II

It was a long road from Athens to Sparta. Mariam was overcome with exhaustion from travelling on horse the first day. Her thighs ached and were bruises from gripping hold of

the saddle. Mariam stumbled when she dismounted her mare but was caught by an unfamiliar set of arms.

"Thank you, my lord," Mariam said, flushing with embarrassment. As she straightened herself up, her eyes widened in disbelief as she saw who had caught her. Mariam stumbled back towards the rocks, feeling the fear creeping up her spine. His dark hair fell to his shoulders and his dark eyes she found were the most captivating, despite the terror she felt when around him. His armour was clad with bronze and leather, the sword sheathed on his waist and his muscular hand on the hilt. "You..."

Her voice had faltered to no more than a whisper. Mariam wanted to run but her feet stuck to the ground. The god made his way towards her, his dark brown eyes burning into her soul, seeing the fear she latched onto.

"I have been sent to answer your prayers, Lady Mariam. You needn't fear me...though your husband and his kinsmen should."

"But, you — you — had an affair with — you are the god of war—," Mariam stuttered out. "Why should you have any business with a mortal woman like me?"

"Because I do not enjoy your Lord Alecto," Ares responded, "he has forsaken his gods and therefore, he shall die a bloody death and burn in Hades. With the peace prosperity the Olympians have given him, he has deemed himself his own god."

"I still do not understand why you—,"

"I must occasionally slaughter men in bloody battles, otherwise they will forget how great I am and now insignificant men are."

"And what of us women," Mariam inquired, biting her lip, "what would you do to us?"

Mariam could see the smirk forming at the corners of Ares' mouth and she felt even more drawn to him. She could feel his power taking a hold of her like a siren would to a sailor. Her mouth ran dry as Ares looked at her with ardour. She suppressed her internal desires for him. She wondered if Aphrodite had anything to do with this...

"Do not be terrified of me, Mariam. I can see the fear in your eyes." Ares said, trailing his hand along the side of her face and down her arm. "I have made vows to my father and Aphrodite not to harm you and I will keep to those vows."

"My lord, may I ask a favour of you?"

"Has it to do with your father?"

"Yes," Mariam answered, with a nod. She bit her lip and sighed before pausing.

"Speak," Ares urged.

"I wish you to drive fear into his heart as he has done to me. He does not respect you or the other Olympians, my lord. And I fear he has turned himself into his own god as you say Alecto has done. Do not harm him or kill him, please."

"Mariam...who are you talking to?" Alecto called from the camp. "Come here,"

"In a moment, I—," she exclaimed, turning around. But once she turned to look back at Ares, he was gone. She bit her lip and let out a heavy sigh and looked up at the stars. "Thank you,"

She could barely whisper the thank you out as she walked towards the camp. A large fire had been lit and one of Alecto's kinsmen was roasting a small pig over it. Alecto retrieved a flagon of wine and poured a chalice for Mariam and himself.

"Tonight, you and I will become one...as is customary for the wedding night." Alecto told her, in a soft voice. He traced a finger down her arm. Mariam shivered a little at his touch.

"And may the gods bless you with a fruitful marriage and many sons!" one of Alecto's kinsman exclaimed, laughing after. There was a chorus of laughter following causing Mariam to blush in embarrassment. Alecto shifted so he sat behind her and he kissed her shoulder gently.

"Will you not tell me who you were speaking to earlier?"

"I was praying, my lord husband." Mariam responded.

"You are to pray to Ares now. Athena has abandoned you since you abandoned Athens." Alecto reminded.

"I am aware, my lord," Mariam replied, stiffly. Athena would never abandon her own people. Even if they do leave Athens, she thought. I am in favour of the gods, am I not?

Do not be in fear, Mariam. She could hear a voice distantly in her thoughts and felt a smile creep up at the corner of her mouth.

"Are you happy this evening, my love?" Alecto inquired.

"Quite," Mariam answered, even though it was because the fact Ares was protecting her and quite possibly Athena. Never had she felt more devout to the gods than she did now. "And are you joyous this evening, my lord?"

"Very," Alecto agreed, with a nod and a grin.

.::*::.

Demaratos had been walking down the corridor to his chambers when a pair of brawny, calloused hands grabbed him by the shoulders and nearly threw him against the wall. Demaratos cried out in shock and his eyes widened as he saw the figure holding him hostage. He was dressed in full armour and his eyes darkened and almost evil.

"You threaten the Lady Mariam and drive fear into her heart. You do not know fear." Ares spat. "You dare defy the gods and place yourself above them?"

"Never, I have always shown fealty—," Demaratos cried. He cried out in pain as Ares threw him on the ground. "I have been faithful to the gods—,"

"Then why have we not heard your prayers? The only prayers we have ever heard in this household have been that of Lady Mariam's and her sister. You should burn in Hades for your sins. The wrath of the gods is upon you, Lord Demaratos. You are no god. And if you lay another hand on Lady Mariam, I shall kill you myself." Ares growled. He could see the mortal shaking in fear and nod quickly. His lip quivered as he tried to speak and cowered back against the wall as Ares strode forward. "Am I understood?"

"Yes, yes," Demaratos exclaimed, in a panicked voice. "I will not threaten my daughters!"

"My business is finished. I will return if I hear of any ill news." Ares spat before vanishing. Demaratos continued cowering against the wall, trembling and nearly sobbing in fear. Never had he felt so cowardly in his life until now. He stumbled when he got himself up off the ground and nearly ran to his chambers where his mistress was waiting for him.

.::*::.

"Ares, what interest would you have in a mortal?" Aphrodite circled around her lover and rested her hands on his shoulders. Ares leaned back on the triclinium and looked up at Aphrodite. Her smiling face was almost glowing and her fair hair curled and fell down past her shoulders and stopped at her breasts. "Is she more beautiful than I?"

"No one is as more beautiful than the goddess of beauty." Ares responded. "You should be well aware of that."

"But yet you seem to show compassion for Mariam. That is unlike you. She should fear you."

"She does," Ares reminded.

"And does she know of your other mortal women you sired children with? And what of me, have you any idea what I could do to her? I could make her old and grey and barren so you would have some sense not to touch her. Though I hear her prayers, I am still the invidious lover." Aphrodite explained. "Be cautious of your actions."

"Are you threatening the god of war?" Ares inquired, gripping hold of Aphrodite's wrist. He could see a smirk playing at the corner of her mouth before she kissed him.

"Perhaps," she whispered. "Perhaps not,"

She grinned as Ares flipped over so she was underneath him.

"I have not tired of you yet and I don't think I ever will. You are mine and I do not share. I am pleased to have stolen you away from Hephaestus."

Aphrodite giggled.

"I have turned you into quite the lover, Ares."

"Believe what you will," said Ares, with a smirk. He had his way with Aphrodite again, but still he thought of Mariam, how she would be in his bed. Ares knew one day he would have her maidenhead even if Aphrodite would curse her to be childless.

.::*::.