to lose them.
Frustrated with myself and the thoughts crossing my mind, I get up and walk towards one of the apple trees I’ve been admiring. The branches are low enough that I can step up on my toes and pick a red apple, reminding me of Adriane.
One year we had this bright idea to go apple picking. When we got to the orchard, we ran in all full of excitement only to discover that we were too short to reach half of the trees. Lucky for us, Adriane was determined and ended up finding a hot, bulky guy to lift us. He ended up staying with us, shamelessly flirting all day. I still don’t know if she ended up having sex with him in that orchard or not, but that’s the beauty of Adriane, when she wants something or someone, she isn’t hesitant to tell them. She also has no problem telling them no. If she were here, maybe she could clear my head with this hot and cold mess that the Beast inside gives me.
With a sad sigh, I pull the apple towards my mouth, ready to take a bite, when my body stiffens and my eyes bulge in fear. “No!” I yelp at the sound of a buzz and I freak out, dropping the apple.
Just as I do, a huge, nope, correction, gigantic evil wasp lands on my hand and I lose any rational control. Panic sets in, and I squeal and dart around, looking like a buffoon dashing around in circles, but I don’t care. The buzzing increases and in my panic, I let out a shrill shriek and continue to run towards what I hope is the house.
Without looking, I crash into a solid wall. It’s warm, and it wraps arms tightly around my waist, and the smell of fresh rain washes over me. Alexius places his hands against bothof my cheeks, lifting my head so my face tilts up to his. He asks urgently, “What happened?”
When I can’t answer, he rubs my arms and looks my body up and down with genuine concern. Daemyn, one step behind Alexius, asks “Are you hurt?” I shake my head, breathing in and out heavily.
Alexius pulls me into his chest, letting my head rest and my breathing return to normal. When I feel calm enough, I stare into his stormy eyes and apologize, “Sorry, it was a bee. I hate them.” I’m not allergic or anything, they just scare the crap out of me. Always have.
