by Dee King
“No, that can’t be the rule for just the two of you, there is a loop hole though.” A small smirk stretches across my lips.
“What? I just want to be with him? Whatever it is I will do.”
“You choose to stay here, with him. You could never go back, but you could stay. If you truly loved him, as you claim, then you will choose him.”
“Wait? What? I either stay here with him or I lose him till I truly die?”
My eyebrows raise. That was the only answer I could give her. She either chose to go back to her life on earth and live out her mortal dreams or she chose love. It would be her choice, that I couldn’t do for her. Freewill was becoming something that mortals took for advantage. Ultimately, she held her own fate. She held her own world in her hands and what she did with it now was up to her. She bowed down as I lowered my head to her, watching her walking away. That was not the answer she sought, but that was the answer that was given. Colin and Olivia enter the room with Sebastian. They stop, all staring at me. My goddess form had changed again; the darkness was returning. Sebastian’s eyes searched me over and over. He wasn’t happy that somewhere I had let the coldness drift back inside. His eyes dropped to the floor as he searched for answers why. Why had my heart gone cold again?
“Selene, you must get past this…” Sebastian speaks in a firm voice.
“Sebastian, if you could not…” Lifting my dark gown above my feet, pushing past him, he grabs me by the arm.
“Who are you?” He leans down whispering in my ear.
Jerking my arm away from him, I storm off from the rest of them. That answer was unclear. Who I was, was not who I wanted to be. Running up the stairs and collapsing atop the bed, I let the water that filled my eyes rush down my face. My brother, my best friend, my love, my whole world was changing again. Giving a new place for the ones who had their lives taken too short, giving the others a way out, giving of myself was taking its toll on me. Everything was crashing down around me, feeling as if I stood in quicksand and letting it eat me alive. My heart would mend, then be torn apart. It didn’t know what it was doing. All I was doing was replaying this scenario out in real time. The true pain came within. I knew what the answer was to mend this broken heart, but I just couldn’t do it. How could I forgive someone who never loved me? How would I forgive myself for being the pawn in their game for so long? The room was dark and cold and my sobbing filled the air. I was alone, and this was where I knew I was always going to be. His footsteps woke me from the slumber that my tears had helped me find. There was no mistaking his gentle touch on my back. Never speaking a word to me, Sebastian takes me in his arms, rocking me back and forth. As the tears began again, he held me tightly - not speaking, this wasn’t his fight anymore. This was his way of trying to heal me. Heal the broken pieces that had been burned. Becoming selfish wasn’t my way either, but there was something inside of me that couldn’t move past the pain. His love was enduring, never wavering, but for me everything came at a cost. Trying to let go of all the pain that my heart felt, he stayed strong. Sebastian was everything in my world that was right.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Finding yourself among the chaos…
As the days turned into weeks, it was clear that somehow my heart was changing. The twins were growing at a rapid pace, the others were growing anxious to go back to Earth, and my parents were becoming something of a memory. They were still alive, still adored by many, but for me, keeping my distance was how I was healing. Every morning, before the sun rose on the Mount, I would run down to the ocean and surf. No one around, nothing but the stars and me, finding my own way. There was lies, betrayal, and death that had surrounded everything that had made me the goddess I was. Learning to live without all that was the only way that healing could happen. The day had arrived that we would let the ones who wanted to leave, leave. One last speech to give, then somehow this would be a new beginning and an end.
“Your highness, they are ready for you.” Zack tells me as I walk through the door from my morning swim.
“Zack, please stop calling me that. And… who’s ready for me?” Laughing at his need to call me that and taking the towel off my head and shaking my hair out.
“Ma’am today is the day they leave.” His eyes fall to the floor.
“No, seriously, just call me Selene, and who leaves?” Standing in the doorway, I was confused as I shrugged my shoulders.
“The ones who want to go back.” His eyes never connecting to mine.
“Oh… Oh shit. That’s today isn’t it? My mind has been somewhere else lately.” Moving past him into my home.
“Yes.” His eyes still not meeting mine.
“Is there something else?” Leaning down, making him look at me.
“No, your highness, I mean, Selene.” He pulls his head up, still not really looking at me.
“Um. okay... Thank you, Zack.” Smiling, walking away from him, I make my way up the stairs.
The children were still asleep as I took my shower in the quietness of what surrounded me. Today, Chloe would make the choice for love or for herself. Today, many would leave, not to return for many years. The stillness fell over me as the water beat down on my naked body. Today was the first step into me letting go of all that I had become. It would be a new day on the Mount. A knock on the bathroom door startled my train of thought. Jumping back then scurrying out of the shower, I open the door to see Chris standing in front of me.
“Hey…” I say as the towel covers my body, holding it with one hand.
“Don’t do this. I’m begging you.” Confused by his request, my eyebrows raise.
“I can’t decide for her, you have to have faith that she will chose you. I didn’t do this, it’s freewill. She has the choice to leave on her own.”
“Yea, okay…” He turns his back to me, mumbling something under his breath while walking away.
Shaking my head back and forth, I walk into our bedroom to get dressed. Sebastian sat at the window staring out blankly.
“Sebastian?” I quietly speak his name.
“Hey, love…” His smile makes me smile.
He stares back out the window as I get dressed for the upcoming event. This was taking its toll on everyone, except me. I felt more alive today than I had in a while. I knew this was the right choice. Why did it feel like that this wasn’t what people had wanted? Brushing my long, blonde hair, pulling it back into a braid that made me look like I was a warrior versus a goddess, I felt strong about what was to come. My dress was simple today. White with a gold broach holding a gold shawl over my chest and a little black under skirt peeking out of the dress. Turning around to face Sebastian his eyes filling with tears.
“Oh, my gods, what’s wrong?” I bend down to be on his level, laying a hand on his knee.
“Nothing… It’s just… I don’t know…” He wipes his face, standing to his feet.
“It’s not nothing.” Pulling myself up to stand in front of him.
“Seriously, it’s nothing. I’m just feeling sorry for myself… Wait, look at you.” He takes me by the hand, spinning me around.
“Sebastian, please, tell me what’s wrong.” Stopping him from spinning me, keeping ahold of his hand.
“Nothing. Promise.” He kisses me sweetly on the forehead and takes me by the hand, leading us out of the room.
This wasn’t nothing. Why was he so sad? Then it dawned on me, this was one step closer to his father leaving our worlds. This was a day he had been dreading. This wasn’t about the ones who were leaving the Mount today, this was about him losing both of his parents in what seemed to be a short time. His love for everyone was deep, that was one thing we didn’t always share. His love for his parents wasn’t the same as mine. He would smile, make the best of the situation, all the while his heart was breaking. How selfish of me to act or not to notice immediately. Time on the Mount may slow down to us, but our children were a different story. They were no longer small children, they had become pre-teens almos
t overnight. It was astonishing to me that they had grown so fast. But according to Sebastian, on Earth, years had passed. I didn’t know if I would ever get used to the time on the Mount. We didn’t seem to age, but our children did. As Ember walks out of her room, she’s a beauty in all her own. The eyes and hair of her father, her striking facial features taking my breath away. Her smile could melt your heart. Atlas, meeting us atop the stairs, was as gorgeous as he was the day he was born. My heart skipping a beat over from the joy of our children. Atlas pushes his blonde hair out of his eyes as I look down at him, his shoes matched his fathers. They were never going to give up these shoes. It makes me giggle, smiling at our children. We begin our descent down the stairs.
“There they are.” Colin’s smile is contagious to our children.
“What’s up Uncle Colin?” Atlas says to him, doing a handshake they had made up.
“Not much, kid, just living this dream.” Then Colin and Atlas begin laughing at one another.
This was their normal greeting, almost every single day. Ember, in all her glory, steps down the bottom step, twirling around, as little fire embers move all around her dress. Everyone in the room cheered for her. She was her father’s daughter. Smiling at our children, I try to let love move me. Today would be very hard for many. For some I didn’t know, for others I had loved my entire life, this day would be a day of reckoning for many. One step closer to also me truly learning to live again. Today, we would find ourselves among the chaos of the worlds. What we did today would lead to the path of a new way of life… for everyone.
Chapter Fifty-Six
When the advice comes from an unsuspecting being…
We began to leave in the different carriages that were arriving when I was told that I would be last. Not understanding why, I had to ride without our children, hesitating to even get in the carriage. Sebastian assures me that this was how it was to be. As I climb in, Medusa was sitting across from where we were to sit. Oh no. This couldn’t be good. Sebastian climbs in after me and his words were already spewing from his mouth. Trying to make things go smoothly, encouraging him to still get in, he does; but he wasn’t happy about it.
“I have come to give some advice to you.” Medusa says leaning forward in her all red gown.
“Advice?” Questioning her as Sebastian stared her down.
“My darling, I know you are lost right now. I have been where you are. I’ve also been one of the pawns in this sick game they have been playing. But my advice is simple…”
“Yes?”
“Be yourself. Let all this go when you get crowned today. Let the world see you for you, not who you think they want you to be. Be who you want to be. You see, there will never be anyone to understand your pain as much as I have, or Persephone had.”
“Don’t you ever say my mother’s name. You know nothing of her.” Sebastian’s voice was almost a growl.
“And you… I know you will never understand all of this. You don’t even know why Selene is reacting to all this the way she is, but I do. I’m not your mother, and I don’t want to take that memory from you, but for many years I believed you were my son. Forgive me for taking that from your mother and you. Finding Alex and having Cato has been a great blessing to me. I won’t have the time to get to know my son Alexander, but I hope he knows he was always loved by me. I think that’s what all this comes down to. A love for a child that was outweighed by the power of greed.”
“Okay, thank you Medusa.” Trying to keep my poise about myself, but she was confusing me.
“When they crown you, they want to see a goddess who is a warrior yet humble. Never show defeat or they will think you’re un-fit to rule them. You must always show that you are in control, no matter how you truly feel.”
“What? A crown? Crowned? What are you talking about?” Turning my gaze away from her to Sebastian.
“Yes, you will be crowned the goddess of all today as I will be the god who is crowned. Misses big mouth over here wasn’t supposed to say anything because we wanted it to be a great surprise.”
“This is… this is ridiculous. You know I don’t want this. They know who we are, why can’t we just let it be that?”
“Sorry, it just doesn’t work that way.” Medusa chimed in before Sebastian could.
The carriage halts suddenly. As Medusa stands to leave us, the door opens and Hades is standing there waiting for her. He smiles at Sebastian as Medusa leans in one last time.
“Remember Darling, you have the world in the palm of your hands, use it wisely. Don’t make the same mistakes as they did.” She winks at me as the carriage door closes.
This wasn’t what I wanted at all. First, a crown? Second, Medusa giving me goddess advice? Third, why was I always being kept in the dark about my own life? Now I knew why we had been separated from our children. Wondering who was going to do the crowning led me to believe I was in for another surprise. Not one I wanted either. The carriage makes another stop and this time I knew we were at the platform that we had built. The crowd was filled with every creature, every soul that was on the Mount. Stepping out ahead of me, Sebastian waves then turns back to me, his hand out to take mine. This was it. The day that many would find a new home, many would seek a new life, and a day that we would be declared the gods of the worlds. Taking a deep breath and pulling myself together, I stand as tall as I could make myself and step out to begin to wave to the crowd. Walking to the platform, there were two thrones set on the stage. Behind them stood our siblings, parents and our children on each side of a throne. Zack, Ian, and Iris come down the platform. Iris stands behind me, taking the bottom of my dress in her hands so I wouldn’t trip. Zack takes me by the hand to sit in the throne that was mine. Sebastian takes his throne as Ian stands beside our son, guarding both. Apollo and Aphrodite step out in front of us and the crowd roars from excitement. They let the crowd quiet down on their own. This was going to be the moment that everything changed and really living in it, was much harder than I believed it would be. Searching the crowd for Chloe and Chris, seeing Chloe holding tight to Chris, I nod in their direction. Acknowledging that I saw them, understanding that today would be a day that would change their lives also. Apollo asks for our parents to please step forward… This was why Medusa had snuck in to our carriage. It wasn’t about trying to make amends with Sebastian, or just giving a pep talk. It was for me to show the world that I was stronger than my parents or anyone believed. She was trying to prepare me for what was to come… The throne appeared to be larger than life, encased in gold with diamonds and jewels from around the world. It was iconic in what you would believe a god to be seen in. It was tacky on all levels of the word, but here I sat. Smiling, faking it through this moment, as my parents stood behind me. I could feel their stares at the back of my head. This wasn’t about them or myself, this was about doing what was right for the worlds. Before we were to let the ones leave who wanted, this was now going to be a declaration of our roles. Sebastian the God of All, me the Goddess of all the Worlds, and our children the next ones to rule. Apollo comes before the crowd, standing in front of our thrones, as the crowd begins to hush.
“Welcome, one and all. You have been invited to witness the ceremony of the rulers. Today, we gather to thank them, honor them, and relish in our new world.”
The crowd cheers, as I smile.
“Sebastian Andreas will you please stand?” Sebastian stands still smiling.
“Sebastian, do you vow to take this crown as a symbol of the Ruler of All, to be a kind and just ruler for all of eternity?” Apollo asks Sebastian as Cali hands him the crown with her head bowed.
“Yes.” He bows his head as Apollo lays the crown atop of Sebastian’s head.
Apollo steps back, letting the crowd see their new ruler. Hades comes to his side with Cato, taking their stance to show their commitment to him. Cato is then asked the same questions, if he vows to guard the underworld with all his capabilities. He says yes, as Cali then hands a crown to Cato. Colin the
n steps forward as my father comes to his side along with Athena.
Athena? Oh my gods? Was this Colin’s mother? This can’t be.
Cali with a huge smile on her face, then hands a crown made of blue jewels and a golden trident in the middle to Athena. She then turns facing Colin, asking him if he will guard the seas of all the worlds, vowing to protect everyone and everything in the oceans. He accepts as my father and Athena step back together, allowing the crowd to now see Colin as the God of the Seas.
So, another secret revealed right before my eyes. Colin was the son of Athena and Poseidon. That didn’t make sense to me at first, but then as I studied them with my eyes, he was her son. He had always known too much of battle, how to defend, and always stood by Cali. Even when I didn’t trust her, he always had. The signs had been there. Shaking my head, just one more secret. Why wasn’t Colin the one who would be the ruler of all if his parents were these powerful gods and goddesses? My mind was reeling from the idea of how I became this goddess? Was I being set up for something else?
My thoughts are interrupted by my name being called aloud. Standing to my feet, I take my dress in my hands to my sides, slowly moving forward to Apollo. My father now standing beside me, along with Hera. Oh, awesome. These two were my parents. Was kind of hoping that someone else would have stepped forward besides Hera. Maybe, Aphrodite. She was the goddess of beauty after all, could have been amazing to be her daughter. Yea, that’s pure vanity talking. Shaking that thought out of my mind, I glance at my now almost teenage children, then back to Apollo. He has me come forward more than the rest of them.
“Selene Athens Andreas, do you vow to be the Goddess of All, the ruler of everything, and guide the worlds as a kind yet just ruler?”
“I do.” Nodding my head towards him.
My father then comes before us, a crown made of the finest golds in all the worlds was placed upon my head. Hera takes my father’s hand as they step back together, showing everyone they had done some great thing by having their child rule the world. Trying to muster the best smile I could, making a small wave to the crowd as the crown weighed heavily upon my head, I then turn facing my brother, motioning for him to come forward. Sebastian and Cato come to my side. We stand tall facing the crowd of the Mount. We were to rule them for the rest of our lives. This was something that others would have been dreaming of, but for me, this was just one step closer to the goodbye I had been longing for. For me, this was a beginning and an end.