Page 77 of The Cursed Chalice

Forever the protector. “Listen, you did nothing wrong, kiddo. You are loved, and you will be protected.”

“Promise?” Nisa looks at Ares.

“I promise, little one.”

There is a beat of silence before I speak up. “I would be honored if you would be my bridesmaid. I have none.”

Nisa wipes her face. “Me, a bridesmaid?”

“I couldn’t think of a prettier one.” I take joy in seeing her sadness being removed by being a bridesmaid. I think we should send her to therapy, but let’s get to the wedding first.

Clapping makes the three of us look up. Hecate is standing by the door again. “This is all good, but by the fates, can we get ourselves together? We are having a wedding.”

She sets her eyes on Nisa. “As long as I live, I will always be here to protect you. That’s what aunties do.”

Nisa leaps and hugs her tightly. “Thank you, Aunt Hecate.”

Hecate taps her back softly and pulls away. “Nisa, go to your room and pick a dress. Now, about the wedding. Let’s move it, people.” Hecate claps, signifying for us to move.

Ares helps me to my feet, and Hecate ushers me out. We walk down the stairs, past my bedroom, past the living room and game room. I see a door that wasn’t there before, but I still have yet to explore this house in full.

The door opens, and I gasp at its beauty. If I knew that Ares had a spa in his house, I would’ve been here every day.

The walls are tiled; the tiles have an iridescent glitter. Long, white, sheer curtains hang over three arches, hiding whatever is behind them. The air smells of roses and ivy.

“In ancient times, we would have custom callproaulia.” Hecate walks up to the curtain and pulls it aside. “First, we would have a katabasis. Your parents would bring you to your husband-to-be’s home. Then they would make an offering to Artemis or Athena.”

The thought of my parents not being here for the important times in my life pulls at me.

Hecate holds out her hand. “Since I am here, and I have the name of a great goddess, you can make the offering to Hecate. Artemis and Athena are so overrated.”

“Hecate, this feels like a lot.”

She shrugs. “This family is a lot. What are you offering?”

“I have no idea what to offer.”

“Give me a lock of your hair.”

I frown. “You want my hair…as an offering? Hecate, really?”

“These are my family traditions.”

Hecate passes me a small pair of scissors, and I cut a piece of my hair.

“Now, say this after me.” Hecate holds a gold bowl in her hand. “Soi, soi, Hekatei touto prosphero.”

I repeat the words, and a part of me feels happy, like I invited someone divine. However, this feels binding…final.

A small smirk graces Hecate’s face. Slowly, I drop my hair into the golden bowl. She closes her eyes and bows her head a little to me, then places the bowl on the table. A small flame flickers in it and dissipates, leaving the ashes of my hair behind.

Something about the way Hecate moves makes me a little nervous. I feel like this wedding is not just about my protection. It feels locked in and real.

She pulls the curtain of the second arch to reveal a porcelain bathtub. The scent of earth and mint invades my senses.

“Disrobe and sit.” I drop the robe and step into the bathtub. Am I a bath person? No, but, hey.

Hecate pushes a cart of golden jugs. “As in the old days, this water is from a very sacred spring. It’s to prepare a bride for a husband.”