The Underworld Ball (Book 2 in the Aphrodite's daughter series)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The coronation hall was something out of a fairytale. The white pillars lined the wall, and the others stood creating an isle way for which I was to walk down.  There was no ceiling, just an endless amount of clouds. The throne at the end of the hall was large and golden. Lightning bolts were intricately carved into the design, a symbol of its last ruler. I felt my stomach churn as I walked closer.

The others whispered as I past, but I didn’t hear them.  My mind was racing and my body was numb. I had dared myself to hope that what Octavian had said was true. All I wanted was to get this coronation over with and begin our search for Andreas. Deep underneath my hope, there was a thin yet building layer of rage. Hephaestus knew that there was a way to get Andreas back and he had let me suffer through the heartbreak.

                The fake smile, I had presented falter slightly as I saw him standing beside the throne. Hephaestus was holding a crown made of the purest diamond in the world. Needing no other jewels, it gleamed as the light from the sun reflect rays of light around the room. I was almost at the end of the isle, and everyone sat while I knelt on the marble stairs. Hephaestus came to stand in front of me. Reciting the oath, he placed the crown on my head.

                A surge of power swept through me and I fell forward placing my hands on the ground. I couldn’t breathe as the sensation crawled through my entire body leaving behind an unpleasant burning sensation. Sweat began to drip down my face and bloods pooled from where I had bit my lip holding back screams. The feeling blazed for a moment and I almost lost control, but then it was gone. In its place, I felt power. I felt less human.

                “What happened?” My voice was hoarse as I rose to take my place on the throne.

                “Only a god can rule Olympus. You have been granted full blood status, and now there is nothing human about you.” His voice seemed sad. A single tear rolled down my cheek. My humanity was what set me apart from the others.

                “Fine.” The rest of the ceremony past in a blur, and soon I was peeling myself out of the ungodly tight dress they had dressed me in for the ceremony.

                My room in the new castle overlooked a beautiful garden and as I stood on the balcony, I prayed that someday soon, I would be walking through the garden hand in hand with Andreas. A knock on the door pulled me out of my fantasy.

                “Come in.” I quickly pulled on a robe covering my bra and underwear. Hephaestus entered the room and I turned away, unable to face him.

                “Mon Cheri, you are angry with me. Why?” Indecision raged inside me. I didn’t really feel like talking to him, but ignoring him would be childish. In the end, reason won.

                “Why didn’t you tell me there was a way to get Andreas out of Tartarus?” He didn’t make a sound.  It was as if he was suddenly no longer in the room, but I knew he was there. I could feel his gaze on my back as he carefully thought of what to say next.

                “Who told you?” Anger burned inside of me and I whipped around to look him in the eyes.

                “It doesn’t matter who told me. What matters is that you let me suffer for three months when we could have been out saving him. He’s your son for goodness sake. Don’t you care?” His mouth set in a firm line and I a felt I had cross a boundary from which no survivors would return.

                “Of course I care.” His voice was deadly quite. I could tell I had enraged him. Taking a step back, I tried to put some space between us. Unfortunately Hephaestus wasn’t going to let that happen. He rushed forward and grabbed my shoulders holding me in place. “Don’t back down now Isabella. If you’re going to throw stones then you must deal with the consequences.”