In the library Athena was scanning and occasionally making edits to what seemed like battle plans and Aphrodite stared at a hand-held mirror. But Aphrodite stopped when she saw me.    

     “Did he give you his gift?” Her inquiring look made me uncomfortable. I decided to play dumb.  

     “Who?”    

     “Don’t pretend Adrasteia, you know I mean Apollo.”

    “Oh, that. Yes, he did.” I adverted her gaze by scanning the books Apollo had scanned only hours ago. It seemed like eternity.    

     “Oh really? Athena?” Athena looked up and was blurry eyed from her concentration.    

     “Yes?”    

     “Little Apollo is falling in love.” Athena nodded blankly then went back to work. I spun around, my temper was almost flaring.

     “He is not falling in love with me.” Aphrodite smirked at my reaction.    

     “I’m the goddess of love. If he isn’t. He will.” Then, it hit me.    

     “You’re the one who invested in me!”    

     “Glad you finally figured it out.”    

     “Why?” She laughed in enjoyment at my confusion.     

     “Zeus was wrong not to tell you. You’re the goddess of curiosity, it’s what you’re made for." She had a good point.    

     “If you know that,” I bargained, “Will you tell me?”     

     “Perhaps young goddess. If I want to. If I’m, what do the mortals say? In the mood.”     

     “May I ask, Lady Aphrodite, are you in the mood?” I was sucking up now. She laughed again in amusement.    

      “I believe it shall do no one any harm. Not even a premature goddess.”     

     “So, Lady Aphrodite, you shall tell me?” She smiled, but more motherly now and motioned to the seat across from her. I nodded and sat down.    

     “100 years ago, the oracle of Delphi made a surprise visit to our humble estate. She made a new great prophecy. The first one in about 1,000 years. She said that a mortal, they're such dreary people by the way, no offense, l with no special talents or suitors would become a great goddess and save Olympus. The last part though hinted that she would fall in love with an Olympian who would not usually be open to such love. Yada, yada, yada. You, Adrasteia, fit the prophecy. You also had all the assets to fulfill the requirement of falling in love with a god like Apollo.” I nodded and looked at the table, trying, but failing taking it all in.  

     “How could you think Apollo would fall in love with me?”  

     “He would even if he did not do it willingly. But I am sure he will without my help.”     

     “How could you be sure? How was this an easy gamble? Why was it him that had to fall in love?”      

      “I am the goddess of love. I know these things. Besides you were innocent. All you requested from him was for him to believe in you if you didn’t fail. That struck him more than anything else. That is why I chose you. The innocence of a mere peasant girl is a great weapon.”    

      “How?”    

     “A peasant girl does nor strive for anything but to survive and be happy. She is one of the people. No one will be threatened by her. Why do you think young, poor, peasant girls are hostages in war. They are worth more than a rich hated queen in ransom.” I nodded.  

     “What exactly did the oracle say?” She motioned to the drawers on the far end of the room.    

     “There. I copied it down myself.  Athena and I will go. You might want some privacy.” I smiled my thanks and the goddesses swept away their possessions as they left the room.     

      I slowly made my way to the drawer Aphrodite motioned to. Inside, sat an ancient scroll. I picked it up and opened it, thankful there was no stray dust. There, was the key to my destiny.

A Century shall pass 'til the prophecy begin

When beauty finds the vagrant within

A Goddess shall the vagrant become

Through her love he shall overcome

Their love may save us all,

Or bring about great downfall

Her choice shall bring about the end

The evil free or the evil penned...

     Once I finished I slowly folded the scroll back into the drawer. I realized I was breathing hard. It was a lot to take in. Then I had the instinct that someone was watching me. They cleared their throat. I spun around. It was the nymph from earlier.    

      “Yes?” I asked timidly.    

      “Lord Zeus has sent me to tell you dinner is about to begin.” I nodded.    

     “Thank you, I’ll be right there.” She nodded and left the room. I stared at the drawer one more time before I left. I also knew I would be receiving my gift from Zeus very soon…