Sydney’s face crumpled into a frown as she heard her name echo through the room. Her gaze darted around until it finally landed on me. She froze, her eyes widening in surprise.
Erebus, who had been walking beside her, noticed her sudden halt and followed her gaze to me. His eyes mirrored her shock.
“Mommy, why are they looking at you like that?”
Xavier nudged me, pointing at the stunned pair. I was at a loss for words. Were they really getting married?
Erebus seemed to snap out of his daze, nudging Sydney to continue walking. This was their wedding dinner, after all. We would have to talk later.
The dinner was a tense affair. I was unsure of how to feel about their presence. Their arrival meant they had found me.
Would they force me to return? Would they stay here? And where was everyone else?
Relief washed over me when the dinner finally ended. I walked Xavier back to his room before setting out to find Sydney and Erebus.
As I rounded a corner, I nearly collided with Hera.
“Where’s the fire, dear?” she asked, a smile playing on her lips.
I asked her where our guests would be sleeping.
“Yes, they’ll be in the west wing.”
Of course, the west wing was typically reserved for guests. We resided in the south wing, the main part of the house.
“Thank you.” I turned on my heel, heading toward the west wing. As I walked down the hall, I tried to sense which room they were in.
Last year, I discovered I could sense people and things through walls. It was a skill that came in handy when I lost Xavier one night and Apollo helped me calm down.
I was able to locate him on the other side of the castle. I knocked on the door at the end of the hall and waited.
Erebus opened the door and I stepped inside, only to be tackled by Sydney.
“Where have you been! I’ve been worried sick about you. We thought you were dead,” Sydney sobbed, her arms wrapped tightly around me.
Her words brought tears to my eyes.
“I’m sorry.” We eventually pulled apart, taking a seat on the bed.
“Thanatos has been looking everywhere for you,” Erebus said.
“I didn’t know where else to go. I didn’t feel safe,” I admitted.
“This was a good place to hide. The earth gods never visit this place anymore.”
“So why are you guys here?” I asked, hoping I didn’t sound rude.
“It’s tradition. If a god gets married, he must have a wedding here.”
“How did Sydney get here alive?” I asked, knowing she was still human.
“There’s a gate for humans to enter,” he explained. “I’m glad you guys are here. I’ve missed you so much.”
“We missed you too! Everyone has been going crazy not knowing where you were, or if you were ok,” Sydney sniffed.
I felt a pang of guilt knowing I had caused her so much worry. “Congratulations on the wedding, by the way. I’m kind of surprised,” I said, smirking as she blushed.
“Isabel, where’s the baby?” Erebus suddenly asked.
“He’s here and alive,” I assured him. He let out a sigh of relief.
Did he think I would harm my own child?
“There’s something you must know,” he said, his face turning serious.
I felt a knot of anxiety in my stomach. “What?”
“Hades isn’t the father,” he said.
I frowned, confused. What was he talking about?
“What do you mean? He’s the only person I had sex with back then.”
“He physically can’t have kids, which is why he and Persephone don’t have any,” he explained.
I felt myself stiffen. “That doesn’t make sense,” I said, feeling a sense of betrayal. Why were they lying to me?
“A long time ago, Thanatos stored away some of his sperm. ‘In case I do eventually die, I would like some of me left on earth’ were his words. He only told me, Thor, and Hades this,” he began.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Hades injected Thanatos’s sperm in you,” he said.
I froze. “But why? Why would he do that?” I asked, my mind racing. When did he do that? While I was sleeping? How come I didn’t feel anything?
“Because you didn’t know he couldn’t have kids. Therefore, you believing that it was his made it easier for him to believe it also,” he explained.
I began pacing the room, trying to make sense of it all. Thanatos was Xavier’s father? Hades had made me pregnant with Thanatos’s baby?
That would explain why he grew so fast, why I wanted Thanatos around me so much during my pregnancy. It was Xavier wanting to be close to his real dad.
“Oh no,” I muttered, realizing what they had been fighting about that day.
“That’s not all, Isabel,” Sydney said.
“What else could there possibly be?” I asked, unsure if I could handle any more revelations.
“He’s coming here.”
“Who?” I asked, feeling stupid.
“Thanatos and Thor were meant to arrive with us today but had to take care of something, so they’ll be coming tomorrow,” Erebus announced.
“Thanatos is coming here? He can’t!” I felt panic rising within me. Was I ready to face him? Could I face him knowing he was Xavier’s real father?
“Isabel, he means no harm to your son, I’m sure you know that.”
“Xavier, his name is Xavier,” I corrected him, still pacing.
Of course, he doesn’t want to harm my son, I never thought that. It’s not him I’m worried about, it’s my reaction to seeing him. It’s been so long.
“That’s a nice name,” Sydney commented.
“And what of Hades?” I asked Erebus. He raised an eyebrow at my question.
I think I’ve been around the gods too long. More specifically Hera.
“He won’t be coming. He and Thanatos have settled their differences, but Hades has chosen to remain in the Underworld for the last three years. I guess he was embarrassed,” he shrugged.
I felt a pang of sympathy for him. He only wanted a child. Sure, he went about it the wrong way, but I don’t think he cares.
“When will they be arriving?” I asked. It was too late for me to run again, this was the only safe place to hide. They could easily find me on earth.
“At noon,” he replied.
“I guess it’s time to stop running,” I said, feeling a sense of resignation.
I don’t know if I had ever planned to go back to my old life. I enjoyed it here, it was peaceful and drama-free. But now I don’t think I have a choice.
“I’ll let you guys get some rest.”
“Isabel, wait! When can we meet Xavier?” Sydney asked, a hopeful smile on her face.
Erebus had moved next to her, his arm wrapped around her waist.
They looked happy together, and I was glad Sydney had found happiness.
“I guess at noon tomorrow,” I said, turning to leave.
I couldn’t help but wonder what tomorrow would bring.
