Amaurosis

XXII: To My Beloved Wife

In the distance, a flickering orange sun rose above Long Island Sound, reflecting off the chaotic bay's waters and filling the air with uncertainty. Seemingly never-ending skyscrapers built up the busy city's skyline, making the buildings look like oversized mirrors. Sirens filled the cluttered streets, and barking dogs woke the city light by light.

At least that's what I saw through the illusions.

The shifting image rippled like a pool, though it was vertical like a mirror. I'd watched the sun rise and set every morning and evening for the last who knows how long. I was smart enough to know time works differently here, but in human time, at least three days and nights. This was day four.

I carved another line into the obsidian, watching as the living walls covered it up like concealer on red splotches.

As soon as the portal of shadow spit us out, Morpheus and I landed here-- a place I hadn't seen since I was a newborn, a place I remember so vividly. It was here that I was born and promised away. It will be here that I become his wife, no matter how much I try and fight to accept it.

I swirled my finger through the mirror, distorting the scene of chaos at dawn. At least I knew that was real. The mirror showed what was directly above us in the human realm. We were in New York City, but far, far below the surface.

There was no way Nyx would build her castle "in the way of those destructive beings," and I quote. Though, the one thing titans and gods never understood was how destructive they truly were.

Footsteps echoed down the hall, and the door opened.

"Thank you for knocking," I muttered sarcastically, not bothering to look at the intruder. I crossed my legs and rested my chin in my palms.

"I hate human sarcasm. It's so rude and unnecessary." Morpheus scoffed, closed the door, and sat down across the room.

"At least you both have something in common." I smiled innocently and cocked my head, knowing my remark was anything but.

"Then that's something both of us can bond over," he commented, returning the smile and flashing his glowing teeth.

"See, you're learning." I continued to gaze into the mirror, dragging my finger along to cause beautiful ripples that seemed to echo beyond the edges of the frame.

"Whatever." He got up and walked over to where I was sitting. "Your dress is nearly complete, designed by yours truly." He bowed. "The wedding will be immediately following. You shall begin preparations straight away."

He spoke as if he was from another time, but I guess he was, and another realm. It then occurred to me that Nico did, too. He didn't use modern slang or pick up on acronyms and all that stuff.

He kind of sounded like an old man when he wasn't glaring at someone, almost like he was born a century ago. I racked my brain trying to think of anything he'd told me about his past, but all I remembered was that he was some old dude in a young kid's body. I laughed at the thought.

"What?" Morpheus attacked, turning around as he was about to leave. I shook my head, threats that I'd never see him or any of them again swarming my head. "This is your-- our-- new home, Skótos. The sooner you accept that, the better it will be in the future."

He slammed the door, and with his disappearance, a small metal lock and silver chains formed around the handle.

I sighed. Well, isn't that just great, the voices murmured, and it surprised me how silent they were until now.

"Yup," I agreed, returning my attention to New York.

Minutes dragged into hours, and my stomach began to rumble. Still, I ignored it. I was a goddess; food was never a necessity, just a want.