Read Online House of Thebes (The Bloodstone Saga) by Courtney Cole - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Courtney Cole
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chocolate brown eyes. If my father didn’t grant his permission within the next minute, I felt that I might quite literally die.
Ares turned to me, the laughter gone from his eyes.
“Do you want to marry this man even though he is mortal?”
My answer was immediate.
“Yes.”
My father stared at me for a moment, reading my thoughts, studying my face.
“So be it,” he finally replied. “Be happy, sweet daughter.” Turning to Cadmus, his tone firmed up. “Make her happy,” he instructed sternly. He puffed his chest out as only the god of war could, creating an ominous, commanding presence.
Cadmus didn’t even flinch. “Yes, sir.”
Ares sat back down. “Very well, then.” He turned to Zeus who was seated at the head of his table next to his wife, Hera. “Zeus, do you have anything to add? Do you approve this union?”
My grandfather stared at me quietly, his white-silver hair standing up crazily on his head as it always did. He seemed to stare directly into my soul and he was silent for minutes on end. It was unsettling. Finally, he spoke.
“I foresee that you will have many, many adventures in life. You will love each other deeply. Never forget to hold tight to that love. It will sustain you no matter what comes, no matter what you may face.”
“Yes, grandfather,” I agreed.
Zeus turned to Cadmus. “Since you did not return to Tyre with Europa, am I safe to assume that your father will not welcome your return now?”
Cadmus’ expression hardened. “I assume that is correct. My father has not contacted me in any way throughout the past eight years. I assume that he has taken another heir to his throne. I am free to continue about my own destiny.”
I froze. We would not need to live in the mortal world?
Zeus smiled. “Ah, my son. You will soon discover that there is no such thing as ‘your own destiny.’ Our destinies are often intertwined with and determined by others. In life, we make choices and decisions based on the actions of others, therefore re-carving our destinies time and time again. You will have a long, twisted path in life, Cadmus. But your life will be worth it.”
I stared at my grandfather in puzzlement. A long, twisted path?
Zeus ignored my gaze, choosing instead to continue speaking to Cadmus.
“Because of your bravery in saving Ortrera and Harmonia and because you have served your sentence with honor, I offer you this gift. During your travels to find Europa, you built a small city called Cadmea. It has grown in your absence and is a bustling and successful metropolis now, frequently referred to as Thebes. I make you this offer: You can, if you choose, live in Thebes as ruler. You will be king of Thebes, and Harmonia will be your queen.”
Cadmus was silent, considering the offer. I chose this moment to interject.
“Grandfather, will Cadmus remain mortal? I ask, because based on his bravery alone, I think that it would be reasonable to suggest that he be granted immortality. I do not wish to watch my husband grow old and die in front of me.”
Zeus studied me for a moment. His silver eyes reflective.
“What you say is true, granddaughter. And I have taken it into advisement. However, if you choose to live in the mortal world, you must do so as mortals. But I offer you this option: You may live as mortals until such time that you would like to return to the Spiritlands and make this your home. At that time, you will regain your immortality and I will grant immortality to Cadmus, as well.
“In doing it in such a way, you would gain the best of both worlds. You will experience mortal life while at the same time ensuring that you will also live forever at any time that you choose. The one caveat is that you must not die while in the mortal world. If you do, your fate will pass from my hands to my brother, Hades, since he is the god of the dead. And he is well-known for
Ares turned to me, the laughter gone from his eyes.
“Do you want to marry this man even though he is mortal?”
My answer was immediate.
“Yes.”
My father stared at me for a moment, reading my thoughts, studying my face.
“So be it,” he finally replied. “Be happy, sweet daughter.” Turning to Cadmus, his tone firmed up. “Make her happy,” he instructed sternly. He puffed his chest out as only the god of war could, creating an ominous, commanding presence.
Cadmus didn’t even flinch. “Yes, sir.”
Ares sat back down. “Very well, then.” He turned to Zeus who was seated at the head of his table next to his wife, Hera. “Zeus, do you have anything to add? Do you approve this union?”
My grandfather stared at me quietly, his white-silver hair standing up crazily on his head as it always did. He seemed to stare directly into my soul and he was silent for minutes on end. It was unsettling. Finally, he spoke.
“I foresee that you will have many, many adventures in life. You will love each other deeply. Never forget to hold tight to that love. It will sustain you no matter what comes, no matter what you may face.”
“Yes, grandfather,” I agreed.
Zeus turned to Cadmus. “Since you did not return to Tyre with Europa, am I safe to assume that your father will not welcome your return now?”
Cadmus’ expression hardened. “I assume that is correct. My father has not contacted me in any way throughout the past eight years. I assume that he has taken another heir to his throne. I am free to continue about my own destiny.”
I froze. We would not need to live in the mortal world?
Zeus smiled. “Ah, my son. You will soon discover that there is no such thing as ‘your own destiny.’ Our destinies are often intertwined with and determined by others. In life, we make choices and decisions based on the actions of others, therefore re-carving our destinies time and time again. You will have a long, twisted path in life, Cadmus. But your life will be worth it.”
I stared at my grandfather in puzzlement. A long, twisted path?
Zeus ignored my gaze, choosing instead to continue speaking to Cadmus.
“Because of your bravery in saving Ortrera and Harmonia and because you have served your sentence with honor, I offer you this gift. During your travels to find Europa, you built a small city called Cadmea. It has grown in your absence and is a bustling and successful metropolis now, frequently referred to as Thebes. I make you this offer: You can, if you choose, live in Thebes as ruler. You will be king of Thebes, and Harmonia will be your queen.”
Cadmus was silent, considering the offer. I chose this moment to interject.
“Grandfather, will Cadmus remain mortal? I ask, because based on his bravery alone, I think that it would be reasonable to suggest that he be granted immortality. I do not wish to watch my husband grow old and die in front of me.”
Zeus studied me for a moment. His silver eyes reflective.
“What you say is true, granddaughter. And I have taken it into advisement. However, if you choose to live in the mortal world, you must do so as mortals. But I offer you this option: You may live as mortals until such time that you would like to return to the Spiritlands and make this your home. At that time, you will regain your immortality and I will grant immortality to Cadmus, as well.
“In doing it in such a way, you would gain the best of both worlds. You will experience mortal life while at the same time ensuring that you will also live forever at any time that you choose. The one caveat is that you must not die while in the mortal world. If you do, your fate will pass from my hands to my brother, Hades, since he is the god of the dead. And he is well-known for
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