As soon as Demeter and Angelica disappeared into the crystal corridors, Aphrodite released a slow breath, forcing her composure back into place, even though her heart was still racing.
She flicked her golden hair back with practiced pride.
"Trash goddesses," she said lightly. "They're just jealous."
Yet her voice trembled, because deep down, Aphrodite knew they were not entirely wrong about her reputation. Olympus whispered her name the way mortals whispered scandal. Desire followed her, but respect rarely did.
She glanced sideways at Sharky, a flicker of unease passing through her chest. For the first time in ages, she worried about how someone saw her.
But Sharky said nothing. He didn't even look at her.
He remained calm, focused, his awareness turned inward as his Luminara mana-sense continued to quietly scan Olympus for any trace of Astrid or the Serpent of Ruin.
That silence only made Aphrodite more drawn to him.
---
