Blinding Night

by Chantal Gadoury

  Everything was extravagant.

  Arae paused only as we came to a door, where she pulled me inside. The room was large, much larger than my own. The walls were a soft hue of yellow, and vines were growing over the space. The blankets on her bed were white, surrounded by a transparent net. The sort of net little girls fantasizes about when imagining a princess bed.

  She crossed the room and rested a hand on the door knob as she turned to me.

  “This is my most beloved treasure.” Arae said with a smile. It was almost childish, endearing even, to see her so excited.

  “Clothes?” I asked, wrinkling my nose. Her smile grew wider as she exposed the inside of her closeted room.

  “It’s full of clothes.” I said breathlessly as I gazed at the walls, lined with shelves. And on each shelf, different shades of different fabrics were folded perfectly. I watched as Arae eased into her walk-in closet until she stopped at a large armoire.

  “I’m sure I can find something for...a human,” she said as she opened the door and tugged on a long, beige-colored gown from the cluster of other fabrics. The gown was adorned with long colorful vines, flowers, and birds, beginning at the bodice, all the way down to the skirt. Two shear pieces of what looked like tulle flowed from the shoulders, down to the floor.

  “This is a little—” I searched for the right words. The last person I wanted to offend was a spirit who carried curses to the living, “—much.”

  She pressed her lips together and exhaled. After shooting me a glare, she turned back to the armoire and tugged out a long white gown.

  “Is this simple enough for your human tastes?”

  I knew she meant it as an insult, but I simply nodded. It was plain, but elegant in it’s own way.

  “Are you sure I can’t just wear what I have on?” I asked, wrapping my sweater around me more tightly.

  “Over my dead body,” she hissed. “Go get changed. And then I’ll do something with that mess on your head.”

  “My hair?” I asked as she shoved the gown into my arms. Arae didn’t respond as she left the closet, leaving me to dress alone.

  Chapter 16

  I felt like a Greek Goddess straight out of a Halloween shop. Arae had even placed golden laurel on top of my head, complete with what looked like matching tinsel weaved in and out of my hair. Whatever she used, it kept it all in place and orderly. If I didn’t dislike her for the time being, I would have asked how she did it, though I was positive she wouldn’t share any of her secrets.

  The white, pleated gown she had chosen for me was held in place by gold ribbon, and an even thicker black sash. As I gazed into Arae’s wall mirror, I barely recognized the girl who stared back at me. Summer Mavros had gotten a complete makeover. As I slid a hand over my warmed cheek, I saw Arae’s lips curl into a smirk.

  “You could almost pass for a Goddess now.” I didn’t miss her jab, but I didn’t take it as seriously this time. I could tell how proud she was, even if I was just a mannequin for her to style.

  It was amazing to think what a gown and a few gold accessories could do to one’s appearance. I looked elegant, older even, and that was hard to achieve. I could even see my boobs, which was also hard to achieve in an outfit that wasn’t borderline scandalous. I was only a little uncomfortable, but I was grateful the dress was long enough to hide my white Keds. Arae had insisted on a pair of sandals, but I refused. I, at least, wanted something of mine with me.

  “Thank you.” It was all I could say, and I meant it sincerely.

  She nodded and flipped her hair dramatically. “Think nothing of it. I simply wanted you to be presentable before my Lord. He deserves nothing less.”

  And the casual snark was back with a vengeance.

  Arae didn’t wait a second longer before pulling me back through the winding hallways, back to the room where we all had dined earlier that morning. My stomach churned with hunger. It served me right since I hadn’t eaten much of anything for breakfast. I would do anything for a burger with fries. Even some chicken nuggets and ranch dipping sauce. To my great disappointment, as we approached the dining table, it was piled with plates of things I didn’t recognize.

  Several bowls held different colorful mixtures: cucumbers and olives, chickpeas and tomatoes with other diced toppings. In another, the legs of a pink octopus, curled into its body; adorned with bright orange carrots and puffed white rice. There was a plate with dark meats spliced onto sticks with roasted onions. On another, pita bread was stacked high with three accompanying bowls of hummus. At the very least there was bread.

  Arae and I were the first ones to the table. Just as I took the same seat I had shared earlier that morning, Erebros and Thanatos walked into the room together. Thanatos looked me over, his curiosity piqued. I felt myself blush. His eyes were just as intense as Morpheus’s and probably more playful than Darce’s. A very serious combination I would have to avoid provoking.

  “Well, well... The human cleaned up quite nicely,” Thanatos said with a chuckle as he slid into his seat.

  “I couldn’t have her come to dinner in those... things,” Arae hissed and glared at him. “Least of all at a dinner with Minthe.”

  I felt my heart leap into my throat, and then plummet with the intensity of a falling star. No wonder Arae was so keen to dress me up in her finest. I had to impress, if not outshine, an ethereal water spirit in front of Darce and the others.

  “Minthe will be joining us tonight, hmm?” He asked, the corner of his lips curled into a smile. “Erebos, perhaps it would be best for all of us to dine quickly and depart. I’d hate to bear witness another evening of Arae’s icy glares.” Suddenly, Thanatos arched in his seat and groaned as if he were in pain. I watched curiously as Arae adjusted in her own seat, across from him. It took me a minute to realize she had kicked him underneath the table. I coughed into my hand to cover my own laughter.

  “Arae has never had the stomach for Minthe.” Erebos said softly as he leaned forward towards me. His teal eyes carried a sort of amusement as they flickered in Arae’s direction. “Not that any of us could blame her.”

  “Because she’s Darce’s mistress?” I asked aloud. All of their eyes latched onto me in surprise. I pressed my back and shoulders into my chair.

  Maybe no one had ever had the conviction to voice it before.

  In my defense, I didn’t know what else to call her. I supposed in a way, the word ‘mistress’ suited this Minthe well. From all the time period movies I watched, and art history I researched, several historical men had mistresses—and sometimes several more if they wanted them. Arae snorted as she poured herself a goblet of wine.

  “That’s one way to address her,” she muttered. Thanatos chuckled beside me and snatched the pitcher of wine from Arae’s hand before she could pour anymore for herself.

  “Let’s avoid having another episode, Arae, hmm? I think last time you drank, it was enough to last us all a few more centuries.”

  Arae lifted her goblet from his reach and took a long sip, stubbornly holding his gaze.

  “I’ll have as much wine as I please!”

  “Enough squabbling you two.” Erebos rolled his eyes and stole the pitcher from Thanatos.

  “You just don’t like her because she looks better in her gowns than you do,” Thanatos teased. “You can’t stand another woman being more beautiful than you.”

  “Hardly! I know I’m no Hera.” She hissed, slamming her goblet to the table.

  “But to me,” Thanatos continued his amusement, “You, Arae, are quite delectable.”

  “If you keep saying things like that to her, Thanatos, Arae’s head will only grow larger by the minute,” Morpheus called from the archway.

  I wondered how long he had been standing there, black-wings and all. His lazy smile and laid-back demeanor were exactly what this dinner party needed. I was actually relieved to see him, despite our earlier adventure. He caught me looking and winked, which only made my stomach flutter.

  Never mind, I rea
lly wasn’t all that relieved.

  “You shouldn’t antagonize her,” Morpheus continued as he slid his dark gaze to Thanatos.

  “It’s just too easy,” Thanatos replied, leaning back in his chair.

  Morpheus chuckled as he eased into the other empty seat beside me. As he sat, I noticed he had changed his outfit from earlier. His shirt was white with delicate gold vines embroidered around the seams. The neckline was cut in a low v-shape, revealing a gratuitous amount of his chiseled chest. Beneath the soft, white fabric, his skin was flawless.

  The contours of his stomach were so defined; I could barely keep my eyeballs from outlining them in my mind. I sucked in a deep breath and forced myself to look away. I tried to focus on my plate and the food laid out before me, instead of the hardened abs I had just seen. Literally anything other than Morpheus’ abs, like puppies. Kittens. Rick Astley. I closed my eyes and tried to remember the time I had rick-rolled my dad in a text message with “I’ll Never Give You Up.” My dad laughed for days. ‘Don’t let me down now, Rick Astley.’

  When the memory didn’t work, I gave in and followed Arae’s example. I jumped out of my seat and leaned over the table for the pitcher of wine Erebos had taken. Everyone chattered, but I could feel their eyes on me, watching with quiet interest. I could almost hear them asking, “What would the human do with the wine?”

  My cheeks began to grow warmer as I poured myself a goblet of wine. As I sank back into my chair with my goblet in hand, I did my best to avoid everyone’s eyes. Then, I took a large gulp and bit back the aftertaste. Then I took another. And then one more for good measure.

  The echo of footsteps broke the silence between the four of us, and all eyes were suddenly on Darce, instead of me. To which, I was thankful. Darce appeared at the archway with a raised brow, dressed in a grey sweater and black trousers. It was more suited to the human realm, than the timeless Underworld. I felt a little silly in my get up, having dolled up for the occasion because Arae insisted. Had I known he was going to wear a sweater, I would have kept mine on.

  “You all look so lively this evening,” he said, sliding his hands into his pockets as he strode into the room.

  “It seems the wine is the most entertaining thing here tonight, my Lord,” Thanatos said, lifting his own goblet with a chuckle.

  Darce flashed an easy smile and took the seat at the head of the table, with Morpheus and Erebos on either side of him. I felt his eyes rest on me as I took another large gulp of wine. It tingled on the way down to my empty stomach. At this rate, I would be passed out drunk before we could eat.

  “Is there anything to report?” He asked, leaning back in his seat. I wasn’t sure if he was asking me, but I remained silent. Erebos sat up straight and let out a sigh.

  “Nothing out of the usual. There were several... transitions,” he said with ease. Transitions. Did he mean spirits entering the Underworld?

  “I made several visits,” Thanatos said with a large grin. “And guided several of the transitions today. A few were entertaining.”

  I wondered what exactly they did. Did they appear over the bedside of someone who was dying? Did a spirit simply appear in the Underworld, and from there was it led into the next part of their journey by Thanatos and Erebos? But, what about God? What about Jesus? What about the angels of heaven? Did they not exist too? I felt like I had more questions than I did answers. Every corner I turned had something new waiting.

  “... delivered a delightful curse on a wealthy man who was responsible for his wife’s death.” Arae’s voice interrupted my thought, bringing me back to the table. Darce’s gaze came to rest upon me again.

  “And you, Summer? Did you go to the grove?”

  “Yeah, I went,” I said softly, sinking low in my chair. I suddenly wished I were in my normal clothes, and not dressed up to be something that I wasn’t. Someone that I wasn’t. Especially when Darce’s eyes were focused on me and me alone.

  “We went,” Morpheus interjected beside me, “I couldn’t allow her to go alone, my Lord. Not on the river Lethe.”

  He gave a nod to Darce and flashed a clever smile. I could see the surprise in Darce’s eyes as they trailed between the two of us.

  “And you saw...?” He arched a brow curiously. I knew what he was referring to; the ancient love nest under the dome. The special getaway he shared with Persephone. I was careful not to give away the fact that I had actually been inside. I was grateful Morpheus didn’t either.

  “Yes,” I managed to reply. “I saw—”

  “It’s in a shameful state, isn’t it?” Another voice beckoned from the doorway.

  My gaze lifted to meet Minthe, who smiled softly in my direction from her perch. She leaned comfortably against the frame in a long, red, flowing gown. Gold leaf embellishments wrapped around the bodice of her dress, while matching adornments had been laced into her hair. If Minthe were on Tyra’s “America’s Next Top Model,” she would have won—hands down. I was in no way, a comparison. She crossed into the room, and strolled towards the table to join us. Her hand grazed over Darce’s shoulder as she peered at him with a gentle smile.

  “Good evening, friends,” she hissed softly as she took to the other end of the table. She sat in the head chair, at the opposite end, facing Darce directly. My gut told me it was where Persephone belonged—where I belonged. I could see Arae’s disgust clear as day.

  “Minthe,” Thanatos replied as he lifted his goblet in her direction. His acknowledgement had her beaming.

  “I trust that you’re finding the Underworld to your liking, human,” Minthe said as she lifted an olive from a nearby plate and slipped it onto her tongue. And to think Darce was going to have to kiss that olive-flavored mouth at some point.

  Kiss. Kiss.

  I looked back at Darce. The tension in his shoulders, and the pulsing vein in his jaw was enough to make me wonder what kind of business they had discussed. His fingers were tight on his goblet as he purposely avoided any direct eye contact with Minthe. Was it embarrassment that he felt? Shame? If he really thought I was Persephone, then hadn’t he been unfaithful in our bond? I felt bad for the Goddess of Spring. Almost as if I were her friend, paying witness to her cheating boyfriend.

  But it was on me too? After all, if I was Persephone, then wasn’t I responsible for making certain that I was the only one he needed? I felt flush, so I took another sip of wine and glanced back to Minthe. She held my gaze expectantly, as if waiting for an answer.

  “I’m sorry, what was the question?”

  She looked annoyed and asked again, slowly, “The grove?”

  Oh, right. The shameful state of the love nest. I had completely forgotten. In fact, I hadn’t even taken her seriously since she came in.

  “It... could use some work,” I replied. “Definitely not what I was expecting.”

  “No?” She asked, tilting her chin with amusement. “And what were you expecting?”

  I cleared my throat as I sat up straighter in my chair and tucked a curl behind my ear. My gaze flickered around the table, to the few familiar faces I had come to know within the few short hours of my arrival. Erebos. Arae. Thanatos. Morpheus. Darce. His dark eyes met mine as I sucked in a breath. He watched me, ever so closely—as if he were trying to see into my very soul.

  “I suppose I was...expecting darkness...floating spirits in the water...misery...?”

  Darce’s eyebrow rose as the shadow of a smile formed on his lips. I hadn’t ever noticed, but he when smiled—he had hidden dimples beside each of his cheeks. My heart began to beat quickly inside of my chest. I sighed so quietly, I could barely hear it myself.

  “Also monsters, terrifying creatures, and... dripping stalactites.”

  Minthe’s giggle echoed around the room. It was an unpleasant sound, like nails against a chalkboard. I felt the hair on my arms rise. If it wasn’t for her boisterous shrieking, I might have been embarrassed.

  “And yet, here you are... in a grand palace of sorts. Dining with gods a
nd goddesses alike.”

  I heard Arae snort as she lifted her goblet to her lips. I almost swore I heard Thanatos hiss her name under his breath. What were they so afraid of? Weren’t they capable, if not more powerful than her? Even Morpheus kept his mouth pressed tightly shut. What kind of power did she hold over Darce and his companions?

  “Um, I’m sorry, but—” I put on my best sorority girl and I feigned interest, “—what exactly are you the goddess of again?”

  Thanatos fell into a fit, coughing hysterically beside me. He beat his hand against his chest, reaching for his own goblet to drink away his outburst. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so blunt, but... if Arae couldn’t do it, I’d do it for her. I had less to lose under the title of ‘stupid human.’ Besides, how many people can say they entertained a table of ancient gods and openly insulted one’s mistress?

  Minthe’s cheeks turned a soft shade of red, and I knew I had struck a chord with her. She dared a look at Darce with her bright magenta eyes. It seemed she expected him to speak on her behalf, but I waited patiently. Darce had no interest in playing games, neither mine or hers.

  “She’s a naiad,” Morpheus interjected lazily as he tore into the pink octopus. “A nymph or spirit who presides over the waters.”

  “So... almost like Arae?” I wanted to make a point—loud and clear.

  “I told you, I don’t preside over waters, human,” Arae snarled. “I hold a more important role in the Underworld than simply swimming about.”

  Her rigid tone was not directed at me—at least, not purposefully. She had pride in her craft, and when it was compared to a lower creature, then it ruffled her feathers.

  “I help his Lord with many important duties,” Minthe retorted, snatching a sliver of pita bread and crumbling it into bits onto her plate. “Things only a woman can attend to.”

  Thanatos choked again, this time spitting his wine back into the goblet.

  Minthe laughed and leaned back into her chair, crossing one long leg over the other as she gazed between the two of us. Thanatos and me.