Son of Hades

Alternate Ending #1

        Butterflies churn and flutter in my stomach. Nervousness clenches my belly, and I try not to think too much. The voices of my audience barely manage to touch my ears, but the knock on the door is what makes me jump.

         My voice was shaking slightly. "Come in."

         Xavier comes in. He smiles when he sees me, and that same aching feeling fills my chest. We've always wanted what we couldn't have. Not a hair out of place. Xavier shuts the door when he comes in; our last shot at privacy. "My gosh, I'd be willing to give anything to be in Castiel's place right now." I turn towards the mirror, feelimg the heat creep up in my cheeks. "You look beautiful. I suppose it's too late to change your mind."

        "Don't start," I glance towards tge mirror. "This is saving us both."

         The dress is lace white with a marvelous trail, nearly like the one I came to the Underworld in. The maids have done my hair in loose curls, and my makeup is light and angelic. "To be quite honest, I'm surprised the gods gave you permission to see me at all."

         Xavier came closer. "Even Persephone can be understanding sometimes... She allowed us five minutes. The last five minutes where we will ever speak in privacy like this, again." His hand brushes my elbow, and his skin has always been warm and comforting. I turn slightly towards him. "I love you, Ariel, and I know you won't change your mind... But I simply wanted you to know. You must understand that whatever we had is now over.Butterflies churn and flutter in my stomach. Nervousness clenches my belly, and I try not to think too much. The voices of my audience barely manage to touch my ears, but the knock on the door is what makes me jump.

         My voice was shaking slightly. "Come in."

         Xavier comes in. He smiles when he sees me, and that same aching feeling fills my chest. We've always wanted what we couldn't have. Not a hair out of place. Xavier shuts the door when he comes in; our last shot at privacy. "My gosh, I'd be willing to give anything to be in Castiel's place right now." I turn towards the mirror, feelimg the heat creep up in my cheeks. "You look beautiful. I suppose it's too late to change your mind."

        "Don't start," I glance towards tge mirror. "This is saving us both."

         The dress is lace white with a marvelous trail, nearly like the one I came to the Underworld in. The maids have done my hair in loose curls, and my makeup is light and angelic. "To be quite honest, I'm surprised the gods gave you permission to see me at all."

         Xavier came closer. "Even Persephone can be understanding sometimes... She allowed us five minutes. The last five minutes where we will ever speak in privacy like this, again." His hand brushes my elbow, and his skin has always been warm and comforting. I turn slightly towards him. "I love you, Ariel, and I know you won't change your mind... But I simply wanted you to know. You must understand that whatever we had is now over. I cannot touch you now that you'll be a married woman. And if you're even caught looking at me the wrong way, they could get Ares to tear those pretty little eyes right out of your skull."

         Fear clouds my churning stomach, and I blink back the tears I know are coming. I won't waste my breath, anymore. I won't waste anymore tears over someone I could never be with. I'm going to be a Queen, Castiel's Queen; there's no longer a reason to cry. He chose me. I chose him.

         The moment I allow myelf to turn towards him was my weakness. I drink in his scent one last time, and it was a mistake. That same want for him fills my veins, and he doesn't move. He waits. I kiss him – pressing our lips together one final time – unspoken words passing between us as our last kiss seals our love between us.