Princess of Faerl
50. She Appears

*Selene*

I knew she would come today. It saddened my heart to see her like this. She was family after all. But that didn’t matter anymore. As she walked forward, I tried to hide my presence inside Elentari. She couldn’t know I was there. Hep held Elentari closer to him as if trying to protect her. I know what happened last time. I knew all of it. I had also not asked him to replace her if she were ever to return, and she had many times. She always wanted to be with the one meant for her, but she had to settle for chosen mates to continue her bloodline. I believe she has been reincarnated eight or nine times as my Guardian. I always watched over her soul, hoping to save her from the fate that rocked her in her first life.

“So the love birds are reunited. How touching. My ex-husband now has his Destined bitch. Oh goody. Now, what’s the plan? Going to help Selene wake Endymion?” Her words were dripping with disdain. I couldn’t figure out why she cared about me, or Endymion. Not that I hadn’t tried to understand.

“Why do you care what we do or don’t do?” Elentari was keeping her cool. This made me proud of her. Throughout all her life she had shied away when it came to deities and direct confrontation. This was a new development. “We have nothing to do with you. Whatever your relationship with him was in the past, it is just that. You have no hold on us.”

“Oh, but I owe him so much payback. After hundreds of years of torture, being abused, unable to free myself. Unable to take comfort in another living being. Always being exactly what they found attractive and being forced to do whatever they wanted. Being forced to miscarry time and time again. Never able to bring my own baby into this world. My bonds finally snapped nineteen years ago. When you two creatures were conceived. It didn’t take me long to figure out your soul had returned and Selene had something up her sleeve. I was cursed that my bondage would only end when that disgusting idiot got his Destined back. And here you are…” Her voice held so much malice. I knew the punishment that was handed down to her. I also knew it came from the Creator of All, personally.

“You did something very bad then, didn’t you?” Elentari rolled her eyes. I may have helped her give it extra emphasis. “What punishments have befallen you are yours and yours alone to carry the burden for. I would suggest you don’t let history repeat itself.”

At this point, I saw mom and dad stand up. They were here. This surprised me. I directed Elentari to look at them, letting them know I had spotted them. There was something different about them. Did they seem stronger? I couldn’t tell. I took a deep breath and settled myself.

In the far back corner, another figure was hiding. I couldn’t tell who it was, but I felt certain they wouldn’t hide for long. Everyone was on the edge of their seats, wondering what would happen next. Zeus stood up, along with Hera. Gaia was here too. This could go either way. I almost couldn’t hold my anxiety in.

“If any of you have issues with me, or my Destined, speak now. I will not show mercy or leniency if anyone tries to take her from me in this, or any other lifetime.” I felt such pride for my nephew as he spoke. He loved this girl beyond words. I could feel it every time he interacted with her. “Our bond was created by the Creator of All. It is not a bond of Selene. Do not attempt to tamper with it again.” He looked directly at Aphrodite, “Or the punishment will be even more severe.”

I swear I saw her shiver in fear. She quickly composed herself. “Oh, you have no power over me anymore. The contract has been fulfilled and I do not think Zeus will cross that line again. Not when Aries and I have come to an agreement.” She raised her eyebrow at him with a smirk.

The figure in the back started to walk forward, “Dolous, how much better you’re looking. It’s not even been a week and you’ve recovered your… healthy glow.” His eyes rolled as he approached Aphrodite. “Don’t get too comfortable. I will have you in my grasp again.” He nodded to Aphrodite as if telling her to continue. I wondered what they were up to.

“I Aphrodite, Daughter of Uranus, curse the T…” Before she could continue, a loud crack was heard as Zeus moved forward to step in front of her and another woman appeared from nowhere. Zeus picked her up by her neck, the only sound that was able to be heard was her choking on her own words.

“You will not finish that statement,” The woman declared. “Was last time not enough for you? Do you wish for the Creator of All to end your miserable existence? Are you so vain you cannot stand for Hep to have love in his life? You are why the Creator of All is contemplating ending this world. One snap of their fingers and you will be gone. Every last living creature that harbors evil will be gone. All that would remain would be pure of heart. Something you most definitely are not. Heed this warning. If you step out of line again, they will come for you.” The mysterious woman disappeared after saying this.

I tried to soothe Elentari’s anxiety. She was seconds from a panic attack. Her eyes were darting around the room realizing over half of the people there were deities of various pantheons. Most with good intentions, but the ones that were hateful stood out the most. Zeus dropped Aphrodite on the ground, walking back to Hera.

“This is not over.” Aphrodite snapped, grabbing Hades’ arm. They turned to leave, but Aranelda called out.

“Hey, Hades…” A smirk spread across his face, a mischievous glint in his eye. I wondered what he was up to, or if it was Helios being himself trying to provoke Hades, since it was already known to them that he was supposed to be the reincarnation. “How does it feel to know your wife prefers my sunshine over your shadows? I am not, nor will I ever be your slave. You may have fooled me as a child, but you are a worthless soul that deserves to be damned to the worst torture for all eternity. I will save Persephone from you. She was a good mother. You’re a shitty as fuck father though.”

A tangible surge of hate swirled out of Hades. “You’ll pay for that, dolous. Better yet, she’ll pay in your stead.” With that, the villainous pair disappeared. Elentari let out a long sigh, tears in her eyes. She didn’t understand the deep sorrow she was feeling. It was hundreds of years of living that she had no idea she had done taking a toll on her.

“I apologize for that outburst. We should have done better keeping the place secure.” Zeus stepped forward and bowed to the king and queen. They looked utterly bewildered.

“Let us move on to the festivities, shall we?” Belle cleared her throat and waved a hand, changing the scene from a great amphitheater to a banquet hall to suit us all. Relief washed over me. This was her first trial, and she passed with flying colors. She didn’t pull on the power of the 5th element or my power. She was a strong leader in her own right. She would be able to handle whatever came her way. I’m sure of it.