AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"I saw that you two," Aza moaned. I looked at her and laughed.
"Better the stilettos that aren't too high than me tripping and falling into the Styx."
"Good, that's a compelling argument." My friend smiled.
Zuri helped me put on my shoes, and Aza put on some makeup. Then they attached the earrings, whose diamonds sparkled like the ones on my dress.
Proud of their work, they led me back to the large standing mirror. Surprised, I looked at the young woman in the reflection. Is that me?
I didn't see the student I once was and who I had longed to be again. In the last five years, I had only been concerned with who I had been before the Knights of John came to power, but never with who I could be. The girl from back then no longer existed. I knew that now, saw it in the mirror before me, and recognized her in my darkness.
I had always had a strong will. After high school, I was a young woman who simply pushed through my desires. Then, after everything had been taken from me, that strength helped me to survive. But now, I had become that woman who didn't just want to live to see the next day but an Amazon who fought for justice and for others.
Was that what Tanael meant when he said that your choices determine whether you are good or bad? Before, I had only used my willpower to pursue my own interests. Now, I was doing it to free the women in the human world from the Brotherhood.
All of this was reflected in the person in the golden evening dress. In me.
I sat down on the edge of the bed thoughtfully, my thoughts swirling around this new realization, confusing so many things. They caused decisions from the past to falter.
Tanael. I planned to let him fight Nash alone in the end, to death if necessary. Was that the right way to go? Would I still be able to look in the mirror afterward without doubting myself? Without using my darkness for the wrong purpose?
"Myrina?" Zuri put an arm around my shoulder. "Is everything all right?"
"You're suddenly so pale. Are you unwell?" Aza asked worriedly, sitting down next to me.
Confused, I placed my hand on my forehead, hoping it would calm the chaos in my head.
"All good." I forced myself to smile. "I was a bit dizzy. I probably didn't eat enough."
"Persephone and Hades love cooking. They only prepare the most delicious dishes," Zuri enthused. "So, that'll soon blow over. I'll just give you one piece of advice. Leave enough room for dessert because that's what the Goddess of Spring is famous for."
"Oh, that sounds so good." Aza sighed longingly. How long had it been since she'd treated herself to a nice evening out? I should talk to Sam, I thought to myself.
"You'd better not get involved. The two have been circling each other for centuries. Unsuccessfully." Tanael's voice echoed softly through my thoughts, and when I looked up, he was already opening the door.
Our eyes met. He stood rooted to the spot as he stared at me.
"Tanael!" Zuri shouted indignantly. "You can't waltz in here like that."
"Oh, yeah ... sorry," he breathed in confusion, returned to the corridor, and timidly closed the door.
Zuri giggled. "You made quite an impression on him, dear Myrina."
"He couldn't take his eyes off you. And when do you ever see the God of First Light stuttering?" Aza grinned at me with amusement. "I think you should go out there and redeem him."
I breathed out nervously. What was wrong with me? It was just Tanael.
I walked unsteadily on my high heels towards the door. Before I opened it, I stroked the dress one last time. Tanael walked up and down the corridor outside but stopped abruptly when I left the room. He was wearing a black suit with a black shirt. The only splash of color was the gold pocket square that matched my evening dress. However, his eyes' gold melted into my dress's gold. I could recognize so many emotions in them. Joy, surprise, pain, fear, and another one I couldn't place.
Finally, he came up to me and held out his hand.
"You look beautiful, Myrina. Indescribable."
"Thank you." Without taking my eyes off him, I placed my hand in his. In the next moment, a bright light enveloped me and only released me when we entered the realm of the dead.
CHAPTER 38
The Styx sparkled pink in the glow of the fading light. Here, too, the sunset heralded the night. Still holding my hand, Tanael interlaced his fingers with mine and led me along an unprecedented stone path from the beach to the glass palace.
