Tilting his head, he gestured towards the stairs. “Come on, let’s go meet this crazy, lost tourist of yours.”
I grinned and followed him up the stairs. As we reached the top stop step, I felt all the air leave my lungs. The entire deck of the boat had transformed into something from the 1920s—with the golden beading along the walls and tables, and free-flowing champagne glasses, to a whimsical, timeless fairytale landscape. Flowers were everywhere; roses and bougainvillea flowers were formed into an arched dome, covering the deck entirely. Soft, white lights with strands of pearls and crystals under from the ceiling, interwoven among the blossoms.
Trickles of music danced around us, filling the space between the guests. I had never known such a party on a yacht was even possible. As my gaze moved among the people, I noticed standing by the front of the ship was Darce. He was rigid; his eyes were wandering the moonlit sea. Stoic. Thoughtful. And in the beauty of the soft lights, I admired his dark jacket; the golden thread weaving through the fabric, resembling something almost royal-like.
A black mask covered the upper portion of his face, making him appear mysterious. Distant. There was something about the way he carried himself that seemed princely too. The way he lifted his glass to his lips, the way he nodded to the passersby. He was my Prince. My Prince of Darkness.
Giving Eros a polite nod, I excused myself and weaved through the small crowd of dancers—barely recognizing the faces I had only met earlier that morning. Many of them smiled at me, greeted me by name. I even noticed a few of them gave me a low bow as I walked past. It felt strange; I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to it—to them. As I approached Darce, I ran one gloved hand along the hem of his jacket and pinched the fabric lightly in my fingers. He lifted a glass of champagne to his lips, before turning his dark gaze to me. A small smile creased his lips as his eyes locked with mine.
“. . .you look like a Bride of Spring.”
“Don’t I always?” I teased, rolling my eyes. “Good guess though.”
Darce slid his arm around my waist, drawing me closer until his lips were nearly against my ear.
“You’re my Bride of Spring.”
His words made me flush, and I slowly nodded against his cheek. Closing my eyes, I let myself sink against him. I took in the warmth of him; the comfort he offered and realized how much I had missed his company during my mini excursion and pampering session with Eros and Aphrodite.
“I missed you.” I mumbled into his neck. The faint scent of his skin filled my senses; a musk of jasmine and cedar.
“As I missed you,” he said.
The sound of someone clearing their throat pulled us away from the shared moment, and I peered over my shoulder. Hermes flashed us a wide smile, jerking his chin in the direction of the party.
“I hate to break up this tender moment,” he started.
“Then don’t,” Darce remarked, pulling me against his side. His hand slid down to the small of my back. I could feel the warmth from his hand through the fabric of my gown.
Hermes ignored him. “Zeus wanted to invite you both to a toast.”
“A toast?” I asked, tilting my head curiously.
Darce sighed with contempt and interlaced his fingers with mine.
“We’ll be right there. Thank you Hermes,” Darce replied dismissively. Hermes wriggled his fingers and left us without another word. For being Zeus’s messenger boy, he was all too satisfied with himself no matter the delivery.
“Maybe I should just go,” Darce said softly under his breath, taking the last sip of champagne from his glass. He set the empty glass down on a ledge, looking somewhat forlorn. I got the feeling he was hoping it would refill on its own.
“Hermes said the both of us.”
“I know,” Darce replied. “. . .I just. . .”
He hesitated and slid his hand from mine, leaning his weight against the railing of the boat. “I suppose I keep thinking if I can just keep you away from Zeus, if we can just make it off of this boat, everything will be alright.”
“Everything will be alright,” I reaffirmed.
“This trip has only just started. I know my brother. . .”
“He can’t hurt me, Darce. He won’t. I know with you, with Morpheus—”
“He won’t hurt you, Summer. Not in the ways you might think,” Darce retorted. “He has the power to send me back to the Underworld. He can keep you here, without me. He can command that you follow his rules—his laws—and you will have to obey them.”
“Watch me,” I said, my own annoyance starting to peak. “I’m not like you all. I’m not immortal. I don’t have to listen—”
Darce reached for my hand then, and tenderly drew me closer to him. His other hand slowly slid to my face, cupping my cheek in his large, warm palm.
“There is a game to be played here, Summer,” he said softly enough for me to hear. “No matter what happens to me, you have to promise you’ll do whatever you need to do to keep yourself safe.”
“No matter what happens to you?” My heart began to pound like a drum in my chest; fear twisted my stomach as I lifted my hands to his upper arms.
“Promise,” Darce urged softly.
“Do you know something I don’t know, Darce?” I asked, searching his eyes for a hidden truth.
He stared at me with his dark, piercing gaze for a moment before shaking his head. “I just know what my brother is capable of. Both of them.”
“We’re here to show them we want to be together.”
“To ask them,” Darce clarified. “Minthe told them you were with me. If Demeter is still holding me to the agreement, I’m here to ask that the agreement be broken. You’re here to see your mother. To show them that I’m not what she’s claimed me to be. A kidnapper. A rapist.”
The word echoed in my ears as he watched me. Darce would never… had never. . .
“I have to prove I’m not a God who selfishly kept you to myself.”
His words broke my heart. Even I, at first, had believed Hades kidnapped Persephone. But I knew the truth now. To be called a rapist for so many centuries…
To have his bride stolen and all but murdered? It hurt to even imagine how he might have felt. No one knew him like I did. My thoughts drifted to the evenings in his arms. Each time, I had consented in my own way. Darce had never taken something that I had not offered to him freely.
“He may insult me,” Darce continued, “he may say things tonight that you must ignore.”
“And you? Will you?”
“Depends,” Darce said honestly. “I’ve always been one to ignore his jabs. He knows I have plenty of things I could say in return.”
“And I’m just—”
“I’ve never asked you to silence yourself,” Darce interjected. “Just for tonight, I ask that you carefully consider your words before speaking them.” There was a slight tease in his voice, and I knew he was trying to make me smile.
I put my hands up in surrender. “Okay, you win. Cat’s got my tongue.”
The music behind us shifted from a slow dance, to a quick, lively jazz number. It made me think back to Winnie, one of my past lives, and how much she would have loved this party. But instead of her, it was my turn to dance around fate.
Darce reached for my hand then and fitted it on his arm. “Let’s go get this toast out of the way. And then, how about a dance?”
I lifted my gaze, meeting his for a moment.
“I’d like that,” I replied warmly with a small smile.
Chapter 11
I held my breath as we strolled through the doors of the same room we had met Zeus and Poseidon earlier. Though this time, we weren’t alone. Several of the other guests were all watching in the wings. I could feel their eyes as Darce and I emerged from the doors. Many of those who were dancing on the deck, followed behind us.
Zeus, with his striking grey eyes, was the first to greet us. I was disappointed to find that he hadn’t dressed up at all. He was wearing the exact same outfit as be
fore. Wasn’t this a masked ball? He rose from a large, plush, golden chair, reminding me of furniture found in the king’s rooms of Versailles.
“I’m so glad you could join us!” His voice boomed, echoing in my ears. I resisted the urge to be snarky, as I had promised Darce I would behave.
“What? No costume, brother?” Darce asked. At least he had said something, and maybe he had even read my mind. He was good at that.
“Afraid not, ol’ boy.” Behind him, Hera rose from her chaise and came to stand beside him.
Her blonde hair was now faintly tinted cherry-pink, and piled on her head with small, pink roses woven through the bun. Her dress was made of nothing but soft pink organza, with rhinestones and beading that covered her waist and thighs. Everything about her in the dress was nearly exposed. I lowered my eyes to the floor, as I felt my face begin to warm. I wasn’t used to the way they dressed here. Everything was exposed, nothing left to the imagination.
Unlike me, who tunneled their way into baggy, yet comfortable sweaters and tees.
“Everyone is dressed so elegantly,” Zeus said, a smile cracking his voice. “Though, no one is as beautiful as my Hera.”
Barf.
Darce squeezed my hand, as though he had heard my thoughts. I wrinkled my nose, keeping my eyes downcast to the floor.
“It seems I have my work cut out for me!” Poseidon’s enthusiasm emerged from a group of masked guests. He wasn’t hard to miss though. He was dressed in nothing but a silver speedo. Every inch of his skin was covered in grey glitter. Strangely, this was closer to the way I imagined him to appear. On his face, arms and torso, I could make out the faint hint of airbrushed fish scales, blue and white. On his shoulders hung a mesh netting decorated with sea glass, shells, and starfish.
He looked like the true King of the Seas.
His wife, Meri, who was not far behind, reminded me of a mermaid from a pirate movie. Her chocolate complexion had been covered with gold; though the serpent crown still remained on her head. Just like Hera, her off-white lace dress left little to the imagination. Together, they all made perfect pairs, coupled by their themes.
“Everyone has such intricate costumes. However will I guess each of you correctly?” Poseidon’s attention fell to me, his taunting expression clear. His gaze was intent as he looked at me. I wondered if he had any idea who I had come as—or if anyone had, for that matter.
“I called everyone together here, to toast to my brother Hades,” Zeus said, lifting his glass. He gazed around the room, looking to each person standing there with us.
“It has been far too long since I’ve last seen him. And it has even been longer since I’ve last seen our long-lost Persephone.”
Long-lost? Persephone hadn’t been lost. They had known exactly what had happened to her—they murdered her. Locked her soul away in a distant jar, probably stuffed somewhere in my mother’s closet, hidden behind her thousands of romance novels. The mere thought made my entire body tense. I was here now. I was safe. Darce squeezed my hand again, this time, tighter. With his free hand, he lifted his glass in Zeus’ direction.
“Long may he reign the Underworld,” echoed the voices around the room.
Zeus brought his glass to his lips and took a long sip. Darce drank his own at the same time, his jaw tightening. There was more tension between them than I was fully aware of.
“To Summer,” Hera interjected, lifting her wine glass. Her smoldering, dark blue eyes met mine. “Our most welcome guest. The daughter of our beloved Demeter. Who makes a beautiful Ophelia.”
There was disdain laced in her words. A shiver ran down along the length of my spine as she gave me a small nod. Had my costume been so easy to guess?
My grip on the glass that had been offered to me, tightened as I took a sip from the champagne. Voices around me filtered a unified, “welcome.”
This was all too strange. I felt as though I had suddenly become the prize of the night. The human to gawk at. I darted a quick glance in Darce’s direction. He stood silently, staring straight ahead to Zeus and Hera. Poseidon was the first to break the thick silence with a clap of his hands.
“Let’s not stand around staring at each other,” he said, flashing a smile in Zeus’ direction. “Get the music back on. The night is young. Dionysus!”
Dionysus emerged from the crowd, in a silk business suit cinched above the waist with a corset; a long train of fabric following behind him. His hair was styled around his face, and silver swirls had been drawn around his eyes. With a smile, Dionysus snapped his fingers and gestured towards the stewardesses, who fell into the crowd with large trays of wine. Men followed behind, dressed in nothing but tight black shorts, carrying trays with short glasses of what I assumed were brandy. Around us, older music from what I guessed was from the 1930s began to play. The rhythm was fast, and the melody made the room vibrate with renewed zeal.
A hand cupped the bottom of my elbow, and I turned quickly, finding Eros smiling down at me. With the way his hair brushed over his eyes, and the crooked way he smiled, Eros appeared as though he could have come straight from a romance film, dressed in his Romeo outfit. I suddenly understood why he chose acting as a modern profession.
“Want to dance?” He asked, raising an amused brow.
“I’m not—”
Darce reached for my glass and gave me an encouraging smile. “Go on,” he encouraged. “Enjoy yourself.”
“I don’t—”
Before I could get the words out, Eros tugged me along. I shot a desperate look back to Darce, but he had already turned away. His attention was already back on his brothers. My heart felt heavy as I was pulled away. I would have preferred to stay by his side. We had promised we’d get through this together.
“He’ll be fine,” Eros said softly against my ear. “Hades is a big boy.”
“I know but—”
“Then don’t worry about him,” Eros said. “Do as he asked. Enjoy yourself.”
“What makes you think I’ll enjoy myself with you?”
“I am the God of Love after all,” he replied with a wink.
“With crappy aim,” I jabbed.
“‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ is one of my favorite songs. I always dance,” Eros said, ignoring my insult.
“I didn’t even dance at college parties,” I explained. “I definitely don’t know how to do any of these dances.”
“Good thing you have an expert dancing partner.”
I snorted, rolling my eyes. “Expert?”
He held out his hand, “Just give me a chance,” he said, winking. Eros was quite a charmer. When I didn’t take his hand, he slid a finger across his cheek, like an imaginary tear. “Come on. Don’t break my heart.”
I released a heavy sigh and wrinkled my nose. “Is that even possible for the God of Love?”
“Do you really want to find out?”
No. I really didn’t. “Fine,” I muttered.
Eros smiled and began pulling me towards the open deck. The night sky was a dark, deep blue with scatterings of golden stardust, while the air was crisp and cool on my skin.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Tyche and Heaton dancing together; quickly swaying their hips to the fast-paced rhythm. Tyche wore a long yellow lace dress, reminiscent of the seventies. Heaton hadn’t changed his attire at all from before. Apollo strolled onto the deck, adjusting a tall, black top hat on his head, while extending his hand out to Athena. He was completely changed from his tweed outfit from before. Athena came to stand beside him and took his hand with a smile. Her dark green dress glistened in the lights as she twirled beside him.
It felt as though I had slipped into a different time—like when I was once Winnie.
Eros slid an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. He led the dance, his feet keeping in time with the music. I spent more time with my chin to the floor—watching in awe as he spun me around the room. The music was all I could hear. The shimmering lights and glistening crystals made it all feel more
magical, now that I was dancing.
I half expected Fred Astaire to make an appearance and move along with us.
I was breathless as the song finally came to an end but flushed and absolutely full of adrenaline. Eros flashed me a smile as he winked.
“And you said you don’t dance.”
“I don’t. I think you did all the work,” I said with a laugh.
Just as I took a step back, I collided into something—or rather—someone. Turning around, I met Morpheus’ stare. His eyes bore into mine as I found myself smiling gently. He hadn’t changed at all for the festivities, still wearing his golden, red jacket.
“Morpheus!” My eyes were wide with surprise. Where had he been during the toast? I didn’t remember seeing him in the room, with everyone else. “I didn’t see you…” My words drifted to silence. His gaze shifted from Eros to mine.
“Did I over hear you say you don’t dance?” Morpheus asked with a raised brow.
“Don’t let her fool you,” Eros said with a chuckle. “It’s a lie.”
“He’s being too kind,” I said, shaking my head.
“That is sort of my job,” Eros teased.
“Would you join me for the next dance?” Morpheus asked, just as a slower song started up in the background. The dancers around us began to fold into one another, tucking into each other’s arms. I knew the song that drifted around us. I recognized it as ‘La Vie en Rose.’
“Me?” I asked, sucking in a deep breath. “You want to dance with me?”
I didn’t know why his request took me by surprise, but… it had.
“You,” Morpheus said with a nod. Slowly, he uncurled his hand from his pocket, extending it out to me. Darting a quick glance to Eros, I saw him give me an approving nod.
“Please,” Eros said with a smile. “I’m going to go grab myself something to drink.”
He stepped around us, leaving me standing in front of Morpheus, alone. The singer’s voice filled my ears as I took his hand. He pulled me closer and I eased into his embrace, feeling more relaxed than before. Strangely, it was easy to be myself with Morpheus. I didn’t feel the pressure with him that I felt with Eros or the others. He was familiar and swaying along with him to the rhythm of the song seemed so simple.
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