"I know," she answered. "I spoke with her this morning." She smiled again and hummed as she went about her work. I was so happy to see her so safe and sound. The last two times I had seen her had not been so pleasant.
"Going back to your question," Cadmus said, "I don’t see the problem with leaving her safely on Ogygia. She will be out of harm’s way and will be none the wiser regarding what is going on. She’ll be in paradise and she’ll keep Calypso company. She’ll enjoy her time there and then we’ll retrieve her."
"And then?" I asked. "What then?"
"You mean, what should we do at that time—should we remain here?" He raised an eyebrow. "We can make that decision when we come to it. We’ve got a few bridges to cross before then."
"I know that’s right," I muttered. But as we walked, the day was so beautiful that I just wanted to put it all out of my mind. We had stared death in the face and come back from it.
We definitely deserved a day off.
So, we spent the day enjoying each other’s company. We laughed and picked fresh lotus blossoms and fed them to each other next to the stream. We laid in the grass and talked for a couple of hours about nothing and then finally, I fell asleep on his hard chest and we napped in the shade. My last conscious thought was how comfortable it was with his strong arms wrapped around me.
It was nightfall before he finally woke me up.
I raised my head and stared at the twinkling stars and the swirling dark sky of the Spiritlands. "Maybe we should just stay here and not go to Aphrodite’s dinner," I suggested.
"Hmm. I see a couple of problems with that," Cadmus replied with a grin. "First, Aphrodite will kill us both. Second, the Chimeras will be out soon. And honestly, I don’t know who I would rather face. An angry Aphrodite or a hungry Chimera."
"I’d take the Chimera any day," I laughed as I sat up and pulled him to his feet. He flattened me to his chest as he stood and kissed me long and sound.
"It feels good to be here with you," he admitted. "I think we should consider staying."
I nodded solemnly. "I know. I was thinking the same thing. We belong here. But as you said, we can cross that bridge later."
We made our way quickly back to the palace and I stood in utter shock when we reached it.
It had been almost completely transformed to its former glory in just one day. Light poured from its every window, door and balcony, making it a truly beautiful beacon in the night. It looked every bit as magical as I knew that it was.
When we reached the grand staircase, we parted ways. I kissed Cadmus quickly and promised to be back down stairs within a few minutes, then kissed him one more lingering time.
"I just need to freshen up," I said breathlessly as he pulled away the second time. "I’ll be right back."
"I’ll be waiting," he promised, his beautiful dark eyes gleaming.
Bounding up the stairs, I hurried for my room to change clothes and straighten my hair. I quickly changed into a long white sheath and stared into the mirror to pile my dark hair onto my head. I felt a little plain, so I conjured up a matching set of jade combs and they appeared in my hand. I tucked them into my hair and examined myself. I would do.
Turning to rush back out the door, I stopped in place.
My balcony doors were open and one of the Keres stood facing me as she leaned against the railing. Her dark cloak fluttered as the wind blew around her. At the expression on her face, my heart immediately froze.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to remain calm.
"Come here, Harmonia," she instructed.
Obligingly, I walked numbly to where she stood as she turned and faced the courtyard.
"Look below us, Harmonia. Isn’t it beautiful?"
I gazed below us and it truly was beautiful. Lanterns hung from every surrounding tree, creating a soft, delicate glow. Guests mingled and laughed as they drank nectar and enjoyed our newly found carefree feeling. A pall felt as though it had been lifted and I could see that lightness of being reflected on every face in attendance. Even Ortrera and her warriors seemed a bit more relaxed than usual as they lingered on the edge of the festivities. Aphrodite and Ares, of course, were in the middle of everything, laughing and dancing to music that no one else could hear.
"Look at Cadmus," the old hag breathed into my ear. "Your husband is a handsome man, Harmonia. You are quite fortunate."
Cadmus stood next to Ortrera as he calmly watched everyone celebrating around him. The angles of his bronzed face caught the flickers of candlelight perfectly and his beauty did take my breath away. He was patient as he waited for me, confident that I would arrive at his side at any moment.
And each moment, I doubted that fact more and more.
I turned to Moros. "Why are you here?"
"Because the sword must be found, Harmonia."
I shook my head in annoyance. "I realize that. We will begin the search tomorrow. We’ll find it."
"But how committed are you? To what lengths will you go?"
"Great lengths. Olympus must be restored. I understand the importance."
Moros studied me for a long moment. "I believe you. But not for the reason that you think.
You know, you were never told the rest of the prophecy."
I felt my heart thudding against my chest as I returned her stare as calmly as I could.
"There is more? What is the rest?"
"It has been said that the Chosen One will fight for the crown only after a great loss."
"A great loss?" I repeated in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"We think that you will need to experience the loss of someone close to you in order to spur you to action."
I shook my head slowly from side to side as I grasped what she was saying. What she was threatening.
"No. Moros, that’s not necessary. I will find the sword. I am fully committed. I need to lose no one. I have only just gotten everyone back."
"You know the power of the sword, Harmonia. Not only is it the only existing thing that can kill an immortal, but the holder of the sword has the ability to also restore life." She grinned a twisted smile. "Perhaps you need incentive to find it quickly. Look at your lover again, Harmonia."
Breathlessly, I did as she requested.
Cadmus was now standing with Moros’ sister. He was talking with her in earnest, although he did not seem bothered or upset. That much was a relief. Annen stood at his elbow, his dark eyes locked with mine. I struggled to breathe.
"My sister you never formally met her," Moros pointed out.
"You’re right, I did not," I agreed. "I shall have to make a point of doing so."
"You shall," Moros agreed. "Her name is Thanatos."
"Thanatos," I whispered and her name froze on my lips as a chill spread from my head to my toes.
It meant death.
My gaze flew back to Cadmus. He was gone. My scream split the night and then I saw nothing.
THE END
