“Won’t they be too busy talking to Darce and I—”
“Do you recall a French Queen from your mortal history?” Arae asked, raising a brow. “Imagine Mount Olympus as though it were Versailles. And you are a foreign queen entering new territory. Everyone who’s anyone will be there. Everyone judges everybody. They’ll be exceptionally ruthless when it comes to you.”
“Even my shoes?” I lifted the hem of my gown, revealing my Keds once again.
“Oh Summer,” she growled as she snapped her fingers. “Take them off.”
Pursing my lips, I glared at her as I pushed them off. She crossed the room and gathered a pair of what looked to be gladiator sandals. They were a light beige-tan but encrusted with small diamonds over the tops of my feet.
“And these are supposed to be better?” They looked uncomfortable.
“At least it goes with the outfit,” she replied with an irritated sigh.
“Did you dress Darce this diligently too?”
The curt look she gave me could have sliced bread. “Thankfully, my Lord knows how to dress himself, unlike his counterpart.”
If there was only one thing we could agree on, it was that Darce did in fact know how to dress himself. He definitely knew how to undress not only himself, but me, like a pro. In the few days that had passed since Morpheus had shown me my past lives, Darce and I had filled the few hours that we had together, with each other. Maybe he thought of it as making up for lost time? Either way, what bliss.
Since Hermes’ arrival, Darce hadn’t let me out of his sight. Not that I could really blame him. If Hermes took me back to Mount Olympus without him. . . I was almost sure that I would never see him again. After dinner each night, Darce led me back to my room, and peeled away my clothes. Peeled away the layers of the memories I hadn’t discovered yet. In-between the silent hours, Darce would tell me stories about the women I had been before; Winnie, Celena, Lorena, and Persephone. Sometimes, when I closed my eyes, and sank into my bed beside him, I wondered who he missed the most. If he, as he watched me from across the table at our meals, looked at me and wished for another face to be there instead. The thoughts were fleeting as Darce would pull me closer, tighter against him—keeping me warm and safe in his embrace.
This certainly wasn’t where I imagined myself to be these summer months—hidden away in the Underworld with a Greek God. I also never imagined that I—Summer Mavros—was actually a Greek Goddess: Persephone. Yet, here I was, having a gown prepared for my arrival to the infamous Mount Olympus, a place I had always presumed was fictional. I was going to meet the most famous Greek God—Zeus, along with the many other Gods and Goddesses I had only heard about in books and movies.
“Does this really mean Zeus is my father?”
“He was the father of Persephone, so I suppose that would mean he’s yours too.” Arae replied as she took a step back, tapping her finger against her chin. Sometimes I wondered if she was contemplating a curl or my entire head of hair.
“But wouldn’t that make . . . Darce. . .my uncle?” I cringed at the thought.
“Look,” Arae replied, snapping her fingers as she gazed at me. “Things are different here. Much different than in your rule-riddled world. Gods and Goddesses aren’t made the way you humans create life.”
“Then how?”
“How were the first humans created by God?” Arae asked, raising a brow. “He made them from ash and dirt, correct?”
She was right, but I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction.
Instead I quietly chewed at my bottom lip and turned back to look at my reflection. I didn’t recognize the girl—woman—I saw staring back at me. It was much more than just the beautiful gown I wore or the crown of golden leaves on my head. I was so much more than who I was before everything happened, which I credit to my “spring awakening,” as Thanatos had jokingly referred to it. I was meant to be a Greek Goddess now.
“I think you finally look presentable enough,” Arae murmured before she flicked a strand of my hair over my shoulder. “Enough to appease the Gods of Mount Olympus.”
“I’m not going there to appease anyone,” I muttered under my breath.
“For the last time,” she hissed. “You’re not going there for a party. You’re being summoned. That means you and Darce are in more trouble than you might realize.”
“We didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Minthe will say otherwise.”
Right. Minthe. She was the sole reason why Hermes came to the Underworld in the first place. She had been rejected by Darce and ran to Mount Olympus to tell Zeus and my mother where I was. That I, Summer Mavros was indeed, Persephone, and had been returned to Hades.
“Currently it’s her word against yours.”
“But soon it’ll be hers against Darce. That should make a difference.”
I swore I heard Arae mutter, “not likely,” under her breath, but I didn’t bother to ask for clarification. She was still too busy inspecting me like a prize horse readying for a race.
“Perfect. When we go to Mount Olympus, this is exactly how you will dress.” Arae stated confidently. “Adhere to my fashion advice and there will be no question of who you are.”
As I tilted my chin back towards the mirror’s reflection, I couldn’t help but feel the lie layered in Arae’s words. There was a good chance that everyone who looked at me would see who I was trying to be—someone hoping and willing enough to fill the shoes of the long-ago Persephone. But then, they might also see right through that act and see me for what I was. . .Darce’s partner.
The Summer of today was not the Summer of four weeks ago. I carried a lot of responsibility, especially now that I knew my life was the last in Persephone’s long line of reincarnations. “Where is Darce again?” I asked, turning my attention back to Arae.
“He and Thanatos are on the other side of the Underworld, in the Asphodel Meadows.”
“Oh,” I murmured as I quickly began to pull the golden crown from my head. “I think I’ll change and start packing.”
“You could leave the packing to me,” Arae said with a smirk.
Yeah right.
Arae detested my comfortable human clothes, and I wasn’t willing to give up my comfy clothes just yet. She couldn’t make me surrender my leggings and sweaters if she wasn’t the one packing for me. Even if it meant I could only wear it in my room with Darce, I still wanted the pieces of my things that were still me.
I tried to give her a warm smile as I shook my head. “Don’t worry, I’ll pack what you want me to.”
“You’ll thank me later,” she promised in a sing-song voice.
“Mmm,” I hummed in my throat as I reached for the clasp of the necklace. This time it was my turn to mutter, “not likely.”
Arae scoffed as I set the necklace in her open palms, but she didn’t say anything more. I decided to leave before she tried though, so I jumped up as quickly as I could and disappeared through the door of her room.
I was glad that at least the shoes she had selected for me didn’t clatter against the marble floor as I walked. She had tried putting me in heels once and the constant clicking drove me batty, so I had stashed them behind a potted plant. I wondered how long it had taken her to find the discarded heels. Just as I reached the hallway leading back towards my rooms, I decided to take the other way, leading to the docks. If there was a chance Darce and Thanatos had come back early, then maybe I could ask Darce for his real opinion of Arae’s dress.
I smiled to myself, despite how awkward I felt. I knew he would like it on me regardless.
As I approached the main entrance, I saw the familiar outline of wings and a flash of silver and blue hair. It fluttered in the gentle breeze coming off the river. Sometimes he was an enigma to me, but easy to spot in a crowd—anywhere really.
Morpheus. The God of Dreams.
He braced himself casually against a wall with one hand, watching the river as the waves moved across the surface. I could picture h
is relaxed and thoughtful expression. No doubt he was brooding over something. Sometimes I wondered what it would be like to read his mind, especially since he could practically see into mine. He had a love for Persephone once, too, and he still seemed to hold a flame for her. I knew better not to ask. I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to know.
He was my first real friend, and while our first encounter upon my arrival to the Underworld had been strange, things had quickly changed. Sometimes, it felt as though he were my only friend, short of Darce. Morpheus had welcomed me without question, unlike Arae, who had taken some getting used to. He had been the one who had helped me realize the truth about my past; the truth about my being the Goddess, Persephone.
Without him, I might have lost Darce to Minthe.
Without him, I might have lost myself too.
I watched as he tilted his chin to the side, turning slowly to glance over his shoulder. The corner of his lips turned into a careful smile as he caught my gaze; his eyes were warm and welcoming.
“I see Arae got her hands on you,” he said with a slight chuckle.
“Is it that obvious?” I asked, wrinkling my nose as I slid my hands to my waist.
He parted from the wall and tucked his hands into his dark trousers pockets; his clothing was the usual black with the swirling silver crest of the Underworld on his chest. Upon his head, he wore a small silver diadem—a formality.
“I’m surprised you let her,” Morpheus replied, raising a brow.
“I really didn’t have much of a choice.” I explained as I tugged at the skirt.
“His Lord isn’t back yet, but should be soon,” Morpheus explained, gesturing back towards the river with his hand. “I presume he is the reason you’re here.”
My cheeks flushed as I slowly nodded.
“I apologize,” he said as he slowly turned on his heel, glancing back at the water. “I must be a disappointing sight.”
I shifted slowly, taking a step closer toward the dock. I could feel his unease.
“You being here isn’t disappointing, Morpheus,” I admitted softly. Since he had helped me in remembering my past lives, something had changed between us in our short-lived friendship. Now when I gazed at Morpheus, I saw a deep sadness in his eyes—as dark as the night sky. I was too terrified to ask about it; too terrified to know the reason why. I wrapped my arms around myself and chanced a quick glance in his direction. He was still focused on the water.
“Are you sure you want to go to Mount Olympus?” I asked sheepishly.
“And leave you and Darce to all the fun?” He asked with a small smirk. I felt him watching me, and I shrugged as indifferently as I could manage. Morpheus shook his head.
“Someone must keep an eye on you. Darce. . .will have his own things to attend to.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,” I replied sharply, meeting his eyes. His eyebrows rose with amusement.
“Don’t you?”
I tilted my chin slightly before releasing a soft denial, “no, I don’t.”
“Defiant. As expected.” Morpheus paused, clearly amused by my response.
“I suppose I should go for Darce’s sake. He’ll be worried about you when he’s occupied with the others. You know nothing of the ways of Mount Olympus, of the Gods and Goddesses. You’ll be glad to have a friend on your side.”
“I only know what you’ve shown me,” I responded. Morpheus had shown me an image of what it was to live on the mountain. To have all the Gods and Goddesses present, drinking and laughing with one another. It was almost like a scene from a time-period movie.
It was a different sort of living from the Underworld.
I suppose there would be a difference from a place where only the regal lived, compared to the place where the dead occupied.
“Exactly,” he said with a nod. “Which is why I’m going.”
There was a finality in his voice; a tone that meant there was no arguing the matter.
“How soon?” I asked, tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear. I knew Hermes was anxious for us to leave with him, but Darce had done his best in delaying the move for a few days. We all knew it wouldn’t last long. Eventually, we would—I would—have to go with Hermes. I would have to go to Mount Olympus to face the Gods—Zeus—and my mother.
“I suppose his Lord will tell us soon. . .” Morpheus said with a shrug. “I would make sure your bags are packed. I suspect we could be departing as early as this next morning.”
The morning? Tomorrow? Would we really leave so soon? I had hoped for at least a few more days. The mere idea of leaving this place behind caused my stomach to twist into knots. I nervously chewed my lip as I gazed out over the waters. My thoughts drifted to my mother and all the things I wanted to ask her. All the questions that I needed answers to. Why had she kept the truth from me? Why had she made it impossible for Persephone and Hades to be reunited? Why had she made my entire life out to be a lie? Why now? Why did Dad. . .have to die?
Tears stung my eyes as I thought about him. My fun-loving dad who had never known the truth about who my mother truly was. My dad, who had brought us to Greece for the summer. . .
And then everything changed.
Morpheus sighed softly. “Everything will be alright.”
“Easy for you to say,” I said, turning my tear-filled gaze away. “You know what you’re getting yourself into.”
“Which is why everything will be alright. Neither his Lord, nor I, will leave you alone with them.”
I let his words settle in my mind before I swallowed my breath and continued.
“Are they all really so bad?”
“Some more than others,” Morpheus murmured. “Some are tolerable. Some have good intentions. And some are quick, and clever and will do anything to twist and manipulate you into thinking Darce is the enemy.”
“But he’s not. . .” I replied, shaking my head. “I know he’s not the enemy.”
“No, he’s not. But they’ll make you believe something entirely different if you let them. You’re human. To them, you’re easily manipulated.”
A shiver ran down my spine as I lifted my hands to my arms again. Human. I was human. It was as if the mere fact of my mortality was the answer to everything.
“Is it possible to become like. . .you? Like Darce?”
Morpheus straightened his shoulders as the echo of my name suddenly surrounded us. Off in the distance, I could hear Darce calling for me. I turned my attention back to the water—back to the small boat heading our way. As Darce drew closer, I could make out the figure of Thanatos beside him, and the golden-haired God: Hermes.
My stomach twisted at the thought of being torn away from Darce. Being led to believe that he was the enemy. We hadn’t started off on the right foot in the beginning; we bickered more than anything. But things changed. I changed.
“Speak of the devil, as they say,” Morpheus murmured and gave a slight bow in my direction. “I’ll take my leave, then.”
“You don’t hav—” I began, but paused as he turned to go, disappearing into the darkness of the corridor. My cheeks warmed from my frustration. The sting of his departure sat in my chest for a long time after.
BUY GILDED RUINS NOW
Acknowledgments
First I have to say – this book has been a long time coming!
Back in 2009, when I was 21 years old, I was taking a “novel” class at the University I was attending. I was assigned to think of a story that I would write into a novel. The sky was the limit. I knew majority of my classmates would be writing contemporary themes, some - westerns, and others, intricate genres. My favorite genre was and has always been fantasy. But even more in particular – romantic fantasy; fairy-tale like.
One night, as I was trying to rethink my original “novel” idea, I turned my attention to an old favorite book of mine I had on my shelf. “Beauty” by Robin McKinley was a book I read more times than I could count growing up. It was a main influencer in the sort of writing I wanted to
create one day.
So I decided to approach the idea of re-writing a “fairy-tale.” Or rather, a story that I loved.
Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast had been retold over and over again. And I knew I wanted to do something different. I remembered hearing the story of Hades and Persephone in the 7th grade, and how wonderfully heartbreakingly romantic I found the tale. I couldn’t remember if I had ever seen or read a retelling. So I took my chance, and decided to create my own!
Which is where my first novel, “Seven Seeds of Summer” took root.
Fast forward to 2014 - “Seven Seeds of Summer” was published by an independent publishing company. It was my first “real” publication! A book that I learned a lot about in regards to being an author, marketing, and publishing companies.
* * *
When I finally received the rights back to “Seven Seeds” in 2016, I was relieved. Since the time of writing the story and publication, I had learned a lot about improving my writing. I was ready to let Hades and Summer live in a dark drawer for the reminder of my years – until one day, my best friend Shayne Leighton said to me, “I want that book. I believe in that book. Don’t give up on it.”
* * *
Thanks to Shayne, in March of 2018, I finally decided to sit down with a blank Word Document and rewrite Hades and Summer’s entire story into what is now: “Blinding Night.” Thank you for believing in the book, in the characters, in the story, and essentially in me. Your faith means a lot to me.
* * *
My second thanks must go to Amanda Wright – who, at first just agreed to read what I had written for “Blinding Night.” And then volunteered “as tribute” to be my content editor through Parliament House Publishing. Thank you, Amanda –Official Title of Content Editor – for going above and beyond with my book. For loving Darce, for shaping Morpheus, and giving Summer even more snark than I did. Thank you for the afternoon of smut fangirling and so so so much more. More importantly, thank you for the friendship that we have now. Without you, this book would not be what it is today. It certainly wouldn’t have Winnie and Tony, and we both know they’re our favorites. Thank you Amanda, you M.H. you.
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