Cain covered me like a blanket; his legs fenced me in with his chest firmly behind me as we sat to the side on the stairs. His arms folded over my stomach as he leaned over me, his head on my shoulder. From here, his body is blocking Deimos and we're on the other side of the hall which makes me feel bad for avoiding what is easily one of many elephants in the room right now. I'm pretty sure that's why he had put us here, and while the tears had stopped, the hurt remained.

"This was a timed strike. They gave us enough space to think about what happened on the mountain, and not enough time to prepare for next time. The fact they had the shield was not a coincidence." Cain seemed to think outlook, and shifting slightly to look at him he continued. "They know who we all are, the mountains were just a test to see exactly what they were up against, and since their powers alone were not enough to stop all of us for long, they found something that would. How did you do it?"

His foot nudged the shield that remained beside us. No one else would touch, or be willing to risk looking at it but thanks to my apparent immunity Kara put me in charge of it.

"I wouldn't have known if you hadn't taken me to Chrysaor."

"Did Medusa tell you something?" He didn't sound suspicious, just curious.

"She told both of us when I brought up the turn to stone thing. We weren't a threat to her, so she never had to add us to her collection." I sighed. "Thankfully that little hunch paid off, otherwise I hope you would have found a nice spot in the garden for me."

"We'd been on the attack, so its instinct was to defend itself."

"Pretty much. I kept my sword away and tried not to think murderous thoughts. You really think I wanted to get up close and chatty with those things like that?" He kissed my cheek.

"Sometimes it's hard to tell. You were amazing."

"It wasn't enough."

"We survived thanks to you, and we hurt them. I'd be surprised if we saw all three again."

I leaned into him, wanting nothing more than to just close my eyes and take a nap, but instead, Kara's voice was getting louder and louder. The regrouping of the Powers was always going to be a headache, I didn't think it would turn into an actual one, but here we were.

"Why are we even listening to you? If not for the girl, and the return of our King, our losses would be far greater!" Ares roared back at her, and Cain tensed, shifting his position slightly as if to shield me even more from the reality away from our little space together.

"He is not our King," Apollo super helpfully argued as he stood, slamming his hand down onto the table. "How did he even get out of the Underworld?"

All eyes turned to Hades who just sat there looking bored. It was something I also wanted to know that we hadn't got around to talking about yet, and right now I wasn't sure where Apollo was going with this.

"I dared him to try. I haven't made any offers like that since Orpheus, and we know how that turned out," Hades shrugged, as Artemis made a sad 'oh' sound at the mention. "I owe no explanations. Do any of you question or challenge my authority and the decisions I make for my kingdom?"

There was a big emphasis put on the word my kingdom, and the sudden chill in the room which followed had Apollo sitting back down quietly. Even Ares avoided looking at Hades now.

"An oath was made on the river Styx," Kara said, calmer now and I didn't get the importance of that but they all seemed to look our way and nod. "The days of the Dark King have ended. I owe him my life, and to clear the debt, I accept his return. If Hades deemed it to be so while keeping the balance of our two worlds in check, there is no further discussion required."

"I also assure you our allegiance remains despite recent events," Frigg asked, looking way to calm at the other end of the table. Maybe having two guards positioned on either side of her chair made her feel safe. "Moving forward, what do you propose we do? They showed us today that they can strike anywhere, anytime. There was no warning."

No one said anything, and I noticed Kara seemed to wilt at the question. Her shoulders slumped as she rested her head on her hand, picking up her goblet she swirled her wine around and around before taking a sip.

"I honestly don't know." Her voice broke ever so slightly before she gave a little cough to hide it. "We brought ourselves time, they will be back."

"We? They brought us time." Athena pointed towards us.

"Elise always has something to say," Artemis added a little too hopefully.

"And seems to solve our troubles. She was the intended queen," Ares interrupted. "Though is it not you, they want?"

"Indeed it was." Frigg answers. "Come child, let us hear what you have to say."

I looked at Kara who just shrugged, and reluctantly I left my spot on the stairs. All eyes were set on me as I went to stand beside her, ignoring the empty chair between Hades and Artemis as I knew who would be sitting there if things had been different.

"What did you do to incur their wrath?" Ares asked, his tone less aggressive with me than it had been with Kara.

"Have you met her?" Hermes questioned him.

"Shut up, Hermes." I rolled my eyes, as he pulled a face back which had Artemis slapping his arm. "I don't know why they're after me. Someone woke them up and made me their first point of call."

"Who would do that?" Aphrodite frowned.

"Perhaps a certain ex-King with a desire for vengeance?" Aphrodite's friend chose now to speak up from where he sat between her and Frigg. "It would be a perfect crime, and despite coming to help, did they not also get away?"

I stare at this idiot trying to understand what he just said. "I'm sorry, who even are you?"

"Bunny," Apollo warns, and as this over-opinionated power opens his mouth to answer me, I shake my head.

"On second thought, I don't know or care."

"Excuse me?" He stands, clearly offended and I wish I could bring myself to care, but the look Apollo was giving me made me wonder if I should.

"Fine. You are very mistaken, random stranger." I forced a smile, which only brought a red glow to his cheeks. "I don't know who did it, so that can be a later problem. They're injured, we should be trying to find them or at least hope that death finds them first."

"She's from the mortal realm, Vidar," Aphrodite seems super eager to console this guy as she tugs on his arm to sit again, and I now remember he'd been with her through the whole fiasco; maybe it had been bring your boyfriend to work day.

Vidar seemed content to just glare at me the whole time, and trying to get a read on him he was definitely a Power. A strong one who apparently didn't seem eager to help us this afternoon. When Frigg also reached out to him, I had a feeling he wasn't of this land.

"Excuse his ignorance. It is clear the past King continues to harbour feelings for you, and you for him. We have all heard the tales of the God Killer and Fallen One." Frigg softly explains, sounding embarrassed as she glared at Vidar.

"If not that then, I would be concerned that two of the most powerful in your lands are together, again. Look at what happened last time, who is to say they didn't plan this to reclaim the throne? Look at how your nearest advisors turn against you for their sake. Kara, this is of great concern to me, and surely am I not the only one to question their motives." He carried on, ignoring Friggs looks of shut up which were very similar to the way Apollo was looking at me.

"You are definitely the only one," Hades muttered, as Apollo and Artemis nodded along.

"I also have a concern, Victor." I started, earning a groan from Apollo as he put his hand over his eyes. "I saw you while everything went on. Sure I'm new to this, but I can tell you aren't lacking in the Power department. What stopped you from helping your Queen, or ours? Now, whose motives should we be questioning?"

I felt dizzy again and leaned against Kara's chair to steady myself.

"I was under the Eryines influence, as all of us experienced. Except for you, so where were you before making your entrance." He stood again, pointing his finger at me which got under my skin. "Why are you not stone, witch."

He said witch like it was a bad thing, and I just gave a little shrug instead as I forced myself to stay focused on him. As if I was about to back down to this asshole right now.

"Why are you even still talking?"

"You see!" He roared, looking around for support that he wasn't going to get.

"That is enough!" Artemis snapped, "You are a guest here and all you do now is bring shame to your Queen."

"Sit down and be silent," Ares growled.

"It has been a big day, we are all tired and have suffered enough without your claims only causing us to suffer further." Artemis continued. "Nothing further will be resolved now."

"You're right." Kara sighed. "You are all dismissed. I will send a notice when we are to meet again."

She flicked her hand, a signal for everyone to go and one by one they disappeared. When it was only our people, Kara stood up as did Hades.

"Let's go somewhere more private." It wasn't a question and sure enough, we all reappeared in the castle in the mountain that was starting to feel more like a second home than anywhere else.

I do hesitate as we go into the sitting room, cautiously checking the surroundings as I know we all did after the disaster that nearly happened here thanks to Eris's friends. Everyone spread out yet stayed close, finding somewhere comfortable to sit or in Artemis case, lay down as she sprawled over the day bed.

"Any time I see that man, I just want to scratch his little beady eyes out," She huffed.

"Or my own. I walked in on him and Aphrodite getting friendly last week." Hermes shuddered at the memory, joining her on the end of the lounge.

Cain lets my hand go as we follow Hades in, and I walk straight over to Kara who stopped in the middle of the little circle looking completely lost. I grab her, surprising her for a heartbeat before she holds onto me just as ferociously as she falls apart. Her body trembles in my arms, before it shakes with each sob that escapes. There are no words, not now and even with our eyes closed, the tears still come until ever so slightly, her grip eases. We keep hold of each others hands, forehead to forehead as slowly it all gets put away. At least until we're alone and we don't have to keep hiding the pain before it consumes us completely.

"I'm going to fix it," I promise.

"You can't, not this." She sighs.

No one is looking at us as we're given as much privacy as the space allows. Artemis wipes her eyes as I look at her; the guys remain straight-faced with the air heavy with grief around us.

"Thank you." Kara squeezes my hands before letting go and takes an armchair between Artemis and Hades.

I turn to go to Cain, yet I don't know what happens as everything goes blurry and seems to tilt. My legs feel like jelly and the wave of exhaustion forces my eyes to close. I feel drunk, bad drunk, like when the room is spinning despite knowing you're laying down on the bed.

"Elle, Elise, wake up," Cain demands, and I brace myself for the rush of throwing up as I open my eyes and tilt to the side in preparation while praying he's holding my hair back only nothing happens. "What's wrong?"

Fuck. Everything was spinning and whoever was trying to heal injuries that I prayed didn't exist, was only making it worse.

"Stop." I force my eyes open again. "Stop."

"She's not hurt." Apollo sounds confused.

Slowly the dizziness eases and I'm on the floor with Cain behind me. I slowly look around, clueless as to what just happened as the rest stand a safe distance back from the pair fussing around me.

"I'm not hurt. I'm just, I was dizzy." I push against Cain to sit up and let out a deep breath and I pointed to his hands. "That didn't help."

"Sorry." He mumbled, the wrinkles on his forehead back and they brought friends. "Your energy feels really low. Have you eaten today? Drunk anything?"

Had I?

"It's been a bit of a hectic day, Mum." I put my hand out and he helps me up, yet I stumble back as soon I'm upright and bump into Cain.

"So, that's a no then." Cain doesn't sound impressed.

"I had breakfast, and that apple when we went for a walk." I remind Apollo.

"That was hours ago, and look at what's happened since! Training with Deimos hadn't been easy and then-"

"Training with Deimos?" Kara interrupted, her voice even more strained than it had been moments ago. "Elise, what were you thinking?"

"Great, now we're in trouble. What was rule number three?" I shoot Apollo a look. "Don't tell Kara!"

"Sit." Hades breaks up the moment and points to his chair. "Now."

Obediently I do as he says, and he lowers the plate that appeared in his hand towards me.

"Eat. Slowly or you will throw up." I look at the biscuits, cheese and fruits on the plate. "Apollo is right, your energy is low. Start with this and I'll arrange a dinner downstairs for all of us."

In the next second, we all have a glass of wine in our hands and sniffing mine I am extremely disappointed that after this day, I am served juice. Hades raised his glass, and we all do the same.

"To Deimos." He declares.

"To Deimos." We all say together and drink.

Hades looks at me expectantly and I pull my legs up underneath me, extremely impressed with how comfortable this chair actually was. I hold up a biscuit for him to see and take a bite; it's like eating chalk and I force the rest of it down, then some grapes. Sure enough, my stomach reacts and I struggle to keep it down. Once the feeling passes, I keep going as Cain perches on the armrest and looks down at me.

"I know! I'll be more mindful next time I'm in a battle, and pack a protein bar or something if I'm going to be busy fighting crazy bitches during lunch." I pout.

"Good, and if you don't, I will."

"Why are you giving her special treatment and snacks?" Hermes suddenly asks, looking between me and Hades. "What is going on?"

"Shit." I cringe.

I'd only seen Hermes once since coming here, and it hadn't exactly come up in that minute-long bitch fest about who wore aviator sunglasses better. I did of course, but he hadn't stuck around long enough for me to throw in the p-word. At least Cain being stuck in the Underworld gave him an excuse.

Hermes looked around at what was suddenly a room full of guilty faces before his went slightly paler than normal. "Is she, is she sick? Dying?"

"Would you care if I was?" I couldn't stop myself and I saw the flicker of doubt before he narrowed his eyes.

"Only because being around this lot if you were to die would be torture in itself, never mind the peace of not having to deal with you anymore." He quickly got out, sounding rather put off by the very thought of it. "You're not dying?"

"She's pregnant," Cain answered simply.

Hermes looked at Cain, and then at everyone else before suddenly he started laughing. It was different to the nervous excitement that had come from Hades at the news; he didn't believe it and was waiting for the joke to end.

"I almost thought you were serious, because well, it's you Cain. Had Art have said it, that wouldn't have even happened." He laughed again. "No really, what's going on?"

"She is," Apollo confirmed dryly, and as Hermes looked back at me, the shock started to appear as he really thought it over.

"No?" He gasped.

"Yes." I nodded as Artemis went to stand beside him.

"I'm sorry, I should have told you when we went out this morning." Artemis frowned. "It just wasn't my news to share."

"You're getting quite good at sharing the news. Whatever you decide to do with my parents, I am a-okay with it." I tell Cain as Hermes just stands there.

"And you're okay with this?" He asks Apollo.

He doesn't answer right away and looks everywhere other than at us. "I am trying to be."

"And you are the sire?" Hermes asks Cain cautiously, turning slightly to look at Hades, then at me.

"Seriously?" I snap, throwing a grape at him.

"Told you!" Artemis sings out.

"I'm not sure how I feel about this." He sits on the day bed, looking like we've just told him his puppy died. "A baby? It'll upset the group dynamics. Just wait. Look at how Hades was when-"

Hermes stopped talking, and Hades didn't seem bothered as he shrugged. "Why would I expose them to this world? Mine was better."

"And you wouldn't have had to endure Art's need for gossip as she spread rumours about their lineage," Apollo added.

"That child of Hera's was not by Zeus," Artemis answered, offended he'd even bring it up. "And what happened to Prometheus was far too brutal for such a petty crime against him. Everyone thought she was so loyal and loving to that brute when she was the cruellest of us all."

"If this is not a joke at my expense, I will admit I am neither happy nor am I sad at the news."

"That's very neutral of you, Hermes." Apollo rolled his eyes.

"Let us meet this child before making judgments." He decided. "What I most want to know now is, how did you face the shield the Furies had? Did you find a way to cover your eyes?"

"Did you demons protect you?" Apollo wonders. "Like, a snake thing?"

"I can answer this one!" Artemis gets up, clearly excited as she motions for us all to come closer. "She is protected by Medusa!"

Apollo laughed. "No really, how did you do it?"

"It's kind of true," Kara added. "Is it because of your sword?"

"Sword? We know Medusa is more myth than truth. The shield is said to be cursed of her power, not that it was her power, and what sword?" Apollo looked at Hermes who shrugged, and then at Hades whose, eyes widened in surprise as he turned to Cain.

"You took her to Chrysaor's lair." Hades sounded impressed.

"Elise gave her weapon to Kara, and she needed a new one," Cain smirked. "Where else could I take her?"

"Not Rumpels," Kara mumbled, hiding her mouth with her glass.

"You know where it is?" Apollo shouted. "For years I searched, you know I did!"

Cain gave Apollo nothing. "And?"

"No, they went deeper than that." Artemis seemed happy to drive her twin mad, as he half groaned, half screamed as though he was being strangled. "They met the Gorgon sisters, passed Medusa's tests and got a grand tour from the goddess herself."

"She is no goddess, she is a monster!" Hermes snapped.

"Only because you, and those like you, made her like that." I defend. "Actually, you all made her something else. Something more."

I held my sword up for them to see, and one by one they inspected it as Artemis, with corrections from me and Cain, told everyone what I had told her.

"Of course you took her to the place I nearly went mad searching for and what else would happen other than her befriending such a creature as if it was any other Tuesday." Apollo looked like he need a minute, and more wine by the time we'd finished, and with dinner now over, we all sat back feeling full and tired.

"I think it was a Friday." I smile as he looks as though he may very well kill me.

"Apologies." He huffed.

"With Hecate gone and with us surviving, I guess the next thing to do would be to find her. Any ideas on where that might be?" I yawn.

"As you say, that's a tomorrow problem." Hades decided. "We all earned our rest tonight."

"I may ask Frigg," Kara thought out loud. "Her being there may have been a sign. Working to stop them brought peace to all the lands once, maybe it will again and maybe she can help with this?"

"I don't know," I admitted, unsure if I should say what I felt since Kara seemed to be a one-woman cheer team for the North Queen. "If you have to do it, maybe not with that, Vader around?"

"It's Vidar and he's not normally like that." Kara defended, the caution in her tone clear. "Frigg trusts him, he's been with her since she made her claim."

"Freyja and Freyr were friends of his," Cain explains as he comes stands. "Very good friends."

"Well, this just got a lot more awkward." Hermes sat back in his chair.

"I don't see why that's important?" Kara frowned.

Artemis opened her mouth instantly looking furious and Apollo shook his head. "We've never gotten along with them. Possibly a twin a thing, but it was not helped by our last encounter where they had intended to capture Elise and give her to Odin as a present."

"Those barbarians stalked you both for days and dared to act as if we were all friends!" Artemis growled. "You are probably the only good thing to come from that place."

That was a fairly big compliment Artemis just gave Kara and I saw the way it made Kara perk up a little bit. I also saw the second she processed the first part of what Apollo had said.

"They did what?"

"Tried." I point out. "I got their intentions out of Freyr pretty easily with a bit of flirting and a few too many beers."

"She sent them back to this realm as the present in her place," Cain continued and understanding passed on Kara's face. "And when I was finished with them, I sent them back to Odin."

"Oh."

"So that explains why he hates us," I yawn again, unable to hide it.

"I'll talk to Frigg, he may be one worth watching." Kara suddenly yawns too, and Cain's hand appears beside me.

"And on that note, good night all." I link my fingers with his and reach over to hug Kara again before we disappear.

I was wrong, this place felt like a second home and standing in front of the wall of water, I rested my head on my shoulder as Cain stood behind me. His kisses were light across my exposed neck, a rush of goosebumps breaking out all over as he lingered at that oh so sensitive spot. I turned to face him, enjoying the taste of wine on his tongue as I wrapped myself around him.

We got lost in the bedsheets, and I didn't want to ever be found. Each worry was kissed away, as the heat from his body found a way to warm every inch of me. It felt like weeks since I had had his hands on me and I just as eagerly become reacquainted with all of him until eventually, we just lay there waiting for sleep.

"I don't want to ruin the moment, but Apollo told me something earlier." There was a hint of hesitation in his eyes as I looked up at him, but as I smiled, he relaxed. "He checked me over when you guys chased after the Furies, I kind of fainted then too, but he said we were both okay. He felt two heartbeats."

Cain sat up, his eyebrows dipping together as he looked down at me.

"He did?" I nod, my smile vanishing as his mouth reclaimed mine. "I never felt anything when I helped your morning sickness. I didn't really look either, it never occurred to me. Could I?"

I nod again and hold my breath as I feel the tingles. I shiver as it spreads down my back, and across my chest and his hand flies up as he looks down at my stomach in complete fascination before his hand and then to me.

"I could sense it. It's so fast, and faint, but it's there. Blueberry is there."

We settle back together, the silence filled with unspoken fears and relief. I'm exhausted, and as Cain sleeps my mind hasn't switched off. Not yet, and I slip away, watching as he rolls over to hug my pillow; but he doesn't wake up. I get dressed and go to the throne room, not surprised to see Kara sitting sideways in her chair, a glass of wine resting on her stomach as she stares at Deimos.

"It's always messy when you get involved with our kind." She greets, her words a little slurred, as she glances my way. "You're glowing."

"Blueberry has a heartbeat," I tell her, and the sadness leaves her face for a second. "He can sense it, doing that healing thing."

"I needed the good news, thank you." Kara smiles, looking at my stomach. "You too little guy."

I sit beside her on the floor and rest against the chair as she now balances her wine glass on the top of my head.

"Do I put him outside? Leave him here? I think he'd hate anywhere that's too sunny."

"No sun." I agree before getting an idea. "What if Cain and Apollo do their healing thing on him?"

"No, go, already asked Apollo. He needs a living body."

"What if he is on the inside?" It couldn't hurt to try, right?

"Tried, that's how I know he needs a living body." She took a long gulp, the glass refilling as she sat it back on my head. "We don't know enough about it to even know where to begin."

"We don't, but Medusa would." I turn to face her and I already know her answer.

"No. You can't go back there, not after last time! I forbid it." Kara didn't hide her authority, and it was unfortunate I'd never been one to listen. "Elise, no."

"It could bring him back!"

"And if it doesn't? Are you willing to risk your life, Blueberry's life on it?"

"Yes, because I have this." I hold the shield in my hands and she cringes as she looks at it, before slowly relaxing. "We make a trade. This is going to be pretty darn priceless to her, I know it."

I thought of the man that the others had been arranged around, the one who had hurt her the most and looked down onto the face of it feeling hopeful.

"I won't let you do it," Kara argued.

"I wasn't asking for permission, Queenie." I look over at Deimos. "If there's a chance we could save him, don't you want to take it?"

Kara hesitated. "It's not that simple. Cain would never allow you to go."

"I'm only hearing excuses." I put the shield away. "And besides, did you ever tell him how you feel?"

"Yes actually, about five minutes before you showed up. I made it very clear, I missed my friend." She looked back at him. "My very, dear friend. Who I care a lot about."

"Right, well you can work on that little speech while I work on bringing him back" I decide, standing up. "You can even yell at him for training with me."

I know she's on board with it as she stops arguing and instead looks deep in thought. I kiss my hand and whack it onto her forehead, only just before I go she stopped me.

"But what if there is no bringing him back, and this doesn't work?" Her eyes are filled with fresh tears and I can hear the fear in her voice.

"We have to try, because what if it does?"

And it was the only outcome I was willing to accept.

______________________

I just want to write chapters and chapters of Elise and Cain being cute together 

Slightly slower pace, but I think after the last two chapters we needed a breather! 

As always, thanks for reading x