U.N.T.O.L.D

Chapter 6

Apollo came back to me three days after this visions. I was torn between the desire to seek comfort from him and the desire to shout at him and run away and he seemed to understand something was wrong.

"Are you upset?" he asked in a gentle voice.

"Very much so." I answered softly, not trusting my voice.

"Did you have visions?"

"Y-yes" I stammered.

"It can be very difficult to deal with them but in the end you will get used to them. I decided to oblige to you request because I think you will manage." He took my hands and kissed them gently. "Nevertheless I couldn't help but stiffen, unlike the other times. "You really should relax, my lovely Cassandra. You do not deserve any rudeness."

"Then why will you allow Ajax to r**e me?" I thought. But I couldn't find the courage to speak up.

I expected him to just have his way with me - I knew that he wanted to. But after just a few moments he prepared to leave.

"You'll see me soon, as always" he said while bending his head towards mine. Realizing he was going to kiss me, I jumped back, bracing myself.

""I am not going to hurt you!" he said, surprised.

At least not yet, I snorted inwardly.

"Now, take my hand" he continued, offering it to me.

But I couldn't bring myself to touch him, not anymore. There had been a time when I had longed for his touch, now the very idea of it made me sick.

I turned around: "No. please"

I could perceive he was very surprised and was beginning to fear him.

After a pause, he spoke softly: "It is all right. I will wait as long as you want me to. Now I will leave…" he caressed my shoulder and I shivered remembering Ajax' hands "… but before I do, look at me."

I turned around and stared at him: he was as calm as usual, nothing but kindness in his eyes. For a moment I just wanted to tell him what bothered me.

"I do not consider myself rude. I regret that you are so afraid of me." Obviously, he thought this was all about fear of intimacy with him.

"It's not that!" I exclaimed, not daring to tell him the truth. What could have I said?

"Are you not? What is it, then?" he asked, curious, but I didn't answer.

"Is it that you don't want me at all?" This was exactly the matter but I feared his wrath too much and wasn't able to answer.

"There is no need for you to speak, I can perceive your distaste" he continued with the same calm voice "But last time you said you did! Why then…?" he stopped so abruptly that I looked up. I was horrified by what I saw.

"He was still and silent, but wrath was written in his eyes so clearly that I trembled. After a moment I felt his anger, more violent than ever, exploding in my mind and I held my breath, waiting for his punishment.

"You tricked me for that gift?" I couldn't speak and he continued "You faked affection towards me in order to get that gift… and now that you have it you want to get rid of me?"

I could've spoken up. But to say what? That I knew he would allow Ajax to have his way with me? That I didn't want to be his toy and then be disrespected by another man?

Yes, I wanted to get rid of him. I wanted him to stop touching me, to get out of my head, to get out of my life.

He took me by the shoulders and forced me to turn to him: for a moment I honestly feared that he would have forced himself on me despite my refusal. But he didn't – actually he immediately let go of me.

"Well then… as before, your eyes answer instead of your voice. Enjoy your gift, princess, since I can't take it away. But there will be a little change" he hissed lifting my chin with a stiff gesture:

"That no one will believe you from this moment on!" and then he was gone. Many years would pass before I could see him again.

I spent several moment in front of the altar, not moving, not even daring to breathe.

(3rd person pov)

"I bet I can hit the target on top of that tree and you can't!" Artemis said in a mocking tone, taking her bow.

"Yes, sure you can" Apollo replied distractedly, and she looked back at him, surprised.

"What happened, brother?"

"Why are you asking?"

"You never admit so freely that I can beat you at archery. What is it?"

He regarded her with sad, tired eyes.

"Wait, wait… that's your 'my romance went wrong' look! Is it about that Cassandra girl you told me about? What happened?"

"It appears that she just wanted the gift of prophecy from me" he replied helplessly. In a few sentences, he told her about his encounter with Cassandra on the previous day.

"You did the right thing" she said at the end "Maybe one day you'll learn to restrain from mortal women altogether, will you?"

"You do not understand" he answered pointedly.

"Of course, I know nothing" she mocked "at least I don't get tricked like this. I cannot believe her nerve"