He watch the two with his rich silver eyes, a smile playing across his perfect features. He lifted a strong, smooth hand and gently touched the crystal clear pool in front of him, which displayed the mortal lovers, his touch making not a single ripple in the water. His finger traced over the face of the woman. So powerful, so willful, so determined, and yet so beautiful, so vulnerable, so tortured. A woman like this was a rarity in the world, even though it was now an age which women worked beside of men, sharing in the rough and rowdy work that was, not so long ago, reserved for men alone.

He of all knew and appreciated the strength of women. His sister, whom he cherished and admired deeply, was born a warrior. She a woman, and yet more fierce a fighter than most men, even those who were immortal. Yes, he had known many powerful women in his time, all of whom he admired and held an affection for. Even those who had refused him. Especially those. His heart clenched slightly at the rememberance of the girl who ran from him, destroyed herself rather than be one of his lovers. Oh, his poor darling, Daphne. If only.

He blinked out of his revere. That was the past. Long past. This was the present. And here there was a woman who out shown all those who came before her. This strong beauty, with eyes of emeralds and russet hair with the shock of white, which defined her from all others.

"So beautiful. So perfect. So-"

"Not for you."

He looked up, startled by the voice. His gaze fell on the radiant face of a goddess. He smiled easily at her, though she was frowning fiercely, unmoved by his charm. How unfair it was that she could charm any being, mortal or god, yet none could sway her, unless she wished to be swayed. Yet he kept his smile, charming and endearing.

"What makes you think I was planning on claiming her? Just because I was admiring her.assets-"

"Don't you play your charm on me, Apollo. I've known you far too long. Those two are my pair. You leave them alone." She came around the pool and deliberately splashed the image of the lovers away, and at the same time getting his tunic wet, which he knew was no accident.

"Aphrodite, my darling. Must you be so suspicious of me? You always assume I'm planning to break up your lovers. Is it so hard to believe I wasn't simply admiring your handy work?"

Gorgeous green eyes narrowed at him in suspicion, and it struck him suddenly. The eyes, that's why Aphrodite favored that mortal woman. Their eyes were the same, exactly the same. Fierce and powerful so that when you looked into them you felt like trembling, and yet so deep and rich a green that a man could just drown in them, happily so. "Because I know you, Apollo. Your desire for women rivals your fathers. Whether they are single, married or have lovers, it doesn't matter one bit to you. You see one you want and you just take. Well this time I'm ahead of you. She's not for you. Keep your lust to yourself."

With that she grasped his arm and pulled him up to his feet. Holding his arm still she guided him to the door of her boudoir, which he had invaded to look into her pool, and find himself something interesting to do. Then she unceremoniously shoved him out and closed the door on him.

He smiled grimly at the door. For the Goddess of Love she could sure manhandle quite well. His smile turned decidedly wicked, thinking of all the ways Aphrodite could manhandle him, ways she had manhandled him in the past, and would again in the future, he was certain. But for now, the Love Goddess would simply have to be taught a lesson. No one gets in the way of him and a lover.

"Not even you, my dear Aphrodite," he whispered to her door. Then he turned and with his smile still in place, went to plan his seduction of the luscious mortal known as Rogue.

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