Ágnostos

Chapter 18

Althea

I walked out through the large double doors as I was told to. The large ballroom was filled with thousands of goddess' and mythical beings. I know being the daughter of an avenger, I should be less surprised when things like this happen — but when you're in the same room as a centaur, you quickly jot that down as the weirdest thing to happen to you.

I made my way to the throne where Bia stood, another centaur beside her holding a pillow with a magnificent crown on it. Everything was so insane. There's no way I could be a queen. I finally understood how Mia Thermopolis felt after her grandmother told her she was the princess of Genovia. Only I wasn't just the princess of a country — I was the Titan queen of multiple worlds full of gods and goddesses and apparently centaurs!

My feet moved on their own accord as my mind wandered restlessly. Bia, or rather, my mother, cleared her throat and it was then I realized I had approached her and needed to knell. I did so, my large dress fanning out before the steps.

"It is my greatest honor," called Bia, her voice booming throughout the ballroom. "To announce Althea Biakóri, demi-goddess of energy and light, reincarnate of the Titan Theia, as your Queen."

My smaller crown that I was told to wear to this event was taken off of my head, replaced by a larger — and much heavier — crown. I stood to my feet and turned, facing the crowd as they knelt to their own knees.

"Long live the queen!" they called.

***

The ball after the coronation had even more people than the coronation. I stood to the side with my dad, wondering if any of this would ever feel normal to me.

I looked to my dad, his left hand holding up his drink. It was then that I noticed the ring one his ring finger. I grabbed his hand looking at the wedding band.

"I'm sorry, what's this?!" I asked. "Did you get married while I was away?!"

"Uh.... it wasn't like a wedding. Pepper and I just did it between us..." he said, pulling his hand out of my grasp.

"Well when we get back to Earth we're having a damn wedding and I demand to be in it," I exclaimed.

My dad chuckled. "As you wish, your majesty." He bowed prompting me to smack him.

"Knock it off, dad," I said with an eye roll. "Pepper isn't pregnant is she?! Because I don't think I can handle having another half sibling. I swear if one more person comes up telling me their my half-sibling I might loose it."

My father laughed, shaking his head. "Pepper is not pregnant.... but I wouldn't mind having another child. I did pretty awesome with you so I must be good at it."

I laughed, tossing my head back slightly. "I guess I'm pretty awesome."

"Excuse me," came a young girls voice. "S-Sorry, you're majesty." She curtsied, throwing me off.

"Oh, no — please don't do that," I said. "And call me Althea."

"O-Okay... Queen Althea," the girl said, standing up straight.

I heard my father chuckle beside me and I shot him a side glance before looking back at the girl. She looked about fourteen on earth years — but who knew how old the girl really was. She had long caramel hair that fell in beautiful waves.

"Uh... is there something I can do for you...."

"Idun," the girl said. "Idun Biakóri — I'm actually you're half sister."

"Someone really got around," I heard my father whisper.

"Well... that's just... wonderful," I said. "A few days ago I didn't even have a mother and now I have a very large family it's just... it-its crazy."

My father attempted to hold back his laughter, placing his cup to his mouth to hide his smirk.

"So... what... what are you?" I cringed at my own question. I wasn't use to being around goddesses.

"I'm the goddess of youth," she said with a beautiful smile. "Mom has talked about you since I was little — it's always been my dream to meet you."

Honestly, I really had no idea how to respond to Idun. So I smiled and nodded. "Well.... nice to meet you Idun. Hopefully we can hang out..."

Idun smiled, curtsying again. "Really, please don't curtsy."

The girl left with a smile, my father unable to hold back laughter. "Hey, Thee," he said through chuckles. "I was kidding earlier — Pepper's expecting."

"Shut up," I muttered, leaving my father to laugh in the irony that had become my life.

***

The party seemed to be never-ending. I was approached my many goddesses and gods and freaking centaurs. It was too much so I made my way out of the castle and to the garden where all the purple flowers grew and fluttered through the wind. I realized now that they were glowing.

I held out my hand, one landing softly in my hand.

"They're beautiful aren't they?" Nona said from behind me.

I looked back, the flower flowing out of my hand without a gust of wind taking it away.

"I've been to many worlds and many planets and I've yet to find anything that compares to the odigóbelles."

Nona held her hand out, gently touching the stem of one. "If you prick your finger on one of the thorns, it'll lead you to what you long for most."

She pricked her finger on the thorn, the flower separating itself from the stem and flowing into the night sky. "If you only follow it..."

"Why don't you?" I asked. "You don't have to stay, like I do."

"But I do," Nona said. "Besides, this is my home. My heart will always long for one or the other no matter where I follow it."

Nona gave me a small smile. "Maybe one day I'll be able to have both. You make a lovely queen, Althea Biakóri."

She left, retreating inside and leaving me alone in the glowing garden. I sighed, leaning against the fences ledge. I tapped on the thorns, pricking myself.

"I miss you, Peter Parker," I said, watching as the flower took off into the night sky.