Disguised by the Forest

Chapter 9

Ana had spent most of the day keeping to myself. Nymphs have a way of being able to sense someone else’s mood. She didn’t feel like being invaded by a bunch of questions of what was going on in my mind. Since she was still trying to wrap her head around a lot of it.

          She could feel the sun’s warmth beginning to fade. She watched it slowly begin to fall behind the hills. Ana could feel every fiber in her being swell up with anticipation for tonight. She felt an overwhelming feeling in her chest almost as if she couldn’t breathe. Something, Ana had never experienced before.      

          Petra, came in to tell me she’d be turning in for the night and to not stay up to late, because they had an early start in the morning. Ana sighed knowing that meant they had to get the water from the spring to create the morning dew across the fields.

          Ana tucked pillows into a form of herself on the bed. Something, she had grown accustomed to doing with all the sneaking out Ana had been doing lately.  She heard a knock on her door as Ana began to open the window. She nearly jumped out of her skin.

“Ana, may I come in?” Zeus’s gruff voice sounded through the wooden door.

          Ana quickly undid her bed throwing the pillows back into place before heading to the door to open it. Looking up at Zeus who had a puzzled look on his face.

“Ana I’ve been watching you. I know what you plan to do tonight.”

Ana gulped, “I am not sure to what you are referring to? I was just about to turn in for the night. My mother has reminded me of our early start tomorrow.”

“Ana do you really think I’m naïve? I was assigned by your mother to protect you and watch over you.” Zeus said.

          Ana bite her lip nervously and looked down at the ground. Zeus reached a hand under her chin forcing her to look up at him.

“Look, I’ve watched you and that human boy. While I do not condone what you are doing. My job is to protect you. And he has given me no reason to assume he means you any harm. If you wish to join him tonight. I will join you as well.”

          Ana stood there wide eyed gawking. ‘He cannot be serious??!’ she thought. ‘I am not letting him join me! Has he lost it. How has he been following me. I was so careful…I ..’ Ana became lost in thought. Trying to figure out how he knew. And if he knew did her mother know! Her frustration at Zeus turned to fear of her mother looking her up forever. Before Ana could begin to form a sentence to respond. Zeus butt in.

“I can see you’re trying to wrap your mind around everything. No, Petra does not know. I wanted to see if he was a threat first. While it went against everything in my gut. I saw a smile on your face that I haven’t seen in a very long time. So I didn’t have it in me to take it away.” Zeus stated.

          Speechless Ana closed the divide between them with a hug. She wrapped her arms strongly around him. As tears began to swell in her eyes. She never considered Zeus a friend. But she was glad that he had been on her side in all of this. She dried her tears and slowly nodded her head.

“Yes, you can come. While I do not love the idea. I don’t think I have much of a choice in the matter. Now do I?” Ana said with a questionable look on her face.

Zeus chuckled. “Now you’re catching on. It is my sworn duty to protect you. And protect you I will. We must get going or your mortal will think you’ve abandoned him.