She was awakened by the cold breeze. The bed was empty. She rose up, took Apollo’s cape and wrapped it around herself. Almost imminently she was surrounded by his scent. She sighed contently. Her body was tired, but it was worth it. The night was more than pleasant. She swiftly went to the balcony. Her beloved husband was standing tall in the sunrise. Hair glistening in the morning sun.
He turned to her with a playful smile. When she stood next to him, he hugged her bare shoulders. “You were cold?”
“A little bit. Where were you looking?”
“Sparta, my jade. When we arrived… I saw someone.” His smile widened. “I took interest in him.”
“Soldier? King? Servant?”
He kissed her forehead. “Prince. His name was Hyacinthus. If you could see him… Strong and brave on the battlefield. But he has a sort of gentleness in him. Even with blood and gore all over his body, there still remained something innocent in him…”
“Show him to me, my beloved, please.” smiled Rune without any hint of jealousy. It was normal for them to invite others to their bed. Men, women, nymphs, it did not matter to them. But never behind each others backs. And of course an unwritten rule, that it will not be Ares. Never.
Apollo outstretched his arm. “Oh sun rays, show me what my heart desires. Sparta, king Alkymos palace.”
A mirror from light showed a large room. Prince Hyacinthus was marvelous. He was reading some book. Long brown hair were cascading around handsome, almost beautiful face. High cheekbones and bright, amethyst eyes.
Rune sighed. “Beautiful…”
“Yes.” Apollo answered almost lost in a dream. “More than that.”
She looked at her husband expectantly. “Well? Will you talk to him? When?”
“I was thinking about visiting after the tourney. I can’t wait longer. I’m afraid someone will took him from us soon.” His face darkened. “And that someone will tarnish his innocence.”
Rune took his hand to calm him. Then she got an idea. “What about a little competition?” She knew this will brighten his mood.
“Who will palace higher in the turney, will have the honors to approach him first.” She hugged him. “The other will wait until he’s ready.”
“Oh, marvelous idea!” Apollo put his hand on her cheek. “Let the game begin.”
They kissed to seal it. Mirror vanished, but both lovers knew that they couldn’t forget what they saw in it.
“Gods of Olympus! Let the tourney begin!” shouted Zeus and sat on his throne. Hera was smiling next to him. It looked like this month will be peaceful between them.
Rune saw Hermes and Aiolos, the first warriors, to take their positions. This should be interesting. Both were really fast.
“How could I… Don’t be so sure of your victory, my beloved. You will go down if we meet in the tourney.”
Hermes put on his helmet. With gong warriors clashed their swords. The audience was cheering and shouting. Then Aiolos fell to the ground and Hermes put the tip of his sword under his chin.
“Hermes wins!” Zeus shouted. “Next match will be Artemis and Apollo!”
Rune chuckled when she saw the twins look at eachother. Her beloved god was grinning.
“Interesting! Shall we, sister?”
“I will not lose, brother.” Artemis sighed, took her sword and walked to the middle of arena.
Apollo looked expectantly at Rune. “Kiss for good luck?” She pouted and looked away. Sun god laughed and went to his sister.
“Good luck Artie! Kick his ass!” shouted Rune, when the twins took their positions. Then gong and they were fighting.
“Not supporting your husband?” said Ares and he leaned against a wall. “What a surprise, little one.”
“We have a deal. If he loses, I’ll automatically win.”
“Oh, sounds like fun! Should I join as well? What’s the prize? I will accept any challenge!”
“No, no. Even if you bedded men, we’d never let you join the fun!”
“Hm… isn’t it a handsome young man from my realm?” He looked at her knowingly.
“Yes. I didn’t know, it was your realm. You can’t have your own realms, I heard.”
“Whoever will place higher, will get the chance to talk to him and court him first.” said Rune with a gentle smile.
“Ugh, I can’t understand your marriage… I could never touch someone other than her…” He gazed towards stands, where Aphrodite laughed with Demeter.
“Well… it’s nice. Some versatility.” laughed Rune. She heard the screeching of metal. She looked expectantly at the fight. Unfortunately Apollo kicked Artemis and brought her to her knees. Then he took her arm and placed a sword to her chest. Rune cursed. But she couldn't help it and looked at her husband. Hair was flawlessly falling around his face when he was waving at the crowd. She could almost feel his skilled fingers at the back of her neck, his hot lips, toned body… She shook her head and when he came to her she punched him lightly. “Show off.”
Artemis came with a disappointed face. “Shame. I wanted to fight with you, Rune.”
“Well losing isn’t the end, Artie.”
“Yes, but winning tastes sweet!”
Rune rolled her eyes, who hugged her tightly. She let him hold her for a while and just watched a match between Athena and Ares. It was brutal. She thought that Zeus intervened so these two could have a go. Well it helped to clear their heads a bit. Athena won, but it was a close one. Then she heard her name.
“Next match is Rune and Dionysus.” She took her short spear and shield. This will be hard. Even though Dionysus was known for his parties and excellent alcohol, he was a very good fighter with his weapon of choice, a club. She went with worries but determination to beat him. They took positions. Dionysus smiled at her and with gong, swiftly attacked. Rune dodged and brought her spear forward. She missed him, but didn’t wait for a response and attacked again. It was a nice fight. She was waiting for an opening. There it was. She threw her spear at him. He dodged and wanted to attack again, but she took her shield to both hands and hit him square in the chest. He fell to the ground with a grunt. Rune pulled out her dagger and put it under his chin.
“Rune wins!” roared Zeus. She could hear pride in his voice. He always liked her.
Crowd cheered. She helped Dionysus off the ground. He was trying to catch his breath. “Good fight. I didn’t expect that.”
They both went to other fighters. Artemis hugged her. “That was great!”
Athena nodded her head. “Good job. That shield stunt was really clever.”
“Thanks.” said Rune with a smile.
“That’s my beloved wife!” Apollo kissed her forehead.
Next fight was his. Hermes fought bravely but Apollo was better. The determination to approach Hyacinthus was a really good motivation. Rune was restless. It meant for her to go against Athena. She was holding her spear tightly, until her knuckles were almost white.
“You can do it, little one.” said Ares to her, when it was her turn. She nodded and accepted Apollo’s good luck kiss.
She took her position. Athena was also wielding a spear. Rune bolted with the gong. Her spear screeched against Athena’s shield Aegis. Then it was a quick swing after another. Rune couldn’t keep up. She was only dodging and couldn’t attack again.
“Ugh.” Rune groaned when Athena squished her to the ground with a spear close to her heart. She was angry and helpless, as she put her arms up to surrender. Athena helped her to her feet.
“The winner is Athena!” Crowd shouted and clapped. Rune dusted off dirt and sand. Athena patted her on the back.
“Good job, little one.” said the goddess with a smile.
Apollo was waiting for his beloved wife with open arms. She leaned her head against his chest and started punching him. He laughed. Then she looked at him. “Be gentle with him.”
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