If you didn't know this already, time flies. I felt like Hades asked me to marry him five minutes ago not two weeks ago. Over those two weeks my mom and I managed to plan the picture perfect wedding. It was mostly my mom's doing but I had to approve everything. I still wasn't sure why I was going through with this. I guess it was just a gut feeling and that little voice in the back of my head.
About a week ago Hades got me my engagement ring. It was a skull and crossbones encrusted entirely with diamonds. It was beautiful but not how I pictured it would be. Anyway, I figured out that Persephone and Hades got divorced awhile back. He finally decided to let her go because of me. Now we can legally be married. Another thing about the wedding, it's going to be in hell. Zeus made it clear to my mom that Hades is not allowed back on Olympus, even for his wedding. I wasn't all that bummed. I mean everyone gets married on Olympus.
"You sure about this kiddo? There's still time to cut and run," my dad urged. He took the news worse than Nico. Everyday he tells me it's not too late and I can call it off. Well, today's the big day and I feel…..numb. I don't have cold feet and I'm not super excited. I'm just numb. "Dad, I'm going through with this," I said emotionlessly. Ares shook his head. "I wish you wouldn't," he mumbled under his breath. I pretended like I didn't hear him.
I felt a pull on my dress and turned around. Jason was there in his little tuxedo. I asked him to be the ring bearer and after I explained what that was to him, he accepted. I bent down so we were eye level. "What's up, little buddy," I asked the mini Apollo. His cheeks turned pink. "You look really pretty. Like the princesses in those movies my sister makes me watch," he said. I smiled and laughed a little. He's such a cutie pie. I gave him a hug. "Thanks, munchkin."
I heard the music, signaling Rachel's entrance. Before she walked down the isle she gave me hug. "Listen to your heart," she whispered in my ear, then 'glided' down the isle. Ashley gave me a one armed hug before it was her turn to go. "You look deadly," she joked. I laughed, "Just go. Mom will kill you if you miss your cue." She nodded her head and grabbed her bouquet of blood red roses. Becca just full on attacked me with a hug. "Trust no one," she whispered in my ear. I did a double take as she walked down the isle. What was that all about?
Zoey tripped over in her heels with her bouquet already in her hands. "I'm not gonna hug you or anything. It's not my thing but listen to Becca and Rachel. They know what they're talking about. Someone's hiding something." I sighed and shook my head. "You guys suck at giving advice." Zoey shrugged her shoulders and plastered a fake smile on her face. Mom must have given her the cue.
My dad held out his arm to me, "Ready?" I nodded my head and linked our arms together. He handed me my bouquet of red roses and black hydrangeas with diamonds here and there. Just as we were about to walk down the isle my dad stopped. He pulled a silver bracelet out of his pocket. It had red rubies dangling from it. "Just in case," he said, snapping it around my wrist. "Just in case what," I asked as the music started. "You'll see," he smirked. I couldn't question him further because we had to walk down the isle. Funny thing though, the song was I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick. That's not the song I picked out but I liked it better.
Everyone stood as I journeyed towards Hades. All gods and goddesses were present and even some demigods. As I got closer and closer to the alter he looked more and more handsome. I knew he rented the tux but it still looked amazing on him. His red silk tie popped over the black button down. I was so use to him in all black that I decided against the red shirt. It just wasn't him. Nico looked best in all black anyway. I know, I'm thinking about Hades's son and not him. Why should I? I don't love him. I love Nico and I always will.
The song stopped playing and my dad handed my over to Hades. We stood in front of Zeus. He started talking but I didn't hear him. I was lost in Hades's eyes. They would change from purple to green and from green to red. Just like the mist surrounding his statue in the Hades cabin back at camp Half-Blood. I felt like I was…..under a spell and I was. I was being forced to love Hades. The spell said yes to his proposal, not me. Now who has the power to make people love? Aphrodite.
I let go of Hades's hands since ours were somehow tangled together. My right hand felt heavy like something was in it. I looked down. I was holding a diamond sword with a silver hilt encrusted with rubies. The bracelet my dad gave me was gone. I looked over to my side of the church. Mom and dad were sitting in the front row. Without a second thought I ran over and sliced my mom's head off. My dad didn't seem fazed what so ever, he just smirked. "That's my girl," he mumbled.
Someone tugged on my arm. I spun around. It was Hades. I saw him differently now. He was a heartless monster in my eyes. I stabbed at his shoulder. He backed off. I wiped the ichor on my sword off on my dress. Like I gave a damn about this stupid dress anymore but it does look better with the golden smudges of ichor all over the skirt. Now back to kicking ass.
Next on the list: Ate. I can't say I'm surprised she's at my wedding. I mean who else is going to be able to sabotage Nico? Mom can't make someone fall out of love, just in love. Ate smirked and got out of her seat. She walked slowly down the isle towards me in cheap ass heels from Kmart. "You're not as dumb as I thought," she sneered. "You're uglier than expected," I replied. She literally growled at me. I charged at her. She went to grab my sword but I sliced her hand off. She screeched like a fury but then smirked at me.
She cradled her arm and looked devilishly behind me, at Nico. "Come here, Nico," she cooed. He nodded his head and walked over like a zombie. He pushed past me and stood directly in front of Ate. She looked at him with a serious expression. "She doesn't love you. Remember why you're here. She was going to marry your father. Are you going to let her get away with making you suffer?" Nico turned and glared at me. "No," he spat through gritted teeth. "Hephaestus, if you will," Ate said, turning around.
A celestial bronze sword flew through the air. Nico caught it with ease. He jabbed at the air and swung it around a few times. He smirked at me. "I'm going to make you pay," he said viciously. I knew this was Ate's doing. She was going to make me and Nico fight, to the death. I'd like to know who the hell invited her in the first place. Probably my mom. Bitch.
Nico charged at me. I side stepped and he went crashing into the alter. He jumped to his feet but Tyler held him back, for a second. "What are you doing," he yelled. Nico elbowed him in the chest. Tyler staggered back and Nico came running at me.
He went to stab at my chest but I deflected his sword. He swiped at my feet but I jumped over the sword. I wasn't really fighting back. I was just defending myself. "I can't believe it. After all these years I was right," Nico slashed at my neck. I managed to stop him from slicing my head off but he did catch my shoulder. Ichor fell from the wound. "You're Queen of the Barbies. Completely plastic," he swung at my stomach but I caught his sword in mine. I slid our swords upward so our faces were only inches apart. Our swords were the only things separating us.
I looked Nico in the eyes. He seemed to be having an internal conflict. "Nico, listen to me," I said nervously. He didn't say anything but he put a little less pressure on his sword. I pushed up on his sword. "I love…," I began to say. Am I really going to give him this advantage? Telling him I love him could be blackmail if he doesn't feel the same. I thought he did but now he's trying to kill me. That's only because of Ate, though.
Why is saying I love you so hard? Why can't it just spew out like vomit? Why can't it be like, "I love you. Now pass the gravy"? Why is love one of the few things I'm truly scared of? I mean my mother is freaking Aphrodite! Then again, daddy's the god of war and shit. Maybe the only thing I get from my mom is my looks. It's not like I take that much pride in how I look. Sometimes I just don't give a damn.
"You love what," Nico spat. I blinked a few times and stopped thinking. "I love," my eyes darted around the room. They landed on the biggest slice of heaven ever. "I love chocolate cake," I exclaimed as serious as possible. Nico's form faltered for a minute. I pushed harder on my sword. Nico reacted by putting way to much pressure on my sword. In seconds my diamond sword shattered. I was awestruck at the small crystals that rained everywhere.
Nico pulled me by the waist with his sword free hand. It was kind of like a one armed hug. "I love you too," he whispered in my ear. I felt a little queasy when he said that but in a good way! If that's possible…..
My prince in dark armor turned and shoved his sword right through Ate's stomach. She was skewered like a shish kabob. I hope they have those at the reception, if there's still going to be one. Back to Nico's moment. Ate fell to the ground ungracefully. Nico kicked Ate in the face and I heard her neck snap. The joys of having a physically fit boyfriend. Well, I think he's my boyfriend. I mean he did say that he loves me and I announced that I love cake so…
I heard clapping. My head jerked towards the alter. It was Hades who was applauding. "You're still here," I asked obnoxiously. Hades's face twisted into a snarl. "Yes, now, darling, we are to be wedded." I plastered a fake smile on my face and pulled off the gaudy engagement ring. "Sorry, sweetie but I'm not marrying you," I said, chucking the ring at his face. Hades slapped the ring away and glared at me. "Fine, we don't need to be married anyway," he rationalized. I looked at him like he was crazy, because he kind of is. "What do you mean 'anyway'?"
Hades smirked and took a step closer. "Well, I only need children out of you." I felt a little queasy. He wanted to….he wanted to….ugh! That's so gross! "Why do you want…that….from me," I asked, completely disgusted. "How else am I going to make it back on Olympus? You have the blood of Ares and Aphrodite. Mix it with mine and I have my own little army," he explained all cocky.
I heard the clang of a sword, maybe. I wasn't to sure since the clanging came from behind me. I saw a blur of black hurtle past me. In a split second Poseidon's trident was through Hades's chest. You could see the three points sticking out of his back. The gold ichor oozed out of Hades. I wasn't disgusted, horrified, or grossed out. I was actually quite satisfied. I was a little shock to find Nico huffing and puffing to my right. Was he the one who just..? Holy crappers, he just killed his dad. Gods, I love him.
I snaked an arm around his waist and pulled him close to me. I kissed his cheek and then rested my head in the crook of his neck. His chest was still heaving like crazy. I've never seen him run so fast, I guess this is the aftermath. Nico wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed the top of my head. Now this is how it's supposed to be. This is how it should have been from the beginning.
Had my mom been the one keeping us apart from the beginning? Is she the reason why I had a crush on everyone except Nico? I realized how I felt about him when we kissed for the first time and the second and the third. Every time he screwed up, was it Ate's fault or his? I'd rather go with Ate, so I will.
"Well, that was eventful," Zeus bellowed. Nico and I jumped apart. We kind of forgot where we were for a minute. "I cannot say that I am going to miss Aphrodite or my brother, so I will not. However, they held important positions and will need replacing. Deadly you will take your mother's place and Nico; you shall take your father's place." I raised my hand. Interrupting Zeus is not on my bucket list. "Yes, Deadly," Zeus asked with a sigh. I put my hand down and bit my lip. "Nico's not exactly, well, immortal."
Zeus seemed to think it over for a second then rolled his and shot Nico with a lightning bolt. Nico collapsed to the ground. "What the hell did you do," I screamed. Zeus glared at me. "I made him immortal, you-""Grandpa! Watch your mouth," I scolded. Zeus face looked like stone. "Did you just call me….Grandpa?" I rolled my eyes. "Yeah," I answered. Nico moaned and rolled over. I kneeled down near his head. "You okay," I asked. "Yeah," he groaned. "Good," I got to my feet, "now get up."
After a few moans and groans Nico was on his feet. There was something different about him though. He seemed taller and more muscular. He also appeared to be glowing. "Whoa," I said, ogling him. Nico gave me a funny look. "What," he asked. I shrugged my shoulders, "You look hot. That's all."
Someone cleared their throat rather obnoxiously. It was probably Ares. "Okay, Deadly, you will take the place of your mother and Nico you can now take the place of your father," Zeus bellowed. He tends to bellow a lot. It's like he can't just talk regularly. He has to be heard by everyone. "I'm a god? Awesome," Nico exclaimed. "Why does he get to be ruler of the Underworld," Snake whined. "Because I said so," Zeus stated. Snake kept his mouth shut. Zeus can say that kind of stuff without being questioned. Son of a bitch.
"I'm ruler of the Underworld," Nico asked, his skin a sickly green color. I took hold of his hand. It was cold and clammy. "Nico," I stated, trying to grab his attention. Our eyes connected and he looked scared. "Am I damned to live in hell forever," he asked meekly. "You're not damned like your father. You have to live in hell but you're allowed on Olympus," Zeus, once again, bellowed. Nico's face gained some color. I guess that means he's back to normal because he's naturally pale.
"You okay," I whispered to Nico. "Yeah," he grunted. I rolled my eyes and realization came over me. "Crap, I'm the goddess of sex," I whined. A lot of people started cracking up. "Guess your gonna have to lose your virginity then," Nico said, wiggling his eyebrows at me. "That ship has sailed," I stated. He got a little red in the face, "What?" I grabbed the back of his head and kissed him full on the lips. I heard the grunts and groans of bystanders in the back of my head. I kissed Nico harder. They had to put up with it because I, Deadly Beau, am the goddess of love and beauty and he, Nico, was ruler of the Underworld and we are in love. Now that's a happy ending.