Part 3. Meeting Lukas

Thalia spotted Jysa, flittering about the party like a butterfly, talking to every guest and ensuring they all had a drink in their hand. Dionysus latest squeeze. Atleast that's what people were talking about. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Hera talking to a minor goddess she didn't know, just playing her part. It didn't surprise her at all. 

Her sister Clio was dressed in her dark clothes, stood next to some nymph, dressed in sunshine yellow, chatting away like they were best friends despite their polar opposite appearances. It's funny. 

And most curious of all was the God of Spring herself. She was being praised for her flower arrangement. Thalia had seen her before, of course, but never had a reason to talk to her or get to know her. Maybe she should do that before the end of the evening. 

The moon princess didn't want to be a guest at the same party, but it's an order from Hera. No one went against her. She wanted to keep appearances in front of everyone, show others that her marriage was strong and not hanging by a loose thread as the rumours claimed it to be. And for that, she's using her husband's illegitimate children. How ironic! 

Thalia paid no attention to her and instead trailed behind her sister, absentmindedly adjusting the flowers on the way, setting an orange poppy on a table arrangement. She looked bored, resigned already, and it's only fifteen minutes.

A sigh escaped her lips. 

She was dressed in a white linen chiton and chlamys like most of the other guests, with ivy trailing around her shoulders and arms and her petite waist, securing the chiton in place. The princess had a delicate shiny diamond crown on her head, framing her long dark brown hair. 

Thalia looked delicate and strong at the same time as she could gently cradle a tiny creature in her palm but also hurt someone with ease. She carried herself with grace, almost as if she was afraid to upset anyone with the sound of her stomping, while still oozing quiet confidence. There was a 

fierceness in her eyes, something strong and challenging deep within those orbs.

Artemis waved at her, nudging her side. "Anyone caught your eye yet?"

The moon princess blushed, very well aware of the implication behind it. And no. She wasn't looking to settle down so soon. What was the rush? Only if her stepmother understood that. According to the rumours Hera was already looking for someone so that she could marry off Thalia and get rid of her.

"No, and as I said before I'm not at all interested"

Artemis let out a dramatic sigh. "I can't believe we are related."

"Same!" The moon princess teased her back. 

From their spot by the fountain, she could track others movements around the party, unable to take her eyes off. She noticed Apollo speaking to someone; his back turned to her. The guy was tall, clearly hideous behind that overgrown plants that they decorated the hall with. He was talking animatedly, his head bobbing, but that's all she could get from the back of the head. 

"Thalia" A hand shook her, jolting her from her thoughts. Why was she even wondering about a man so much?

She nodded politely at her sister, still lost at what she said. Artemis can talk a lot sometimes. And the moon princess tuned her out a lot too.

"I know you didn't listen to a word I said"

"Sorry I am trying to figure out something!"

"Eh, whatever it may not be that important" Her sister scoffed. "Now let's go socialise. You badly need it."

"Hey!"

What was that supposed to mean? Thalia had friends alright even though most of them were her blood relatives. Okay fine, she spent a lot of time in the castle, specifically in her room so what? That's only making her skin glow thank you very much.

"Don't hey me! You know I'm right" With that her sister dragged her to meet thousand different gods and goddess.

***

Sometimes it seemed to her that all the gods in Olympus were outgoing, loud, talkative, and rowdy. Thalia hadn't yet met another god who liked peace and quiet, or who wanted to know more about Earth than was absolutely necessary. They always wanted to talk about themselves, which was quite dull. Like they already have books written wasn't that enough? That's why she didn't like most of them. Occasionally tolerating them because of her status. Maybe if she weren't Zeus beloved daughter and some common nymph her life would have been so much easier. 

With her calm demeanour, Thalia was pushed to talk with others by her very own sister. That traitor. Along the way she marginally brightened talking to Abeona, the Goddess of Travelers, but kept quiet amidst the shallow conversations of the other gods and goddesses. She seemed just as out of place. Most of them loved doing what they did, their houses and their status, but the same was not the car with Thalia. 

Finally, they made way to their brother Apollo. All the time they have been walking, something swirled inside the moon princess belly. Her heart thudding as she approached the stranger. Maybe it's just something she ate earlier. 

"Hello, brother" Artemis greeted her twin brother. 

Apollo snickered at them. "What are you lovely ladies doing here? Shouldn't you be occupied with books in your rooms?"

Thalia down at her feet and appearing as if she was fighting the urge to dash out of the room. Actually, she was. Apollo was taunting her like he always did. It's nothing new only that she hated it. 

"And you should be cleaning gutters as father punished you to, but here you are" Artemis sweetly smiled at him. 

Someone loudly cleared their throat, interrupting brother and sister fight. That's when Thalia looked up; her breath knocked out of her chest by the beautiful creature in front of her. He was mesmerising. Under the lights, his face gleamed, an easy, charming smile curving his full round lips when he stared at Artemis.

"Artemis we meet again" He addressed her sister. "You look beautiful."

For the first time, Thalia noticed her sister blush. That was very weird. Artemis did look pretty with her long brown hair braided with flowers and hung over her shoulder, dressed in a lavender chiton and cloak, making her look every inch of a dream. 

"Oh thank you, Lukas. I haven't seen you in ages. Where have you been?"

"I've been travelling on Earth quite a bit lately. Otherwise, I'm training the warriors. It keeps me busy." He shrugged. 

When she sneakily tried to look at him, he caught her eye. Lukas grinned at her. 

"Oh, that explains it" Artemis hummed. 

"And who might this lovely lady be?" Lukas looked straight in her eye. She squirmed at his sudden attention, trying not to let it show on her face. 

"She's Thalia, moon princess." 

Lukas forwarded his hand towards her. She delicately placed it, trembling as their hands touched. He was almost swallowing her hands, his fingers huge and thick compared to hers. As their eyes clashed, a shiver ran down her spine. 

The stranger slowly bowed down and chastely pressed a kiss on her knuckles, a little whimper slipping out of her mouth. 

"Lukas, son of Helios."

Oh. A Titan. She thought to herself.

"Pleasure to meet you" Thalia croaked, pulling her hand away from him. 

He smiled back at her. 

She abruptly cleared her throat, raising her eyebrows. "Earth, huh? You often go down there?"

His voice was silvery, and she wanted to talk with him more, just to listen to him speak.

Lukas took a sip of his drink. "Yeah, I have a place down there actually."

"That sounds exciting!"

Before Apollo could say a mean comment, he was pulled by someone. She ignored her brother and focused back on Lukas. 

Artemis cleared her throat, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "Actually I have to meet someone but you both continue. Lovely to see you around, Lukas. Enjoy the rest of the party. And please visit me soon."

With that, her sister was gone, leaving her all alone with Lukas. She could feel his solemn stare on her. The moon princess couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.

"So you're the sun god?" She asked, her voice curious. 

A laughter slipped out of his throat, rich and loud. "That's my father. I have siblings who may take over his position before it comes to me. So I train warriors." 

She tried to suppress her grimace at the mention of warriors. He was too good to be true.

"Perhaps you can visit me sometime. I'll give you the full tour." He said, and she felt her heart leap a little. "It's an incredible place, Earth, actually, despite what others might say."

Oh. She almost didn't hear him. The moon princess nodded eagerly and almost smiled.

"That would be amazing." 

Her smile quickly turned to a gasp as someone ran into her from behind, shoving her forward. Thalia squeaked and stumbled, fully expecting to land on her face when she felt his arms around her waist. Her eyes rolled back at the touch, lips parting. 

Lukas held her up, his fingers still digging into her skin. "Are you alright?"

She swallowed thickly. "Y-Yeah"

***