"Can't I just wear a regular sundress, or something? You know, I heard cotton calicos are very in this season."

Hemera ignores me in favour of cinching me into the nightmare—it is a corset style. Even worse. From what I've seen of the typical Underworld wardrobe, zippers and buttons are not used often. If at all. Things are tied or pinned or wrapped. Yeah. It's an Amish Paradise alright.

When she's done, my head is next on the agenda. She sits me down and all but ties me to the armchair, back to the mirror, to torture me with brush and comb in hand. It takes at least fifteen minutes before I am allowed to move even a little. And then, it is just a little because now she is applying what seems to be three or four street walkers' worth of makeup. It is at this point that I start to get a little edgy.

"Hemera, is this really necessary? I mean, Hale sees me every day with little to no makeup or anything. What's the big deal?"

"Nothing." Hemera insists. "I just thought maybe today, well, I mean…why not? It can't hurt to dress up every once in a while, right?"

"No," I say slowly. This is getting suspicious. "I guess not. But why today?"

But Hemera occupies herself with my bronzer, which apparently requires a great amount of concentration in its application. She isn't looking me in the eye.

"Hemera…"

"Did he tell you I was coming?" She grumbles after some pressing. "I told him to let you know, I mean, it isn't me that been planning this little shindig for …"

No amount of begging will make her continue, she merely tells me "my Hale" can be a total idiot sometimes, and ought to have warned me she was coming. "Then again, perhaps it's lucky he forgot." My captor muses, blending my foundation into my neck. "If you'd been given a heads up, we'd probably be hours behind. I bet you'd hide. You're totally the type to hide in the face of a makeover."

It's when Hemera's little makeover fest takes over two and a half hours I really start whining.

"I thought you said Hale wanted me in the great hall!" I howl while she French tips my toenails. "Isn't he going to be just a little concerned that you've kept me here for over two hours? That is quite a bit of waiting, especially considering how hard that throne must be."

"He'll wait." Hemera murmurs around the emery board she has between her teeth.

"For three hours?"

"I told him four." Hemera says smugly.

"Four? You told me he expected me ASAP!" I squeak. "Hemera, you've had me in here since 12:30! What are you planning?"

"I've already said nothing."

I snort. "I know what you said. But I also know you can lie."

She rolls her eyes dramatically. "Whatever. Care to charm this polish for me? We need it to dry faster if we're ever going to get past this base coat."

It's my turn to roll my eyes, knowing full well she could just do it herself. Nevertheless I send a tiny drying charm toward my glistening toes.

"This lilac will go nicely with the gold." Hemera says, pleased, as she straightens one part of my hem.

I groan at the thought of jewelry. "Gold won't match this." I flick the silver broach attached at my shoulder.

Hemera's grin is wide. "Oh, I know. But your aura is."

"Oh please, let's not start this again."

"What is my daughter bothering you about?" A whispery voice comes from the corner. Erebus has graced us with his presence. He drifts in to the light, sightless eyes rolling in their sockets as though they're searching for something.

"Hello, Erebus. She isn't bothering me. No, it's more like torture."

He chuckles drily. "I thought I hear her mention something about the nature of your aura."

"She has a beautiful one, Father." Hemera pipes up. "Gold, all autumn-y."

"Persephone never had an aura." Erebus says at the exact time I huff out, "I so don't have one."

"She does, Father, if only you could see it. I told you ages ago it was hard to see, at first, but now it's so bright. Still a little muted, you know, but there."

Erebus frowns. "Every god and goddess has an aura. But Persephone's was always hidden. Her mother masked it, in a sense, to keep the rest of us guessing as to the nature of her birth. The rumors always said she was a demigoddess, but those could have well been started by Demeter. Whatever she was, Demeter did not want the rest of us to know."

"Why?"

Hemera and Erebus exchanged a knowing glance (thought how I don't know, considering Erebus is entirely blind) before turning back to me.

"Auras are a clear and definite way of identifying a god's power."

I blink. "What do you mean?"

Erebus clears his throat. "Based on colour and strength, the light indicates the very specific type and ability of the god."

"Like, Poseidon's is blue, Artemis and Athena's silver, the winds are all purple. Aphrodite has a pink for emotion." Hemera cuts in. "It is based on the elements involved."

"So, what, am I green?"

They exchange another look (how do they do that?) before Hemera corrects me with, "No, actually. Gold."

"But that doesn't make sense. I deal with plants best. Hale can tell you that. I do stuff in the gardens all the time, like, weave the rose vines and whatever. I'm totally a plants girl."

"Ah, but you have just began exploring your powers. We cannot be sure until you are more experienced and mature in your ability." Erebus whispers. "You are but a child. A child with great potential, but a child nonetheless. For all we know, this time around, you very well might be more adept in the emotional side, or light. As the daughter of a seasonal goddess and god of thunder and sky you could be anything."

I stare at the blind god, trying to grasp his meaning. "What, so…we're just going to wait and see?"

"It is the only thing we can do." Hemera says softly, staring into the distance behind me, where I presume the mirror stands. She turns the armchair with ease to let me see my reflection. To my astonishment, I look…okay. Better than okay. In fact, better than that. I look great. I've gotten this French braid thing going on, making a sort of crown on my skull. Hemera has evidently been digging through my jewelry chest to unearth this collection of jeweled hairpins and other jewel things that has been woven in with the braids. A couple of tendrils have been allowed to fall into waves down my back and they've been twisted with thin strand of crystal.

Then she's made my skin all glowy. It isn't really tanned, but fresh I suppose. My eyes are soft and smoky. Hemera has somehow managed to make my lips look dewy, but not sticky, like they always turn out when I try. And by some magic, my eyelashes are stunningly black and long, perfectly curled. She couldn't have just done this. Surely some magic was involved. From behind me, my makeup artist smirks smugly, hitting one large bamboo makeup brush against her palm. Even Erebus has a small smile playing about his lips. From behind his veil, he clearly is pleased.

What have they got planned for me?

I start to stand, but Hemera pushes me back down. "Oh no, I am not done yet. We still have to do one last top coat on your nails, and pick out shoes, not to mention jewelry."

"What? I'm already wearing over ten pounds of silver on my head, what else do you want?"

Erebus steps between us. "I am afraid, my ladies, that I must attend to my lord. It has been a pleasure. I shall see you in a few hours."

"Oh Erebus, don't abandon me to her!" I cry, mock-horrified.

He smiles. "You will be, my lady, in very capable hands. I release you back into her custody." With that, he faded into the shadows, presumably to drop in on Hale.

"Alright then. Now that we're alone…" Hemera brandishes a tiny glass bottle of nail lacquer. I let out a long groan. But nothing can save me now.

XXXXXX

Nights on the Mount are cold and windy. Looking out the windows, one can see clouds rising and falling, even with the stone. One a cloudless night, one can see for miles in any direction, past the mountains, rivers, fields. Almost to the sea. Nothing can be compared to my home.

Former home, I suppose.

The girl locked inside me has been raging for hours, screaming, tearing at her prison walls. Calling me a colourful selection of names and curses. She surfaced yesterday, after I had repressed her to one small corner of my mind. To keep my human in me could prove useful one day, though Demeter disagrees and had urged me to dispose of Diana once I reigned in control. I ignored her suggestions. I am not sure if I ought to regret doing so.

I do not understand. She wanted this. She welcomed my awakening, our binding. Yet now she moans volumes, tormenting my every waking hour with her insistent howls. I've barely got the patients to think, let alone listen or respond. We were after the same goal—saving Kari—and now she decides this isn't what she wanted? We are one and the same! I do not understand…

Is Kore having this much trouble, reigning in her human self? Does she struggle to maintain sanity when the voice screams again and again and again, beating on the walls of your mind?

She needs to quiet herself. Tonight is my meeting with father. Tonight I am to ask for my cousin's return to us. This is what we have been waiting for, what we wanted! Why can she not see? For Kore's sake, we must cooperate. If she loves her friend, she should retreat. I try again to explain the situation, and again I am tossed sneering replies.

"You're not helping anyone by doing this." I warn her. "Your friend will pay for this."

"What you are doing will cause more harm than any of my action!" She slams into the walls of her prison, and I wince. "You're going to destroy her, all of you, without my help! I won't be any part of this."

I pause. "What do you mean, I shall destroy her? I'm helping her, you are the one set on ruining—"

"Listen." Diana hisses. "You do not listen enough. Why would Demeter need your aid when she is already a formidable goddess, when you are new and weak? Why would she seek the help of her brother, who she's always worked to keep away from Kari?"

I stumble backwards from the force of her words. "How would you know this? You're human, you have no idea as to the politics—"But she was right. Demeter has been determined for decades to keep Zeus away from her daughter at nearly any cost. And I had wondered, myself, why my aunt had sought me out specifically. Yet, I had guarded these doubts from Diana, how could she…?

"I am you. I can see everything, even when you, O Goddess, are too blind to realize you are being manipulated!"

"What?"

Before I could interrogate her further, an airy voice drifted through my borrowed apartments. "Artemis, my brother is ready to see you."

I turn. Demeter stands in the doorway. She has changed into dark mourning clothes. Her hair had been cut jaggedly, as is the tradition when a loved one is lost. Ash streaks her face. It is a startling, dramatic move which should sway some of the court. Though, since I've come, I have gathered that while many may support my aunt in her efforts, few will face my Lord Uncle Hades. He assumed his powers swiftly upon the assumption of his throne. He is ruthless when it comes to my cousin and her preservation. Everyone remembers the battles of the last conflict between Demeter and Hades, before Zeus saw fit to step in and create a compromise.

I stand, brushing invisible pieces of lint from my tunic. I do not meet my aunt's eyes. Diana has found a crack, and it is growing. My aunt can no longer manipulate the court with harming humans. She has been tossed out of the Underworld, and her destruction of Kore over two hundred years ago made her very unpopular in our court. Perhaps I am just a tool in all this, to be used for Demeter's own ends, but then again Diana could just be working against me, against Kore. But why? I have no connections of Kore, I am doing this out of my own kindness. But she could help us, she could drop all hostilities to help her friend. Why won't she?

Her devotion to Kari is unmatched. She is as loyal as one of my own hounds. She loves Demeter's daughter like a sister. Her refusal is entirely out of character. I know humans to be sporadic, unpredictable creatures, but Diana was not. Her reaction to our attempts does not make sense. What is going on?

Demeter guided me by the elbow, as though as I am some invalid, toward my father's private meeting chambers. I still recall the way, but I do not tell her this. Let her think I am still lack memory.

We stop just outside of the entrance, which is flanked by a pair of fully armored guards. They are completely unnecessary, as Father could strike down any intruder with a mere snap of his fingers. Knowing Father, this is just him being showy. Demeter turns to face me. Wordlessly, she squeezes my shoulder and steps back. I can practically hear her voice in my mind, "Remember, this is our last chance." Diana chooses to remain silent on the thought, but I feel a definite sneer echoing in my consciousness. I nod once, twice, then enter.

My father is seated, clearly waiting. A little behind him, face in shadow despite the great amount torch light in the room, stands Will. Or, at least, I am fairly certain it is Will. He stands tall against the white stone of the walls, hair about four times longer than Diana had ever seen it. It is a pulled back, a tousled length of dreadlocks (also a new addition). He's in tradition garb, rough homespun material only complimenting the rest of his rough exterior.

After seeing him my first night, I discovered his background. He is my other Uncle's son, Aon. He is an ambassador of sorts, for the sea. Though that does not explain as to why he has spent the last couple years hanging in a landlocked town around Demeter's daughter. Will appears at ease in his surroundings, though there is a small amount of tension around the muscles of his face. He stares at me, eyes flickering over my form. I am familiar, then not. I am not the Diana he frequently squabbled with.

"Father," I begin, inclining my head. "Thank you for granting my audience. It warms my heart that you still recognize me as your daughter."

Father also inclined his head and invited me to sit. Will remains standing. "You really must thank Aon for his input into our little trial. Without his testimony, you may have been dismissed."

"Thank you, Will." I manage to say somewhat politely. He smiles, claiming it was no trouble at all.

"Trust him." Diana's voice startles me. "He's going to help. Trust him."

I ignore her plea. I have come for business, not to make friends with Diana's old nemesis. "You said you were sent by my uncle to watch my activities." It is not a question.

In the shadows, he shifts, glancing to Father. Zeus waves his fingers vaguely, as if to say "Do as you like." Will nods, stepping forward into the light. I am drawn back. His honeyed eyes stare into mine. "I was sent to watch both my cousins. Uncle felt it was unwise to leave to potential goddesses unguarded. Being unoccupied at the time, I agreed to observe and protect for an unspecific amount of time."

"You felt my human needed a babysitter." I say coolly.

"We did not want you to be taken advantage of. Even if you were never realized, anyone with a teaspoon of wit could gain your trust and harness you powers. Leaving you unsupervised would not be wise." Will is calm, still staring me down.

"Even with careful observation, it appears someone manipulated you nonetheless." Father adds. "Your aunt could have never made it to our mount with the aid of your power."

I stiffen. "She is not here to manipulate anyone, Father. Demeter only seeks to retrieve her daughter from the bowels of your brother's hell. This is not about manipulation."

Father regards me. "We all know of your feeling toward Kore's living arrangements. And I would be a fool not to guess who put you up to this meeting. But I have already settled my ruling with both parties—this is between Hades and your aunt. Seeing as they have already met, I would say it close to being settled. If you believe further action on my part is necessary, then I regret to inform you I am no long involved."

Slowly throughout his speech, I begin gripping the arms of my chair harder and harder. Will is watching with faint amusement. I meet his eyes. I feel challenged. He agrees, if the nodding is any indication. "If you will not settle the matter, Father, then we have few options."

He shakes his head helplessly. "We had an arrangement, Artemis, before your aunt violated all agreement. She gained no friends in she did. Forgive me, but I cannot be merciful. Your cousin was happy with her husband. Her mother made the choice to prevent that happiness and now it is turning on her."

I am not done yet. "But how do we know?" I cry. "No one ever asked Kore of her opinion! This has always been arranged between her mother, her husband, everyone but her!"

Will makes a sudden, quiet sound, like a rumbling gasp.

Father leans forward. "What are you suggesting, daughter?"

"Allow Demeter a chance to see her daughter, to ask Kore what she wishes. Let a representative of your court follow. Then we shall all come before you, Kore included. Let her make her own decision as to who she would live with." I say hurriedly.

Zeus blinked once. Will frowns. Unable to further my cause anymore, I cross my arms to wait. Finally, Father looks to Will, who leans in to listen. They quietly discuss the situation in whispers I have no chance of hearing from across the room. Will is making elaborate gestures with his hands and Father is nodding seriously, brow hardening as though it is made of the same marble that line the walls of this very room. Will offers a solid fist. Father grasps it firmly. One or two more words, then they're turning to face me, mountains of decision.

"You and Will may have access to my brother's realm with my blessing. You are to have a brief audience with Hades, to inform him of the situation we have agreed upon, and he shall have five days in which to bring our Kore to Olympus. If, in that time, he fails to come, we shall go to him." My father intoned.

Will has a raw grin. "The most intimidating part of the deal."

"Will that appease the vulture, daughter?" Father asks drily.

I swallow. "Yes. Many thanks, Father." I am dismissed. Will, to my surprise, excuses himself at the same time to follow me out. Then down the hall. And across the open courtyard where I stop to spin around, jabbing a finger in his face.

"What are you doing?" I hiss.

"What?" His tan brow creases. "My dear Artemis, I am merely making my way to my chambers."

"Really, because from what I heard, they lie in the east wing? This is the west side."

He inclines his head in defeat. "You have caught me. I was hoping to have a word, Goddess."

"Well, you've had it." I move to go. "Twenty-four of them, exactly. If you will excuse me—"

Will ignores me. "I know you're wondering why I've been helping you."

I pause, then shake my head. "You have no clue what I am thinking, Aon."

The man winces. "Haven't used that one in a while. Listen, seriously you have got to be questioning my actions. Di hated me, why would I help you?"

This is exactly what I've been thinking. However I keep walking. I may now be an all-power goddess, but I haven't stopped hating Karianna's little flirty BFF. Diana always distrusted him. For once, I have to agree.

"Come now, I know you're wondering." He presses. "I need you to trust me—we're after the same thing."

Scowling, I turn. "No, we do not. I want Kore's safe return to her mother. You—you are just seeking to please Zeus. Now that we understand each other, you surely have no further reason to pester me with your ridiculously theories. If you will excuse me, I aim to rest for a few hours before our excursion tomorrow. "

He catches my arm. "Release me." I growl under my breath. A small number of deities are lounging in the courtyard, quietly speaking amongst themselves, or appreciating the warm night air. I do not wish to cause a scene. He drops my arm, but doesn't move away.

"No," He says calmly. "We both want Kari happy. We just have different notions of how that happiness might be achieved."

I shake my head. "I don't have a notion, I know she belongs with Demeter. I will admit, I appreciate your help, but we would prefer to go about this our way."

"You mean barging and snatching her out against her will?"

"She doesn't know what he is! She probably has been seduced, or charmed-"

Will's brows rise. "So, you think she is incompetent of making her own decisions?"

"She's but 16!"

"Seventeen, now." He corrects quickly. "Her birthday was technically last month. Not a child. But are you not three years shy of twenty yourself?"

"No, I—" I falter. "My human body is, but I am able. She…she cannot know the gravity of the situation."

Will stares, hard, into my eyes. "You cannot think so little of your friend."

I am at a loss for words. Truthfully, I do not know Karianna. Everything I can recall of her is from Diana's weak human memories. I do not have the fondness, the attachment, Diana has for the girl. She is just a problem, honestly, one I've been charged to care for. Demeter called for my help, and I give it out of respect for her and for Kore.

"I just want to help Demeter." I finally say quietly. "My feeling for Karianna are…nothing like Diana's."

"You don't care."

"I didn't say that!" I snap.

He shrugs. "Didn't have to. You don't. It's obvious. What isn't obvious, is why."

"I already said, it's for Demeter."

Will smiles, shaking his head. "You misunderstand me. I'm looking for the truth. I mean, what do you owe Demeter. Neither of you were exactly close. So she cannot be your sole motivation. I'll ask again, Artemis, what is motivating you to 'help' your aunt?"

Again, I cannot find the words to explain my cause. For I cannot explain my drive, what is causing me behave in such narrow manner. From the darkest corner of my mind, I hear a faint, soft, "Trust him. Trust. Trust him."

It would seem Diana has had a change of heart. I cannot help but listen to her, wondering if maybe, she was for once right. I open my mouth, but what comes out does not speak of blooming faith. "Why is it any of your business?"

"Because, you're both my business." Will pauses. "Father charged me with looking after the pair of you. He said my main goal was to keep you safe and happy, for it is more than your father ever sought for you. He pitied Karianna. He worried for you, even though you choose this for yourself. He only watched last time. This time around he felt it was time to level the playing field. I was sent to ensure this."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hemera finally releases me. Well, when I say "release," I of course mean she briefly paused from her torturing to escort me to the grand hall. The walk was not nearly as awkward as the one I'd made nearly three months ago with her mother. Coincidently, that walk also began with a sneak-attack makeover. I'm forced to wonder if maybe this is a family trait. If so, it is a pretty crappy one.

When we reach the double doors, Hemera halts to face me. "Okay, don't freak or anything. Remember, this is a gift."

Having heard the words "don't freak," I of course start panicking. "What do you mean? Why would I freak?"

Hemera pats my hand. "Don't worry." She says soothingly. "Hale has everything set up. It was his idea, so it can't be that terrible, right?"

I give her my "oh-please-it's-Hale-for-goodness-sake" look. Because after three months with Hale, I have learned that god or not, he inherited the universal trait of really, really terrible ideas. For example:

"We ought to buy you your own motorbike."

"Your apartments are far too small, would you prefer to move in the ones next to mine."

"High school? Why would you need to complete your education up there, when you have a career and home waiting for you here? What do you mean, self-respect?"

And, of course…

"When do you think you might be ready to conceive children?"

This one, so far, tops the cake. I punched him (hurting my hand, once again) and refused to speak to him for two full days. Hale did everything in his power short to taking me to Disneyworld in an attempt to bring himself back into my favor. It was only after a very, very long discussion about the pace of our relationship that I finally relented.

"What's going on?"

"You'll find out. No need to worry." Hemera insists. "Now, just close your eyes."

I oblige her without complaint. Hemera gathers my wrists to lead me forward slowly. The doors seem to open of their own accord, because she is holding onto me with both hands. We walk into the great hall. From behind me, I hear the huge doors close and feel the gust of air from the force. My senses are pleasantly greeted. The air is fragrant with orange blossoms and lavender. There is the low murmur of a piano. "What is…?"

Suddenly, Hemera's hands are gone, and she's whispering "Keep your eyes closed, Kari." And then she's gone. Someone else's hands find one of mine and my waist. We're swaying along with the quiet music. There is no mistaking who my partner is—even blinded, I know it's Hale. His touch is distinctly possessive. Without a sound, he's guiding my head to rest against his shoulder.

"Have a lovely meeting?" I murmur into the fabric of his coat.

There is a deep rumble from his chest. "It was fantastic."

"Let me guess. She's come to the realization that I'm old enough to make my own decisions and is perfectly okay with letting me stay here with you without supervision?"

Another chuckle. "Not quite."

I sigh. "Surprise surprise."

"She declared war."

"That sounds more like it."

Hale squeezed me. I can just imagine him, right now, rubbing that spot behind his ear. He sounds very calm, true, but I can hear as sliver of worry laced in his tone. "Let us not discuss her now. I think tonight ought to be about us. Happier things."

I hum, nuzzling his shoulder. I have no clue what it is he's wearing, but it's not his typical cloak-and-tunic, or leather-jacket-and-jeans ensemble. The material is stiffer, probably of man-made fibers. "I think it's a very good plan. No more talking about Mom. Deal."

"Good." Hale sighs in a peaceful sort of way. "You can open your eyes now."

Needing no further prompt, I raise my head and look about the room.

XXXXXXXXX

All of this had been her idea. Accidently, of course. We had been lazing around her balcony one afternoon, as was our tradition. The topic of discussion today was our human lives. Kari had a better sense of her—mine had ended long ago-and was outlining for me the necessary steps one took to have a complete high school career. Things like "Home Economics" class, "dropping-your-tray-in-the-lunch-line-your-freshmen-year-when-surrounded-by-a-hoard-of-senior-jocks," "P.E.," and a ridiculous list of other things in a slang I cannot hope to comprehend. Though, there is one thing I catch in the myriad of terms:

"…and Prom."

She finishes the list with a single word. I can hear through her tone that it is to be capitalized with reverence.

I frown. "I met you there. I thought you hated everything about the ritualistic seasonal dancing?"

Kari shakes her head. "No, what I hate is the dress shopping, mani-and-pedi, updo torment. I mean, it's just a load of money wasted, right?"

All I am left to do is blink. Kari rolls her eyes, heaving a burdened sigh. "Okay, I never had a date. I mean, Will offered to take me, but he was like, a friend, you know? And there's nothing wrong with that, really, but, I mean…it's Prom. You want to go with somebody really special. That's why you go through all the hair and nail stuff. You want to look good for that person."

"Ah."

"This last one would've been okay, you know? Except for the whole kidnapping thing."

"Just 'okay?'"

Her expression softens. "I think it could've been better if you were my date, instead of my hijacker."

This occurred weeks ago. I had been unable to forget her words. She always acted like I had done her a favor, rescuing her from that pathetic excuse for a ball (that was, of course, after we had gotten past the kidnapping argument), so I'd thought nothing of it.

Then came the morning I had woken up to realize she'd shared my bed. We were together. She had greeted me with a smile, no longer flinched out of my touch or avoided my gaze. Things were…perfect. And I knew even if she never completely remembered our old life together, we could still create a new life, with new memories. We reached an understanding. Even if she returned for further schooling, even when she insisted on getting a job up in the aboveground, she will come back to me. She promised to return.

With this, I was resolved to prove to her I was willing to let her go, provided she meet my one condition—the greatest of all commitments. But how to present this proposal? I wanted to produce something with flare, something meaningful to be remembered with fondness. Her speech regarding the pros of prom gave me an idea. Why not fulfill her dream of attending a social dancing event with a date she actually appreciated? I could not promise the social part; this kingdom is not known for its array of society. But at the very least, I might recreate the atmosphere. We might even dance this time, properly. Perhaps I might even generate the storm she asked for so long ago. Or would a downpour dampen the mood? I had read stories of rain affecting people emotionally in a negative manner.

My plan was quickly set in motion. Nyx, as sour as she had been three months ago, jumped at the chance to regain my favor. Hemera, of course, was eager to help as well. Several of our other Underworld neighbors contributed in food and decoration. Not typically being one inclined to present social events, I had not the slightest idea of how to arrange a teenager's dream ball. Hemera and the other took the lead with determination. I quickly grew excited, anticipating my beloved's reaction to my gift, when "the shit hit the fan," as Karianna would later put it. Her mother requested an audience on the very same day of my makeshift ball. While the times of my two appointments were hours apart, I could not help but fear some sort of conflict. What if Demeter did manage to spirit away Karianna? Then I would be left with a "bedazzled" (another Kari term) great throne hall, a flamboyant reminder of what, exactly I had lost.

But Kari had remained, and our two-person ball was set to go off "without a hitch." I spent my four hours overseeing the final touches and dressing again in the tuxedo I had worn to her prom. The rest was spent in great anticipation, pacing and wringing of the hands. Then Erebus had sought me out to inform me of her arrival.

And here we stand. Swaying. She is perfectly calm, perfectly content in my arms. Things like this give me hope she'll choose right this time. Because it will ultimately come down to a choice. It must. She has to make the choice herself this time, without any help. I pray every waking second she might make the better decision this time: me. This is the sole thing holding us back. I wait every day for when we'll meet the end, the ultimatum, the point of no return. It could be anything, at anytime, anywhere. But she gives me hope.

"You can open your eyes now."

XXXXXXX

"This is…unexpected."

Demeter's face is half-shadowed, as the single lamp in the room barely provides enough light to read by. Her hands are folded. But she is far from calm.

"You know the boy who will be accompanying you?"

I nod, eyes trained on the flickering flame of the oil lamp. It's bronze, beautifully crafted. Someone has been thoughtful enough to hang it beside the bed.

"Will he cause us any…discomforts?"

"No."

She brings her hands to her lips, musing. They are a calloused set, from working with the earth, but still graceful. She has worked to manicure her nails, and I can smell the faintest trace of lotion. Ginger and apricot. A hint of spearmint.

"Then we shall commence. Tomorrow. Any longer would be dangerous. I hate to think of my child suffering another second in the hands of that fool."

"Tomorrow." I repeat.

"Tomorrow..." Diana whispers in my head. "Tomorrow and all is lost…"

I do not ask what she means. I think we both know.

WOOOOOO! Yeah! Got and update!

Okay, I am really, really sorry this took so long. I've been uber distracted by WTVC, Doctor Who, and school. Not to mention blogging (I'm on Tumblr, if you're interest).

I do hope you like this chapter. It clears up a few questions, especially some things address in the end of Chapter 3. Please review. Thanks!