Disclaimer: i do not own Twilight! i do own some fabulous chocolate dipped cookies - really, try it.

chapter twenty

"You must submit to supreme suffering in order to discover the completion of joy"

John Calvin

Isabella

Edward was visibly eager. His entire body was taut with excitement, his lower anatomy bulging under the button of his jeans. I was eager, too, regardless of the very thorough relaxing gift Edward had just given me. My hand and eyes had already met his very intimidating cock but it was my mouth that wanted a taste.

I kiss down his chest slowly, drawing it out, torturing him like he had tortured me. Careful not to graze his hardness, I unbutton his jeans and slip them and his boxers off of his body, running my gloved hands up and down his upper thighs.

He groans.

I suppress a smile, moving until I am level with his twitching cock. I huff out hot breath at it, loving how he gasps and twitches again. Pursing my lips, I lay a single kiss on the underside of him.

"Shit," Edward breathes, forcing his eyes to the ceiling.

I kiss him again and again, covering every inch of his cock, tasting his cinnamon sweetness on my lips until I can no longer stop myself from kissing his tip. The blushing purple head is leaking slightly, giving me a delicious teasing taste that I immediately wanted more of. I suck his head gently into my mouth, flicking my tongue all over and thinking that I must be doing something right based off of the noises coming from Edward, some high pitches, some low groans. I circle his cock with my gloved hand, squeezing and lowering my head to take more of him into my mouth at the same time. He hit's the back of my throat and I quickly pull off of him, choking back the gagging sensation in the back of my throat.

Edward immediately sits up, grabbing for me and rubbing my back as I gasp in air. I feel embarrassed tears escaping my eyes, hating that Edward gently wipes them away one by one.

"Are you okay?"

I turn my eyes away from him, mentally beating myself for ruining my own task with my stupidity. "Yeah," I mutter, feeling a pout work it's way onto my face.

"Baby?"

My heart stutters when he calls me that. I'd gotten used to Bella, the nickname he gave me, but I liked "Baby" even more.

I raise my eyes to see his perfect, scruffy face. "I'm fine," I tell him, letting my eyes fall to his still erect cock. "But I messed up-"

"No, you didn't," he tells me, reaching for my hand and bringing it to rest on his hardness. His face relaxes in pleasure. "It was your first time doing that, Bella. And you don't have to do that ever again if you don't want to."

I wanted to. At the moment, I wanted it more than anything but I was still recovering from gagging. I moved my hand, committing to finishing what I started but keeping my mouth on his tip for now. I could always work up to taking more of him in sometime in the future.

With my mouth sucking lightly on his tip and my hand moving and squeezing, Edward steadily works up to his orgasm, futilely trying to push me away. I stubbornly suck harder until his salty texture fills my mouth and Edward's chest is heaving, a small amount of sweat worked into his hairline.

I move to lay beside him, my head resting on his chest and my eyes closed, the day washing over me and leaving me absolutely exhausted. I yawn as Edward's arms work around me.

When I wake up, there is a jolt in my stomach - a certain awareness that sobers me completely from the events of the previous night.

Something would happen today. Something big.

Edward an I share secret smiles through a quick breakfast and as we search for a secluded spot in the near area. We've already decided on Ares' bright red pearl and Edward takes particular pleasure in stomping on the jewel. During this transit, we are accosted by feelings of dread and hatred, shaking from the intensity of the emotions of war as the red mist fades away from us.

Immediately, I recognize our location in the center of a maze of eroding stone and moss-covered dirt, knowing beyond the gate ahead of us is the bloodiest entertainment arena history has ever known. This is the first quest where we have been in Italy - Rome, specifically.

The ball of dread that had made a pit in my stomach solidifies while the bond screams in alarm at the sudden roaring beyond the gate. One thing is certain; no mammal could make that sound.

And yet, I feel a sense of camaraderie from the beast hidden from my view. I want to meet it.

Ignoring Edward's cautious hand on my shoulder, I move closer to the gate, pushing it open and moving into the Colosseum before me. The sand is still stained with the blood of past battles and standing on top of that history is a beast I instantly recognize, even as all of it's huge red eyes lock with mine.

The Lerneaan Hydra is massive, all nine heads hissing and puffing smoke and fire, it's scales smooth and multi-colored on the edges while the centers remain coal black. Simultaneously, the heads tense and the mouths open and the Hydra moves into an attack. Just as it aims fire at me, Edward pulls me behind a partially collapsed stone wall, pressing me against it, the bond blaring panic.

"Are you insane?" he says harshly, pressing me closer to the wall as the flames continue to beat against the stone.

I shake my head and look at Edward's hard eyes, his clenched jaw. I let my gloved hand press against his face. "It's fine," I tell him, squeezing through the narrow space between his body and the wall. I quickly undo the buckles of my sheath and drop my sword onto the ground, stepping into the open to face the Hydra.

Edward's fingers clutch at empty space as I step closer, my eyes focused on the Hydra as it huffs steam at me; my hand slowly reaching up in front of me towards the beast. My hand is steady and my gut is prodding me along, reassuring me of my instinctual need to be closer, to calm this animal.

The second my hand makes contact with the center head, memories sweep through me and I know the Hydra is re-living my life as well. I learn about the Hyrda's time in the Underworld, guarding the gates and Hades himself, feeling the Hydra's devotion to my father and it's sadness when it had to leave due to reasons it did not understand. The Hydra had been nearly docile with Hades, fiercely protective of the God when warranted.

And the Hydra could see Hades in me - even felt that loyalty towards me as the beast completely calmed down, it's eyes closing as the center head pushes into my palm.

I stroke down it's nose, smiling when one head pushes against my other hand and a mouth lets it's tongue slither out to lick at my face.

"Bella?"

I turn back to Edward, find his anxious expression hilarious in such a non-threatening moment. Of course, I understood what he was feeling - it wasn't everyday that he saw his girlfriend approach a nine-headed dragon. "It's fine," I smile at him.

Still, Edward doesn't lose his overly cautious expression though the Hydra behaves like a contented kitten as we discuss the next pearl we should choose. We hadn't done two quests in a day on the journey so far but as we hadn't had to fight the Hydra, we reasoned that we would be able to pull off another transition.

Zeus' silvery blue pearl shines innocently at us. Edward wraps me in his arms and I hold tightly onto the Hydra's center head as Edward stomps on the pearl. We were taking a gamble on the power of the pearl but it seemed to have no problems transporting two Gods and a giant beast to a smooth marble room. Huge pillars block out much of the sun though the clouds are thick beyond the room we are in.

Staring down at us is a bronze and marble statue of Zeus himself, seated upon his throne in the middle of this temple. And in his hand is a pulsing thunderbolt, all too real and clearly not a part of the original sculpture.

And Edward is blankly looking at the thunderbolt, feelings of need and longing rushing through the bond and I understand immediately.

This is the something big that was supposed to happen today - not that the taming of the Hydra wasn't a major event, but this was Edward's purpose in this entire journey. I recovered my helm - or, rather, crown - of invisibility; it was time Edward owned his own thunderbolt.

But just as he takes a step towards his father's statue, half a dozen fairly large Minotaurs step out from behind the pillars, crude swords and battered armor gleaming in the low light.

Edward didn't notice.

The Hydra did, curling its tail around me and Edward and breathing a ring of fire between us, the Minotaurs and the statue. Edward fought out of the Hydra's hold, leaping towards the statue, somehow missing the dwindling flames. I bit my lip as I watched him carefully climb towards his thunderbolt, tensing when a Minotaur begins to follow him.

My sword is out and swinging towards the beast before I can even think of stopping myself, the blade slicing easily through the Minotaur's fur and eliciting a low roar of pain; I stab the Minotaur through the heart, bringing my sword up through it's chest and forcing the blade through it's neck, effectively decapitating it.

The Hydra is on the same wavelength, slashing it's claws at the Minotaurs while some of the heads make a quick meal of the beasts; my Hydra moves with easy grace, flame and smoke and screaming in the air.

Feeling protected by my Hydra, I look back to Edward who has finally reached the thunderbolt - he grabs it greedily and instantly, his entire body glows bright iridescent silver, the thunderbolt absorbing into his muscles and tissue.

Edward's eyes - a steady, opalescent green-silver - lock with mine, the bond chorusing with joy and lust and wholeness. He jumps from Zeus' hand, a terrifying height, landing on his feet with ease.

We stand in the now empty temple with my Hydra - who seems sated for the moment - with charged energy pulsing between us. "Are you alright?" I manage to breathe out, my hands trembling around the hilt of my sword.

Edward grins lazily. "Never been better." Then he shifts his gaze to the Hydra standing behind me and moves to stroke his hand across the beast's snout. "Thanks for protecting her," he tells it.

Our last quest is Poseidon's in Egypt, near the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Truth be told, it is the easiest one - Sirens that needed to be terminated as they were killing far too many fishermen.

Edward doesn't have a problem ignoring them though it is ironic that the easies quest is also our last one.

We decide not to linger - our journey is done, both of us having gained the experience, the valuable tokens and a new ally in the process.

I find myself longing for a mattress and warm blankets and soft cotton clothes though it seems to have been ages since I've experienced any of those things. I wonder how much time has passed in Olympus while we were completing our journey - days, hours, years? Or did time move along at our pace; we'd been gone for a little over a week.

The pristine white pearl that returns us home is slightly larger than the others had been and, with my arms around my Hydra and Edward's arms around me, I stomp on the treasure, relishing in the accomplishment of the once daunting task our quests had been.

I'd assumed that the white pearl would transport us to the place we had initially left but as the mist clears, Edward's - rather Hera's - safe house is the first sight we are greeted to. I didn't think it was possible for a building to look so inviting.

Removing my arms from my Hydra, I step towards the house, Edward's arm moving to rest comfortably on my waist. I look back at my beast, reaching out a hand to touch the center head; the other heads gently nudge me in the direction of the beach cabin, urging me towards shelter while it's wings flap, preparing for flight.

I panic for a moment - not wanting my Hydra to depart - but the center head pushes against my hand again, assuring me in it's own way that it will return to me.

The Hydra waits until Edward and I are safely in the house before it soars into the air, leaving behind huge clouds of sand from the sheer power of it's wings.

Immediate needs of hygiene and sustenance are met quietly in the safe house, Edward and I mutually flooding the bond with peace. We fall into a bed early, before the sun fully sets, and sleep deeply, my head on his chest.

I wake to a slamming door.

I can only assume that my God-instincts are still very much awake as I bolt up from the bed, landing into a low crouch with my hand on the hilt of my sword. Edward reacts similarly, falling easily into a familiar fighting stance in front of me with small orbs of electricity in his open palms.

We listen, waiting for another sound.

Laughter filters through the walls. Familiar laughter. More than one person, too.

A quick rapping on the door interrupts the confusion that was beginning to seep into the bond. "Are you lovebirds going to come out any time soon?" Emmett bellows with a deep chuckle.

Edward and I drop the tension from out bodies; I open the door and am engulfed in a bear hug from a very enthusiastic - and loud - son of Apollo. He greets Edward in an identical way, throwing so many winks at Edward that Emmett's face seems to have taken on a twitch. I was no fool; I knew exactly why Emmett was winking.

That over-sized, teddy-bear pervert.

Emmett enthusiastically leads us to the main room where Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, Esme and a man I hadn't met wait for us. The man is fair with smoothed back blonde hair and an easy smile on his very handsome face; he looks a lot like Jasper.

Carlisle was Jasper' brother, a son of Athena and a mortal man who seemed to posses some ability of peace-making - at least, he somehow managed to stop me from hitting Emmett, who hadn't stopped making innuendo, with just one look. I supposed his talent was much like Rosalie's in a way.

Out little group was eager to learn about all of our tales, Carlisle in particular wanting to know about the beasts we encountered and how my Hydra had reacted to my touch. Esme explained in a laugh that Carlisle fancied himself a scientist of sorts - it was fairly obvious to me, given his very intense curiosity.

"Where's Amynta?" I ask when Edward and I have finished regaling our tales.

Alice grins slowly. "She's learning some tricks from her father. And yours."

"How do you mean?"

"It seems that Amynta has been taken under Cerberus and Hades' wing. She's learning new tricks."

It hadn't occurred to me that Amynta could do other things besides teleportation - which she was getting better at - and sensing immediate danger. I wondered how she would feel about my Hydra should the beast decide to show up out of the blue.

Through the bond, I notice Edward's mood shifting to a familiar one-track seriousness that wasn't unlike his focus when he was sparring or kissing me. "Do the Gods know we are back?"

Jasper nods reluctantly and my guard shoots up. "They sent us to retrieve you, actually."

"When do we need to appear?"

Jasper shifts in his seat, glancing at Alice before he answers. "As soon as possible."

And that is how we end up in the large throne room that held the most important Gods and their children. The ornate room was decorated with crystal and fine foods, the powers in the room positively pulsing against each other.

"So they have returned," Zeus bellows, his voice almost sounding proud though I had learned not to trust him. Edward had told stories of Zeus, stories that weren't covered by the mythology we learned in school. He could truly be a monster.

"Father," Edward says monotonously. I remain silent, locking eyes with my own parents as they stand around Hades' throne.

"My son," Zeus' voice is warm, cloying even. "I trust you have recovered the prize I left you at my temple."

Just at the mention of the thunderbolt, Edward's side of the bond explodes with excitement though he is careful to keep his face perfectly trained. "Yes, Father. Thank you."

Zeus turns his eyes to me, his gaze cutting through me; Edward struggles not to put himself between me and his father. "And you, fearsome child. You also gained a few tokens on this journey."

By this time, the hall had quieted and every eye was on the three of us. "Yes." I answer simply.

"And you've come to gain the trust of a Lerneaan Hydra."

Several gasps and murmurs echo through the room as I again answer in the affirmative. It wasn't until this moment that I realize how rare it was to connect to a Hydra.

And it had come so natural to me.

Zeus's face breaks out into a tense smile that would look genuine to untrained eyes. "What an unusual development," he comments, sitting down on his electric throne.

"Isabella," Hades calls, stepping away from Persephone with his arms open wide, a grin on his face. Warmth fills me as I accept a hug from my father - it was nice having a paternal figure that actually cared about my wellbeing. "How is the helm?"

I smile brightly. "Magnificent."

Several other Gods greet and congratulate Edward and I before we depart. As much as I liked knowing that Hades cared for me, Zeus and Ares made me increasingly uncomfortable and I was just as eager as Edward to get out of that room.

When we exit the building, Edward and I find ourselves in the center of Olympus, the four distinct districts clearly merging in this one area with the foggy sidewalks meeting up with electric stone and tiny streams of water built into the ground. The city was fascinating in its make-up - seemingly magical features that make the most marveling cities in the human world pale in comparison.

"I think Hades' finally completed my city apartment," I tell Edward, fighting the urge to blush as the implications of my words hit me.

Edward grins at my embarrassment and tosses a lecherous grin out, leering at me and speaking in a decidedly husky tone. "Let's go see it, shall we?"

A/N: i give you...a chapter for the holidays. personally, i celebrate Christmas and i thought it would be an awesome present for my wonderful readers if i could finish chapter 20.

wow. 20 chapters. we've come far, haven't we? we've battled beasts and we've run away from delicious boys and we've discovered a lot about the world around us. and yet, i have promises of more to come - we're looking forward to another near-death experience, a kidnapping, a ball and much more!

the next chapter should be out around new years!

big cookies and hugs to the first reviewer of the last chapter, cbmorefie - yes, Godward is sexy. if only he was real...

now, since it is the holiday season, i have a few jokes!

A Jewish Santa Claus came down the chimney and said: "Anyone want to buy a present?"

Just before Christmas, an honest politician, a generous lawyer and Santa Claus saw $20 on the ground. Which one picked it up? Santa of course, because the other two don't exist!

Did you hear about the dyslexic devil worshipper? He sold his soul to Santa.

Christmas Cards for the Psychiatrically Challenged:

SCHIZOPHRENIA: Do You Hear What I Hear?

MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER: We Three Kings Disoriented Are

DEMENTIA: I Think I'll Be Home For Christmas

NARCISSISTIC: Hark, the Herald Angels Sing About Me

PARANOID: Santa Claus Is Coming To Get Me

Dearest Santa,

We don't have a chimney in our house, how do you get into our home?

Love, Marky

Mark,

Firstly, stop calling yourself "Marky"; that's why you're getting your ass beat at school. Secondly, you don't live in a house - that's a low-rent apartment complex you're living in. Thirdly, I get inside your pad just like all the burglars do...through your bedroom window. Sweet Dreams!

Santa

is it just me, or do the most offensive jokes also happen to be the funniest?

as always, be brutally honest. i can take it.

~cupcakeriot