The Next Morning

Sunlight spilled across my face, waking me. I rose slowly, a bit slower than usual, probably one or two martinis too many. I’m glad I pulled my robe around my body: I heard voices coming from my bath as I tread through the arbor joining it to my chamber. Sure enough, there my brother was, having a hot tub party in my bath. He took one look at my face and quickly escorted everyone somewhere else.

I dove in headfirst and did a couple of underwater laps before returning to the surface. Circe and Hecate sauntered through my garden, both carrying potions.

“Our queen.” They both actually curtsied. Oh, that’s right, last night. Perhaps I asserted my authority a bit too zealously after the brawl Hephaestus and Ares started by arguing over the cat and snake fight, as if either of them were correct. Medusa was the clear victor.

“To drink.” Hecate handed me her potion. Pomegranate seeds floated in it, so I knew it was a health tonic.

“To absorb.” Circe poured her potion into my bath. I sank back under the surface for a moment, immediately feeling my cousin’s healing magic.

“Thanks, I needed that. Maybe take one to Athena and ask her to join me. She’ll be in bed with a headache all day otherwise, and you remember her last headache.”

The memory put them in motion, and I was blissfully alone again. I stood and stretched, trailing my fingers along the vines, and they burst into bloom.

Circe and Hecate practically carried Athena to my bath, and she’d already had Hecate’s tonic. She sat in the steps for a moment, then eased herself in, finally following my lead and going completely under. She had more color when she emerged.

“For a while, I thought Zeus was hurling his thunderbolts around inside my noggin.” A weak grin accompanied her words.

We floated on our backs for a moment, then I righted myself and swam to the steps.

“Perhaps a salve for Calypso to mend fences? I see that you made one for yourself.” It was true, you could barely even make out the fang marks Medusa’s snakes left on her. “Otherwise, she won’t be able to use her hands for days, and that will cause trouble.”

“I suppose you’re right. No need for a direct order.”

“Good. Will one of you tell the kitchen to set up the buffet, and Hecate, maybe everyone would feel a bit better with some of your tonic. If there are any plants you need, make a list for me, and that will be my first priority.”

“No need for a list. Helichrysum is all I need.” Hecate gestured toward my pomegranate tree. A field from here to the tree would allow me to make enough for everyone.”

I exited my bath and walked into the meadow, whispering through my toes to the grass, asking it to rest and allow the helichrysum to come. It tickled my feet in response, and as it receded into the earth, I plunged my hand into the soil, and it became loamy. I lay down on the soil and spoke into it, calling the helichrysum. It came slowly, but it came.

I rose and plucked a pomegranate from my tree, peeled back the husk and took a bite. I felt stronger immediately, climbed my tree, talking to it all the while about the task at hand. When she cradled me on my favorite branch. I began to sing, my voice reverberating down through her roots, taking my song to the helichrysum roots, and the buds began to form.