Thanatos : The Black Dawn

(35)Evening Candle Light

"How do you feel?" Thanatos asked from behind the wooden divider.

I hesitated while I stared at a face that wasn't my own. "Not the best, but I suppose, not too bad either..." What else could be said, honestly?

"Would you prefer to stay at home?" His voice was laced with concern, but I was adamant on not allowing my fears to rule me. I knew this was important to him. Plus, this could be a wonderful learning experience- a new first-hand experience at using my magic and seeing how the gods truly lived.

Although, first-hand was a poor choice of words. It wasn't even my hand anymore. "No, I'm fine. I can do this." I touched the side of my face, pressing down on the plump cheek.

Thanatos hesitated when he spoke again, his voice tinted with a reluctance I was unfamiliar with. "You don't have to, Aurora."

I stepped out from behind and smiled broadly, demonstrating my content with his plan. "How do I look?"

Thanatos' expression was riddled with disenchantment. "Good, I suppose. The magic looks flawless and the image is a very good replica. No one will know."

I nodded my head and pushed some of the dark curls away from my face, tucking it behind my ear. I glanced back over my shoulder at the face of Persephone in the mirror. "You're sure no one will notice that it's not really her?"

"I'm sure. Just talk a lot, gossip and drink red wine all night and we're all good to go." Thanatos crossed his arms and smirked.

"You're mean." I playfully slapped his arm, but he just chuckled. Persephone's voice sounded so strange to me- so different to my own.

"She knows I like teasing her. It's fine."

I leaned in to place a kiss on his lips, but Thanatos dodged my mouth with a disinterested look. I blushed deeply and he quickly apologised. "I'm so sorry, angel, but I don't want to kiss... this." He gestured with his hand to my new image.

I nodded and hid my proud smile. He was saying all the right things.

"How's your head?" He asked with a new flavour of concern. It must've been the tenth time he'd asked in the span of merely an hour. I'd arrived in his private chambers with a slight headache, but it had been lingering since the previous week. Nothing seemed to release me from it.

I rolled my eyes. "I should never have told you about that..."

Thanatos grabbed my hand and looked me deep in the eyes. "Yes, you should've. If the Blood magic is causing migraines and severe headaches, you need to tell me."

"Alright." I squeezed his hands.

Thanatos frowned and his lip pulled up a bit in distaste. "Change back, please. This is weird."

"Right, sorry." I chuckled and quickly, a bright blue light engulfed me and I shook the mirage of Persephone. Hades and Pers had left for two days to spend some quality time together, as they often did. No one would bat an eye if Thanatos arrived with his lover to the festival and Hades was assigned to go on a quick diplomatic 'mission'.