Why not?

Ephraim stepped up to the witch as she drew a dagger. "This isn't going to take much blood letting, is it? You know I get I'll at the sight of it."

"Just a few drops will do," she nodded, holding out her free hand. "If I may?"

Ephraim slowly held out his hand, letting her grasp his wrist and prick his thumb with the knife. He was very careful not to look down at it.

Circe held his hand above the bowl, letting the blood drip into the liquid below. She closed her eyes and whispered, "By your holy blood, we summon thee. O, Great Mother, we plead for your guidance, and to bask in your presence once more. O, once and future Queen of Eros, your people have lost their way. A new shepherd has risen to guide them back into your embrace. We beg of you. Speak to us, that we may do your will once more."

Ephraim looked up at the statue once again. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a blinding flash of light rose from the stone form of Jocasta and the offering bowl, and he shielded his eyes with his free hand.

As quickly as light had appeared, it faded, and Circe let his hand drop as she fell to her knees, prostrating herself before the statue.

Ephraim lowered his hand, and his jaw dropped once again.

The statue was no more, and in it's place was a flesh and blood woman whose beauty made him forget how gorgeous her stone representation had been. She was no longer lounging on the couch, but standing before him, still holding the raven aloft. The grapes lay on the blanket, which she had left behind, revealing every inch of her beauty. Her hair was red, just like his, but her eyes were golden, and transfixed him with their gaze.

Ephraim wanted to say something; anything, just to express his sheer joy at the sight. But nothing came out. He could not move. He could barely breath.

Jocasta smiled at him, slowly approaching as she whispered, her voice light and musical, "Ephraim, son of Esmeralda. Soon to be named Crown Prince of Eros. I am pleased to finally meet you."

He swallowed, and finally managed to get something out.

"You're beautiful," Ephraim breathed, feeling his cheeks turn a bright pink.

Jocasta laughed, the sound both pleasing and arousing him. "Why, thank you, my child," she said, a playful smirk upon her face. "But you have yet to see my daughter."

She then turned her gaze to Circe, smiling fondly. "Rise, my most loyal of servants," she chuckled. "You have done well."

Circe rose to her feet, and Ephraim could hear her heavy breathing as she whispered, "I had almost lost hope. I thought, for a moment... I'm sorry I doubted-"

"There is nothing to forgive, Circe," Jocasta answered, walking up to her and taking her hands as the raven flew off with a caw. "You have remained steadfast throughout the years. Be at peace."

Circe smiled widely, tears forming in her eyes as she nodded, wordlessly.

Jocasta let her go and turned back to Ephraim. "Now," she said, holding his chin up in a cupped hand, "Let me have a look at you."

At her touch, Ephraim felt his breath leave his lungs. There was nothing he wanted more than to tear his clothes off, to swear his fealty to her, to be used by her in whatever way she wished, to throw himself upon her-

FOCUS, he screamed into the confines of his mind. SHE'S JUDGING YOU RIGHT NOW. SHOW SOME RESPECT!

"Your restraint is much appreciated," she chuckled fondly, staring into his eyes. "Hmm... Yes," she said after a moment. "A strength of spirit. Good, strong moral code, untested as it is. A good, healthy sex drive, though it has yet to be acted upon. A little timid, but that's nothing we can't work on. And..." Her smile widened as she finished, "Love. Unadulterated, pure, and loyal. You love your family, and despite your aforementioned timid nature, you would do anything to protect them."

Her hand left his chin, and while his wish to be used died down, it did not disappear.

Ephraim swallowed as he muttered, bowing awkwardly, "I, uh... Thank you? Milady?"

"Ah, such the gentleman," the goddess nodded. "Yes, you will do nicely."

He rose once more, swallowing again as he said, "For what, if you don't mind my asking?"

Jocasta motioned to Circe as she said, "My priestess has already told you of the fate of my other temples. You must have already guessed that the other gods of our Pantheon were treated in the same manner, yes?"

Ephraim slowly nodded. "Yes, my lady."

Jocasta's expression darkened as she turned away, and while Ephraim's eyes wandered down to her rear, he heard her next words loud and clear. "Their last shrines are scattered throughout the land. Your father, Silas, had forbade our worship, or even the very mention of our names."

Glancing back over her shoulder, she said, her voice stern, "Your mission is to find them all, and once you gain the throne, restore our temples."

He nodded, but couldn't help asking, "Why can't you do that?"

Circe glared at him and hissed, "Be respectful."

"It is alright," Jocasta chuckled, turning back to him. "Ignorance is no sin, so long as those guilty of it do not continue to choose it in the face of enlightenment."

Ephraim bowed his head and muttered, "I meant no disrespect."

"Of course," the goddess nodded. "We gods are held bound by laws far older than ourselves. One of them is that we cannot interfere directly in the affairs of mortals, but through our followers, upon which we can bestow gifts and guidance."

She held out her hand, and the raven perched upon her outstretched finger once more, eyeing Ephraim silently.

"This is Ferrin, once my most trusted advisor, and now a symbol of my will," Jocasta said. "I lend him to you, to be returned upon your deathbed. He and his people will aid you in all things, so long as you do not stray from my path."

Ephraim nodded slowly as Ferrin hopped from her finger to his shoulder. "I thank you," he said reverently. "But I must ask, where do I start? We may not be a large kingdom, but it's quite a lot to search."

Jocasta nodded and said, "The shrine to my son, Oedipus, is within this very castle. He is the god of Truth, Light, and the Sun, and his shrine is guarded by a scholar of magic. That is all I can say, for they have shrouded themselves, their intentions, and the shrine from my sight."

Ephraim nodded yet again, asking, "Is there anything else you wish of me?"

Jocasta smiled and said, "Actually, yes, there is." She walked up to him, looking him dead in the eyes yet again as she said, "I wish for you to woo your mother."

Ephraim blinked at this, his cheeks turning pink again. "I'm sorry, what? You want me to-"

"Give your mother the incestuous love she deserves?" Jocasta asked, still smiling. "Yes."

"But," he protested, "Isn't that-"

"Illegal, thanks to your Auroran father," she nodded. "Familial love was once embraced by Eros, as well as the freedom to express one's sexuality; be it a love for women, a love for men, a love of both, a love of neither, or all of the above." She smirked at him and added, "If you're worried about disappointing her, worry not. Circe will teach you the secrets of love-making."

Ephraim's blush deepened as he glanced at the smirking witch. "I..." he muttered, attempting to argue further.

"You love her," Jocasta insisted. "And you are very attracted to her. That much is clear to both her and myself. All you must do now is act upon it. She is stressed beyond belief, but finally free of your father's constraining influence. Use this to your advantage.

"In time," the goddess continued, sitting down on the couch, "You shall also woo your sister. She will be more difficult, which is why you are starting with your mother instead."

Ephraim nodded, out of any arguments that she would probably listen to, then asked, "Will I need to woo my brother as well?"

Jocasta smirked and answered, "That depends. Do you like men at all?"