For maximized experience, readers are highly encouraged to read along with the embedded music!



Fighting the urge to vomit, I let out a long shaky breath as we exit the portal. My knuckles blanche as I clutch tightly onto Valentine to steady myself.

"I will never understand how anyone can get used to that" I breathe out nauseously before attempting to straighten my back. We appear inside of the all-too-familiar glass enclosure that houses the teleportation port into the main square. This mechanism was mostly used in Olympus by gods, the only ones with the abilities to generate portals. The specific one we were in had been used by the royals of the courts and their families.

Everyone else took the Mobils; the train system that connected the six main courts and ran through nearly each and every single village in Olympus. Speaking of the courts, there was a terribly high possibility we would be greeted by its various members at some point in our visit today, as I'm sure word of my controversial return must've spread faster than a wildfire. Everything in Olympus always did.

The five court Lords were: Ares, Apollo, Poseidon, Hermes, and last but not least, known to me as Valentine, but known to most everyone else as... Zeus.

Legend says the would-be sixth lord, Dionysus, had abandoned his court years ago to seek refuge and change in the underworld, leaving the sixth court the only one led by a lady-lord; Demeter. She was the only one of the rulers I could tolerate, as she valued character and morals, whereas the others sought nothing short of status and power. Obsessed over it. Which made the most powerful of the 6 lords' betrothal to me—a mere mortal—all the more cataclysmic, as you can imagine.

Feeling even less motivated to deal with the spiteful glares, the pretentious greetings, backhanded compliments, and the all-out expressions of disapproval from the rest of the litter, my shoulders hunch a bit as I continue to dread the hours ahead.

After a few more moments pass, he peers down at me and presses "Are you ready?" I want to say no, but my only response is a weak nod as I finally surrender my iron gasp on his chemise. I watch feverishly as the wrinkles I've inadvertently created in his shirt quickly smooth themselves out and vanish before my eyes. Wouldn't want to catch the Lord of the Sky disheveled now, would we? Remember: Appearance. Is. Power.

Reading my mocking remarks, he shoots me an iced glare in warning, but I glance down at my own garments and smooth them out instead, successfully dodging eye contact. Depriving him of that minor satisfaction was all I needed to chase away the residual churning feeling in the pit of my stomach.

The glass doors in front of us finally slide open, revealing the crowded square. Teeming with life and vividity, the small green field directly to the right of us bears a plethora of children, many, running around and playing in the small sections of gardens. Some were ducking behind the perfectly trimmed bushes while others chased each other through its endless slopes reaching far off into the skyline.

To our left, crystal statues and elaborate marble structures adorn the paved side of the square, the two divided by an apexing path running straight from our glass enclosure and through the middle of the divide to a raised platform in the center of the block.

Curious onlookers have already begun to fill up on both sides of the trail, forming large crowds streaming in from all directions as more and more civilians stop their dallying to come watch us.

My apprehension comes to fruition much sooner than I had hoped as the first to approach us the minute we exit is Ares, God of War and ruler of the fifth court of Olympus.

"Cousin." greets Ares succinctly. A piercing gaze of marbled jade land directly on us as Valentine ushers me onto the pathway. His radiant hair, a fiery bright red the color of Tiger's blood, rests freely just above his shoulders. A trimmed orange stubble covers the area below his cheeks, further framing his strong jawline and contrasting against his sun-kissed tan.

He wears a light layer of gray armor accompanied by silver-combat boots. Valentine's cousin was extremely hard to read, for he was never actively aggressive. I liked to liken his composure to that of a flagpole – stiff and unmoving. Though Ares was very soft-spoken and maintained a calm demeanor, I had no doubt that somewhere in that calculating brain, there scorched an endless flame, constantly thirsting for blood let. I'd just hoped I'd never have to see the day when his patience wore out, for something in his gaze beckoned precaution.

The two exchange a stout warriors' embrace before glancing back over to me. Ares then offers a tight-lipped smile before addressing me. "I can tell you no lie, the news of your return has not been well received in the courts your highness. Nevertheless, I wish you a warmest welcome back" he nods offering a briefly gallant bow. At this, my stomach knots. Of course, it hasn't. Not that me being here in the first place had been any better, but it seemed I had no say in the matter regardless. So until then, they could take it up with the Lord of the sky.

"Thank you, Ares. I hope you have been well" I respond gracefully offering a full-hearted curtsy in return. Making sure not to stare too long into those perplexingly calm orbs.

"If I may suggest..." He hesitates for a bit before speaking again. "You'd do very well to be on your constant guard. I say this not only as a friend, but as a protector" he adds slowly as he picks up on my diverting gaze and uneasiness. His calloused hands rest at his sides and he inadvertently flexes his fist.

"Anyone who has quarrel with my wife can address it with me" cuts Valentine sternly, the smile quickly fading from his face. To this, Ares holds his hands up in a mock gesture of defeat. "I am only looking out for you cousin. You know the ways of this court just as well as I do. Take caution." he warns again before stepping out of our way and offering one last respectful bow.

Shooting him one last uneasy smile, I allow Valentine to continue leading us down the walkway. I can feel a hundred and one gazes settling upon us as we walk through the piazza. I take a look around me in an attempt to catch glimpse of any familiar faces –Taking care to avoid them, but to my relief, it seems the crew would be fashionably late today. That was totally fine with me.

The commotion momentarily settles as everyone takes their turn to offer their bows as we finally reach the end of the passageway and ascend the raised platform.

A dozen scenarios of feasible escape play through my mind as one by one; the Olympians direct their judging glares at me. At this, Valentine briefly glances over, giving me all the warning I need. This time I smile back in acknowledgement. Squeezing my elbow in his arm, he carefully redirects us around to face the crowd.

Directly behind our heads, lies the center piece of the town; the most prized pillar; the tall crystal statue of himself. Titled 'The Sky Lord', it is a reincarnation of Valentine bent down on one knee with one hand outstretched in the air. Bolts have been strategically attached to each of his fingers, as they reach up endlessly into the air. Electricity has also been engineered to constantly fizz throughout the striking replica's hair. How depressing and full of himself.

As Valentine clears his throat, the crowd falls into complete tranquility and the murmurs die down. Even the birds have silenced their songs. "Good day, my beloved court", he opens.

"I have come to town today, to celebrate with you all, the changing of the seasons" he continues. He then turns and gestures to me as he offers the crowd a cold smile. "Today however, I do not come alone. I have brought with me a very special guest" he continues, directing all eyes to me. "All hail, the Lightning Queen" he projects. I will kill him.

Clearing my throat at the sudden shift in attention, I offer a slight bow accompanied by a bright smile to the many curious and disapproving faces down below. I would play my part for as long as I needed to. But the sooner we could be done, the sooner I could escape their judging glares.

Valentine senses my anxiety and he gently places his hand on the small of my back. 'Go ahead and address your people. No need to be scared, you are their queen', he urges as I inwardly cringe at his words.

I take a deep, steadying breath to regain my composure before projecting: "It is a great pleasure, to be granted the opportunity to rejoice with you all today". I take another breath as I gauge their reactions before continuing; "The changing of the seasons is a time for joy, for celebration, and most importantly-" I pause momentarily and symbolically grab onto Valentine's hand "-for love". I pause briefly to glance at him. His fond, encouraging smile urges me to continue.

"May you all find abundant blessings and peace this new season, and may your wildest wishes manifest", I conclude as I raise Valentine's hand up into the air. Deep down, I wish mine could come true as well; That I may climb under the nearest rock and never be seen again. The crowd erupts into applause and the celebrations resume. I release a deep breath I don't realize I have been holding as a bit of the tension in my shoulders finally drop.

Valentine turns to me and draws me in, smiling. "Like I said", he starts, peeling his hands from me to readjust the crown on my head: "Fit for a queen."

After a moment, he lets go and goes off into the crowd to find his courts men- but not before leaving me with an acute warning: Behave.