CRAVE (ENGLISH VERSION)

I had just stepped out of Zeus's western study when I met Apollo and his companions in the Hall of Eagles.

The corridor was lined with white statues and braziers of blue flame. Apollo stood between them like he owned the light itself, his golden mantle falling from one shoulder. The sons of the old houses went quiet when they saw me, then one of them gave a lazy laugh.

"Look who came back to beg again. Persephone really cannot stay away from Apollo's sunlight."

"A daughter of Zeus chasing a man like a lovesick mortal. Olympus must be proud."

"If the old king knew she was using his oath to force a marriage, even the thunder would be ashamed."

They didn’t bother lowering their voices. To them, I was only the girl who had loved Apollo too openly for too long. In my last life, every word would have cut me. Now, I looked at Apollo and felt nothing but a clean, cold distance.

He looked me over with familiar contempt. "What are you doing in my grandfather's wing? Asking Lord Zeus to plead for you? Or reminding him that your mother's blood once saved Olympus during the Titan raids?"

"Zeus summoned me," I said. "Tomorrow is my twentieth birthday. He will host the Choosing himself."

The laughter thinned.

Everyone knew Zeus's oath. When I turned twenty, I could choose a husband from the six divine heirs gathered under his roof. The man I chose would receive my dowry, access to the thunder vaults, and the right to stand beside me in the new council. In my last life, I had chosen Apollo and placed a crown in his hands.

He stepped closer, already smiling like a victor. "After marriage, we will live by sensible rules. I will not be tied to one woman, and you will not interfere with the healings I perform for Celeste. If you can accept that, I may treat you kindly."

I almost laughed. He spoke as if I were still waiting for scraps.

Before I could answer, a soft cough came from the far archway. Celeste crossed the hall in a pale green gown, her hair braided with white blossoms. Her cheeks looked fragile, her eyes damp, and her hand rested over her heart as if every breath cost her pain.

"Persephone," she said. "Demeter asked me to come with you. She worried you would feel lonely among Apollo's people."

Apollo went to her at once. "Why did you leave the garden when you are weak?"

Celeste lowered her lashes. "I only wanted to help."

He turned on me. "You cannot even attend a meeting without dragging her into your drama? She is ill. Must everything serve your pride?"

In my last life, I would have explained that I had not asked Celeste to come. I would have cried, argued, and looked like the jealous woman they wanted me to be.

This time, I only smiled. "You two look busy. I will not interrupt."

Apollo's face darkened. "Do not play cold with me, Persephone. If you keep acting like this, I may refuse you tomorrow."

"Good," I said, and walked away before he understood.