Chapter twenty-one
Josephine
When Aedon told me about the gala I was horrified. More than horrified. I hate parties, and now that I’m technically a princess, it’s more than just a party. When he told me the theme, I practically rolled my eyes out of my head. Tartarian fucking Dynasty. The only saving grace was that he informed me Vivian would be in attendance with us. I think he knows I wouldn’t have gone otherwise.
Not only will we be at this gala, but it’s our first outing as a married pair. It feels like the other shoe is about to drop on this bubble we’ve created. For once I’m not destroying myself. I'm going to be letting everyone else do it for me.
Vivian and I spend half of the day lounging around and drinking champagne in the palace. Bella couldn’t come because of unknown obligations. Every time I ask, Vivian gets cagey. I’m just glad she’ll be there when we announce our marriage to the rest of the Underworld. I undoubtedly need her support. It’s the only reason I feel mildly sane.
“I could get used to this lifestyle,” Vivian sighs through her cucumber mask. “You’ll actually be living in this place sometime soon.”
“Not if I have anything to do with it.”
“I know this is very much not your thing but let me enjoy it, dammit.” A cucumber slides down her face revealing her glare. After taking a look at me, her face softens. “What’s bothering you? Is it all this princess stuff?”
I shake my head no.
“McFadden then?” she asks tentatively. “He was a traitor, Jo.”
“Killing McFadden felt good. It always feels good, but this was different.” I finally admit it to myself as much as her. Vivian winces. She hates violence.
“It’s going to be okay,” Vivian assures me.
Underneath her placating words is the scared girl who watched me lose my shit. The one who dragged me away from certain death and gripped me until we finally were presumed safe. Our safety has been stripped away, and underneath all of those contained layers she’s there, afraid of what I’m truly capable of.
“I haven’t told Aedon.”
At first, she appears confused, then her eyes widen with the realization. “That’s a pretty big thing not to tell your husband.”
“What am I supposed to say? How do you tell someone something like this? ‘Hey, by the way. When I loved someone else his death was basically my fault. Oh, and I also burned the world down in my own rage.’ Does that sound right?”
“Josie.” It’s a warning. I’m not going to like what comes next.
“Vivian.”
“All this time, have you thought Killian and Kate were your fault?”
Her question hangs in the air begging for the truth of it all. I’ve spent years with their blood on my hands. Years containing a monster that threatens to swallow me up every chance it gets.
“But it was, wasn’t it? You’ve held it against me all this time.” I shrug it off. Vivian has never said as much, but after the last few weeks I’m seeing things differently.
“Jo,” I see tears well up in her eyes. “I have never once blamed you for what happened to them. You shouldn’t either. That mess was theirs, and theirs alone. They manipulated you.” She's never quite admitted that before. In fact, she had always looked the other direction when I spoke badly about Kate.
“I know that,” I answer sharply. “I know that. But what if…What if everything Kate said is true?”
“What if it is? What’s really going on? Did you impulsively marry Aedonaeus?”
“No. I mean yes, but…this isn’t about me being impulsive.”
“It’s not too late. We haven’t gone to the gala yet.” The words rush out of her mouth. “There’s still time.”
“Aedon is it for me.” There’s a finality in my tone. I feel panic tighten in my chest at the thought of us not being together.
“If this isn’t regret then why haven’t you told him?”
“You haven’t been listening!” My voice rises, and I reel it back in. “I’m afraid of who I am, Viv. What if I destroy this, too?” I look at the ornate rug spread across the floor.
She sucks in a breath and lays back on the couch staring at the ceiling in deliberation. “I don’t know how you don’t see it,” she finally says.
“See what?”
“How everyone else sees you.” She glances over at me. “You’re the strongest person I know. You’re loyal. The way you care about things is unfathomable. Do you know how beautiful it is to be loved by you? Did you burn the world down? Yeah. But do you know what I realized? That you would burn the world down for me, too.” She watches her words sink in.
“What if it’s Magic?” I hiss, looking around rapidly to make sure there is no one that could hear. Vivian blinks.
“If anyone should have it then it’s you.” She sits up, coming nearer. The cucumbers have been laid aside so she can look me in the eyes. “Aedoneus might not know what it is that he sees, but I’ve seen the way he looks at you. You’ve brought the prince of the fucking Underworld to his knees. That’s no small accomplishment. That’s, like, the accomplishment. All the rest of the complications aside, why can’t you let yourself be happy?”
“I’m afraid.” It’s the rawest form of my truth.
“I am, too.” She nods in agreement. “I’m glad you’re finally admitting it, even if it’s under the duress of a party.”
“What am I supposed to do about the Grimoire? About the people coming after me?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been good at advice, but Aedonaeus is a man with determination. If he doesn’t have the answer, he will find it, and he won’t rest until he has. He can’t do that if you’re not open with him.”
She’s right, of course. Aedon has done nothing but tell me time and time again that he won’t leave me alone, and he hasn’t. We’re married. That must count for something, right?
“I hate this,” I groan, laying back on the sofa.
“Feelings are hard.”
“What would I do without you?”
Her face falls for a moment, and she opens her mouth to say something, but there’s a knock on the door.
“Come in!” Vivian calls out, ending our conversation.
Two women enter the room weighed down with bags and cases, followed by two more. These must be the stylists Aedon told Vivian about. The first two are twins. Both have long silky black hair and hooded brown eyes. Their warm skin glows under the light from the chandelier.
“Princess.” They curtsy in unison. I want to balk, but I should probably get used to it. A smile plays across Vivian’s face at my displeasure.
Vivian and I have never had this sort of treatment. I mean, stylists? Vivian has always been mine, and we definitely weren’t ever dressing for something this fancy. The thought that this could be a regular occurrence makes me want to throw up, but I put on a brave face and give them a smile.
“Madam Vivian,” they curtsy again.
Vivian gives me a haughty smirk. “Ooh, madam. I like the sound of that.”
“Come with us, Madam Vivian.” The other two girls direct her away from me, leaving me alone with the twins.
They start to sort through bags, glancing up at me, then each other, tossing them aside as they silently converse in monosyllables.
I awkwardly try to make dignified conversation. “What are your names?”
“I’m Leilani, princess,” the one on the left says.
“I’m Kailani, princess,” the other tells me.
“You can just call me Josie,” I placate them. “No need for the princess stuff.”
“She’s funny,” Leilani muses.
“Down to earth,” Kailani adds, sizing me up. “Just what Prince Aedonaeus needs.”
They look at each other and giggle until Kailani pulls out a garment bag with reverence. I’m grateful they’re making the choices because I wouldn’t have the first clue about what to wear.
“We’ve never had a princess in the Underworld, you know.” Leilani seems giddy.
“You’re so beautiful. It’s no wonder he married you,” Kailani says.
“Um, thank you,” I manage to stammer while they undress me. “Do you dress Aedonaeus, too?”
“Oh no,” they both giggle. “We leave that to Ramone. We usually dress the queen,” Kailani explains.
Persephone. They dress fucking Persephone. I shouldn’t be shocked.
“We are your stylists now,” Leilani placates me. “The queen insisted.”
“She insisted?” My eyes widen. My mother-in-law, the queen, insisted. I haven’t even met her.
“Oh, yes. Said no one else would do. We’re happy to do it. It’s an honor.” Kailani helps me step into a sleeveless sparkling black beaded bodice.
“These,” Leilani runs her fingers over my scars, “Are so beautiful. So ancient.”
I tingle with her light touch. She’s right about one thing. They’re archaic, but beautiful? No one has ever called them that either. I’m not sure what to say, so I change the subject. “Have you both always worked for the royal family?”
“Not always,” Kailani says. “But long enough.” She clasps the back together to the point that it suffocates me. They sew the ribbon up my back, closing it up until I feel like I might implode. The bodice holds my breasts up, dipping between them in a deep v. I feel naked with my scars out in the open.
They continue working, chattering about different fashions Persephone has dressed in. They sew me into the dress piece by piece until they’ve finished. I wonder how Vivian is faring. She’s probably having the time of her life, while I’m as stiff as a statue. Once they get to the makeup, I practically black out.
The twins walk around me, admiring their work when they finish. They're riddled with excitement. Leilani holds her hand out, and I follow the gesture to a mirror off to the side. I hadn’t noticed it. I step in front of it and catch sight of my reflection.
Flowing out at my hips is a mesh skirt with a slit trailing all the way to my hip, almost exposing me. It’s colored from deep black shading to white around the ends of the fabric. Tiny golden sparkles glitter from the skirt like little stars. It’s gorgeous. Probably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn. One of the shiny black heels on my feet pokes out through the slit.
My hair has been curled and lays cascading down my shoulder over Aedon’s name, hiding it. The rest of my scars are on full display, and it makes me look intimidating. My jaw drops to the floor.
Dark smoky shadow is in a band around my silver eyes. Little gold glittering stars have been placed around the sides near my temples. My lips are a shimmering gold, and the black hoop in my nose has been exchanged for a gold one.
“Holy shit,” Vivian hiccups from behind me. “Holy shit, holy shit, holy fucking shit.”
She’s always been my number one fan, full of encouragement. I feel kind of stupid being dressed up, but it also feels exciting.
She’s wrapped in a mermaid style dress that hugs her curves and makes her hazel eyes stand out against her smooth skin. It’s black fabric with intricately embroidered glittering gold patterns, fanning out at her feet. The golden sleeves hang off her shoulders lazily, and she has a black pendant placed on her neck. Her hair is up in an elegant ponytail on top of her head, making her ringlet curls dangle around her face.
Her eyes are dusted with gold glitter, fanning out into black creases, and her lips are black with a gold shimmer. She looks insanely hot, and I think Bella would cover her up if she saw her.
“Did we nail the Tartarian theme or what?” Leilani clasps her hands hopefully.
“Fucking nailed it.” Tears well in our eyes. It’s a life changing moment. Not that our lives haven’t drastically changed in the last few months, but this is definitive. Once we leave here, I will officially be a princess, something I have yet to come to terms with. My scars will be on display for the world, and whoever is trailing me will know exactly where to find me. What if I lose my shit? What if the Grimoire is found? What if the box is opened? What if, what if, what if? I take a deep breath pushing the questions down and focus on getting through the night.
Tucked into the root of Vivian’s ponytail is a little golden clip, sort of like a crown, but smaller. I reach up and touch it.
“Prince Aedonaeus had it made for her,” Leilani squeals.
“Isn’t it beautiful,” Kailani muses.
She looks like a true princess. “My apologies, Vivian, but not as beautiful as the one I had made for you, love.” Aedon’s velvety voice stops when his eyes land on me. The twins run out, returning with a crown I can’t even believe is real.
It’s gold. Dark shimmering pieces of Tartarian stone, like the kind the box is made from, have been placed along it like spikes. Golden patterns weave in and out depicting various creatures throughout the delicate band. Around my neck, the twins place a necklace that sinks in between my breasts to match. They add to the look with dangling earrings that look like stars bursting.
Aedon wears his own crown on his head, but it’s thicker and sturdier. The Tartarian stones have been placed inside gold patterns depicting the same bloodthirsty creatures. A few tiny rubies have been scattered throughout, symbolizing blood.
He advances on me, looking like he might eat me alive, as the twins place the crown on my head. He takes my hand and pulls my ring finger from the rest. “Since I haven’t put one on you yet.” He slides a marquis ruby, with diamonds placed to look like points in a star. I see a thick band around his finger, shimmering with Tartarian stone. Quiet and subtle, but it still gives a statement. “There.”
Something changes around me. The air is heavy and demanding—it shouts for respect. Vivian bows her head, and the wide-eyed twins follow. I’m not used to reverence. I’m used to blending in or making people not look at me. This is nerve wracking.
“Let us pin it in, princess,” the twins fuss, somehow sewing the damned crown into my hair.
“Josie,” I correct them for the millionth time.
Aedon shakes his head with a wolfish grin. “Let the poor girls be. They’ve spent an eternity with my mother. You won’t break the habit in a day.”
Kailani smiles brightly. “It’s quite alright, Prince Aedonaeus.”
“Jo, you look…There aren’t words,” Vivian cries.
“Oh no!” Leilani clasps her hands over her mouth. “The makeup!” They whisk her away with a promise to bring her back, leaving Aedon and I alone.
“If we didn’t have to go,” he growls, roving two pools of blue lust over me. His voice is laced with sex, and he’s biting the inside of his cheek.
I finally notice what he’s wearing. A black button-down shirt, black waistcoat, and black suit jacket that has pointed lapels hugs his frame. Black suit pants and shiny black shoes finish off the look. The collar is undone instead of buttoned up tight, and a smoky cravat with little gold specks sits low on his neck, exposing his tattoos. We are perfectly matched.
I look at the ring, playing with it on my finger. “What if they hate me?”
“Some of them will.” He moves my hair and traces his name on my chest. “Most of them won’t, which brings me to a subject I have wholeheartedly avoided. Some of the people that will be in attendance are less than savory, as I’m sure you would be aware.”
“Don’t provoke them?” I guess.
“Not exactly. Please, just stay with me. Don’t run off. There is one woman in particular, Eris…She’s the goddess of strife. Expect the unexpected.”
Goddess. These people are gods, and I’m just some memory depraved Remnant girl. A Remnant girl who might have Magic, my mind argues.
I adjust his bow tie. “Is that the one that you had sex with?”
He rolls his eyes “It was a mistake.”
“You were telling me that Eris will be jealous. Continue,” I grin.
“She’s engaged, but that doesn’t mean she won’t try to cause problems. Try not to converse with her. If you do, keep it to a minimum. I don’t want any issues with her tonight. I want to save it for another time.”
“Got it. Be silent and stoic.” I salute him.
“Oh, Jos, you are a far cry from stoic, and you are historically loud.” He gives me that boyish grin I love and kisses me on the cheek.
I look up at him in all his beautiful glory. “Thank you for bringing Vivian.”
“Of course,” he says sweetly, then leads me through the velvet curtains into the palace. When we reach the entrance, Vivian is already standing there, fussing over Minos and Hermes. She always busies herself.
“Woah,” Minos gasps. Hermes chokes before he can get a word out.
Hermes finally recovers. “She makes you actually look like royalty for once.”
“Well, Hermes.” Minos grips his shoulder. “It looks like the days of prince playboy are over. The future protector of the Underworld has finally graced us with his presence.”
“They’re going to kneel just at the sight of you two.” Hermes raises his eyebrows.
Aedon tightens his grip on me. “Where are we at with time, Minos?”
“The gala will have started, and almost everyone will have arrived. Perfect timing if you ask me.”
“Go get in the car. We’ll be there in a moment,” Aedon says with all the air of a prince. None of them bat an eye. Vivian peppers them with questions about etiquette as they exit through the massive doors.
He turns to me. “Is something wrong?”
“What makes you say that?” I scoff.
“You’re squirming,” he says in all seriousness.
“I just hate parties. Especially ones where I’m the center of attention.”
His eyes narrow, and he inspects my facial expression. I don’t want to think about how I’ll have to tell him about my catastrophic meltdown all those years ago, or how I tucked the Grimoire into his library. He hasn’t forced me to talk about the danger hanging over our heads, but I know he’ll ask soon. I convince myself that’s tomorrow’s problem. Tonight, my husband and I are going to make an appearance out in the world, and it will set the tone for the rest of eternity. Sounds fucking exhausting.
“Are you ready?” Aedon takes measure of me, letting his skepticism go.
No, I’m not. “Which answer lets you know that it’s begrudgingly?”
“That was a given,” he smirks. “You look…There aren’t words for it, Jos. You put me to shame.”
“That’s nothing new. I always do,” I chirp.
“I’m just a lucky bastard who gets to call you my wife.”
“So you know your place?” I grin.
“It’s not next to you, if that’s what you’re insinuating,” he says with a husky voice.
“What about on top of me?”
Someone clears their throat. “As much as I want to stand here and see where this is going, Minos is in a fit in the car. If I hear the word safety out of his mouth one more time today, we won’t make it there,” Hermes interjects. I hadn’t even noticed him return.
“Right.” Aedon’s eyes glimmer with want. If I had my way, we wouldn’t make it there either, and it’s not even because of how much I hate what we’re about to do.
Aedon hardly seems to be in a hurry. He waits patiently for me to make the first move—to be ready. Those dark stormy eyes are dripping with a challenge. His calm demeanor seeps into my skin and soothes my anxiety. We can do this. We will do this.
We both agreed we're doomed, but we’re doomed together. Whatever comes next we will do it together. Covered in blood or covered in rubies, we’re glued for eternity. He said he would never let me get away, but I’ll never let him leave me either.
We step toward the door, one foot in front of the other, into the beginning of something enigmatically tragic, and I can’t help but smile.