Cyra's Cyclopes Read Online Free Page A

the bolts Hephaestus
builds for Zeus.”
    “I’ve heard of them and know they’re
very important to the immortals.”
    “Yes, they are, and the work they do
is dangerous. I worry about all of them.”
    “I’m sorry, Cyra, I allowed my
prejudices to overwhelm me, but I did listen to every word you
said. I think you answered your own question. They’re a part of
you. Your heart resides in their hands. You can’t walk away from
that and remain whole.”
    “But they haven’t asked me to stay
either.”
    “Maybe they need more time to figure
out what they’re feeling. I imagine they haven’t experienced much
love in their lives and don’t know what it is or what to do with
it.”
    “You could be right, Filla. However,
there’s another problem. While one side of me is blissfully happy,
the other feels like I’m betraying Dionysus.”
    “Let me see if I have this right.
You’ve been busy falling in love and haven’t shown up here to help
around the naos. Trust me, my friend, that isn’t being disloyal,
that’s called having a life. Up until now, you gave yourself to the
god of wine and theater in recognition for your family’s survival,
and they have. It’s time for you to live for yourself. You’re here
for the celebration and can renew your appreciation to Dionysus
tonight, but you don’t have to give your life over to him. Like
Teha, I think that’s taking devotion to a god too far.”
    “You’re right, my friend. Since I
met my men, I haven’t spared much thought for him, and I feel a
great deal of guilt over that remission. Remember, it was here that
I dedicated my life to serving him and his followers, and I
failed.”
    “The god known for parties and
merriment wouldn’t hold your finding happiness against
you.”
    “Maybe.” Despite the talking it
through with her friend, she decided she was no better off for
it.
    It wasn’t the other woman’s fault,
because nothing had changed. She still felt guilty for abandoning
her god and while she wanted to stay with her lovers, they’d given
her no sign that they wanted anything more than to keep her around
for sex. That had been fine for a period of time, only they’d made
her want more from their relationship. If they weren’t willing to
make more of a commitment then she’d cut her losses and
leave.
    Picking up a few more branches, Cyra
realized she’d been wrong, something had changed, and it was
her.
    Being with the brothers had opened
her eyes to see there was more to her life than devoting it to
Dionysus. While she wanted to be with the brothers, if they didn’t
want to be with her, she’d find her way through the pain, and be
thankful for what they had given her.
    Cyra had an awareness of what life
had to offer her. With peace of mind established, she dived back
into the essence of the day. It was going to be a celebration of
life and she was ready to enjoy.
    “Come on, let’s get all our chores
done, and start partying.”

Chapter Three
    The sun had set, dancing had turned
frenetic, and the debauchery had begun in earnest.
    Cyra looked around at the celebrants
to ensure no one lacked for anything. As yet, she hadn’t felt the
urge to jump into the center of the festivities as she normally
would, instead she stood back and took in the celebration from a
different view. From the very start of the event, it had become
obvious she didn’t want to be there, but stayed for a chance to
speak with Dionysus.
    She couldn’t turn her back on him,
not when he had done so much for her and her family. Something had
changed in her and, whether she stayed with the brothers or not,
giving her life to the god of wine wasn’t enough for her. Not any
longer.
    At the start of the event, she’d
been busy supplying wine to everyone as they arrived, but hadn’t
bothered to partake herself. That was a first for her and the
reason was simple. Wine wasn’t something she wanted.
    Another thing that told her she was
no longer able to involve herself as a