CHAPTER 6 : REALIZATION

"Artemis" Marpessa spoke as she barged into Apollo's sister's room. "Have you seen your brother? I've been looking for him everywhere."

Artemis almost chocked on the apple she was chewing. Apollo had left for the mortal realm a few days back and hadn't returned yet. She was certain he was frolicking with that mortal girl she had warned him about. Artemis couldn't let Marpessa find out, otherwise all hell would break loose.

"Oh yeah!" Artemis replied, "I just saw him this morning. He must have had a lot of work to do considering he got in quiet late last night, and left really early."

Marpessa sighed in disappointment. "Apollo hardly spends any time with me," she complained, "I just thought we could do something together for once. I mean, we are betrothed after all."

Marpessa sat down on a chaise longue chair and looked up at Artemis.

"Sometimes I think Apollo doesn't even like me."

Artemis sat down next to her and placed a hand on hers comfortingly. "Of course he likes you Marpessa. He's just umh. He's just a little in over his head right now."

"With work? Is he still lifting Hades' curse in the mortal realm?" Marpessa questioned. "I didn't think it would take this long."

"Umh yes. It's a mess down there." Artemis responded hastily. "I was there with him the other day. There's a lot more chaos than we anticipated."

"Oh." Marpessa spoke. She stood up and smiled at Artemis. "Then I'll go lend him a hand! What better way for us to bond than..."

"No!" Artemis interrupted Marpessa. "I mean, Apollo doesn't take kindly to people interrupting his work. He's a bit of a workaholic."

"Tell you what." Artemis added on, "when he gets back I'll make sure you're the first to hear it."

Marpessa arched an eyebrow at Artemis. She stood up and nodded. "Alright then." She spoke. "I'll be waiting on you."

Marpessa left the room and closed the door behind her. When she did, Artemis plopped onto the chair and sighed heavily.

Apollo you stubborn air head. You're going to give me a heart attack.

*

Apollo walked down the hall to his room with a love struck smile on his face. The memories of the evening he'd spent with Marley were on repeat in his head, causing his stomach to do flips.

He opened his door to his room and walked in. His smile faded into a an irritated scowl when he saw his sister sitting on the edge of his bed with her arms crossed. She had an angry look on her face and her brow was twitching.

Apollo knew he was in for one hell of a lecture.

He closed the door behind him and sat on a chair opposite his sister and sighed.

"Can we not do this right now Artie, I'm in a good mood and I wish not to ruin it." Apollo spoke as he threw his head back on the chair.

"Where the hell have you been Apollo?" Artemis questioned him

"Have you forgotten that I have a job to do in the mortal realm."

"Liar!" Artemis interrupted her brother. "Why are you lying Apollo?! Did you know Marpessa has been looking for you? And I had to cover for you! I think she's getting suspicious."

"She suspects nothing." Apollo replied in a nonchalant tone, still laying back on the chair.

"I have a bad feeling about this entire thing." Artemis spoke, now pacing the room back and forth. "If word gets out that you're seeing someone behind Marpessa's back, Ares will have your head."

Apollo sat up and rubbed his temples. "Word won't get out."

"And how are you so sure?!" Artemis spoke, clearly agitated.

Apollo stood up and walked towards his sister. He put his arms on her shoulders and gave her a serious look. "The only way word would get out is if you tell anyone." Apollo spoke, a sudden seriousness in his tone. "And you're not going to do that. Are you? My dear sweet sister."

Artemis pushed his arms away and continued pacing the room.

"Even if I say nothing, what are the chances no one will see you and out you. It would mean war." Artemis spoke, "Our land would be in chaos, Hera would be furious, and that mortal girl would be killed on the spot."

Apollo walked towards his sister and grabbed her arm furiously. His eyes were glowing with rage and his hair was standing on end. A godlike fury Artemis rarely saw her brother display.

"No one!" He spoke in a polyphonic tone, "is ever going to hurt Marley! Not while I breathe!" He roared.

Artemis' shock slowly faded into a dark smile, and then into a sinister chuckle.

She looked into her brother's eyes full of pity and surprise.

"You fool." She spoke, "you've fallen in love with that mortal haven't you?"

Apollo simmered down and let go of his sister's hand.

"You're so far gone, you're willing to die for this human." Artemis added on.

She looked her brother in the eye, her expression serious.

"I want no more part in this. You, dear brother, are on your own."

Artemis stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her.

*

Apollo was having a hard time falling asleep that night. He had so much on his mind. Artemis' words kept ringing in his head. Would the gods really go as far as killing Marley?

Apollo dismissed the thought as quickly as it had popped into his head.

He needed to ensure that Marley was safe. And there was only one way of doing that. He had to end things with Marpessa.

Apollo sat up and slipped out of his bed. He opened the door into the hallway and breathed in the cold air.

He walked slowly, trying to figure out how he would leave Marpessa without sparking conflict.

He leaned on the rails of the loggia connecting his quarters to the main building. He looked out to the vast garden outside and smiled at it's beauty. He looked down at the patch of white tulips where he'd picked the ones he gifted to Marley just a few days back and smiled.

How could this be wrong? Just the thought of Marley flattered his heart and warmed him up in ways he'd never thought possible, yet somehow this was forbidden? It was unfair.

"Apollo."

Apollo snapped out of his trans and looked up at who was calling out to him.

"Marpessa?" Apollo spoke baffled, "what are you doing here?"

"Artemis told me you just got in." Marpessa spoke as she walked towards Apollo. "I was worried love. Are you well?"

"I'm fine." Apollo responded still looking out at the garden.

"I hear the mortal realm is chaotic." Marpessa spoke, closing the gap between Apollo and herself, "you must be exhausted."

"Yeah there's a lot of work that has to be done but I'm going to see it through like always." Apollo replied.

Marpessa placed her hand on Apollo's chin and turned his face towards her. "Why don't you let me help you relax?" She spoke in a soft tone.

She placed her other hand on his bicep and closed the space between them.

"You're so stressed love" Marpessa whispered into his ear. "Let me help you with that."

Marpessa leaned in for a kiss but Apollo turned away.

"I'm sorry Marpessa." Apollo spoke while backing away from her. "I'm too tired. I should be getting some rest."

Marpessa scowled and crossed her arms angrily. "You and I haven't spent anytime together! You're always frolicking in the human world and you barely have anytime for me!"

"I have a job to do!" Apollo responded sternly.

"Apollo we're to be married!"

"And when we are, I'll have all the time in the world for you princess." Apollo spoke sarcastically.

Apollo turned to leave

"Apollo I'm still speaking to you." Marpessa called out to him angrily.

Apollo stopped mid stride and turned to look at Marpessa and bowed. "Excuse me your highness." And he walked away.

Marpessa watched Apollo walk away angrily. Her grip on the stone railing intensified to the point of causing cracks.

She was not going to be ignored.