by Dee King
“Well, that's a hard question. Yet, possibly more true than you know. Let's just say that everything you thought you knew may be true.” One time Chris had asked me if I had special powers or something because I could do things that he had seen nobody do before.
That was in the beginning before I learned to tame my powers on Earth.
“Hmm... okay, then. This is a don't ask, don't tell type situation, right?”
“Yes.”
“Where are Chloe and her mom?”
“Oh, they are outside with your dad I think?” That could be a disaster. I run outside, where Chloe hugs me tighter, then her mother does.
“Sebastian, you risked so much for her.” Her mom had tears in her eyes. I try to console her.
“I love her.”
“I know you do...” She tried to hush her sobbing.
“This place is freaking amazing. Did you know that there are horses that fly here? I mean, real horses.” Chloe keeps searching the yard around us, watching every little thing.
Poseidon comes from around the back side of the house. Watching Selene's mom and Poseidon see each other is pretty cool. But, they didn't seem to have this great love affair that her mother had always told
Selene.
“Sebastian, I was just about to come find you. Everything and everyone is ready. You need to go get yourself together. It's a big day, you know?” My dad tells me. Smiling like I haven't before, I wave goodbye, so that I can
get ready. My father would have to take care of everyone, this was the day that she would smile. Truly smile here. Zeus wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Mortals on Mount Olympus, his son not doing what he asked, and we would be safe. My dad and Poseidon took a huge chance for this to happen. There was no rule against it, it was just understood that mortals were to not know we walked amongst them. No mortals have ever been on Mount Olympus. Although, they would never remember it
anyways. It was one of our most sacred rules. Even I understood this, but I didn't care. He summoned us here, wanted us to marry to prove he had the power, and now we held the power. Slowly but surely our father's plans
many years ago were working in our favor. I didn't like being the pawn in their game, but if it meant that I had a life with Selene, then to hell with rules. Shower, shave, wedding apparel, I was ready before I planned on being. I waited to dress, I wanted to take a moment just to myself. The nauseous feeling was making my stomach do cartwheels.
Was I ready for this? A wedding? Yes.
I may be young, but I'm ready for this part. Looking at my suit that I had brought with me, it was still perfect. I had an emblem sewn onto the interior of the suit coat, the same as my tattoo. It was right where my heart
was. Family here? Check. Friends here? Check. Rings? Check. Nerves working on overtime? Check. I stood back, looking in the mirror.
This was the day I became a new man. The temple would look beautiful, and the hall even better. I had requested a very different type of reception. She would love it. Well, I was hoping that this was what she was wanting. We had discussed a couple of ideas of where we would get married if we weren't having to do it here, on the mount.
This better have worked. It was going to be very unique is all I could think. Usually, the girl did all the details, but I wanted to do this. Between numerous calls to Iris, she had promised that everything was going to go as I had planned. One last look, then I made my way down the stairs.
Ian handed me my little rose thing that goes on my suit. The boutonniere? Why do you even need those? I take it, my dad placing it on me, making me think of my mom. She should be the one doing this, and now she was
gone. I hadn't thought of how her being gone would affect me today, but standing here, with everyone around me, I missed her. Everyone smelled and looked very nice, so I told them that.
In return, I got some whistles. I did a runway walk and then we all laughed together. I was ready to get married come whatever it may. The carriages for everyone arrive, but mine. Chloe, Chris, and Ms. A all rode with Poseidon. I would meet Alex at the temple where I had to wait
to be ushered inside. Ian waited with me for my carriage. My normal Pegasus did not come pick us up, a sleigh did. Yes, a sleigh. Zeus must have thought a white wedding is what we should have. So, of all the days in the mount, he made it snow. It was beautiful though. Centaurs pulled
the sleigh while Ian complained about there not even being a blanket inside the sleigh. The cold never really bothered me. I'm used to being hot, in many ways, so this was actually nice. Zeus wasn't going to ruin my day.
Not today. Ian comes with me to the room where I am to wait for them to tell me it's time. Alex is seated on a chaise lounge in what looks like a dressing room. He matches Ian's clothes. Not mine though. I wore white and blue. They were expecting red or black, but not on this day.
Today was about us, not the colors that my father chose to represent his family long ago. There were little pink stripes in my tie and the flower I was wearing was pink. It's Selene's favorite color. Alex is wearing a black
suit with a white tie. He stands up, shaking my hand. He asks if I am nervous, of course, I roll my eyes. Was he joking? On the outside I may look like I have it all together, but my insides tell another story.
Ian stays as long as he is allowed. My father peeked his head in, telling me good luck. These are his last words to me before I get married? Great. Good luck? I run out after him.
“Dad?”
“Get back in there.” He pushes me back inside the small room.
“Yes?”
“That's all your words of wisdom? Good luck?”
“Son, I know your heart. You love her and she loves you. Whatever choices you make; I know they will be the right ones. Don't worry about anything. It's all under control. Oh, good to see you Alexander.”
My dad nods to Alex. He hugs me, then he was out the door. Alex and I are standing alone together in a small room. Parts of me wanted to cause him great harm, the other part decided against it. A knock on the door that
leads into the high temple startled Alex.
“Are you ready?” I ask him. He needed to be prepared for what he was about to do.
“It's now or never, right?”
“Pretty much.” He takes a deep breath, shakes his head yes, then he walked out the door first. I was last. I could hear the gasps of many people already freaking out in a hushed voice, then Alex turns to me, smiles, and
waves at the crowd of people. I will give Alex one thing; he was great with an audience. Everyone began clapping for him, like he just won the Olympics or something. The room becomes quiet. I see Aphrodite come to
the step where she was last night. She smiles at the crowd, then waves for me to come forth. This was it. Within the next few steps, I was going to be married to Selene. I'm the son of Hades, the God of the Underworld, this
was just me changing my life for eternity, no big deal. My stomach says otherwise, with palms sweating. I had to pull it together. They are expecting the arrogant me. This was becoming more of a task to pull off, with me being so nervous. I fix my tie, pat my pocket where the rings are,
and I take a deep breath. This was the beginning of my new life.
Three, two, one, here comes the groom.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Wedding of the Century
I slowly walk to my place to wait for Selene to walk down the aisle. Taking a look around, the temple is filled with people. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Selene's mom sitting next to my dad. They looked happy. On my side of the temple, there were more people than I thought there would be. Alex pats me on the back, almost making me fall over from being so damn nervous. I muster a smile. I just wanted this part to hurry without fail. Ian whistles, making the room get quiet. The music changed from the
harp music to the songs Ian and I had discussed. I had everything down to a science for Selene. Cali is standing at the temple doors, making her way down the aisle. She is smiling at everyone.
I couldn't smile at her. This
wasn't what Selene wanted, but I had to give Alex what he asked for. The temple doors close when Cali gets to the step where she is to stand for the ceremony. The music changes again, this was the song that I knew would
have people in tears. I wanted them to focus on the song, the beauty of Selene, and it was working. Everyone stood to their feet. The doors opened again and their stood Chloe. She was as gorgeous as most of the goddess' in the room. Gasps were heard. She was a mortal. This part they
weren't expecting. Chloe walks slow and steady. I smile at her as she stands beside Cali. Then there she was.
In a beautiful white gown that touched the floor, with a pink fire and ice rose bouquet in one arm, the other draped through Chris's arm. Her blonde hair was piled on her head, with gold dust sprinkled all over. She had tears
coming down her face, as the song played. She was truly happy. Those were happy tears. Her dad must have felt a sense of rejection for Chris taking his spot, but I knew she would want that. As she glides down the aisle, the crowd is watching with adoring eyes. Mortals or not, everyone
was focused on her. She was radiating beauty.
My love.
Chris bows to me, then she hands the roses to Chloe, taking my hand in hers. Her hand was shaking uncontrollably. I try to rub the inside of her palm with my thumb, calming her the best I could. The song ends, the
crowd sits, and Aphrodite addresses the crowd.
“We are gathered in the temple of Zeus to celebrate the marriage between these two...” She keeps talking about how love will guide you, letting your heart lead you down the path of life. I don't think I was actually listening
at one point; all I could hear was my heartbeat. Then the question came.
This was it. This was the test of what would happen. I feel her hand shaking again, and this time, mine was too.
“If anyone here believes they have knowledge to why these two should not be married for eternity, now is the time to speak or forever and a day you will hold your peace.” Aphrodite has a face of stone, daring anyone to
speak. The feeling of all eyes on our backs felt like little daggers. I hadn't even bothered to find Zeus in the room, but I knew he was there. Not a word was spoken. No one was even breathing it sounded like. The time was ticking. Then Aphrodite said how wonderful it was to be in a
room where everyone loved the couple that stood in front of them. It was over. The worst part of this was over. Nobody interrupted us and Alex had kept his word. I slightly turn my head to see Alex smiling at the
two of us. I owed him for this. He was being truthful last night. It came time for us to exchange rings. I pulled out the little box from my suit. I gave the box to Alex after I took our rings out. I handed her mine, while I kept hers tightly in my other hand. The rings were exchanged and a
sudden burst of light came from them. The rings were now charmed for the both of us. That part had surprised Selene. She had a beautiful smile spread across her face. Aphrodite smiled back at the two of us, flipping her
hair over her shoulder. She announced that we had become one, then some ahs came from the crowd. I knew the next part that was coming. This is the only other part I had been nervous about. Would she say yes?
“Do you, Son of Hades, Sebastian Hades Andreas, take the Daughter of Poseidon, Selene Elizabeth Athans till death do you part? To rule with you in the Underworld, to rule the seas with her for all eternity?”
“I shall.”
These two words were all she had to say. But I didn't know if she had caught the part about ruling the Underworld with me.
“Do you, Daughter of Poseidon, Selene Elizabeth Athans, take the Son of Hades, Sebastian Hades Andreas, to be your love till death do you part? To rule by his side in the Underworld, and to rule the seas with him by your
side, for all eternity?” Selene paused.
I was waiting on pins and needles so to speak, for her to say she shall. I never told her that she would now
become the goddess of the Underworld, I had hoped she would have figured it out.
“I shall.” She whispered.
“Let it be heard that these two have now pronounced their love for eternity to one another. You may kiss the one you love now.”
I lean in, taking her by the back of her neck with one hand. My other hand on the small of her back, pulling her soft face towards me, pressing down my lips on top of
hers. Her hands finding my back, she kissed me back. Then another bright light radiated from the two of us. It was done. We were bound together forever. Literally. The crowd exploded with roars of joy, clapping, and even some noise like we were at a game. We stop kissing, turn to the crowd, smiling at one another.
“I present to you the God and Goddess of the Underworld, and the Goddess and God of the Seas.” Aphrodite announces to everyone as we step down, making our way down the aisle.
Then I see him. Zeus is standing beside the doors we were about to walk through. He holds the door open for us, without a sincere look on his face. He had just lost this
battle. There was pure anger flowing through his veins as his eyes turned a dark shade I had never seen before. That didn't stop Selene and I as we kept walking out to the next hall, hand in hand. We had done the unthinkable. We had become one, now the fates were going to change. The
pendulum would swing in our favor. Zeus couldn't stop it from happening now. We waited outside before we were to be announced again in the reception hall.
“I love you.” I whisper in her ear, holding her body close to mine.
“And I you..” She spoke softly.
“Thank you.” She says again, then I see a tear falling down her gorgeous pink blushed face.
“You’re welcome.” I knew what she meant.
Bringing the people that mattered most to her here on her wedding day was the one thing she had been sad about.
“You look amazing... There aren't enough words to tell you how beautiful you are.” I step back from the embrace, admiring her in the bridal gown she was wearing.
“You haven't seen anything yet.” She winks at me.
I was too scared to ask her if she was upset about now being the Goddess of the Underworld. My secret had been revealed, and I didn't know if she knew exactly what she had said yes to. I had been willing to give up my seat beside my father if she had asked me to, she still may, but that choice would now be mine. She would have to if I decided yes. I didn't want to think about that right now. I wanted to enjoy my day, my wife. My wife? Would those words ever get easier to say?
“It's time.” Another goddess I didn't recognize came outside to tell us.
It was time for us to walk inside with everyone. We turned around, looking at the huge double doors that we were about to enter as husband and wife. She takes my hand in hers, intertwining our fingers together.
“You ready for the fun part?” She asks me.
I say yes, because I was ready to enjoy my life with her by my side. The double doors open and her mouth drops. The room looked exactly what I had wanted Iris to do, even more so. Tears streaming down her face into the smile that she was wearing. She knew that this was just for her.
“Announcing Mister and Missus Andreas.”
A loud voice says as we make our way to the dance floor. The song I had chosen for us began playing. Tears still making their way down her face, I take her in my arms. She was smiling as she put her head on my shoulder.
Slow dancing through the song, I would steal kisses throughout certain verses in the chorus. Then she moved away from me, holding my hand that was outstretched. She twirled around in her dress as it changed right in front of my eyes. She was now wearing a different gown with a huge blue anchor on the bottom of the dress with flames painted all around the anchor. The word Fate appeared in gold through the anchor. She was magnificent. I couldn't believe my eyes. The gown, her, it was all such a shock. She had shocked me. That wasn't easy to do. But this, this shocked me
. She folded herself back into my arms just as the song ended. I held her in my arms, picking her up gracefully off the dance floor, swinging her around. Everyone began cheering for us. I slowly slid her body back down to the ground as we walk to the platform where we were to be seated.
“I told you.” She winked at me. She had been right. I hadn't seen anything yet. This was the best day of my life.
“Do you like this?” I ask her, while pushing her chair up to the table for her, speaking of the décor.
“Yes. You brought everything to one place. It's beautiful, Sebastian.” I watch as her eyes are going wild searching the room as it had been decorated for every city she had wanted to be married in.
Paris, Rome, Hawaii, London, and even Greece. Each section of the room with its tables was made to look like you were in that city. Our table was Paris, the city of love. Roman columns stood beside the Rome table. Leis
hung everywhere on the Hawaiian table. London with its replica of Big Ben, and Greece, well, that came too easy. It was everything I had asked for and then some. She was really taking everything in. This next part I had been dreading, the part where our food would be served and the tables were to come by and congratulate us on our new vows. Zeus hadn't even been expecting to see this room let alone sit in here. He would be the last to congratulate us, when he should have been one of the first. We made
