Screw you Lady Hera and especially her husband for just assuming this was a forced marriage. Sure Lady Hera has reason to prod any couple. But her husband can shove it if his reason is Andy's mom didn't marry him. But Ismene-Eirene sure told them.
"Well, I am glad to have cleared that up for you, Lady Hera." I nodded. I was starting to understand why Andy doesn't always get along with others in the council. If they are all like Lady Hera when it comes to him, I may have some difficulties myself. And not just the council. I can tell that Lord Gaios also holds something against him. I'm curious to know what, other than what many Olympians have against him, caused Gaios to dislike him. But if other spouses are like Gaios, those luncheons may not happen. "Now that she has answered your question. Your decision?" Andy questioned. I could tell he was doing his best to keep a civil tone. "As she enters this marriage freely, I have no reason to decline. You have my blessing. Just keep me informed when you have chosen a date. As a council member, it is my honor and duty to perform your ceremony, Lord Ares." she said. "Thank you. We will notify you when a date has been set. Good day, Lady Hera. Goodbye, Lord Gaios." Andy said, wrapping
It didn’t take me long to plan the trip to the Underworld. She may not have said it, but I knew Ismene-Eirene was nervous about this trip. I can’t blame her. She’s met various council members, but Hades isn’t part of the council. He’s something entirely different. I think Hades may be more feared in Olympus than I am, and I’m the one prophesied to destroy it. Hades should be more feared. Hades is the living embodiment of death. A Hades is the ferryman to whatever lies beyond life. It’s only natural to fear death. Death is inevitable, and all of us shall greet Hades someday. My prophesized destruction is only that, a prophesy. There is no guarantee that the prophecy will happen so that a glimmer of hope of salvation still exists. Knowing she was about to meet the God that stands between the living and the dead was enough to make any nervous. But there was the added pressure of meeting a daughter of The Zeus. I’ve never met Lady Persephone, so I know her only through what I’m told. I t
“It is a new era in Ares House, and my people need to come to terms with that change. I... we...” I said, correcting myself as I glanced at Ismene-Eirene. Ismene-Eirene smiled at my correction to include her. She is Lady of Ares, and I want her to know that it isn’t an empty or frivolous title. She has power and will be able to wield it. I want her to know she is as much a part of the House and the decisions made as I am. I know I’ve fallen for her in my heart, and I refuse to treat the woman I love as anything less than an equal. I don’t want to treat her like Eugenius treated Kyltië or my father treated my mother and any of his wives. After all, she is going to be my wife. We are friends, and I would respect her input. And beyond that, we are friends. “Can only hope they will see that these changes are for the better,” I explained. “I have one last thing,” I said as I reached into a pouch and pulled out an item wrapped in fabric. Pulling back the fabric, I offered a golden baby
I'd enjoyed our trip, short as it was, to the Underworld. Androkles was so attentive during our time there. But that was something I should have expected. We were in an unfamiliar place, so even with Alexis, I wouldn't know where things were. Lady Persephone and Lord Hades were gracious hosts and showed us around their immediate property. I wished I had sight when Lord Hades offered to let Androkles hold Lady Chara. She was, of course, adequately swaddled to ensure no skin contact would be made. Rea whispered to me the details of the sight. Of my tall, broad-shouldered, muscular fiancé cradling the tiny, bundled infant with such care and a look of worry and possibly fear as he did. Andy later confessed he was afraid, not that he would die from perhaps touching her but that he would hurt her or drop her. It was rather sweet that his worry was never for himself but for her. This made me wonder how he will be when or if we start a family. If his behavior towards Lady Chara indicates, h
“Yes, many things can change how someone sounds. When we went to see Lord Hades and Lady Persephone, the Olympians and daemons had a different tone in their voices.” I agreed. “Dio was rather sparse on the details about you two, other than the wedding is soon,” Cassatt said. “Yes, tell us more about the two of you. Of how you got to the point of marriage.” Aigialeus encouraged starting to eat. “It isn’t all that exciting a story,” I said. “It isn’t all that thrilling.” Andy agreed, wanting to downplay our meeting like I was. “I’m from one of the Eastern villages. I met Androkles when a chimera attacked, and he found me in the debris. The chimera had been spotted a few times before. So, we were lucky it waited to attack.” I smiled softly. It was strange to look back on that day and be able to smile, but I can do that because of Andy. “Though he introduced himself as Andy,” I explained. “He saved my life when he decided to bring me to the Apollo tents. He caused quite a scare.” “
I still can’t believe Diokles brought our brother and his wife here from the mortal realm to attend the wedding. It was certainly interesting to meet him. And jarring. I don’t think I was prepared for how much we look alike, how much he looks like our father. But at least he looks different enough from our father not to be unsettling. I was grateful to Ismene-Eirene for taking Diokles away with her. Though I’m on the fence about how good of an idea it was for him to leave. With him here, he acted as the middle ground. He’s the one that knows both of us. So, in that way, it would offer us both some stability. Yet if he were here, I’d probably feel under observation and not truly get to know our brother. “I love our brother, but he can be a bit much sometimes. Especially when he’s excited.” Aigialeus chuckled after they had left. “Um, yes. I would have to agree with that. Dio is an… acquired taste, especially among Olympians.” I nodded. “But he’s a good kid. You both are.” he smiled,
It was different hosting my brother and his wife as guests in my House. All the staff could sense it. They were each a bit unnerved at first, given how much my brother looked like me, like our father. But they relaxed when they were told he wasn't Nikos.I still don't know what Ismene-Eirene took Cassatt to do, well beyond visiting her parents, but they seemed to have bonded. Which is good as soon they will be family. Even if this will probably be the only time we see them, I'm glad we had the chance. It made me happy to see how well Ismene-Eirene got along with Cassatt and my brother."You seem… happier today," Ismene-Eirene commented as I walked her to her room."I do?" I asked, furrowing my brow.
I knew my grandmother enjoyed jewelry. But the reasons for her buying it were lost with her. I stood there, wishing I could see his face to see if the gift was good or bad. I tilted my head a little when he didn't know what to say. Was that a good or bad thing? Maybe this wasn't the broach that was his, only one similar. Would that be worse? But then I had my answer. I was suddenly on his lap, getting comfortable. But then his arms moved around me, and I felt him take shelter in the curve of my neck. "Andy..." I said softly. Has he ever hugged me before? In return, yes. But has he ever reached out to me? I couldn't remember right now. It didn't matter. What matters is that right now, he initiated this contact. This may be the closest and most intimate we've been, but I like it and am not about to run from it. I ran my hand through his short hair before holding my arms around him. "You're welcome, Andy," I whispered as I leaned my head into his, holding him and running my hand thro