Disclaimer: i don't own Twilight - never have, never will. i do own the remainder of my mother's birthday brownie cake. it was amazing.
chapter fourteen
"When I saw you, I was afraid to meet you... When I met you, I was afraid to kiss you... When I kissed you, I was afraid to love you... Now that I love you, I'm afraid to lose you."
~Unknown
Isabella
This summons was very different from the others, that I could tell immediately based on the sudden drop on Edward's face. I wanted to ask who was summoning us but thought better of it - most likely, it was more than one God. Olympus protocol was becoming normal to me.
Amynta, who was sleeping soundly at the foot of Edward's bed, jumps onto the floor by my feet. Her ears are back and her tiny body is tense.
"How much time do we have?" The question tumbles from my mouth, straight from my mind. The buzz of the bond glows bright when Edward lays a hand over my own, squeezing my gloved fingers. I've yet to touch him without the gloves again and I intend to keep it that way.
Alice exchanges a wary glace with Jasper. "There is an escort waiting," she says slowly, absentmindedly clutching a small bag in her hand. It dawns on me that I've never seen Alice like this - hair a mess, seemingly confused - and I gather that I do not like that change. "Here," she says, handing me the bag, which I now realize is my own messenger bag. "I brought some things of yours when I couldn't find you in your dorm room."
"Thank you." I hurriedly move to Edward's adjacent bathroom, changing my clothes and brushing my hair, wincing at the pull as tangles work out. I knew that there wasn't any time to waste.
Amynta trotted along slightly ahead of me, directly in between Edward and I. Through the bond, I could feel brief pulses of anxiety; though his face was smooth of any emotion, Edward's mind was working quickly.
I wanted to ask him if he had any idea of what the summons could be about – or who, exactly, was summoning us – but the words died on my tongue, my mouth opening and closing several times in the span it took us to reach a familiar cloaked figure.
Demitri stood, head bowed, in the middle of the dormitory lobby, tiny traces of fog seeping around his feet. As we approached, his head tilted up and his eyes lingered on my face, seeming to analyze each of my features carefully before he caught sight of my hand locked firmly with Edward's. The curiosity in Demitri's eyes died out completely and he averted his stare.
Edward moved closer to me, his hand tightening slightly and I realize that his jealousy wasn't as ridiculous as I'd imagined.
I work to keep my voice neutral when I speak, trying my hardest not to let on that I'd witnessed the array of information that Demitri had presented. "Hades has summoned us?"
At this, Demitri shakes his head and the fog around his feet thickens.
Confusion. Demitri was widely known for his services to Hades and Hades alone, though he did often serve Persephone as well. If it was not Hades who had summoned us, then-
"You have been summoned by the Olympic Council, Princess," Demitri intoned, his words completely bland.
The bond scorched shock, startling me; Edward's face was the picture of outrage, his ears tinged pink and his brows set hard over his eyes. The hand that held mine tightened again.
"Princess," Demitri spoke again, his voice suddenly more forceful than I'd ever heard it. "The Council expressed their urgency."
"Of course," I respond absently. I had no idea who the Council was or what they wanted with Edward and I but based on both Edward and Demitri's reaction, this Olympic Council was very important – more important, it seemed, than a single God.
Without any further ado, Demitri allowed his fog to rise and permeate the air that surrounded the three of us. I hurriedly picked Amynta up, holding her close to my chest as we were all instantly transported to a large, golden room.
The walls were papered in delicate leaflet gold designs, the floor made of large honey-tinged marble slabs and several tall narrow windows that reached the ceiling on each of the walls. It was the longest wall, though, that caught my immediate attention; not only were there the most windows, but between each window was a golden framed picture of one singular figure. The three most recognizable pictures made my stomach drop.
One was clearly of Poseidon who seemed to be controlling the ocean in the bottom half of the picture, the water falling from the sky in the center, oceanic animals in the right corner and ocean nymphs in the left. Directly below the picture, Poseidon sat on a chair that seemed to be made of dark, constantly moving water that was held together by nothing but more water.
Beside him, Zeus sat regally on an electrified chair of bright purple and striking silver. Edward looked so much like Zeus that it was nearly seeing a clone – the same strong jaw and angular features, the same build of body and nearly the same shade of eyes though Edward's had much more green in them. Zeus was much more cold and remote, stress apparent around his eyes. The picture above his head featured him with a bolt of white lightening in his grip – his figure was the focal point of the painting but it held so much raw power that it was singularly frightening.
The one who drew my attention most was my own father. Hades' throne was the most morbid in the room as it was made of polished sculls and smoky dark air. His own picture was of what I'd learned to be the separated layers of the Underworld with Hades' residing over it all on a dark cloud in the very throne he sat on now. My father caught my eyes with an expression that I could not decipher.
Other Gods caught my attention, too – some I was familiar with like Hera and Rhea and Athena and others who looked familiar but that I had not met as of yet.
Demitri disappeared and new tension broke out in the bond. Edward moved subtly to stand slightly in front of me, his left shoulder blocking me from view. His entire body was coiled and tense and I recognized his stance from watching him practice in the Arena – Edward was ready for a fight.
Amynta squirmed from my arms, jumping onto the marble floor to also stand in front of me, her tiny muzzles pulling back from her teeth and three soft distinct growls breaking the silence of the room.
Zeus sat forward in his chair, much like he had the last time I'd seen him on my first day at the Arena. "Welcome to the Olympic Council."
"Why are we here?" Edward demanded and there was no mistaking the animosity in his voice. I reached my gloved hand forward to press against his back in comfort, knowing that my movement was masked from the God's eyes. Edward's eyes flicked back to me once, the green in them seeming much brighter than the grey.
Zeus ignores his question, speaking as if no other words but his own had ever been said. "It is a tradition of Olympus that heirs be tested with a number of challenges. In light of this, we have been made aware that Isabella has been removed from her assignment at the Arena," Zeus turns his cold eyes on me. "Why is that?"
As I open my mouth to speak, Rhea stands from her throne. "You very well know why, Zeus. Isabella's offensive gift acts as of defensive as well. There was no substantial reason for her to be put in a weak position at the Arena where no one can match her gift or her physical skills. It was illogical." She sits down and slowly brings her large curling hair to rest on one shoulder. "Besides, Isabella is much more apt at swordsmanship. A natural."
Edward looks at me with a raised brow and confusion rolls through the bond. I nod at him, confirming his suspicions. I'd never gotten around to telling him what exactly Rhea, Hera and Persephone were teaching me and I was almost certain that he wasn't aware of ancient swordsmanship techniques.
"So she's been trained in another area," Zeus says flatly. He exchanges a glance with Hades who looks away uncomfortably. I feel my brows furrow – who exactly had ordered the change of my training? I had assumed it was Persephone but perhaps she doesn't have the authority to make that type of order. "Very well, then. That makes her assigned tests all the more fitting," Zeus looks back at me, not truly making eye contact. "I'm sure you are aware of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World," I nod quickly – one of my classes at the Academy had spent a week going over that particular material. "You are to arrive at the first Wonder in three days-"
"You cannot just send her there-"
Zeus cuts off Edward's angry interruption. "We weren't going to send her alone, Edward. Since your relationship with Isabella has just been confirmed by yourself, you will be accompanying her."
At nearly the same time, the bond snaps with dread and Edward meets my eyes, panic clear on his face. They knew. And they – Zeus – had been counting on it.
The meeting is dismissed in a blur, Demitri arriving and transporting us to the oak tree at the Academy. The entire time, I was certain that Edward and I were operating on the same wavelength; until now, our relationship had been kept quiet from the Gods so what did their knowledge mean for us now?
Alice is persistent in her insistence that she should be helping me pack. My mind was too clouded by the earlier events to really process what my quest was - as if it hadn't really hit me just yet.
Edward and I had, reluctantly, parted ways once Demitri left us at the tree. While I seemed to be walking in a daze, Edward had a strong air of determination around him; he gently suggested that I begin packing as he was aware that I had a training session with Rhea later today and he had is own Arena match - which would be his last for a while - tomorrow.
Alice clears her throat and holds a slender black box out to me. "There's a card," she says, reminding me of the first time she'd given me a similar box. I knew before I opened the card that it was from Hades and that inside the box were a new pair of gloves. The card was a simple "These should come in handy. Good luck, Dad" written in elegant script. I hold the box in my lap, staring down blankly at that last word.
I'd been so elated to have a father, to have a someone who was supposed to care unconditionally for me but the truth is that having a father - a Dad - was turning out to be anything but confusing. What, exactly, was Hades' agenda with me? And was he even helping me?
"Aren't you going to open it?"
"Huh?"
"Isabella," Alice says, sitting down beside me. I look towards her, finally coming to the present. My mind is stronger than the circumstances and finally shakes off the haze. "Won't you open it?"
"Yeah. Of course." The box opens easily, revealing a stunning pair of black leather gloves. The leather of the fingers is sleek and thin, the underside made of buttery mesh so my palm is able to feel surfaces. The leather steadily thickens and bunches and is long enough to reach my elbow. They're beautiful.
Alice echoes my silent sentiment, running her fingers across the leather. We sit side by side in compatible silence until Amynta jumps between us, reminding me of my session.
Persephone had been working with my hell hound, teaching her how to use her own little gift. It was much to my surprise that the puppy had the ability to teleport me to any place I needed to go - or she would be able to, eventually. Right now, she could only get me to and from training sessions and even that small distance made her sleep for hours without moving.
"Amynta," I call, gaining her attention. She comes to sit by my feet, facing me, her heads looking up at me. I tell her the Greek command that Persephone had taught me and almost immediately, Amynta moves into a low crouch, her eyes glowing violet and mist coming from her mouths. The process was becoming quicker over time, mist floating up to coat my figure and then suddenly being in a completely different place.
The training sessions took place somewhere off campus - somewhere near the place Edward had taken me. The room was large and bare of any materials apart from a selection of swords. Hera stands beside the collection, watching as Rhea inspects them individually.
"Wonderful!" Persephone exclaims, walking into the room carrying a large, flat box. "You are just on time. I was worried that you might be delayed because of that horrid meeting!"
My brow furrows as my mother walks towards me. "Ah, no. You knew about it?"
"Hades keeps no secrets." She says, looking steadily at me with implications in her eyes. I understand, nodding at her and looking back over to the swords.
The first time I saw the collection, I was honestly appalled; I'd never seen so many weapons in once place before. The swords ranged from sturdy ancient pieces made of bronze and rust to newer, sleeker versions of platinum and steel. I'd learned to wield nearly every sword in their arsenal and, like Rhea had said, was a natural at it. Persephone had hinted that my natural apt had come from Hades. Apparently, Gods passed down much more than their looks.
"Isabella," Rhea hails, gesturing to the pile before her. I walk closer, inspecting each piece of gleaming metal myself, eager to get started. "It is especially important, today, that the sword you pick is the one you are most comfortable with. It will be the one that you take with you on your quest."
The reality of the coming days hits me, weighing heavily on my chest. But instead of the daze that had gripped me earlier, resolution settled in my stomach and my eyes were drawn to one of the newest swords. The blade was smooth platinum, longer than many of the others, one edge as thin as paper, the other more blunt. The hilt was made of platinum also, delicate swirls making a cage over the tightly wrapped leather handle; the cage was meant to the wielder's hand. The detail that truly drew me into the unique weapon was the fine gems and stones of the deepest purple shades that were encrusted into the hilt of the sword. My hand reaches towards it, black lace meeting the black leather handle; the sword feels like an extension of myself.
"Good choice."
I'm not sure which of the Goddess says it but I agree wholeheartedly with her. This was one of the only swords I hadn't trained with but I knew immediately that I wouldn't need to.
This sword was made for me.
Rhea and Hera walk me through the logistics and the finesse of the sword and, as the blade is longer than I am used to, the instruction is needed. I find that my movements need to be more fluid with longer steps to suit the blade properly. The adjustment is tiring yet it feels better.
When they allow me a break, Persephone steps forward with the box and a wide smile. "This is for you," she says as she places the box in my lap. I lean against the wall behind me and open the box, shocked to find two leather articles of clothing; skinny black leather pants and a leather trench coat that would reach my knees. Under them was a well-oiled leather sheath that appeared to be the correct length for my sword. "We thought these would be appropriate."
I nod, examining the wide belt of the sheath and the secure buckle that hid behind the case. The belt would fit perfectly into the loops of the leather pants which, upon closer inspection, had fine Greek phrases sewn into the sides in black thread. Without my asking, Hera tells me that the phrases are meant for protection and luck.
"Thank you." My voice breaks with emotion but I cannot help it; I was completely secure in these three Goddesses and the knowledge of their kindness.
Amynta returns us to my dorm room hours later and, much to my surprise, Edward lounges on my bed, waiting for me. "Hey," he whispers, shooting me a sly grin and letting mischief and another unnamable emotion leak into our bond.
"Hi," I murmur, setting the flat box of leather onto my desk and placing my sword on top of it. I can feel Edward's eyes on me, tracking me as I move.
"Nice sword," he comments, sitting up and eying the sheathed blade. Edward reaches a hand towards me, gripping my lace-covered fingers to bring me closer. Once I am sitting beside him, he lays a series of sweet kisses along my face. "I missed you," he confesses.
I can feel my face begin to flush - partially because of the newness of his attentions as I was still getting used to the contact and partially because I finally gathered what the other emotion in the bond was. I tilt my head to kiss him fully, our lips reacquainting themselves as Edward and I sigh in relief; I hadn't even realized how much I missed the smooth feel of his lips contrasted with the rougher slight stubble that dusted his face.
Simultaneously, the kiss deepens, Edward leaning forward until I am laying under his hovering body, his kisses hotter and longer. I break away to catch my breath but Edward continues, moving down my neck to my collarbones; he sucks very gently on the skin there, laying one lingering kiss in the hollow beneath my throat. His eyes meet mine as he slowly pulls away, his breathing heavy.
I sit up and take a deep, shuttering breath. This was where Edward and I had usually stopped but tonight, right now, the last thing on my mind is stopping; there is a deep-seated need in me that longs for Edward's touch and I have grown tired of denying it. My fingers move to the hem of the dark grey tank top I wear but before I can get the shirt over my chest, Edward's hands seize mine.
"You don't have to-" Even without the bond, I would know that Edward was merely - and weakly - trying to be a gentleman. But I can sense, to the fullest, his reluctance to stop and his drive to continue and I want nothing more than to feed that.
I shake his hands off of my wrists and finish pulling the tank top over my head, letting it drop to the floor and watching with great interest as Edward struggles to keep his eyes on my face. "You can look," I tell him, fighting off the embarrassment that is threatening to take over - I'd never been so bold in my life.
"I really shouldn't. We shouldn't-"
"Why not?"
Edward's mouth opens and snaps shut, as do his green-grey eyes. When he opens them, they are filled with resolve. "You don't think it's too fast?"
"No," I whisper, leaning towards him as if drawn by some unseen force. It wasn't too fast because I loved him and I would be willing to give him anything he would ever ask for. Of course, he didn't know I loved him and I intended for him to remain in the dark about it for as long as possible. But that didn't mean I couldn't grow closer to him in this way.
Edward's lips are on mine again, his hands on my bare waist. Zings of electricity pulse over my skin, my heart thunders in my chest and I hear our breathing loud in the room. We kiss deeply for a long time, Edward's hands running gentle circuits from my ribs to my back then over my belly-button. I know what he wants and I attempt to arch my back to put myself into his hands but he evades me each time.
He pulls away for a second and when his lips are back to tugging on mine, the heat of his body is more pronounced; my hands move without my direction to slide over his naked shoulders. Even through the thin lace, I can feel his skin and the muscles rippling under his flesh as his hands become more brave, lingering under my ribs for longer amounts of time until, finally, I feel a palm ghost over my breast.
My breathing stutters. Nothing - nothing - should ever feel that good. I feel a breathy noise come from my throat as the palm returns. Edward's forehead moves to rest on my shoulder as his hands explore my chest; his breath puffs hot on the nape of my neck. My own hands trace the toned ridges of his chest and I revel in the muted sounds that fall from his mouth - I feel powerful and powerless in the same moment.
Time passes quickly between lingering kisses and touches though everything remains above the waist and, eventually, we become too tired to continue with our exploration.
We lay on our sides facing each other with the blankets drawn up high to our chins, Edward's arms holding our bare chests close together. I imagine that my face matches his as we succumb to sleep; a flush high in my cheeks and a slight smile on my face.
A/N: first off, I AM SO SORRY for the delay, everyone. you guys are truly awesome and i am so honored to have every single one of you as readers and i hope this will be the first and last time that you have to wait for an update. school has been kicking my ass - i've been studying for the SAT's and i've picked up some volunteer work.
next, things are moving forward with Bella and Edward. now, this is the first lemon-ish thing i've ever done so i'm extremely nervous about it. i will gladly take anyone's suggestions on how to move them forward.
claps for my busy beta/pre-reader IvySnow who literally got this chapter back to me in less than twelve hours. she's awesome.
a shout out to the first person to review the last chapter - LordXeenTheGreat. i see that pen-name almost every single chapter - you deserve a cupcake!
be brutally honest. i can take it.
~cupcakeriot