Chapter 19: Waterfall

"Avyssos?" I smiled when the dragon poked his head into the cave.

He let out a puff of smoke in greeting, regarding the children with a curious tilt to his head.

The children all took a step back and hid behind me. Only Cora dared to poke her head out to admire the dark creature until she was pulled back by Arsen.

"Don't worry," I reassured them, "He won't do you any harm. Isn't that right, Avyssos?" I scratched his chin.

The dragon nuzzled my hand, purring his agreement.

One by one, the children slowly approached the beautiful beast, their small hands hesitant as they reached out to pet his black scales.

Avyssos stood as still as a statue, his whole body rigid, while his eyes studied the little ones below him, then he dipped his head down to sniff each of their heads.

Cora sniffed the air. "He smells like all those spheres."

My smile faltered, and I squeezed my hands into fists upon hearing that. Persephone must have used his blood to make them. How and why she did that was beyond me.

That wretched wench.

Arsen's stomach growled, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Oh Gods, you all must be starving," I realized, trying to not think about how they survived all this time on mere peanuts. Seeing the empty pouch in Arsen's hand, it looked like they'd already finished the portion Persephone so generously offered today.

I looked at the forest around us, hoping to find them something to eat. Tulipberries would be the fastest way to satisfy their hunger, but this forest was only filled with oak trees, no tulips or fruits in sight.

Then I heard it.

Water. There must be a river nearby, and tulipberries like to be close to water.

I bent down to rip out one of the thick, long ribbons from my dress and turned to the group of children.

"All right, children," I told them. "Everyone hold on to this ribbon with one hand and don't let go. I don't want anyone to get lost. We will all go to the river and try to find some tulipberries."

"I like tulipberries!" Cora grinned, grabbing the ribbon with one tiny hand. The rest of the children followed suit, lining up behind each other to grab a hold of the ribbon.

Holding the front of it, I looked at Avyssos. "Could you come with us to keep watch?"

The dragon nodded, following behind as we made our way to the river that rippled behind the caves. Bright smiles appeared on every child's face when they saw the sight before us: a beautiful waterfall cascading into a shimmering stream of water. And near that waterfall, a cluster of pink tulipberries swayed with the gentle breeze.

I sighed in relief, letting the children run loose and enjoy themselves as they ate tulipberries and splashed around in the shallow river as Avyssos and I kept a watchful eye, sitting on the grass by the riverside. Seeing the pure joy on their faces after what they've been put through warmed my aching heart.

"Would you like a tulipberry?" Cora held out her tiny hand and offered me a flower full of berries inside.

"I would love one. Thank you, Cora." I smiled up at her as I took a berry.

She grinned and turned to the large dragon beside me. "Would you like some?"

Avyssos bent down to sniff the tulip, then turned away in disgust, shaking his head.

Cora giggled and ran away to join the rest of the children in the river, splashing each other and laughing.

Deciding to take its time to set tonight, the sun was still shining above us.

Until it wasn't.

A large, dark shadow loomed over our heads as a familiar white dragon swooped down to the river, startling the children and making them run back to Avyssos and I. Avyssos raised his wings and covered everyone, growling protectively.

When I heard a familiar chirp, I nudged Avyssos to open his wings.

"It's all right," I said. "I know this dragon."

He grumbled out an unpleased sound, uncertain of the situation, but slowly opened up his protective cocoon to reveal Nephos.

"I thought you might need some help." Eros jumped off the white dragon.

"Avyssos, close your wings back up," I said, and the black dragon gladly complied. I stood in darkness as I listened to Eros walk toward us, which got him a warning growl from Avyssos.

"I came to explain everything. Will you please come out?" he pleaded.

"Not until you leave."

He sighed. "I had to make Persephone trust me so she would show me where she kept the children, and tell me about her plans. I had to make her believe I was completely on her side...even if it meant that I had to entertain her feelings for me to earn her trust. It was all pretend. I knew her feelings for me, and I knew that I was the only one that could get her guard down."

I started chewing on my lip, but said nothing.

"Believe me, I didn't want to hurt you," he begged. "I didn't mean a single hurtful word I said to you. Only Persephone knew where they were. This was the only way to find them, especially with the dark magic and her purist spies involved. I had to be careful. I had to get you away from Olympus and push you away from me to completely erase her doubts, before she targeted you too. I had to keep you in the dark, but I don't have to anymore. It's finally over."

"I knew dark magic had to be involved," I whispered to myself.

"Dark magic?" Cora whispered.

I nodded, though I doubted she saw me in the dark.

"Those spheres," Eros explained. "I stole them from Persephone to free the children myself until I saw you there. Please believe me, love."

"And yet you kissed her knowing I was there," I grumbled quietly to myself.

Someone pulled on my sleeve. "He didn't kiss her. Persephone tried to kiss him on the lips, but he turned his cheek. We all saw."

The other children whispered their agreements inside the dark cocoon, which was starting to get too warm for all of us. My cheeks warmed in embarrassment when I realized that they heard me.

"Can we come out now?" Arsen said. "I miss the sun."

Feeling guilty for having the children trapped in yet another dark cave only for me to avoid seeing Eros, I slumped my shoulders. "Avyssos, you can open your wings."

As soon as the dragon opened the cocoon, the children ran out to continue their playtime in the river and I was left alone with Eros and the two dragons that were busy having a glaring contest, sizing each other up.

I contemplated going back to hide behind Avyssos's wings by myself this time.

Eros reached out to touch my cheek, but I pulled away, clearing my throat.

"I need time to...get my thoughts together." I looked at the children. "We should take them back to their homes, but I'd like to keep them in a safe place first, before--  Which reminds me..." I finally met his gaze. "Where is Persephone?"

"She's locked away until the next Hearing." Eros watched me with soft eyes, keeping his hands locked behind his back as if to prevent himself from touching me. Or was he hiding a weapon, waiting to attack?

"Keep your hands where I can see them," I said, narrowing my eyes.

He brought his hands to the front, clasping them together.

"And her spies? She must have several in Asterin. They might carry more blood spheres to target more half-bloods. I know who one of them is, and I will make him pay." I squeezed my hands into fists.

"They're being taken care of," he assured. "But they're not easy to catch, especially the ones roaming Asterin. Persephone has been helping them with her dark magic spells. I will need your help with those, if you're willing?"

"Count me in." I nodded, then looked away, but still felt his gaze on me. I tried to ignore his presence while I watched the children, not realizing that I was smiling at seeing their joy and laughter. When I finally locked eyes with Eros, he was watching me with a small smile of his own, his honey eyes filled with emotions I was scared to trust again.

"I've missed you," he said.

I swallowed and looked away. "We need to get the children to a safe place. They need to be protected until we get every last one of Persephone's spies." I glanced at the two dragons that were still engaged in their glaring battle. "We can split into two groups. You and Nephos will take six children, and Avyssos and I will take the other six." I paused. "Wait here."

I walked over to Nephos and motioned for him to lower his head to my level.

"Listen carefully, you traitor," I whispered and he leaned in closer, looking offended. "If Eros tries to take the children anywhere other than Soleil, you don't let him. Avyssos and I will be flying beside you, but I still want you to be on high alert. Can I trust you to do that?"

Nephos looked very offended now, blowing a puff of smoke out of his nostrils as if scoffing at my implications. I narrowed my eyes until he gave me a firm nod.

"Good dragon," I said, making the giant creature wag his huge tail, splashing water everywhere.

Avyssos chirped behind me. I turned around, seeing him watching Nephos and I.

"You're also a good dragon!" I told him, which made him happy, though I noticed the water splashing from Nephos came to a sudden halt.

The two dragons went back to their glaring battle.

I shook my head in amusement as I walked back to Eros, only to see him surrounded by the children in the middle of the river, attacking him with little splashes of water as they giggled.

While they were all distracted, I moved some water from the waterfall and slowly brought it to hover above him, then smirked as I let it go, pouring down on his head all at once.

The children fell into the river, holding their bellies as they laughed their hearts out. I bit my lip from bursting out into laughter as Eros just stood there, shocked and soaked from head to toe.

"Who did that?" Cora giggled. "Was it you, Otter? Otter?"

Otter was floating upside down in the river with his face in the water.

"Is he drowning?" Eros panicked and immediately pulled him out, confused when he saw a perfectly fine boy grinning back at him.

"He can breathe underwater," Arsen explained just as Otter wiggled out of Eros's arms and jumped back to float face-down in the river.

"Princess!" Cora noticed me standing on the riverside. "Join us!"

I shook my head, smiling. "We should get going now."

A giant white tail pushed me into the river and I stumbled right into Eros's wet chest. Nephos chirped out his laughter behind us as I looked up to meet the God's warm eyes, seeing droplets of water rolling down from his lashes to his lips. I cursed myself for wanting to feel them against mine again and pulled away, shrieking when I started to get attacked by the children.

We played in the water some more, until it was time to really get going, before the sun settled for the night.

As planned, we split into two groups. The children were more comfortable with Eros now and got to know Nephos before climbing onto his back. After making sure everyone was accounted for, we took flight, sailing slowly through the orange skies to one of Hecate's sanctuaries in Kingdom Soleil.

~~~

"Will you speak with me?" Eros pleaded, trailing behind me as I walked to my chambers.

We'd just returned from Hecate's sanctuary after ensuring the children were in good hands with the women that my father and Aunt Athena had trained as little girls when they were living in Kingdom Poseidon. After cleaning ourselves up and changing into dry clothes, we'd flown to the palace on Nephos.

My skin still tingled from the feel of his arms around my waist and the soft tickle of his breath against the back of my neck. I tried to shake it off.

"I believe we've already spoken."

"I'm not talking about the plan to hunt down Persephone's spies. I want to--"

"Your Highness! You're back!" Sophia rushed over to clutch my hand in desperation. She paused, taking in my attire. "Why did you change into a simple dress? Oh, no matter! I was just about to call the guards. They will not leave!"

I frowned. "Who?"

Opening the door to my chambers answered that question for me.

All the suitors I've danced with at the Matching Ceremony have occupied my rooms, and Yiannis laid shamelessly sprawled across my bed, picking at his nails until he saw me walk in. He crossed his arms behind his head with a grin.

"What did I tell you, fellas?" he boasted. "I knew she'd find her way back. That will be ten gold ones from each of you."

The other suitors groaned and took coin pouches out of their pockets to give to the very eager -- and very brave -- Yiannis, who took the gold and jumped off my bed with much too much confidence for someone I could easily throw out my window.

"Your Highness." He approached me, looking down at the silk ribbon still tied to my wrist. "The Matching Ceremony isn't over yet. Which one of us will it be? We've waited long enough. You must choose now."

I scanned their faces, one by one. "Where's Petros?"

"Petros?" Yiannis sputtered. "You can't be serious. He's decades older than you, and not to mention married. I'd be a much better king." He stepped closer to whisper, "And a much better lover. I promise."

I sighed. "Whoever brings me Petros, gets the ribbon." I waved my ribbon-clad wrist around, and that's all it took for them to scatter.

"But Your Highness," Sophia protested. "You can't give away your ribbon this way."

"I'm not," I assured her. "They won't find that weasel. He's already being locked away in the dungeons as we speak. It was simply the fastest way to get them out of here without having to harm anyone. Lady Giselle wouldn't have liked another incident."

"On the contrary," Sophia giggled to herself, "she might not care at all today."

"Oh?" I widened my eyes. "Don't tell me..."

She nodded. "She matched with a gardener from Kingdom Gora."

I laughed. "It's a good thing then that I didn't cancel this ceremony."

She moved closer to me, becoming aware of Eros's presence. "Aren't you that thief from the market?"

"That would be me." He gave her one of his charming smiles.

Sophia blushed. I couldn't blame her. "I better get going, Your Highness. They're waiting for me in the kitchens."

With one last glance at Eros, she walked away, leaving me alone with the handsome God that destroyed my heart. But even after everything that has happened, I still wanted to be close to him. Even after all the pain it suffered, my heart reached for him.

Looking around at all the birthday presents that the servants had delivered to my chambers, I realized that the only gift I wanted in this moment was his touch.

Just a kiss.

One kiss will be enough.

One kiss before my birthday ends.

Just one.

If I was to discover that he'd deceived me once again, so be it. This could be a parting gift. One last foolish act on my part.

I motioned for him to come closer.

Eros did as I asked, stepping forward toward me.

I looked up into his warm eyes, taking my time to study his beautiful features, memorizing the arches of his brows, the lengths of his lashes, the curves of his cheekbones, and the plumpness of his soft lips.

"Are you trying to decide where to punch me?"

Just as I was about to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, Sophia walked in with a tall pile of boxes wrapped in pretty bows, her frail arms shaking with their weight. "I forgot to deliver the rest of your birthday presents, Your Highness."

Like a hard slap in the face, her interruption brought me back to my senses.

"Here, let me." Eros took the boxes from her hands and placed them near the rest of my growing mountain of gifts.

"Thank you." Sophia blushed, throwing a shy glance in his direction before meeting my gaze. "Your Highness," she cleared her throat. "His and Her Majesty are looking for you. The closing ceremony is soon to begin."

I pursed my lips, nodding. I'd looked forward to this day ever since I've planned this Matching Ceremony with my mother, excited to present my match to the guests and tie my ribbon around his wrist to symbolize our courtship as my parents looked on with joy.

But now I'd have to close with no one by my side, my ribbon wrapped around my own wrist.

"I better get going then." I forced a smile.

Sophia shook her head, looking at the dress I'd borrowed from Nora at Hecate's sanctuary in disapproval. "I cannot let you go out in this, Your Highness. What happened to your beautiful ball gown? Don't tell me you got into another fight."

I shrugged.

She sighed. "We must have you changed."

In a rush to get me ready, she started pulling off my dress before realizing that Eros was still in the room with us. Leaving me with one shoulder completely exposed, she slapped a hand over her mouth.

"Oh Gods, I'm sorry." She then proceeded to push Eros out the door. "Thief, you may join the rest of the guests while I have her changed."

I raised a brow when she returned after slamming the door in his face. "Seconds ago, you were too shy to look him in the eye."

"Now's not the time for that." Sophia waved me off. "I must get you ready. I can't have the other ladies of the court gossip about your appearance again."

"Again?"

She waved me off, ripping the dress off me and banishing the dull fabric to the floor before rushing to bring one of the many unworn ball gowns in one of my closets.

"You do have a tendency to ruin your beautiful clothes, Your Highness," she complained as she pulled at the string of the corset she stuffed me into.

In a few more minutes, she had me properly dressed and even managed to fix my hair and makeup.

"Now you're ready. Off we go!"

We walked past many dancing couples on our way to my waiting parents, and one of those couples were Lady Giselle and her match. The blissful smile on her face as she swayed to the music with her partner made Sophia and I giggle, but our smiles dropped when we saw the sea of women gathered around a tall and handsome God.

Sophia pouted. "I knew this would happen. He's much too handsome for a thief."

I shook off my own jealousy and joined my parents.

Mother's cheeks were pink from all the wine she'd had, and by the looks of the full glass of red liquid in father's hand, she'd been denied any more.

"Darling, how was it? I saw you dancing with many of your suitors." She beamed. "Have you met anyone you fancied? Or perhaps you're waiting for your dance partner from Gora?" She wiggled her brows.

"What dance partner? When was she in Gora?" Father tilted his head, brows furrowed.

"It's a secret." She winked.

"You two hide too many secrets from me," he grumbled.

Mother clapped her hands. "All right, darling. Let's bring this night to an end before the guests decide to stay here overnight."

My parents gathered everyone's attention to give their closing speeches. I played with the ribbon around my wrist, waiting until it was my turn.

As soon as my parents stepped away to let me speak, Yiannis jumped in beside me with a huge grin on his face, took my ribbon off and waved it over his head as if it was a flag he's captured in a game.

"I -- Yiannis of  Kingdom Gora, son of Advisor Haris -- am to marry Her Highness!"