House of Persephone

It was no surprise that I would be chosen by Aphrodite.

My mother belonged to the house of Apollo, so I grew up picking herbs and mixing medicine. While she tended to my father's men, she would hum so beautifully it would put a siren to shame.

My father was quite the opposite. He'd been born to a line of Hermes' men. He was cruel, sinful, and deceitful. He lied with a grin on his face, and worst of all he enjoyed it. But he was devilishly smart, he always knew exactly what people wanted, and what they were most afraid of.

Their marriage had been arranged. At least that’s how my mother puts it. My mother was beautiful, kind, and talented at her vocation as a healer. But her family was poor and could not afford a dowry, as her brother was an avid gambler. One night, he'd gotten a little too cocky after a few lucky wins. He'd bet my mother hand in marriage, and within five minutes, he'd lost his only sister. And she never saw her family again.

And so I grew up having never seen what love looked like, but love sure followed me everywhere. In school I did my best to stay out of the spotlight, but every morning I'd open my locker to a fountain of love-notes gushing onto the floor. Boys would gawk and stare, or blush and giggle like a schoolgirl when I walked past. They would gather in the field and hold a competition to determine who could ask me to the school dance. I never attended those things anyways.

For the most part, the girls at my school tended to fawn over me, or ignore me outright. The only girl I'd ever really been friends with was Elena. She had golden blonde hair the color of wheat, hazel eyes speckled with burnt copper, and a voice that sounded like tinkering bells in the wind. She was a calm presence, like still water in a shallow pond, so soft spoken in nature she could silence a howling wolf with just a whisper.

I had dark brown hair, which my mother liked to say was as thick and rich as Turkish coffee. It always bothered me, the way it would snap whatever elastic or ribbon tried to contain it. My skin was a burnt olive hue. Truthfully, I never understood why boys lusted after me the way they did, rather than someone like Elena. I was reserved, I preferred my evenings in my room reading or attending the amphitheatre alone. Truthfully, any kind of attention scared me. But it didn't matter, because as much as I'd ignored it, the attention never went away.

"Hey babes! Today's the day! Are you excited?"

Of course only Elena could be this peppy after a full day of school.

"I don't know. I guess?"

"Oh come on!! Think of all the friends you'll make in your new classes!”

"Do you even know me?" I said sarcastically.

She sighed.

"Okay fine. What about your vocation? Now at least you'll get to know what kind of work you'll dedicate your life to. I really hope I get..." her voice trailed off. "Never mind, haha."

We couldn't speak on which house we hoped we'd get sorted into. It angered the gods or goddesses when we were the ones choosing favorites. Only they have that privilege.

"Anyways, I hope we'll still get to have some of the same classes, if we're picked by different deities." She was genuinely hopeful, as usual, but I knew we likely wouldn't share any classes in common. We both knew she would be chosen by Hestia or Demeter, and would be enrolled in mostly domestic classes. I, on the other hand, couldn't fry an egg without burning it.

"I hope so too, Elena."

The colosseum was packed with seniors from other schools, though I recognized a few from Geranium High shuffling past me. Elena and I sat down somewhere in the middle row. The row behind us went quiet as I took my seat.

“Is that…?” A voice behind me whispered.

“From Geranium High. How much you wanna bet she’ll be Aphrodite’s?”

“Shut up, Collin. I’m not getting on Aphrodite’s bad side. I need Teresa to go to the final dance with me. You wanna pay for that chariot all on your own?”

There were a few faint snickers.

I squinted against the setting sun at the centrestage. There were hundreds of chalices littered across the marble tiles that covered the usual Gladiator maze. In a neat semicircle, white stone pillars rose ascending to the middle, like a tiara. Zeus’ chalice - intricate, bold, intimidating, sat atop the highest pillar.

Zeus never showed up to the selection. It was his thing. He prided himself in his collection of demigods, and he had plenty of immortal kin to do his bidding. But his chalice was always held highest, in respect for his rulership.

My gaze shifted to the iridescent pearl chalice to his left. It was beautiful, no doubt, yet almost whimsical too. Diamonds grazed the rim, while a delicate gold trim circled the bottom.

I shook my head slightly, and looked down at my fidgeting fingers. I didn’t mind being a child of Aphrodite, truly. It was the part where I’d be thrusted into the centre of attention for the rest of my life that worried me. Worshippers of Aphrodite became queens of foreign kingdoms, models, starlettes. Some became matchmakers, which is what I hoped for. A quiet desk job.

At dusk, we heard the trumpets hum.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attendance to this year’s Selection.” A melodic voice echoed.

“As you may be familiar, the gods each select mortals to join their temple of worship, and to guide these individuals to fill their place in society. You are all turning of age this year, and have reached the point in your life where you will be studying your respective vocations following your selection.”

Clapping ensued. My hands felt numb as they politely joined in. I felt Elena’s eyes on me and I quickly peered over. She was grinning from ear to ear, her eyes shining.

“When your name is called, please make your way down to the first row. A chalice will ignite, indicating the deity who has selected you. Once you have been shown your temple of worship, please make your way back to your seat. We have a special announcement to make at the end of tonight’s event. ”

The first boy was called, and as he made his way down to the centrestage, I noticed his fists clenched against his sides. His footsteps seemed to echo as he went down the stairs. Two metal cuffs wrapped his wrists. He stood facing the chalices.

The stadium was dead silent. Suddenly, a bright blue flame burst from the charcoal black chalice that stood on the end of the semicircle of pillars. Ares.

The crowd roared. The boy, pumped his fist up in celebration, inciting an even bigger applause. He must have been a gladiator trainee. This was what he hoped for.

One by one, we made our way down, and the crowd sat in anticipation for each selection. Most were small, flickering flames in random chalices scattered across the floor: Achelous, Eirene, Iris. Sometimes bright flames shooting from the pillared chalices: Hephaestus, Demeter, Artemis.

“Amaris Farbrook”

I gulped, and quickly stood. Elena squealed beside me. My throat was dry, and my legs felt like they would give out as I carefully made my way down. I didn’t know if there was cheering or clapping, all I could hear was my own heartbeat.

The announcer beamed at me as she motioned for me to stand next to her. She appeared as if she were glowing. One of Pheme’s, I’m sure. I wondered if Pheme was who she’d hoped for when she was in my position.

I looked straight forward, at the jungle of chalices. My heart lept. My eyes locked with the pearlescent chalice.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, a green flame flickered briefly from a chalice on the smallest pedestal, before exploding into a cloud of black ash.

There was a long pause, before nervous clapping errupted.

My head was spinning. I narrowed my eyes at the chalice that had just spit fire. It had green leaves and white hydrangeas climbing across one side, until meeting charred bedrock glowing with sizzling embers on the other.

Persephone.

An unfamiliar voice rang in my mind, soft but firm.

“You’ll understand.”

I quickly walked back to my seat and sank down into it. Even Elena was quiet. She took my hand and gave it a tight squeeze. No one knew what this meant, it was unheard of for a mortal to be selected by Persephone.

Eventually Elena was called, and she began to make her way down. I smiled and gave a quick nod as she squeezed past my seat. I was proud of how positive she always was. Her face was lit up in excitement.

Elena was selected by Hestia. The clay chalice lit a brown flame before turning to smoke. I saw Elena joyfully jump up and down a few times before turning to head back to her seat. She was already incredibly talented at cooking, baking, and hosting parties. I couldn’t imagine how spectacular she’d be after training under Hestia House.

We sat through hundreds of selections, until the very last student was called. It was almost daybreak, a bronze glow lined the horizon. I stifled a yawn.

“Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes this years Selection. We are overjoyed and look forward to see where your temple training will take you,” the announcer gushed.

“Lastly, as promised, we have a surprise announcement. Please join me in welcoming Nikolaos, son of Zeus and Helen of Troy!”

There was a stunned silence. Beside me, Elena’s mouth was agape. Then, a roar of cheering and applause broke out in the crowd.

A man, with messy golden blonde hair casually strode up to the platform. Every muscle in his body bulged and shifted as he moved. He lifted his head and peered at the audience, causing the cheering to become deafening. His eyes were amber, like melted sunlight. He towered over the announcer as he stood next to her. Demigods were usually much taller and bigger in stature, but a hero was always double the size of any regular demigod. The son of Zeus would be no exception.

My heart raced at the sight of him, catching me by surprise. I shook the feeling off, as curiosity began to fill my mind. Why was a hero here? Zeus never took part in these things, let alone wasted his time sending one of his children on his behalf.

“Thank you everyone, for such a warm welcome. I’m happy to be here.” His voice was deep, yet comforting.

“I come on behalf of the great Zeus, my father, ruler of the sky and king of the gods and mortals. I come bearing news.”

My hands fluttered at my side nervously.

“My father has crowned me king of all mortals, to bring peace to our kingdoms once and for all. It is with great pride, that I shall hereby serve as your king.” His voice boomed.

Another round of applause echoed across the stadium. Nikolaos was renown as one of the greatest heroes of time, perhaps even surpassing Hercules. The people loved him.

But I knew better. The gods were not interested in stopping war. Ares, Athena, Poseidon, Hades, to name a few, all rivaled one another for their pick of soliders, warriors, assasins. War was what the gods used as entertainment, to send men to their death and win the favor of Hades, or to create heroes for Zeus. We were merely pawns, and what’s a pawn without a game.

This was not a choice made for our sake.

There was discord amongst the Gods themselves.

I walked home, exhausted from being awake all night. I was thankful we had a week to rest and celebrate before our studies resumed. All I wanted was to collapse in my bed and sleep the whole week. I didn’t want to think about my future.

I turned the corner onto my street, and was surprised to see my house brightly lit from the inside. There were tall men standing on my porch, dressed in black. My father must have business to attend to. After all, he was not the kind of father that would throw a party for me.

But I knew my mother would be excited to hear about my selection. My stomach churned when I remembered I would not have the news she’d hoped for. Every girl and her mother wishes to be chosen by Aphrodite. To have a lifetime of fortune and fame and being doted on at every whim. She was ecstatic at the thought of her daughter living a quiet life in a beautiful castle somewhere.

As I approached the gate to my house and punched in the code, three men whipped their heads to look at me, and immediately rushed forwards. I stepped back in shock. Then I heard my mother scream.

“Please! Don’t do this!”

I turned to run, but it was too late. One of the men grabbed me and began to walk towards a black limousine parked on our driveway.

“At least let me say goodbye!” My mother cried.

The man froze. He loosened his grip, and I instantly broke away and ran to my mother. Her eyes were red, and her cheek welted. My mother obeyed my father diligently, so he hardly struck my mother. This was something big.

“Mom…”

“Amary listen to me. You be brave. You are smart, you are strong, and you will be okay. Don’t speak out of line, keep yourself hidden and unnoticed. I love you, don’t you ever forget that.”

My eyes welled with tears. I had never seen my mother so afraid. Her eyes were panicked, my hands shaking as they held mine.

Suddenly, before I could manage to utter a word back, I was picked up and shoved into the car. I fell onto my side and quickly sat up. I shouted at my mother.

“Mom! I love you!”

She nodded at me and tried to smile, clutching her chest as tears streamed down her face.

The car jolted to a start and screeched as it sped off onto the street. I blinked away tears as I sat on the floor of the car in shock. Everything happened too quickly. Two of the large men I had seen on the porch sat on the bench behind me. I brushed my hair out of my eyes and glared at them.

“Where are we going.”

They glanced at me, before staring straight ahead again.

“Your father made a deal with them. It was a favor,” he said.

It was never just a favor. It was leverage. He wanted something he felt was better than having me as his daughter.

“Made a deal with whom. Where are you taking me!” I screamed at them.

My father always wished he’d had a son. A legitimate one at least. But he’d never thought so little of me to use me in his deals. Or so I thought.

“Enough,” the second man said.

“You’re going to see the King. You are to be his wife.”