22. Harper

A wkward silence. That's what is between Nile and I. I wasn't really still mad at him, but more so hurt. I feel a pull to him and the distance physically hurts, but he has to understand what he did. I know why my father did what he did, but Nile ignored that and trust was broken.

I was seated on dusty ground and my fingers drew circles as my eyes scanned the gates. How in the Underworld Ares is going to get in here is beyond me. Solid, black-iron gates and fences protect the souls from the outside world. They have to be at least four inches thick.

"Harper," Nile's voice drifts between my thoughts. "Harper, are you even listening to me?"

"What?" I ask as I return my gaze to his handsome face.

"I've been talking for the last five minutes. Did you just block me out?" he asks, hurt hanging on his tone.

"I was admiring the fence and gates. I promise that I wasn't ignoring you on purpose. Now, what were you saying?" I ask, a tiny smile on my lips.

There is distress on his face but he starts talking again.

"I was trying to apologize again. I never meant to put you in danger, but there was an ache just to be near you. There wasn't a day I didn't wish Zeus had taken my memories when he took yours. I stayed away as long as I could, but my heart led me to you. I hadn't planned on staying, but your smile broke my will and I couldn't leave. Can you forgive me?"

He doesn't say any more, he is waiting for me to say something.

I reach out and take his hand in mine. "It's gonna take time, and I do understand how it feels to be so close to your loved one but so far away. We will be okay, and I'll do better not to push you away. It's not fair for you to have to see me with Stone and Phoenix. It wasn't my intention to hurt you that way. But you put me in danger when I was powerless. That is why I'm so upset, you understand that, right?"

Nile doesn't take his hand from mine until he speaks. That small act stings a lot, but I steel my face and listen to his reasoning.

"I was selfish, I know that now. I wasn't thinking with my head, only my heart. But know that nothing I did was to put you in danger. I love you and only wanted to be near you." A single tear rolls down his cheek when he becomes silent.

With my hand, I wipe this tear before it falls from his cheek.

"Maybe I was too hard on you, but I wanted you to realize how serious your actions were."

Before he can speak again, War interrupts. He rubs his hand on the back of his neck. Awkward much?

"So, you guys make up? Pyro is back, so Hades will be soon. I'm sure once she comes back with help, she'll want to have a war meeting." He turns to Nile, "Will you be okay to guard the gates while I escort Harper back to the Palace? "

"Yes, I can handle myself," he replies, rubbing the trident on his forearm.

War gives him a nod before returning to me. "Are you ready?"

He extends a hand, which I take, Nile watching us ever so close. Once I'm on my feet, War drops my hand. It was only proper manners that he helped me up.

I kiss Nile on the same cheek that the tear fell from before I turn and follow War back to our temporary home.

"Do you think Hades was successful? How big is Ares's army? Are we all going to die?" I ask, not giving him a chance to respond between each one.

"Yes, not sure, and no. If you and your men are trained, then there is nothing to worry about. He stops and turns to me, placing his hands on my shoulders. "You are trained, right?"

"Yes, Phoenix may need a weapon to borrow. Nile, Stone, and I are never far from ours. Absent-mindedly, my fingers caress the lightning bolt that I wear around my neck.

"That can be arranged." He smiles as releases me and we are back on our way.

"Who do you think Hades brought?" I start my questions again.

War takes a deep breath but annoyance isn't in his tone. "I'm not sure. Since I'm here with you, there is no telling if anyone joined or not."

I start to ask him more questions but then think better of it as we reach the obsidian doors that will lead us back to my aunt.

When the doors open, my heart starts beating faster with anticipation of who may be waiting for us. Is my hair okay? What about my breath? I really should've stopped and glanced in a mirror before I left for my watch with Nile. Fuck, Nile. Is War going back outside with him?

"Harper, are you okay?"

I come back to reality and War has stopped in front of me again.

"Yes, yes, fine. Sometimes, I overthink things. It's been too long since I've been back to Olympus and my nerves get to me," I explain.

Not all my aunts and uncles know I exist and if they do, most didn't give me a second thought. What if whoever Hades brought wants to smite me? My father may lead the gods but it isn't because of a popularity contest.

"You need a minute?" War asks.

I shake my head back and forth in a ‘no' motion. "Would you mind walking in first? You know, for cover? Not all the Olympians are fans of my dad."

I give him a weak smile.

"You were born from two storm gods, and are a goddess yourself. Why are you scared of your family? Can't you just zap them with a lightning bolt? Will you cower from Ares when we fight them?" he asks reasonably.

"No, from what I remember, Ares is an idiot. But you're right, I have nothing to fear. Just know if they do smite me, I'm blaming you," I say as I step around him.

As I start down the hall, I stop and War bumps into me, "I still don't know where I'm going. Can you lead?"

He snickers as I move to the side and he continues down the hall before taking a left.

I stop just before the door frame and take a deep breath. "They will not smite me, they will not smite me," I chant as I take the plunge and enter the room.

Doing a quick scan of the room. Hades is chatting with Pyro and a blonde with her back to me. Stone and Phoenix have strained smiles on their faces. Then I realize why seeing who is seated between them.

"Aw, Aphrodite, so lovely to see you again. Have my mates introduced themselves to you?" I smile as welcomingly as I can.

"Mates?" she asks. "How is that fair? Hades has four and you have two?"

"Three," I correct her.

"Three? How in Olympus is that fair? I'm the Goddess of Love and where are my mates? I just end up with fuck boys and nothing more." Aphrodite huffs.

"I mean, that's up to the fates. Maybe after we take Ares down a few more pegs you can speak with them and see?" I say, shrugging my shoulders.

"The Fates!" she exclaims. "Those old biddies hate me. No wonder I haven't found a mate or mates. It was nice to meet you boys, be good to my sister."

Aphrodite stands and gives me a little nod as I watch her head off in Hades's direction. I feel sorry for my Aunt. Gods know that Aphrodite will try and blame Hades for all of this.

"So, you and Nile make up?" Stone asks as he pulls me into his lap.

"Sort of, I think we are getting there but it will take time. We are better but not fixed," I answer honestly.

"Good, with this battle forthcoming we don't need you and him at odds. There is nothing to cloud your thoughts, so your focus will be on the fight," Phoenix pipes in.