The Heirs of Elysium

Chapter 19 - Heart to heart

Aurora PoV

Lying in bed, I ponder upon the whirlwind of the past week. Most of the guests have gone and the reality that I am now queen is only just starting to settle in.

Beyond my own insecurities, I cannot help dwell upon my mother's conversation with Morpheus on the evening of the wake. What intelligence does he have on Hades? Who is this Nero? She has not mentioned anything and any attempt to steer a conversation in that direction, she deftly deflects.

Eyelids growing heavy, I push aside unpleasant thoughts and welcome sleep's embrace.

The cosy fire splutters out, filling the room with black smoke, while frost creeps up the gilded bedposts. In place of the heavy red and gold damask curtains are tattered, off-white shroud-like hangings.

The once warm room is now more like a crypt and I shiver, not from the drop in temperature, but from a sense of dread. Pulling the covers to my chest, I scan the darkness. Two dull lights, like dying embers, float at head height.

'I was not planning to visit you this night, but since you fell asleep thinking of me, who am I to refuse your call?' Hades's voice coils in my mind, as acrid and insidious as that smoke.

"You are not welcome. Get out!"

'Are you not curious about the many secrets that your mother keeps from you? She knows that my time grows near, yet she does not confide in you. Then again, Elissa evidently has little trust in your ability to rule. Even now she plots to seed her own forces in the Elemental court.'

I swallow down the bile in my throat, refusing to rise to the bait.

"Enjoy your happy family while it lasts. Your father is not man enough, so soon she will seek out the arms of another. The question is whether it will be Kai or my little brother that she will turn to."

The idea of my mother with Rina's father is preposterous. "I grow tired of your lies, Hades."

'Why lie when the truth is so scintillating? She kindled Kai's fire once and he burns for her still. And my brother Morpheus, well they are bound by blood 'Tis an engagement only death can break. He bides his time until he can claim her.'

"Morpheus? But they are related? Wait, does that mean that we are ...?" My stomach heaves at the idea that I have anything to do with this foul fiend.

'Oh, we are most definitely not related. There is not a single drop of elven blood in you.' Contempt drips from his voice and he disappears into noxious vapours.

.......

Almost as weary as I when I went to bed. Listless, I allow the maid to dress me and go down to break my fast with my family before they depart back to Avalon. Although, with a stomach delicate from the acrid aftertaste of last night's encounter, I am not really sure that I can face eating.

The slow start to the day means that I pass my parents leaving as I enter the private dinning room.

I settle on a cup of mint tea and take a seat next to Dymphie, where I nibble on a slice of toast and honey. It would seem that she does not have much of an appetite either as she mostly pushes the food around her plate

Further down the table, my brother is making up for it, with a plate piled high. When he is not shovelling, he is engaged in lively banter with his 'Musketeers' as Mother calls them. It must be nice to be so unfettered by worldly concerns.

"What?" Ethon gives a theatrical shrug. "I am a growing chap."

Alas, he is. My little brother is now several inches taller than me.