Chapter 1 Meras Point Of View

I sat with a glass of wine and stared into the fire as silent tears rolled down my cheeks. Three weeks, three weeks and nothing. It was bad enough when Ariston was first gone, when I could not see him when I wished, when I worried for him constantly even though he checked in with me every hour on the hour to tell me he was well. But now this this I cannot stand. Kallisto, Mera, I love you both with every fiber of my being. Take care of each other. Ariston's last words were seared into my memory, echoing through my mind with devastating repercussions, tearing me apart bit by bit as if a black hole had opened within my soul, sucking every ounce of the light and joy I once knew within it and leaving only pain, only darkness. Ariston would not know me if he were to see me right now, he would not see the bright, shining, joyful woman he left behind. No, he would see an eighteen-year-old woman whose whole life had been crushed, taken away in one foul swoop. A woman with little left to live for. I picked up the bottle only to find that there was only half a glass of wine left and for some reason that one little thing made me explode, I could not take the pain within me. I through the bottle against the wall with all my might and it shattered into a thousand jagged fragments that must look something like how I feel; shattered, never to be whole again. I drank the rest of my glass then got up and stumbled down to the wine cellar for another bottle. If not for Kallisto, I would stay in bed day after day and just let the misery and nothingness take me over. But as much as I wanted to give in, I could not. Kallisto lost

her father, I may not be her mother but I am all she has left and I cannot let myself break down in front of her, I will not leave her to face this tragedy alone. And so for the rest of the world I put on a brave face, but in the privacy of my home I drink, it seems to be the only thing that helps with the pain, that numbs, me even for a little while. I could only imagine this is what Ariston went through after Elianna died, I wished I knew how he turned his emotions off, how he became truly numb. Kallisto tells me that her father is still alive, but as much as I wanted to believe her, I could not. Once in the wine cellar, I grabbed the first bottle I saw, not caring what it was. I wanted to be drunk, very, very, very drunk. I could not take this torture, this devastation anymore. Kallisto, Mera, I love you both with every fiber of my being. Take care of each other. Since I heard Ariston's goodbye message I have slipped back and forth between depression and rage. I go from crying to breaking things and back to crying. There was only one thing I was certain of. When the time came, I would get vengeance. Vengeance for Ariston, for my grandmother Andrea and my ancestors before her, for everyone who has been harmed by the Nameless One and his minions. I sat down on the stairs to the cellar as a wave of despair and hopelessness washed over me and more tears came, making me shake as I cried. This loss was too devastating to explain, to comprehend. How can he be gone? The love of my life, the god that was to be my husband in just three short months? I never knew it was possible to hurt like this, for every thought that once brought me joy beyond imagining to now torment me, to eat away at my soul bit by bit, by taunting me with what I have lost. I finally pushed myself to my feet and went back to the living room only to find Cronus standing there looking at me with worry apparent in his bright pale green eyes. The crown prince and princess, Cronus and Ennina, come to visit me often since Ariston left, but tonight I did not care if he saw me this way, drunk and grieving. "My prince." I said, then sat down in front of the fire again. I pulled the cork out with my fingers and drank straight from the bottle, not caring to use a glass. "How many bottles have you had?" Cronus asked as he sat down next to me, not smiling. "Three, perhaps four." I said with a shrug, turning my attention back to the fire. "This body does not stay drunk for long, so I have to keep drinking." "How are you?" He asked. What an idiotic question! "How do you think I am?" I snapped at him, whipping my head in his direction to glare at him as a sob threatened to break loose in my chest. "He is gone Cronus. Three weeks three weeks of nothing." Ariston had been gone for a month and a half in total, but I only counted the weeks since I heard his goodbye message.

Kallisto, Mera, I love you both with every fiber of my being. Take care of each other. More tears ran down my cheeks and I did what I could to not break down completely. "There could be many reasons Ariston has not checked in," Cronus tried to comfort me. "Perhaps," He began. "You don't understand!" I yelled, I was shaking. "I I cannot feel him anymore. I used to be able to feel his emotions as easily as I feel my own but for the past three weeks I have felt nothing. What else could that mean but that they have killed him!" "Mera, just because you cannot feel Ariston does not mean he is dead." Cronus said. "We can disconnect from our soul mates so that we do not share our emotions, it is not easy, but it is doable. I did that once, long ago. Ariston may still be alive." I stood and walked over to the cupboard, I needed something stronger than wine and I knew Ariston kept a stash there. I went to pour the brandy into a glass when Cronus' hand covered my own to stop me. "That will not help." Cronus said softly. "And how would you know?" I asked. "You have your love waiting at home for you." "You are not the first to hurt like this Mera." Cronus said to me. "I understand what you are going through far more than you know. Alcohol is not going to help." "I should have stayed with him." I said, half to Cronus and half to myself as regret filled me. "The night before Ariston disappeared, I went to him. We made love until the sun came up then laid in each others arms. I should have stayed with him, no matter what he said." It will always be my biggest regret in life that I did as Ariston asked and let him send me home without him. I turned towards Cronus and began to break down, my tears flowing faster as my legs became weak. Cronus wrapped his arms around me and held me close. I clutched onto him as I cried into his cloud silk shirt, the cool material soaking up my tears. For just for a moment, I tried to pretend that it was Ariston who had his arms around me, that he was back, but I knew better. "I cannot take this, this not knowing." I said, I began to cry again. Sobs racked my body and Cronus rubbed my back. "I cannot do this anymore. I just want him back in my arms." "I know Mera, believe me, I know." He said, something in his voice said that he understood my pain all too well. "I am so sorry you have to go through this." I got out of his hug a moment later and sat down on the couch, my exhaustion catching up with me. Cronus must have seen it on my face.

"When was the last time you slept?" Cronus asked. "A week ago, I think." I said. "I cannot sleep in that bed without him, I cannot wake up without him." "You need to sleep." He said, I looked up at him. "Would you do something for me?" I asked him. "What is it?" He asked. "Would you just hold me on the couch? Just for a little while?" I asked him. "You know I do not have those kinds of feelings for you but it has been too long since I have been in a mans arms." "If it will bring you comfort." Cronus said and sat down next to me, putting his arm around my shoulders. I leaned against his chest and wrapped my arm around his torso, much like I used to do with Ariston. Cronus did not hold me like Ariston does, it did not feel near as wonderful, but it was comforting. It reminded me of when I used to fall asleep on my fathers chest when I was a girl, knowing that I was safe and loved. He smelled different as well. While Ariston has always smelled of mint and vanilla, Cronus has an earthy cinnamon scent to him. My eyelids began to droop. "What are we going to do about Ariston?" I asked Cronus as I struggled to stay awake. "Sleep tonight," Cronus told me. "Tomorrow we will come up with a plan. If he is alive, we will bring him home." He promised and I believed him. "Thank you." I whispered. He kissed my forehead, like the kiss a father or grandfather would place on a beloved little one, then I fell asleep.

Aaron's Point Of View

Even in her sadness, she is stunning, breathtaking. I watched Kallisto with her fathers horse, the beautiful goddess stroked Vrontos' white neck, her emotions between sorrow and hope. I was surprised to find that after we had made love for the first time, that I could feel Kallisto's emotions and even see into her mind at times. It was cold out and snow fell in little flurries around us, but Kallisto did not seem to notice even in her yellow cloud silk dress that seemed to be more fit for the summer months. I had tried to

get her to wear a jacket, I even offered her mine but she just smiled and said not to be silly. I have been with Kallisto every moment since she heard her fathers message. We had been in bed together at the time, joking around and kissing when suddenly she froze in place. I could feel fear and incredulity washing over her. "No." She had whispered then she began to cry. I held her tight and asked what was wrong. "My father is gone." She said. I had thought of Mera, I wondered if she knew, but the thought only lasted seconds before I was back with Kallisto, wishing I could make her pain go away. "Vrontos is still alive," Kallisto said in the present with determination in her voice. "It means my father is alive as well. Their immortalities are intertwined you see, as long as my father is still alive, then so is Vrontos." She explained and I understood why she comes here every day. I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her close to me and caressing her cheek with my own. One of Kallisto's arms was placed over mine, her other hand was still stroking Vrontos. I was thankful to feel how warm she felt, even her fingers were surprisingly warm. I know that since she is immortal she will not get cold, but I still worry. "I have lost everyone else," Kallisto said softly. "My mother, my brothers. I cannot lose my father too." "You will not," I promised her. "We will find him." I lifted her chin and turned her head, looking into her sky blue eyes that were beautiful beyond words. "I love you." I told her then kissed her. Kallisto turned around in my arms and held me closer, making my heart pound in my chest, already knowing what she had in mind. I felt her essence surrounding me and knew that she was teleporting us. A moment later she was taking off my jacket before she untucked my shirt and slid her warm smooth hands under my shirt and up my chest. It still surprises me when she does something like that. I love that she does not hold back when she wants me and that I am not expected to hold back when I need her. Our kisses were urgent, passionate, my hand was in her hair before going to work on her dress. I picked her up into my arms while her arms wound around me I laid on my back in Kallisto's grand bed with the beautiful goddess partly hovering over my chest as she laid in my arms. 'Grateful' doesn't even begin to explain how I feel to have Kallisto in my life, in my arms. I truly could not live without her, not for one day, not even for a one breath.

I brushed her hair back as she smiled down to me, her platinum blond curls falling over one shoulder as she looked into my eyes, once again shocking me with the beauty in her sky blue eyes. "Good gods you are beautiful." I said, she laughed. "You are not so bad yourself." She told me, I shook my head. "Love is blind." I said. "What exactly are you implying?" She asked with a grin. I shook my head with a laugh as her lips descended on mine in a tender kiss before she laid her head on my chest, right over my heart. I held her close and stroked her hair, breathing in her incredible scent that was something between sunshine and a thunderstorm, I could not think of any other way to explain it. Kallisto smells like nothing else, like a scent that was created just to drive me crazy, to make me fall in love with her even more. I kissed her hair as we drifted off to sleep.

Kallisto's Point Of View

I laid on Aaron's chest counting his heartbeats, what a beautiful sound. I knew that one day I would miss it when Aaron becomes immortal after we wed. The sun had been up for an hour and I knew Aaron would not wake up for hours to come. As much as I love every moment with Aaron, I enjoy theses hours when I can watch him sleep and be with my own thoughts. I thought of my father, as I have everyday since he went missing. I worried, I worried that I would never see my father again. My father who taught me to ride on Vrontos, who healed me when I skinned my knee, who let me sleep in his and mother's bed whenever I would have a nightmare when I was a girl. I have thousands of more memories like that. I knew that one day I would be marrying Aaron and the thought of my father not walking me down the isle caused a deep ache within my soul. Another thought that killed me was my father never meeting the children Aaron and I are yet to have. I know that Aaron is still young even though he is mature for his age, and I have no problem waiting a few more years to bear his children, our children. That being said, I long to be a mother, to have a babe of my own to cuddle and raise. Many times I have thought of having a child outside of marriage, it has worked for some of my friends who wanted motherhood but not a husband. The difference is that I wanted a husband, a man who would love me as my father loved my mother. I wanted my children to grow up seeing that kind of love between their parents on a daily basis. I also wanted my child to have the right father, someone he or she can look up to. I could not take the chance that the child's father would not be there. I know that I have found within Aaron every quality

I have searched for the past two thousand years for, he will make a perfect husband and father, I would not have anyone else. I looked at Aaron, his sandy blond hair was disheveled and his tan skin had a beautiful sheen to it. I am beyond thankful to have him with me through this. I would not be able to get through my fathers disappearance without Aaron's love. Aaron is not the only one I am grateful for, Mera has been amazing. She visits Aaron and I every day. I am amazed by her strength, I do not know how she does it, how she is gets through the pain and worry she must feel, but somehow she does. She gives me strength and courage and always reminds me that as soon as she is able, she will go and look for my father and bring him back home safe and sound. I can see that there is a part of her that does not believe her words, that she is hiding some of her pain. Mera and I have grown closer over these past few weeks that my father has been gone. Truth be told, I have already begun to think of her as a mother even though I am many years older than her. She seems to have a natural maternal instinct, she can tell when I am upset, she always seems to know what to say. She reminds me of my mother in that way. I looked again to Aaron sleeping beneath me, he may be young, but he is not a boy, he is a man in every way. Descendants tend to mature faster than mortals, both physically and mentally, they have to in order to survive. In my eyes, Aaron is a god. His beauty, his kindness, his love, everything about Aaron is divine and worthy of inexplicable love. Looking upon his face, I was brought back to the day we first spoke. I noticed the Descendant in the first class I taught for my father. He more than caught my eye, it was all I could do not to look at him. Kallisto you are a two thousand year old goddess, some eighteen-year-old boy should not be able to distract you like this. I thought to myself, but it was no good, something about him captured me. I found myself thinking about his face from time to time, wondering what his voice would sound like, what he looks like when he smiles. I could tell he was upset the first time I saw him in class, though he seemed better now. I did what I could to focus as I taught the class, I wondered if this was how my father felt with his Mera in the class. Afterwards, a few of the boys tried their hand at flirting with me, I found their attempts amusing. They have no idea the kinds of men I am used to. But that boy, that Descendant still stood out, there was something about his sage green eyes, the way he watched me that made my face want to glow. He walked up to me as I was putting papers into my case and I did what I could to keep calm. The Descendant stood there for a moment without saying anything and I wished that I could see into his mind to know what he was thinking. With my heels on we were the same height. I smiled a small smile to him and noticed how his lips moved to smile in return.

"Ariston is your father?" He asked. He has a nice voice, I thought, kind with a touch of sweetness to it. His voice brought a warmth out within me and I knew that my face must be glowing even though I tried to control it. "He is." I told him. "He is dating my... friend." He said. "Mera," I said, nodding with a smile. "Yes. She is wonderful. What is your name?" I asked him. "Oh," He shook his head and put his hand out. "Aaron Rockford." I knew the name right away, he was once Mera's boyfriend, the same Mera that is now hopelessly in love with my father. I place my hand in Aaron's and felt a spark I did not expect to run through me. "It is nice to meet you." I told him. "You too." He said, looking into my eyes. I wanted to look into his eyes all day, trying to understand this fascination I felt towards him. I knew that I had to be going and so I let go of his slightly rough hand and gave him a small smile. "Goodbye Aaron." I said to him, then turned and walked for the door. "I hope to see you soon." Aaron called out, I turned around and gave him a curious look. "Do you now?" I asked him, a flirtation in my eyes and tone that he clearly did not expect. I laughed. "I hope to see you as well." I told him, my smile growing before I turned again and left the classroom. It was two weeks later when the Shadows attacked Aaron. I remember the day well. I felt something was wrong. I could not have said how I knew, I just did. I arrived in the men's locker room at Blueridge Prep not a moment too soon, the Shadows had Aaron backed into a corner in the large shower. Aaron's hands were crumpled up into fists, I knew he was about to fight them off. I also knew that if those Shadows were to claw him, he would be infected with their darkness if he were to live. I rushed forward with no time to waste, I could not let them harm him, I would not. I may not be a war goddess, but my father taught me well and I fought the two Shadows off with ease with my double tipped spear. When they were dead I turned to Aaron who was watching me with wide eyes.

"You're a goddess?" He asked, I nodded. "I am." I told him. "You know that you are a Descendant?" I asked. "Yeah." He said, still somewhat in shock. "You cannot stay here." I told him. "Are you willing to join the army?" "Yes, I am." Aaron replied, I sighed in relief, it was the only way I could protect him. I smiled and he smiled to me. "Time is of the essence," I told him. "Tell whomever you need to that you are going away, make up any lie you wish, just do not tell them the truth." He nodded. "Is there anything you wish to bring with you?" "Yeah, at my apartment in my dorm." He told me. After telling me its location, I teleported the both of us to his apartment. He quickly went through his things in his bedroom and shoved his clothing into a leather duffel bag along with a few other belongings. I could tell that he was still trying to process everything that happened, I doubted that he had ever seen a Shadow before. I saw a photo of him with Mera that was on his nightstand, they were holding hands, they looked happy together. "Your friend Jack is about to walk through the front door." I informed Aaron, looking back to see him watching me. He was about to speak when Jack walked in his bedroom. "What are you doing?" Jack asked, Aaron was still staring at me. "He cannot see me." I told him. Aaron gave one nod then went back to packing as he answered Jack's question. "Something's come up." Aaron said. "I have to go." "We have practice in an hour." Jack said. "I am not coming back." Aaron said as he went to his mahogany dresser and pulled out some shirts before stuffing them in the duffel in his hands, glancing at me once. He was about to walk to his bathroom when Jack stepped in his path. "Listen," Jack said. "I can't say that I know what you're going through, because I don't. I can't even imagine a life without Margret. I know you miss Mera, and I know it's killing you to see her with that guy, but this isn't the answer." Aaron glanced at me before looking back to his friend with a bit of a smile.

"This has nothing to do with Mera." Aaron told his friend. "I accept that she is in love with Ariston. I do not want her anymore, not like that." Aaron met my eyes and warmth spread through me again. "I have to go." Jack nodded and stepped out of Aaron's way. After getting his toothbrush and razor and putting them in his bag he turned to me and I nodded with my head. We walked back into his bedroom where Jack still stood. "I hope this isn't the last time I see you." Jack said. "It won't be." Aaron told him, I saw the bond between them, a bond of brotherhood though not through blood. They grasped each others hand and hugged the other once before letting go. Aaron followed me out of his dorm and I found a quiet hall where I placed my hand on his shoulder, sending warmth through me as brought him to my cousin Alexander's office, the lord commander of the army of Descendants. After a short conversation with my cousin, Aaron was placed in the unit and I offered to take him to the barracks. "I should have known you were a goddess." Aaron said as we walked the wooded path. "Why is that?" I asked him. "Your beauty for one." He said and I smiled. Aaron may not have been the first man to call me beautiful, but hearing it from his lips made me feel like butter sitting in a skillet that has been set to high. "So that makes your father a god I guess?" "Yes, my father is a son of Zeus." I told him. "Really." He said. "Does Mera know?" "Yes." I said. It was not for me to tell him who Mera is and truth be told, I was partly upset that he would bring her up. I wondered if what he had told his friend was the truth, if he was indeed over Mera. "I really am over her." He suddenly told me. "Are you?" I asked. "Yes." He answered. "She is in love with your father, he makes her happy." "But you still love her." I said. "I think I always will." He admitted. "But I don't want to be with her like that anymore, I'm happy to have her as a friend." He looked into my eyes and smiled, I smiled in return, not being able to help it.

It was not long before we came to the barracks, a large log cabin style building. It was not what one would think of when they heard the word barracks. Both outside and inside were well decorated. There were countless rooms to train and work out in, and great common areas for the units to bond. I brought Aaron inside, up the stairs and down a few grand halls to the room that would be his alone. It had a double bed, a desk and chair and many other necessities. "This is it." I told him, he looked around and nodded then looked back to me, a longing in his eyes. I found it surprising how easily I found myself lost in his sage green eyes. "Your bathroom is through there," I told Aaron, pointing to where it was. "These rooms are usually bare, you can decorate it with things from the market with your salary if you wish." "So I get paid for being in this army?" He asked, looking around. "Of course, by the week. You will find the pay is very sufficient." I told him. Aaron turned towards me and looked into my eyes. In the next moment Aaron walked up to me and without missing a beat, he kissed me. I was surprised for a fraction of a moment before I melted into his kiss, a fire running through me. One of my arms wrapped around his shoulders while the other went behind his back to hold him closer and deepen the kiss. His arms went around me and he held onto me as we kissed away all other thoughts but each other. With all the men I have kissed, I found something within Aaron's kiss, within his arms that I have never found anywhere else. When our lips parted, I knew how my face must have been glowing and his face was red while our breathing was ragged. We looked into each others eyes and smiled. "I promised myself that if I ever saw you again, I would kiss you." He said softly. "I'm," I knew he was about to apologize, I could not let him. I shook my head and leaned up to kiss him again. Once again we held each other as close as we could, once again I was lost in his lips, once again I found that something that I had not found with anyone else. We stood there kissing, finding no reason good enough to stop. After a time, our kisses slowed though we did not loosen our hold on the other. Aaron placed once more sweet kiss on my lips then just looked into my eyes. "Are you always so forward?" I asked him. He laughed a low laugh and shook his head. "Are you kidding?" He asked. "It took me a year to get up the courage to kiss Mera." "I am glad I am not Mera then." I said, he smiled. "So am I." He said and I smiled and rested my cheek against his for a moment.

Kallisto, you are needed. I heard my aunt Ennina's voice within my mind and sighed, wishing I could stay longer with Aaron. Give me a moment aunt. I thought back. "Duty calls I am afraid." I told Aaron, he looked confused. "Telepathy." I explained. "Oh." He said and lifted his hand to touch my cheek. He seemed just as amazed to have found this feeling as I was. I sighed and let go of him, my cheek still resting against. His arms slowly slid off my body and I looked into his eyes for one moment then took a step back, still looking into his beautiful sage green eyes. I turned away and Aaron took my hand. I turned back to him, his eyes were intense, pleading. "When will I see you again?" He asked, seeming just as desperate to see me again as soon as possible as I was to see him. "Soon." I promised and he nodded. Aaron leaned down and kissed me, a sweet kiss and it was a while before I found the strength to walk away from his touch and go to my duties. I smiled at the memory of our first kiss, or first kisses I should say. I laid my head on his chest, breathing him in. Aaron has a scent I could not explain, but it was warm and wonderful and brings me such peace or drives me crazy by turns. A few hours later Aaron began to stir, I could feel his body waking beneath mine. I placed a kiss on his lips and he opened his eyes and smiled to me as he caressed my cheek. "That's a nice way to wake up." He said and my smile widened. A while later we got out of bed and bathed. I have a bathing pool in my bathroom like my father has. I always loved playing in it when I was a girl, of course this is a different kind of play with Aaron. We were holding onto each other and kissing, he kissed my neck, he was getting good at that. I had to admit that Aaron is a fast learner in the way of love, he is a natural. "Kallisto?" He whispered. "Yes my love?" I asked and he looked into my eyes. "Are we living together?" He asked. Aaron has been here every night since the first time we made love, but we have not talked about living together. "I just thought it would be a waste of space to keep my things in my room at the barracks, especially when this is

where I want to be." He told me and I smiled. "If you are not ready to take that step, living together I mean, I can wait." "I am more than ready to live with you my love. I just know that times have changed," I told him as we held each other and floated in circles. "I did not want to rush you by making it official that we are living together." His smile grew. "Try as you may, nothing you can do is going to scare me away, my goddess." He said. "I am in too deep for that." I laughed and kissed him as we went on to other activities that involved little to no dialogue Afterwards, we dried off and dressed. I wore pink diamond earrings with a fair blue dress in cloud silk. The dress had a cowl neckline and a low scoop in the back with a silver sash tied around my slim waist. The long flowing skirt had little blue flowers with tiny white pearls at their center adorning the hem of the gown. Aaron wore a silver shirt and black dress pants, I could tell that he was still unused to wearing such fine clothing on a daily basis, but he was coming alone. Aaron left a few buttons of his shirt undone and added sapphire cufflinks that were his fathers. His father, Anton Rockford, left his son Aaron all his possession when he died. I knew how close Aaron was with his father and how hard it had been to lose him. It was yet another thing Aaron and I had in common, we had both lost a beloved parent. "I want to go visit Mera." I told Aaron. "Alright." He said and placed a kiss on my lips as I wrapped my arms around him to teleport us. I was more than surprised, when I materialized in the living room, to see Mera sound asleep on my uncle's chest. Cronus held her gently. I knew it was not what it appeared to be, I know how much Mera loves my father and Ennina sat in a chair not far away, she smiled to me and put down her book. "Hello Kallisto, Aaron." Ennina greeted us softly and Aaron and I bowed to the royal couple. "Hello your highnesses." Aaron greeted them. My eyes were fixed on Mera, she was a mess. Her golden blond hair was tangled and her face looked pale with heavy dark circles under her eyes. I walked over to where she slept on Cronus' chest and kneeled down in front of them. "I had no idea it was this bad." I said as I looked at her more closely. I could smell the wine on her and could see the tears dried to her face. It pulled at something within me, it hurt me to see Mera in such a state. Suddenly it was clear, Mera

has kept herself together in front of me, she did not want me to know how much she was hurting, how my fathers abduction was destroying her. I felt guilty, incredibly guilty, for not being there for her. "Mera." I said, shaking my head with tears in my eyes. What she did is something that my mother would have done, stayed strong for me no matter what she was going through. "How is she?" I asked Cronus. "She has been asleep for the last forty-eight hours, she said that she has not slept in a week." Cronus told me. "Has Apollo come?" I asked. "Yes," Cronus answered. "He said that it is a good thing she finally slept, her body would have given out on her if she had not." Mera and I have been helping each other through this, but I realized now that I should have thought of her more often. She has needed me and I have not been there for her. That changes now.

Mera's Point Of View

When I woke, for one brief moment I thought that I was lying on Ariston's chest, that his arms were wrapped around me. I smiled and breathed in only for my smile to fade when it was cinnamon I smelt, not mint and vanilla. I opened my eyes, I realized that I had slept on Cronus' chest. I looked up at him for one moment before sitting up. I squinted, my head was pounding and my stomach feeling nauseous and hollow at the same time. I had one hell of a hang over it would seem. Cronus sat up next to me and I stretched, I felt horrid and was sure that I looked even worse than I felt. "Your awake." I turned to see Kallisto sitting on the couch across from me with Aaron next to her, his arm was wrapped around her shoulder as he held her close. I straightened myself up immediately, sitting a little taller. I realized what a mess I must look, I always try keep myself together in front of Kallisto. I know this is hard enough for her without her witnessing my falling apart. "Hello Kallisto, Aaron." I smiled to them as warmly as I could, I saw the worry in their eyes for me.

I also noticed that Ennina was smiling to me from where she sat on the gold silk divan with a heavy book next to her. I was thankful that she did not seem upset that I had slept in her husband's arms. "Here." Cronus said, handing me a glass with a golden colored liquid within it. I drank deep, the warmth filled me as it felt like silk traveled down my throat, healing nectar. I already felt better, although now my stomach rumbled, it felt hollow. "You had us worried for a while when you did not wake for the first few days." Cronus said. "Days?" I said in confusion, still groggy with sleep. It was Ennina who answered my question. "Mera, you have been asleep for over eighty hours, close to four days." Ennina informed me. "We sent for Apollo to check on you, he said that you were simply catching up on rest. You should not go so long without sleep again." "I know," I told her then looked at Cronus then back to his wife. ""What about Ariston?" I asked, it was the first question on my mind. "We are going to put together search parties." Cronus said. I smiled and looked at Ennina. "You relented?" I asked her. "I knew it was time to send them out again." She told me with a smile. "Thank you." I said to her. Before Ariston disappeared, Ennina had ordered an end to search missions until there was more information. I had assumed that she would lift the order when Ariston had gone missing, he was her brother after all. When she refused it caused a heated argument between us. Well truth be told, I was the one doing the yelling while Ennina remained calm and told me that she could not risk more of her family in order to find Ariston. Ennina has sent out her owls, her watchers, to see what could be found and the princess herself has gone out in search of clues but has found little of use as of yet. I was beyond grateful to know that search parties would be sent out. Perhaps the Descendants can find something that Ennina and her owls did not, I hoped. "Are you hungry?" Ennina asked. "Very." I admitted. "I will make you some breakfast then." Ennina said with a smile. Ennina walked behind the couch and Cronus tilted his head back as she placed a kiss on his lips, then she walked out of the room. There was an awkward silence in the room as I noticed Kallisto and Aaron were still watching me. I wish they had not seen me like this.

"My wife will be back soon with breakfast." Cronus assured me and I smiled politely and nodded to him. It was only minutes later when Ennina came in carrying a huge tray of steaming foods. My mouth watered at the smell of coffee, omelets, crispy bacon, French toast, crepe suzette's, pancakes and fresh sliced fruits. I felt as if I had not eaten in weeks. Come to think of it, I do not remember the last time I ate, I have had no appetite. Ennina placed the platter down on the coffee table in front of me and I attacked it, stuffing my face with the delicious food, barely taking the time to taste each bite in my ravenous state. Once the hunger began to subside some, I slowed down and took my time enjoying the food. The ambrosia seemed to help me the most for whatever reason, the golden fruit tasted like heaven. I felt much better and stronger after I finished, I wiped my hands and mouth and sat back as I drank some coffee and looked between Ennina, Cronus, Kallisto and Aaron. "Are you hungry?" I asked them, looking at Kallisto, feeling a bit guilty that I had eaten all the food without asking if she wanted some. "No, Ennina has been cooking for us." Kallisto told me and I nodded before looking to Ennina. "So, what is the plan?" I asked, glad that I would finally be doing something. "I have already sent search parties of Descendants out, with each unit I have sent a god so they will be teleported to the safety of Olympus at the first sign of trouble. We need to ask for help from the gods, we need for them to search as well." Ennina said. "The five of us cannot do this on our own." Ennina told me, speaking of the five of us in the room. "Could you not just order the gods to do what needs to be done?" I asked. "That is not the way things work on Olympus." Ennina told me. "After what the Nameless One did, it was clear that one person, even one god, should not have such absolute power. We, the Twelve, are their leaders, but they must decide for themselves if they choose to follow our requests." "No wonder this has taken so long." I said. I was upset with Ariston in that moment for making me promise to wait a month before coming to look for him personally, I hated doing nothing. "What day is it?" I asked with hope. "February 24th." Aaron said and I smiled with tears of relief in my eyes. "Ariston made me promise to wait a month before coming to look for him, today it has been a month." I told them. "It means I can finally search for him."

I got up and stood there for a moment. I did not know what I was doing or where I was going, all I knew was that I had to find him, that I could not wait a moment longer. "You cannot do this alone Mera." Ennina said and I closed my eyes as I remembered another promise I made to Ariston. "I will not promise that if you disappear that I will not come after you." I told him. He sighed and closed his eyes, he knew I would give no way on this. He opened his eyes and placed his hands on my shoulders gently. "Then promise me that you will not come alone, that you will bring those of my family whom will join you, that you will do everything to stay safe." He begged. I smiled. "Now that I will do." I said with a nod. I smiled at the memory of his voice, of how it felt when he touched me, before the black hole in my chest sucked the joy away and left only pain. I turned to Ennina. "Come with me then, help me." I said to her. "My husband and I made a promise to Ariston before he left, we promised to go with you, to keep you safe." She told me. "But the three of us alone are not enough, we need the other gods." I nodded and sat down again. "How do we get their help?" I asked. "First, my father will call the gods together and see whom will join to search for Ariston." Ennina informed me. "Ariston could be anywhere, on any continent, and so we will need to ask for help from the other four factions of the gods." Ennina paused then spoke again. "I cannot guarantee how many will come to our aid in finding Ariston, you should know that there could only be a few, and many may refuse us." I was surprised by that. "Ariston is not the only one to go missing, there are so many more that need our help. Who would not want to go in search of them?" I asked. Ennina and Cronus exchanged a look. "When someone is taken by the Shadows, most assume them to be dead." Cronus explained and my breath caught in my throat before a sudden burst of hope went through me. In that moment I knew, I just knew. "No," I said with tears of joy in my eyes. "He is not dead, Ariston is not dead." Somehow, I just knew it. I closed my eyes and thanked the Moirae for this knowledge.

"Alright then," Ennina said with a smile. "The gods will need to hear that from you." "From me?" I asked. "What am I? I am just an eighteen-year-old Descendant. Why would they listen to me? Why not you?" It made no sense. "It is true, my people trust my word. But this is not about me Mera, this is your journey to find the god you love." Ennina told me. "You are far more influential than you know, your words will reach them even more than mine will." "Talk is cheep." I said, taking another sip of coffee. "But great words are priceless, for they inspire the best in others." Ennina said with a smile. "If there is one thing I have learned in my lives, it is that it only takes one person, one idea for people to believe in and rally behind, to change the world for better or for worse. You have a way with words Mera, you have a great charisma, it is time to put that skill to use and rally the gods to your cause by showing them that it is their cause as well." "How soon can I speak to them?" I asked. I honestly had no clue what I would say, how I would inspire these gods, but I could not wait a moment longer. "My father can arrange it in two hours." Ennina said. "Good." I said. "Are you certain you are feeling up to this?" Cronus asked. I looked at him and nodded. "Yes, I cannot wait any longer." I told him and he smiled just slightly. "It is done." Ennina told me. "Dress well, we are going to court." "Thank you." I said to her with all my heart, she smiled and nodded. I rose from the couch and smiled once to Kallisto and Aaron before going to bathe. The bathing pool was just what I needed. The warmth was relaxing, but the pain still twisted within me and I let a few tears escape before washing them away and getting out. I called to Tianna and asked her to pick something out for me to wear. Tianna choose a pale nude colored dress of chiffon cloud silk with thousands of white pearls adorning it. The gown had a deep V-neck in the front and the back, it was form fitting down to the hips where it drops down to the floor in soft flowing chiffon adorned with larger pearls. After I put the dress on, Tianna brushed my hair. She left most of my waves to cascade down my back but braided the sides back. Upon my head was placed an extravagant headpiece that was dripping with diamonds and pearls in all sizes, while on my wrist I wore matching bracelets and around my neck the Rose Diamond stayed in its rightful place.

I did not look in the mirror, I had no desire to see myself and I trusted in Tianna to make me look presentable. I walked out to Ariston and I's bedroom where Ennina was waiting for me. The Olympian beauty wore a stunning gown of ivory lace that was trimmed in gold at every possible spot and held together by pins of gold with olive trees etched upon them. The dress fit her body like a glove down to just below her hips where it felt to the floor in a sheath silhouette. A crown of diamonds and gold etched in elegant detail sat nestled upon her brown curls, the crown completing the outfit. "You look lovely." The princess complemented. "As do you." I said. Ennina held her hand out and I took it, eager to do something that would bring me one step closer to Ariston. Moments later we arrived outside the throne room where Cronus was waiting. Ennina let go of my hand and took her husbands arm. "Follow us Mera." Ennina said to me. Ennina and Cronus walked into the spectacular marble and gold throne room and I followed closely behind them. All gods parted way before the crown princess and the crown prince, bowing before the great couple that would one day be their king and queen. I saw above the crowds that we were walking towards a semicircle of the twelve thrones of the Twelve, all of which were filled except for Ennina's. Each throne was a bit different and at the end of each side of the semicircle was a grand column of white marble with details in gold. Ennina and Cronus came to a stop and faced each other, Cronus placed a tender kiss on his wife's cheek and she walked away from us. "Wait here with me." Cronus said to me in a low voice and I gave a nod. I noticed that there was a large place in front of the thrones that none of the gods present dared walk upon, almost like they were allowing the circle that was started by the thrones to be complete. I watched Ennina ascend the steps up the ten feet to the thrones. She bowed to her mother Queen Hera and her father King Zeus before taking her rightful place at her father's side. "My people." Zeus spoke, at the very sound of his deep thunderous voice the entire hall fell silent and looked upon their king. "As most of you may know, my son Ariston has gone missing along with his siblings. His betrothed, our Descendant Mera Vandenberg, has come to ask for your help in finding him." Zeus turned his sky blue eyes on me. "Mera, come forward my dear." Zeus said. I did as I was bid. I walked to the middle of the floor and curtsied. "Rise." Zeus said and I did. "Come up the steps and say what you have come here to say my dear." Zeus said to me with an encouragement within his eyes.

I walked halfway up the steps of the semicircle that lead to the great thrones and curtsied to the Twelve then turned around to look upon the people gathered to hear my words. I did what I could to hide my shock. The size alone of the great hall astounded me, I was not truly able to appreciate it until I stood on the steps, it was easily larger than five football fields put together, with ceilings that were hundreds of feet tall and spectacular columns everywhere. I understood enough about acoustics to know that from where I stood, everyone in the grand marble and gold throne room would be able to hear my voice even if I were only to whisper. What a brilliant design, I could not help noting. What took me aback was how many gods stood within the grand room, hundreds of thousands. It was a good thing I was not afraid of speaking in public, although I doubted anything could scare me after losing the god I love. Every eye in the throne room was on me, waiting for me to speak. "Greetings." I said to them. "As our great king has said, I am Mera Vandenberg. Some of you I have met, while others I have not yet had the honor." I said to them, giving them what smile I could. I noticed then that Kallisto and Aaron were in the front of the crowd watching me and holding hands. I smiled to them before continuing. "Ariston is out there and I am going to find him, but he is not the only one missing. I know that many of you have lost your sons, your daughters, your mothers and fathers, your uncles and aunts and so on. I know that you want to find them every bit as much as I want to find my Ariston. I know he is alive, I cannot explain how but I know this to be true. What I ask of you is to join me in my search." The great hall was silent, much to my dismay, and I shook my head. I did not know what I expected, but it most certainly was not silence. I knew that so many of these beings understood what I was going through, so many have been lost, yet they remained silent. It made no sense to me and suddenly nothing made sense to me. One thought led to another, and then to another, so many questions floating around within my mind and so few answers. I was so lost in this mess of jumbled thoughts that I began asking the questions out loud for a reason I myself could not understand. "I do not understand." I said to them, looking at their faces. "It was Edmund Burke who said 'evil can only thrive when good men do nothing.' How can you sit here while the mortals suffer? While the ones you love the most are taken from you? It was only because of a promise I made that I have not yet left to search for the god I love. But this this is about so much more than a search for the missing. I am the first to admit that my knowledge of godly doings is somewhat limited, but how can you allow such evils and atrocities to happen underneath your very noses? Ennina has told me that the Nameless one wants to turn the mortals against each other so that they will wipe their own race off the face of the Earth, how long will it be before he is trying to turn us against one another? Or is he doing so already?" The more I spoke, the more I understood what had to be done. "Now is not the time for petty squabbles, not with the Worlds at stake. We should be putting aside our differences, uniting under a single worthy cause." I said to them. "What

more worthy a cause than protecting the innocent? Then fighting to rid the Worlds of the Nameless One and get revenge for those that have been hurt and tortured and murdered by that villain and his minions?" I asked looking at the beings before me. "I say it is past time that we stop playing it safe and take the fight to them! You are gods, you have the power and skills to win this war. Let us make the Nameless One shake in his boots. Let him fear our coming, for he will know it be his end." I could see so many gods nodding their agreements. "We are barely holding onto peace as is it, fighting them would be a fool hearty move." Someone in the crowd yelled and I heard many mummers of agreement to his words. "Peace?" The word twisted in my mouth as my voice rose. "Peace! You call this peace? Have you even taken a look at the world and how the mortals suffer? Look at Africa, at the billions of people dying of hunger or put into slavery. Or the young girls selling their bodies because they have no other way to eat. Or the countless human beings that are murdered on a daily basis because of the blood thirsty, power grabbing warlords, and yet what I have just said just barely begins to scratch the surface of what is going on down there. And you have the insolence to tell me that we live in peace when the mortals and the world are crumbing, decaying all around us, just like the Nameless One wants." I could not contain my upset, my outrage any longer. Some of the gods in the hall agreed with my statement. "You are just a Descendant, what do you know of what we do?" The same voice as before called out and I heard more mummers of agreement. "Obviously far more than you, if you cannot see that we are at war!" I stated, to that he had no reply. I was angry, furious. Losing Ariston had obviously destroyed my sanity and robbed me of my senses, but it was too late to turn back now, I had to voice the words that were on my mind. "The ones we love are being kidnapped, taken away from us for god knows what purpose. How many of you refuse to leave the safety of Olympus for fear of being taken?" I asked, looking at the faces around me, my passion and protective instincts taking over like they never had before. "We cannot go on like this, we need to find out where the Shadows are and decimate as many as we can get our hands on. We need to put order into the world before it is too late. "Many of you know this, some of you many not, but I am not only a Descendant of the Twelve, but of Pandora as well. I have her gift within me and I will use it against the Shadows, and I ask you to stand behind me in this. For your husbands and your wife's, for your brothers and sisters, for your children and your children's children! For everything that you love and hold dear! I say, in their names, we Fight!" I yelled, my arms flying up. To my great amazement, the great hall was suddenly erupted with thunderous applause from hundreds of thousands of gods, Descendants and other beings. It was one of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard. I also heard chants of "Mera, Mera, Mera."

While others yelled "Daughter of Pandora!" I smiled, truly astounded that I was able to bring forth such a response from so many. Many came up to me after my speech, telling me how grateful they were to know that someone thought as they did and that they would gladly join me and follow me in this. After speaking to many of them, Ennina and Cronus came up to me. "When I said to rally the gods," Ennina began. "I did not expect you to start the war." "Is that what I just did?" I asked, not fully realizing my actions until now. All I did was speak my mind, to speak what was within my heart. Ennina nodded yes to my question. "Are you angry?" I asked, she shook her head and her smile grew. "No, not at all. I have been trying to put this into motion for centuries." Ennina said. "This needs to happen, we cannot stay in this limbo, not in war but not in peace. My people cannot live in fear, I will not allow it." Ennina kissed my cheeks. "Thank you. Ariston would be proud." I nodded. "Well said Mera." I heard Zeus's voice and I turned and curtsied to him. "Thank you my king." I said. "You must go to the other homes of the gods." Zeus said with a smile. "If you can get this kind of response from them as well, then we will have a real chance at winning this war." "Come." Ennina said, placing her hand on my shoulder, a moment later I was standing in my living room. "Pack only what you need, I will come for you in an hour." She told me. "Where do we go next?" I asked her. "Asgard," Ennina said. "Home of the Norse Gods. I am sure we can get help from Thor, their king." I nodded and she disappeared in golden light. I went upstairs to Ariston and I's bedroom. I found a blue silk satchel that would be large enough and looked for what I would want to bring with me. I placed my iPhone that was a gift from Ariston in the satchel along with my iPad. I found the stack of photos that Kallisto took of Ariston and I at the surprise birthday party he threw for me. A few tears ran down my cheeks as I smiled and went through the photos, some of which were already in frames throughout our home. "I will find you my love." I said out loud, stroking a photo of him before putting the stack in the satchel. I took a deep breath before entering Ariston's closet, I wanted to bring a few things of his with me. My heart was stuttering as I looked around at his things. I smelled his clothing,

hoping, just hoping that by some miracle they would smell like him, but they did not, the nymphs had cleaned each and every item. I took two of his shirts, one that was the same blue as his eyes and the other a blue pinstriped button down that I knew to be the same shirt that I put on the morning after we made love for the first time. After putting his shirts in the satchel, I went over to his watches, tiepins and cufflinks, he has quite a selection. I took a watch made of adamantine with a few small sapphires set into the face. I remembered him wearing it from time to time, I slid it on my wrist, it was too big but it reminded me of him and so I decided to resize it so that I could wear it. I was about to walk back out when I noticed a piece of clothing in Ariston's laundry hamper, I walked over to it to find that it was one of his shirts. I picked up the white button down and hesitantly brought it up to my nose and sniffed, tears of joy rolled down my cheeks as I smelled Ariston's mint and vanilla scent still lingering heavily on it. I held the garment close and kissed it then tucked it safely away in my blue silk satchel. I did not know if it was a mistake or if the nymphs left that one shirt there purposefully, so that I would still have his scent, all I knew was that I was unfathomably grateful. I wiped the tears off my cheeks and walked back into Ariston and I's bedroom, only to find Kallisto sitting on the edge of the blue velvet divan by the fireplace. She looked up from her hands and met my eyes, for some reason I could not understand, I saw a kind of guilt in her eyes. "I am sorry." Kallisto said, her voice barely a whisper. She looked like she had been crying. I was surprised Aaron was not with her, he rarely ever leaves her side. "For what?" I asked as I went and sat down next to her. "I did not know how hard this was for you, my father being gone I mean." Kallisto said. "You always seemed so strong that I thought you had found a way to get through this. I should have known how much you were hurting" So that is why she feels guilty, I realized. I smiled to her, I always seem to be able to muster up a smile for her no matter how I am hurting. "I am fine Kallisto, I do not want you to worry about me." I told her. "Why are you lying to me?" She asked. "Really, I am fine." I told her again with a smile. "No, you are not, and neither am I." Kallisto said, a tear rolling down her cheek. "I am sorry I have not been here for you, I did not know how hard this was for you" She apologized.

"It is not your fault," I told her as I wiped her tear away. "Please, do not blame yourself, I am not your responsibility." "Mera, you are the closest thing I have to a mother." Kallisto told me while looking into my eyes and I knew that she felt the bond I felt towards her. "I love you. Let me help you however I can." "You are your father's daughter." I told her and we shared a sad smile. "We will find him." She said with the same determination I felt. "I know." I told her, placing my hands on hers. I gave her hands a squeeze and got up and went to get a few more things I wanted to pack. I kept thinking of the dream I had while I slept for those four days, it was too hazy to remember it clearly. All I could remember of the dream was the cold, and the howling of the wind, and a voice a voice calling me in closer I shook my head, wishing I could remember more.