House of Thebes: The Beginning

“Hephaestus,” I greeted him, kissing both of his cheeks. Hephaestus was a giant of a god, so I had to stand on tiptoes. “I’m so happy that you came.”

“I wouldn’t dishonor Aphrodite by missing her daughter’s wedding,” he told me gruffly. “Every other Olympian is in attendance. I should be here as well.”

“Well, thank you, all the same,” I told him awkwardly. Hephaestus wasn’t known for his social graces.

He thrust a large velvet box into my hands.

“Your wedding gift. I made it myself. I thought you might like to wear it to the ceremony, as a reminder of home.”

Surprise rushed through me, then warmth. Perhaps he didn’t hate me, after all. It was an interesting turn-of-events, but my very nature craved peace. I would accept any olive branch that he cared to offer me.

I snapped the velvet lid open and gasped. Nestled among silk, a perfect red bloodstone glistened from the white folds of fabric. It was at least three inches long and hung on a glittering, thick golden chain. It was quite a stunning olive branch.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed. “It must be very rare. I’ve seen many green bloodstones, but rarely a red one.”

“It is most assuredly one of a kind,” he replied. “I thought it would look lovely on you.” He stepped around Aphrodite, ignoring her astonished expression, and lifted the heavy necklace from the box. Unclasping it, he fastened it around my neck.

It came to a rest against my chest and I felt a shiver of cold run down my spine from the cool stone. It was large, the side of half my fist, a crimson blood-red with dark black veins running through it. I ran my fingers along its face, enjoying the cool smoothness of the stone.

“Thank you, Hephaestus,” I gushed to my step-father. “This will be my favorite gift today, I am sure of it. It is breath-taking. And so very thoughtful of you.”

He flushed, a rare show of emotion for him and then nodded his large head.

“I am glad you like it. As I was making it, I fancied that it might bring you fortune throughout the years. As my wife’s beautiful daughter, you deserve any fortune that it might deem fit to bring you. Congratulations on your wedding, step-daughter.”

He nodded once more and then took his leave, limping slowly across my sitting room to exit the double doors. I turned to my mother.

“How kind of him,” I said in wonder. “I never would have thought that he would even bother attending my wedding, much less bring such a lovely gift.”

“Yes, it is strange,” my mother agreed, her eyes narrowed as she stared after him. “Very strange. But, let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth, right? The necklace is beautiful and he is right. You look lovely in it.”

I fingered the cool stone again. It was such a heavy presence in my fingers and resting against my chest. It was a piece with substance. It felt just right against my skin.

“I think I’ll make it my signature piece,” I mused to my mother as I studied myself in the mirror. “It definitely makes a statement.”

She murmured her agreement as she messed with my skirts. She straightened and gazed at me in the mirror.

“You’re right. It looks perfect on you. You should wear it often.” She turned and faced me, fiddling with the bloodstone and then with my hair. “Oh, I almost forgot,” she said, slipping her amethyst ring off of her finger. “I want you to wear this today, as well. You know that I wear it all of the time. I want you to wear it as you take your vows. It will bring you luck.”

I slid it onto my index finger. “I feel very lucky and blessed already. Between my new necklace and your amethyst, I’ll have all the fortune I’ll need.”

Aphrodite smiled and kissed my cheek. “You deserve it, my love,” she whispered, wiping a tear from her eye. “You are the sweetest daughter any mother could have. I’m so blessed to have you. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.” She sniffed and then sniffed again.

“Mother,” I smiled patiently, accustomed to her rapid mood swings. “I’m not abandoning you forever. I’m not dying, either. I’m getting married. I’ll still talk to you all of the time. I’m sure you’ll visit often.”

“Of course I will,” she promised. She sighed. “It’s probably almost time.” Leaving my side, she peeked out my bedroom windows. “Yes, everyone is gathered. It’s time, Harmonia.”

My heart beat picked up and I was petrified and excited at the same time. In a few minutes, I would be bound to the man I loved for all of eternity. It was a daunting and delicious thought.

My mother accompanied me down the marble stairs, holding my elbow so I wouldn’t trip in my skirts. Being cast mortal had made me a little clumsier than I once was. It had also taken away my superhuman speed and the ability to read minds, in addition to every other magical ability that I once possessed.

“Don’t worry, my sweet,” my mother whispered. “You’ll get it all back someday. And no matter how old you are when you decide to come home, Zeus will restore you to the prime of your youth, just as you are today. You will be forever beautiful.”

“Like you,” I answered in a whisper. My mother hadn’t aged a day in thousands of years.

“Like me,” she nodded.

We descended into the courtyards which were fragrant and beautiful. They were also filled with as many people as could fit into the outdoor space. All of the townspeople, the Olympians, the minor gods and goddesses of the Spiritlands and even the Muses were in attendance. Hades was seated at the back and he turned to catch my gaze. His was impassive and guarded. He had already warned me. He wasn’t going to waste his time doing it again. I shuddered slightly and then put him out of my mind, positioning myself at the top of the stairs.

My mother smiled. “Ready?”

I nodded.

As soon as we took our first step down the limestone terrace steps, Apollo began playing his lyre in the sweetest of songs. He was a gifted magician. As his musical notes filled the gentle breeze, the Muses began signing and my jaw snapped shut in surprise.

They rarely sang for mortals. For them to perform here, at my wedding, was surely a testament to the honor Zeus was bestowing upon Cadmus. My grandfather must truly believe Cadmus to be worthy of respect. It warmed my heart to know that the god of gods shared my views on the man that I loved.

And all of a sudden, there he was. Cadmus stood with Zeus and my father at the edge of the terrace, amid flowers and greenery and the bluest of skies. He was beautiful, so vibrant and strong, such a muscular warrior. Everything else faded away and before I knew it, I was standing in front of him.