How To Be A Queen (Myths Finding Love #1)

Chapter 16 - One Step Forward

© All rights reserved for How to be a Queen. This story is based on Greek Mythology however the plot and some characters are ORIGINAL and all MY OWN WORK. These are the products of my imagination and countless hours spent writing. Please do not copy/ reproduce in any way.

CHAPTER 16 - ONE STEP FORWARD

Berkeley School
New York City

-Aerith –

"So what's up? Did you and Hades get things sorted out?" Claudine asked after I sat at our usual seats. Today, the Furies were with us again and they were wreaking their usual havoc.

"Kinda," I replied. I saw Tisiphone glare at Sarah and her cronies. Sarah visibly flinched and avoided our area, choosing to sit at the very front of the room to avoid us.

"What does kinda mean?" Claudine persisted.

"We came to a compromise of sorts. But I found out this morning that he went to my foster parents and told them a lie without consulting me."

Claudine paled. She sighed and grabbed my arm. "It's all my fault. It was my idea. This all happened after we talked and you mentioned things about your life. Hades asked me what needed to be done and I told him about it. When he suggested we go together, I thought it was a great idea. If there's anyone to blame... it's me, Aerith."

I covered my face with my hands. "Aww, C... Thank you for doing that. I just wish you guys asked me or informed me. Suddenly, it feels like my life is not my own," I whispered.

"I'm so sorry, Aerith. Were you mad at him? I feel so bad. This is all my fault."

I shook my head. "I'm not really mad at him. I was disappointed, I guess?"

"Understand where he's coming from as well, my friend. He waited a long time for you. He's gotten millennia to plan out his life and what he wants to do when fate hands him what he's wanted all these years. He's been alone for so long that he doesn't know how to interact with you. If everything is new to you, it's the same for him."

Our conversation stopped when I heard the scraping of chairs. The Furies were on their feet as they glared at Brian as though daring him to approach. Just like his girlfriend, he kept his head down and avoided all of us.

Claudine leaned closer. "We can't really hurt mortals without just cause and Hades doesn't want the attention of the Olympians. Nearly killing you is more than just cause but Hades doesn't want everyone to be in on the secret yet. He wants you protected until you can be immortal. So to punish these mortals for what they did to you, the Furies have sent them nightmares – the worst kind ­– as their punishment."

I winced. I've seen the Furies in their battle forms and that was already really scary. What more when they can control someone's nightmares?

"What are the Furies anyway?" I asked.

"Well, you can think of them as the assassins of the Underworld. They are loyal to Hades and they do his bidding. During times that they aren't busy, they torment the souls of those in Tartarus. Torture, basically. All kinds of it."

A shiver slid down my spine. "So what do you suggest I do about Hades?" I asked Claudine.

"Give him time. Have a little more patience. Scratch that. A lot more patience. Aside from being king, he's just a guy. And you know how clueless guys can get sometimes. Just tell him what you like and don't like. He'll learn fast. He really wants to please you and give you everything you want so you'll be happy in the Underworld."