The Beloved of the Brightest Star

By Mana Sol

The events of this novella occur after Book 2 of the Beloved series, namely, Twice Loved by the War God.

This is the story of Ares' journey - and the beginning of his penance.

Book 1 - The Beloved of the God of War
Book 2 - Twice Loved by the War God
Book 2.5 - The Beloved of the Brightest Star

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mana Sol
• Release date: Oct 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201958183

Book preview

Preface

This is a novella that takes place after Book 2 of the Beloved series, Twice Loved by the War God. It is not a standalone novella, and it assumes knowledge of all the events that occur in the preceding two books. Please be aware of that if you read this novella out of order.

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Book 1 of the Beloved series, The Beloved of the God of War, can be found exclusively on the Dreame app. Book 2, Twice Loved by the War God, is available at most ebook retailers.

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The Beloved of the Brightest Star centers on Ares’ perspective, following his exile.

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I hope you enjoy.

1

W atch your back, said Artemis. I can't protect you if anything goes wrong. Defeats the purpose in stripping you of your Aspect in the first place.

Her warning didn't merit a response. She should know that. Ares continued inspecting the copse of trees instead, running his fingers along the bark. These were good. He had never been a carpenter or craftsman, but with a honed axe, he could chop these down and fashion a home for himself. That was how the mortals did it, and it didn't look so difficult. 

Did you hear me?

I did.

Aphrodite told me about the Giants reappearing ever since Astra's Ascension. Don't start a fight if you see one.

Something gripped his heart and squeezed hard. Astra. Astra. He could hear her. Right here, on the edge of these woods so far from Mount Olympus where she waited for him. He could feel her, those shy fingertips tracing up his jaw, soft lips pressing against his. He could see her too, the last sight of her fading as he disappeared into the mist on the Hind's back, and her voice full of the tears she tried so hard to hide, in vain.

Ares.

I'm listening.

No, you're not. You're off in the clouds still. Wake up and stop fantasizing about coming back home already. You have a long way to go before you get there.

He turned his head. Go home.

My home's not on the Mount anymore.

I didn't say to go there.

It was always like this between them. Coarse words, stone emotions. But somehow they never hurt each other. In fact he preferred it this way, plain and tasteless, and he knew well she thought the same. Others always mistook their exchanges as harsh and unkind, but it was never like that. They simply said what they wanted, without frills.

He had always liked her. It had been hard to play favorites in the House since Zeus always enjoyed tormenting those Ares loved most, but it had been easy with Artemis. She had never expected anything from him, and neither he from her. Mutual respect, cool regard, and silent understanding had always been their common ground. She had never condemned nor praised him for the things he did. Nor had she ever tried to comfort him whenever he returned from committing unspeakable evils under the weight of Zeus' bloody decrees.

She had simply been. And she always would be.

Leave, he said. "You said it already. Protecting me makes it meaningless. Go and keep an