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Chapter 10:

3rd person POV

Days passed and Athena had slowly gotten used to being closer with Edward. Relationship way. They were not jumping on each other at every chance, but they did take their time to talk or just enjoy each other's presence. Athena's eyes had changed again. Instead of blue flecks, it was now green ones in the purple of her irises. But that was the only clue. Green. Nothing else. Nothing seemed to make sense. Nothing seemed to want to make sense as the spring dance neared and girls all over the school asked boys out. Athena not the one for dances, never asked Edward.

It was the day Bella Swan would go to Port Angeles with her friends, and Athena sat calmly by her laptop. Knowing that nothing would happen. Edward was laying on her bed, watching her every movement. It was sunny, so no school. With a sigh, Athena turned off the laptop and turned in the chair.

"Do you want to go outside?" she asked and met his eyes.

He frowned in response. "The sun is out."

"And there are no humans close. Please," she pleaded and went down on her knees to make it more 'convincing'.

"If you want to go, you can," Edward said and got up.

Grumpy idiot, Athena thought sourly and earned a look from him. What? It's not like it's not true, she responded and rolled her eyes.

Edward growled right above his breath and left the room. They always went back and forth, but with reason. She did not like his overprotectiveness so he did try to keep his bossing at a certain degree, but then that was wrong as well. She was a confusing creature and he was still learning to understand her. Even with access to her thoughts, she remained a mystery.

Athena left the house with arms crossed and heavy steps. He seemed so distant lately. She thought he liked the way they did things. That their talks and agreements were mutual, not one sided. She had made it clear that she did not want him to boss over her and make decisions for her, but she did not think that would push him away.

So maybe it's another reason? A tiny whisper echoed in her mind. Maybe indeed.

He had access to her thoughts and she wondered if it was her thoughts that disgusted him. How she sometimes caught herself marveling over his fine looks and body shape and how she sometimes had wet dreams, which would maybe explain it. But that was normal! Wasn't it? She did have needs and urges; nevertheless, she would not just jump into bed with him even if they could. And he's seventeen, another voice chuckled. Well, still her but yeah… So what? He was actually hundred something, just seventeen when changed. She was twenty and looked like a teenager. Yay…not. No, it could not matter. True love would come above it, right?

What if it isn't true love?

But we're mates.

How can you be certain…?

Hey! I'm not going weak now. We're mates. And so it is-

Her trail of inner thoughts stopped as she found herself where Edward had taken her on their first date. Well, met her there.

She walked over to the pond and did a little twirl.

"It's sparkling," she whispered as she saw the water truly indeed sparkle.

Her eyes glistened with excitement and she did another twirl, then another and yet another. She spun and moved her legs, letting the sound of the water and wind be her rhythm. She danced for what felt like forever. She danced until the sun started to set and never stopped. A low hum came from her as she sang with the music of the nature around her and a happy laugh escaped her. She did not notice her siblings watching her with surprise. Who had been looking for her.

Edward took a step forward towards his mate who sang a beautiful melody he had never heard. He stopped as he noticed her changing.

Like when she had become a mermaid and her hair changed - it did now as well. Where it once had been blue it was now taking over in a dark brown, like the earth. Making her hair both red and brown. Her body was lighting in a soft golden color. When it faded, she was naked but covered in brown and green tattoos all over her body. Swirls and patterns and signs of nature being her form of cover. It went up her neck and stopped right under her chin. Leaving her face clean. Her ears had gotten pointy and a green hairband was keeping her hair out of her face, but it was still loose and in waves. From her back were golden butterfly-wings with green patterns like her tattoos. Making the look complete.

Edward hurried forward and took her hands in his and she happily twirled around with him, not noticing that he was there with her. The she blinked and blinked once more before her steps faltered and she looked at him with confusion.

"What's going on?" she wondered. Her eyes wide and innocent. A childish smile in place.

Edward gestured for her to look into the pond and she looked curiously into the clear water. The water mirror making her step back in shock.

"You changed," Edward said, worry filling his tone quite clear.

"I did," Athena gasped and covered her face with her hands. Why? Why this again? She silently wondered.

"Are you ok?" Edward asked and pulled her close.

"I don't know." Honestly.

"I'm here for you," he whispered and rested his head on top of hers. Gesturing to the others to leave them. A nod from them all and they left them alone.

"I love you," Athena said quietly. I'm sorry.

"I love you too," Edward breathed and pulled a bit apart. Looking her straight in her eyes. "What are you sorry for? I'm the one who should be. I'm the one not used to having someone," he admitted and a look of guilt took over his features.

"No," she whispered and shook her head. "I'm not used to having someone either. We need to talk and never stop. Not talking is what can break us. Please, promise me. Always tell the truth," she pleaded.

"Of course," Edward whispered and pressed his lips against hers.

"Mm…" Athena said into the kiss, enjoying it far too much. She felt herself grow heated and she pushed herself firmly against him. In response he chuckled lowly in the back of his throat and then he pulled away.

"Honestly," he started and pressed a kiss against her neck, making her moan in response. "I need to restrain myself right now, or I don't know what might happen."

Athena giggled. "Oh, am I that sexy?" she teased.

Edward snorted. "You are beautiful, sexy, hot…whatever you want to hear. There is no words to describe you. But you simply are beautiful, no matter what you look like. You are mine."

"Oh, I'm definitely yours," she responded and gave him a small peck on the lips. Her wings fluttering once. "Going home?" she then asked.

"Can you fly us?" Edward asked and looked to her wings.

She looked back at her wings and tried to push them to fly. Nothing happened. Frowning she tried again. Nothing. They did not want to move.

"I'm sorry for being useless," she said sheepishly.

"You're not useless," he said with a firm tone. "Race you back?"

"You're on!"

And they both took off running.

The Gods were busy on Mount Olympus. Athena had gone through the second change and it pleased many. However, she missed flying and neither of them could understand why it did not work. It was very important that she did indeed fly.

Aphrodite was pleased with Athena and Edward's love. It was growing stronger by the day and he kept her strong. While she struggled to make her wings work, he was there for her and cheering her on together with the rest of the family.

Though the key to when she would fly would unleash because of her love. Soon. While she learnt to love her powers over growing in the nature, those powers would soon be gone when another event came upon them and she had to save the one she loved the most. And she would lose another part of her.

Aphrodite sighed.

"What is it, dear Aphrodite?" Persephone asked.

"I'm sorry for being such a lousy guest," Aphrodite said apologetically and took yet another look out the window in the underworld. It was not such a bad place as everyone wanted it to be and imagined it.

"No, don't be. I'm just glad you are willingly coming here from time to time. Most Gods tend to stay away. Not that I see why."

"Me neither. It is truly a lot of beauty here. And Hades seem to be a wonderful husband."

"He is. Truly. Now, tell me what bothers you." Persephone's tone gave no room for argument.

"Remember that soul he moved to another world?" Aphrodite asked and Persephone's eyes lit up with recognition.

"To bring two very strong souls together, yes, I do remember."

"And she's going through a lot because of the Gods."

"It is still not over?" Persephone seemed concerned.

"She's in her fairy phase now. Then she has one more phase and she will be a vampire. A bit different than the usual vampires there, but still a vampire," Aphrodite explained.

"What a harsh fate," Persephone growled.

"Indeed. That is why I am bothered."

"I can understand."

However, the visit and chat could not last for long when the familiar call sounded for all Gods and Goddesses that it was time to meet up.

Aphrodite found herself beside Gaia and Nyx before the meeting started and she felt herself grit her teeth as she saw the smug Zeus on the throne. Hades was close but looking another way while holding an arm around his wife. Poseidon was by Zeus together with his wife. Smiling as well as Demeter approached them, making Persephone glare the way. To put it in one way, she was not very fond of her mother anymore.

The meeting started and Aphrodite found herself more than once glaring at the floor over what she heard. They were pleased with the outcome, except that it should not have taken so long for Athena to get used to her wings. The funny thing though, a lot of the other Gods were confused to why they were even bothering with one particular human. It was not like they had to have several different creatures on each planet with living beings. It was also why they had several planets where only one race like only vampires or only werewolves existed. Only fairies…you get the picture.

"As long as this will not bother our peace I have nothing to say," Hera told Zeus and left the room. And then slowly, one by one, Gods and Goddesses left.

"Aphrodite, please see that this is for us," Zeus said, stopping her when she was about to leave. Touching her hand.

She pulled it back and glared at him. "Do not touch me," she hissed. "Your filthy hands are never getting near me! You are trying to ruin a pure soul! Anyone but her! But no, you are too selfish."

He had no time to respond as she disappeared in golden sparkles. Appearing right outside Athena's room. Watching over her. She smiled softly as she saw the winged girl sleep soundly. The room lit up for a moment as a door opened and in came her mate. He sat down on the bed beside her and stroked her cheek. Then he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

Aphrodite's smile was still in place as she left. Knowing Athena was safe. For now. And she, Nyx and Gaia, would keep watch over her. She was special after all.

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