Author's Note: Here is many blessings and another chapter for you all! I do hope to be churning more out soon!
Blessed be!
Love Jasmine
Chapter Twenty-Four
Olympus
I awakened to the feeling of warm, granite like lips kissing my own. I placed my hand in Ariston hair to deepen the kiss without opening my eyes. What is the difference between reality and dreams? One could not say. What I did know was how mine are the same; Ariston is always in both. My body eagerly responded to his touch and kiss. I found myself on top of him, straddling his hips as I rubbed my body against his. I opened my eyes when the deep kiss ended. It was still dark out, but being a divinity, his eyes glowed softly in the night. I knew the look in his eyes and the feeling within him all too well, as if someone were holding up a mirror to my own emotions, desires. I kissed him and held his body close to my own, sitting up with him as he kissed up my neck…
The sun was just beginning to rise as we laid in each other's arms in silence and bliss. I love moments like theses, those little moments that are so profound.
"We need to bathe soon. I have found a lady in waiting for you, her name is Tianna; she is a mountain nymph." He said.
"What will she do?" I asked.
"Help prepare you, style your hair and the like. All highborn ladies have one." He said.
I thanked him, and we ate breakfast in bed together, before we pulled ourselves out of bed, joking the whole way to our steaming bathing pool. I put on a silk robe, admiring Ariston's form, a white towel wrapped low around his hips. I could not seem to pull my eyes away from that V shape which disappeared into the towel. Those incredible muscles of his suited him perfectly; they were not oversized, they were perfectly proportioned to his 6'3 frame. When we returned to our bedroom, Ariston called for the nymph that was to be my lady in waiting. In the next moment, she appeared in a rosy light unlike Ariston's golden light.
She was a lovely woman, with hair the color of the sun, and teal eyes. She dressed in a silk, knee length, lavender dress. She had flowers in her hair and a kind smile, her hands clasped before her.
"Mera, this is Tianna." Ariston introduced us.
"It is nice to meet you." I said, putting my hand out to shake hers.
She smiled and shook my hand, giving a curtsy, and a bow of her head.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady." She said, meeting my eyes. There was a great curiosity within those teal eyes.
"These are for today." Ariston said, taking my attention.
He opened a big velvet box before me. The jewels were white diamond and sapphires, and of course, they were a work of art! There before me, was a bracelet, drop earrings and two necklaces. I looked up to him and smiled provocatively.
"If you keep this up, I am going to think you only want one thing." I warned him playfully.
"I do only want one thing." He said, without missing a beat. "You."
Oh, how this god makes me swoon! I smiled in a daze and kissed him.
"They are beautiful." I said breathlessly.
He handed the box to Tianna then leaned down and kissed me again, pulling me in close, which made it so he had to pull away before we began undressing each other.
"I have another gift for you in our closet; I had something made for you to wear today." He said breathlessly.
"Thank you. I am sure I will love it." I said.
I kissed him once more, then went into our closet with Tianna following behind. Sure enough, there was a tall shape that had a silk sheet over it. I removed the sheet with a flurry and gasped as I saw the dress on the mannequin. The silk of the gown was an iridescent, faintly patterned turquoise. The top had a sweetheart neck with straps that were an inch in width with tiny, lustrous pink and white pearls crisscrossing in a diamond shaped pattern. There was also another piece of silk that would hang down over my shoulders. The bodice had more pearls here and there; they flowed down the dropped waist and A-line skirt that flowed softly to the floor, the lower they were on the gown the more there was of them. The back had a corset; the lacing was a thick, dark pink ribbon. The dress was stunning; it was unlike anything I had ever worn.
"Have a seat my lady." Tianna said kindly, gesturing to the stool before my vanity.
I sat before the mirror, and the nymph began brushing my golden hair with the greatest of care.
"How would you like your hair styled, my lady?" She asked.
"However you would like to do it. I do not know the styles the women of Olympus are wearing." I said.
She nodded. She puled my hair back partly and pinned the sides back into place letting the rest of my golden curly hair cascade down my back.
"It varies." She told me. "Many of the gods fall in love with a certain period or culture and carry on those traditions. Some prefer many different styles, in clothes, hair, even their life styles." After she finished my hair, she took out what I thought was a necklaces and placed it on my head. I blushed as she pinned it into my hair.
"I thought that was a necklace." I admitted. She smiled kindly.
"No, it is a headpiece. The Twelve wear crowns at court. Women who possess their ichor are allowed to wear this kind of jewelry in their hair to show their royal lineage." She explained.
Next, came the necklace, bracelet and earrings. When she was done, I rose to my feet. She took the dress off the mannequin with ease and looked at me expectantly. I realized what she wanted and I dropped my robe. It felt a bit odd; Ariston is the only one I have been naked in front of since I was six years old. I got over it quickly, and she helped me into the dress. The corset was not as tight as the ones women used to wear, thankfully, but it was snug. The dress fit perfectly, falling from my hips in these beautiful waves of cloud silk, with dangling pearls on the skirt.
I looked at myself in the mirror; it felt natural to dress in such a way. I adored it. How else can I express that I felt myself in such attire?
"Are you pleased, my lady?" Tianna asked.
"Extremely. Thank you." I said. She bowed her head once.
"When ever you have need of me, simply call my name and I will come." She said.
I thanked her again and she disappeared in golden light. I walked out to the living room to find Ariston waiting for me, wearing an ivory suit with gold work on the collar, the ends of the sleeves, the hem of the coat and the hem of his pants in a tasteful pattern. His silk, button down shirt was the color of my dress, and he had a few buttons undone to expose that amazing chest of his. He looked every bit the son of Zeus, every big the Prince he is. He almost looked as incredible as he does naked… almost. I blushed at the thought.
Ariston took his time examining the ensemble; that unhinged jaw, complete awe look on his face.
"You look…" He was at a loss for words, and that is not something that happens often. "Like a goddess." He finished with a bright smile.
"Thank you, my Prince." I curtsied.
He laughed, walked up to me and placed a sweet, lingering kiss on my lips. He looked into my eyes as he held me in his arms. I nodded, signaling I was ready, and watched, as he became gold light for a moment before retuning to the form I know so well.
"Welcome home." Ariston said.
I turned to look at what was before me and gasped. The first thing I noticed was the garden. A small stream ran behind us with beautiful green grass on its shore. Huge, ancient trees were around us, mostly oak with a few olive trees bearing their fruit. Birds sang their sweet song, only a few of which sounded familiar, others having been lost to extinction. Roses and other beautiful flowers in full bloom climbed the trunks and limbs of the trees. Bushes of flowers of every color lined a wide stone walk way, which the limbs of the trees overhung, and from them flowering vines hung down almost low enough to touch. It was so beautiful, so tranquil; the sent in the air was so pure and sweet, like nothing I had ever smelled. It was…. enchanting.
I smiled and took my eyes off the beauties of the garden to look at Ariston. He was smiling.
"This is your home?" I asked in amazement.
"Our home. You belong here just as much as I do. I told you my house near Blueridge was nothing by comparison." He laughed and held out his arm. "Come. Our family awaits."
I smiled and took his arm. I examined the wonders as we walked along the path. A few minutes later, the path widened into a circular opening of stone. There were chase lounges in rich colors under the trees and one beautiful, seated goddess with caramel colored curls and golden eyes smiled to us as we passed. Ariston bowed his head and I did the same. She looked at me curiously before looking back to her book. Ariston and I continued along the path as it narrowed into the straight path, the size of the one we had been on before.
After a few twists and turns, I could see something white glittering at the treetops. A few minutes more, the path straightened out and I gasped yet again as I looked on a huge palace. Its size easily out trumped the Pentagon. The intricate palace was made of white marble that was vined with gold; those veins shimmered in the light, breathtaking in how they were set into the pure white marble, which glowed in the sunlight. The sight of it took my breath away. The palace was Greco-Roman in architecture, with pillars great and small all about it. There were huge windows that seemed to be five stories tall and hundreds of stone balcony's jutting out from the palace.
"This is the Great Palace." Ariston informed me. It was a moment before I could speak.
"You live here?" I asked.
"I have an apartment here. My home…" He took a deep breath and I looked at him in the moment, feeling what he was feeling. "I will show you my home later, after you have been properly introduced to our family."
I wondered what he was not saying, but I could feel that he did not wish to speak of it just then, so I let it drop and we continued walking. The garden ended, and the hill up to the Great Palace was all swaying grass. The grass did not appear to be cut, it looked as if it simply grew to a perfect length and swayed softly in the warm breeze. The walkway turned into steps with a thick gold veined marble railing on either side. Ariston and I ascended the stairs, then walked up the path on the landing, and climbed more steps onto a portico. In front of us was a huge opening, fifty feet in width and a hundred feet tall, with grand double doors, which were wide open to those who chose to enter.
A grand staircase was a hundred feet ahead of us. Looking up, I saw this huge skylight set fifteen stories above me; walkways of the different stories outlined the opening, and I could see gods and goddess walking them. Some of the railings and pillars inside were carved of wood instead of stone; it offset the marble perfectly.
"This place is extraordinary." I said breathlessly.
"We gods have always been prone to grandeur." Ariston said, that crooked smile gracing his features. "The palace was not always as big as it is now. My father has seen it expanded whenever there is need."
Ariston began leading me again and I looked towards the staircase so I would not trip. A goddess was descending the stairs as we walked up, she smiled to Ariston and he gave her a nod and a polite smile, I did the same when she looked at me. There was something about the way she eyed Ariston, though. Checking him out as he passed her.
A former flame? I thought the question to him.
If you can call it that. It was long ago and nothing more than one night. He replied.
A good night? I wondered.
Not even close to the ones I have spent with you. He replied and I smiled.
Other gods and goddesses walked the halls; every goddess wore such beautiful gowns, although there were a few who wore pant or skirt suits. Many of them had the same sky blue eyes as Ariston, but I saw every color eyes, skin and hair walking through the halls. There were gods also, some looked to be young while some looked fully-grown, the same age as Ariston appears.
Many paintings hung on the walls, paintings I have never seen, but held the stroke of genius that marks a master.
"Some of these paintings are older than I am," Ariston told me. "Painted by masters long forgotten. Here the paintings will never wither, never fade, they will stay in the state they were meant to be seen in." I smiled at what a beautiful thing that is. That such works of art will not be lost to time is a blessing beyond words.
We took many turns, each hall we walked was grand, and passed many wooden doors engraved with gold or adamantine, while some doors were made entirely of gold or adamantine and accented with wood for a reversed look. We walked on one catwalk that was suspended fifty feet above courtyards of trees and flowers.
"How do you not get lost in these halls?" I asked, Ariston laughed.
"That is where teleportation comes in handy." He replied. "Some jest that not even Zeus himself has seen every room in his palace. The fact that he will never answer that question makes it all the more suspicious." I laughed at that.
"I would not doubt it." I said.
We came to a long hall, and by long I mean that even with my improved eyesight, I could not see its end. It seemed to go on forever. It reminded me of the hallway in Ariston and I's home in Blueridge, with its mural painted, arched ceilings. There were enormous pillars, each lining the sides of the hall in question. In between the marble pillars, were statues of men and women, gods I presumed.
"The greatest of the gods, Demi gods and even Descendants have had a statue in their honor created and placed in this hall." Ariston informed me.
"Do you have one?" I asked.
"No, I have not accomplished feats such as they have." He told me.
I looked at one in shock… in recognition, and stopped to gaze upon it.
The name on the plate held the same symbols as the ones that are etched within the Rose Diamond that adorns my neck, 'the language of the gods' Ariston called it. Because of the connection Ariston and I share, I could read it.
"Lady Pandora; Ensnarer of Shadows. Daughter of Zeus, wife of Epimetheus, mother of Alexis and Reina." I read the inscription. "She looks like my mother." I said in awe.
"She looks like you." Ariston stated simply. "You get you violet eyes and golden hair from her. You resemble her greatly, from what my father tells me."
I was still amazed by the resemblance, it was not exact but it was amazingly close, close enough to give anyone pause. I wondered how similar we truly are; could I ever do the things she did? Remember the cost it came at, a voice whispered in my mind. If she is alive, she has lost everything. Her daughters, her husband, the box… everything. I shook the dark thoughts away and continued walking.
Ariston kissed my hand, and I clutched onto it. I would give up anything to do what has to be done… but could I give up him? Could I leave the man I love alone in order to fulfill my destiny?
I did not know if I could do that. I felt tears in my eyes, my heart and throat constricting at the thought. In the next moment Ariston was holding me in his arms; I still had his hand in a death grip, therefor those clasped hands were between us, as that free arm held me tight.
"Mera, there is always time, you can always change your mind. Know that." I nodded, then he smiled as he leaned back to meet my eyes. "Smile my love. This is a happy occasion; your long awaited home coming."
He leaned down and kissed me; my doubts and worries washed away the moment my lips touched his. I held onto him, treasuring him. We were both breathless when the kiss ended. I smiled.
"There it is." He said, and I laughed. "Come, it is not far now. We are entering the old part of the palace."
I nodded and we started off again. We did not walk down the whole hall of statues; we turned right a few yards from where we were.
A few minutes more and we began to walk through a huge hall. The ceilings were a hundred feet high and the path way was lined on either side by huge pillars of yellow marble that were banded at the tops and bottoms with white marble. To our left sunlight streamed in, giving the place a beautiful glow. It was a specular sight, like everything else in this palace.
"Here we are." Ariston said.
I took a deep breath and kept walking as Ariston led me through open double doors. Ariston and I entered what looked to be an enormous living room. The same gold veined marble adorned the walls, but the floor here was black gold veined marble, which off set the walls beautifully. Over twenty gods stood in the room, and I knew at once they were the Twelve and their spouses.
"Took you long enough." One of the gods said with a friendly crooked smile.
The god who spoke had sandy blond hair and sky blue eyes; he mostly took after Zeus in his looks. Something about him was familiar, eerily so. He had his arm around a lovely goddesses waist, she had long, chocolate brown hair and fair skin.
"I thought Mera would like to see the gardens." Ariston said to his brother.
Zeus and Hera were easy to spot. They stood in front of the other gods, and they were powerful figures indeed. Zeus was tall and powerfully built, his silver curly hair was short, as was his beard. His skin was lighter than the cinnamon color of his sons, though he and Ariston shared the same sky blue eyes, only Zeus' seemed to laugh with good humor. I also realized where Ariston got his crooked smile from.
The goddess at his side, his wife Hera, was beautiful. Her straight brown hair hung loose around her shoulders, and a crown of gold sat atop her head. Her golden tan skin and bright gray blue eyes complemented her beautifully. She had an elegant face, perfect nose, high cheekbones and perfectly full lips. She was beautiful, I saw where Ennina gets her looks.
Ennina was standing near Zeus, her arm wrapped around the arm of a very handsome god whom I assume to be her husband Cronus. Cronus was a head taller than his wife; he had cinnamon skin, though lighter than Ariston's. His straight black hair was short, and styled into a comb over that was in style about a hundred years ago, but it suited him well, giving him a classic look. He had a strong handsome face and bright pale green eyes and a kind, even smile. He too was powerfully built.
I saw many other gods and goddesses, each goddess had a perfect figure though some varied in different ways, and the gods were all powerfully built, well muscled and handsome. True warriors.
"Welcome home, Mera." Zeus greeted, stepping forward with his wife on his arm and putting his hand out.
I placed my hand in his, and he placed a simple kiss on it.
"It is so wonderful to finally meet you." Hera smiled at me.
She possessed a motherly warmth about her, a kindness, but also a regality as is befitting a queen.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty, both of you." I said.
"You may call me Hera, or grandmother, which ever suits you." She said. I smiled and nodded.
"Allow me to introduce my family." Zeus said. "My brother Poseidon, and his wife Amphitrite, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. King and queen of the seas." He introduced them.
Poseidon did not possess many of his brother's features. His face was sleeker, perfectly and boldly proportioned. Gray-green eyes were set well beneath blonde eyebrows. His angular jaw was covered by a short, stubble of a beard, and his sandy blond hair was cut short. With a 6'5, well-muscled form, he made an imposing sight. Amphitrite was as powerful a figure as her husband. Her pale blond curls were in an up-do and a crown of silver, aquamarine and pearl sat atop her head. Her skin was fair, and her eyes were the color of shallow water.
The both greeted me, and Zeus moved onto introducing more of his family.
"My sister Demeter, Goddess of Bounty and mother of Queen Persephone. And her husband Iasion." He introduced them.
The goddess had hair the color of wheat and eyes the color of the first leafs of spring, a beautiful bright, lively green. Her face was of an oval shape, her skin a sun kissed tan with the golden glow of the gods. The god next to her was tall and well built, though not so much so as the other gods. He had brown hair and dark green eyes.
"My daughter and her husband would have loved to be here to meet you, but their duties occupy them today." Demeter stated in a beautiful voice.
Her voice was calm and slightly deeper than most women's are, but still held that godly beauty to it.
"I understand," I assured her. "I will be honored to meet them when they are able." She nodded her head.
"You have already met my heir and eldest daughter, the Princess Ennina. This is her husband Prince Cronus, God of the Earth, son of Gaia and Ouranos." He introduced them.
They came forward and greeted me warmly.
"My son Ares, God of Warfare. His wife, and my granddaughter Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty, daughter of Dione and Alexander."
Ares had his straight brown hair combed back. He had Hera's gray blue eyes and skin, Zeus' face and height. Aphrodite was an amazing beauty, her face was gentle and elegant, her fair skin held the golden glow of the gods and her hair was golden in color. She held her grandmother Amphitrite's eyes, the color of shallow water in paradise, that beautiful blue-green,
"My daughter Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt and of the Moon, and her husband Orion."
Artemis had her fathers sky blue eyes, but with hair as black as Ariston's, only hers was straight. Her skin was fair and her face feminine and elegant. Her husband had blond hair and gray green eyes; a strong, handsome face and a good smile.
"My son Dionysus and his wife Ariadne, daughter of King Minos of Crete and his Queen Pasiphae."
Dionysus had the same laughing blue eyes as his father; he looked a lot like Zeus, except for his golden curls. His wife was a Grecian beauty herself, with tanned skin, long, dark brown hair and dark, mysterious eyes with long eyelashes.
"My son Apollo and his wife Princess Cassandra, daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy."
Apollo was just as Ariston described him; he seemed to hold the sun within him. His hair was a beautiful gold, the same shade of the sun, his eyes a laughing sky blue. He was radiant; he had warmth about him, a kindness and friendliness. His wife Cassandra was stunning beside him; she seemed to hold the radiance of the sun within her as well. Her hair was a honeyed blond, a calmer tone than her husbands, her eyes were a warm golden brown and she, like the other goddess, had a beautiful figure, the kind models would kill for.
"My son Hermes and his wife Merope, daughter of Atlas and Pleione."
Hermes was the god whom spoke when we entered.
"And last but certainly not least, my son Hephaestus and his wife Aglaea, one of the three Charities; you know them as the Graces.
Hephaestus was thicker than the other gods; not overweight, just barrel-chested with thick arms. He had Hera's brown hair, lips and gray blue eyes, and Zeus's face. His brown beard suited him well. Aglaea had black hair and strikingly brilliant blue eyes, brighter than Zeus', and fair skin. Her face was different from the other goddesses but no less beautiful. Her lips were slightly finer, her nose longer, her cheekbones a little less pronounced on her heart shaped face.
"I am honored to meet you all." I said.
"Come, let's sit." Zeus said.
We all sat on the different couches; I sat next to Ariston on a love seat. All eyes were on me.
"Forgive my children for making you uncomfortable." Hera apologized. "We have watched you all your life; we are all so happy to be finally meeting you."
"It is alright, this is all still a bit unreal for me to be here with you all." I said with a smile.
"I told you not to keep her away." Hermes said to Ariston.
"I had my reasons, brother." Ariston replied. I looked at Ariston and he smiled to me.
"How do you like Olympus so far?" Aphrodite asked in her honey sweet voice.
"It is extraordinary, I have never seen anything like it."
"Wait until you go to the Agora; the shopping is the best in the world. We will have to go shopping sometime." Aphrodite said.
"I would love that." I smiled.
"We have planned a coming home ball for you tomorrow night so you can meet some of the other prominent gods." Zeus said to me.
"Truly?" I asked, excited by the idea.
He nodded his head.
"Indeed. It will be held in the great hall. You will walk in with my son, and seat yourselves in the seats of honor, then the gods will come to greet you one at a time." He explained.
"That sounds wonderful. Thank you." I smiled.
"Have you decided if you are going to join the army?" Ennina asked.
I felt Ariston's emotions beside me and gave his hand a squeeze.
"I want to do my part, whatever that may be." I answered her.
"You are welcome to train with a squad. If you find it is not what you want, we will not force you to stay. You will always have a choice, and a place among us. Understand that we cannot guaranty your safety if you join the army, all we can do is train you to the best of your ability and protect you as best we can." Ennina explained.
"I understand that; Ariston explained." I said. She nodded.
"Do you have any questions for us?" Hera asked.
"I do have one. A friend of mine from school is a Descendant. Aaron Rockford?" I asked.
"He would be mine, and fathers through me." Hermes announced with a broad smile. "He is a good boy."
Knowing that, I understood why Hermes looks so familiar; Aaron looks mostly like him, except for his eyes. Hermes are sky blue, Aaron's are sage green.
"How is he?" I asked.
"He is doing well. You should go and visit him later; I am sure he would love to see you again." Hermes said.
I smiled and thanked him.
"Well I would love to stay longer, but my good friend Travis is waiting for me." Hermes announced as he stood.
"Travis White?" Ennina asked, some what annoyed with the name.
"One in the same." Hermes said with a grin that turned into an innocent look. "Do you have a problem with that sweet sister?"
"Travis White is one of the most irritating men I have ever met." Ennina said to her brother. "I do not know how you can stand his company."
"It is only because we are so much alike." Hermes said, flashing his sister a crooked smile. She sighed.
"See that you do not get into too much trouble. I hate to be woken in the middle of the night." Ennina said.
"Since when?" Cronus asked her with a smile; she smiled to her husband, their eyes meeting, a knowing passing between them which was too intimate for me to continue looking.
"Of course sister," Hermes assured her. "We are just going hunting. Not to worry, I will be back in time for my duties."
Ennina looked towards her brother, however, as her head turned her eyes stayed on her husbands for a time, caught in his gaze, before she looked at her brother. Ennina stood and went over to her brother.
"Have fun." Ennina said. Hermes came over and placed his hand on his sister's shoulder as he leaned down, and they kissed each others cheek.
"Don't I always?" He smiled; Ennina rolled her eyes, a very annoyed expression was mixed with a true affection.
Hermes came over to me, and Ariston and I stood.
"I hope to spend more time with you soon, granddaughter." He said with a warm smile.
"And I you, grandfather." I said.
His smile widened, and he gently kissed my cheek, then looked at Ariston.
"Take good care of her." Hermes told him.
"Always." Ariston said, putting an arm around my shoulders and pulling me to him, making my smile grow.
As I watched them laughing and joking, I saw it; they are a family, through and through. Hermes left in golden light soon after. After a few hours of getting to know the gods, they rose to their feet.
"Our duties call." Zeus said.
The gods said their goodbyes to Ariston and I, and left the same way Hermes did.
"Would you like to go visit Aaron?" Ariston asked. I smiled and nodded.
Ariston took me into his arms, and a moment later, we were in a large meadow. Music was playing. I looked around and saw around a hundred men and women, from the ages of fifteen to thirty, all sitting around talking and laughing. The smells of chicken with rosemary, olives stuffed with feta cheese and a dozen other smells filled my nose and made me realize how hungry I was.
Many tables were set up with benches filled with people. I looked for Aaron.
"My lord, my lady." A man said with a bow of his head as we walked past.
Everyone looked over at us and bowed their heads. I saw Aaron before he saw me.
"My lord and lady." The woman whom was the oldest at the table looked to be around twenty-five.
Ariston and I bowed our heads. Aaron looked up, then his eyes widened, the fork dropping out of his hand and making a clink when it hit his place. He looked at me as if he had never truly seen me before.
"Mera?" He asked in shocked amazement.
"Hello, Aaron." I greeted him.
"Would you like to join us, Your Highnesses?" The woman asked.
"Why don't you go ahead," I looked up at Ariston when he spoke. "I have a few things to take care of. Call for me when you are ready." Ariston said.
I smiled and nodded.
"I will, thank you." I said.
He caressed my cheek, just as lost in my eyes as I was in his. He leaned down and kissed me sweetly, my arms went around his neck to deepen the kiss as we completely forgot about the others around us. Ariston had to end the kiss before it went further; my face was flushed.
We have time for that later, Ariston thought to me.
"Later." I agreed, and then realized that I had spoken out loud, and the voice I had spoken that word in. I flushed from embarrassment.
Ariston had a huge grin on his face; he apparently thought it was hilarious. He kissed my forehead before disappearing in his golden light. I turned back to the table; some of the people were looking at me while others had the decency to pretend they did not see.
"Would you like to join us, my lady?" The woman asked.
"Yes, thank you. I am hungry." I said. Someone brought a chair up and held it out for me as I sat.
"Aaron, make the lady a plate." The woman commanded lightly.
Aaron was still gawking at me but began making me a plate of chicken, mashed sweet potatoes, seasoned French fries and olives stuffed with feta cheese. Some of the other men at the table were looking at me curiously.
"May I ask whom it is that honors our table with her radiant presence?" The woman asked with kindness in her voice.
"I am Mera Vandenberg, Descendant of the Twelve, and of Pandora." I introduced myself.
Everyone was shocked; I guess I am as rare as Ariston said after all. The knife slipped in Aaron's hand and he almost cut himself as his eyes flashed to mine. The look on his face said it all. He knows about Pandora and her Descendants.
"It is an honor to meet you, my lady. I am Helen Rogers, leader of squad Alpha Omega Sigma Delta Rho." She introduced herself.
"Here you are." Aaron said a moment later, handing me the plate.
"Thank you." I said to him with a smile, picking up an olive and biting into it; it was ripe and delicious.
"You're welcome, my lady." Aaron replied.
"Aaron, we have known each other for three years. I think you can call me by my first name." I said with a laugh. He nodded and I ate my food.
"Who was the god you kissed?" One of the young women at the table asked.
"Ariston, son of Zeus." I said with a smile.
"You are lucky." She said.
"I happen to agree." I said as my soul brimmed with love. "How many Descendants are there on Olympus?" I asked Helen. I would have asked Ennina earlier, but I did not think to.
"Currently, there are around three hundred thousand Descendants on Olympus and other mountains in Greece. There are another two hundred thousand active Descendants on Earth that are Descended from the Twelve." She said.
"Impressive." I said with a smile.
"The other factions of the gods have their own armies throughout the worlds. Our force is one of the largest." She said, a few people snickered and a few whispered words.
"I wonder how that happened." One of the young men said, with a quirk of his brow. Everyone chuckled, even Helen. Well, if there was one thing the Olympians are famous for. That young man raised his chalice. "To procreation!" Everyone burst into laughter.
"Enough." Helen silenced them, and not one of them let out a single snicker after that.
I began eating again; when I was finished I wiped my hands on my napkin and rose.
"Thank you for the food, and for welcoming me to your table." I thanked them as Ariston taught me was proper.
"It was an honor, my lady." Helen said.
"Aaron, would you like to go for a walk?" I asked him. He nodded and stood; we walked off into the forest, a heavy silence between us, until he broke it.
"You look beautiful." Aaron said.
"Thank you. The ensemble was a gift from Ariston." I said with a smile. He shook his head with a slight smile.
"I should have known he was a god." Aaron said. "Figures."
"When did you find out what you are?" I asked.
"Right after my dad died." He told me. I was floored. "Remember that couch, the badass one?" He asked, and I nodded. "He gained my trust, and revealed to me what I was capable of. Telling me I am a Descendant of Prince Hermes, and what that means. The war, the Shadows… the gods, everything he told me scared the hell out of me."
"I remember that!" I suddenly said. "Three weeks, we could not get you to see us; not even Jack, of all people." He nodded, deep in thought, in painful memories of his father's sudden death.
"He offered me a whole new life." Aaron went on. "All I wanted was to escape, but I couldn't." I could not understand.
"Why not?" I asked him. "Why not go?"
"You… I couldn't leave you." He told me, we shared a sad smile and an understanding. It was in the past, but in those early days, that first year, we truly loved each other. It was what we knew of love, so we gave it our all.
"Why did you not tell me?" I asked him, not able to wrap my mind around the fact he knew what he is for an entire year.
"I wanted to pretend I did not know, so everything would stay the same between us." He told me. "Change that big… it scared the hell out of me, and I did not want to face what I was meant for."
"What changed your mind?" I asked him.
"Two things," He said. "You leaving me for Ariston, and the fact that the day before yesterday, the Shadows came after me. Kallisto appeared and fought them off." He said with a slight smile at the mention of her. "She told me who I told me to pack my things and tell someone that I got into another school. It was as if I were running to something, not away, which is why I chose to come here and embrace all I will be." He let that sink in for a moment, before looking at me with that quizzical expression I know so well. "How did you know I was here? Did Kallisto tell you? She said not to tell anyone." I blushed in embarrassment.
"Ariston told me, but only because I asked." I explained. He nodded, fear and dread returning to his expression.
"You are Pandora's Descendant." He stated.
"Ariston told me what that means." I assured him, and he stopped me in the path to stand in front of me, his eyes pleading with me.
"Tell me you are not going to join the army. Tell me that you are going to marry that god you love so much and lead the life of a lady." He begged.
"You know me better than that." I said.
"You cannot join the army." Aaron nearly demanded, that protective, controlling tone coming into his voice.
"Now you sound like Ariston." I said, except for how controlling he sounded.
"He is right. Mera this is no joke. Your life, your very existence is endangered if you do this." He said.
"It is my destiny." I stated. "I cannot sit back and do nothing when the fate of the world hangs in the balance. What is one life, my life, compared to billions?"
"Everything!" He said. "Mera, you know what you mean to me. I cannot let you throw your life away."
"It would not be thrown away," I assured him, my voice becoming calmer. "Not in the least. There is no telling that I am going to die. There has never been a Descendant such as me before; I am also descended from the Twelve, and I have… other abilities." I said. He looked confused.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
I looked down, and with a single thought, I brought a rock to eye level in between us, then lifted it up and spun it around above us. Ariston has been working with me on telekinesis. I could feel the rock in my mind, I could feel its weight, I could feel its cool surface. With one thought, each granule of the stone began to pull away from its center; tugging, pulling, until it burst into a thousand pieces as the grains floated around above our heads, staying where they were asked.
The dust fell all around us; Aaron's face was priceless, his jaw unhinged. There was a pregnant silence between us, and then after a while, he finally spoke.
"I thought only immortals and demigods have abilities like that." Aaron said in awe. "…How…?"
"Ariston." I said with a smile. "I am sharing his abilities." Aaron was too stunned to speak. "So you see my friend, I am not completely helpless. I can protect myself far more than any other Descendant, and once I master fighting? I will be even greater." I smiled. "It would be a true waste for me to not use these abilities for good. Would you not agree?"
He nodded. I smiled. If only Ariston was this easy to convince.
Aaron and I walked and talked and even laughed some more for an hour or so. I looked up at the sun.
"The hour grows late, I need to be going." I said to Aaron. He nodded.
"I'm glad you're here, and that you know. It is nice to have someone from before to talk to. Sure as hell a lot to take in." Aaron said with a smile.
"I know what you mean." I told him. "I just met Zeus and Ennina, for crying out loud!" He laughed. "I will talk to you again soon."
Ariston? I am ready, I thought to my love.
A moment later, Ariston stood next to me. He smiled and held his hand out to Aaron.
"It is nice to see you again, Aaron." Ariston said in a friendly voice.
"You too." Aaron replied. I was grateful that Aaron was being pleasant with Ariston. "I will see you later, Mera."
"Until next time." I said.
Aaron turned and walked back down the path we came from. What a day it has been… Ariston brought me from my thoughts.
"Did you have a nice visit?" He asked.
I looked at Ariston and nodded, then kissed him.
"Let's go home." Ariston said, caressing my hair back behind my ear.
I nodded my agreement, and he became that beautiful golden light and moments later… we were home.