Divine and Wretched

Chapter 23

                                                                               (Ashley's POV) 

  Two days later we're now in Greece. We're touring Europe for our honeymoon. Its something we've been wanting to do since we met. We've spent time in London and now we're in Greece. We're sitting at the Parthenon in Acropolis. Its the temple of Athena. Which has always been one of my dream destinations. "I love you." I tell Andy who's head is on my shoulder. 

  He grins up at me. "I love you too. I'm glad you're happy." He kisses my cheek. 

  I laugh. "I am too. Its beautiful." I state, looking at the temple. "Also Athena is my favorite goddess." I state. 

  He gets up. "I'm aware. But I'm shocked that you know so much about Greek Mythology." 

  I bite my lip. "I learned about it in school and then I did some of my own research after that." I explain. 

  He raises an eyebrow. "Wow. Do you believe in it though?" 

  I nod. "Sometimes I do. And other times I'm not sure whats real but being here I feel her presence." 

  He smiles. "Its hard to know whats real and whats not. But we all believe in something. Whether we know it is real or not." He explains. 

  I kiss him. "Exactly. I feel like Athena is here right now watching us." 

  "And if she is?" He asks. 

  "Then she is. If not than I don't know. Whats our next stop on our list?" I ask, changing the subject. 

  His stomach growls. "Lunch is next because I'm hungry. After that we can take the ferry to Santorini island." He suggests. 

  I kiss him. "Sure. That sounds perfect to me." I agree. 

  He takes my hand in his. "Good." He states. We start working through the city to find a place to get an authentic Greek food. We find a place a few minutes later and we sit at a table facing the ocean. "Wow." Andy says. 

  I nod. "Yeah this is nice." 

 "I'm glad you're enjoying this honeymoon." Andy says. 

 I grin like an idiot. "I am too mainly cause I'm with you. You're the best part of this whole trip." I state. 

  He leans forward to kiss me. "Awe that's sweet. I love having you as my husband." He states. 

"Well isnt that sweet." A woman in golden robes states. "I'm glad my son found someone." I recognize her now that she's said that. My mother, Athena.

  I get up to hug her. "mother this is Andy Purdy-Biersack, my husband. Andy this is my mother." I introduce them. 

  He shakes her hand. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Purdy." He says. 

  Athena laughs. "call me by my real name, Athena." She tells him before looking at me. "I knew you would find someone. And yes I have been watching over you." She explains. 

  I smile. "I knew it but why show up here and not earlier?" I ask. 

  She laughs. "That would've been too obvious. Besides here I'm more likely to blend in." 

  Andy looks confused. "Wait you're the real Athena, like the goddess?" 

  The goddess nods. "Yes I'm truly Athena, the goddess. I'm also Ashley's mother. I never married his father though. We fell in love but I didn't know what he truly was until after you were born." She explains. 

  I look at her. "Why are you telling me this now?" I ask. "I knew some of my past but I could be wrong."  

 She grins.  "I'm telling you this now so you understabd whats happening in New York. Those murders weren't a coincencidence. Its repeating how your father turned. They're killing them to turn them. But your friends didn't survive. The people who did it are in the City of Bones." She explains. 

Andy sighs. "You were born a vampire, you didn't choose it." 

  I shake my head. "I was born that way, yes. It wasn't a choice. I'm also a demigod." 

  Athena nods. "Yes you are. I have to go. Enjoy the rest of your honeymoon." She then vanishes. 

  Andy smacks me. "Why didn't you tell me that?!" He asks. 

  I look at him. "I didn't tell you because I didn't think it was important to. Now you know the full truth. I'm more demigod than vampire. But I still have told you the truth earlier." I explain. 

  He smirks. "Yes, you should have. I need to say sorry for thinking you chose to be what you are. You were born that way. Just like how you were born being bisexual." 

  I choke on my food. "Oh my god! That's awful." I state. 

  He nods. "Its true. I still love you. And that's not going to change." He says. 

  I giggle. "I love you too. And always will. Its amazing to be here with my husband in Greece having lunch." I squeeze his hand. 

  He nods. "I'm the luckiest man alive." 

  I grin. "No, I'm the luckiest person alive to be married to you." I then kiss him. 

  He kisses me. "I mean every word of it. You know. I do. Oh by the way the next stop is Paris. The city of love." He tells me. 

  I want to get up and hug him but I don't. "Holy shit. That's so exciting. Oh my god I'm ready!" I say. 

  He smiles. "I'm glad you're excited. It will be our first time in the city of romance." He states. 

  I finish eating my lunch. We pay and then head to Santorini, one of the Greek islands. We take the ferry to get there cause that's the only way to. I'm extremely grateful to be surrounded by his love. It feels incredible. I feel blessed to have found someone that accepts and loves me for who I am. It is an amazing feeling to be married to the love of my life.