Page 113 of The Cursed Chalice

The gods erupt. Some cheering, others raging.

“Live well, my son.”

We crash down together onto the soft grass of my backyard. No throne, no power. Just Soraya and I. Mortals who are about to live a real life.

Two Weeks Later

Ihave a love/hate relationship with being human. Let’s start with the things that I hate. Fucking illness. I have seen mortals cough and sneeze, and it never bothered me. I went to a meeting, and someone sneezed. Guess who got the flu? Me. Medication? It was designed in the depths of hell. I have never tasted anything as disgusting as cough syrup. A fever? I didn’t know you could be hot, cold, and in pain all at the same time.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss my divinity and the power that came with it. I miss the raw power that used to run through my veins. I miss Aric’s presence, but I know he will always be a part of me.

There are things I love. The intensity of hunger and, the genuine pleasure, that comes from eating food. Food for a god is not fuel. The salty taste of chips and fish with a sprinkle of malt vinegar. By the Fates, it’s delicious.

Small acts of kindness. Affection is given not because of devotion, but just because mortals were being mortals.

My wife, seeing her bounce on my cock, feeling her squeeze around me. I have never felt this desperate love in my life. She sees me, not the man or a god, but the inner person inside. As we both climax and I lie in her arms, she allows me to be vulnerable. As a god, I couldn’t afford to be seen as…weak. But with her, I can bleed, fail, cry…and her love is constant.

Soraya makes my new life livable. I pull her closer to my chest, settling into the night.

I kiss her forehead. “I love you.”

She snuggles into my chest. “Now until forever.”

I don’t remember when I fall asleep, but the knock on the bedroom door wakes me up.

I groan, pulling the cover over Soraya. “Come in.”

The door opens, and the first thing I see is the walking stick, then the long black pleated cotton dress. The smell of peppermint and frankincense invades the room.

I smile. Finally, she was home. The old lady hobbles to a chair in the room's corner.

Soraya wakes up groggy. “Ares?”

“We can meet you downstairs, Mrs. Grady.” I don’t want anyone to see my wife naked.

“Introduce us, Ares,” Mrs. Grady says, leaning her chin on the top of her walking stick.

Soraya sits up straighter. I pull her to me. Mrs. Grady and her family have been with me through the years.

“Mrs. Grandy, please allow me to introduce my wife, Soraya. Soraya, Mrs. Grady.”

Soraya pulls the sheet around her and presses a hand to her chest. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Grady. I am so sorry; I can’t stand.”

Mrs. Grady smiles. “I always love good manners. It’s a pity Zeus never had them.”

Both Soraya and I stare at her in shock. “Zeus?”

“Right, hold on.” Mrs. Grady places her stick to the side. She raises her hand, and the darkness in the room rushes to her fingertips, wrapping around her body. As the darkness disappears, a beautiful woman in a cosmic shroud sits on the chair with her legs crossed. I can see pieces of galaxies moving within her shroud. A half-moon crown sits at the back of her head.

Soraya shakes in my arms a little.

“Have no fear, mortal. I am Nyx, born of chaos, primordial…powerful.” Her finger taps the edge of the chair. Her long black hair hangs straight against her light blue skin. She looks like a goddess to be worshiped and feared.

I swallow in fear. As Ares, the God of War, I would be no match for her. As a man, I am dead. Zeus even feared Nyx. She was the oldest deity.

Her finger points in my direction. “I have been watching you since your judgment. Never could I intervene because I never go against the Fates.”

All the Gradys that served me in the past…were Nyx. I bow my head in reverence. “Your presence is revered and praised.”