Chapter 319 - Declaration of War (1/2)
”Hum... It's only a matter of time then... a matter of waiting for the right catalyst.” Zeus grumbled as he fumbled with the keys to the penthouse room overlooking the illuminated Athens skyline. His brows arched as he pushed the door open of the dark rooms and looked around.
[I'm not sure how much more you could possibly do that you haven't already without a declaration of war against Poseidon.] Selena sighed into the phone. [I must go. I'm already running late.] She paused for several long seconds. [Please, consider what I've said... You can not allow your paranoia to get the better of you.]
Zeus only grunted into the phone as he walked through the dark penthouse, his eyes adjusting as he went. His eyes narrowed as they landed on the man sitting in an armchair by the wide, floor-to-ceiling windows. ”I'm hanging up.” He bit out as he ended the call.
”You should take her advice, brother.” Poseidon said as he swirled the liquor in the glass. He turned his attention away from the beautiful nighttime cityscape, a wide smile spreading across his face.
Zeus frowned as he moved over to the lamp in the corner and flipped on a light. ”What brings you by this time of night?”
”Can I not simply want to pop in and say hello to my baby brother?” He unfolded his long legs and kicked the other chair toward Zeus and nodded toward it. He took the second glass from the tumbler tray and handed it to Zeus. ”I hope you don't mind. I got tired of waiting and helped myself.”
Zeus arched his brow as he took the glass and walked over to the windows instead of sitting. ”Surely, you didn't come to mere conversation. What do you want?”
Poseidon gave a sarcastic chuckle. ”What do I want... I should ask you the same.” He snatched the busted watch that he'd taken off Jos's arm earlier from the side table and tossed it to Zeus. ”What do YOU want, brother?”
He studied the busted watch with bȧrėly concealed irritation. Poseidon's earlier declaration had not been lost on him. It had played loud and clear across the app linked to the watch. ”Am I not the head of the Olympian council?” He tossed it back to Poseidon. ”It is my duty to make sure your bias toward the girl does not result in her harming more people.”
A dubious smirk spread across his lips. ”Was that the reason for your interference the first time around?” Poseidon lifted his hand causing the watch to disappear mid-air. ”I don't recall Selene being part of our council... Or even high enough on the faction council to be in direct contact with you.” His smile widened as he tilted his head. ”Unless you're mixing business with pŀėȧsurė yet again... but you wouldn't be dumb enough to go behind Hera's back with yet another affair, would you?” He shook his head. ”I suppose the ċȯċk never learns.”
Zeus glared at him. ”So, you've come to start a fight with me, within my own home?”
”Home?” Poseidon chuckled as he unfolded himself from the chair and walked over to stand beside his brother. ”Has your wife kicked you out yet again?” When Zeus only continued glaring, he continued. His playful good mood morphed into one of dark, seriousness. ”I am not here to start a fight, brother, rather finally end one.” He held his brother's gaze. ”Unless you want the age-old question of which of us is the most powerful, you will cease your current activities. You have interfered and devastated with my children's lives enough. I'll not stand for it a second longer. I have set back and pretended to be ignorant of all you have done, but it ends here.”
”So, you are threatening... Does one girl you have absolutely no connection to really mean that much to you?”
Poseidon pondered the question for a few extra seconds as he studied the amber liquid in his glass. ”Does the girl mean that much to me... no... But she does mean the world to someone I do care deeply about; someone I owe an unpayable debt to.” He threw the drink back, finishing the contents. ”Do not mistake my words, she has earned her own special place in my heart, aside from her connection to my son, but his happiness is my ultimate goal.”
Zeus arched a brow. ”How noble of you, and I'm sure the girl's immense power has nothing to do with that 'special place' in your heart?”
Poseidon let out a heavy sigh. ”Answer me this, have I ever stood against you for my own gain? What makes you think the addition of one girl will change that?” He continued without waiting for Zeus to answer. ”Besides we both know your true power has never been your strength but rather your ability to rally allies to help you fight.”
His brows knitted as he moved his focus back out the window. ”A person's dėsɨrės change all the time, brother...”
Poseidon shook his head as he turned and walked back over to the decanter. ”Your dėsɨrės my, but mine do not. I simply want my children to find happiness.” He slowly poured himself a drink and took a long sip before finally meeting Zeus's gaze again. ”You should know by now; I don't see you as superior... rather I simply do not want the responsibility that would come with overthrowing you. Not then, not now, not ever.” He through back the glass, finishing its contents in one swallow before slamming down the glass. He held Zeus gaze with a deafening serious much unlike his usual free-spirited smile. ”If left no other choice, I will go up against you and take all that you hold dear.” A wicked smile curved his lips. ”And I believe you'll be surprised to see the individual willing to stand behind me and 'that girl' as you call her. Do you think as many will willingly stand behind you this time? I think not. I think every one of the gods and titans alike have become endlessly fed up with your bullshit.” He was just about to disappear when a chuckle rolled through his ċhėst. ”By the way, baby brother, I know you've been listening in on her through that watch... were you astute enough to pick up on who has been trying to warn her against your tricks?” His eyes danced with excited triumph as realization dawned of Zeus. ”Yes... but I can only wonder, are the brothers acting on their own or is their mother more directly involved? Jos would be a creature Nyx would take interest in as well.” He stroked his chin forging contemplation but couldn't hide the smile that curved his lips at Zeus's sudden stricken expression. ”Take this as a promise rather than a threat. If anything happens to Joslyn, it will be war.” He said with all seriousness as he disappeared from the room.
***
Light giggling and chatter echoed around the large kitchen of the palace as Russ tried his best to focus on not burning another pancake. It had been nearly a week since that awful night. They had held a memorial service for all who'd lost their lives that night. Tears burned his eyes as he recalled the pain and beauty that had filled the hearts of everyone who'd came out as the glowing lanterns were released into the air along the cliffs overlooking the turbulent sea. It was obvious no one in the palace was over what had happened, but everyone worked diligently to cheer one another up when they began falling into the darkness of despair. Russ jerked slightly as he was pulled from his thoughts by a light touch to his arm.
”You're about to burn another one...” Jaden snickered as she leaned forward to get a better look.
”What do you expect from royalty!” April called out from the bar where she and Jos were slicing fruit for the meal.
”He's always enjoyed cooking, especially when he's upset.” Jos snorted slightly as she added. ”He's just never been very good at it.”