Chapter Twenty-seven

Intro to the Gods

After our shopping, Kallisto sent me home. As it turns out, Gods can teleport something or someone away without going with it. Ariston was already home when I arrived, he sat on the couch reading. When he saw me he smiled and stood. I ran to him and leapt into his waiting arms.

"Did you miss me?" He asked.

"Immensely." I professed and kissed him.

"I have a few surprises for you." Ariston said with a smile, taking my hand. "I took the liberty of doing some shopping and making a few changes to our home. I do hope you approve."

He led me up the stairs and to our bedroom. The doors were shut and there was a blue ribbon on the ornate gold handles. He opened the doors and I gasped; it looked like a completely different room! The only things that were still the same were the walls and floors. There was a new king size canopy bed of carved oak that was stained a beautiful rich, dark cherry. The comforter was rich blue velvet with pale lavender sheets embroidered in Greek key symbols in gold thread.

Two chaise lounges that each looked big enough for two sat in front of the fireplace. Ornate tables sat by each lounge; they were carved from the same oak as the bed and upholstered in the same blue velvet with light lavender pillows. Vases of white and pink roses sat on each of the tables. The drapes on the windows were the lavender of the sheets and pillows and were detailed with gold accents. I smiled; he always has had great taste.

"You are welcome to change anything you do not like." Ariston assured me.

"No," I said quickly. "I would not dream of changing one thing. It is perfect." I turned to him with a smile.

"There is more." Ariston said with his crooked smile.

We went though a door to what was his wife's closet; that was gone. It had been transformed into my dressing room. A mirrored vanity with a backless chair sat on the wall in front of us; the mirror was rimmed in gold and inlaid with gems. On the counter were pins for my hair that had every kind of gem on their ends, from diamonds to pearls. I walked in and turned around in a circle to see the whole room. To the right were three full-length mirrors that went from the floor up to the fifteen-foot ceilings. On the right side, by the window, was a mannequin without a dress; it was clearly made for planning the next outfit I would wear. I turned around and saw that the wall was lined with a built in closet, which held my clothing from Blueridge, including some pre-Ariston clothing.

I walked up to Ariston and kissed his lips as a thank you. He then took my hand and led me through another door. The hallway was lined with built-ins; my new dresses were already hanging there. Ahead, at the end of the hall was a railing. I came to find that there was a large room with a balcony going around it with built-ins on the walls surrounding a great opening.

"Wow." I breathed.

"Look down." Ariston said.

I looked down and gasped; he always seems to be able to get that reaction from me. There were two floors below us of balconies with empty built-ins waiting to be filled. We went down the spiral staircase and I looked at the shoes I bought today before we went down another staircase to find not only a balcony, but more empty rows for clothing.

Ariston led me through a doorway into a huge room that was the size of my old closet at Blueridge; it held purses and accessories. After a moment of gawking, Ariston walked me out of the room and brought me into a room on the other side and through open double doors. The room was black, which made the gems stand out in stark contrast. Every jewel was on display, and it was more astounding than any jewelry boutique I have ever visited with Margret. Rows upon rows of diamonds, ruby's, sapphires, aquamarines, pearls, gold, rose gold, blue gold, adamantine and so many other metals and gems I cannot name as of yet. It was every woman's fantasy.

I looked at Ariston to see that look, a mixture of pride and joy, which I always see on his face when he gives me a gift. I was grateful that he could feel my emotions, for I could not put my gratitude into words. I walked up to him and kissed him.

"Thank you, this is…." I did not have a word. His smile said that I did not have to finish that sentence; he knew.

"I am happy you like it. We can always expand it if the need should ever arise." He said. I laughed.

"Expand it?" I asked with a laugh. "All I can say is that it is a very good thing that I will be immortal, or else I would never be able to wear all this in one lifetime, even if I were to change five times a day. If only Margret could see this…" I said, Ariston laughed.

"She can if you wish." Ariston said. "I will not deny you your friend; and I trust Margret, should you ever decide to tell her the truth of us, she is welcome here." I smiled.

"Thank you. I will keep that in mind." I told him.

With the magnitude of this truth, I did not know if I would take him up on that offer. I did not know if it was for Margret to know this truth, but I would consider it. But in that moment all I saw was a white wedding dress.

"There is something I want to talk to you about." I told him, smiling.

"And that is?" He asked.

"Marriage. You truly want to marry me?" I asked as I gazed up into his eyes, his arms embracing me.

"With all my soul." Ariston said profoundly. "I cannot imagine spending the rest of forever with anyone else. You are what I want, what I need. When you are ready, I am going to marry you." I placed my hand on his cheek and smiled.

"My Ariston," I said to him. "I am ready. I want to marry you, now." His eyes lit at my words as he looked into my eyes in wonder.

"Truly?" He asked, almost not believing it. I nodded.

A breathtaking smile broke across his face; he lifted me up and spun me around while kissing me. I looked into his eyes, both of us laughing after we stopped spinning.

"Before I officially ask you to be my wife, I want to have your fathers permission." Ariston told me.

"Always the traditionalist." I said with a shake of my head.

"Always?" Ariston asked with a raised eyebrow, that devilish, crooked grin appearing. "Have I not already broken free of that?" He leaned down and kissed me. I laughed breathlessly against his lips.

"Perhaps… a little." I admitted.

"I will ask when we visit your parents for your birthday." He assured me. My smile lessened.

My parents have never met him face to face. They do not know how old he is or how in love we are; and they certainly have no way of knowing the quality of man he is. I do hope the fact that I chose him would say enough of his character to at least convince them to give him a chance. And still, this heartbreaking and real possibility ran through my thoughts.

"What if my father says no?" I asked Ariston.

"Mera, I love you, and I am going to marry you, but I would much rather do it with his permission. If he says no, we will work our way from there. Your father loves you, he will say yes." Ariston said with confidence, then smiled. "My wife." I smiled at that.

"I like that, my husband." I said. He laughed.

"As do I." He told me. He kissed me deeply and with such enthusiasm it knocked me breathless.

"Should we not be getting ready?" I asked, a half-hearted suggestion.

"We have hours." He whispered into my hair, his voice deep with passion as his lips moved to my neck.

I clutched onto him as sound left my lips, my hand going into his black curls to keep him there, my soul begging him to never stop touching me. He lifted me up with ease and carried me to our room in those strong arms of his…

I laid in Ariston's arms. We still had a little while before we had to get ready for the ball, and neither of us wanted to leave each other's embrace.

"I cannot wait to marry you." Ariston said; my smile grew. A dreadful thought went through my mind and I groaned and then laughed.

"My parents are going to think I am pregnant."

"I do not think so." Ariston said.

"I bet you my gold rose necklace that he will." I said to him.

"You bet with something you know I will give back to you." Ariston said with a shake of his head.

"It makes betting all the more fun." I said with a smile he laughed and kissed me.

"And if I win, what do I get?" I asked him.

"What would you like?" he asked. "A private yacht? My house in the French Riviera or the one in Paris?"

"I can think of other forms of payment that I would enjoy far more." I said and whispered in his ear what I wanted.

"It is a bet." He said, desire in his eyes and a smirk on his lips. "Since you are always right, why don't I just pay you know?" he asked, kissing my neck.

"No, I think I will take my payment when I win. However…" I kiss him, his arms winding around me.


I sat at my new vanity in a blue silk robe looking at myself in the mirror as Tianna worked on my hair. It was in quite a mess after Ariston and I's earlier 'activities', and I was in entirely another place. My chin rested on my hand and I hummed absentmindedly to myself. She spread a liquid into my tangled hair that smelled like a heavenly mixture of rose and lavender. The knots came out easily when she began to brush.

Ariston walked in and watched me from the doorway as Tianna worked. I watched him from the mirror, a blush covering my cheeks as I gazed upon him. I saw Ariston eyeing my left hand. I looked down and knew what he saw; my ring finger was empty.

"Tempted?" I asked, raising my left hand and wiggling my fingers. He laughed.

"You have no idea. It is all I can do not to get down on one knee right now. I would be honored to present you tonight as my betrothed." Ariston said in all sincerity. I could feel how badly he wanted to purpose.

"You already know my answer." I told him with a smile as I looked at him in the reflection while Tianna spun my wavy hair into a gentle bun. Ariston returned the smile, his eyes making love to mine.

Tianna put in pins with diamonds and purple sapphires, then went to get the headpiece.

Ariston walked up behind me and leaned down to wrapped his arms around my waist. He kissed the side of my neck gently, I placed my hand in his curls and his eyes met mine in the mirror. I still cannot get over how we look together; so different but somehow the same, our love being our similarity.

"I love you." He said softly into my ear. Each time I hear him say the words my heart flutters, my smile widening.

"I love you." I told him.

"I will leave you ladies to your work. I must get ready." Ariston said, rising and walking out of the room. Tianna walked over with a smile.

"May the Moirae bless you both." She genuinely said. I smiled.

"They already have." I told her and bit my lip.

She pinning the headpiece Hephaestus gave me today into place, the teardrop diamond that is the size of my thumb rested on my forehead. It looked perfect; I looked like royalty. Tianna helped me into my dress; I wore the jewelry Hephaestus made for me, the bracelet on my right wrist and the ring on the middle finger of my left hand. Tianna helped me into my shoes, they were the same color as my dress and imbedded with diamonds, I looked into the mirror at her work.

"Are you pleased, my lady?" She asked.

"Very. You did a beautiful job. Thank you." I told her.

"It is an honor, my lady." She bowed her head. "Is there anything else I can help with?"

"No, there is not." I told her.

She nodded and disappeared in rose colored light. I walked out of my dressing room and to the living room where Ariston was waiting for me. He wore a black silk suit with a white dress shirt; his tie and the ring on the little finger were the color of my dress, that dark raspberry. Diamond cuff links and a diamond pin in his tie completed the look; we coordinated perfectly.

"By the gods, you are beautiful." Ariston stated in such a voice, as he looked me over with awe on his face.

"Thank you, my love. You look incredibly handsome as well." I said. He walked up to me and placed a sweet kiss on my lips.

"Are you ready?" He asked. I nodded.

"I am." I said.

He smiled and held me close as he teleported us. We arrived a moment later in a marble room, standing outside great, carved wooden doors engraved with gold scrollwork. We faced the doors, my arm though Ariston's, our heads held high. I took a deep breath and heard a pounding sound on the other side of the door, followed by an announcement.

"The lady Mera, Descendant of the Twelve and of Pandora. And Prince Ariston, son of Zeus." A man announced in a deep voice.

The double doors swung wide and I had to reign in my surprise; thousands of gods lined each side of a carpet in the great hall.

You did not tell me what I was getting myself into, I thought to Ariston.

It is not as bad as it seems, He thought to me. I will not leave your side. He promised, and I took great comfort in that knowledge.

We began walking down the blue carpet in the grand marble hall towards the seats of honor, which sat upon the raised dais in the distance. I kept my eyes on the seats, refusing to be intimidated by the great figures that surrounded me. After a long, long walk, we reached the platform and ascended the stairs. I let go of Ariston's arm and we turned around and sat down in unison. Fortunately our seats were close enough together for us to hold hands. I found great comfort in that as well.

The gods came to greet me with their spouses if they had one. The first to greet me were the Twelve and their spouses. After them came a tall man whom looked to be a mixture of Ennina and Cronus. He was as tall as Cronus and had his face and black hair, only it was curly as Ennina's and he had her fair golden skin and sky blue eyes. On his arm was a beautiful goddess. Her pale blond curls were pulled away from her face, her eyes were the color of shallow water in paradise, that beautiful pale blue/green. Her face was elegant, lovely and reminiscent of Amphitrite's own.

"I am prince Alexander, son of Cronus and Ennina, High Commander of the Army of Descendants. And this beautiful creature on my arm," He looked at her. "Is my wife princess Dione, daughter of Poseidon and Amphitrite."

"It is an honor to meet you both." I looked at each of them then looked back to Alexander. "I look forward to joining the army." He smiled and nodded.

"We will be honored to have you. I know just the squad." He said. I thanked him and they moved on. All of Ennina and Cronus' children and their spouses came to greet me next. First it was a beautiful goddess with brilliant red curly hair, ivory skin and emerald green eyes. At her side was a god who was almost an exact replica of prince Cronus except for his smile being somewhat different.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Mera," the god introduced himself. "I am Ouranos, son of Cronus and Rhea and this is my beautiful wife Nike, daughter of Ennina and Thor and goddess of victory."

"It is an honor to meet you both." I said. They bowed their heads and walked away.

After them came another red curly haired goddess with sky blue eyes on the arm of a brown haired, brown eyed, fair skinned god. They introduced themselves. The goddess was Freyja, the Norse goddess of love and war and daughter of Ennina and Thor, her husband Od.

Next was a beautiful woman with blond curly hair, light eyes and fair skin, she reminded me of Artemis.

"I am Callisto, daughter of Artemis and Orion." She introduced herself, I greeted her and she went on.

I met so many others, thousands. I met Ennina and Cronus' beautiful daughter, she is the very image of her mother only she has her fathers cinnamon skin and bright pale green eyes, and her handsome husband. I met Triton, son and heir to Poseidon and Amphitrite. Triton takes after his father in looks, with a blond beard and blond hair and had his mothers pale blue green eyes. So many, many great gods. When the last had walked away, Zeus spoke.

"My good friends and family, I thank you for your attendance tonight. The feast will begin shortly, if you will take your seats in the feasting hall." Zeus announced.

Ariston rose and held his hand out for me, I gladly took his hand and he helped me to my feet.

You did well my love, he thought to me.

Thank you, I replied. We were about to walk off the dais when we heard a voice.

"I hear we have a new addition."

At the sound of her voice, everyone in the great hall fell silent and parted a path from the goddess to Ariston and I. The insurmountable power she emanated was as clear as day, even to my Descendent eyes. Although she looked no older in appearance than the other gods, there was something about her that told me she was older than them all. Everyone bowed to her as she walked past; even Zeus and Hera bowed as the beautiful goddess strode towards us with an uncanny grace, clad in diamonds and a chocolate colored gown of an ancient style, held together by pins of gold. Her eyes were a bright gray/blue, her skin a golden tan. Her brown wavy hair was pulled back and twined with threads of gold and a golden crown sat atop her head. There was only one goddess she could be to command such respect. Ariston and I bowed.

"Rise." The goddess commanded; we all did as we were told. The goddess was standing right in front of me.

"Hello Mera, Ariston." She greeted us.

"Hello, Grandmother." Ariston greeted her with another bow.

This is her then, this is Chaos, the oldest of the gods on Earth. She looked me over. When her eyes met mine, I was trapped in her gaze; it was as if her eyes were whispering secrets to me. This was different from when I am caught in Ariston's gaze. I did not feel aroused or any near romantic emotion, and I came to realize the connection I felt to her. She is a part of me. She is my originator. A creator, and I felt at home in her presence.

"It is about time you joined us." She said with a smile.

"I am honored to do so." I replied, meaning the words.

"You will do great things, Mera." She said to me. "Remember to keep a balance; if you fail to do so, you will not be the only one to suffer."

"I will, goddess." I said, I did not know what else to call her. I bowed my head again and she smiled and turned around.

"I believe I was invited to a feast." She said. Hera walked up with Zeus in tow and hugged the goddess.

"It is good to see you, mother; you have been greatly missed." Hera warmly greeted, and I remembered that Chaos is her birth mother.

"I have missed you as well, daughter." She kissed her daughters cheek.

"Come, the feast awaits." Hera announced, and with a smile towards Ariston and I, she led her mother off the dais.

Ariston smiled to me, and I decided to steal a kiss before we ate. Ariston read my mind and leaned down to brush a sweet kiss across my lips. I chuckled a little and he led me away from the Grand Hall.

The Feasting Hall was another grand marble hall with Grecian columns and statues. It was filled with long, dark blue marble tables with one long table at the front for the Twelve and their spouses. Ariston and I were given the honor of being seated among the royal family.

The plates were gold inlaid with gems, and the silverware was all made out of huge pieces of carved gemstones. It was stunning! The food was decadent, to say the least. A feast truly befitting the great gods who were eating it as music accompanied the conversation. A little while after the dinner was finished, the music began playing louder and gods and goddess began to dance.

"Would you like to dance?" Ariston asked. I gave him a bright smile.

"I would love too." I told him.

We got up from our seats and he led me to the floor. It was then, as we were lining up that I realized that I have no idea what kind of dance we were about to do. The goddesses were all lined up on one side of the dance floor with the gods on the other, twenty feet from us. The music began and I did what I could to keep up with the steps. Thankfully, there were more than enough repeats and so I soon got the dance. It was basically a modern line dance, and by the gods it was fun!

Ariston and I danced the next few dances together, one of which was a waltz and the other a tango, which dancing with him made my heart pound out a rhythm of its own. After that, a few of the Twelve came up to ask me for a dance. I enjoyed dancing with them; Cronus was among them, ever the gentleman, he still knew how to enjoy himself, laughing with me. They were all wonderful dancers, but it was not nearly as significant as dancing with Ariston.

After I danced with Apollo's great nephew, Ariston stole me back and we danced and laughed the rest of the evening away. It was easily one of the best nights of my life. I felt so at home in the arms of the love of my life, this new family surrounding us.

I had no idea what time it was and I did not care, the time made no difference. Slowly, the gods began to leave as it got later into the evening. I heard whispers of an after party, and we were even invited and declined the invitation; we only wanted each other tonight. Ariston and I bid farewell to some of the last of them, before deciding to turn in for the night. I rarely have ever been so exhausted except when trying to balance horses and school, along with family time.

"You did beautifully tonight." Cronus congratulated with that warm, kind smile of his. "I am very proud of you."

"Thank you." I said to him. He placed a kiss on my knuckles, then shook Ariston's hand.

"I am happy for you, brother." He told him. "I wish you both all the happiness there is." I smiled.

"Farewell to you both." Ennina said.

Ariston and I said our goodbyes, and then watched the royal couple walk away, Ennina's arm looped lovingly through her beloveds. I leaned against Ariston's shoulder, having no idea how I was keeping my eyes open.

"Mera?" Ariston said.

"Mmm." I murmured groggily.

I covered my mouth right before I yawned. Next thing I knew, Ariston picked me up bridal style. I laid my head against his chest and sighed in contentment, my eyes closed. A moment later he laid me down in our bed. I did not want to sleep in my clothing, with my shoes and jewelry on, but I was far too tired to get up.

I felt Ariston's hands gently take off my shoes one by one and I smiled. He then came up and lifted my head, I felt barely felt a tug and a moment later my hair was falling loose around me, the pins gone. He removed my jewelry, then unzipped my dress and slipped it off, laying the covers over me. I opened my eyes to smile up at him and saw him getting undressed. What a sight! He came over to the other side of the bed and slid under the covers, laying next to me. I turned to lie on his chest as his arms wrapped around me.

"Sleep, my love." He murmured.

"Sweet dreams." I said before falling into a deep, peaceful sleep.


I screamed and leached upright in our bed, shaking violently.

"Mera, Mera! Are you alright?" Ariston asked already sitting up, looking at me as I clutched onto out bedding with iron fists.

I threw my arms around him and clutched him close as I cried. It was all a dream, only a dream, a nightmare, I realized. Yet it was too real, far too real, I was still shaking as tears poured from my eyes and I loudly cried, holding the man I love as close as physically possible.

"What is it? Are you alright?" Ariston asked again. I nodded and clutched onto him tighter; if he had been human the grip I had on him would probably be strangling.

"A dream, only a dream." I said, half to myself. Ariston held me close and kissed my cheek, which was wet with my tears.

"It is alright. Shh, I am here, my Mera." He said in a comforting voice. More tears came to my eyes as thoughts of the dream came unbidden to my mind.

"That is just it. I…in my dream you were not here, you were… gone and I was alone. I searched and searched for you, I knew that I had to find you, that you were in danger, that I could not give up." I was rambling. Ariston lifted my chin so that I would look into his eyes.

"I will never leave you alone. It was only a dream." He promised, but something in his voice spoke of dread. He leaned towards me kissed me sweetly.

"Would you like me to make you forget?" He asked.

"Forget?" I asked.

He smiled and I understood what he meant. I know that look in his eyes all to well by now. He kissed me again and I smiled, holding him closer needing every molecule of him…

I relished making love to him after that dream, that awful nightmare, and yet once we were done, that fear remained. He is going to be taken from me, and I was not guessing or worrying. No, dreadfully this knowledge went far deeper.