Cain yawned, slowly stretching as he began to wake up. He didn't seem to be in any hurry, lazily opening one eye which landed on me instantly. Ever so slightly his whole body shifted onto one side and he let out a deep sigh as he settled back into the pillow.

The nearest corner of the blanket lifted, and leaving my place by the water I got the message and scooted back in beside him. An arm went over my waist, pulling me even closer until there wasn't an inch of space between us. His hand followed the downwards curve of my back, sending a new rush of goosebumps over my skin. Cain narrowly opened his eyes and then did something I wasn't expecting; he smiled.

I did too. "Hi."

"Hey." He rubbed his face, falling onto his back before freezing. "I didn't imagine last night, did I?"

"No, it happened." I confirmed.

His chest swelled before he let out a long sigh. The tension that had started to creep back into his body disappeared as he felt loose and relaxed once more. Cain looked towards the water, then tilted his head to look down at where I was snuggled in against his side.

A kiss on the forehead.

The tip of my nose.

I reached up to meet him, and our lips lingered apart for the briefest of moments before being reunited. There was a distance between us that hadn't been there last night making me wonder if he really was having doubts over the reality of the situation. Every move and touch was slow, gentle and tentative. I deepened the kiss, eager to feel the connection that had existed previously. My leg slid over his, my body following as I repositioned myself. His muscles tensed below me, the first, weak attempt to alter the new arrangement failing which had him biting my lip in response which only added to the thrill.

That spark reignited, clearing any doubt or uncertainty that appeared.

Sitting up, I admired the view, enjoying that glint in his eye that promised mischief. I took my time, enjoying the feel of his perfectly sculpted form beneath me. I kissed each scar that marked his skin, feeling the blush on my cheeks as the intensity in his gaze increased. He watched silently, seemingly unaffected yet his breathing was becoming more shallow. I kept eye contact and boldy moved down - my intentions clear.

Anticipation grew.

"How much longer do we have?" He asked, his voice like gravel.

"I should have gone already. It's got to be nearly midday." I admit.

"Really?" That surprised him as he leant up on his elbows.

Didn't he believe anything I had to say today?

"Honestly. I'm only still here as I didn't want to leave before you woke up." Considering my current situation, maybe that would have been a smarter idea. I wasn't planning on leaving at all now.  "I had a feeling you needed the rest. You look so peaceful when you sleep."

"Thank you." I barely blinked before he was now above me. Roles reversed, he looked down and smirked, much too pleased with himself. "I can't even remember the last time I slept for so long or looked peaceful."

I put my hands on either side of his face, and ran my thumbs above his eyebrows as if to smooth out the worry lines that were normally seen there.

"That's better." I smiled, before pulling him back down towards me as his hips settled between the curve of mine.

My hands roamed; tickling the back of his neck, curling a finger through his hair, digging into his shoulders as I threatened to completely fall apart. The connection and intensity from last night was back, only different. Slower, deeper, more purposeful. I savoured every moment, knowing despite my current unwillingness to leave, I was going to have too soon. We both knew it and stayed wrapped up together for as long we could manage.

"So, I have an idea." It made him pause for the briefest of seconds as his breath was hot on my neck. "What if I can find someone to take my place, and be the God Killer?"

That really got his attention as he leant back slightly so we were face to face. "What? They know who you are. Unless you find someone who can glamour their appearance to look and even act like you, but that's a big risk."

He didn't totally reject the idea. It was a positive start.

"The Powers, well, some of them know me. The Others, not so much. Have you seen any of those statues and pictures they've made of their supposed hero? I could just go walk around town and no one will even blink twice at me."

"They did the last time you decided to just go for a walk around town," He mused, that frown of his returning.

"That was different. I was dressed up like it was Halloween and practically put a giant glowing sign above my head saying, look at me."

"It's a big risk."

"What other choice do I have, I mean, unless someone else does have a great solution when I decide to turn up." I shrugged, his chest vibrating with a hidden laugh as he pushed forward.

I moved with him, laying back on the bed and still holding him close.

"In this world, no one does anything until late noon. They are not early risers and the Others will only expect you to be present before them once your corenation takes place. Ares and Athena will be doing their part with the soldiers." He captures my wrists and pins them above my head. "We still have a little time left."

And we made the best use of it, until finally, my stomach won. We sat by the water, damp from a bath, and shared a pizza - which seemed to excite him almost as much as everything we'd done in the shower. I couldn't deny I wasn't the same; starving was an understatement.

"What are you going to do now?" I ask, watching the silver school of fish dart past us.

"Probably sleep again." He yawned, leaning back against the wall.

"I want you to come with me." Cain nearly choked on that. "Artemis deserves to know the truth. Hades could have already told her."

"He wouldn't." I handed him some water as he kept coughing. "Wasn't the whole point of, everything, to let them think I'm dead?"

"Everyone can. I'm talking about our friends. Especially now you can't banish everyone because you feel like it."

"I didn't do it because I felt like it. I got them out, away. It was more a safety precaution."

"That makes no sense."

"It does when you don't trust yourself, or them. It's easier to just push everyone as far away as possible." Those wrinkles came back.

"I get it, kind of." I scooted over, crawling back into his lap to hug him. "Maybe if they know the truth, we can all work on moving forward."

"I'm not sure if now is the right time to do it."

"Turning up when I was with Hades was?" I remind him.

"He already knew." Cain shrugged. "That was me being helpful."

"Hate to see what unhelpful looks like then."

"They're not going to like your replacement plan. I'll even tell you how it'll go. The Twins will work together, convince you to stay, though each will have their own reasons. Hermes will side with Artemis no matter what. Hades won't say anything, if he even shows up. Ares will argue you have to because it's the way things have always been."

"Another reason why you should be there. Ares won't have an argument if you're still here."

"Yes he will. He would want me to return. War is his thing, remember?"

"Ok, fine. But I still feel you owe it to your siblings and Hermes if no one else." I decide.

My stomach instantly becomes uneasy thinking about Artemis, even to some extent Apollo, and their reaction to Cain's downfall. Hermes too. Only then I became anxious for a whole new reason as it also meant seeing Apollo after, well, everything.

"I'll be around. Just see how things go first." He decides and I know it's the best I'm going to get.

I stand already thinking about seeing Kara before facing everyone else yet almost instantly something else gets me feeling a little apprehensive. It hadn't yet been discussed either and I'm not sure how to start the talk either.

"Once I go." I pause. "What happens with, ah, this. With us?"

"What do you mean?" Cain asks while standing, sounding just as unsure as I do.

"Last night, this morning, how specific do I need to get?" I'm guided back against him, his arms loose around my waist. "This was-"

"Just the beginning." It sounds like a promise. "Day by day, okay?"

I nod, happy with that answer. After being on my own for a while, the thought of rushing back into something was actually a little daunting, and I didn't want to rush anything. Day by day sounded like a good plan, at least now we knew where we stood with each other.

"Good. Great." I sigh, resting my head against his chest. "I really have to go."

"Good luck."

His words vanish as I reappear back on the balcony where Kara sits polishing her armour. Her hair is down and loose, wild crimped waves which she pushes back with a sigh as she looks up at me. She drops the breastplate and the rag.

"I can see why you don't bother with this stuff." She huffs, pulling her into a messy bun on top of her head.

Sweat lines her forehead, and her face is flushed. With the sun out, it's actually quite warm out here and I sit down on the chair beside her.

"Where have you been?" Kara asks.

"Around." I shrug.

"Hades hasn't come back yet."

"Not here. I saw him last night when I dropped by the throne room, you know, making sure no one else tries to sit on my chair."

This makes her smirk. "And now he knows, how did that go for you?"

I can't stop myself from smiling as I think about how last night went. She wants an explanation, it's all over her face and when it's clear I'm not going to give her one, she slaps my arm.

"What did you do?" She gasps.

"Hades was very diplomatic about the whole ordeal. Understood, didn't even get upset." I lie.

"Sure he did. And, ah, nothing else happened?"

"With Hades? No. I suggested he take over and be King of it all. Didn't like that, not that Cain seemed to like that idea much either." Her eyes widened at that before her mouth dropped slightly.

"Elise, what did you do?"

"Why do you think I did anything?" I weakly attempt to defend myself.

"Because you're you and did you not listen to me last night? Getting involved with Powers is not the greatest idea, especially now with one that is supposed to be dead!" She groans, shaking her head. "That you also, apparently, killed!"

"When you put it like that-"

"Was it worth it though?" Her demeanor instantly changes from alarm to curiosity.

"So worth it."

"What are we going to do with you, Queenie?" She laughs. "I want all the details. Penny and Raya will die when they hears about this."

We talk. I get everything off my chest and it feels amazing. There was a reason why I wanted to see her first and this was why - I didn't trust anyone else here enough with this information, and even as we talked something only became clearer and clearer to me.

"Kara, would you be against staying here, like permanently?" I ask her.

"No. Not anymore. Don't worry, I meant what I said. I've got your back, I'll stay for as long as you need me, and then some." She smiles.

"What if I went home though, would you still want to stay?"

"Yes. I meant it when I said I was happy to be here. Earth was never really home. It was a haven, and I'm thankful for it. I didn't think I'd ever consider leaving, but being here now, feels right." She sighs, looking wistfully out at the lands below us.

The crown appeared in my hands, and as she glanced back towards me she didn't hide her surprise to see it.

"I had a thought this morning." Kara swallowed nervously, her body tensing as she sat up straighter. "What if I could give everyone the God Killer, give them the Queen they want? Elise Bunting gets to go home and the God Killer is where she belongs."

She lets me place the crown on top of her head.

"You've gone completely mad." Kara whispers a second later, tentatively reaching up to touch the cool metal. "Elise, I can't. I'm not a Power. They will never accept a Valkyrie on the throne and I can think of a million other reasons why this won't work. We don't exactly look alike and-"

"The Others don't know what I look like. The Powers that know or remember me, are our friends and I will convince them this is the right idea. Every time the rest have seen me, I've been like this, or this, or this." I stand, changing outfits to the regal gowns, over the top makeup and battle wear, bloody and dirty. Last, of course, is the newest ensemble I walked through town wearing. "I'm not exactly the same person as the one I am right now."

Kara seems to think this over. Her face is like stone, and her eyes gaze out at the clear blue sky completely void of any clue to what is going on inside her head. I leave her be, positive anything I say now will only turn her instantly off the idea or attempt to have me committed. Maybe she even thought I was joking. Finally, she sat the crown on the table beside me and shook her head.

"No. No Elise. I can't."

"You are already an amazing leader. You know this world, these lands-"

"No. I am seen to many to be the enemy of this land." She snapped.

"Even though you said times are changing? Your plan to meet with Frigg, start working towards peace?" I reminded her. "I have to get my phone bill direct debited each month so it gets paid as I always forget and have had it cut off twice!"

"You are young. You are new to this world and this title. There is plenty of time for you to grow and learn and-"

"I belong in my world."

"You are naive to think that. Look at what you did, at the powers you have! Just because you don't feel you are capable of doing this now, doesn't mean you will always feel that way. There is freedom here that you will never get to have if you leave."

"That's my problem to deal with. Kara, you can do this. I know you want it." She rolled her eyes with a sigh. "You haven't' stopped looking at it."

I hold up the crown again and she blushes ever so slightly. "I don't have Powers. No one without powers can rule. It's the most basic requirement."

"Does that mean you would do it, if you had powers?" I ask hopefully.

"I'd maybe consider it more seriously." She frowned as I leapt over towards her and hugged her tight. "That wasn't a yes."

"I'm going to get Aion and Hermes to make us some portals, you have my back and I have yours. No more blocking this world out, no more ignoring everything that's happening here. I'd miss you too much."

"Stop sounding like I've agreed to this!" Kara groaned, pushing me off her.

"Agreed to what?" Deimos asked, coming out to see us. I instantly hid the crown.

I winked at him. "Wouldn't you like to know!"

"Yes? That is why I asked?"

Kara laughed. "Ignore her. What's going on?"

"I was looking for Elise. Hades has requested your presence." He motioned towards Olympus. "Shall we all go?"

"I think we should." I decide. "Can you let him know we're coming and I just need a minute."

"He did say you've already had all day." Deimos mumbled.

"Well, I need a minute more." He vanished and I turned back to Kara. "I have an idea."

"Another one?" She groaned. "Please no more ideas."

"I'm going to get you powers."

"No you're not."

"Yes I am. I'm Queen, for now, and I command it." I declare.

"Pretty sure it still doesn't work that way."

"See, you really are so much more knowledgeable than I am with all the queen can and cants. You're a natural." I pat her arm, and suddenly we're outside the great hall.

I can already hear voices inside, but before we can join them Hades appears beside us.

"Where have you been?" He demands.

"With her, why?"

"I couldn't track you all day. We need to talk." There's no hiding his rage.

"I couldn't agree more. Changed your mind?"

"No."

"Who is in there?" I ask.

"The usual." He answers, still fuming. "Why?"

"I want only the twins, Hermes, Ares, Deimos and you in there."

"What?" I'd managed to get him out of his anger and instead, he was now ice cold.

"I royally, command you to remove all unnecessary Powers from the room. I will meet with them when I am ready." I keep my own voice tight, and with as much authority as I can manage without sounding ridiculous .

"You, royally command?" I almost step back as he stands over me; Hades was one push away from exploding.

"Thank you. Please let me know when they're gone." I turn back to Kara, holding my breath until I sense him leave. "Someone put on his cranky pants this morning."

"I wonder why?"

"See, you have so much empathy for your subjects already."

She slaps my arm as he reappears. Hades seems to have calmed, in an actual way not just the tense, rage, scary calm way he was a second ago. He looks me over warily, which I don't like, yet before I say anything he shakes his head.

"You can't go in looking like that."

I look down at my jeans and t shirt. It wasn't anything special, but for those that remain it was good enough. They'd all seen me like this, sometimes worse, a million times before.

"Why not?"

"Well, it is your royal duty to look the part." He smirks.

"You're in what, leather pants, black t shirt - is that bamboo cotton? Looks soft. You're a King. Why isn't it your royal duty to look the part too? Double standards anyone?"

A small black, wired headpiece, possibly intended to be a crown appears on his head. "It's not official business. Better?"

"Not really. This isn't official and-" I gasp, glancing down to the black flowing, gown he's put me into; that damn golden crown back on my head with my hair down and straight. "You are not funny."

"I wasn't trying to be funny. At least pretend for a moment, your grieving for your, friend, and planning on taking his place as this lands commander." The door opens, and he gestures we enter as he gives a slight bow. "They're waiting your highness"

Kara laughs behind me, covering her mouth with her hand which is just as quickly a curse as I give her the same treatment, only her dress is pink.

"No! Elise!" She protests, so to keep her happy, I make it a darker purple."Better but what the f-."

"Come on, there waiting" I nearly run to avoid her reaction.

The second I see everyone, I'm actually thankful for Hades wardrobe change and Kara goes silent behind me as she notices as well. They're all dressed up today. Artemis wears black too, yet the caped, figuring hugging gown looks very otherworldly compared to what I remember the Powers usually wearing. Ares is still in his battle-gear, albeit shiny and free from the destruction that previously decorated it. Hermes, Apollo and Deimos are all in a similar, also black, man togas complete with the trademark thin, golden wreath I remember from last time only Deimos didn't have one of those.

This seemed to be a very somber, yet formal occasion.

"You're here!" Artemis exclaimed, rushing forward to hug me. Her grip was crushing. "Are you alright?"

We parted, and it was hard not to miss how red her eyes looked. She hid the worst of it well, but being so close, not everything could be removed. Guilt twisted my insides.

"I'm okay."

"Come, sit. There is so much to discuss." She guided me past everyone, and up to sit on the main throne.

Everyone gathers by the steps, so I'm left looking down at them. I shake my head, hating this already. A table appearing in the space before me with more chairs, and with a wave of my hand, they all get the hint and sit down.

"Where do we begin?" Hermes starts, looking exhausted. "Her coronation?"

"It has to happen as soon as possible. If there is even a second of doubt as to where her loyalty lies-" Artemis answers only to be interrupted.

"She killed the Dark King. They won't be questioning her loyalty." Apollo finished, glancing my way; for the first time in a long time, I couldn't read the look on his face.

"You're right." Artemis sucked in a deep breath. "The people are celebrating. This will only continue to please them further."

"Traditionally these are done on the eve of a full moon, there is some time before the next one. Shall we alter this for the new moon instead?" Hermes questions.

They start to discuss tradition over practicality, and I can't keep up so I don't.

"Before we get all carried away-" I shout, finally getting heard.

"Elise." Kara warns.

"I only wanted you all here for a couple of reasons actually." They all stare in surprise, almost as if they forgot I was even there. "I don't want to be Queen."

"Of course you do!" Hermes snapped.

"Oh Elise, darling, darling, girl. This is the guilt talking!" Artemis is suddenly at my side, her hands on either shoulder as her head rests on top of mine. "I know it's a lot. You've been through so much."

"It's not that. I want to go home, back to my world."

"Why?" Ares didn't hide his disbelief. "Your world, is so, so-"

"You came here Elise, you made a choice." Apollo frowned. "You wanted to end the war, and you knew the cost of that."

"Not really. I came to help, to talk to Cain, to get all of this mess sorted out."

"And you couldn't, without removing the one behind it all. You are a Power. One of us. This can be a new start. A new beginning." There was something hopeful in Apollo's tone that only made all of this worse.

"He's right, Elise. Don't be scared. I am here for you, we all are. The Powers will accept the God Killer. The Others already have. There is a chance for peace, for all of the last few years to be erased from memory. Our father, Cain, they're gone. Nothing can stop you now." Artemis squeezed my shoulders before stepping back. "

"This was your fate all along. Can't you see that?" Apollo earns a round of nods from Ares, Artemis and Hermes. "You were always going to be the one who killed him."

Hades met my gaze then, a subtle shake of his head as if he knew what I was about to say. He mouths the word 'no' and taps his wrist, where he suddenly has a watch. Message received.

"She doesn't want to be queen. No one can force her into the role." Hades adds, causing Ares to slam his fist down on the table.

"Of course it does. He, well, in this case she-" Ares started.

"She has an offer. What if there was still a God Killer here?"

"That would be you." Apollo points out.

"The last time you left someone else in charge, it didn't work out great." Hermes continues.

"Hush. That was not on her, not really." Artemis glares at him.

"Not at all, thanks." I can't stop myself from giving him the same look Artemis did. "I've been thinking a lot about this. At first, I thought Hades would be a natural choice to take over."

I held my hand up as everyone began to talk all at once. Hades hid his face in his hands as Ares accused him of planting the idea and that it had been his plan all along. He then declared he would take over, which had Hermes standing and instantly outraged. Things then went from bad to worse with Artemis siding with Hermes, and then Apollo got involved.

"I can see why you don't want to lead these people and Cain went a little crazy." Kara whispered to me.

Any attempt I made to get their attention back failed, until finally I used my powers, forcing them into silence. Eight sets of eyes glared at me as I made them sit back down.

"Now children, please don't argue." I smiled, and Ares' face went a darker shade of red. "The fact of the matter is, I want to go home. I didn't sign up for this despite what you all may think and after a lot of thinking, I have the idea to have someone take my place and embody all that it means to be the God Killer."

"I agree with Apollo. You are the God Killer, the people want you." Deimos showed little emotion as Apollo looked at him, nodding in silent agreement.

"The people want a myth based on their own stories. Who we give them is essentially irrelevant."

"And when did this little, brain spark, of yours occur?" Kara smirks, enjoying this too much. "Last night while you were sleeping?"

"This morning actually." I clarify, not backing down from the staring contest we'd entered. "Just before a pre-lunch workout."

Hades groans.

Kara barely stops a laugh.

I lift the hold I had on the rest of the group, and Ares stands back up.

"When you decide to talk some sense, I will return. Until then-" He disappears and I let out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding.

"That went well." I sigh.

"Who do you have in mind?" Hades questions.

"No one. Elise, think about this!" Apollo snaps.

"He's right, you're giving up a lot." Artemis agrees.

Three, two, one...

"For all the foolishness I have witnessed, you stepping down as the rightful Queen is the worst of all it!" Hermes jumps in right on cue. "When I first saw you return, I had my doubts. You went to battle for this land, for the people. The God Killer is more than a legend. She-"

"Really, doesn't have to be me." I finished.

"Why not Artemis?" Deimos unhelpfully throws into the mix.

"No." Hades shot it down. "She is too well known. The people will not accept her."

"What if we give them a united force?" Apollo adds. "We hold good reports with the Others. Your huntresses would-"

"And the next time you two decide to fight? We will have another war, and be a joke to the rest of the world." Hades goes quiet, not bothering to answer the rush of complaints sent his way.

"Seriously, I'm done. I'll get you all back in here when I have it sorted out. You may leave, except for Hades." I declare, with a wave of my hand the table vanishes and they are all left standing.

"Elise, a minute?" Apollo mumbles, coming over.

Hades disappears, but closing eyes I sense he's still near and I'm thankful for the privacy.

"Literally a minute."

He kneels in front of me, taking a hand and a gentle tug is given as a sign to come closer. I lean towards him, trying to work out where he is going to go with. Obviously, he'll do something to try and make me stay, but I give him this.

"You've been through so much." The patronizing tone instantly grates on my nerves. "More than anyone should have to go through. You were dragged into this mess by Cain. It's all been his fault. Use his death as a chance to heal, to start over. We once talked about a new beginning-"

"Oh no. Apollo-" I tense.

"Fate has always had this, all of this planned for you. I've thought about it, a lot, since I first met you. Why you? Why has it always been you?" He looked around, waving his hand. "This is why. This is what they wanted. I know you, and this is new and scary-"

I pulled my hand out of his. "Then you should know me enough to realise I don't have a tendency to do what others want. Apollo, I have my family and responsibilities at home. I have to go back."

"No, this is you not wanting responsibility. Elise, you can do this. I will be here for you, every step of the way. You won't be alone anymore, no one here will judge you because you're different. You're above them. You can even visit, it's not like you can't ever go back."

"Not the point." I stand up, moving around him and look around for a second. "I'll also always be the human girl who got powers. I don't want to stay. I don't want to be queen. I don't care if this is what Fate has always had planned. This is what I have planned. Well, hopefully, but that's why I need to speak with Hades and-"

"Damn it Bunny! Everything has led you to this point and you just don't want it?" He pinches the bridge of his nose, before giving his head a little shake. "You've proven how strong you are, how strong you can be. There will be peace here, if you stay. You have to stay."

"I really don't." He dares to come closer, once again reaching for my hand. This time I stayed back.

"What if you stay? this could be a time for us too?" He throws it out there and I can't stop myself from pitying him.

"We had our time." I tell him softly.

He nods, his head dropping down as his disappointment is obvious. "I only came back for you."

"I never asked you to."

"And just let you die?" Something changes then, as he looks back to the empty throne chairs. "Is it because of him?"

"What?" That was unexpected.

"Because of him? You couldn't save Cain, so you're running now?" He frowned. "Because you don't get to be his queen?"

"No, no that isn't it at all. Do not do this!" I warn.

"Why, because I'm right? You finally admitted you had feelings for him, and now he's gone-" He closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. I am, I was upset about it too, but then I realised it was always meant to be this way! You know that."

"Listen to yourself." I want to tell him, but then I think of Hades warning and decide not to. "Go, please. Stop before you don't just cross that line, but destroy it."

"Promise you'll think about it first."

"Fine, now please go." I almost want to cry when he does as I ask. Had he always been this annoying, or was it just a case of the ex thing?

"That wasn't awkward at all." Hades says after a minute. "What is it you want from me now? More royal obligations?"

He's attempting to lighten the mood, but it doesn't work. I take a deep breath and spin around to face him.

"I want to go to the Underworld." I tell him.

He laughs before realising I'm serious. "Why?"

"Maybe I want to take over your kingdom?" He rolls his eyes. "Fine, I need to speak with Hecate."

"Why?"

"Reasons."

"What reasons?" He doesn't hide how suspicious he's feeling.

"Just, can you do it or am I going to have to get blood everywhere and make myself another sacrifice for her garden?" I sigh. "I really don't want to be a plant."

"That's rather dramatic, even for you." His shoulders slump, I grin at my diplomatic talents. "Fine, but I get to be there. Supervising."

"Of course, maybe she'll even make you some tea?"