Part 9. The Despair

Talia had another dream. Well, most of the Gods and Goddess dream. It's part of the whole legacy. Her dreams were usually ordinary or boring, or sometimes she woke up forgetting them altogether. But that's different tonight.

The moon princess woke up in a cold sweat, out of breath and panting hard as she bolt upright in her bed. She's scared, terrified, absolutely hysterical over her dream. Talia didn't remember much, but what she did remember was fire. The colours of orange and yellow burning away and destroying something pure. Again no recollection whatsoever of the object it destroyed but its beautiful, sacred and angelic.

If anything, she recalled those eyes. The eyes were full of sadness and despair, and the only thing she could tell before waking up was that they were directed at her. A chill shoot through her body as she shivered in her huge bed, all alone. Talia tried to go back to sleep after such a weird dream, but it proved difficult until she started thinking of those haunting eyes again.

It was probably around three thirty in the morning. The moon was high in the sky, glowing and its deep craters visible from down below. Sometimes it felt like her mother was watching over her and only her. Accompanied with thousand of stars decorating the dark night sky, shining brightly to provide comfort. Talia wasn't completely awake, but she wasn't asleep either. She had her eyes closed, but her mind was going a thousand miles per hour.

That dream wasn't letting her get a well-rested sleep, eyes burning whenever she closed them and tried to lull herself into the dark pit of darkness.

Talia chose to ignore these questions and instead focus on her surroundings. It was utterly tranquil in the Palace, and outside the only thing that could be heard was the occasional sound of a soldier's sandals against the rocky road. At times, the sound of night creatures could also be heard, like the hooting of an owl or the distinctive sound of crickets.

Suddenly, the moon princess heard the sound of wind lightly shaking the trees branches outside. The noise was somehow alarming, and it distracted her enough to raise her head and peek outside. Like a fool, she thought that it must be Lukas or any message from him.

Its been a month since he contacted her. A whole of thirty days since they last saw each other and that deeply upset her. Here she kept thinking that he may be fascinated with her enough to send a letter or a message to arrange the next date. Nothing arrived from his aside, which only caused her disappointment.

It was visible even to her sisters who took her as far from Olympus as possible for a week, settling on the tundra thousands of miles north of the edges of their empire. Artemis and Clio. They were so good to her, hoping that was the best way to cheer the lonely, sad princess.

It's not the place that's hurting her but the person. A specific one at that.

During their time in the deserted cabin, Artemis conjured up some heavy cloaks, and Clio lit a fire with the snap of her fingers. They didn't need that in the warm cabin, but it's nice to pretend, to huddle together as though body heat and the little fire was all that kept them alive tonight.

Hours passed in silence as they sat together; Talia thought back about the time she passed with the Sun Prince. Her sisters sat by her side, still awake, resolute, their arms weaved through hers.

And that should be enough for her to cheer up, but none of it mattered, mind preoccupied with the thoughts of who left her behind.

Talia could feel their concerned looks, heard their murmured worries when they thought she's not listening. The moon princess didn't mind. If it made them feel better to fret over her, then she got nothing to do. That also didn't mean she's going to acquiesce to their demands to stay present, to remain visible.

She just couldn't do it; days flew out from underneath her, some without even her leaving the bed. The daughter of Zeus felt incapable of pulling back into the present — it just didn't interest her anymore.

How could Lukas toss her away like that? Like she's not worth his time?

That kept her up all night. She didn't think of Lukas if she could help it. Hot hurt has dulled over the days, cooled into an icy ache somewhere in her chest. Talia thought maybe that would be easier, the numbing of it all, but she's not sure if it's done anything at all. It's not easier to bear heavy, cold weight.

Nothing was easy, not anymore.

***

When she woke up the next morning, Talia felt ten times better than she had the previous morning. That ache in her chest seemed like a distant memory, still present but less painful. Her throat didn't clog anymore.

One of the perks of being a god: quick healing.

The moon princess stretched and rolled out of bed, hastily putting on a tan chiton around her body and ivy belting it, walking to the window to look at the fields. Immediately she thought back to her and Lukas afternoon. She hadn't felt so happy, so carefree in years.

Shaking her head, Talia focused on the barren fields and how she promised herself to recreate the exact thing. Only prettier. Only because she had never felt so calm and peaceful sitting among those flowers, breathing fresh air. Of course, Lukas was a significant factor in her feelings to start gardening.

She wandered out of her room to see about breakfast and paused when she saw another door in the hallway open—a common one.

Zeus, her father, walked out, well-rested, running his hands through his long hair, his dark grey chiton making him look more somber than he really was.

The moon princess couldn't help but narrow her eyes at that. Was he planning on having a meal with her? Its been thirty days since she last saw him too. Ducking her father at every chance she got, only because it would be easy for Zeus to figure out her inner turmoil.

Her father lifted his head as if feeling eyes on him and their eyes collided. She remained silent, waiting for him to speak up, but the God of Thunder simply pointed at the entrance leading to the dining room. Suppose that's how he wanted to play it out then fair. She simply followed his lead.

Once they sat down the drinks were served, and the maids started piling their plates up with assorted menus. Goosebumps prickled at her skin from the silence in the room. It was only two of them sitting on the table made for their family. Talia decided to leave once she finished her drink.

All the while she's cutting her meat, Zeus kept staring at her. Annoyed, she dropped the knife and fork before lifting her head. "Are you planning to talk to me this time or do you prefer watching me till I'm done?"

Zeus glass hovered at his mouth. He finally set it down and arched his brows at her. "Was I watching you?"

"Yes," She sighed. "You're always watching me."

"Always?" The God of Thunder wrinkled his brow in amusement.

"Not funny, father. The last time I was here, last Thursday I think," She started. "You were watching me then too. And the time before that. Why don't you ask me what you want to know?"

Artemis joined them, scraping the chair against the floor as she plopped down opposite Talia. A huge grin on her face. Mostly she's happy to see her sister out of the room for a change.

"Good morning, dear sister," She said softly, rubbing her hands together.

"Morning"

"Okay" Artemis turned to the God of Thunder sitting at the head of the table, gripping the knife tightly till his knuckles turned white. "Morning father."

He simply nodded his head.

"I'm starved," Artemis remarked again, breaking the silence in the room. She made a show of serving the food on her plate without any help, grinning at each item as it she had never eaten before. The moon princess would have laughed if she wasn't annoyed at her father's behaviour.

"What is your business with that Sun descendant? My men saw both of you together, Talia. Care to explain?" Her father glared at her.

Talia turned pink. The flush crawled to her neck, breathing ragged as she tried to find a proper answer. She should have known that her father had people everywhere. How did she behave so carelessly?

"Are you tasting this, Talia? It's perfect!" Artemis exclaimed loudly, purposely trying to change the topic. She was thankful for that. Really.

However, Zeus saw right through it, giving her a warning glare. Taking a deep breath, he turned towards his other daughter. "Whatever it is, I hope you'll suspend it. I have already promised you to the son of Ajax."

***