House of Thebes: The Beginning (Page 16)

Cadmus was silent, considering the offer. I chose this moment to interject.

“Grandfather, will Cadmus remain mortal? I ask, because based on his bravery alone, I think that it would be reasonable to suggest that he be granted immortality. I do not wish to watch my husband grow old and die in front of me.”

Zeus studied me for a moment. His silver eyes reflective.

“What you say is true, granddaughter. And I have taken it into advisement. However, if you choose to live in the mortal world, you must do so as mortals. But I offer you this option: You may live as mortals until such time that you would like to return to the Spiritlands and make this your home. At that time, you will regain your immortality and I will grant immortality to Cadmus, as well.

“In doing it in such a way, you would gain the best of both worlds. You will experience mortal life while at the same time ensuring that you will also live forever at any time that you choose. The one caveat is that you must not die while in the mortal world. If you do, your fate will pass from my hands to my brother, Hades, since he is the god of the dead. And he is well-known for wanting to keep souls in his kingdom, the Underworld. It is not likely that he would allow you to leave. So, in taking this deal, you would be taking a risk. But Harmonia, bear in mind that sometimes in life, the greatest things are attained by risk-taking.”

I swallowed. Then swallowed again. Turning to me, Cadmus took my hands.

“What do you think, Harmonia? I will not force you to live in the mortal world if you do not wish to do so. I think we would have magnificent adventures, though. With you by my side, there is nothing that we cannot do. I fully believe that. And then after we are tired and have accomplished much, we can return here to your home and live here together, forever. What do you think?”

Every eye in the room was upon me as I pondered the choice. Zeus was correct. It was a risk. If I died while in the mortal world, I would instantly be removed to the Underworld where I would live under Hades’ rule. His warning from months ago returned to me and I almost shuddered. Had he been trying to tell me something? Did he foresee that my mortal life would end badly?

I stared into Cadmus’ eyes, and found them to be warm and true. I knew, in that one instant, that I would go anywhere he wanted me to go. I would take any risk that needed to be taken, as long as I was by his side. I pushed Hades’ warning from my thoughts and nodded.

“I will go with you.” Turning to my grandfather, I added, “Someday we will return to Olympus and I will resume my place as goddess of peace and harmony. Until that time, I will rule Thebes at the side of my husband.”

The entire room erupted in applause.

Cadmus pulled me to him gently and any lingering doubts that I had vanished with his kiss.

Chapter Ten

My home in the mortal world, in the city called Thebes, was almost as beautiful as the home I had just left in the Spiritlands.

Thebes, just as my grandfather had described it, was busy and successful. Our palace was situated in the center, so that we could see every angle of the city. Our palace was made from the finest of stones, of marbles, granites, limestones and onyx, not that it really mattered to me. Finery was fine, but it wasn’t necessary. I found that all I really needed was Cadmus. And very soon, he would officially be mine.

I decided within a few hours of arriving in my new home that the mortal world wasn’t nearly as dismal and horrible as so many of my friends and acquaintances had always made it sound. Not even close. It was actually lovely here. The weather was tropical and warm, the sun bright and cheerful. I most certainly could not complain about the beauty.

The people of Thebes had welcomed me with open arms, as well. They were a colorful and loud people and they already respected me for giving up a life on Olympus to be with their King. Although, in all honesty, it wasn’t nearly the hardship that they imagined.

We had invited the entire city to our wedding this evening, as well as the Olympians. It was to be a grand affair, much grander than I needed, but exactly as grand as my mother thought it should be. Aphrodite simply could not resist putting together a party of epic proportions.

“Harmonia,” she called, entering the sitting room portion of my suite.

She padded lightly across the woven rugs and cool marble floors before she stood in front of me. She was radiant today, in a mint gauze gown and silver jewelry that matched her eyes. She held out her hands.

“Are you ready to see your gown?” she asked excitedly. “It is going to look beautiful on you. We hired the services of the best seamstresses in the city, so your gown is actually made by local mortals! I thought that would be a nice gesture.”

Aphrodite chattered excitedly as she led me to where my wedding dress was hanging. Strangely enough, I didn’t care what it looked like. I simply wanted this day to be over so that I could begin my life with Cadmus. I felt as though I was in limbo right now, simply waiting for my life to start. But very soon, we would be together. We would be married and it would be official.

He would be mine.

Because of that thought, I was able to patiently smile at my mother.

“Alright. Show me.”

She pulled away the sheets and my dress hung before me. She was right, as she almost always was in these matters. The gown was beautiful. It was strapless and the bodice was made from lace. The gauzy skirts were made from the finest of silk with pearls embedded in the hem and the voluminous fabric seemed to float to the floor. It was simple and elegant, exactly my taste. I turned to my mother.

“Thank you for keeping it simple. I love it. It’s perfect.”

“I know,” she agreed happily.

My mother continued chattering as she called in my new maids and everyone began the process of making me beautiful for Cadmus.

My long dark hair was twisted into an elaborate chignon, my eyes were made up intricately with green cosmetics, my lips were painted with red. My mother and my servants had just buttoned up the hundred pearl fasteners that lined my back when there was a knock on the doors to my suite.

A maid quickly appeared to me with Hephaestus, my step-father, limping at her heels. He had limped for as long as I had known him, the result of a birth injury.

The girl bowed low. “Your step-father, your highness.”

“Thank you,” I told her, then looked in confusion to Hephaestus.

He and I didn’t interact very much, since he obviously detested my father. I was a product of Aphrodite’s dalliances with Ares. I couldn’t quite blame Hephaestus for not wanting me in his sight. I was a visible reminder of my mother’s constant betrayal.