Thanks to the-Imagined for reviewing. It has been quite some time since I have updated this story and for that I am truly sorry. I became distracted by my numerous other stories and story ideas. I would like to finally finish this story though, as I would like to work on getting the sequel up. Also, I would like to point out that yes, a lot of people have commented that this is like Everworld. Though I adore the writing of K.A. Applegate with a passion, I only read the first two or three books in the Everworld series and that was back when they first came out. It was not the inspiration for this story at all. So, please, stop mentioning that to me.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who has read this story. Please REVIEW.

Chapter XVI: Love and Beauty

The melodious laugh sounded again. “Darrion, ever the gentleman…just like your father,” she said. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit to my temple?”

Darrion gave an easy smile. “We are merely passing through and I thought it wise to stop and ask your blessing for the trip.”

From behind the large vase of flowers came one of the tallest people they had ever seen. Darrion didn’t seem fazed by the sight at all. She had long golden blonde hair that seemed to fall in waves, cascading all the way down her back. A few curls framed her heart shaped face and drew attention to her full lips and dancing blue eyes. Lexa thought she could detect a slight weariness in them as well; she could understand why after everything Aphrodite had to deal with on a daily basis with the epic loves and the wars they could start.

Aphrodite was wearing a pale pink gown that accentuated her curvy figure, cinching in on her small waist with a high slit on each side to show off her legs.

Seeing Lexa and Darrion bow their heads in respect, Jesse, Sukari, Rommie, and Zahira did so as well. When they looked up again, Aphrodite had approached Darrion and was speaking in hushed tones, as one did when trying to have a semi-private conversation. Unfortunately for them, it wasn’t very private with Lexa standing less than a foot away from Darrion.

“I heard something from some of the villagers as they prayed to me here at the temple, Darrion. Is it true about your father? Is he ill?”

Darrion nodded grimly. “His health has been weakening for months now. The last report I received about him was that he could no longer travel around the castle unless carried by the servants. I fear it will not be much longer until the Fates decide it is his time.”

“He has lived a long life and has done many things for this world. Perhaps it is now best to think of how you can best serve Amaranth.” Aphrodite looked around at the group of people surrounding Darrion and her eyebrows rose slightly. “I must say that you have chosen to travel with strange company.”

Lexa cleared her throat. How many people were going to notice the strange entourage Darrion had with him? Then again, even while dressed like everyone else in this world, her friends did stick out. Everything here just looked so out of the ordinary that none of them could help but look around in awe. They were nothing more than tourists, or so it seemed. “We are merely accompanying Darrion until it is time for him to return home,” Lexa said.

Aphrodite turned to gaze at Lexa. “Who do you think you are, referring to him by his first name? That is only reserved for those who know him well. From what I can see here, none of you know anything about what is going on around here.” She paused for a moment and her blue eyes seemed to burn through Lexa, dissecting her thoughts. “Of course, there is another reason why you may use a more personal name for his highness.” Then Aphrodite smiled knowingly.

Lexa’s eyes widened. “I think you may have the wrong idea,” she answered softly.

The goddess of love shook her head. “I am never wrong about this sort of thing. It is, after all, a talent of mine.” Then she turned her focus to the rest of the group. “I have been told that there is a reason for all of you being here, and the Lady Rhiannon from Avalon spoke to me of certain gifts appearing to members of this rather unique group.”

Aphrodite looked at Zahira and smiled. “I believe that you can help me.”

Zahira stared up at the goddess in shock. “How could I help one such as you?” she asked.

“Your gift is very special. It is one that many covet but very few are ever graced with. Some of the younger gods and goddesses do not yet understand the troubles that accompany those of us who have been around since the beginning of all of this. The young ones are so full of energy and they never seem to tire. However, after several millennia of spotting epic loves and pushing the cosmos into getting certain people to meet, I am very tired. I long for a rest from all of this. What is your name, my dear?”

“Zahira.”

“A very beautiful name. Zahira, you are what we call an incarnate. If a god or goddess chooses to, they may bestow their powers upon an incarnate for a time and then the incarnate will step into the god’s or goddesses’ role until the original returns. There are very few that can actually control the vast powers of a god, and you are one of those few.”

“How could you know that? I have seen no proof of such a gift.”

“It is simply something that a goddess can sense. For this reason, I believe that you can assist me. Zahira, I can also see that you might have a knack when it comes to knowing the hearts of men.”

Lexa tried to hold in a laugh but failed. Zahira always was flirting with the guys around campus. She knew the social and romantic aspects of life rather well.

Zahira looked over at her roommate for a moment and then turned back to Aphrodite. “Yes, I guess you could say that I do have a knack for that particular skill.”

Aphrodite nodded. “Good. Then, you would do me a great honor if you would agree to take over my position for a time.”

Lexa looked over at her roommate. It was true that Zahira would be perfect for the position. She did have an understanding of men and relationships that still utterly confounded Lexa. However, if Zahira took over for Aphrodite then she wouldn’t be able to continue on with the group. She looked over at Darrion. “What do you think?”

Darrion turned his attention to Lexa, though he tried not to look directly into her eyes. “We would be less conspicuous in a smaller group. Right now the lot of you stick out, no matter how much you try and dress like us.”

Lexa nodded. He did have a valid point, and Zahira only knew the basics of self-defense so she wouldn’t be much help in a fight. The only ones who could fight were herself, Rommie, Jesse, and Darrion. Even Sukari only knew a few moves she picked up from the college’s regular self-defense and karate classes.

“We can’t split up,” Rommie pointed out. “What happens if we find out how to get home?”

“I won’t leave anyone behind,” Lexa answered. “We know exactly where to find Zahira when we’re finished. I’m hoping that none of this will take too much longer. I’m sure they are beginning to worry about us at home.”

“What if something happens?” Sukari asked. “It’s not like we know that much about this world.”

“I want to stay here,” Zahira said. “I like the sound of Aphrodite’s arrangement, and Darrion is right. You guys would be better off with a smaller, less conspicuous group.”

Aphrodite smiled. “Then it is settled. Zahira, please come with me. The rest of you may relax here in the temple. No harm will come to you while you are here.”

Lexa nodded and moved over to a bench near a small pool in the temple. Sitting down, she gazed into the water and tried to calm her thoughts. This was all so wonderful and yet so chaotic. It reinforced her belief in mythology entirely and though she continued to talk of finding a way home, she wondered if that was what she truly wanted. She felt comfortable in this world, as if she was meant to belong here. And then there was Darrion to think about. She couldn’t help but think back to the dreams she had had about him before she even knew he existed. It all had to mean something.

Then she felt something poking her leg. Looking over, she saw a cupid, a little cherub, much like the ones depicted around Valentine’s Day. The cupid had short curly blond hair and he looked up at her for a moment before holding out a small arrow with a heart shaped tip. She looked at the cupid. “What is this for?” she asked.

The cupid looked at her, then at Darrion, and then back again. Lexa shook her head. “No, I can’t.”

With a sigh, the cupid set the arrow down in her lap and then flew away from her. Lexa picked up the arrow and looked at it. She was so focused on her thoughts that she didn’t even notice it when Darrion sat down beside her. “It seems you have been given a gift as well,” he said.

Lexa started and looked over at him. “What do you mean?”

“They have just given you the power to choose your own love. It is not something they will choose for you, as they do in most cases.”

“I can’t use this,” she replied.

“Why not?”

“This arrow would cause someone to fall in love with me and I would always know that it was because of the arrow that it happened. The love wouldn’t be the kind I want; I would always think it a fake.”

“What would it take for you to use the arrow?” he asked. “You should never accept a gift here that you have no intention of using.”

“If I am meant to fall in love, then I will find it on my own. Perhaps someone else could use the power of the arrow more than me.”

Darrion stared over at Lexa. She truly was a different type of person. Most he had met would have used the arrow immediately, and for their own gain. Here she was, having been given an amazing gift, contemplating using it to help someone else.

Then Zahira and Aphrodite returned. Darrion and Lexa stood up immediately and walked to the middle of the temple. Zahira had been changed into a different outfit, a flowing dress that was the shade of a pink rose and it clung to her, while her silver hair fell around her shoulders. Even the way she carried herself seemed to be different; the goddess’s power had affected her that much.

Darrion smiled. “You will make a fine incarnate,” he said. “Do we have your blessing on our journey?”

Zahira nodded. “I hope there is a favorable outcome for all who travel with you.”

“Thank you,” Darrion answered. “We shall take our leave then.”