100 Years Later
My punishment had ended. I was going back to Olympus, finally. I was going to see him again after all this time. My hands shook as I packed my small yet large bags. Athena poked her head into my room.
"Adrasteia, we're leaving soon." I nodded. Athena had always been like a mother to me but when I moved in that feeling had increased. Especially since my own mother died in the first years of my punishment. Zeus had added to Hades punishment for Hades to make sure Eris and my mom were happy always.
I picked up my bag and went to where Athena waited. I smiled weakly and tried not to show my nervousness. She shook her head at my silly nervousness. But didn't she understand? I hadn't seen him in 100 years!
"Don't worry, Zeus said he was anxious to see you. He will always love you." I nodded. I knew the feeling but it had been so long. 100 years were longer without him, even if I was immortal. Even if it wasn't forever.
I decided to transport us. 100 years was good at getting better at such things. In a few seconds we were on Olympus and I could see a glimpse of the Council in the throne room. I tried not to run in. When they saw me I felt suddenly at home. But he wasn't there. Then he walked in and his face went from solemn to confused then to pure joy. I smiled as he was over to me in two bounds and held me close. I felt tears spring from my eyes.
"Adrasteia." He breathed.
"I missed you Apollo." He smiled and touched my cheek.
"Are you really there?" He asked. I nodded and tried not to cry more. He brushed a tear away slowly, lovingly.
"Yes, and I'll never leave again." He let out a huge breath and kissed me. God, I had missed him more than anything.
~~~
Once the initial shock wore off Apollo still never left my side. Not that I really minded I told him all my plans about going to visit my mother and my father, to learn what happened, and to stay here forever. I tried not to think of Koios, who would be in the Underworld also. Then, out of the blue he said,
"And you can finally marry me?" I stared at him and he broke our staring contest and looked away. Then I grabbed him and kissed him. I could feel him physically relax and both our nervousnesses faded away.
"Yes." I whispered in his ear. He swung me around for the first time since the war. That brought back sweet memories.
"But I have to do something first." He looked puzzled and I took a deep breath, getting ready to explain.
"What?"
"I have to talk to him." He nodded gravely. Understanding completely, much to my happiness. I don't think I could explain.
"Alright, when?"
"Soon." We left it at that. But I knew it wasn't the end, this was just the beginning. This was the beginning of a whole new story.