Gilded Ruins

by Chantal Gadoury

“Does everyone have their own palace?” I asked, gesturing to the small marble structures.

  Hermes chuckled and nodded. “Each God and Goddess has their own place of dwelling. Zeus did not wish for everyone to live on top of each other.”

  “It’s so beautiful,” I whispered in awe. A large, white peacock strolled by us; its feathers long and downy.

  “Come. I’ll show you to your place,” Hermes said, jerking his chin towards one of the stone paths. I looked to Morpheus, silently commanding him to follow. I didn’t want to be left alone. Not yet.

  As extraordinary as it was, I still felt unsure and slightly unsafe. First, I was without Darce. Second, I was in a different realm altogether. There was nothing familiar—nothing that drew a memory in my mind. Nothing, but the dream I’d had the night before; the liquid oozing down my throat as my mother and Minthe smiled.

  We began to climb a set of steep stairs, leading into what reminded me of a temple, found in Athens, but these were shimmering and solid. The columns were smooth and white, and I was almost sure there were speckles of gold in them. Hermes paused as we came to the entrance and lifted his hand towards the large door.

  “This is where you shall stay,” he said simply. “Your mother has decided to take up residence in Zeus’ palace for now.” Hermes turned, and lifted his hand in the other direction. Another set of steps led to the large doors, leading into what I assumed was Zeus’ palace.

  “This was you and your mother’s home, when you came to stay in Mount Olympus,” Hermes explained. “She thought it best you have it to yourself for now.”

  “Morpheus is staying with me,” I plainly stated.

  “Actually, Morpheus has been invited by Zeus to stay—” but he paused and gave a small nod. “I suppose I’ll leave that decision up to you.”

  “I’ll be along in a little while. Let me at least allow Summer to settle in,” Morpheus explained. My heart felt like it had sunk into my stomach again. I wanted to argue that I couldn’t be left alone. Not here. As Hermes turned and began to climb up the nearby set of steps, Morpheus immediately expressed his concern.

  “You look worried,” he murmured.

  “I don’t want to be alone.”

  “You won’t be,” he said reassuringly. “There are worse places to find yourself.” Lifting a hand, Morpheus gestured towards the palace. “You could be in there.”

  “Stay,” I urged. “Please.”

  “I can’t.” Morpheus held up his hands. “If Zeus has invited me to stay within his palace, then I must.”

  “Shouldn’t that be me? Shouldn’t he want to have his eye on me?”

  “This is an act of freedom he is giving you. He has kept your mother in his grasp and given you a place to sort out your thoughts. To think and to be alone. This is an unexpected reprieve, Summer—a peace offering, if you will. Take it for what it is.”

  When he put it like that, I felt guilty for not expressing my gratitude properly. I really should have been relieved to be away from Zeus and my mom, at least for the time being. Maybe it was the nerves of being alone after having been on the yacht for a few days. We had all been in such close quarters—Morpheus had only ever been a few doors away.

  “Go on in,” he said, offering me the handle to my suitcase. I was glad he hadn’t forgotten it, even though the contents weren’t really my first choice thanks to Arae.

  “Take a bath. Relax, and get ready for tonight. The feast will certainly be a test of its own.”

  “Are there flying horses? Like Pegasus? Maybe if I befriend one quickly, I could disappear before it starts.”

  Morpheus rolled his eyes. “Not a chance. Get some rest.”

  He began to walk ahead, unfurling his black wings just enough to make the feathers ruffle in the wind. I took the handle of my suitcase with a huff and turned towards the wooden door. It certainly was nothing in comparison to the beautiful carvings found in the Underworld. And at least there, I’d been in close quarters with everyone.

  As I stepped into the large foyer, I noticed that the walls were made of white, sparkling marble. The hallway started at one end of the palace and ended on the other—opening up to what looked like a large balcony. Along the hall, were several marbled archways, and wooden doors. I rolled my suitcase behind me; the sound of my footsteps and the wheels echoing around me. As I peered into each room, I found that a fireplace was lit; the flames were aglow with an invitation of warmth. There was a library; all of the walls were covered in old books. A kitchen—decorated modern and sleek. There was even a living room with a television, another large fireplace, and more books.

  How was this even real?

  I opened another door to reveal a bathroom with a large step-in tiled bathtub in the floor, much like the one I had in the Underworld. There was also a shower with an oversized square shower head that called my name. I didn’t hesitate at the opportunity. Pulling my suitcase into the bathroom, I shut the door quickly. As I peeled my clothes away, I eyed the shower with hopeful anticipation. I didn’t even have the desire to explore the rest of the palace. I wanted nothing more than to slip into the steady stream, and let it wash away my worries. I turned the shower on and stood underneath it; the water fell over me in the way I imagined a waterfall would.

  Lathering my hair with shampoo, I tried to wash away the memories of the yacht; watching Darce disappear, learning about my father and the truth of the accident. There was so much to take in; so much I still needed to figure out. Most importantly, I needed to decide on my plan for the upcoming feast. I definitely didn’t know what to expect or what I was walking into. The last dinner I had attended with Zeus and my mother had not ended well.

  After several long moments, I gazed down at my pruned fingers. I didn’t want to get out, but figured it was probably time.

  Stepping out, I wrapped myself in a towel and moved towards the large mirror in the room. Dark circles linked underneath my eyes, while the rest of my skin was warm and pink from the hot shower. With a little bit of makeup, I could hide my exhaustion. Quickly, I began to dress myself in a simple white t-shirt and a pair of jeggings and started to detangle my wet hair with a comb.

  After I at least looked somewhat presentable, I began exploring the rest of the mini-palace. What I really wanted to find was a room to rest in. As I opened one of the last remaining doors, I found a beautifully golden, gilded bedroom. Gold vines lined the walls, curling into columns in the corners of the room. Everything about it was beautiful; bright and inviting. And as my eyes drifted to the bed, I realized something was there.

  Or rather—someone.

  I paused, mid-step and tried to make out the figure. Slowly, it sat up and locked eyes with me. I knew those eyes. I knew. . .

  I dropped the comb in my hand; the sound of it clattering against the marble floor echoed in my ears, until my own voice broke the silence.

  “Darce?”

  Chapter 20

  How was Darce here?

  How had he gotten here? Where was Minthe?

  I remained frozen in place as I watched him rise to his feet and make his way towards me. My heart pounded in my chest, threatening to break free. My fingers reached for him eagerly. As he came closer, I could finally make out his face and the gentle expression he wore; it warmed me right down to my toes. He smiled as his eyes reflected pride and love. He had come back for me. I admired his handsomeness in his regal black attire; a silver crown of leaves were interwoven in his dark, black locks. He looked like a King. A God of all Gods. He was mine. Mine.

  I would not be separated from him a moment more.

  “How?” I asked, my voice shaking with fear and longing. “Morpheus said you’d be watched.” I feared the consequences of his discovery, despite the longing I felt in wanting to hold him. I wanted nothing more than for him to hold me as well. I craved it.

  “Does it matter?” He asked with a chuckle.

  “D—does Zeus know?” I wrapped my arms around his neck as I stared at him in wonder. “How
did you know I’d be here alone?”

  “I didn’t exactly,” he admitted, “but I’m glad that I was right to guess.”

  “And Zeus?” The last thing I wanted was one of them barging in here, dragging him away from me.

  “I’m sure Zeus will learn about my arrival soon, if he hasn’t already by now.”

  “What about Minthe? I heard that she… I thought. . .” Darce laughed again, crossing his arms against his chest.

  “Are you really going to ask me about Minthe at a time like this?”

  “This can’t be real.” My mind was unconvinced. He was standing in front of me, but I had to be dreaming, right? This wouldn’t be the first time I dreamed of Darce so vividly.

  “T—they pushed you overboard. Morpheus told me that you were banished.”

  “Zeus can’t banish me from my own home,” he explained softly. His smile broadened as he lifted a wet strand of my hair between his forefinger and his thumb. Slowly, he curled the strand around his finger.

  “Leave it to you to have already discovered the showers.”

  My cheeks warmed and I watched his hand gently cup my cheek.

  “Are you sure this isn’t just a dream? Are you really you?” I asked softly, shaking my head.

  Darce took a step towards me. “I’m really me,” he said reassuringly.

  “This isn’t a trick, is it?” If this was a dream, it was cruel—and I never wanted to wake from it.

  Darce slowly wrapped his arm around me, his lips pressed a small, tender kiss against my temple. His voice was gentle as he whispered against my ear, “can I keep you, Summer Mavros?”

  I could have swooned. The memory of our date in the small fishing village of Gythio came flooding back. I wasn’t sure what I was happiest about—that he remembered my favorite line from Casper or that he had spoken it like a true romantic.

  I pushed my cheek against the side of his jaw, sighing against the smoothness of his skin. There were no words to express my relief in seeing him again. He was really here, and I was never going to let him go again.

  “I missed you,” I confessed against his skin with a smile.

  His grip around me tightened, and he nodded. “I missed you as well.”

  “It was so horrible, watching you getting pulled away, out into the sea. Morpheus had me look away…but the sound of the ocean. The way it was swirling so angrily. And then you were just… gone.”

  “I’m sorry,” he replied. “I should have controlled myself. I should have known. . .” Tilting my chin, he pressed a warm, gentle kiss against my lips. I melted into him and when he finally pulled away, my eyes were full of tears.

  “You have no idea what it’s been like since you left.” It might have been a short amount of time spent apart, but there was so much that I wanted to tell him about. Like spending time with the other Gods in the water, and the awful dinner I had attempted to endure—the kiss I had shared with Morpheus, but I couldn’t tell him about that. I didn’t want to betray the trust he had in Morpheus.

  “I was only away for a few days,” he said with a laugh. “Did you cause that much trouble?”

  “I was about to,” I replied with a shrug. “I was going to try to leave. I wanted to get back to you.”

  “Didn’t trust that I’d come for you?”

  I eased away, just enough to look up at him.

  “I didn’t think you could. I thought… you were banished. You couldn’t come back to the yacht.”

  “You’re right, I couldn’t go back. As soon as Minthe showed up, Arae packed her bags and insisted that we go to Mount Olympus together.”

  “Leave it to Arae,” I said with a small laugh.

  “She was ready for blood,” Darce replied. “When she saw Minthe again, I was almost sure she was going to murder her, right there—right in the dining room.”

  “So you all came here?”

  “I wanted to get back to you as soon as I could. So. . .” he paused, watching me, “I might have lured Minthe into my room. And I might have tied her to the bed and locked the door behind me.” I froze, staring at him with wide eyes. I almost laughed but stopped myself.

  “You tied her to your bed?”

  “It worked,” he replied with a shrug. “At least it bought me a few hours. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until we see her here. Minthe always finds a way out of things, but…”

  His gaze locked with mine.

  My imagination went wild with theories. How did he lure her into the room? Had he promised to sleep with her? Part of me wanted to be angry, but the other part knew that Darce did what he had to; and the only for sure way to get Minthe out of the picture, was to give her exactly what she wanted. Sort of.

  “I knew I needed to get to you first.”

  I’d have to figure out how to turn her into a plant sooner, rather than later. And we’d need to get Darce a new pair of sheets.

  “As I was luring her into my bed, she mentioned she had to uphold some sort of bargain. That she’d have to return here eventually,” Darce added, narrowing his eyes. “I’m curious to find out what that’s about.”

  That was strange. A bargain? A shiver ran down my spine as I thought of the dream; the way her eyes bore into mine as she held down my hands.

  “Are you staying in the palace then?” I asked, biting my lip. Did they even know he had arrived?

  “I’m staying here, with you. Right now,” Darce explained and slowly tilted my chin again with his hand. His gaze lingered over my lips before he leaned forward, pressing his against mine. His mouth was warm and welcoming, and I found it so easy to get lost in him. I slid my fingers through his hair and moaned softly against his lips as his fingers trailed over my back.

  He drew his lips away first; I was breathless and wanting more.

  “Darce,” I whispered, leaning forward, trying to press my lips against his again. But he shook his head and pressed a finger against my lips.

  “We have to be careful,” he explained. “We’re on his turf now.”

  I slowly nodded in understanding. He meant Zeus. This was his superyacht and if he wanted to, he could do more than throw Darce into the ocean. Everything from this moment forward, would have to be calculated—carefully woven into a larger plan.

  “I want to find her powers, Darce,” I confessed softly. “I want to find out what happened to them. I don’t want this to be my last life.”

  “It won’t be,” he said soothingly, as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

  “I don’t want either one of us to just simply disappear.”

  “That won’t happen,” he said. “I won’t let that happen.”

  “I have to find out what happened to them.”

  Darce seemed to pause before pulling a small, rose gold ring with intricate carvings from his pocket. The same one Arae had given me. The one I had thought I’d lost.

  “Where did you…”

  “Aphrodite gave this to me,” he explained with a small grin as he lifted my hand. “She said she found it. I saw it on her hand and explained it had once belonged to…”

  “Persephone,” I interjected.

  “Yes,” he replied with a nod. “I hadn’t seen it in so long.”

  His eyes searched my face as I shifted my hand, admiring the small ring.

  “I gave this to Persephone,” he continued. “And I’m curious about how you obtained this.”

  I bit my lip, lifting my gaze up at him. “Arae. She gave it to me just as we were leaving.” He raised a brow curiously, seemingly unsure of what to do with my confession. I tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear as I gathered my courage to continue.

  “If this was originally from you. How did Arae get this?”

  “I suppose Arae will have some explaining to do.”

  Darce took a step towards me and curled his fingers around my hand. “It belongs in no better hands than yours.”

  “I’m not so sure,” I replied, shaking my head. “It’s a little ironic.”<
br />
  “Why?” Darce asked softly as I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against his chest.

  “Her powers can save the lives of mortals. And I’m a mortal. But this. . .” This was my last. This was my final life. Even if Persephone’s powers had played a small role in our reincarnations, the magic was gone. I was it.

  Darce eased back just enough to look at me.

  “Your life is only just beginning, Summer,” he replied softly.

  “Nothing is ever promised,” I countered as I stared at the resurrected poppy. “No one is ever so lucky.”

  “We’ll find a way, Summer. Trust me.”

  “You have your own game to play now,” I said softly, shaking my head. “Just as now, it seems I have my own.”

  “The only game I want to think about right now,” Darce replied as he leaned forward to kiss me. “Is one that consists of only the two of us.”

  Darce and I spent the late morning and early afternoon wrapped together in each other’s arms. As soon as we caught our breath, Darce would go exploring again with his warm, smooth lips, and his gentle, addictive laughter. His fingers trailed over my stomach, the curve of my hips, and under my knees. He would draw patterns on my shoulders, over my back, and kiss the curved roundness of my ears. Darce whispered sweet nothings to me, until I would fall asleep in his embrace. Only to be awoken once more by his tongue and hands again.

  Finally, as the sun began to crest over the sky, I pushed myself up from the bed and stared at him amusingly.

  “We’ve been here all day,” I whispered, sliding a finger over the curve of his chest. He grinned and peeked a glance at me.

  “Are you complaining?”

  I snorted, rolling my eyes. “No. Far from it.” I leaned forward, falling into the openness of his arms.

  “I like it here, with you,” I admitted. “I wish…” I wish it could always be like this.

  “You wish?” He asked, raising a brow as he turned closer to me. He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and slid a hand underneath my chin. “What do you wish for, Summer?”

  “I wish I had the power to stop time and stay in this moment forever.”