House of Thebes: The Beginning

“Are you ready to talk to my father?” I asked. “I mean, are you still planning to speak to him?”

“About your hand in marriage?” Cadmus asked, surprised. “Of course. I fully intend for you to be my wife, Harmonia.” He looked at me. “Did you think I had changed my mind?”

Maybe, I thought.

“No,” I answered aloud.

“Liar,” he grinned. “I was merely commenting on how you are more colorful than I anticipated you would be. I like it.”

I felt more relief with his words than I would ever admit.

“So, are you ready?” I asked instead. He nodded.

“Goddesses first,” he opened the door and stood to the side to allow me to pass. As I walked past him, he leaned in and inhaled.

“You smell good,” he whispered in my ear.

“It’s my natural scent,” I told him, aware that many mortals and even some goddesses wore perfume.

“I know,” he nodded. I felt myself flush again.

As we entered the dining hall, the Olympians and various other minor gods and goddesses were eating their breakfast, chatting and socializing. But one by one, as they noticed us, they stopped talking and watched us approach Ares. I could feel several dozen pairs of eyes upon me as we made our way across the room. It made me self-conscious, though I tried hard not to show it.

When we reached Ares, his dark eyes were twinkling.

That could be a good thing or a bad thing. It could mean that he was in a good mood and was inclined to be cooperative.

Or it could mean that he was inclined to give us a hard time for his personal entertainment. There was only one way to find out.

“Father,” I began.

“Ares,” Cadmus interrupted me, with a sideling glance.

I snapped my mouth closed. I had already forgotten that he had wanted to speak for himself. Color once again exploded into my cheeks and I realized that I had blushed more in the past few weeks than I had in my entire life.

“Yes?” Ares raised a dark eyebrow, waiting. I sighed. He was going to be difficult for his own amusement. I could tell already.

“Today marks the end of the eight years that I was sentenced to serve you,” Cadmus began. “It has been so much more interesting than I would ever have thought before and I am surprised to find that I consider you a friend now. I respect you and I value your opinion and insight. I humbly come to you now to ask that you release me from my bondage.”

Cadmus paused and looked at me. I held my breath.

“And?” Ares asked, his eyebrow still raised.

He reached over and grabbed a goblet of nectar, casually sipping from it as he waited to discuss my future. I was dying of anxiety inside, but I tried to calm myself. I had a feeling that both Ares and Cadmus were prolonging this on purpose to try my patience.

Cadmus smiled.

“I would like to come to you as a free man, free of all bonds, to respectfully ask for your daughter Harmonia’s hand in marriage. I swear to you that I will protect her every day of her life with my own.”

Ares appraised Cadmus silently.

“You are a strong lad, which is apparent. You are brave and true, as you have proven. You are a man of your word, which is commendable. My question is: Will you be a good husband to my daughter?”

Cadmus nodded without hesitation. “I will.”

“Will you honor her?”

“Yes.”

“Can you manage her?”

There was absolute silence, then the entire room erupted into laughter. Even Cadmus himself chuckled. Ares’ eyes were twinkling.

“You think that I jest, but my daughter has more spirit than you might realize. So, again, I ask you, can you handle her?”

My cheeks burned once again as I waited for Cadmus’ response. I stared at my feet until Cadmus reached over and lifted my chin with one finger.

“I promise that I will work as a partner to your daughter. I will try to be a strength to her weaknesses, and listen when she advises me on mine. If she can handle me at my worst, I can handle her at hers.”

The room was utterly silent at the perfection of his answer. My heart swelled in my chest at his words, at the sweet tone of his voice, at the warmth in his chocolate brown eyes. If my father didn’t grant his permission within the next minute, I felt that I might quite literally die.

Ares turned to me, the laughter gone from his eyes.

“Do you want to marry this man even though he is mortal?”

My answer was immediate.

“Yes.”

My father stared at me for a moment, reading my thoughts, studying my face.

“So be it,” he finally replied. “Be happy, sweet daughter.” Turning to Cadmus, his tone firmed up. “Make her happy,” he instructed sternly. He puffed his chest out as only the god of war could, creating an ominous, commanding presence.

Cadmus didn’t even flinch. “Yes, sir.”

Ares sat back down. “Very well, then.” He turned to Zeus who was seated at the head of his table next to his wife, Hera. “Zeus, do you have anything to add? Do you approve this union?”

My grandfather stared at me quietly, his white-silver hair standing up crazily on his head as it always did. He seemed to stare directly into my soul and he was silent for minutes on end. It was unsettling. Finally, he spoke.

“I foresee that you will have many, many adventures in life. You will love each other deeply. Never forget to hold tight to that love. It will sustain you no matter what comes, no matter what you may face.”

“Yes, grandfather,” I agreed.

Zeus turned to Cadmus. “Since you did not return to Tyre with Europa, am I safe to assume that your father will not welcome your return now?”

Cadmus’ expression hardened. “I assume that is correct. My father has not contacted me in any way throughout the past eight years. I assume that he has taken another heir to his throne. I am free to continue about my own destiny.”

I froze. We would not need to live in the mortal world?

Zeus smiled. “Ah, my son. You will soon discover that there is no such thing as ‘your own destiny.’ Our destinies are often intertwined with and determined by others. In life, we make choices and decisions based on the actions of others, therefore re-carving our destinies time and time again. You will have a long, twisted path in life, Cadmus. But your life will be worth it.”

I stared at my grandfather in puzzlement. A long, twisted path?

Zeus ignored my gaze, choosing instead to continue speaking to Cadmus.

“Because of your bravery in saving Ortrera and Harmonia and because you have served your sentence with honor, I offer you this gift. During your travels to find Europa, you built a small city called Cadmea. It has grown in your absence and is a bustling and successful metropolis now, frequently referred to as Thebes. I make you this offer: You can, if you choose, live in Thebes as ruler. You will be king of Thebes, and Harmonia will be your queen.”