LYSSANDRA

  You were about to tell me your name

  A friend,

  My name is Paris.

  He gave me the sweetest apple just for me. He healed me, he threatened me, and then he kissed me.

  I was sent here by the king's father.

  Pay.

  This was a mistake.

  When I was a child, I was standing at the feet of the statue, tapping my fingers on the marble and trying to make a song for him, to please him. Maybe he would come down from Olympus and talk to me, at least notice me. His turning just to punish me was never what I dreamed of. And yet, his plans seemed to go slower. Why wasn’t I dead and gone? Or at least tortured by him?

  What was I to him?

  The cage was cold. No sunlight was getting in from the window. I could see how close the stars were at my grasp, my freedom so near/ But if I were to fall, I would never get up from the cold, harsh ground. I was trying to ask for help, but none came from the room. A man was entering the room with a wide smile. How beautiful he was, how soft his kisses were, I just wanted to be locked there with him forever.

  ‘’What am I saying?’’I muttered as the man tossed me onto a heavy bed. I could not move as he moved close to me with a sweet smile.

  ‘’You are all mine’’The deer boy’s voice echoed to my ear.’’You won’t leave, will you?’’

  ‘’I do not want this.’’ I shut my gaze and I tried to push him away, and I began running outside the door. But I could not open it. Not when I was still in the cage, and I was watching the man leave. No, how could it happen? I was just at… and the man opened the door once again and smiled at him and smiled back to admire him, to tell him how great and beautiful he was. No, I did not want this.

  I tried to escape again, only to end up in the cold golden cage. Was I losing my mind? I looked around to see that I was outside a garden that was filled with statues. Statues of men who were dressed in purple, statues of women who had plants around their limbs. And right close to me, there was a statue of a woman with curly hair whose eyes were plucked out. All of the statues are looking up in agony with their limbs shackled with the stars. I was about to pity them, only to realize that their hands were dressed exactly like that. All pretty stars enslave me down, and end up in agony for none to ever see me again.

  I do not want this. I do not want this.

  ‘’Being loved by a god?’’A voice asked right behind my ear.

  ‘’This isn’t love’’I whispered.

  ‘’Gods and mortals love so different’’Her voice was harsh as if she had choked on small, sharp rocks.

  ‘’Mortals want, need, gods conquer.’’

  ‘’I do not want to be like them’’I said, looking at the woman with her eyes out.

  The woman let out a laugh.’’But you will be,’’ Her long, cold fingers found my throat, giving me one more shackle, making it difficult to breathe.

  ‘’Unless…’’ Her lips muttered, and looking down at the grass, I found two long snakes moving at my side.

  ‘’You kill him.’’

  I turned back to see who was talking, only for her to fly higher, to hide in one of the trees. Her pitch wings were in terrible condition, with half of them cut and the other bitten, with golden liquid falling from her light purple skin.

  ‘’I tried for years, it doesn’t seem to work’’I admitted, and the woman shrieked.

  ‘’Do not think so little, Lyssandra.’’

  I replied with a narrow gaze at her, but the woman now showed me that in her shaking hand, there was a strange black bottle.

  Such a strange object that she was holding.

  ‘’What is this?’’ I asked, and the woman smiled widely.

  ‘’Power of the gods’’She frowned.’’Well, how to defeat them, weaken them, and even’’

  ‘’It’s Typhon’s blood, isn’t it?’’I asked with a frown and the woman seemed pissed.

  ‘’No wonder he likes you’’She rasped.

  I knew enough about Typhon and how he was defeated. And that if I were even just breathing the same air as him, I would die.

  ‘’I am no fool, it will kill me too’’

  And then, the two snakes showed me down to the ground a small brown root.

  ‘’Eat this’’The woman’s voice echoed to my ear.’’And this poison won’t harm you’’

  I got on my knees and grasped the strange root, feeling how harsh it was. Did she say she wanted me to eat that root?

  ‘’You are giving me this to kill him’’’I muttered.’’Why?’’

  The woman laughed.’’I am not giving them to you to kill him, Lyssandra’’Her body finally fell to the floor, and I could see her perfectly. She was shorter than I, with plump curves and shoulders. Her hair, pitch black, stuck to her sweaty purple brow. Her body was heavily wounded, with golden liquid dripping from her marks. And her round eyes had the bright shade of the yellow sun as her golden lips made a smile at me.

  ‘’I am giving them to you’’Her hand moved to my side, handing me the thin black bottle. ‘’To stay alive.

  Drowning in the bathhouse was not something that I was expecting to happen. Drowning was not my way of death. My lungs were filled with the scent and hot water, my throat all tied up, as my eye rolled back. When I found the strength, I got out to find a grasp of air. My hand touched the marble floor and got rid of all the water. How easily it could make your mind numb, forget what you were doing, where you were, who you… My eye found two objects right in front of me. An old brown root and a pitch black bottle. Finally touching the bottle, I could see how it was made from a strange material. It was not thick, but so thin that it could crash in a moment. Cold like snow, as the part that was filled with the liquid was heavily cold. And at the top of the bottle, it was sealed with a well-crafted crystal in the shade of the night.

  So, I was not dreaming.

  And that meant that Paris was…him.

  Disguising himself, gaining my trust, his lips all so closed.

  This was a mistake. He once muttered. And I could now agree with him.

  ‘’Oh, it is all scary’’ I said, looking down at the small puppy. His legs were trembling with the golden coat that was all so filthy.

  ‘’You think that he was a family?’’ Adamantious asked, and I tried to pick the pup up. But when I even tried to touch it, his white teeth bit my finger. So, he doesn’t like strangers. At least his teeth weren’t sharp enough yet and didn’t make me bleed. But how did a puppy like him end up outside the temple?

  Me and Myrto tried to bathe him even if he was struggling, while Leon and Deimaria found food that could be swallowed easily. Then, there was a piece of fabric and the remaining milk we had. Now, feeding the little puppy with the milk made me realize how cute the mut actually was. Almost made me forget last night’s incident. It was him from the start. Was it all a trick for punishment? And why is it always now? Why couldn’t he appear years ago? All this because of a stupid farmer. He was tricking me, playing me like a fool while he…

  His lips were so close-

  And the ending of mine too. I am giving them to you to stay alive.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  I shook my head and moved the mut near the statue of Apollo, and I walked back to my room.

  The solstice was in two days, so I had to actually prepare. And that meant…study. The movements of the priest were precise and in perfect detail. The words that I would say were a few, but had to be clear and honest. So, I had to work telling the truth. The others kept me company, even the guards tried to teach me how to stand in a perfect royal posture, and gave me different chitons to wear.

  ‘’King Perseus command’’Makardios explained as he showed me a sky blue dress with golden threads. The king’s colors were blue and black, strong and steady for the admirers. But mine were not like this. What was I supposed to wear?

  And then, Myrto showed me a bright white dress, gold around the waist, and underneath, there was a light yellow garment. I have seen priests in a lot of temples wearing them, even Dion a few times, so I suppose it would be the right choice.

  ‘’This will do’’I showed Macardious, whose expression grew worried.’’Those are Apollo’s colors’’He reminded me.

  I nodded slowly while Tirgan jumped from right behind me and formed a fake smile.’’Let’s give you something else’’

  ‘’That’s the fifth fig you just ate’’Adamantious scolded me near the stove. I looked at him with anger and took one more bite, tasting the sweet juice of the fig around my teeth. I haven’t seen so many servants and soldiers gathered in one place in years. All preparing me for the solstice as if it were a moment that will happen once in someone’s lifetime. Maybe Perseus was trying to show an example to the people, but why? I took one more fig as I was tapping my fingers nervously. I could not figure out the king’s intentions, as I really thought that he would just leave and continue his conquest with his lovely wife at his side.

  But now, I could see his two guards continue talking to my people while they were petting the mut who was trying to leave. His bright blue eyes were wide, staring at me. For a strange reason, just that single stare of that dog made me uneasy. As if he were born with disgust for me and just me.

  On the day of the solstice, I was dressed in the first layer of gold, and the second was a shade of dark blue with bright bracelets on my hands and neck. Servant girls came from Perseus’ house and were to paint my face, but one look at my characteristics, they looked about to cry.

  So my gaze turned to Myrto, who was smiling gently.

  ‘’Oracle, it is better’’Tirgan tried to whisper to my ear as if he were an advisor to me.’’To not disobey the king’s orders.’’

  Makardios was standing right next to him, trying to explain better. ‘’ The servants know how to deal with cosmetics like this.’’

  ‘’So, is it natural for their hands to shake just by looking at my face?’’

  Neither of them spoke, and the servant girls looked all ashamed.’’I want my people to take care of me.’’My gaze fell back to Myrto, and I smiled at her.

  So she prepared me gently by whitening my face enough but not enough to look like a stranger. My cheeks and lips are painted in pomegranate, figs, and wine. And all the time she was preparing me, my mind returned to Paris. I wanted to be angry at him, but all this wrath wore out. Why now? Because I was important to him, I brought him shame. When I was just a mere follower, he didn’t even bother. And if he wanted, I would end up like another example, a lesson for future mortals. Here is Lyssandra, Apollo’s pet, who tried to make a name by using lies and blood.

  Made me sick to my stomach.

  ‘’Are you alright?’’ Myrto asked me curiously, and I lied by nodding a yes.

  After she finally did my curls half tied up with blue ribbons and the rest down to my shoulders, a veil was put upon my head. When I walked out, everyone was waiting for me with bright torches and smiles. Some of them were warm, others forced. So, I let out a prayer to the goddess of Earth, Demeter, to give everyone a great harvest and protection. And the walking began in the village.

  I wish that Thais were here with me. I could remember last year's solstice, where we were drinking and feasting the day before, while Myrto was turning all red after the first sip. I missed when my mind was not in full panic and worrying about everything. Then again, when wasn’t my mind like that?

  Finally, we were at the altar of the center of the village. I could see from inside some houses, women with drunken smiles, while the men were holding the torches and at the bright white altar with statues of the gods all around. And for the sacrifice, between the two torches, there was Python’s head. His eyes all gouged out, with some scales missing, the poison becoming a lake around the altar. My teeth were chattering with fear as I watched everyone smiling at the scene of the snake. Will this be the right offer? And right near the great house, there was Perseus and his wife, standing all great and tall with a pair of bracelets, dressed in dark purple scales.

  Why was I so afraid of this? My heart raced as I realized I had to chant. I thanked the gods, I thanked Demeter once more, giving the grain from the farmers, a white milk bull for Poseidon, and Dionysus grape vines, and Alexious lit incense. One more god. I had to make it quick. One more god. I was a priestess of Apollo, an oracle, so it was obvious what to say. And there was the son of the king of the gods standing in front of me. Tirgan and Makardious explained to me that I should thank his father, giving him the sacrifice of the snake. I knew what he wanted me to do. Everyone was looking at me.

  Thank you, Father. I had to say. But I did not.

  Adamantious handed me over a torch, and as Myrto placed the oil on Python’s body, I muttered.

  ‘’Pythius’’My voice was now echoing through the silence. And I was trying to ignore each gaze that was falling like a knife on my back. And that pain on my chest as I was calling his titles. ‘’Patron of foresight, almighty Phoebus.’’

  He punished his enemy by forcing him to be his child. Making sure he cannot do anything else but love and respect him.

  ‘’THYMBRAEUS, we are thanking you for your protection and guidance by giving you your enemy, your love and respect.‘’

  I did not want my ending to be crafted by him.

  My limbs were shaking like leaves. And the fire fell to the snake, lighting the fire so bright that even the eyes could see from above. The bright lights were playing around the sunset, and everyone began to celebrate slowly. But my body was being electrified with the hair on my arms moving up like needles.

  Turning back, I found Tirgan looking at me worried, with his hand moving and laughing right on his neck. But even with my people giving me smiles and gratitude, there was Perseus who was staring at me with a steady, empty gaze.

  I was ready to step away as I was looking at the people now beginning to roast the bull and little boys dancing around the burning snake. But Adara’s hand caught my arm.

  Her eyes looked worried and yet confused.’’The king wants to talk to you’’She whispered.

  When did she find the time to appear so fast?

  When I found the king, I kneeled down and pushed my veil lower. His wife seemed to walk inside the room, and it was for the better as his gaze could bring a strong pressure to anyone’s bones.

  ‘’Why did you not pray to my father?’’He asked.’’Even if I called my people to explain what you will have to do?’’

  I kept looking down as I was explaining myself.

  ‘’Each sacrifice was meant for a specific God.’’Take a deep breath, do not sound like you are afraid that he will kill you too.’’Giving the snake to the all-father would be blasphemy to my god.’’

  His brow arched, and I tried to look down again.’’And if I let the sacrifice as an offering to the all-father, even your Grace won’t be safe.’’

  That pinched his hubris as his eyes snapped now wide open. Well, my end was better than what a certain bright god was planning for me.

  And then, the king let out a laugh so loud that it made me feel that I had died and resurrected once again.

  ‘’You always say what you believe?’’ Asked the king gently.

  I remained silent with the man now turning to Adara, who was holding a big old chest.

  ‘’So you passed my test’’He muttered.’’I did not tell the others cause I do not trust them, but you…’’

  He opened the chest and showed me a golden necklace with a crest of his name and a bright eagle.

  My eye opened wide.

  ‘’Is that your…’’I tried to speak.

  ‘’You will come with me to my kingdom’’He announced.’’Be my new oracle, my new priestess.’’

  Twelve figs after, and I still could not believe those words that he said.

  I want my kingdom to become well-known to the world. And I need someone with your guidance, with your words to help me.

  ‘’But you already have an oracle’’

  And she sent me to you.

  Now the temple was filled with gold and jewels that we didn’t know what to do with. I might buy a kingdom with them, make statues of myself. Myrto already picked bright necklaces with red stones engraved on them, while Alexious and Leon picked two bright blades. Deimaria did not seem that interested while Adamantious was trying to hold his shock at all the riches.

  Tomorrow at noon, I am leaving. We will come from the temple to take you if you are not there, it is fine, you can keep the gifts that I will send you.

  When I told the others about the offer and showed the thin gold necklace, everyone agreed to the offer.

  Well…

  I was back in my room with Adamantious following me. ‘’You will tell him no, correct?’’

  What? My gaze shifted to him.’’You can’t be serious’’

  ‘’We have protection, money,’’ He walked closer to me and he cupped my face.’’We can finally stop.’’ His touch felt so warm and safe.

  Safety. He always knew how to make me feel safe. No, it wasn’t safety. It was keeping me in a place.

  ‘’Will you follow me?’’I asked him gently.’’If I went with the king?’’

  His eyes flickered with that question. He exhaled heavily and kept silent. So, that was it. I could have seen it. He wanted protection. I wanted respect. We could not have it when we were both side by side.

  I nodded slowly and watched him walk away, restraining every bit of emotion. He followed me. He always followed me because he wanted to protect me. And I cannot believe that I did not want it. Was I going mad?

  I tried to look around, and my eyes found the black artifact and the root that woman gave me in that dream.

  So you can stay alive.

  Love, respect.

  The sun was about to fall when I was going out with my long green dress and my hands free from any jewelry. And inside my bag, there was a gift and a curse.