Do Something

In the crush of the crowded balcony, a harpist plucked her stringy lilt over the sounds of animated conversation. Laughter. It was always laughter, followed by snorts and squeals.

The joyful sounds made Etos’ skin crawl. He accepted a glass of champagne from a tray, throwing the drink back in one go.

“If you keep that up, you won’t be coherent for the ceremony.” Darian, Etos’ friend and confident, narrowed his dark eyes.

“What do I need to be coherent for? I’m not the one marrying.” Etos reached for another glass, draining it in the same fashion.

The lavish affair was an affront to their kind, and he was supposed to accept it and be sober? Etos belched the bubbles expanding up his throat. Snatching a third drink from a passing attendant, Etos held it and watched the crowd.

Sheer, thin curtains blew in the breeze coming off the sea. The great room, decorated with lavish golden finishing and swirled marble, echoed. Guests—both gods and not—dressed in their finest for the occasion. Mortals moved in packs, hovering around their favorite deities, hoping for attention, praise and endowment. Opening the palace to allow access, even if only to the great room, soiled the exclusivity people like him enjoyed.

Soon, there would be no more gods. They would all be marred with mortal blood.

“We have to do something,” Etos murmured over his drink. Darian cocked an eyebrow.

“There is nothing to do but enjoy. The only thing I recommend is for you to stop drinking.”

No. There was something he could do.

“Maybe I’ll find the bride and lock her in the garden. If her beloved can get to her, then and only then, will he be worthy of her.” Etos sipped his drink. He mulled over the plan, letting the idea find roots somewhere deep in him. Like him, Akia was a demigod. If she married and progenated with her dear mortal, Otis, their children would have a twice-removed claim to the throne. A distant claim, but still.

Something had to be done.

“I don’t suggest risking Akia’s ire, let alone her father’s, but you’ve never been one to listen to good advice.” Darian waved to someone in the crowd, then disappeared, leaving Etos to his thoughts.

Etos dipped his head back to slurp the last when a sharp heel clamped down in the middle of his foot, locking it in place.

“You’ll be on your best behavior today, right?” The golden-skinned siren ground her stiletto into Etos’ foot daring him to cry out in agony.

His resolve tightened, as she leaned in, bringing with her the smell of roses and honey. Zelene—a full-blooded goddess—tossed her hair over her shoulder, letting the curtain of hair glide across his face.

She let up off his foot, pressing her hand to her barely covered chest in mock surprise. Her slinky red dress caught the light as she took a step back.

“I’m sorry, was that your foot?” she said loud enough for everyone to hear. Zelene grinned, touched his arm lightly, then whispered, “It will be worse if you step out of line.”

“Want to keep me out of trouble, Zelene? We could get out of here.” Blood rushed through Etos’ veins, burning his ears and filling his loin.

“Get out of here?” Zelene’s catlike eyes trailed down his chest, stopping below his waist. “For what? To be disappointed?” She let out a throaty cackle which twinkled like the harpist's notes.

He was well aware that she was making fun of him, but something about her lingering gaze heated him from the inside out. Etos adjusted himself, first his crotch, then his suit jacket. Zelene twisted her nose in disgust, then stalked away, shining hair floating behind her.

Zelene was full-bodied and sensuous, but also vicious and mean-spirited. She moved with divine feminine energy, but had a tendency to play with her prey before she ate it.

If he didn’t already hate her, Zelene would be his type. Etos would ruin her for other men. He’d make her cry with pleasure only to leave her side when she bored him. Ever since she’d tricked him into boarding what he believed to be a luxury voyage, only to find he’d been conscripted, Etos swore he’d never trust her again. Etos would dig the Xeles Isles out of the water with a spoon before he dealt with her again.

Strolling the opposite direction as Zelene, Etos lingered on the fringes of the crowd. He passed Darian’s animated conversation with a group of fishermen, recounting lies of their catches. Etos found himself on the balcony, which had been decorated for the ceremony. Garland and flowers covered every available surface. Golden chairs—which had been placed artfully—shone in the direct sunlight. Etos knocked one over, expecting it to be burning hot, but the cool metal barely grazed his skin before falling to the ground. Somewhere, if Zelene watched, her mouth was tight and irritation barely contained. The thought excited him. If she wanted to make things hard for him, well then, he’d give her a reason.

Etos moved down the hallway, passing venerated great rooms and decorated columns, until he reached the garden. Lush green grape vines snaked across wooden arbors, stretching high above his head. The fruit, purple and full of life, hung in bunches amidst verdant flowering asters and fragrant jasmine.

Crumbling steps protruded out from the second floor of the building, leading down the path to the buzzing garden. He moved to a stone bench shaded under a portico. Standing atop the seat, Etos called up to the open doorway above him.

“Akia. Akia. Are you there?” Etos would sneak through the halls, daring to be caught, if needed, but the airy garden beneath her room was more romantic. She’d be more likely to join him there, than allowing him admittance into her private quarters.

“Akia.” He hissed.

A figure appeared out onto the landing, with covered hair and red face. She scowled at his appearance, but Etos kept his features composed. He wouldn’t be undone by a mortal maid. “Tell Akia I need to speak to her. It’s important.”

She disappeared, quietly as she’d come. Etos would give Akia one minute, then he’d climb the stairs and make his appearance. If Akia was happy, truly happy, she wouldn't mind the questioning. She’d be sure of her decision.

The maid appeared again. “She’s dressed and ready to proceed to the ceremony. Akia says she’ll speak with you later.”

Etos hopped from the bench and climbed two of the stairs to get a better look at the shaking woman. “Tell her it’s an emergency. I must speak with her before she leaves.” He climbed another few steps, stopping halfway to the platform.

Etos waited as the woman disappeared. Inhaling gulps of floral scented air to fortify himself, Etos counted down from thirty. It would be his pleasure to burst into the room, giving him an alternative plan of disturbing the preparation.

Akia stuck her head out of the door, hiding the rest of her body from his view. A thick, white veil hung down curtaining across her back, held in place by a sparkling tiara. Akia’s rich brown skin gleamed in the sunlight, contrasting against the veil. From the way her eyebrows had been artfully arched and pout painted a rich crimson color, Etos knew the rest of her was just as beautiful.

“I don’t want you to see me before it’s time.” Akia’s voice, full and rich, sung down to him. “What is it?”

Etos grinned at the delay. “I need to speak to you about something important. Can you come out here?” Even if they only had five minutes, it was time enough to change her mind.

“Turn your back and talk. I’m still dressing.”

“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” Etos gave a bored wave, but turned nonetheless. He and Akia had never been lovers—more her decision than his—but had settled into a flirty friendship. That is, until Otis wormed his way into her life.

“What was it you wanted to speak about?” Akia’s voice floated clearly out of the open doors. Etos heard her loud and clear over the chirping birds and rush of the nearby sea, but he moved up another step. She needed to be able to hear him.

“I don’t think you should get married today.”

Akia sighed. “We’ve been over this.” Her voice muffled as what sounded like a rustle of fabric went over the top of her head. “I’m happy and Otis loves me.”

Otis. Etos hated the stupid name. “He’s a mortal,” Etos pressed.

“So are you,” Akia said, her voice slightly further away than it had been. A scurry of footsteps sounded from the open doorway.

“Only half.” Etos’ blood turned ice cold. Akia’s words hadn’t been thrown around to upset him, but something niggled in his spirit. Yes, he was half-mortal, as was she, but they didn’t have to claim their humanity, when divinity was an option. They would live longer. Moved stronger. And had power the earthbounds could only dream of.

Unable to keep his eyes off her, Etos turned to look up the stairs to find the maid out on the landing. She pulled the edge of the miles long veil, keeping it from floating in the wind.

“You said this was important. What did you want to discuss?” Akia’s voice carried.

The maid knelt, gingerly placing the edge of the veil to the ground. She fiddled with the sides, ensuring there were no creases.

Etos crossed his arms. “Otis has disappeared. I don’t think he’s coming today.”

He expected a gasp. At the very least a reverberation of shock. Akia didn’t make a sound. The maid lazily stepped over the edge of the veil, disappearing back into the room.

Whispers fluttered from the open portal. Curious, Etos ascended another step. He couldn’t make out the words, only the furious sounds of desperate conversation. Good. The seeds of suspicion had been planted. Etos needed only to water them.

“Otis loves me. I know he’s down there.” Akia’s timbre didn’t carry the same excitement. She stumbled over the words, as if needing to think about them.

Etos continued. “Perhaps he is, Akia, but there’s one more thing.”

Akia didn’t answer so he continued.

“I’m in love with you.”

Her dress rustled. The veil pulled inside the door, away from him. “Since when?” Akia asked, her voice shallow and stretching.

“Since the first day I met you. I want you to marry me instead.” Etos wasn’t sure how he’d get out of that. If Akia demanded they meet the ambassador in front of all the people, he’d refuse, then disappear.

Etos would never marry, no matter how beautiful Akia was. Etos climbed the last few steps, turning in the doorway to punctuate his faux declaration, when he came face-to-face with Zelene wearing the veil.

“How dare you,” she screeched. Zelene caught him unaware, grabbing Etos by the lapels and flipped him down to the ground. “I knew you would try to ruin it for her.” She gnashed her teeth.

Etos scrambled to his feet as Zelene slammed the doors to the garden closed. She whirled around to attack, when her head yanked back at the veil caught in-between the door and jamb.

Zelene screeched, a loud shrill that dragged across the back of Etos’ neck. She fumbled with the tiara. He didn’t stop, crossing the length of Akia’s room to the main door. He tugged, and finding it locked, turned to the furious Zelene.

“Unlock the door,” he demanded. The alcohol he’d carelessly thrown back swished in his stomach, like the waves on their shores. His insides folded in on itself, threatening to release the contents.

“You told her you loved her! Of all the lowest, despicable things you could have done, pretending to be in love with her was the slimiest thing you could have chosen.” Zelene swung her closed fist at him. Etos ducked out of her reach. He grabbed her swaying appendage and slung her to the floor with the momentum her body carried.

Zelene didn’t land as gracefully as he had, though. Her shoulder slammed into the wall and she fell into a heap.

Etos cut across the room again, past the harried maid crouching in the corner. He yanked the garden access door open, stepping across the veil’s soft fabric. Taking one last look over his shoulder, Etos watched Zelene rise gracefully, despite the bruised shoulder.

“You’re a pig, Etos. You deserve nothing but the worst.” Zelene reset her dress over her flowing curves, unlocked the entry door with a tap and disappeared into the gilded hallway.

The ceremony had finished by the time Etos cut through the garden and palace to the balcony. Applauding guests of the islands stood as the happy couple was presented. Etos waited in the back as the married couple made their way up the aisle to be feted. He kept his gaze on Akia’s bright smile, feeling Zelene’s hateful gaze cut into him.

The red fabric of her dress caught the side of his eye, but Etos turned the other way. He may have failed in stopping Akia, but he wouldn’t rest until he humbled Zelene.

Zelene had bested him twice. Etos swore to himself that he would never let it happen again.