CH 4. Time to talk.
I woke very early the next morning, and saw the beauty sleeping next to me. Ariadne had used my shoulder as a pillow. I knew there was no way I could sneak out without waking her up, and decided my morning exercises were not more important than letting her sleep. I checked if the blanket still covered her body, and quickly drifted off again.
I woke up again when Ariadne moved next to me. She was already out of bed and was busy dressing when she noticed I was awake. She asked how I had slept, and I told her I slept well enough. The conversation felt forced to me. I had no idea how to behave in front of her. I knew she was supposed to teach me, and she had told me she had desired me. Yet, I didn't know what to think of our relationship right now. Ariadne didn't seem to think anything was wrong.
I put on my clothes again. Ariadne was already waiting by the door, but I was quite reluctant to go out and start the day as if nothing happened. She looked at me and asked if anything was wrong. I asked her if we could talk, and I saw her frowning. She pointed at the bed, and sat down next to me.
"What is it you want to talk about?"
"What happens now?"
"Nothing has changed, if that is what you mean. I am your instructor, and you will need to learn more about serving Aphrodite."
"What about last night. What is it that is... between you and me?"
Her frown remained. "I told you I am your instructor. Last night, I instructed you, and you did quite well. If you are not happy with me, you can say so, and we can work it out. You can ask Leda for another instructor, of course"
I looked at her, shocked she misunderstood me so badly. "That's not what I meant. I'm not... unhappy. I... I enjoyed last night. I don't know what I must do right now, what role I must play."
It was the best way I could put it.
"For now, you serve Aphrodite and are instructed like every other new member of the temple would. I think it wise if you praise Ares as well, though you need to talk to Leda for more advice on that. I know I'm barely older than you, but you must follow my instructions while learning the ways of Aphrodite. Those ways include sex, and I am to instruct you there as well. If it does not work out this way, we can find you another instructor, but I thought you desired me."
"So I am your student? That's it?" I have never had found much time for romance, but this seemed quite cold to me. She looked more softly than her words had sounded to me.
"I'm afraid you misunderstand me. I am not just doing this because Leda told me to. I volunteered to instruct you, knowing all it involved. I did so because I wanted to be with you. I chose to be in your company."
She softly stroked my hair. "You are new to this temple and this way of thinking. At first it was confusing for me too. Aphrodite is Goddess of both Love and Lust, which are two different things. Everybody has desires, and when people with matching desires meet, they help each other. Everybody possesses the ability to love too, but only when people with similar ways of loving meet will it truly blossom. Such a thing takes time. I think it's safe to say we have desires towards one another. I cannot say I love you, but I like you. You're not the arrogant warrior I thought you would be. Maybe you're too shy for your own good, but I think that can be cured. Is this enough of an answer to your question?"
I nodded. "Thanks, I needed an explanation."
She smiled. "And I should have given one earlier. I am not a servant here for that long and you are the first person I instruct, but I should have seen you're unaware of our customs. I am meant to instruct you in matters like this. I will explain more to you later. If you doubt my intentions, please remember I wanted to visit you in the baths, before you were initiated. I did that because I like the way you look. I will tell you now you are pleasant to be around, too. Now, do you have any other questions?"
I turned slightly red. I might not now much about their customs, but I knew some things about sex.
"Will... won't you... Will I not get you pregnant?"
She had a proud expression on her face.
"Did you think I hadn't thought about that? You are in a temple of Aphrodite, she who rules over fertility. If I wanted to get pregnant, I would ask her for permission. Don't worry: I do not want to be pregnant now, and there are several ways for a woman to prevent herself from becoming so. I see I will need to tell you more about those ways too."
While she spoke, I saw her looking at a small amulet of Aphrodite on her desk. I had seen Leda had had several of them, and suspected Leda made amulets both to raise and lessen fertility. Ariadne saw me looking and nodded.
"Amulets powered by the Gods can protect you, though only if very precise rules are followed. There are other ways as well, of course. Does that answer your question?"