The Dragon Legion Collection(29)

She couldn’t remember when they had ever done it just once.

On the other hand, she felt shy after revealing her secret to him. She’d never shown anyone what she could do without experiencing unpleasant repercussions. She both wanted to know what Alexander thought and was afraid to hear it.

“Why Delphi, Papa?” Lysander asked when his curiosity overwhelmed him. Katina was impressed that he’d contained himself as long as he had.

“Can’t you guess?”

Lysander shook his head, and Katina couldn’t help but notice the sidelong glance he cast at his father. She saw the adoration in their son’s eyes and was gladdened by it.

“Then let’s figure it out,” Alexander said. He didn’t speak down to Lysander but addressed him as he spoke to all adults. “Whose shrine is at Delphi?”

“Apollo’s.”

“Do you know the story of Apollo’s link to Delphi?” Alexander spoke as if it were a story not known by many. Lysander shook his head. “Then let me tell you.”

Katina was surprised. She had never known Alexander to be talkative, and she certainly had never heard him tell a story. He was trying to be a good father and the realization warmed her heart.

They walked for a few moments while Alexander chose his words. “In the beginning, there was only Chaos, and not a soul in the universe. First to form in this realm was Gaia, or mother earth. She is the root and origin of all we know and most sacred of all divine beings. Next born was Eros, the god of love and desire, and when he touched Gaia, she felt the yearning for a husband.” Katina couldn’t look at Alexander when he said that, because she was feeling a similar yearning. “She created Uranos who lies over her as the sky envelopes the earth. His cloak is of black velvet and adorned with stars. Gaia also created the mountains and the seas. From her union   with Uranos were born the twelve Titans.”

Katina was thinking about having twelve sons—and how much lovemaking it would take to conceive them all. She tingled at the possibilities.

“The grandson of Gaia was Zeus. He was the youngest son of her son Cronos and the only one who survived his father’s wrath.”

“And father of all the gods on Mount Olympus.”

“Yes. It’s said that Zeus wanted to find the center of the earth, to identify the most sacred place to worship Gaia. He loosed two eagles, commanding them to fly around the earth in opposite directions. Where their paths crossed would be that sacred place. Where do you think they crossed?”

Lysander shook his head.

“It was at Delphi. And so the main shrine to Gaia was established there and guarded by a fierce dragon called Pytho.”

“Was he Pyr?”

“No, because he couldn’t change shape.”

“Is he still there?”

“No. That’s what brought Apollo to Delphi. You see, there was a beautiful woman named Leto. She was a Titan, the grand-daughter of Gaia, and renowned for her beauty and gentle manners. As you might expect, the gaze of Zeus fell upon her and he desired her. He seduced Leto and she conceived twins by him.”

“Apollo and Artemis,” Lysander said, interrupting his father in his enthusiasm. “I remember this story!”

“Do you remember what happened when it came time for the twins to be born?” At the boy’s frown, Alexander continued. “Hera, the wife of Zeus, punished Leto by rousing Pytho. At Hera’s command, Pytho chased Leto so that she couldn’t find anywhere to rest and bear her children. Eventually she found refuge on the island of Delos, for Pytho couldn’t swim. She delivered Apollo and Artemis there.”

“There’s a shrine to Apollo at the island of Delos,” Lysander said.

“There is,” Alexander acknowledged with a smile. “Apollo, as you might imagine, wasn’t inclined to forget his mother’s ordeal. While still a boy, he hunted down Pytho and found him guarding the sanctuary of Gaia at Delphi. Apollo killed Pytho with the first arrow he ever shot. The dragon fell into a crack of the earth, as if gathered to his mistress’s bosom, and died.”

“Good for Apollo!” Lysander declared with enthusiasm.

“Not so good as that,” Alexander corrected, his tone so stern that it caught Katina’s attention.

“But he was avenging a crime.”

“But he did it in the wrong way.” Alexander flicked a look at Katina that seemed portentous. “Apollo violated the sanctuary and home of Pytho, so he had to be punished for his transgression.”

Katina understood then the root of Alexander’s fear. He saw his attack upon Cetos as a violation and wasn’t sure how he would be punished. Her mouth went dry.

“How was he punished?”

“He was doomed to travel for eight years, doing service to mankind.”

Eight years. Alexander had been gone eight years. His first duty had been served. Did he fear he’d be assigned another similar term for his transgression?

Katina had to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. Alexander had only just returned. She couldn’t imagine losing him for another eight years so soon. She knew he would do his duty. She straightened, knowing that this time, she would wait for him, confident of his return.

She gave him an intent look and caught a glimpse of his surprise. Then he continued his story. “When Apollo returned to Delphi at the end of his service, he established the Oracle called the Pythia.”