'This was turning into a carefully strategized war...'

Sheer White Expectations

"What the hell are you doing!"

I raced towards her, my hands instinctively flying up as my magic shot forward with a forceful speed and flung the dagger from her hand. Persephone's big brown eyes widened in sudden rage and shock as the sharp silver clattered against the opposite wall. I felt anger bubble up inside me.

Persephone jumped up from the bed, but as soon as she recognised my face, her own anger faded and was replaced with surprise; "Aurora!"

"What were you thinking?" I yelled at her, not caring that Keros, her head servant, was giving me a rather foul look.

"Nothing! Gods! What do you-" Persephone's voice faded slightly as she eyed the disregarded dagger. Suddenly her eyes popped open with understanding; "Oh, no! No, no, dear! I would never!"

I furrowed my brows and clasped my hands onto her upper arms; "What were you doing with that thing?"

She laughed, a blush coming to her cheeks; "I was just trying to loosen this damned thing!" She pointed her chin down to her corset, the strap partially severed.

I sighed in relief and hugged her tightly. "For fuck's sake Persephone! You're going to give me a heart attack!"

"Sorry, dear! I didn't even know you were coming; how are you?"

"How am I? Don't be ridiculous- how are you?" I squeezed her arms and watched as her strong smile faded slightly. In her eyes I saw pain.

Persephone turned her eyes to Keros at the door, her voice harsh; "Leave us."

The old man bowed and closed the door behind him, but not before shooting me one last disgusted look. I snarled at him.

"Friendly bunch."

"They don't like mortals." Persephone said as she tucked a hair behind my ear; "But you're the only one who actually cares enough to save me from self-harm. Not I that am... Well, you know."

I nodded, understanding her words more than she knew. I tugged at her corset- the bloody thing really was stuck.

She shook her head; "I hate it. Hera gave it to me a few years ago and I absolutely despise it. I wanted to cut it up."

"Where's that dagger; I'll gladly help." Persephone chuckled as I tore at the bodice, the straps faltering slightly, but not giving in completely. "Wait."

I took a step back and kept my one hand on her shoulder to keep her from moving. Persephone did as I asked. I moved my other hand up and snapped my fingers; a small flame sprung forth.

Carefully I burnt the piece that kept it all tucked together; the smell of scorched leather reached our senses and not before long the corset snapped open slightly.

Persephone breathed in loudly. "Thank Gaia!"

"There we go; see," I smirked as I blew out the flame; "All you needed was a talented friend."

She genuinely laughed for the first time in what sounded like a long while. Too long; "Thank you, Rora."

"Now sit. You look exhausted." I led her to a large, plush couch surrounded by growing ivy and potted flowers of all shapes and hues. Persephone smiled softly and tugged me down with her, her hand resting in mine.

"Are you alright? Honestly?"

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She looked down; "No."

She didn't have to say much else, so I pulled her into me and tucked her head under my chin. Persephone laughed softly and shook her head; "You're sweet; Thanatos better treat you right or I'll skin him alive."

"He better treat me right or I'll skin him alive..."

She laughed as I tenderly stroked her dark crown; her curls long and soft. I let her rest as I admired the flowers on the table. They were yellow and bright- sunflowers. I couldn't imagine how they managed to grow here, in the darkness of the palace. But Persephone was the goddess of spring- I had the feeling she could make anything grow here.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I would've made snacks and brushed my hair."

I laughed; "That's exactly why I didn't. You need to rest and grieve. Stop worrying about others."

She nodded and the room fell into a comfortable silence until Persephone noticed the cloak around my shoulders; "You're wearing Thanatos' cloak?"

I giggled and touched the soft fabric, feeling it vibrate under my skin; "I was getting cold."

"Well I'll be damned... The poor man is gone for. I've never even seen him let anyone touch it and here you are, wearing it. You're good."

I laughed; "He's so sweet."

Persephone's head shot up; "What aren't you telling me?"

"Persephone..." I began to protest but she quickly cut me off; "Rora, please just tell me. My father died a few days ago and I have no idea how to distract myself anymore. Just give me some good news, please."

I gulped; her pain as more clear in her eyes than ever before. She looked frail. I smiled reassuringly; "Well, we're together, if that's what you want to know."

She squealed loudly and clapped her hands; "Yes! Finally! Tell me more!" She leaned in, a crafty look in her eyes; "Have you two..."

I blushed and rolled my eyes, but she was adamant; "Oh, come on! Tell me! Is he any good?"

"Is he any good?" I wanted to laugh at the sheer absurdity of that mere sentence; "He's fucking incredible!"

"Or incredible at fucking?"

We laughed loudly as she slapped my arm and wiggled her brows. I bit my lip; "Both. Definitely both."

"Oh my Gaia! Details! Now!"

I opened my mouth to tell her all the juicy details of the past few days, but she quickly interrupted; "Wait, has he admitted his feelings?"

"About a thousand times since we returned back from my home on Earth. It's like he can't stop saying it! It's so..." I sighed dreamily, "Ugh! He's perfect! It hurts- in a good way; the best way."

Persephone giggled and swung her arm over the edge of the couch; "What was the first time like?"

It was my turn to wiggle my eyebrows; "Which one?"

"Both!"

My giggle was coy and excited; I bit my nail between my teeth and smiled; "Well, the first time he told me that he loved me was on our last night back home. He did it by the beach, on my favourite spot, at dusk. It was beautiful."

"Awh! Wow..." She covered her mouth with her hand and gave me the most sincere look of happiness; "How romantic! I never knew he had it in him!"

"He's very romantic! It was so strange to see in the beginning!"

"I'm sure! He's such a charmer though... He must've been hiding the lovey-dovey side of him for you."

I smiled with giddiness as his handsome face filled my thoughts; "That night he couldn't stop saying it- I had to physically cover his mouth so I could sleep!"

Persephone giggled and awed; "I wish Hades was as expressive sometimes! Was that the first night you two...?" She let the unfinished sentence linger, but I knew what she meant.

I shook my head; "No, that happened two nights ago. After Hera took back the ring."

"Hera took back the ring! Gods, you're lucky! I wish she'd take back this piece of crap." Persephone tugged at the loose corset and flicked her tongue. I eyed the uncomfortable-looking garment.

"Well, come on! Tell me what happened!"

I sunk deeper into the couch and smiled playfully up at her; "Oh, you know- the usual..."

Persephone slapped my leg; "The usual my ass! Tell me, woman!"

I laughed; "Fine! Fine... Well, when I got back from Hera, he was busy with work..."

Persephone listened on with keen interest and glee as I told her everything, but left more personal and detailed information to myself and Thanatos. We were both private people, so I didn't think he'd appreciate it if I went around telling Persephone everything we did.

Especially about Thanatos' controlling fetish, or the way he liked it when I pretended not to know a thing about the male body and he had to so generously teach me- in practice.

No, that I think I'll keep to myself...

Mainly, because it didn't just arouse him.

Who thought playing dumb was so sexy?

We arrived back at the palace around noon.

Thanatos and Hypnos spent the whole drive back going through the thick book they borrowed from Hades. It was the exact one Thanatos had been looking for- Apalole's most mysterious and undocumented piece of work; the Aerarium. And to add to the good news, they'd found an entire chapter dedicated to something called the 'golden mirror'.

It was weapon, as expected.

But not just any weapon; it was the weapon of ancient Greece, or so I was told.

Thanatos growled out in frustration and hit the bench; "Fucking hell! If I'd known that 'the golden mirror' was a byname for the Aegis we would've saved so much time!" He muttered and mumbled as he threw the book across the carriage and onto the seat next to his brother, who looked equally pissed.

"These gods and their riddles..."

"I'm guessing you both know all about the Aegis?"

Thanatos sneered at the sky; "Just about everything there is- how could we not decipher this?" His eyes were filled with irritation as he shot a questioning look at his twin.

Hypnos merely shook his head in exasperation. "How were we supposed to know Hecate had given it another name to keep it a secret?"

"I should've figured it out..."

There he went- being his own tyrant again.

I squeezed Thanatos' hand as he ran his palm over his forehead and stared blankly ahead, thinking. They both looked more upset now that we actually knew what we were looking for- and what their mother had stored away.

"Let's just forget about that for a bit and focus on the positive; we know what it is now. So tell me everything about it. I need to know what we're dealing with and why this weapon is so important to the killers."

"It's important to everyone in our world." Hypnos said as he looked down and sighed; "Let's start at the beginning; the Aegis was a weapon given to the hero Perseus by Athena to help him kill Medusa."

"He succeeded, as you know, and gave the shield back to Athena." Thanatos rolled his eyes; "She then gave it to Zeus and he in turn locked it away for safe-keeping."

"It's a shield then? What makes it so special?"

Hypnos tapped his chin; "Well, it's made by the gods, so it's nearly indestructible, but that's not the reason I think the killers are after it. After Perseus brought Athena the shield and the head of Medusa, she combined the two and the true Aegis was formed. In other words, it can turn anyone, even immortals, to stone."

My eyes widened; "I'm assuming that's why Zeus locked it away?"

"Indeed," Thanatos nodded solemnly; "And, if tuning gods into statues wasn't scary enough, it also strikes fear into any man's heart. Zeus used it quite often to influence his enemies' decisions and surrenders. It's said that one look, and you either turn to stone or cower in fear, depending on whether or not you see your own reflection."

Reflection...

In my dreams, in the garden of Hecate I can't see my own reflection in those tall mirrors! That's it! Another clue? A way to help us? I wasn't sure, but I knew it meant something.

But I had to ask- "If you see your refection, do you turn to stone or become fearful?"

"Stone." Thanatos said as-a-matter-of-factly.

I nodded, my mind racing. No reflection- did that mean I could look into it and I would survive it? There was no guarantee, but I knew at some point I would find out...

I suddenly felt scared for the twins; I knew they'd try and protect me no matter what, but at what cost? This was turning into a carefully strategized war. No one knew the opponents entire hand- just bits and pieces.

We were going in blind; all of us.

"Wait, if Zeus locked it away- how does your mother have it?"

Thanatos and Hypnos exchanged a frustrated look as the carriage slowed down in front of the massive palace; the wind from the lake surrounding us with a soft breeze and the heavy scent of fine pine trees. Opis was waiting at the gates, ready to escort us inside.

Hypnos spoke softly; "There were only two people Zeus trusted with the keys to his private vault. Hecate, before she went mad..."

Thanatos stood up, his eyes full of fire; "And Athena, his favourite."

I knew what that look meant.

Suspicion.

Did Hecate steal the Aegis before Athena could use it in her plan to overthrow her father? Or was there more to this than meets the eye?

I grabbed Thanatos' hand and he helped me off of the high carriage, Hypnos followed close behind. We walked up to the courtyard, my eyes meeting with two familiar hazel orbs.

Alexus crossed her arms; "Where were you? Lorne and Lady Claudia are looking for you."

Thanatos opened his mouth to shut her up, but I quickly interjected; "I went to help Persephone with funeral arrangements."

Alexus' eyes widened slightly in embarrassment, but quickly they went back to their normal slanted indifferent line; "Oh." She eyed the brothers; "Can I speak to you alone?"

I nodded and walked towards her, but Thanatos grabbed my shoulder; his voice more directed to her than me; "We have plans for tomorrow; let Lorne and Claudia know you won't be able to make class."

I turned to look up into his steely gaze. He was glaring at Alexus, but before he left with Hypnos and the book to his chamber, he tenderly kissed the crown of my head. I felt cold as his hand left mine, his cloak still tightly fastened around my shoulders. Alexus eyed it with distain.

"What are your plans?"

I smiled softly; "We're just going to get some things for the funeral."

Alexus didn't have to know we were going to Nyx, the goddess of the night to borrow the Aegis. No one needed to know that. Not while we had the upper hand.

I wished I could ask her for help and advice, but it was a delicate time for all of us- betrayal was around every corner. Anyone could be listening in.

Alexus nodded and turned her eyes to the ground, her lips fixed into a firm line; "Aurora, are you serious about ascending?"

I was taken aback by the straightforward question. I felt almost insulted. "What kind of question is that? Of course I am."

"Then maybe you should attend classes? It's been three days..."

I bit my tongue and nodded. I understood where she was coming from- this wasn't like me; this wasn't like me at all. I was dedicated and eager to learn, but lately, with the ring gone, my new relationship with Thanatos, the murders... Everything's been a little bit overwhelming.

I felt like I was continuously being launched into a portal, over and over, some of the times it was thrilling and breathtaking, but at other points it was scary. It was hard to balance it all without fault.

"I understand, I do. I was actually just on my way to the academy; I'll go apologise for my tardiness."

"I don't want to reprimand you; I-" Alexus hesitated; "I'm your friend. I just don't want you to get distracted."

I smiled and leaned in to embrace her; her body tensing up at the sudden display of affection. She loosened up slightly and folded her arms around my waist. I laughed; "You're horrible at hugs, you know that?"

Alexus blushed and stammered; "Shut up."

"I promise I'm not losing sight of what needs to be done; but there are quite a few things on my plate right now and I just need to prioritise them. Sometimes class will come second. I hope you understand."

Alexus nodded, her smile soft and reassuring.

"Now smile. It's a beautiful day and you're not the one who has to catch up with three days worth of spells and projects."

Alexus laughed; "I could help you, if you want?"

I rubbed her arm and smiled; "That's fine. I need to do this on my own." I rolled my eyes as I muttered; "Unfortunately..."

"Well, you know I'm there to help- always. And if you need to talk..." Alexus looked down nervously, her sudden openness odd. I wanted to smile at how adorable she was when she was trying to be expressive; "I'm here. You know, to talk. And stuff."

I chuckled; "Thanks. I appreciate it." I looked over her shoulder and watched as the servants jogged around, cleaning and polishing every nook and cranny. I needed to get to work too. Enough dilly-dallying.

"We'll talk later, okay? I have some ass-kissing to do." I winked and waved open a portal and Alexus blushed.

I blew her a kiss as I stepped through; her concerned, big eyes the last thing I saw before the star-flecked abyss swallowed me whole.

The Aegis-

So the plot thickens... Are we any closer to finding out what Hermes and his friends have planned or do you think there is more to this than meets the eye?

NEXT UPDATE- 12th of October