Hephaestus Second Chance

The dark temple and chilled air swirled around me as I rested on my throne made of gold and silver. The only light my temple saw was from the small multicolored glass windows that casted very few colors in the dark. My mirror hummed to life as the silence ended. The images in the mirror showed the Lyceum. In ancient Greece the university was known to teach philosophy. Now the school moved to western civilization and trained demigods to their full potential. I saw my old friends training for whatever new quests the gods have or will give them. Most importantly staying out of mortals' sights other than their parents. The parents who didn't write off their kids because they slept with a god or goddess. Christianity has taken over the only people to believe in the old gods were their children. I sighed in despair wishing I could join them once again; however, my father Zeus had a better plan for my life when I decided almost a year ago to end my mortal existence, but being the daughter to the king of the heavens gave him the right to directly intervene. With a vote from the twelve Olympians, I was given immortality. A minor goddess of beauty since I was beautiful in my mortal life, defender of demigods, and the protector of cats. The demigod part was laughable to me, but someone had to make sure that in one mission they wouldn't all die. Regardless, being a goddess had a perk of unlimited cats since they were my sacred animals. I kept a few lying around my temple as comfort. Along with my titles immortality I received my temple. With my lord uncle's blessing Hades, I settled my temple in the middle of the Elysium the heaven of the underworld where heroes go when they die. No one visits and I don't leave my personal torture chamber.

Closing my blue eyes, I rested on the headrest of my throne wasn't the most comfortable, but regardless I could sleep anywhere that was mostly what I did. I felt a light bounce on my lap. Opening my eyes I saw the orange and white kitten start to make biscuits his claws going in and out of his little paws. Seeing how cute he was a rush of happiness entered me I began to pet his head. I named him Cheeto awhile back because I named them based on their color. The things about most cats they don't automatically love you. You must take care for them let them love you in their own time. My long red fingernails scratched between his ears as he made his bed purring making my thighs vibrate. Closing my eyes again I began to mediate and relax my thoughts.

Not too long after my mediating began, I heard the click clack of heels on my stone flooring. A sweet perfumed filled the air almost suffocating too rosy I thought to myself. My eyes flashed open to see who would be brave or desperate enough to enter my temple. My jaw almost dropped in shock. Standing before me was Aphrodite the goddess of love herself. Her golden blonde hair like the sun fell down her back, her sea green eyes searched around my dark temple. Her red painted lips curled in disgust. She wore a hot pink mini dress and pink heels with bow on the toes to match. She was skinny which is fashionable for the time which she would know Shes the one who sets the fashion trends and what's popular in the mortal world. I thought she looked like an overgrown barbie still even I knew better then to piss her off. Regardless, she was still prettier than any actress or movie star they would all kill to look like her. I would know considering my own mother was a model making myself prettier than my mother but also more hourglass shaped. I don't know why in my mortal life my beauty was compared to Aphrodite I was a lot less beautiful. Regardless, why was she here? A friendly smiled was plastered onto her lips my cautious feelings pressed through me. Anytime a god or goddess was acting friendly they needed something especially one willing to come into the underworld.

"Aphrodite," I stood off my throne as Cheeto fell having to end his nap on my lap letting out and angry meow before going to go find his siblings. Standing up my black and red dress fell to my knees compared to the pinkness in front of me I looked like a vampire princess." What do I owe this pleasure?"

"Coming to check on my favorite great niece," She giggled her laugh sounding like the chime of bells." How are you?"

"I'm doing fine," I didn't buy the sudden visit and the sudden interest in me. She needed something. What did she need? I do not know, and she came alone without Ares unusual for her. I decided to get to the point quick. "What do you want?"

"I don't want to be around the bush about this, but your father granted me a divorce from Hephaestus if I could find another goddess to take my place," She licked her lips nervously before continuing and I had the feeling what she was going to ask me. "However, every goddess has said no, but you. You are my last chance to get out of this marriage."

I considered what she was asking my thoughts racing. I swore I wouldn't marry as a goddess not on the river of Styx, but this was still not something I wanted to do. "I'm sorry I vowed to be unwed as an immortal. I can't help you and you should leave."

"Please," Her voice turned to pleading and begging." I refuse to be married to him forever. How about I give you something in return."

"What can you give me," I gestured to my temple the cats lying around the books and the gold." I have everything."

At that moment my mirror chose to glow to life. The only friend who knew I was alive because I lived in her father's realm. Her dark black hair in a tight bun as she practiced with sword with our other friends teaching her. I heard Aphrodite's voice pierce through my thoughts." You have everything that is true, but your mortal loved ones do not. I can guarantee them a life full of love no matter how long they all live."

I chewed my lip considering her words. They could live in-between five to seventy years, but I would have to be married to him long after they died. They were demigods at that we put ourselves in constant danger to do quests any could go wrong. They, also, die miserable and alone. I died by myself from my own hand while my lover died earlier in battle by himself. I had no desire for marriage or children if they come from this union, but my friends deserved this especially because of the quest that went wrong a year ago. I paced in front of my throne trying to decide the pressure building up in me as I occasionally glanced at the mirror. I honestly had nothing to lose, but my time yet they had all to gain.

I held out my hand to her. "You have a deal. I will be at the council meeting tomorrow."

She bounced happily on her heels shaking my hand in hers." Thank You, Helena. I must go tell Ares."

I watched her disappear into cloud of pink smoke at least she walked in here. I had more pressing matters to deal with. What did I agree to?