One with the Gods

Chapter Seventeen: Queen of Thunder

Chapter seventeen:

Queen of Thunder

Every citizen, demigod, and god there kneeled before Andromeda in worship. She realized that everyone in Olympus was bowing to her. She turned to Aeros who was breathing heavily. She sat beside him and carefully pulled the dagger out. “Andromeda what happened?” he asked. “I killed Chromius. He will never bother us again.” She said. “Andromeda, I love you.” He said placing his palm on her cheek. Andromeda placed her hand on top of his. “I love you too Aeros.” She said. Suddenly Castolla and Dian ran up. “Is there anything we can do my queen?” Dian asked. “Queen?” Andromeda asked. They didn’t answer. “Take Aeros to the infirmary.” She ordered.

Dian and Castolla picked Aeros up and ran off with him. Andromeda stood. She faced the kneeling crowd. Suddenly they all stood and began to cheer. Her father ran from the front of the crowd to her side. He hugged her tight in his arms. “Andromeda I could not be more proud of you then I am right now.” He said. Andromeda could hear some of the people yelling, “OUR QUEEN!” “Father, why are they calling me their queen?” She asked. “There is a prophecy that the one child that masters the Thunder bolt will be The Queen of Thunder.” He said. “What does that mean? I am the queen of Olympus.” Andromeda asked. Zeus laughed. “No, it means you are the heir to the throne of Zeus. You will rule everything except Olympus.” He said. “No other child of mine has mastered the Thunder bolt.” “Why didn’t you tell me about this?” She asked. “Because I thought if I told my children of the prophecy then they would kill themselves trying to be the one.” He said.

Andromeda began to walk through the crowd. The crowd parted. All of them bowed as she passed. She made her way to the infirmary. She entered the infirmary and found more people bowing. She saw Ares, Castolla, Dian and Aeros in the distance. Aeros sat at the edge of a bed shirtless with a bandage around his stomach. She rushed forward to greet them. Everyone except Aeros kneeled. “Please don’t waste your backs on me.” She said. They all stood up. “How are you feeling Aeros?” Andromeda asked.

“Well I’m sore, but I’ll live.” He said. “So I see your Queen of Thunder know.” She nodded. “You saved my life Andromeda. I am in your debt.” He said. “Aeros no you would do the same for me. You’re alive and that’s all that matters.” She said. She could see he was about to protest, but gave up. Aeros took her hand in his. His hand was soft against hers. She wanted to kiss Aeros but didn’t dare in front of Ares. “Thank you for saving my life my queen.” Aeros said. He reached down and kissed her hand. He let go of her hand when he saw Zeus coming. “Daughter, come with me.” He said. As they walked away Andromeda could feel Aeros watching her leave. She did not want to leave Aeros, but didn’t have a choice. “In two days is a celebration for you and I need to know, are you going to marry Aeros or not?” Zeus asked.

Andromeda knew her answer, but didn’t know if it was the right one. “I will have to think. I will tell you as soon as I am sure.” Andromeda said. “Alright dear, remember let me know as soon as possible.” He said. He kissed the top of her head and left. Andromeda stood outside the infirmary. She pulled the silver whistle out of her holster. She blew into it and a buckskin Pegasus trotted up to her. She rubbed his black nose and mounted him. She rode off through the skies. Down below she saw all the islands of Olympus. Hercules landed in front of her house. It looked the same. She put Hercules away in the stables. He fluttered his wings and lay down in the soft hay. When she entered the house everything was the same. Not a single thing out of place. She expected everything to be different.

She placed all her weapons on the wall and away. The house was quiet and still. She entered her room and found the bed made and everything in its place. That morning everything was in disarray. Her leather sandals slid off her feet as she lay down on the bed. Then she remembered her side. She sat up and placed her hand on her side. The blood was gone. Her scar had healed. She laid back and rest. She woke the next morning early. The sun was just rising. Andromeda snuck down stairs past her maids who soundlessly slept. She heard a knock at the door. She answered it to find Aeros. He caressed her lips and came in. “Andromeda I have been meaning to see you, but I have been in the infirmary.” He said.

They talked for hours almost. She told him how she knew Chromius. They had grown up together learning how to fish from his father. He told her about growing up in Sparta. He was sent to an academy when he was seven and was in training until his father called him to Olympus. When he left she felt like she knew him better. When he left she rode to the market. She dismounted and went to the golden gates with roses on it. It was the realm of Aphrodite. When she entered love was everywhere. She saw men and women kissing or making love in the middle of a beach or woods she passed. She even saw men and men kissing. When she reached Aphrodite’s home she was amazed at the beauty of it. There was mother of pearl columns and the body of the house was made of ebony.

She entered the house and was greeted by her son Eros. She nearly gasped at house beautiful the man was. He had blond curls down to his shoulders. His skin was tan and almost golden. He led Andromeda to his mother’s lounge. She met her in the lounge and she wore a pink and white silk gown. “What is it you want to talk with me about?” She asked. “I want to ask you if my love for Aeros is real.” She said. She took her hand in hers and closed her eyes. She then opened them again and let go of Andromeda’s hand. “My dear girl you should marry this young man he is deep in love with you.” She said. Andromeda saw the light glisten off her blue eyes. She could see she spoke the truth. “What about me? Am I in love with him?” She asked. “Andromeda your mind may be full of doubt but listen to your heart. Its voice will be heard.” Aphrodite said.

Andromeda left with her mind feeling confused. As she exited the gates Ares passed her on the path to Aphrodite’s home. She flew back to her home where she found her father waiting. She sat next to him. “What is troubling you my daughter?” He asked. “My mind is full of doubt any many other things. I went to see Aphrodite and she said I was in love with Aeros. She told me to listen to my heart.” She said. “She is right Andromeda.” Zeus replied. “It is just that I hear so many voices I cannot hear the one I want to hear.” She said. “Close your eyes.” Zeus commanded. She did so. “The feeling you felt when you heard my thunder. It felt as if there was a storm inside of you. Control the storm of voices and focus on the one.” He said. She breathed slowly. She felt the storm in her mind part as she heard the voice. “What is it saying?” He asked. “It says to…. To…” She didn’t finish what she was about to say. For she know knew the answer.