Chapter Twenty-Five

Ariston's point of view

We arrived in the two-acre meadow in front of what was once Elianna and I's home. The oaks, fruit trees and cherry blossom trees had grown considerably in the past two thousand, one hundred and fifty-two years since I was last here. Apricot, cherry, pomegranate, passion fruit, and papaya hung heavy from their boughs. The grass, which had grown knee high, swayed in the breeze and ahead stood the house that was once not only my home, but home to my wife and our children.

The house looked exactly as I remembered it, except for the ivy climbing up the gold marble walls. The architecture was old and grand, with four story grand columns of ice blue marble, which were carved with extraordinary detail and banded with gold that was molded in the shape of roses in between bands of gold Greek key symbols. The golden marble of the walls was texturized with a diamond pattern, and here and there were bands of white marble. White gold vined marble steps let up to the portico, the grand front doors were made out of a rich dark wood with ornate golden handles and the windows were no less grand than the rest of the house. It was magnificent, far beyond beautiful even in its untended state.

Memories flooded my mind, all I could see was Elianna's face, all I could hear were her voice and laughter. For the first time in two thousand years, I truly let her back into my soul and the flood of emotions was nearly too much to take. I saw the day I met her, I remembered the days I courted her. There was not a day that went by I did not visit her to spend time with her, though we were never alone before we wed, a chaperone was always present. Our very first kiss ran through my mind.

Elianna and I walked along the winding pathway, her arm linked through mine. Her hands that rested on my arm were so soft, so delicate, and the feeling of that small amount of our skin that touched was overwhelming. I could not take my eyes off of her, she was so beautiful, so stunningly beautiful. She had my heart, she had my soul, I had been hers from the moment she tripped and fell into me during that dance in my fathers temple. I could not seem to keep my eyes off of her lips for long, every time they moved in any way I was drawn to them, an attraction that went so far beyond anything I had ever felt.

Before I knew what I was doing, I had stopped walking. She looked up into my eyes and then froze at what she found. I reached up and ran my fingers across her soft cheek, feeling the heat of her blush underneath my fingertips. Her lips parted as a small exhale left her lips, lips I so wanted to kiss. I had only known her for barely more than a week, but I had to kiss her, she had my soul and she had to know it, I had to tell her and this was the only way I could explain such a truth to her.

"May I kiss you?" I asked softly, my eyes pleading. She softly nodded.

I began slowly leaning down towards her lips, towards all that awaited me. My lips gently touched her, but did not kiss her yet, just lingered in that contact. Her heart skipped a beat, her breathing hitched in her throat just as mine had. I could no longer breath, no longer prolong the waiting of this moment. I slid my hand back to gently cradle her head and leaned in more, tilting my head to the side ever so slightly, and just like that, my entire being changed.

For an eternity, our lips did not part, not for a moment as we continued to kiss. Her arms wrapped around me as my arm wound around her waist. The most beautiful, soft sound left her lips, bringing a sound to match from my own. I did not take it further than that, I did not want more than this in this moment. For the first time in my existence, in three thousand years, I wanted to do nothing more than continue this incredible exploration of her mouth. I did not want to rush this; I wanted our love to grow, to blossom, to become all it could be.

I looked at her in wonder, our lips only finally parted so she could take a breath. The same wonder was in her beautiful eyes as such a smile spread across her lips. I brought her hand to my lips and kissed it. I released her hand, and in the next moment, she took me completely by surprise by closing the distance between us, and kissing me without hesitation. I held her closer and leaned down to deepen the kiss that my soul craved. By the time our kissing ended, Elianna trembled in my arms.

"Elianna." I whispered her name, my forehead resting against her own.

"Ariston." She whispered and I smiled in wonder, listening to the airy sound of joy that left her lips.

Mera turned around and I let her go so that she could look upon the grand house. She gasped as she took it in and I could not help smiling at her wonder, but my mind was somewhere else. In my mind I saw Elianna holding our son Elijah on the swing under the cherry tree, while I chased after a laughing Sophros. My soul was a mixture of longing and sorrow; I could not help grieving for the family I lost. I have hid from this pain for so long. Mera has brought me such joy, but I knew I had to face this and find a way to move through it, to accept what has happened.

"Extraordinary." Mera said in a whisper of wonder.

"It is not much, but it is home." I said, my mind too lost in memories to fake a smile.

I knew that with Mera, I did not have to hide what I was truly feeling. Mera met my eyes as she walked up to me, placing her hand on my cheek. I looked into her entrancing violet eyes and found the comfort I needed. I felt such gratitude that she was by my side, that a small smile grace my lips, until I released my next words.

"I have not been here since my wife's funeral." I told her.

I knew she could feel the emotions flowing within me. Truth be told, I was afraid. Afraid of what going into that house would do to me. Would I break down as I did after Elianna passed? Could I stand for Mera to see me like that? I made a promise not to keep anything from her; that includes my pains, as well as my joys. Mera wrapped her arms around my shoulders, and we held each other close.

"Are you ready for this?" She asked.

I pulled back enough so that I could look into her bottomless eyes, then leaned down and kissed her sweet lips. Relief flowed through me at once and I deepened the kiss. Right then, I needed to feel her. That kiss gave me the strength I needed and when the kiss ended, I looked into her eyes for a time.

"I am now." I answered her question.

We let go of each other and joined hands, interlacing our fingers as we walked towards my home. We walked up the steps and to the grand doors. I let go of Mera's hand and walked forward. My hands lingered over the door handles for a moment before I took hold of them and swung the doors open.

I stood perfectly still, taking in the foyer. It was a long hallway with thirty-foot ceilings of glass. The floor was petradora made of white gold veined marble with designs of veins in emerald, and flowers made of diamonds and aquamarine with intentional cracks within it which made the carved blue stones look like ice. The tall walls were a relief that I had custom designed to show my family; my wife Elianna, our children Sophros, Elijah, Solon and Kallisto and Christo, Agatha and Chloe. My many grandchildren were also carved, though there was still much space on the walls. When I live here, I would have a new replica for every Descendant of mine, I supposed I would have to make up for the past two thousand years.

At the end of the hall was a circular antechamber ringed by sixty foot columns, in the center was a grand fountain with carved nymphs pouring water into the pool below. Sunlight from the glass dome glimmered down on the fountain, making the water sparkle. Beyond this was the main living area.

Emotions surged through me, and at that moment, I felt Mera's hand slid into my own as she held onto my arm. I took a deep breath and looked at that beautiful woman for a moment, she looked every bit a goddess in the dress and jewels I had made for her introduction to the Twelve. I smiled and placed a soft kiss on her forehead as my hand caressed her cheek, I loved feeling how Mera melted under my lips and touch; it made me smile.

After looking into her eyes for a time I began walking down the hallway with her at my side. Halfway down the long hall, there were double doors on either side of us. With my mind I opened the one to our right and brought Mera inside with me.

"My library." I said with a smile. "These scrolls are older than the Parthenon in my sister's city."

The library was two stories with scrolls lining every wall in their diamond shaped shelves, similar to how wine bottles are stored. There was a grand sitting area with comfortable chairs, and two divans, each large enough for two people, all surrounding a large carved oak coffee table with marble legs carved in the shape of lions paws. The furniture was upholstered with forest green velvet while the wood was a dark stained oak.

I let go of Mera's hand, walked up to a divan and ran my hand over the soft, forest green velvet as a memory came upon me.

Elianna and I reclined on the divan, my arms were around her as she laid in on my chest and I read to her. She could never understand the language of the gods, even though on countless occasions I tried to teach her. I had some scrolls translated into ancient Greek for her, but she never read them. She found reading to be a bore, but she loved it when I read to her. It was one of the days we got to be alone together. Solon was with his cousins, while Sophros and Elijah were hunting.

Elianna laughed at something in the book that I could not understand to be found humorous.

"What are you laughing at, my wife?" I asked her.

"Why, you of course." She said, looking back at me with those green eyes. "You can be quite silly, my husband." Now she was teasing me, and I decided to play her own game.

"Is that so?" I asked, leaning down to kiss her neck just where I knew would tickle her.

She giggled and I made a trail of kisses up her neck as her delicate arms wound around my frame. I looked into her eyes once before kissing her lips, melting into her as my hands ran gently down her body, feeling her soft curves before shifting her underneath me. A moan left her lips as her hands traveled to one of the pins that held my toga together, her feet running up my legs and pulling my toga out of the way... As much as I wanted her, I had to stop when our son called.

"Mother, father!" He called in search of us.

I placed a kiss on Elianna's chest before quickly putting our clothing back into place, just before Elijah came through the door. He was only a boy, only ten years old, but he was nearly as tall and strong as his brothers. His black curls hung down to his shoulders and my blue eyes looked back at me.

"What is it, son?" I asked.

"Sophros took my hunting knife again." He said.

"Sophros!" I called.

"Yes, father." He said as he walked in.

He may have been sixteen, but he looked closer to twenty. With my face and smile, Elianna's pale blond hair and green eyes paired with a good, strong body, he had been driving maidens crazy for years by then. What was even worse was the fact that he knew all of this and used it to his advantage. The same mischief danced in his eyes that had danced within mine at that age, and for many years after.

"Return your brothers dagger." I said.

"Father, I did not," He began with a friendly smile. I gave him a measured look.

"You know I will not tolerate lying in my home." I told him.

"Yes, father." He said and produced the dagger and handed it over to his brother. "I am sorry, brother." He said to Elijah.

"Good. You are brothers; there is no bond that can ever replace that. Never forget that." I said to them.

"Yes, father." They said at the same time. I gave them a smile.

"You may go." I said to them.

Elijah left, but Sophros lingered.

"What is it?" I asked him with a raised eyebrow.

"Dear, father," He said and I almost rolled my eyes. He always called me that when he wanted something. "I want to apologize again for my behavior. It was wrong to steal from my own blood, but then again it would have been wrong to steal from anyone."

"What do you want?" I asked flatly, he looked hopeful.

"I was hoping that I could bring Jeana to the feast tomorrow night." He asked hopefully, with a smile he endeavored to work to his advantage. He looked over to where Elianna sat. "She would love to meet you, mother"

"I will not have such a woman within my home." Elianna stated. "Not with her reputation."

"Why do you think I am asking." He asked with a smile. Elianna gave him a hard look and his smile vanished. I sighed.

"Son, Jeana is only using you." I said calmly. I knew he was crazy about the girl, but I also knew that she cared nothing for my son. "You are the son of a god, Sophros, and you are handsome and wealthy. I have told you that women will try to take advantage of you. She is one of them, and I know it is hard to accept."

What I would not tell him, was that when I met Jeana a few weeks early, she offered herself to me as a mistress, and said she would gladly leave my son if I would give her either immortality or vast wealth and title. I denied her immediately; Elianna is the only woman I wanted, and I had no interest in anyone else. I told her as much, and informed Elianna so that she would not encourage Sophros to pursue this girl. But I would not hurt my son by telling him that.

"Mother, father. If you would only give her a chance you would see who she is." He said, his eyes begging. "I love her." I looked at Elianna, our eyes meeting.

"But love can be blind, son." I said. "She is not what she appears to be. I need you to take my word on this."

I could see his upset in his eyes before without a word, he turned around and walked from the room. I sighed and shook my head.

"Parenthood." I said, running my fingers through my long curls.

"It makes you want to do it all over again, doesn't it?" Elianna rhetorically said.

There was something in her voice; my brows knitted together. She took my hand and laid it on her womb. My eyes widened as I looked down to her hand on top of mine, and back into her smiling green eyes. She nodded, and pride and joy over took me.

"You wonderful woman!" I said, then passionately kissed her. "When did you find out?" I asked her.

"A week ago." She admitted.

"Why would you keep this joy from me?" I asked her.

"I know how difficult it has been for you that not I nor our sons are immortal, and I did not know how you would feel about having another child." She told me. I shook my head and kissed her again.

"This child is a blessing, whether the baby be a boy or a girl, mortal or immortal." I told her. Her smile grew and I saw tears of joy within her beautiful eyes.

"This one is immortal, my husband," She said, her voice filled with love and excitement. "I feel it."

Seven and a half months later, our daughter Kallisto was born. I looked at the velvet, still lost in memory.

"Elianna never liked reading, she found it to be a waste of time, but she loved it when I would read to her and our children." I smiled at the memory. "I picked out this green, because it was the same shade as Elianna's eyes." I said absentmindedly.

"It is beautiful." Mera said, I nodded my agreement then looked into her violet eyes.

I walked over to her and held my hand out for hers; she placed her hand in mine right away, and we walked across the hall and into the dining hall. The first half of the room was a large dance floor, a long table of carved wood with chairs for two hundred and fifty occupied the other half of the room. The left wall was lined with floor to celling windows, except for where two grand fireplaces of white marble stood. The right wall was covered with long, gold-framed mirrors. Chandeliers with dangling gold drops hung down on chains of gold from the barrel celling.

"Many a feast we held here, our friends and family laughing together. Those were good time." I told her.

We walked back into the hall and down to the end, where we walked around the fountain and into the main living area. Like the house in Blueridge, it was a sunken living room, with steps going down to it. The back wall was made entirely of windows, except for where French doors resided that led out onto a large balcony with a railing of white gold vined marble. I asked Elianna to redecorate the room for me shortly after we were wed; I wanted her to see this as her home as well. The walls were covered with a pale pink silk while couches and divans were gold cloud silk. She chose the same rich dark wood for the tables as I have in the rest of the house. In the center of the large room was a circular bench cushioned in gold cloud silk. I enjoyed her taste.

"It has not changed." I softly spoke. "I remember Elianna feeding Kallisto right there on the couch while the boys played." I smiled at the memory from long ago.

I looked at Mera, but here eyes were on the life-sized portrait that hung on the right wall five feet off the floor. It was a family portrait. It showed Elianna, in all her beauty, sitting next to me on a couch while our sons stood behind us and Kallisto sat on her mother lap. Sophros was twenty, Elijah was sixteen, Solon was fourteen and Kallisto was four. Sophros and solon's eyes sparkled with mischief, the same as mine did when I was a boy. Solon looked so much like his mother, it captured me to this day. Kallisto was adorable sitting on her mothers lap with a big smile. All six of us were smiling, glowing with joy, love.

Mera rested her head on my shoulder and I looked at her in wonder when I felt her emotions. She was not upset, she was not jealous… all I felt from her as she looked upon the portrait with a smile was gratitude. Mera looked at me for a time with those eyes I love so much, before looking back to the painting.

"I love that you were that happy with them," Mera said with such warmth in her voice. "I love that you had that family, and that you still have a piece of the wife you love so much, in Kallisto." Mera said. I still looked at her in amazement. This golden goddess never ceases to amaze me.

"I love you all the more for loving that." I told her.

I turned to her and gently brushed my lips against hers with all the emotion of the moment. I could not get over how blessed I am to have fallen in love with a woman such as her. After however long we stood there for, we continued walking, this time through the west wing of the house.

We walked down a hall where many paintings were on showcase; ones of my family, mortal and immortal alike. I stopped before one in particular. The painting was of my eldest son, Christo with his two half sister, Agatha and Chloe. They were all young,

"That is my eldest child Christo," I told Mera. "And those adorable girls are my daughters Agatha and Chloe." A pain came to me, an old upset. "I remember when I truly became closer to those girls. Chloe was five, Agatha was six, and Shaena was pregnant with Christo. I heard screaming and went running to one of the sitting rooms. I entered just in time to see Shaena slapping little Chloe across her face.

"I was furious to say the least. I went over there and got between the girls and that woman, demanding to know what in the hell was going on. Shaena told me that Chole had stolen her necklace and lied about it. I told her whether that was true or not, it did not give her the right to strike Chole. I then kneeled down before the little girl and softly asked Chloe if she had taken the necklace. She cried as she swore she never touched it.

"Shaena called her a liar and both Chloe and Agatha began crying harder. I took both of them into my arms, comforting them and telling them that everything would be alright. Shaena told me I was babying them. That was when I gave each of them a kiss, then stood up and turned around. I glared down at Shaena and said words I never imagined I would say to a woman. I told her she had no right to touch our daughters or raise her voice to them. They were only children after all, and I believed Chloe when she told me she did not take the necklace.

"Shaena told me they were not my daughters, and I said 'they are now. You are my wife and therefor your children are mine as well.' I told her that if she ever laid a hand upon them again, she would not like the side of me she would see. When she stepped closer to me and asked me what I was going to do about it, I had to grip my fists together to keep from harming her, reminding myself that she was carrying my child.

"I was raised to be respectful of women, to see them as equals, but this woman… I could not stand the sight of her. I told her that I had never struck a woman in my life and I wished to keep it that way, if she wished for the same, then she should leave the room in that moment. She was clearly surprised, seeing as how I had never treated her with anything less than kindness for the almost two years we had been married. She quickly turned and left the room, I watched her, wondering how I could have made such a horrible mistake as marrying her. I wanted the child she carried, I already loved that baby, though I did not know then if it would be a boy or a girl, but at the same time, I wanted no part of Shaena.

"I turned around and realized that Chole and Agatha were still standing there watching me. I calmed down at once as I once again kneeled down before them. I held my arms out to them and they came to me, laying their heads on my shoulders. I picked them up and carried them to bed, whispering comforting words to them. As I tucked them in, they asked me if I was their father now, and with a smile, I told them I was. It was in that moment that I realized marrying Shaena had not been a mistake. I would never love her, never in my mortal life have a happy relationship I had always hoped for myself, but I could help these girls, I could be there for them, and that mattered more than anything.

"From that day on, Chloe and Agatha called me 'father' and I thought of them as nothing less than my own blood. They were and still are my daughters in my eyes. My mother even loved those girls as granddaughters, she always said of Shaena, 'The only good thing that ever came from that woman is her children.' Shaena, she was never meant to be a mother." I never think about that woman anymore, it was a horrible time in my life, and by far the worst relationship I have ever been in. I spoke of these things, because I wanted Mera to understand me, to know of my past and my pains, as well as my joys.

"What a piece of work." Mera said, gritting her jaw. I gave her a bright smile; she is so very endearing to me.

"I love you." I said simply. She shook her head and smiled to me.

A few moments later I showed her the rest of the first floor, which included the kitchen; that was dated, to say the least, but still beautiful; Elianna's weaving room and many other rooms as well. After that, we made our way upstairs, where I showed her what once were my children's bedrooms before going to the master bedroom.

"This was our room." I told Mera.

I stood there for a time, taking the room in. It is twice the size of the bedroom Mera and I shared in Blueridge. There was a four post queen sized bed, with a rose colored comforter and white sheets. Elianna and I would make love and sleep in each other's arms, or fall asleep with one and often more of our children in between us. Two chairs sat by another huge fireplace on the far side of the room to the left, and a huge area rug was in the middle with a table. There were French doors that lead out to a balcony of rose gold veined marble. On either side of the bed was a door.

I went through the door to the left, into what was once Elianna's dressing room, and our closet. It was filled with chests, each filled with either jewelry or clothing. To the right was her mirrored vanity, made of ash wood with gold detail; it was one of her favorite things in the whole world, apart from our children and myself. Her brushes and jeweled hairpieces were still where she had left them.

I looked at a chest to my left; I knew what I was looking for. As I walked towards the chest, memories of our wedding played in my mind. Of the flowers that were thrown; the smiles, the kisses and the laughter that we shared. Memories I had not thought of in centuries; ones that became far too much to relive after her passing.

I kneeled down in front of the chest and opened it to find Elianna's wedding gown. I carefully picked up the extravagant gown; it was made of cloud silk with golden thread and stunning gems sewn into it. Our wedding night played again in my mind, and I could not help but smile.

We walked to my bedroom as husband and wife. I could hear her heart, it was pounding and her breathing was erratic. I had the room prepared for us; with gold roses and a hundreds of candles to set the mood. We entered my bedchamber and I closed the door behind us, and looked to Elianna. Her back was to me, her pale hair pulled back with pins. I could see her trembling. I walked up to her and slowly slid my arms around her waist. I kissed her neck once and her skin turned to goose bumps. I slid the pins out of her hair and she started shaking.

"Should I… Do… do you want me on the bed?" She stuttered.

I placed my hand on her shoulder and gently turned her to me, looking into her eyes. She was frightened; she looked away from my gaze. I would never want her to be frightened of me; I realized why she was.

"You have not made love before." It was a statement, not a question. She shook her head no. "We have time, I am in no hurry. I waited this long, and am more than content to wait longer." I assured her. "Would you like some wine?" She nodded.

We sat in my chairs by the raging fireplace and shared a glass of wine. I could not take my eyes off of her; the way she looked by firelight still astounded me. She took a sip and gazed around, obviously trying to calm herself; by this point, lust subsided and I no longer was as overwhelmed to be within her. Of course, I wanted her more than breath, but not so long as she feared our physical union. Waiting for her to be ready was already the plan.

"It is a lovely room This entire palace is beyond amazing." She said, looking around.

"I am glad you like it, since it is ours now." I said, she smiled and blushed.

I lifted my hand and caressed her cheek as I had many times before; I could almost feel her nerves. I have enough sisters to know that most maids are nervous their first time, even if they loved the man they were with. It is the mans job to take things slowly and make certain the woman was ready for every touch he has to offer.

"You are afraid." I said softly.

"No," She lied. I raised an eyebrow. "And yes." She whispered.

"We do not have to make love tonight," I told her honestly. The decision was easy to make. "You are still young, I can wait until you are ready for this."

"I am not that young." She insisted. "I have been a woman for three years now."

"My wife," I spoke to her softly. "Fifteen is still very young, and you have so much ahead of you."

"Ariston," She said a moment later. "Husband?"

"Yes, my wife?" I asked.

"I… do want you; so much so… I just do not know what to do… or how it will feel." She admitted.

"What did your mother tell you about tonight?" I asked her. It is a mother's duty to tell her daughter what her wedding night would bring after all.

"Just that if I let you do as you please with me and not put up a fight, it would be over quickly." She said, not meeting my eyes again.

It was the mortal's fault for how they raised her. Most did not tell their children much about sex, so when their wedding night came, they were even more frightened because they did not know what to expect. I should have thought of that, I should have had my stepmother or Ennina speak to her. I shook my head, then lifted her chin until she looked into my eyes.

"That is not how laying with me will be." I told her, caressing her cheek gently. "Making love is as simple and natural as things get; our bodies were made to fit together in such a way." I lifted her hand and intertwined our fingers together. She smiled. "It will hurt at first, but it will feel wonderful afterwards. I will heal you until your body is used to me and no longer needs it."

"You have had much experience with laying with women?" She asked, shyly looking up into my eyes. I laughed softly.

"You might say that." I told her. "But I have never been with a woman that I love as I love you. You must know that you are everything to me, my beautiful Elianna. I will be faithful to you." I promised her and watched her eyes melt, and my resolve to wait with them. She wanted this as much as I did, and I was hard pressed to hold back how much I needed her; this went beyond flesh, beyond desire. "Tonight is not about me, it is about you. More than anything I want you to enjoy tonight, I want to bring you pleasure and joy." She looked into my eyes, then away again.

"Look at me," I said softly to my wife. "Look into my eyes. Your eyes are far too beautiful to hide." She looked up at me and did not glance away again. "Do not be frightened of me." I told her, she smiled.

"I am not, my husband." She said, then leaned over and kissed me.

"I love you, my wife." I told her, once again loving being able to call her my own. She smiled and blushed.

"I love you." She said.

I slowly leaned in and kissed her. I stood up and held my hand out for hers, she took mine and I gently helped her to her feet as I told her any time she asked me to stop, I would. But she never did. She slowly put her arms around me, her hands running over my form, and slowly discovering my body as I eventually discovered hers as she kept telling me to continue.

It was a beautiful night, filled with tender passions that we both treasured. Afterwards, I held her in my arms as we looked into each other's eyes with blissful smiles. All the walls came down between us after we made love; she told me that there was nothing more to worry about; life was perfect.

"So that is what that is like." She said. I nodded and stroked her arm. "I am so blessed to be able to spend the rest of my life enjoying this with you." I chuckled and she kissed me. "If you are not careful, I just might become addicted to you." She teasingly warned me.

"If you are not addicted to me already, then I clearly have not done my job correctly." I replied in a voice filled with desire as I went to kiss her neck; her gasp, that light moan that she made caused me to groan.

"We may never leave the bedroom if I have my way." She warned.

"I can live with that." I agreed, and she laughed until she could no longer focus as I explored her body.

I brought the gown to my nose and breathed in her scent.

"It still smells of her." I said in amazement. "This was Elianna's wedding gown. I remember her wearing it on our wedding day." I chuckled. "I also remember taking it off."

A sadness welled up inside of me; I closed my eyes a tear ran down my cheek. I felt Mera's arms wrap around me from behind and hold me close. I put the gown carefully down and turned around and in Mera's arms and held her tight, inhaling her scent of raspberries and rainstorms. She was all the comfort I needed.

"I love you, Ariston, I love you." She whispered.

"I love you, my Mera. I would not have the strength to do this without you." I told her in all honesty.

"You are stronger than you know, my love." She said, making me smile slightly.

I do not know how long we stood there in each other's embrace. When we let go, I carefully folded up Elianna's wedding gown and placed it back in the chest, closing the lid.

"How is the that the gown is still intact after all theses years?" Mera asked.

"It is made out of cloud silk. Cloud silk does not deteriorate in any way shape or form, unless we wish it to." I explained.

The sun was just setting as we walked back into my bedroom. Mera covered her yawn with an elegant hand; I could feel her tiredness. I would have felt it sooner but I was far too distracted by my own memories.

"You will get used to the time difference." I assured her. "Why don't we get some sleep?" I had to have her in my arms.

"Here?" She asked.

"Yes. This bed has been out of use for far too long." I said. She smiled softly and nodded.

I began undressing as Mera took off her jewelry. She reached around to undo the back of her corset. I went over to her and placed my hands over hers.

"Allow me." I said.

I undid the corset and the gown fell to the floor to reveal her beautiful body. She turned around and kissed me gently. The feeling of her warm flesh against mine was something else; my hands caressed her sides before wrapping around her waist. Any other night I would have taken her right then, but I was far too mentally and emotionally exhausted to do so, and I knew Mera was tired. And besides, it was not what I needed tonight.

A part of me knew that if I made love to her tonight, it would be because I wanted to hide from the pain, and I made a promise to myself that I would not do that again. I would never want it to be that way between Mera and I, I would never use Mera in such a way. Or in anyway, in fact. When we make love, I am not running away from something, I am running towards her, my Mera.

Mera wrapped her arms around my neck and rested her cheek to mine. My arms went around her waist as my eyes closed. Holding her, I felt that everything would be alright, that nothing outside of us existed.

"I love you so much, my Mera." I said softly, meaning the words with every fiber of my being.

"With all that I am, I am yours and I love you." She said and I carefully held her closer and kissed her hair.

When we let each other go, I pulled back the covers and Mera got in bed. She laid there on her side, looking at me with such love in her eyes. I climbed in after her and kissed her as I held her close. The warmth of her body against mine made everything all right, give everything that has happened meaning.

"How are you?" Mera asked as I looked into her entrancing violet eyes.

"I will be alright. This place holds countless memories for me." I told her, then shook my head. "I have no idea what to do with her things."

"Why not give them to Kallisto? I am sure she would love something of her mother." Mera offered. I smiled, what a perfect idea.

"That is a great idea." I told her, her smile grew a little. "We should change everything. I have been holding onto all this for far too long; it will be a new beginning for us both." I paused for a moment. "We could have a new house built if it unnerves you to be here."

I did not know how Mera would feel about living in this house. I was still uncertain how I felt about living here with another woman, after everything Elianna and I had been through together. One thing that was certain was that wherever Mera goes, I would follow. I cannot live without her; I cannot breathe without her. She is what makes this life worth living, her and my daughter.

"If that is what you want." Mera told me. "But this is your home. If you can see being happy here again, then I see no reason why we should not live here." I smiled.

"As long as I have you I will be happy anywhere we live." I told her.

"I am yours." She said with such a smile. "Why don't you think it over; we have time."

I nodded. Mera placed a sweet, sleepy kiss on my lips then laid her head in the crook of my neck with her arms wrapped around me. What extraordinary feelings this warm, golden goddess brings me.

"Sleep well, my Mera." I whispered.

"And you, my love." She mumbled. Moments later, she was sound asleep.

I laid there, thinking about Elianna and the life we shared together. Every now and then thoughts of Mera would appear.

"I always knew you would find her." I looked up at the voice, at the bright spirit sitting on my bed.

"Elianna." I said, tears in my eyes as I looked upon my wife. "How?" I asked.

"They let me appear to you, since you have now moved on." She said and glanced at Mera with a smile.

I carefully slid out from under Mera, and moved to sit next to Elianna. I looked at her with tears in my eyes.

"I thought I would never see you again." I said.

I raised my hand and placed it on her cheek, I could just barely feel her. Spirits cannot full exist outside of the afterlife without a body, but she was here! Elianna smiled and leaned into my hand.

"I have missed you every day since you passed." I told her. "I tried to see you, but Hades would not allow it."

"I know. They told me, and gave me your messages of love eternal." She said, opening her eyes. "I had hoped you would find her sooner than this. I never wanted you to hurt for so long. I never wanted you to be alone."

My eyes went to Mera's sleeping form, she made a soft sound, which I knew to be my name, and moved in her sleep. I smiled.

"She is an incredible woman." I told my wife. "I love her, with all my soul." I looked back to Elianna. "But I will also always love you."

"If you were given the option to be with me again if you were to give up Mera, would you?" Elianna asked, and I was overwhelmed by the question for a time.

My gaze shifted to Mera's sleeping form by instinct; it was as if I looked to her for the answers, and at once, I knew it. A smile came on my lips and I shook my head.

"No, I would not. As much as I love you… I cannot live without her." I confessed.

I looked back to Elianna, a guilt heavy in my soul, only to find her smiling as she gazed into my eyes.

"I already knew that, but you had to come to that realization on your own, husband." She placed her hand on my cheek. "Love me, remember me, but do not hold onto me. It is time you give everything to her."

"I will." I promised her as a tear ran down my cheek. "I love you."

"And I love you." She said.

I leaned in and carefully kissed her phantom lips; I could just barely feel them, but it was enough.

"Be happy with Mera and our daughter, my love." She said. "Tell Kallisto I love her, and not to hold back with Aaron."

"Aaron… Aaron Rockford?" I asked, confused, baffled. Elianna laughed.

"You will find out soon enough." She promised. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye." I said.

A moment later she was gone and for the first time in two thousand years, I was at peace with that fact. I have let her go, I realized, and for the first time, I did not feel guilty about that.

"My love." Mera mumbled.

My eyes opened, and I found myself laying in bed, with Mera on my chest and my arms wrapped around her, as they had been when I unknowingly slipped into unconsciousness. It was still dark out; I must have woken Mera. I looked down into her eyes and began telling her about the dream, and how Elianna had visited me just as she had visited Mera when she urged her to tell me she loves me.

I looked at her, my soul singing as I looked into her tear-filled eyes as I arrived at the end of the dream. Mera smiled again and kissed me.

"I would never have asked you to choose." She said as she sniffled.

"I know that." I told her as I caressed her tears away. "Elianna was not truly asking me to choose; she was making me realize the fact that I already have. I choose you, to love you and the life I have now instead of holding onto her, onto my past. I will always love her. And one thing I have come to understand is that someone does not have to be a soulmate to mean everything to you. You, however, are my soulmate."

Tears were shed, kisses were shared, and words were exchanged. I could not count the number of times we said I love you to each other, and each time we meant it more than the last; that was truly saying something, since I thought I meant it with every fiber of my being the first time, after she had confessed her love for me. Yet each moment, I find new ways to love her, and take great pride in going out of my way to make certain Mera never doubts how much she is loved, even though she experiences my emotions as if they were her own, only different.

"Sleep, my love." I said, holding her close. "Tomorrow is full of surprises; I have no doubt of that."

She looked up at me and caressed my chest as her fingers lightly ran down my stomach, and lower still.

"What if I do not want to sleep?" She asked with that look in her eyes.

I smiled and leaned down to kiss her as her leg came around my waist to bring me into her…


Author's Note: As you can tell, this is a brand new chapter! The original chapter, as some of you will remember, was written in Mera's point of view. I was going to keep the former one for now, but I wrote this version a while ago. I believe it is important to show just what Ariston is going through, from his perspective. I love how it came out, and hope to have the next one done soon! If you like my fan page on Facebook, Beauty In Itself, you can see periodical updates on my writing. As well as favorite quotes and thoughts of mine when I find moments to post them.

I am about to be even more occupied, since I just finally found a second job again, but I will take every chance I can to write! More is to come!

Thank you to my fans/friends, both new and old; you all mean more to me than I can say! I love you, and hope you enjoyed the chapter! And if it is not too much to ask, a review would be absolutely awesome!

Blessed be,

Jasmine