Blinding Night

by Chantal Gadoury

  “How?” I whispered breathlessly. Darce swallowed and darted his gaze away. There was something lurking beneath his eyes. Something he still wasn’t telling me.

  Despite not having known him long, I knew. He was slow to respond, but finally muttered,

  “There are some other complications. Things that could be used against me, ” he paused and shook his head. For being the God of the Underworld, he seemed so vulnerable. I slid my hand to his arm and squeezed gently.

  “I’m sorry, you don’t have to tell me.”

  “It’s alright,” he assured me quickly. “I’d be forced to give up my claim on you, on Persephone...and if I do, Persephone will no longer be bound by our vow. You would be lost to me forever.”

  So that was it then. Persephone would never return to the underworld. She would never see Darce again. I would never see Darce again. My chest tightened at the thought. I hardly wanted him to let me go at this point, especially when I could easily brush my lips against his if I leaned a little closer. His black gaze lifted to mine again, and I could see his despair lingering just beneath the surface.

  “But why?” I whispered again, my voice began to falter. “Can’t you tell me?”

  His hands cupped my face as he shook his head. More silence, his habitual answer to everything. But before I could ease away, Darce leaned forward and brushed his lips against mine. My stomach fluttered.

  His lips were warm and soft as they slanted over mine. As I closed my eyes, and clung to him tightly, I knew I could get lost in the taste of him. His thumbs brushed over my cheeks as his lips moved more hungrily against mine. His tongue slid along my bottom lip, coaxing me to give him an entrance. I found myself easing into him, melting further into the kiss.

  As I parted my lips, I heard his gruff voice murmur my name. My heart was beating wildly against my chest as he slid another hand behind my head, cupping the nape of my neck. I had never been kissed like this—ever. In my entire life. Dream or not. A sloppy kiss behind the bleachers of a football game in high school hardly compared. Jason Rothborne’s rubber lips never stood a chance against a kiss like this.

  I gasped as Darce trailed a line of featherlight kisses down to my neck, nipping at the tender skin of my shoulder. It was like being hit with a cool breeze after a long day in the hot sun. Was this a dream too? Had Morpheus entered my dreams again and sent me Darce—the sweet, and kind side of Darce?

  I slid my hands to Darce’s shoulders and pushed against him gently. I needed to think. I needed to remember myself. I needed to get the truth from him. He owed me that at least.

  I could feel his moan vibrate against my neck; his lips desperate for our continued connection. But I scooted back along the bed and stared at him breathlessly.

  “There’s still something you’re not telling me.” I whispered. His eyelids were heavy as he lifted a hand to my cheek again, pushing a strand of loose hair from my face.

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “But it does,” I pressed.

  Darce had the look of a man who had seen too many things in his lifetime. Being the God of the Underworld came with that special circumstance, I supposed. I could see the dark circles under his eyes, the worried crease between his eyebrows; and the desperate need I had felt in his kiss.

  “Know this, Summer Mavros,” the green of his eyes pushed through the black void, “You are the most important person to me and I will do everything in my power to secure your happiness. I have loved every woman you were before, and that will never change. No matter what.”

  “But Minthe—”

  “Forget Minthe,” his voice was low and gentle, “How can I prove my devotion?”

  He was entirely too smooth. First he kisses me, then he fills my head with pretty words, and then he asks me the hardest question of all. A similar question I had heard him ask before, but with an entirely new meaning. This wasn’t about proving he was a god anymore; this was about me.

  “I want—” what did I want? I definitely didn’t want Minthe hanging around nearby. What I wanted was privacy. “I want you to spend the day with me. To make it up to me.”

  “What?” Darce turned his chin, glancing at my curiously.

  “You left today. You were supposed to go to the grove with me, remember?”

  Darce slowly nodded in response.

  “So tomorrow,” I continued nervously as I slid a hand over my arm, “I want you to spend the day with me. Uninterrupted, no one else. Just us.”

  “You want me to spend the day with you?”

  I tried to act as nonchalant as I could, but I wasn’t sure if it was working.

  “Maybe we could go back…?”

  “Back?” He asked, raising a brow. “Back to the human realm?”

  “Just for the day?” I asked softly. “I’d do anything for a soda and maybe some real human food. Like a date, kinda.”

  I had never been on a real date before, especially one that didn’t involve a random house party. I might have been pushing my luck, but the growing smile on Darce’s face told me otherwise. He chuckled and it made me blush, instantly.

  “Alright Summer,” he beamed, “I’ll give you a day in the sun.”

  Chapter 18

  I cringed as I opened my makeup bag early the next morning.

  I owned the bare-minimum of what most girls used daily. Mascara and lip balm were my go-tos when I was serious about a family outing or an event on campus. While I owned a bottle of foundation, I was pretty sure it was about two years old. I never understood the contouring, highlighting, plucking side of beauty. And while I had been curious about YouTube Beauty Gurus, I knew better than to try it on myself.

  Knowing me, I’d poke my eye out with an eyeshadow brush, or end up with glitter all over my cheeks. And that was the least of my problems. I had to try to find something suitable to wear. Arae had gotten into my head. Was it that I looked bad in sweaters and jeans? Did it really matter? I would never be able to compete with her Calvin Klein and Gucci brands. I didn’t want to either.

  After taking extra care to cover the dark circles under my eyes with what I hoped was concealer, and getting dressed, I finally dared myself to leave my room. Darce didn’t like to be kept waiting, if I remembered correctly.

  He met me at the docks. He was dressed as casually as I was, which I was relieved about. At least I wouldn’t have Arae in my head all day, comparing my style to his and feeling embarrassed by it.

  “Good morning,” he said softly, extending his hand to me. Butterflies frenzied in my stomach as I remembered how warm and comforting those hands had been as he kissed me the night before.

  “Hi,” I responded, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear.

  “Ready?” He asked, gesturing to the boat. My throat swelled with bile at the memory of all the twists and turns the journey into the Underworld had brought. I didn’t want to think about how it would be to leave now.

  “It won’t be so bad,” he said as though he were reading my mind.

  My cheeks grew warm—warmer—as I took his hand and stepped into the boat.

  The cool caverns made for a pleasant breeze as Darce pushed the boat through the water. I was glad I decided to wear a sweater with my shorts and t-shirt. I was also glad I was able to avoid Arae and breakfast. I knew she’d toss me her most scalding glare upon seeing my very ‘human’ attire. I was more excited for real food. In my excitement, I shoved my phone into my back pocket, hoping that while I was in my own place and time for a while, I could catch up on things I was missing. Mostly to see if anyone was looking for me.

  It wasn’t until Darce beached the boat onto the dirt landing that I suddenly remembered the winding, spiraling staircase and how much I had hated it.

  “Can you just... do that magic trick from before?” I asked as I rose to my feet and stepped out onto the dry land.

  “Magic trick?” He asked, raising a brow.

  “I don’t know.” The stairs looked daunting. “Can’t you just beam us up t
o the top?””

  Darce laughed, his timbre deep and soothing.

  “It doesn’t work like that. Not between two realms,” he finally said as he took a step onto the stone stairs. He began the long, and arduous climb upwards. The rest of the stones appeared then, spiraling around the space and lighting our way to the top. As I glanced up, I couldn’t see the promise of daylight yet.

  “Come on, Summer,” he teased, sneaking a peek over his shoulder. I was sure I looked pathetic.

  “My legs are going to feel like noodles,” I whined.

  “If you get tired, I could always carry you,” he said with an amused smirk. “Right over my shoulder, like last time. Would you prefer that?”

  My pride wouldn’t ever allow that to happen again. Ever. Best kiss of my life, or not, he wouldn’t be doing that again anytime soon. I glared at him and bit my bottom lip as I silently began to follow after him. The twisting, winding stairs quickly caused my legs to tire. After several minutes of climbing... climbing... climbing… I paused as I leaned against the wall and let out a breath.

  “You need to figure out a better method of travel. No normal person can do this regularly.”

  “Traveling to the Underworld and back isn’t supposed to be normal, Summer,” Darce said as he turned and descended down to the step where I was resting. I felt his hand on my elbow as he carefully maneuvered himself in front of me.

  “I’ll carry you the rest of the way,” he said as he knelt.

  “On your back?”

  “My shoulder is still a veritable option.”

  He was clearly threatening me. So, I sighed and wrapped my arms around his neck reluctantly. Darce hooked his arms around my legs and swooped me up. I almost lost my balance, but I regained my grip and shifted my weight until I was situated comfortably. His hushed laughter made me think he did it on purpose.

  I could feel Darce’s tight muscles underneath me. He was strong, though for a God, I supposed he would have to be.

  “Do you work out or something?” I asked softly. “Is there some hidden gym down in one of those hallways of yours?”

  “No, Summer,” he hummed. I could hear the amusement in his voice.

  “Right. Well, who needs a gym with a steep entrance like this?” Personally, my legs were still sore from our first adventure on the stairway to the Underworld. And that was walking down, not up.

  “So what is your plan for us when we get to the top?” Darce asked.

  “You mean you don’t have something up your sleeve?” I countered. I half expected him to dictate the entire day.

  “Was I supposed to?” Darce asked, turning his cheek to look at me from the corner of his eye. I tightened my grip around his neck.

  “No,” I replied quickly.

  “I know that you’re already determined to have a soda and french fries.”

  “Or any normal food.”

  “Is that why you’ve hardly eaten since you’ve come?” He asked as he shifted my weight beneath his arms.

  “I miss simple food,” I murmured against his cheek.

  “It’s not because you’re afraid to eat?” Darce asked softly. Afraid to eat? He cleared his throat and continued, “Because of the stories.”

  “I’m not really sure what you’re talking about,” I replied softly.

  “The stories that suggest an immediate consequence? If you eat from the table of the Underworld, you are trapped here,” he clarified.

  “Is there any truth to them though?” I asked.

  “For Persephone, yes.”

  “Oh...because she ate the pomegranate seeds…”

  “Yes,” Darce replied.

  “Then it doesn’t really matter if I eat something or not. By association, it seems, I’m already tied to it whether I like it or not.”

  “I don’t want you to starve yourself,” Darce sighed.

  “It would be kinda pointless,” I snorted. “Maybe if you could add a little more variety to your menu, I might actually consider eating.”

  “I’ll hold you to that,” Darce said.

  As he took the next step, the ground above us began to shake, and a shaft of blinding sunlight filled the dark space between us. The sun. Home. I could feel my breath catch in my throat as Darce took the last few steps, out into the fresh air. I released my grip from around his neck and landed on my feet. Everything seemed to be just as we left it. The ocean was wide, bright and blue off in the distance, while the stony field around us had remained untouched.

  “Might I make a suggestion?” Darce asked as the tiled slab marking the entrance moved back into place. The stairs disappeared altogether; as if it had never existed.

  “Sure?” I said with a hesitant nod.

  “There’s a little town a few miles away from here. Gytheio. I’m sure we could find you a beverage and something to eat,” Darce explained softly. “Unless you had somewhere else you wished to go.”

  Honestly, I knew very little about tourist attractions in Greece, other than Athens. I hadn’t ventured far into the ‘Guide About Greece’ upon finding out my summer destination. At the time, I had assumed I would be in the city, admiring temple ruins and watching Greek TV with subtitles.

  “Gytheio? That sounds fine,” I said with a nod. I had no idea where that was, but if he did—all the better. “Lead the way.”

  Darce, pleased with my approval, took my hand and stared into my eyes. The familiar sensation of being completely emerged into water washed over me again. As Darce began to walk slowly, the ocean and stone field surrounding us suddenly became shrouded in darkness. The world was moving so fast around us. So much so, I grabbed onto his arm and pressed myself closer to him.

  I was pretty sure this was a form of teleportation.

  And just as quickly as the sensation had started, it quickly vanished, leaving Darce and me on a road. On the left side, the ocean sparkled, and on our right, a waterfront speckled with colorful shops and brick buildings.

  “This is Gytheio,” Darce said in explanation. “It’s a hidden, secret gem of Greece. Beautiful and quiet in its serenity.”

  He was right about the quietness. Everything seemed slower—easier—just by the way the locals seemed to stroll along the streets. We walked along a curving cobbled road until I spotted a few blue tables and white chairs outside of a cafe. It had the most impressive view of the ocean, too.

  I didn’t care what the cafe served, I just wanted to sit there and wonder at the world like a little kid.

  “Can we eat here?” I asked with a smile.

  “Whatever you want,” Darce replied, flashing a grin.

  I approached one of the many empty tables and stared out over the ocean view. I was going to get my fill of the sun and the sea if I could. Sightseeing was just a major plus. From where we were sitting, I could see the edge of an island rising in the distance and lighthouse farther down the way. I immediately wished I had brought my sketchbook.

  Darce sat down, amused by my behavior. He crossed one long leg over the other and leaned back, which was the most relaxed I had seen him. Comfortable, even. His demeanor had changed almost instantly the second we were above ground. Whatever darkness that held him, it couldn’t hold on once he was in the sun. It wasn’t like he hadn’t already told me about his time spent in the human world, so maybe that was why he hadn’t argued with me about the destination of our date.

  We were on a date. I felt myself blush and picked up the nearest menu.

  Everything was written in Greek. The foreign words jumbled together on the page. I was unsure of what everything was. I suddenly remembered my dad, offering to pick up food the second that mom and I had arrived. He would have known what was what, he could have translated it all if he were here. He would have known exactly what I would have liked to eat, too. Or even what I would have liked to try.

  I looked away from the menu for a half-second. A few passersby walked past our table; amongst them were families. A father lifted a little girl onto his shoulders, while the mot
her watched them both with a smile. My chest felt heavy and my heart pinched in tender places. That family had been mine at one time. We were happy once—dad, mom, and me. Now we weren’t anything. I lowered the menu down onto the table slowly and bit my bottom lip.

  Don’t cry.

  “They have lemon-lime espa here,” Darce said, sliding his finger over his own menu. “It’s about as close to a soda as you’ll get.”

  “Great,” I choked back my tears. “I’ll get that.”

  He looked up at me as if on cue.

  “Is everything alright?”

  “I don’t see ‘hamburger’ on here anywhere… do you?” I asked, pushing my attention solely on the menu in front of me. Darce’s hand gently pushed down on the top of the menu and it sunk into my lap like a rock. I could feel his gaze searching my face and I wanted to hide.

  “Look at me,” he pleaded softly.

  Don’t you cry, Summer Mavros. Don’t you dare.

  I slowly lifted my gaze and met his as I exhaled. I hadn’t realized I was even holding my breath. Darce didn’t speak. He just stared at me, with a sort of sad expression, as if he could see it all. Did he feel bad for me? Did he feel guilty? Regret? I didn’t bother to ask. I didn’t want to ruin our time together when I had asked him to spend the day with me. Greek might have been on the menu, but Sobbing-Summer-Mavros was not.

  I looked back at the menu.

  “It looks like mostly seafood,” I said, leaning back in the plastic blue chair.

  A tall waiter came to us with a notepad and pen. Good timing, too, because I was starving. He smiled and greeted us, stopping just short of outright ogling. On the outside, I’m sure we made the odd pairing. Darce, who appeared more Korean than Greek—and me—the American foreigner.

  Darce began to speak to the waiter in Greek, pointing at a few different options on the menu.

  “Efcharistó,” He finished, nodding his head as he lifted his menu to the waiter and reached for mine.

  I knew that word at least. Thank you. As the waiter walked away, I peered at Darce curiously.

  “What did you order?”