My Life as Athena: The Private Memoirs of a Greek Goddess by Daphne Ignatius

Author:Daphne Ignatius [Ignatius, Daphne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-09-18T05:00:00+00:00

A Favor

Aphrodite was glowing when she showed up at my villa unexpectedly some time later. We had never become close, and the memory of my cutting her and my naked brother free of the net was something I was trying to forget.

“I have a favor to ask of you, Athena,” Aphrodite said as she stretched one golden arm languorously to take the cup of iced wine that Lito offered her. A favor… Interesting.

Born from Gaia’s first consort Ouranus, Aphrodite had the most impressive bloodline of all the Olympians. More than that, she was worshipped in equal measure by both men and women, an advantage that only she and Zeus enjoyed. Right now, though, she just looked like a glowing maiden, with nothing more taxing on her mind than the elegant draping of her rose-colored peplos over the slight bump in her midsection. No one mentioned her pregnancy out of sympathy, and I didn’t feel the need to do so, either.

“Three veiled figures visited my temple in Athens last night. It was the three Gorgon sisters: Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa,” she said. “They came to beg for my favor. The youngest, Medusa, is not immortal. Death will visit her at some point and before she ends, she wants to experience love and have children to leave a legacy.” Aphrodite gave me an intent look. “A very reasonable desire, but if you have seen her, you’ll realize the problem. She has a lovely face and body, but the snakes are a real issue. All hissing and darting about. Very distracting. And she has interesting eyes, but they are slit like a reptile’s, so I don’t think they will get her anywhere.”

I sat listening politely, thoroughly mystified as to what she needed from me. Aphrodite finally got to the point.

“I need you to transform her into a human beauty.” Ah. Gaia, couldn’t she have asked for something simpler?

“Aphrodite, my powers of transformation have increased over the centuries, but I have never tried it on another person. I don’t even know if it can be done.”

“Can you please try, at least?” Aphrodite pushed, surprising me with the depth of her intent. “This young Titan is asking for help, and even she is deserving of a chance at love. It would be a violation of my purpose to ignore her plea.”

I sat and considered. Only Zeus and I had the power of transformation, and having Aphrodite indebted to me could be useful.

“And who are you considering as a potential mate for her? Clearly, it can’t be a mortal.”

“Any of the young gods,” replied Aphrodite calmly, arranging one of the gold brooches on her shoulder. “Medusa will serve me as a handmaid, and I will gently nudge things in the right direction.”

“All right. I agree, but I can’t make any promises.” Aphrodite relaxed, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she gave me a delighted smile.

“Tonight, then. I’ll bring the sisters here.”

That night, Aphrodite and three veiled women entered my villa. I sent Iris and Lito out of the room, as I wasn’t sure if the Gorgon’s gaze would have an effect on them.

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