'Has life gotten the best of you?'

Overcast White Clouds

"Well, well, well..." Trita's loud voice echoed through the sunny lounge as her hand hovered over a stack of freshly made pancakes. "Late night?"

I shot her a look to shut her up, but it seemingly only fuelled her on. "Please, grace us with your presence..."

My arm was latched onto Thanatos' and I was moving very slowly towards the breakfast table where everyone sat, waiting for us to arrive. I could barely walk. My legs were still numb, as if no blood had had any time to move downwards before sun-up. The pain between my thighs was immense, but undeniably memorable in the best possible way.

Thanatos certainly made sure that my every need was filled; to the point where it couldn't anymore.

"Good morning." The bright smile on his face covered his exhaustion that was stacked up from five weeks of no sleep. Not like last night offered any relief either; and not that he minded at all.

Hypnos was sipping at his black coffee while pulling a mug closer for his twin. He placed his cup down revealing a knowing smirk; "Clearly..."

I felt my blush explode onto my face. I just hope they don't notice the fact that I can't walk properly. It wouldn't be too hard to explain why and that's precisely the reason why I'd die of humiliation.

Barrios passed Sonya the plate of butter and nodded his head up at his superior; "Sleep well?"

Everyone in the room, except for Barrios who was genuinely curious as to his master's health, snickered softly into their plates and cups. I rolled my eyes, but Thanatos didn't bother hiding the facts; "Not even slightly." And he looked sincerely giddy with delight at the thought.

Carefully, Thanatos placed me down onto the chair and pushed it in for me. He took his seat in between me and Hypnos, who sat at the head of the table. Trita sat next to him, her eyes constantly trying to sneak a glance at the lighter-haired twin.

I smiled at Sonya as the brothers, Trita and Barrios started catching up; their voices loud and excited. "How did you sleep?"

Sonya blushed; "Well..." She cleared her throat and checked to see if Barrios was looking, but he was too busy laughing at Thanatos describing what Sybaris' terrified face had looked like. "I slept with him."

"What?" I whispered fiercely, my eyes widening, but Sonya was quick to hush me. "No! No, not like that! We just slept in the same bed. Nothing like that happened..."

I nodded; "Oh, sorry, I just assumed-"

"No, no..." Sonya laughed nervously; "Not yet. I don't think. I still want to know more about him and this whole reaper thing. And our future together before... that."

"That's a wise decision." I nodded and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Sonya smiled back with warmth. "So what did happen, if not that?" I asked with a raised brow and a wide grin.

The platinum blonde blushed; "We kissed, cuddled... The usual."

"Ah-huh..." I smirked and let the word hang as I poured myself a cup of hot tea. Sonya rolled her eyes, but her smile definitely teased something more.

I shifted my eyes to Hypnos and Trita. They were laughing at something Barrios had said, but I noticed that both their hands closest to the other were under the table. Could they be holding hands? "What about Miss Meddle and Sir Sleeps-a-lot?"

Sonya chuckled; "Oh, they were up most of the night talking about music and art. I think they fell asleep in front of the fire around three or four. Cuddling."

"Cuddling?" I giggled.

Sonya nodded and wiggled her eyebrows. I couldn't help the wide grin that spread across my face as I watched them all. Everyone looked so happy together. Even Thanatos looked right at home; his cup of steaming black coffee in his hand as he leaned back in his high chair, watching his twin speak.

They were family.

Samaria was family...

The thought came crashing in, like an uninvited guest. I clutched my cup tighter and tried to ignore the burning sensation of my magic eating at my peace. Not today. Today we celebrate that we're all together again; and safe.

"I'm sure I don't have to ask you how your night was..." Sonya giggled and passed me the pot of jam. I blushed and looked down at my plate of pancakes. With Trita it was easy to talk to about stuff like this, but with Sonya I always felt more reserved. But she was a woman now, just like me. She understood more than I gave her credit for.

"It was..." I glanced at the red-eyed devil next to me, his cup against his plump lips. "Perfect."

"Are you still talking about the night?"

I shot Sonya a look; "What do you think?"

We laughed and muttered a few more things to each other, keeping our voices down. Hypnos was the first to bring us back to the main conversation at the table.

"So, we should probably get to the real stuff..."

The rest of us quieted down, our happy mood replaced with thoughtful nods. We were still in a war-zone. I immediately thought of the key pendant I'd found; it was locked away in the cabinet in the room. Thanatos was probably going to kill me if he found out how I'd gotten my hands on it, but it's better that I told him than have Apollo blab it out at some point.

"Sybaris is killed." Thanatos said confidently; "That's one problem solved."

"We spoke to Apollo before we rushed here last night. He's informed us on everything that's happened." Hypnos said as he refilled his coffee.

"Including about your little trip..." Thanatos shot me a glare.

I sighed; "Snitch." So much for easing him into it. Dammit, Apollo...

"Aurora, we've been through this-"

"Oh, relax. I had Trimorphe with me." I shot him a look and pressed my hands to the table to stand up, but quickly remembered that I couldn't really walk all that well to fetch the key, so I remained seated; "I didn't do it for naught either. I found something. It's a necklace, with a key pendant on it and Hecate's symbol. It belonged to her and I have a feeling it will lead us to the sickle. Ares must have stored it away."

Thanatos gritted his teeth; "Did you have any interference?"

Trita and Sonya shared a nervous look. Thanatos immediately picked it up and pressed me; "Aurora?"

"Slight interference. Nothing Trimorphe or I couldn't handle."

"Define slight."

I licked my lips; "Well, the fortress was being guarded by- Hey, where's Trimorphe anyway?" I asked quickly to change the subject.

Barrios fell for it easily; "Oh, she's with Shadow. They're outside playing in the garden."

"Awh! They must've missed-"

"Aurora." Thanatos' glare was still fixed on my face; "The fortress was being guarded by...?"

I gulped. "A minotaur."

Hypnos had to clamp a hand down onto Thanatos' shoulder to keep him seated. The god of death was leaning into me like a tall, ominous building; his blood eyes blazing with anger. "My ears must be clogged, because I thought I just heard you say- Minotaur?"

I swallowed again; "Yes?"

Thanatos' jaw snapped shut with a clang. If he were human, his teeth might have chipped a bit.

"Thanatos, it doesn't matter; she's fine and we have an important piece of-" Hypnos tried to reason with his brother, but Thanatos quickly cut him off with the mere lift of his hand.

The room quieted down.

Everyone watched with nervous eyes as Thanatos breathed in deeply, composing himself. He fixed the collar of his black shirt and elegantly lifted his black coffee to his lips. I waited for the storm, but it didn't come.

Instead, his voice was calm and controlled; "Fine."

"Fine?" I asked with slow-rising worry.

Thanatos nodded and shot me a small smile. It was terrifying; "Fine."

Oh, gods... He's going to- I don't know what he's going to do, but I'm nervous.

"Moving on..." Trita said tentatively from the side, her eyes on the land-mine of a god across from her. "You do know Aphrodite knows all about Ares, right?"

"Yes, we've been informed." Hypnos nodded, eager to move on before his brother had the chance to snap. "And you we have some news for you. Sybaris knew that the third traitor is a mage. A talented one."

My eyes widened, but suddenly so much made sense. How Hecate was being kept away from contacting me, how Ares had access to so much information and how he'd managed to stay undetected for so long. Of course only a mage could help with this foolhardy plan.

"That leaves the list of suspects significantly smaller, right?" Sonya asked from the end of the table.

Thanatos nodded; "Three names, in fact."

"Three? So little?" I asked with a hint of worry. I had the feeling none of us were going to like the names on that list.

Thanatos' eyes were sombre as he spoke; "Three people who have the magical abilities to be able to do all of this without fault."

"And they are...?" Trita asked the question we were all dreading to hear.

A beat of silence followed.

I readied my restless hands as they moved on my lap.

Thanatos said each name with delicate slowness, savouring the sound on his tongue; "Hades."

A beat followed.

"Alexus."

My heart stilled.

"Conrad."

No one moved.

I realised the suddenly, that whoever it was out of those three people, this war was going to hurt like a bitch.

"We need to discuss each of these people, in depth." Hypnos said as we regained our breaths.

I nodded with conviction; "All of them strikes against them. The fortress where Ares meets the traitor is close to Hades' palace. Hades was the first one in line for the throne after Zeus. Hades has you under his command; he could easily be feeding you false information to divert the investigation."

Thanatos nodded and continued my thought; "Alexus was in line to be a nominee for Hecate's position as goddess, she works closely with Hades' documents and correspondences and can easily infiltrate the information for Ares."

Hypnos finished off the line of suspects; "Conrad was another nominee for the position of Hecate's domain as Archmage. He has easy access to Aurora and Alexus both, he knows all the god's tidings and goings and..." The young god paused, a tremor in his voice; "He worked closely with Samaria."

"You know...?" I lifted my eyes to the twins. Their gazes were sad and full of empathy for my pain. I nodded and licked my lips.

"I'm so sorry, darling. Apollo told us before we got here." Thanatos wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me in for a tight hug. I kept my eyes up; afraid they might spill if I glanced down.

I shook my head and tried to keep my voice from giving me away. "No matter. We'll get them anyway. She won't die in vain."

I felt my anger rise and lick up to my core; my magic was playing a dangerous game with me- always waiting at the surface, like a cold killer. I breathed in and tried to calm myself.

"Perhaps it's best if you rested today." Hypnos said softly.

I gritted my teeth; "I'm fine. I'll rest when this is done."

"I think Hypnos is right, angel. I-" I cut Thanatos of before he could utter another word; my anger overwhelming; "I said I'm fine." My hand tightened around the handle of the cup till I felt the bone rub against the rim.

The table fell silent.

Sonya and Trita knew I'd been so on edge, and even Hypnos and Thanatos could sense it. Even before we'd gotten here, when I'd accidently shocked Thanatos in anger, I had been going mildly crazy with all this power surging inside of me. I needed to ascend.

I need to ascend. Soon... Soon.

My mind was looping and repeating things- things I sometimes didn't want to be thinking.

Poor Barrios didn't heed the tremble in my voice as he spoke up in concern and sympathy. His sympathy tasted bitter in my mouth. "Aurora, I am so sorry about your friend. She didn't deserve-"

"GODS! Enough already!"

The handle snapped off of the cup.

The table dropped into a stunned pause.

My mouth hung open as I stared at the handle in my one hand and the cup in my other. Some blood dripped onto the crisp white tablecloth and polished silver knife. In any other situation, the sight might've looked beautiful and aesthetic, but now it only left me embarrassed and so deeply worried.

Next to me Thanatos looked even more stunned. His jaw was locked and his hand frozen in the air. Eventually, he was the first to snap out of the shock, but not entirely. He slowly, as if not to aggravate a wild animal, took my hand and opened it up to remove the broken handle. My palm was oozing blood.

The smell of that same iron and rust shot up the memory of the academy and Samaria's blood stained desk.

I jolted up from my chair, not caring that my legs refused to move or that my thighs screamed out in protest.

I contemplated rubbing off the blood onto my dress, but it was white and... and... I couldn't.

It would look...

Thanatos stood up slowly, his hands in the air; like he was indicating to me to be calm and that he meant no harm.

Gods, like I'm a wild animal!

I shook my head at him and bolted towards the bedroom. I snapped them open and shut them just as quickly, leaving the door handles blood red and dripping.

That smell remained.

I want it gone. Now- I need it gone.

I rushed to the bathroom, my hands in the air and my steely eyes focused on the tap.

Water. Water. I need it gone. Now. Gone.

I swung open the tap with my other hand as I rushed the bloody one under the cold waterfall. It burned, but the smell became less and soon I could think again without the image of the brown desk in my mind. The brown desk with bloodstains.

Where she sat. Every day. Every day. With Conrad and Alexus. Conrad or Alexus. They could've killed her. They could've stabbed her. Eight times. The stench. The blood! They could've done it.

And where were you?

Where were they?

"Breathe."

I shocked awake as I felt a pair of large hands on mine, their warmth fading under the cold water running out from the faucet. I hadn't even noticed as Thanatos wrapped his arms around me and pressed himself against my body in an attempt to keep me upright.

I met his eyes in the mirror.

He looked sick.

"Breathe. In, out..." He took his one hand away from mine under the running water and pressed against the small of my back, encouraging me to breathe. "In, out, in, out. Slowly..."

I followed him as he breathed; showing me the way. I felt my shoulders quake and tremble and I came down from this awful, anger and magic induced high. Like a stone, I dropped down, my body not ready for the impact as I hit the ground.

Luckily for me, Thanatos was pressing me against the basin; otherwise I just might've really tumbled down onto the tile floor like a sack of stones. My body felt heavy.

Thanatos spoke softly; like he was addressing a scared child- "There's nothing to worry about; you're fine, you're alright. You're having a small panic attack; just breathe and focus on the water."

I nodded my head, my mouth refusing to close as I breathed in shaky breaths. Thanatos' hand on my back rubbed comforting patterns onto my skin, making sure I kept my eyes on the water and not on my pale reflection in the large mirror.

"Look at the water and how to moves." He spoke in my ear, his smooth voice calming me; "So fluid. Washing away everything. Just like that... Do you see how beautiful it makes your skin look?"

I nodded, still breathing shakily. He continued; "It's cold, isn't it?"

I nodded again, my throat dry. Thanatos moved his other hand back to mine and pressed himself closer to me, wrapping me up in a warm cocoon of comfort and support. He brought his mouth to just below my ear, tickling at the skin with his lips, and he pressed the side of his face against mine. I felt him push me into him.

"Breathe in and out... Slowly."

I did as he said and closed my eyes as his hands massaged the back of mine, rubbing away at the pain and stress. Thanatos nuzzled his face in the crook of my neck and brought his lips back up to my earlobe, pressing them against it as he whispered; "I'm here."

I wanted to cry out of relief.

"I'm right here."

I kept myself composed, my normal composure and regular breathing pattern returning to me slowly. I licked my lips and exhaled a long breath, my shoulders dropping a bit with new regained serenity.

Thanatos noticed as I slacked against him, my posture not as stiff. "That's it. Just fall back into me... I'm here."

"I'm so sorry- I didn't mean to shout at him-"

"Shhhh..." Thanatos hushed me up and slowly he turned off the tap, stopping the mesmerizing flow of the water. He turned me around in his arms and pressed me into a hug, keeping his one hand on my waist and the other at the back of my head to keep me from moving away. "Breathe, my angel. Just breathe."

I clutched onto his shirt, but whimpered as my cut palm shot a sharp pain up my arm. Thanatos grabbed my hands and tucked them into his. His eyes were filled with love and reassurance, not showing any of the worry and sick concern he was truly feeling inside.

He wanted to make sure I was fine before his own angst could upset me more. He pulled me towards the large bath and delicately, as if working with thin glass, tucked a few hairs behind my ear. He smiled softly; "Are you cold?"

I nodded once, my eyes falling to the floor. I didn't want him to see me so shattered- so beside myself. Thanatos quickly let go of my hands and turned to open the taps in the bath. It started filling up with steaming hot water. He grabbed some foam bath and drooped in a heavy heap.

I tried to smile at how kind he was, but my mouth wouldn't cooperate. He turned back and lifted my chin up so our eyes could meet. "Lift up your arms, please."

Please? Thanatos never says please...

I wanted to laugh, but instead settled for a small smile and did as he asked. I lifted up my arms and he quickly, but gently lifted up my dress. I dropped them back down, the cold air painful against my sensitive skin. I felt like I was numb and sickly- everything felt like needles pricking at me.

Thanatos was quick to act as he saw me shiver. He grabbed my underwear and yanked it down. With his one hand he unclasped my bra at the back and I let him take it off with the other. I wrapped my arms around my stomach, shivering from the cold, my breathing not completely stable yet.

Quickly he lifted me up, much to my surprise, and gently placed me in the boiling bath. The feeling of the hot water against my skin was almost instantly relaxing. I sighed in relief and dipped down until the water covered all of me, reaching till just under my chin. I closed my eyes and tried to breathe again like he'd instructed.

In, out, in, out...

Thanatos crouched next to the bath and dipped his hand into the water to feel the temperature. He fiddled with the taps a bit. I watched as his eyes looked on in calculation. I couldn't believe he was back; next to me again.

It felt surreal.

"I'm so happy you're here..."

Thanatos' eyes darted to me soft, weak voice. I glimpsed the overwhelming hurt and panic he was feeling deep inside, but just as quickly as it had peaked through, he effortlessly hid it behind a smile.

"Rest... Clear your mind."

He attempted to stand up, but I grabbed his sleeve with my good hand; "No," It sounded so desperate; "Don't leave."

Thanatos shook his head; "I wasn't planning on it."

He stood up and quickly shook off his clothes, leaving them discarded on the floor. He stepped into the big bath and laid down next to me. Carefully, he pushed me up and seated himself underneath me so I was placed in between his legs, my head resting on his chest.

I sighed in content as his hands found my head and slowly started to massage it; pressing down all my angry and manic thoughts. My nerves relaxed and soon I was breathing normally, my mind at ease.

"Later, we need to talk about this, you do know that right?"

I nodded, but didn't say anything.

Thanatos softly added; "But later. Now, just relax. Don't think."

"I'm sorry about the Minotaur- but you know I can't sit around idly while you're off chasing-"

"Aurora." Thanatos sounded exactly like my father- stern and firm; "Don't think."

I nodded, but tried one last thing; "The letters you sent me- I'm so sorry I never replied. Apollo only gave them to me two days ago."

He sighed and pressed down his anger for my sake. There was no point in getting angry now; "I had the feeling that's what happened... It's fine. As long as you have them now."

"The last letter..." I started to whisper; "What did you-"

"Not now." Thanatos was quick to silence me. He dipped down further into the water and pulled me up higher until his lips were closer to my ear. I could feel his erection growing against my back, but I think he thought that I was far too tired and unfocused to want that right now.

I wasn't actually- welcomed the blissful distraction of his love-making. He was so good at it. But the pain in my thighs yelled otherwise. I wanted to huff out in frustration.

"Do you want me to distract you?"

I excited as he said those words, my mind instantly drifting to his hardness pressed against me. I bit my lip; "Please."

"Let me tell you about the first time Hypnos and I went hunting." Thanatos chuckled softly, the vibration sending a shiver through my body; "It was comically awful."

I hid my disappointment, even though I knew realistically it wasn't wise for me to engage him sexually again for some time until I could feel my legs again. And by some time I meant maybe a day or two...

I chuckled; the prospect of listening to his sensual voice for a few minutes, hopefully hours, completely satisfying. I could listen to him talk for ages about the silliest of things. The most trivial matters sounded so sweet coming from his tongue. "I can't wait to hear it."

Thanatos opened his mouth to speak, but before he stated to recount his youthful days, he leaned his mouth down to my ear and delicately whispered; "Don't worry; I'm fairly sure you can feel that you're not the only one who requires a different kind of distraction..."

I bit my lip and slowly, with some skill, lifted his hands resting on my hips onto my cold breasts above the water. I heard him slowly suck in a breath.

I whispered; "Later then?"

"Later..."

Apollo grinned as he spotted me approach from the far side of the long grand hall. He quickly dismissed the servant beside him and called for more wine.

"Thanatos."

I refused to bow, but instead, merely nodded my head in acknowledgement of his title- not in respect. "Apollo." I eyed the young servant pouring a golden chalice full of red wine. She smiled up at me and held it out on a bronze, burnished tray for me to take. I eyed it for a bit and decided to indulge the young king in front of me. "Do you have some time to spare?"

Apollo stood up from his large throne, his refilled drink in his hand. With a wide smile and a slightly more courteous tone he beckoned me closer; "Of course, of course... What's on your mind?"

"The ascension. It needs to happen as soon as possible."

"Right, I've already started preparations. We should be ready in about a week-"

"Two days." My eyes narrowed and Apollo titled his head at me as if I'd lost mine.

"Two days?" He scoffed. Apollo waved his hand in the air, dismissing all the company we had. The girls left with hurried steps; their feet tapping against the polished floor. "Thanatos, be reasonable- I can try three days, at best, but-"

"Fine. Three days then."

Apollo sighed and shook his head, but said nothing. I took is silence as acceptance and lifted the chalice to my lips. The red wine tasted heavy and dry- the way I preferred it.

"I don't take kindly to orders in my own throne room." His green-blue eyes were flecked with an array of more gold in the sunlight as his frown deepened. Apollo narrowed his eyes with an inkling of a sneer building on his mouth.

I didn't bother moving my expressionless mask. "I'm not here to bargain on Aurora's life. Three days is as far as I'm willing to risk her health."

"Yes, I noticed her decrease in..." Apollo sipped at his wine as he contemplated the right word; "...humanity."

I didn't bother answering. Apollo smiled at my sudden lack of expression. "You want to put the final nail in the coffin then? Strip it all away?"

My head began to shake from side to side, slowly, while my eyes found his with disgust; "I'm trying to keep her alive."

"A little out of your area of expertise, no?"

A moment of silence passed between us as our glares deepened and our smiles stretched up higher.

I pursed my lips, but kept the odd grin on my face as I answered him with a cold tremor; "This isn't a game anymore. You are aware of that, right?"

Apollo smirked; "Has life gotten the best of you? It was bound to happen."

"Let's hope Death doesn't get the best of you."

Silence swallowed the room.

Apollo's grin was no more. His expression matched mine- emotionless and cold.

"I don't think we have time for all of this anymore." I said softly; "Don't you?"

Apollo didn't bother to move his eyes, instead they remained fixed on mine. He wanted to make sure that I knew he was done playing too. "Indeed."

For once we stood in front of each other without our usual mocking grins, our hackling sneers and snarky remarks. Those were the tools of boys. From now on, and until the kingdom was safe again, we'd need to act like men.

Men of war.

And we both happened to be rather experienced in it.

"I have a favour to ask of you."

No snide comment. Just poise and a matching commanding tone. "What is it?"

"I did what you asked- Sybaris is dead. Ares lost a powerful ally. I also have Hermes in my possession, and as you know, the Aegis. I shouldn't be calling this a favour. More as..." I cocked my head to the side a bit, my mouth set in a firm line; "...payment."

"Moving up the ascension isn't enough?"

I scoffed softly with no trace of a smile; "Do you want your best shot at winning this civil war to die because you couldn't organise a party fast enough?"

Apollo paused, but didn't bother snapping at me like usual. He was a reasonable man. He is the god of rational thought, after all. It's rather sad he only ever rarely used it. "Point made. What do you want for your service and loyalty to me-" I raised an eyebrow at his choice of words; "-the kingdom?"

"I require a few days with Aurora, alone, on Earth after the ascension."

Apollo lifted his eyes to the ceiling in thought. I knew he wanted to ask me what for, but the answer would be as expected- 'none of your business'. The young king sighed and closed his eyes with lamentable acceptance.

"Fine."

"A week."

Apollo scoffed, his surprised smile growing with amusement; "A week? You do realise the volatile situation we are in?"

I rolled my eyes, but he was right, regrettably; "Five days."

"Four. That's it. That's as long as I'm willing to wait till we strike."

I nodded- I may not see Apollo as king, but he was indeed the ruler of this land, and mine. "So then, we plan on advancing in exactly a week. Three till she ascends, then we leave immediately to Earth. Four days there and we'll return before the fifth day."

"We'll need to discuss our strategy before you leave. I want you and Hypnos as my lead advisors. Athena, Hades and Poseidon will hold the fort while you're away-"

"I would rather Hades keep to the Underworld for now. Let Hypnos stay here in his stead- and mine." Apollo didn't have to know about the three main names we had for now. I didn't want the lead to slip somewhere- then our element of surprise was entirely lost. "Hades is more useful down there; to keep any more of Ares' allies at bay."

Apollo nodded, not finding any valid issue with my suggestion. At least he was more cooperative than Zeus had been before his death; "Alright, I'll also ask Artemis to keep an eye out on Earth for any strange movements in factions. What about Hera and Aphrodite? Can we trust them?"

I shook my head, the golden chalice feeling heavy and useless in my hand. The wine tasted bitter. "Keep them close; have Hephaestus watch Hera. She trusts him and we trust him to side with us. He would never want Ares anywhere near the throne. As for Aphrodite, keep Dionysus latched to her. She may still be on the fence. We can't afford a slip up. Not now."

Apollo nodded and suddenly, a small chuckled escaped his mouth; "Any chance you'd like to tell him?"

I cringed; "I'd rather not."

The great hall filled with our soft, low chuckles. Our eyes met with a sudden odd unfamiliarity- or rather, not unfamiliar, but infrequent. We used to find many things amusing when we were younger; our humour was always so similar and morbid. I suppose something's don't change after all...

Our smiles dropped as we saw the others.

This was no time to... Well, to do whatever we had just allowed to happen between us.

Men of war- remember.

"I'll have Artemis inform him." Apollo cleared his throat. "Before you leave... I should warn you of something."

I furrowed my brows but said nothing. I nodded my head once, indicating for him to continue. Apollo licked his lips; "I offered Aurora the position of the kingdom's royal advisor."

My jaw locked with shock and anger; the previous peculiar feeling of nostalgia felt from him all but smothered. I snapped at him; "You mean 'your personal advisor'."

Apollo sighed in annoyance; "For once, just hear me out. I'm not doing this to annoy you- I genuinely think she would make the best candidate."

"For what?" I growled; "Sucking your cock?"

Apollo scoffed loudly and clasped his hand behind his back, his tongue running over his teeth; "Do you hear yourself? You're going to smother her if you keep this up. She can't be kept cooped up in the palace of yours all day. She's a goddess."

"Aurora will be teaching at the Academy and she will have her own domain to manage." I gritted my teeth.

"A domain that is managed by a council of mages already. She'll have barely anything to do." Apollo tried to reason with me; "Look; I am not attaching anything to this offer. She will not be obligated to live here or to even be present here every day. I just require her to be in this position so that when I need advice or assistance in matters of state, I can call upon her."

My eyes darted down. I could feel the chalice itch in my hand. I quickly gulped down the contents as Apollo watched on in impatience.

"Thanatos, I do not want Aurora in any other way than in a professional capacity. I realise that..." His words faded at the end. I waited eagerly for him to continue, my scowl questioning and mocking. "You and Aurora..." He inhaled a breath, sucking in his pride; "You're one. I plan on having her as my advisor, and I would like for you to be my army general."

His words knocked me completely off-guard.

I nearly dropped the empty chalice as I stared at him with an odd expression; my mouth twisted up in abhorrence. Apollo rolled his eyes; "You look like I just asked you to shag the throne."

"I feel like you are."

Apollo scoffed loudly and rumbled; "There's no wining with you, is there? Gods!" He threw his hand up and shook his head as he walked towards the throne. Lazily he threw his chalice onto the table. It nearly rolled off the side, but the table's rim stopped its momentum.

"Weren't you the one who told me that if you ever became king, you'd make me reside over nothing and that I should be thankful that I have what I have?" I shook my head and swung the chalice in the air, shrugging my shoulders. My sarcastic tone didn't help; "Excuse me for finding this a little peculiar..."

Apollo rubbed his temples; "Do you want me to say it?"

I narrowed my eyes with bewilderment; "Say what? That you're delusional? That you're turning over a new leaf? That you're-"

"For fuck's sake, Thanatos!" Apollo snarled as he turned to me with wide eyes; "Just accept this offer of friendship!"

I froze.

Apollo's eyes glazed over with a hint of embarrassment and- and a child-like naivety. I recognised it; very well actually. The same feeling of nostalgia was back, but it lingered and I didn't bother pressing it down.

I'd deny it till the day I die, but at that precise moment, Apollo looked so... recognizable.

This was the same man who I used to love going hunting with when I was so young and carefree. His bow and arrow, which I always mocked him for, compared to my steely spear. He never provoked my teasing, just went with it, and then after some time, as we grew closer, adopted it.

"I know you won't admit it, but you hate being alone on these trips..." I remember him saying to me the one day as we crouched down behind a large bolder, a group of elk close by. I'd rolled my eyes at him and flicked my tongue, his bow in my hand. He'd taught me how to use it.

"Shut up or they'll hear you."

"Yes, yes... Always so focused. Relax a bit. Don't pull the string so hard; I'll snap and then they'll really hear us."

I'd listened to him and loosened my grip. That day we caught three female elk, large and flavourful. And a while after that, our friendship ran sour with words. Hurtful and arrogant words fuelled by pride and ego.

Apollo's words suddenly brought me back to reality, the deep woods of that day fading into the air like dust, leaving me cold with a feeling of what once was. And probably never will be. I think...

"Forget it." He sat back down on his throne and glared down at me; "We're done."

And just like that, I was dismissed. I started to move towards the doors, but after about four mindful steps, my feet halted. My mind was still trying to decipher what was happening.

Was Apollo really trying to... What? Reconcile?

"I'm not sure if I'm entirely opposed to that idea..." I turned my eyes to his. His flickered with surprise and his lips parted. I quickly added as I cleared my throat; "The offer, I mean. Of army general." I felt like I needed to clarify what offer exactly.

Apollo nodded, clearly a little astonished at my polite tone and civil manner. I must be in more shock than I thought. Circumstances really were dire...

Everyone was acting so strange. Just shows you what the possibility of mortality could do.

"Noted. And as for Aurora...?"

I nodded my head and spoke up clearly, but my eyes were on the throne, away from his; "I won't oppose it. If it's what she wants then, so be it."

Apollo tapped the end of this chin with a thoughtful finger, the imprint of surprise still freshly gleaming from his face. When I'd walked into this familiar grand hall, this was the last path down which I thought our conversation would lead. Are we going astray; or are we finding our way back to the original, mapped route?

I bowed, not entirely sure as to why.

Apollo nodded his head in acknowledgement; his eyes trained on me. I saw in them an old trait of his- contemplation. He always thought too much about a plan, whereas I didn't need to. I was more prone to action, but never recklessness as such.

I turned without another word.

Apollo's voice slowed down my steps with a simple sentence, but it wasn't what he said, but the way he said it that caused my pause.

"I apologise for the letters..."

"No matter."

And we left it at that.

Whatever it had been.

Hades, Alexus or Conrad? Who do you think it is? (*.*)

Sorry for the random updates guys! My life is a little fast-paced and confusing right now, but the next update will most definitely be out on my birthday! (^.^)