The Confession

We were lucky enough that, as Maron’s powerful position in the island, that he was fortunate enough to have his own private shower. He had to be clean to keep his duties at the temple, and I just so happened to be able to also enjoy his spoils.

As I was finishing my wash I heard the door to the bathroom open up and for a second I froze. Covering my breasts I hesitated, waiting softly, as I heard the steps just on the other side of the curtain. “Maron? Is that you?” I say, my voice breaking ever so slightly, as I have never been so exposed. Did someone on the island realize who I was? Were they here to kill me?

“Yeah, Odysseia… It’s me.” I heard Maron say from the other side, and my heart rate finally settled and I let out a small little chuckle as I continued my wash.

“You scared me!” I tease a little bit, before poking my head out to see him and… “Oh… Is something wrong?” I ask as I meet his expression. The wine had started to take hold and my brain wasn’t exactly the most lucid at the moment, but even still I could see despair in his face in this state.

“Odysseia… I think it is time I fully be honest with you.” Maron said, meeting my eyes with a harshness I have never seen from him before. I hesitate, turn off the water, and grab a towel to cover myself as I step out of the shower. Staying silent I let him speak, and as he did I felt my heart sink in my chest.

“As you know I am the patron saint of Apollo… who is the brother of the woman inside of your head.” I froze at his words. I had never once mentioned Athena to anybody, especially not him. My body tensed, my back straightened, and my gaze hardened as I let him continue. “Apollo told me that Zeus and Athena were on bad terms, and that he was angered at her for starting the war in Troy.”

“Aphrodite started that war.” I bark back, taking another step forward… though the heat from the shower mixed with the wine made me feel slightly light headed, so I stood my ground for now. “If she did not poison the mind of that prince to steal Helen away then that war would not have started.”

“And yet Athena saw to it herself to recruit one of the brightest military minds in yourself to elevate that war to a new level.” Maron barked back, raising his voice in a way that, in all the years I’ve been with him, I’ve never heard. “When the king of the Gods wants something he gets it, and he wanted Athena punished for her actions. And to do that, he wanted to take you out of the equation.”

Maron placed an empty bottle of wine on the table, the same bottle we had drank that first night we spent together. My heart sank now, realizing what this means, tears welling up in my eyes as I meet his gaze once more while he continued.

“Crafted by Dionysus, delivered by Hermes, and ordered by Zeus. Athena had mentioned the strength of your mind to her brother, Apollo. So the plan was to take that strength away from you. As she also knows about your… other weakness.” He says, and I became very aware of his eyes scanning my body now as a blush grew over my cheeks.

“You lied to me, took me away from my people, from my home.” I growled, fist clenching by my side as I step forward again. “You lied about me being in danger! For what? So you don’t anger the Gods? Was my life even at risk? Was- WOAH!” The alcohol took hold as I stepped forward once again and slipped, falling into the arms of Maron who caught me with ease, his hands falling perfectly on my body as he held me.

“Your crew was not the danger, the Gods were.” He whispered, brushing my cheek with his hand. It disgusted me, I wanted to run, but as he spoke I couldn’t help but feel lost in the calmness of his voice. “If you were to get back on that ship, and attempt your voyage home, you would be met with nightmares far beyond your comprehension. Giants, cyclops, sirens. Your fate would lead you to the underworld, facing off directly against the Gods. If you got back on that ship, you were fated to die, Odysseia. Apollo told me himself.”

He helped me to my feet and I leaned against the counter, one hand holding my head as I tried to understand. “This… doesn’t make any sense.” I whisper. “Athena… she-“

“Has gone quiet ever since your crew left the island, hasn’t she?” Maron interrupted. “The Gods are punishing her as we speak. I pleaded with the Lord Apollo for them to spare you, save you from your fate. Zeus agreed to my plea, as long as you stayed on this island. But the second you stepped foot into Poseidons domain once more, he would make no promises.”

“So I am your bargaining chip?” I growl, pushing him away. “After everything we’ve been through? The years of spending our lives together, how much I cared for you?” The tears grew in my eyes now. “Don’t you think you should have told me?”

“I didn’t tell you because I fell in love with you!” Maron screamed back, freezing me in my tracks. “At first it was to protect you, yes. A bargaining chip with the Gods, as you said. But these years together… Odysseia you are an incredible woman. My heart has never felt so full as it is with you by my side! I love you, and despite how this all started I only wanted you to love me too.”

His head sunk into his shoulders, staring down at the floor as tears rolled down his cheeks. He did not bawl, not like a baby would, but his emotions were too powerful to not have some reaction. I stepped slightly closer, watching him as I stare at a broken man, who risked his life to save me not from my own men, but from the Gods themselves.

“I’m sorry…” He whispered. He refused to look at me. That is until I grabbed him by the chin and forced his head up to meet my eyes, and I pulled him in to a deep, passionate kiss, as I dropped my towel to the floor.