At first, no one had answered her calls so she decided to wander into the building itself. She took a long moment to admire the meticulously polished marble... She could clearly see her own reflection. There was something unnatural about the beauty of the stone... As if there was a magical quality to it.

First of all the structure was vastly empty, void of furnishings save for a long deep red carpet that extended the length of the hallway and a source of light... The fire that illuminated the chamber was unnecessary, for the sun was brighter outside, but the orange glow that casted flickering shadows along the walls certainly added to the mysterious atmosphere.

"Is there anybody here?" She called out again into the empty hall. The queen's gentle voice echoed along the tall ceiling. Her feet were relived to step on the soft plush carpet. Alynia blinked... It was strange to her that the carpet was so unbelievably comfortable to stand on. Everything about this place seemed strangly luxorious... Even though there was nothing here to openly state it.

She peered with interest at the intricate carvings on the columns that held up the impressively heavy rooftop. It took a bit for Alynia to realize the satyr was trying to seduce a nymph. Various stages showed them talking, the satyr playing his pipes, and ultimately a grand chase through the forest. Perhaps it was a story of some sort... She thought as she slowly wandered around the chamber examining the pictures.

Alynia felt a certain gratitude for not being a nymph... To always be pursued by lusty satyrs seemed life a very tiring lifestyle... Then again the nymphs she had met in the past seemed incredibly flirty. Perhaps it was more a game to them as well.

Alynia never got to finish the story of the nymph and satyr before she was interrupted by a masculine voice. She was about to ask him, whether the nymph was able to make it away or the satyr was the victor in the chase... But she was suddenly speechless as her eyes met him.

There was something grand about him... Something magnificent. Though like the rest of the chamber there was nothing about him that blatantly stated it... Besides of course his incredible looks. Now Alynia was used to seeing good-looking people... The Fey were simply a species of beautiful women and handsome men. Of course, Alynia also believe Oberron was particularly attractive even compared to the entire Fey population... But even then there was no denying that the man before her took her breath away by simply standing there.

His eyes were a beautiful gold colored, in which a playful spark had her intrigued. Alynia blinked, shaking her head to clear it... By gods she was a married woman!

But as he introduced himself it all made sense. "Y-you're a god!" She exclaimed, meaning her words in the most literal of sense. Was this really Hermes standing before her? There was an entire planet named after him back in her home shadow, he was literally worshiped at some point in history... For a moment Alynia was understandably star-struck.

Now the rest of his words, she didnt understand all too well. "W-we have met before?" She questioned after getting over the fact she was really talking to Hermes. The girl was even more in disbelief as he informed her that he needed her help. What could she possibly do to aid an Olympian? "A-are you sure you need my assistance, and not my husband's? I don't know how much help I could possibly be..." Alynia muttered

The structure was grand of course, it made her feel small though here was not much in it save for the carpet and columns. There was the chamber at the end of the room and though there seemed no reason for the braziers to be lit at the moment they were shedding their soft glow throughout the chamber.

At night the place would have seemed grander of course though as she marveled over the story that had been displayed on those columns Hermes, blessed with incredible speed and having heard her calls, zipped out of that chamber without her notice.

He was delighted at her reaction for the second time, just like the first, and why would that be any different? She had no memories of being here last time after all.

Hermes appraised her again, his magnificent eyes dripping down her body then back up to rest on her brown eyes as he took in every curve. He was a thief after all and he had stolen her heart, yet again, well not stole it but rather borrowed it for the time being. He would give it back, eventually Eros would make him, what a nuisance, though he entertained the notion of last time.

And since he was such a great thief stealing cattle at such a young age and had her heart the first time he had erased her mind o ease her own conscious given the whole matter of the guilt she would have felt despite the fun that they shared. And while he had been known for his quickness there was nothing quick about that.

Such a memory had him stirring part way in arousal but that would be for latter. Perhaps this time he would allow her to remember and give her heart back before such a time, that of course would be far more challenging. He would give it some thought though for the time being he was going to hold onto these lustful thoughts of hers knowing that they had reshaped themselves last time.

“Oh, yes, I am a deity among. One of Avalons children that now resides here on Olympus. I am surprised that this worked, not that I entertained any doubts of reaching you for I discovered that changes her in the forest now effect the illusion now, a trait that your husband generated. So establishing a place to make the linking portals had been easy. The hard part was getting beyond the ward that Zeus put up. He is preventing all travel in and out of Olympus but I have a few tricks.” He pointed to the braziers. “As long as they burn I can shift my temple between the Shadows, the component will burn until tomorrow. I 'borrowed' it from Circe.”

He nods. “We have met before. Your memories of it were suppressed of course. And it has to be you, not that I mind as I prefer looking at such a masterpiece but I digress. Oberron would gather too much attention from Zeus the moment he arrived. The two do not like one another much, I am afraid, though your presence wouldn't cause him much alarm if he did sense it.”

Hermes left out a portion of the tale. If she knew a thing or two about Mythology on her Shadow she might be able to fill the blanks in without him going into too many details.

“You will have to watch out for Hera though she is often indirect about things often enough,” well indirect if it opposed her husband's whims at the time but of course he knew that there was no chance for the two women to go head to head.

“Will you assist me again, your Majesty? After tonight you can be away for some time without anyone even picking up on your absence. We must set hings right after last time before this spat gets further out of hand.”

He was eyeing her in a certain way... Alynia noticed his eyes dip downward... Then back up at he face. A lot like the way Oberron used to gaze at her... but it had been quite some time since she last caught her husband sneaking such looks. Of course, the king's loving gazes never ceased... But lust? It had been some time.

Alynia shook her head, reprimanding herself for such foolish thinking... That Hermes.. a Greecian God could be eyeing at her with lust. She was imagining it... She was probably being ridiculous. After all... She had gone quite longer than she was used to without sleeping with her husband... Alynia blushed wondering if her husband felt unsatisfied as well.

Either way, Alynia brought her attention back to Hermes looking increasingly more confused. "W-when exactly have we met before?" She questioned unable to let that statement go. Searching her mind... And finding no answers... Alynia was beginning to worry that she might have done something she regretted.

Shaking her head once more... Alynia felt foolish. Her thoughts were obviously distorted as she was distracted by Herme's impressive charm and obviously stellar looks. There was no way she would have fooled around with him... He could have goddesses... and noble virgins... What ever he desired. "You must have me mistaken for someone else." Alynia offered abashedly, still unable to keep the blush off her keeps. Infact the redness deepened as he complimented her.

"Well... I suppose it depends on what you need my help with." She muttered shyly, torn on whether to obey a God or her husband. Her eyes glanced behind her, in the direction from which she came..

She voiced her concerns about disregarding her sentence. "I am unsure if it would be wise to disobey my husband... Especially at a time like this. He's unhappy with me as it is... I am supposed to stay in the glade. Surely there has to be someone else who can be of more use than I..."

Alynia tried not to look at him... The handsome man in front of her. She felt truly apologetic... Because of cours she wanted to help. Not only was it in her nature... But how often does an Olympian request specifically you for assistance? Alynia hoped she wasn't being rude, because really it was an honor.

Her thoughts were spot on, there was a measure of lust in that glance of his that smooth over her form though she was possessed with doubts, of unworthiness though on his Shadow it was fairly common for the deities to interact with a mortal that captured their fancy. Hermes usually didn't partake so for her he made an exception.

She was no Goddess or nymph but there was a good number of pretty girls that were chased after and she certainly met that criteria. But curiosity got the best of her and she voiced her concern about where they had me before.

“It is little wonder that you do not remember it. Zeus would not allow just anyone to possess the knowledge you must have uncovered in your travels,” he lied for he took her memories though this time it did give him the excuse of leaving them intact.

“But is was some time back now as I recall. Time in Llynoria flows differently due to the proximity it is from Avalon. You've probably noticed if you've gone back to your Shadow, time has barely past there given how far removed from Avalon it is. Llynoria and Olympus are a little ways apart though so a month for you is about two for me ...” he explains then thinks. “For you it may have been six months back. For me about a year.”

He shook his head slightly. “The Queen of the Fey, how could I mistake you as another? Especially when it is so easy to remember that the Queen of the Fey is not actually a Fey. But a human with beauty that rivals that of the Fey themselves.”

Hermes noted the fact that she glanced back to her cell for essentially that was what he had heard while incognito at the courts. His gaze lingered there for a moment then came back to her to answer her question.

“Help in lifting a curse that you set into motion.” He lifted a hand to get her silence for a moment. “Cause and effect, you did not cause the curse by any doing on your part. It sort of just happened to be the catalyst for it to occur after all this time. I am uncertain that I should answer more but the other deities do not care at this point, well some do but they are afraid to act. You are an outsider and a powerful one at that. Married to Oberron you have the luxury of his protection and the benefit of being a few Shadows removed. With some effort I may find someone else but no one that has any real concern for undoing it.”

Hermes considered the other options. “I am sorry that Oberron is displeased with you but he will not be angered by you slipping out. You are to wed Ian in a few weeks time, it was debated if someone should inform you or not that he was captured already.

“Your husband owes me a few favors, one of which will be me borrowing you for a few days if you accept of course. He will not be displeased seeing that you are doing this not on impulse for your own selfish reasons. He is to send word about Ian's capture to you tonight in fact though if you wish you can seek his approval or can just leave everything behind tonight. Or not go at all, it is your choice though I would be saddened to work with another and finding a suitable replacement would take quite a bit of time, there's no telling what Hera will get up to by then.”

"I-I set in motion?" Alynia repeated with obvious concern. Hermes little explaination afterwards didn't make any of that better. The God of Thieves was certainly a persuasive man. Had he known that the innocence of the Queen's guilt would ultimately cause her to give into his plead for help? Her teeth gnawed at her bottom lip, nervously. Her cognitive gears working to understand the situation before her.

But Hermes is already leaps and bounds ahead of her, seemingly armed with words that chip away at her will-power. A crafty fellow he was... And oh dear lord so handsome. She seemed at a loss as he mentioned her fiancé. Ian was already in the prison a few floors beneath her tower?

Truthfully, Alynia did not at all understand how she could have caused a curse to spread upon Olympus... Or the details of it all. How Hera was even involved... What made her the prime choice to provide assistance.. But as Hermes gave her the option of leaving everything behind... those brown eyes seemed unmistakeably hopeful.

The fight with her husband, the many mistakes with Ian... They could be left in Llynoria as she went to the Shadow if the Gods.

Hermes wasnt even done, as he mentioned that if she stayed... Perhaps Oberron would even see her to deliver the news. It was selfish... It was unjust... But Alynia was afraid. She wouldn't be ready to see her husband. The last thing she wanted was to say such horrible things to her king again... Even if it meant not seeing him at all. Atleast for now.

"I'll go." She told Hermes clearly taking a tentative step toward him. Alynia held her hand to her heart... Perhaps feeling a tiny bit of heart ache in deciding to disobey, deliberately disobey her own beloved.

"I will help you, but you must promise you'll return me to my cell when I have done what I can." She added earnestly.

“In a way,” Hermes added. “You could have known though at the time and it really was not your choice.”

Hermes had been vague, there were some things that he did not have to repeat or say for her to realize certain things when she stopped and considered them in full detail. It would place her knowledge of the Olympians on the line.

Certainly there was enough information there were she would feel guilty, or perhaps obligated in making things right. But he was in no rush, nor was he forceful. Like last time he present a few details to her and allowed her to make her own choices on these matters. Of course, Hermes realized that the mystery might have been intriguing enough for her to figure this out or perhaps perspective sex with a deity, she must have been entertaining such notions, even if she had no memory of the matter her body remembered what they did beneath the sheets. And what a pleasant time that was. He was looking forward to that again, the melding of their bodies on a physical level, perhaps this time he would touch her on an ethereal level if she discovered that secret once more. Perhaps both at the same time, the thought was rather appealing.

Hermes was not fey and not beholden to promises like them. But he was a God and as such he would keep to his arrangements, his word did not bind him but if people knew that he was lying then he would be discredited, then he'd loose worshipers and worshipers had gave deities their strength tied to the number of their worshipers.

Someone like Poseidon or Zeus had a great deal of worshipers and were strong. Apollo, hell even Dionysus. Aphrodite, Athena and Ares all had more worshipers than he. Hades had less and was the only deity supposedly weaker than he but while cults to Hades had not been strong he figured out a way to tap into the power of souls to increase his strength considerably.

Alynia stepped forward and Hermes reached out a hand to lightly grasp her arm. Simply but he could not afford to go against his word.

“Agreed. I will return you when we have set things right your Majesty. Now, I imagine that you will need a guide again. Either myself, though as Messenger of the Gods I have to perform duties from time to time and during such periods do you have any concerns about Eros? He worked with us last time and though he has duties as well it is rare indeed that we both have duties at the same time. Besides, it never takes me long to drop messages off.”

Hermes spelled all this out for her, realizing that she must not have desired to wait, that she needed time away from it all. Certainly Oberron would be upset if she did this haphazardly on a whim but it was a chance to pay off a favor too so Oberron could not be angry at her, how much worse could it be for her, right?

Some time away might actually help, then again there was a small chance that if he did come in the night and she were already gone he would be furious that she was gone.

Hermes slipped a strong, yet warm hand into her own. His fingers crept up to her haw slightly turning her head so he could stare into her eyes. “Do you wish to leave behind a message or prefer for me to do it later?”

Alynia bit her lip as his hand ran along her arm, rubbing it almost soothingly. She made no effort to pull away... In an odd way his touch felt almost familiar... But it was easy to convince herself that it was surely because Oberron carressed her in the same way. Either way of felt nice...

"O-oh.. Eros?" The girl blinked as she was caught off guard once again. "Yes... I suppose that's fine..." Her voice responded slowly, almost as if cautious. Truth be told, Alynia was a bit weary of being under the care of the God of Love. Her mythology was a bit rusty, but if she recalled correctly Eros.. Or Cupid known in some cultures, was the god of love, fertility, and sexual power.

She was especially worried about that last one... But if Hermes claimed that they had all worked together in the past... She couldn't think of a reason why he would want to decieve her. But still...

Her gaze wandered again over her shoulder, looking back at her glade like prison. How would her king feel about this? Angry no doubt... Upset, maybe betrayed? Perhaps he'd relieved... that she would be gone atleast for some time. That he wouldn't have to deal with her for a few days.

She left out a tiny whimper as Herme's large tan hand grasped hers protectively... His thumb and index finger held her chin gently forcing her to look away from where she came and into his eyes of brilliant gold. Blushing and stuttering didnt explain the least of it, the butterflies in her stomach were in a frenzy.

Hermes was so remarkably attractive... Did everyone on Olympus have some sort of unearthly beauty to them? A second or two passed as Alynia was rendered speechless. But she couldn't look away if she had wanted to... His gaze was so unmistakably alluring... Alynia wondered briefly if she was being unfaithful to Oberron by simply having these thoughts.

"P-perhaps you... Of we should leave a note now... I don't want him worrying over me." Alynia mused gently pulling her hand away from Herme's. "M-maybe I could meet my husband while you're there... Surely not even the king of fey can deny a god." Alynia pointed out.

Hermes touch had been soothing of course and he could see the weariness in her eyes at the mention of Eros. Still she had trusted him enough that she accept what he had laid out for her. Of course it had pleased him that she was more at ease with a thief than a love deity.

Unusual, but it happened though she had ye to meet Eros or rather yet to meet him again. Certainly Eros wouldn't have minded her company either but was he so inclined? Hermes did ask last time, he had simply assumed.

Of course Alynia looked back, looked back through the temple and the glade to her room in the cell which seemed so distant now. Hermes had let her look for a few moments before he commanded her gaze drawing it back to him.

Unlike the fey not every Olympian had been possessed with such unearthly beauty. All the Olympians save for one possessed it. Hephaestus had been thrown from Olympus once to the attached Shadow that they were heading, his body twisted and gnarled at the impact that it made. And their was Hades, though his features were every bit as fair as the other deities their was a coldness to it, a bitterness that kept him distant in some fashion.

But he had seen the mix of emotions there. How she would be betraying her husband, the mix of emotions there, the need to be away for a few days, Hermes had traced each thought that flashed within those adorable brown eyes of hers.

But he considered her request that he would be there when she had departed. As if Oberron would allow her to run off with another man, Hermes had thought. No, he knew that Oberron had treated her differently then Titianya.

He shook his head slightly. “I'm afraid your husband is a bit stubborn. He will deny you in going and claim it is unsafe, despite the dangers that he will eventually be placing upon the Shadow.

“Once Hera works out how to spread her wraith from Olympus then surely she'll take it to plague this one. It may not be lethal in it's own right But it will be far more damaging here. I'm afraid this is one of those matters you must decide on your own.

“Your husband is stubborn, especially when it comes to you. He and Zeus do not see eye to eye so he will deny you going. It will be too dangerous he will think. Of course if you just do it and he cannot stop you then he will have no choice but to accept it.

“He will not be angry though, he may be displeased that you did it but will wave it off once he realizes the reasons behind it so my presence would not help … maybe after the fact though afterward he'd probably just wave it off.

“It is up too you of course. Olympus needs your help and while another can be found the damage may have been done by that stage. A message left in your own hand will probably be for the best but I understand if you have reservations about this and do not wish to do it.”

He gazed upon her patiently awaiting her decision, fighting the urge of caressing her cheek while she thought this one over.

What a dilemma she was faced with... Whatever Alynia selected in the end she didnt feel as if she would be able to understand for sure whether or not it was the right choice. She wet her lips consistently, not to tease but as a habit whenever she was faced with difficult decisions. Her adorable expression very hard at thought.

Alynia was too busy weighing the pros and cons of the whole ordeal to notice the tender gaze she was receiving from the God of Theives. It was a moment of silence, save for the occasional crack of the fire as it echoed throughout the corridor.

She voiced her choice at last... And Hermes was probably happy to here that her mind had not been altered. "I'll go... And I'll do what I can to help. I'll leave a letter for my husband, it should suffice for now as long as I'm not gone for too long.." Alynia muttered hoping that this would be true. Hermes assured her that he would not be angry... And the queen wasnt so sure. But if it was for the good of the realm, surely Oberron couldn't stay mad longer than the rest of her sentence.

"I trust being under the protection of you and Eros. With the guard of two deities I can't imagine any harm would come befall upon me."

She cleared her thoat. "Is it alright if I write that letter now? I'm assuming you intended to leave by tonight..." The girl tilted her head inquisitively at the taller man.

Casually she conjured up an pre-inked quill, and a slip of parchment. Such objects were few of the easiest to call forth. Alynia gave a cute little grin to the God, pleased that she didnt make a fool of herself in front of him.

"Erm.. Is there somewhere I could write in private? It won't take long... I d-don't exactly want you reading it.." She asked quietly. It wasnt that she planned on writing something incriminating or anything scandalous. Just something personal... For her husband's eyes only.

The crackle of the flame and the occasional pop of whatever served as the fuel supply echoed throughout the ornate hall. Hermes watched as the Queen moistened her lips continuously though he knew it must have just been a habit of hers and not an intention to stimulate it clearly did the later.

She was so adorable but now there had been a sexy factor entwined therein and the God could only think dallying with her again. He got so distracted that he had temporarily lost focus forgetting what it was that the pair of them where doing until she voice a question about leaving a message now.

He covered his day dreaming with a faint smile that had been traced amongst his lips as his mind came away from that field of lilies he had laid her down in. She had been so ready for him then, so into it as he tantalized and teased, slowly stripping away her clothing until she was surrounded by the lilies, completely naked. She could not be seen from the road only his eyes, well only a portion of her legs as he moved up from between her thighs.

The drink as sweet as any ambrosia he had tasted though he eagerly moved between those parted thighs. No delight had been sweeter then pressing into that tight passage and he doubted that there would be again though her question brought him back to reality.

“Of course, it is fine.”

While this was important a few hours were probably not going to hurt either way. Of course he had not mentioned to the Queen every detail, if he felt that was necessary then taking her memories the first time would have been a waste.

About Zeus. About Hera. There were a few things he held in reserve though the Queen was fairly trusting. It had not yet occurred to her that she had two Gods protecting her and thus there might have been indeed something to worry about, then again she might not suspect much since hey were not assigned to her or watching her simultaneously but perhaps just serving more as Gods offering their protection.

“We shall be gone a few days at most,” Hermes chime in, a back probably much sooner.”

He point towards the end of the hall from whence he came. “The chamber there has a desk, you may construct your message there.”

Hermes was mildly curious about the message. Perhaps it was an erotic one for the King? He did not know but figured that such a message may go over better a plain message, he could not say with any certainty.

But her departure gave him a nice view of her shapely ass as she moved away with each step.

The room in question had a desk, it also had a cot where someone could have laid down and rested. Above the desk on the wall hung a portrait of a young Hermes rounding up a herd of cattle and leading them away, or at least that was what she could infer from the oil painting.

There was a small bust of Hermes and other art objects dedicated o the deity, a tapestry spun with gold thread hung over the North wall showing all 13 of the primary Olympian deities. Most prominent being Zeus of course but at his right hand in such an important position was Hermes as expedient messenger. Whether he was doted upon in such a way or the fact that this was a temple dedicated to Hermes and the tapestry was an embellishment was hard to say though from her Mythology Zeus and Hermes traveled together amongst the mortals.

"Thank you." She responded with a pretty smile, so blissfully ignorant of the erotic thoughts or rather memories that had been tumbling through the mind of the man before her. "I assure you I won't take long..."

And with that, grasping her paper and pen she made quick strides through the room in the direction he mentioned. It must have taken Hermes a good deal of restraint to not land a sound smack upon the curve of her behind as Alynia walked by. Though there was nothing preventing him from looking.

It was all too expected that the queen didn't notice. Her mind was too occupied with planning her letter to take notice of the continuation of the carved story of the satyr and nymph. Perhaps if she was paying more attention, she would have been dismayed to find out that it was the lecherous satyr that eventually had his way in the end, but by the looks of it the sweet nymph ended up enjoying it too.

On the other end of the corridor was an arch shaped door made of a brilliantly polished wood. It had been hidden in the shadows, where the fire light didn't reach. Such illusion made it easy for Hermes to seem to appear out of thin air. The door opened with squeak, and when Alynia stepped inside she was immediately greeted by handsome faces.

Tapestries, paintings, busts, and statuettes all dedicated to either Hermes or he as well as his deity friends. She gently placed the still empty parchment onto the desk, waving her hand to conjure a small fire to light the lamp.

Unable to fight the curiosity, the girl climbed onto the bed, resting on her knees to examine to portrait of the twelve majestic Olympian. Zeus... Stormy and bold... A strange but pleasing mixture of both old age and youth. Poseidon, eyes of a piercing sea-green. Aphrodite, jaw-dropping my beautiful with with perfect golden hair.. Or was it auburn? Alynia couldn't exactly tell with her source of light being a small flame.

She recognized the others too, but forcing herself to pull away from the picture and back to the desk, Alynia sat down and began to carefully write.

To my husband and the King of Fey,

Alynia paused wondering if she should've just stuck to 'Dear Oberron'... Too late to change it now.

I apologize that written word is how I say farewell... But I assure you it will only be for a few days. I also understand that I am defying your orders... And if I had not been a part of the Royal Family such crime is punishable by death.

I plead that you show mercy, I am prepared to add double the time I am gone to the end of my sentence.

I will be on Olympus... assisting the deities with issues on their shadow. I will be protected by none other than Hermes himself, and perhaps even Eos. My safety has little to no chance of being compromised."

Alynia paused again to wonder whether or not he would even care at this point and let out a sigh.

"When I return, I will accept the consequences. But for now, we'll be apart.

My heart as well as my body yearn for you deeply, and perhaps when my punishment is over you will allow me to win your forgiveness.

Until then, I am still yours,
Alynia Storm"

She signed her letter and read through it one more time. Her penmanship was flawless, but she wasn't sure if it was enough of what she wanted to say to him... It was all she could do for now. Wrapping the parchment up in a violet ribbon, she stood up. Alynia assumed she would give it to Hermes, the God of Messengers to deliver it.

Hermes had resigned himself for now. While he would have loved to shove the Queen up against a pillar and simply take her from behind he did not need to influence her to return, while he was confident that he could easily abduct her that cooperation had been necessary and she might have been appalled by such treatment or embarrassed and he himself could not erase memories. Last time to do so he had to use a drought to trick her, one Circe had manufactured.

He had all kinds of things that he wasn't thought to have. He was a thief after all and his collection of things had been quite extensive, unfortunately he had only one such drought but the titanesse Msneomye might know something though she was still imprisoned by Hades the dark God and she had power over memories so it was hopeful that he could acquire something useful but getting into Hades domain was challenging even for him. Oh, well, in the future, the moment had passed though he watched her shapely ass until she had vanished into the shadows determining which view he enjoyed better … the front won out for it denoted her arrival rather than her departure.

When she got to the room and examined the tapestry she had been mistaken in her initial numbers, it was hard to see Dionysus who was later added to the Pantheon, the God of Wine and Drunkenness was slyly given a goblet of wine to Ares who was eying Aphrodite though she was married to the ugliest deity Hephaestus.

From her mythology she recounted the tale of Ares and Aphrodite having an affair and Hephaestus forcing a net to entrap the pair while they were in the act. The other deities laughed at the pair, well all but the virgin deities Athena and Artemis who looked away. There was a third deity too, Hera, but she was now virgin so maybe it was Hester. She was unsure who the third was but she recalled three.

The tapestry did not depict any of the minor deities though just the main thirteen, even Hades who was in the background watching on silently.

She went back to the message, writing and reading it before sealing it with the ribbon. Hermes was pleased when she had returned though she had shown a matter of trust as she turned the message over to him. Usually these sorts of things had been affixed with a wax seal and the press of a signite ring displaying the crest of the writer so he could sneak a peak at it if he wished.

Was this a trick? Was it a test to see if he would peak? He looked to her hands and saw no rings, the Fey did not traditionally use rings, she was famous and known as Oberron's wife so it was unnecessary, though she did have rings whether or not they meant anything …

He concentrated on the gift of second sight seeing that she wore an invisible ring with a well polished stone but he was only interested in seeing if she had a signet ring, it would have been easy enough to conjure one so he determined that this was a test. He did not look.

“Ten seconds -” it was more like eight as he zipped away with amazing speed, little more then a blur. In that time he had zipped into the “cell” and back leaving the message for Oberron to find tonight, there was no sense getting into a protracted discussion with the King to delay them further though braking the curse was not the only matter on his mind as he returned. God, she looked good, no wonder why the curse was in effect. He didn't know if it would effect her though he had counter measures in place, another object he had “borrowed” from his favorite sorceress.

“I left the message where it will easily be found tonight, best not to generate a scene though I will gladly deliver it to Oberron personally if that is your wish. We will be gone before he finishes reading it unless it is a blank scroll or otherwise very concise,” he chuckled a little. Whatever she preferred though as she was considering that he placed a silver bracelet on her wrist. It was etched in runes that shone a brilliant green though the runes vanished once the object was clasped closed.

“This will keep you safe, do not remove it while on Olympus.”

Hermes expression seemed amused as Alynia handed him the scroll... No there was no royal seal on such document. The queen didn't want to emphasize that what she wrote could be such a pressing matter by formally making it a royal decree.

She couldn't help but stifle a laugh as the deity examined her with suspicion... Thinking that the girl was tricking him in one way or another. It was the first time she had laughed in some time. "It's not sealed. I trust that you wouldn't read it if you knew it would make me upset." Alynia remarked, perhaps a bit naive for her own good.

Either way it wouldn't have matter, there was nothing incriminating in her letter. Besides implying that she hadn't lain with her husband (or any man at all) in quite some time, there was nothing embarrassing at all.

Hermes didn't look. At least not in front of her. He was gone in a second, leaving a gust of wind behind him. And before she could have completely contemplated what he had said... The god was back.

Alynia have him a playful curtsy at his return. "A wearisome adventure, I suppose." She commented sarcastically. Feeling a bit of excitement as Alynia finally realized she was to be heading for Olympus. The Shadow of Gods... Never in her life did the girl think she was to visit such a legendary realm.

As she was caught daydreaming again, Hermes had took her hand again. For a strange second, the queen thought that he was going to kiss it. But instead he placed upon her wrist an elegant silver bangle. "Oh-!" She exclaimed in surprise. "It's wonderful.."

It felt pleasantly warm against her skin suggesting that such jewelry had magical qualities to it. Her suspicions were confirmed as runes glowed brilliantly for a second as the bracelet was clicked shut and hen vanished as if they were never there.

"It will protect me from magic?" She pondered examining the silver piece close up. "Will it protect me from an angry husband?" Alynia paused looking up at the god. She looked so innocent... Yet there was a mischievous quality to her too. This flash of excitement defying Oberron... Breaking law. Escaping prison infact... It was all a bit new to her. And it was oddly exhilarating.

“Then I shall not read it,” he responded with a grin. He was not gone long enough to have read it unless he read as swiftly as he moved. No, he simply left the message where it would be found. He had hoped that she had not noticed his arousal. He had done a reasonable job of using a hand to shield him from her gaze and the other to attract her attention as he spoke.

It was good hearing her laugh though, he like that sound as much as he enjoyed the warmth of her smile and he had plenty of those moments last time.

A wearisome adventure indeed! He recalled some of the adventures hat they shared last time and not all of them involved the Gods, well he supposed she could chalk up that experience to the fact that it did involve another divinity … there was much more to it now, much more and he had wondered if he should keep that tid bit from her. Probably for the best, though he doubted that it would remain a secret forever. For now though it had.

Everything had a reason and she was a smart girl so she'd figure it out eventually. Hermes simply smiled at all this.

“It is not anywhere as beautiful as you are but to be this simple bracelet about your wrist would be the greatest joy that could be experienced. Unfortunately it has no powers to ward of any magic other than the curse. I don't think it will affect you but one can never be too careful.”

Hermes could see that excitement within her eyes that told him that she shouldn't be doing this but was caught up in it. The newness was fascinating, exciting. He studies her soft brown eyes for a moment then snaps his fingers conjuring up to golden lids that rest atop the braziers shifting the temple from Llynoria back to Olympus, the chemicals within one of the few ways that could bridge that gap between the Shadows now that Zeus had closed it.

Hermes wanted to save as much of the chemical, that looked like fist sized pinkish crystals to move between the two Shadows. He had only so much of the stuff though. The temple would shift back when the chemical was burning again though now that they were in Olympus …

He pressed her against one of the ornate columns, his hands firm one her hips as his lips move to her own, the power behind that kiss … it was clear that being the God of Thievery he had stolen secret techniques from Aphrodite that give weight to the crushing power behind that divine kiss that would leave her so weak kneed that it is only due to his hands pressing her against the column that she does not topple over. The power beyond that fierce lip lock virtually pushes her through the stone as he steals her breath away that strong tongue of his swishing against her own, his arousal quite evident as he presses his chiseled body against her own but his lips pull away from her as does his body. He still holds her in place as a slow grin sweeps over his lips. He is quite pleased with that kiss but does not press the advantage any further, his chest rising and falling.

“Will it protect you from your King's jealousy? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Tell him that Hermes stole a kiss from you if you truly desire to find that out Alynia.”

Busy contemplating whether she was pleased with herself or absolutely appalled, sweet Alynia was too preoccupied to take note of Herme's arousal... She had no reason to for she had convinced herself that it was unfeasible for a literal god to take fancy in her. And being the way she was, the girl was in for a surprise to discover she was wrong.

"What is this curse anyway? I don't believe you've explained that to me quite yet." She pondered, looking up into his expectantly, eager for an answer. "Nor what I can do to help."

Alynia was brimming with so much curiosity that it was difficult to appear collected. Why wouldn't he respond to her many questions? What good was the bracelet going to do if she didn't even know what she was being protected from? A lovely sigh fluttered off of her lips as she quirked up her eyebrows. It was all she could do in response to his handsome smile. That mischievous grin that seemed to imply so many well kept secrets.

Their eyes met briefly, each locked in each other's sight. The queen trying to figure out this enigma... and Hermes captured perhaps by the color if her irises. She watched as large golden lids appeared at the snap of a finger to smother out the fire.

Alynia's attention was shifted toward the outside. She walked dreamily, almost confused, toward the entrance which she entered. The woods no longer visible, the green foliage gone, the dirt path vanished. Her breath caught for a moment as they were suspended in between shadows. It reminded her of traveling by the winds. And then suddenly...

"Oh goodness.." She mused. There was no mistaking such a realm with Llynoria. The sunlight was brighter here.. It was possible because they were now closer to the sky. The ground was not strewn with grass. It almost seemed to be made of clouds... But at the same time they seemed solid. Which was strange in itself... Everyone from earth knew clouds were just condensed water. Yet here she was... A whole Shadow existing within the clouds.

Alynia was so amazed by everything she saw... how could she have expected what was to come next? Hermes had suddenly taken hold of her, pressing her into a pillar. She could feel the cool marble through the fabric of her dress. But his lips were warm, no... They were searing like a fire.

A little: "oh-" of surprise was all that she could say before those hungry lips descended onto hers. But given no chance to prepare, she had no chance to defend herself in a situation like this!

A moan escaped into his mouth... Her knees buckled beneath her. Those delicate hands of hers flew to his hard torso in a desperate effort to put them anywhere at all. Her eyes blissfully shut as his tongue gained easy access, Alynia's cheeks were a erotic flush of scarlet. There was no denying the wetness she felt between her legs, a sudden aching in her core.

And Alynia could feel him too. The sculpted muscles beneath such a thin material and something else hard down below. Her eyes went wide as he pulled away. Her lips moving to make words but barely able to form sounds. A tell-tale tremor ran up her spine. "You didn't..." Alynia muttered in disbelief. "There's... N-no way.."