Thalia spotted Jysa, flittering about the party like a butterfly, talking to every guest and ensuring they all had a drink in their hand. Dionysus latest squeeze. Atleast that's what people were talking about. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Hera talking to a minor goddess she didn't know, just playing her part. It didn't surprise her at all.
Her sister Clio was dressed in her dark clothes, stood next to some nymph, dressed in sunshine yellow, chatting away like they were best friends despite their polar opposite appearances. It's funny.
And most curious of all was the God of Spring herself. She was being praised for her flower arrangement. Thalia had seen her before, of course, but never had a reason to talk to her or get to know her. Maybe she should do that before the end of the evening.
The moon princess didn't want to be a guest at the same party, but it's an order from Hera. No one went against her. She wanted to keep appearances in front of everyone, show others that her marriage was strong and not hanging by a loose thread as the rumours claimed it to be. And for that, she's using her husband's illegitimate children. How ironic!
Thalia paid no attention to her and instead trailed behind her sister, absentmindedly adjusting the flowers on the way, setting an orange poppy on a table arrangement. She looked bored, resigned already, and it's only fifteen minutes.
A sigh escaped her lips.
She was dressed in a white linen chiton and chlamys like most of the other guests, with ivy trailing around her shoulders and arms and her petite waist, securing the chiton in place. The princess had a delicate shiny diamond crown on her head, framing her long dark brown hair.
Thalia looked delicate and strong at the same time as she could gently cradle a tiny creature in her palm but also hurt someone with ease. She carried herself with grace, almost as if she was afraid to upset anyone with the sound of her stomping, while still oozing quiet confidence. There was a fierceness in her eyes, something strong and challenging deep within those orbs.
Artemis waved at her, nudging her side. "Anyone caught your eye yet?"
The moon princess blushed, very well aware of the implication behind it. And no. She wasn't looking to settle down so soon. What was the rush? Only if her stepmother understood that. According to the rumours Hera was already looking for someone so that she could marry off Thalia and get rid of her.
"No, and as I said before I'm not at all interested"
Artemis let out a dramatic sigh. "I can't believe we are related."
"Same!" The moon princess teased her back.
From their spot by the fountain, she could track others movements around the party, unable to take her eyes off. She noticed Apollo speaking to someone; his back turned to her. The guy was tall, clearly hideous behind that overgrown plants that they decorated the hall with. He was talking animatedly, his head bobbing, but that's all she could get from the back of the head.
"Thalia" A hand shook her, jolting her from her thoughts. Why was she even wondering about a man so much?
She nodded politely at her sister, still lost at what she said. Artemis can talk a lot sometimes. And the moon princess tuned her out a lot too.
"I know you didn't listen to a word I said"
"Sorry I am trying to figure out something!"
"Eh, whatever it may not be that important" Her sister scoffed. "Now let's go socialise. You badly need it."
"Hey!"
What was that supposed to mean? Thalia had friends alright even though most of them were her blood relatives. Okay fine, she spent a lot of time in the castle, specifically in her room so what? That's only making her skin glow thank you very much.
"Don't hey me! You know I'm right" With that her sister dragged her to meet thousand different gods and goddess.
***
Sometimes it seemed to her that all the gods in Olympus were outgoing, loud, talkative, and rowdy. Thalia hadn't yet met another god who liked peace and quiet, or who wanted to know more about Earth than was absolutely necessary. They always wanted to talk about themselves, which was quite dull. Like they already have books written wasn't that enough? That's why she didn't like most of them. Occasionally tolerating them because of her status. Maybe if she weren't Zeus beloved daughter and some common nymph her life would have been so much easier.
With her calm demeanour, Thalia was pushed to talk with others by her very own sister. That traitor. Along the way she marginally brightened talking to Abeona, the Goddess of Travelers, but kept quiet amidst the shallow conversations of the other gods and goddesses. She seemed just as out of place. Most of them loved doing what they did, their houses and their status, but the same was not the car with Thalia.
Finally, they made way to their brother Apollo. All the time they have been walking, something swirled inside the moon princess belly. Her heart thudding as she approached the stranger. Maybe it's just something she ate earlier.
"Hello, brother" Artemis greeted her twin brother.
Apollo snickered at them. "What are you lovely ladies doing here? Shouldn't you be occupied with books in your rooms?"
Thalia down at her feet and appearing as if she was fighting the urge to dash out of the room. Actually, she was. Apollo was taunting her like he always did. It's nothing new only that she hated it.
"And you should be cleaning gutters as father punished you to, but here you are" Artemis sweetly smiled at him.
Someone loudly cleared their throat, interrupting brother and sister fight. That's when Thalia looked up; her breath knocked out of her chest by the beautiful creature in front of her. He was mesmerising. Under the lights, his face gleamed, an easy, charming smile curving his full round lips when he stared at Artemis.
"Artemis we meet again" He addressed her sister. "You look beautiful."
For the first time, Thalia noticed her sister blush. That was very weird. Artemis did look pretty with her long brown hair braided with flowers and hung over her shoulder, dressed in a lavender chiton and cloak, making her look every inch of a dream.
"Oh thank you, Lukas. I haven't seen you in ages. Where have you been?"
"I've been travelling on Earth quite a bit lately. Otherwise, I'm training the warriors. It keeps me busy." He shrugged.
When she sneakily tried to look at him, he caught her eye. Lukas grinned at her.
"Oh, that explains it" Artemis hummed.
"And who might this lovely lady be?" Lukas looked straight in her eye. She squirmed at his sudden attention, trying not to let it show on her face.
"She's Thalia, moon princess."
Lukas forwarded his hand towards her. She delicately placed it, trembling as their hands touched. He was almost swallowing her hands, his fingers huge and thick compared to hers. As their eyes clashed, a shiver ran down her spine.
The stranger slowly bowed down and chastely pressed a kiss on her knuckles, a little whimper slipping out of her mouth.
"Lukas, son of Helios."
Oh. A Titan. She thought to herself.
"Pleasure to meet you" Thalia croaked, pulling her hand away from him.
He smiled back at her.
She abruptly cleared her throat, raising her eyebrows. "Earth, huh? You often go down there?"
His voice was silvery, and she wanted to talk with him more, just to listen to him speak.
Lukas took a sip of his drink. "Yeah, I have a place down there actually."
"That sounds exciting!"
Before Apollo could say a mean comment, he was pulled by someone. She ignored her brother and focused back on Lukas.
Artemis cleared her throat, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "Actually I have to meet someone but you both continue. Lovely to see you around, Lukas. Enjoy the rest of the party. And please visit me soon."
With that, her sister was gone, leaving her all alone with Lukas. She could feel his solemn stare on her. The moon princess couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.
"So you're the sun god?" She asked, her voice curious.
A laughter slipped out of his throat, rich and loud. "That's my father. I have siblings who may take over his position before it comes to me. So I train warriors."
She tried to suppress her grimace at the mention of warriors. He was too good to be true.
"Perhaps you can visit me sometime. I'll give you the full tour." He said, and she felt her heart leap a little. "It's an incredible place, Earth, actually, despite what others might say."
Oh. She almost didn't hear him. The moon princess nodded eagerly and almost smiled.
"That would be amazing."
Her smile quickly turned to a gasp as someone ran into her from behind, shoving her forward. Thalia squeaked and stumbled, fully expecting to land on her face when she felt his arms around her waist. Her eyes rolled back at the touch, lips parting.
Lukas held her up, his fingers still digging into her skin. "Are you alright?"
She swallowed thickly. "Y-Yeah"
***
"Thank you" She breathed, blinking at the person in front of her.There was something about him. Something about the way he was staring at her like she's the only one in the room. Or maybe it's just all in her head. Stepp
Talia was reading in her bedroom in her white cotton mid-thigh dress, legs sprawled on the bed. The usual. The moon princess was waiting for a response from her dear father after she abruptly cancelled their dinner plans. He would be disappointed as Zeus countless times reminded their dinner was his favourite thing of the week.
Once they sat inside, Talia looked around the intricate details carved on the walls of the chariot. Their seat was plush and had a handle to secure them inside. She had many questions going around in her mind, but Lukas seemed to focus on his horses. To not end up in a ditch, the moon princess kept quiet.The carriage landed on the Earth. Lukas wanted her to show the secret hide out he had been harbouring for years now. She couldn’t believe it. Talia heard about the place, the opportunities and the sights it held, but she never had the chance to stay back and soak in.As soon as they got out, the moon princess took in a deep breath. She loved the smell of wild grasses on Mount Olympus, but here on Earth, they smelled even better. Clear and warm. Bending down, she picked a stem of grass and twirled it between her fingers, smiling like a fool.
As they continued exploring, Talia turned to him, a glint in her eyes. "Umm...This is embarrassing, but I am kind of hungry."The Prince sent a pointed look to Cruis, which was enough to make him alert. Lukas had almost forgotten that he should have taken her to the dining room after the tour of the first floor. His friend immediately turned around. "Alright," He said, shaking his hands over his head. "Sit tight, Talia, I'll set the table for both of you.""Thanks," The moon princess smiled at him to which he shrugged and waved as he walked off, leaving them still in the hall.She giggled, appreciative of the effort he was making to lighten the atmosphere on the way to the dining room. He noticed that she was beyond hungry at this point even to look around and appreciate the paintings in the room.
Talia held her breath as the Prince crowded her. He had a lazy smile on his face, clutching the toga in his hands. The thought of him in her space, touching her made her abdomen clench. She was hyper-aware of the elevated breathing, her heart thudding against her chest and palms getting clammy.Lukas breathed. "Lift your arms. I'll teach you." The smile that curved around his lips didn't help at all. Even though he's trying to reassure her, the moon princess shivered at their closeness.Talia did as he told her to do, and Lukas started helping by draping part of the long cloth over her left shoulder and moving to wrap the rest around her body. From up close she could see all the pores on his skin.The toga was secured in such a way that it was tight around her torso
Talia had another dream. Well, most of the Gods and Goddess dream. It's part of the whole legacy. Her dreams were usually ordinary or boring, or sometimes she woke up forgetting them altogether. But that's different tonight.The moon princess woke up in a cold sweat, out of breath and panting hard as she bolt upright in her bed. She's scared, terrified, absolutely hysterical over her dream. Talia didn't remember much, but what she did remember was fire. The colours of orange and yellow burning away and destroying something pure. Again no recollection whatsoever of the object it destroyed but its beautiful, sacred and angelic.If anything, she recalled those eyes. The eyes were full of sadness and despair, and the only thing she could tell before waking up was that they were directed at her. A chill shoot through her body as she shivered in her huge bed, all alone. Talia tried to go back to sleep after such a weird dream, but it
Lukas couldn’t stop thinking about the moon princess since their first meeting. And she spent an entire day with, that only got increasingly hard. He had a difficult time pretending fo focus on his everyday mundane tasks. Even more so after month of not seeing Talia.Its just he was thousands of miles away from her and in an entirely different place. The Earth.Shaking his head, he walked into the adjoining room, yet another wave of her scent surrounded him. This time it was much worse. Must be the toga he brought along with him—a reminder of her.Lukas groaned, not being able to stop himself from inhaling the intoxicating spicy smell that was surrounding every single part of him. Including his cock. His skin was boiling, and it felt electric all thanks to her scent. He felt as if Talia was in the same room as him.The so
Talia stared blankly at the fireplace, watching as the flames burned the wood chips she kept on throwing. Somehow she hoped that all her memories burned the same way and the daughter of Zeus could forget about everything. The disastrous breakfast with her father, meeting Lukas and running away to Earth. It would solve all of her problems.Just then, one of the maids entered the room to hand her the letter, declaring it was from Prince Lukas. After a month of radio silence, he had had the gall to reach out to her. How dare he? She stared at the white sheet for a while before jutting out the courage to read the content.Lukas wanted to meet her. She crushed the letter and threw it in the fireplace.After walking towards her en suite, Talia discarded her robe and stepped into the tub filled with hot water, rose-scented steam rising into the air. Her mind wandered as she held her nose and sank below the sur