Despite those last months, when a stranger had seemingly replaced him, my father had always been my idol.
“I understand,” I told him with a clap on the shoulder. “I wouldn’t survive it either.”
My mother’sawwin the background as she slipped an arm around Asteria’s shoulder caused my father to send her a fond look. One I recognized as the stupid look frequently on my own damn face when looking at Asteria.
“You have made us so proud, son,” my father continued. “You’ve ruled well, and have managed to make the kingdom even stronger and fiercer than it was before. Your ancestors have done nothing but crow about what you’ve accomplished. You’ve done the house of Erebus proud.”
His praise filled me with warmth. The acknowledgment that I’d managed to live up to his legacy was more than enough, but to know my ancestors were pleased?
I’d worried for many years about what they might think of the changes.
“They don’t mind that he freed the slaves?” Asteria asked, head cocked to the side.
My father smiled at her, sending a quick wink back at me. “Isn’t she a beauty? You two will make us some adorable grandchildren.”
Asteria’s cheeks reddened at his words, and I reveled in getting to experience the rare treat of witnessing her blush. I couldn’t help smiling at her, sending her a wink of my own, which only increased the red hue.
“But to answer your question, the gods have made clear the plan,” Father told her, and my brows furrowed.
“What does that mean?” I asked, and the smirk on my father’s face made me sigh.
“Oh, now who’s being cryptic?” my mother murmured rebelliously.
Father tilted his head back with a laugh before grabbing my mother by the waist and pulling her into a kiss. I averted my eyes, meeting Asteria’s amused ones.
“I see where you get it now,” she whispered, causing my parents to pull back with flushed faces.
I was struck by the idea that they were truly happy.At peace. Elysium was everything they said it was. A paradise, where our loved ones who are granted entrance can live together forever.
“Forgive us.” Mother blushed. “We’re here to guide you two. We desperately wanted to meet the woman who’s had my son all tied up in knots.” She sent a smirk my way that made me roll my eyes, feeling like a teenager once more.
“You two have to continue on. We’ll guide you through to the next portal, but I’m afraid there’s a few more to take,” Father explained, shrugging apologetically.
“A few more?” I questioned, “I thought there was just Tartarus and Elysium to get through to reach the city of the gods?”
“That’s true.” Mother nodded in agreement.
“But your path isn’t straight,” Father added. “It isn’t like Celesterra, where there’s only one portal to each realm. There are multiple entrances between the two realms within the Otherworld.”
“And there are some areas the gods want you two to avoid. Don’t want to ruin all the surprises of Elysium after all!” Mother said cheerfully.
“Okay, so where do we go?” Asteria asked, raising a brow.
“First, you’ll need to go through the Lethe Fields. Make it through without getting sidetracked. Don’t step off the path,” Father explained.
“Then through the Chroi Oscailt Cavern.” Mother smiled sympathetically. “Use your hearts, and all will be revealed.”
“From there, you’ll take the portal to Tartarus. It will lead you to the Styx. You must navigate the river without wings and without touching the water,” Father informed us seriously, his forehead wrinkling in concern.
“From there, you must face the darkness inside to reach the next portal. Accept who and what you are, and you’ll just have a quick jump back here, where your ancestors will lead you to the final portal to Tartarus.” Mother smiled brightly. “When you arrive there, you’ll merely need to find the portal to the city of the gods from there! But take note of where you are and what you’ll see there. The past often holds many secrets we must learn.”
“Oh, is that all?” Asteria said, voice high and almost distant sounding in shock.
“This is a test, isn’t it?” I raised a brow at my parents.
“Well, the gods always have their reasons, son!” Mother insisted, still cheerful.
“Come on, we’ll guide you to the next portal.” Father put an arm around my shoulder, and Mother wrapped her arm around my unoccupied one. I was happy to see she also grabbed Asteria’s hand, squeezing it tightly.
