Aphrodite the Beauty (Goddess Girls) Read Online Free Page B

scolded him. "So you just had to come all the way out here to this particular bush to do your business, huh? You couldn't possibly use one of the bushes right by the school?"
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    She had planned to take the dogs back inside before meeting up with Hippomenes, but she was already halfway to Earth. If she went back to the dorm now, she'd be late for sure. "All right," she said, "I guess you'll be coming with me." She hoped Artemis wouldn't wake before they returned and wonder where her hounds had gotten to. The dogs wagged their tails, obviously happy to prolong their adventure. Even Suez seemed content to trot along beside her now as they continued down the trail.
    It was just past eight when they reached King Schoeneus's palace. At the edge of the sandy racecourse on the far side of the palace a young man sat waiting. Aphrodite was pleased to see that Hippomenes was on time. He was a handsome youth with chiseled features and light brown hair. Glancing at the dogs with a
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    puzzled look, he leaped up to meet her. "You must be Artemis!" His eyes shone with wonder. "Forgive me for staring," he said. "I've never met a goddess before. And I was expecting Aphrodite!"
    "That's me," said Aphrodite. "But the dogs do belong to Artemis. Down, Amby!" she said as the beagle stood up on his hind feet and pressed his forepaws against Hippomenes's knees. Amby liked attention almost as much as he did food.
    "It's alright," said Hippomenes, laughing. He gently pushed Amby off, then knelt beside him. The dog immediately flopped down in the sand and rolled onto his back so that the youth could rub his belly. "It's wonderful of you to come," Hippomenes said to Aphrodite as he good-naturedly obliged the dog. "I can't thank you enough."
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    "You're welcome," she replied. She liked this young man's good manners and his easy laugh. She was inclined to grant his request for help right away, but there was something she needed to know first. "The young maiden you're in love with, this Atalanta," she said. "Does she return your love?"
    Hippomenes ducked his head. "I . . . I'm not sure," he said. "She pleaded with me not to enter the race. She said she was not worthy of the price."
    "I see," said Aphrodite. She watched idly as Suez and Nectar, the greyhound, trotted over to a nearby stream and began to lap up water. Amby, however, was content to continue with his belly rub. It seemed to Aphrodite that Atalanta would not have said what she had unless she cared about what happened to Hippomenes.
    Aphrodite fingered the double- G goddessgirl
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    charm that hung from the delicate golden chain she wore around her neck. "And is she honest, your Atalanta?" she asked thoughtfully.
    Hippomenes's eyes shone with love. "As honest as a mirror."
    Actually, that was too bad, thought Aphrodite. If Atalanta was that honest she'd be unlikely to slow her pace to deliberately let Hippomenes win. "Are you fast enough to beat her?" she asked.
    The youth hesitated. Amby looked up at him and licked his hand. Then the beagle stood and stretched. "I am fast," Hippomenes said, rising to his feet as Amby wandered off to join the other two hounds. "But Atalanta, I fear, is faster. Still, I will give it my all and die trying if I must."
    Aphrodite shook her head. "That won't be necessary, I
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    hope. When will the race take place?"
    "Just after dawn in three days," said Hippomenes. "Does this mean you'll help me, O Gracious Goddess?"
    With more confidence than she felt--after all, she had no plan as of yet--Aphrodite nodded. "I shall return before the start of the race."
    Hippomenes fell to his knees. "Thank you, oh thank you."
    His gratitude and respect speak well of him , thought Aphrodite as she turned to go. Such qualities would make him a good husband, as Atalanta must surely know. As Aphrodite passed beneath one of the palace windows a minute later, she heard someone sobbing piteously. Glancing up, she saw a beautiful young woman, with hair as long and golden as her own,