The Cursed Greek Heroes Series: Wicked

Chapter 4

The cave walls were constantly damp, due to the vapors that rose from a natural hot spring that pooled deeper inside the cavern. Not that it bothered Adamus very much. If he were really particular about having all the comforts of home, he would be sleeping inside his own and not inside this humid cave with his bare back on the floor.

The only convenience he had allowed himself was a pelt on which he sleeps on. If Artemis had wanted him to be a beast, it was only appropriate to live according to her wishes.

Closing his eyes, sleep latched onto him and Adamus's vulnerable mind quickly succumbed to a dream. It was always the same dream and it always started off in the same place; Artemis's temple on Mount Olympus.

Adamus stepped across the threshold, walking a few paces behind his father. The sun god looked around and smiled good-naturedly. Ever since Apollo had plucked him from the mortal world and made him a minor god, Adamus began serving as his father's entourage alongside his other half brothers, Miletus and Orpheus.

Even at first glance, everybody would know of their parentage.

The three of them shared their godly father's coloring; tanned, with fair blonde hair and dark amber eyes. Their clothing was also similar to that of Apollo. All of them wore knee length one shouldered soft yellow chiton, belted at the waist and pinned with Apollo's sigil: delicate golden filigree with a circular yellow diamond nested in the middle, a representation of the golden sun.

Although Adamus frequented Artemis's domain often, whenever he stepped inside, the splendor of the temple never cease to amaze him. It was a grand building built entirely out of white marble. The dome was silver and held up by pillars, each was five foot in diameter and nearly a hundred foot in height. The polished floors shone and reflect like mirrors.

The main hall was where the gathering was held, the grandest room in the temple. Solid silver braziers were placed between tall columns, its fire burning blue and white. Above them miniature moons floated providing soft silvery illumination. One side of the hall opened to the gardens, planted with every kind of flagrant smelling flowers. A pleasant breeze was blowing, fluttering white curtains. There was soft music of the lyre and lute floating in the air, intermingling with the jolly conversations and laughter.

Inside the hall, other Olympians were milling around a long banquet table overflowing with delicious offering of the season. Bread and fruits flowed freely from cornucopias while to the side, stood a stone fountain pouring nectar and a small river that run with wine. On one end of the hall, a cow and a pig was turning on the pit.

They were all gathered for a party hosted by Artemis to celebrate one of her many successful hunts. Once they were inside, his brother Orpheus was quickly whisked off by a gaggle of giggling nymphs, begging for him to play the lyre and sing. His brother, much to his pleasure, obliged the nymphs. Orpheus could never refuse the temptation of a beautiful woman – least of all when there were ten of them. Meanwhile, Miletus had wandered off towards the lazily flowing river of wine. His brother scooped the blood red drink in a chalice and proceeded to strike a conversation with Dionysus, who was hovering nearby.

"I think that Artemis has outdone herself with this party, don't you think so?" questioned Apollo while nonchalantly plucking a peach from a cornucopia.

Adamus looked around, assessing the party happening around him without interest. "If you say so, lord father."

"For the love of Zeus yiós, do not be so meek." His father turned around and threw the peach his way. Adamus deftly caught the fruit.

"It was not my intent, patera. I apologize if my behavior displeases you."

Apollo's countenance softened as he clasped a hand on his son's shoulder. "Nothing you've ever done has ever displeases me. That is why I chose you, out of all of my other children to be by my side."