Hyacinthus

After Daphne died, I thought I was done falling in love, but alas it was not so. I kept to myself for many years and was not looking for love when it found me in the form of Hyacinthus. Hyacinthus was beautiful and athletic, youthful and always laughing. With his golden curls and tan skin he was handsome and he knew it. I first discovered Hyacinthus while attending a Spartan sporting competition. Hyacinthus, quite young at the time, was throwing the discus, and he was by far the most superior at the sport. Judging him the best I stood and gave my applause, catching his attention unintentionally. His eyes caught mine and I immediately felt my blood turn to fire. However, still grieving Daphne, I ignored my impulses and left.

I returned a few years later to a more mature, but still very young Hyacinthus. In the time I had been gone, he had grown even more beautiful. He was very muscular and looked almost like a god himself. He was certainly more handsome than my brothers! He and I became friends and I would often throw a discus with him. Little did I know that I was not the only divine person whose attention Hyacinthus had caught. Zephyrus, the god of the west wind, had also caught feelings for young Hyacinthus, something which Hyacinthus was not aware of. Hyacinthus and I had began a romantic relationship by now, and the boy was quite infatuated. I was not un-smitten myself, and inflaming Zephyrus's jealousy, I began spending all of my time with Hyacinthus. We worked out together and throwing discus was one of our favorite pastimes.

Zephyrus's jealousy was growing greater day by day. I did not realize quite how crazy he had gotten when one day he confronted me about it. "APOLLO!" I heard a booming voice and winds swirled around me, buffeting me to and fro. "We need to have a talk, Apollo." A voice came from all around me. The winds blew me up into the sky and there I met Zephyrus, who was floating in the clouds looking out of his mind. He looked quite unsound, face flushed, hair in complete disarray, and a wild look in his eyes. "I saw Hyacinthus first! You had no right to go and charm the boy that I love! He is mine. I insist that you end your nefarious relationship and cease all of this trickery!"

I sighed, "Lord Zephyrus, I had no intention of playing tricks on you. I merely did not know you had claimed the boy, and now it is too late as we are madly in love. Besides, I saw him many years ago, long before you knew of his existence."

Zephyrus was incensed. "Apollo, I demand you relinquish the boy! He is meant to be my lover!"

I was mentally rolling my eyes at this but decided to be diplomatic. "Look, Zephyrus, the truth is, even if I broke up with Hyacinthus he would never be interested in you. Don't you realize that after being with someone as amazing and gorgeous as myself, Hyacinthus will never be pleased with anything less? He would not spare a single glance for you, so why should I end our relationship?" Zephyrus appeared frozen, probably realizing how right I was. "Goodbye, Zephyrus. I hope you find love in other places." With that, I zapped myself down to Earth and went to find Hyacinthus.

Looking back, I realize I should have paid more attention to Zephyrus. I should have known better, having had my heart broken before and all, but I was head over heels with Hyancinthus and was not thinking rationally. The next day, when Hyacinthus and I were practicing discus, Zephryus took his revenge.

It was a nice day out, and Hyacinthus and I were following our usual routine. Wake up together, exercise, eat breakfast, and then throw discus. We were having a good time, both of us laughing nonstop because we were high off of love and exercise. I threw the discus with all of my strength, showing off for Hyacinthus. "Bet you can't beat this! You may be perfect, but I am a god!" Only when I threw the discus, something strange happened and the wind grew very strong, blowing in the opposite way than it had been a second before. The strong wind blew the disc right in the direction of Hyacinthus. "Hyacinthus, look out!" I called. But it was too late. The disc hit Hyacinthus in the head with an enormous force coming from my own godly strength and the strength of Zephyrus's wind. Hyacinthus was struck dead immediately.

I ran to his side and tried to heal his wound, but it was too late. He was already gone. I felt a familiar pain echo in my chest, only this time it was amplified. It felt as though my entire chest would cave in. Too stunned to make a noise, I silently knelt down and kissed Hyacinthus's forehead. From his blood, I created a flower.

After this, I returned to Olympus and didn't leave much except to ride the sun chariot. Though I am the god of light, sun and warmth, during this time my heart was cold. I blamed myself for everything, for allowing myself to fall for a mortal and for letting Zephyrus get away with it. Zephyrus and I have not been on good terms since. Even today, centuries later, I still feel sick with grief every time I see a Hyacinth. I learned my lesson. I would never let myself love so freely again.