Welcome to Hell

ATHENA’S POV

I stood in front of the mirror staring at the woman beautifully dressed not recognising her. She looked like a bride, ready for her groom but the look in her eyes shows nothing but pain.

“Am I truly deserving of this? I did win the fight but is it really worth being with a man that would never love me?” I asked myself.

The Queen who was seated behind me seems to have sensed my uncertainty. She smiled at me before standing to her feet and marching towards me. She’s elegantly dressed in a purple dinner gown, beaded with royal apparels that pronounced her beauty to anyone who saw her.

She has been by my side since the beginning of the preparations, not leaving me or me her. I tried sometimes to find reasons to escape her for just a few minutes but she seems to always be ready for me.

“You look beautiful darling; Nero is going to have his eyes glued on you.” She said staring at me through the mirror. “I’m so proud of you Athena, your parents would be too.”

I felt tears start to pool my eyes at the mention of my parents. Would they really be proud of me even after someone died by my hands? Certainly they would call me a murderer like Nero did.

My breath started to get rapid at the realization that I could not wed Nero. The feeling was so strong that sweat trickled down my forehead, smearing my makeup. I feared I would have to sit for another session to get my face bride ready again.

I was hyperventilating and I wished there was a way I could disappear. I wanted to be away from Nero’s growing wrath I knew was building inside of him. Maybe outside of these walls I would find the peace I desperately desire.

“Are you alright dear? You look all sweaty.” The Queen pointed out concern etched on her face.

“I don’t feel so good. Can I go to the bathroom please?” I asked, feeling the dress get tighter around me.

“Of course Darling. I’ll go get you something to drink. In the meantime, don’t leave the room.” She instructed before walking out the door.

I nodded and placed a hand on my waist feeling dizziness form. I stood straight breathlessness washing over me as I struggled to reach the bathroom. I could pass out at any second but I pushed myself. I leaned on the door and forced it open. Dark spots began to appear in my vision as my anxiety took over. I could hear faint voices outside, like an argument playing out but I was too engrossed in my feelings to bother myself with it.

I turned the tap on and at the first contact with the water, I made sure you splash as much as I could on my face.

“Yup, the makeup is all ruined now.” I said to myself as I sat on the marbled floor. My vision began to clear up and the dizziness as well. But that dreaded feeling stayed. That feeling of knowing someone else should have been Nero’s bride instead of me.

What I would do to have my parents by my side right now. They would have had the best words fit for the way I was feeling. Deep down I know they wouldn’t be mad or disappointed at me. They too would have told me that I did what I had to. And somehow I can almost hear their voices, all calm and filled with love, enough that it calmed my nerves. But my dark side was done with the whole wedding.

I know it wasn’t my fault and yet I didn’t want to be married to Nero. I feared that he might kill me for even having the guts to marry him.

I tried pulling at the zip of my dress, ready to take it off when I heard the door slam shut. I didn’t even hear when it opened but instinctively, my hands let go of the dress.

The Queen rushed to the bathroom as though she knew where I hid myself. I could have exited the bathroom as soon as I felt better but it just seemed like the place to be. It was quite and my thoughts were allowed to roam freely even though the mirrors were accusing.

“Here darling, drink this.” She said handing me a cup. From the look I knew it wasn’t just water and I looked at her, waiting for an explanation. When I received none, I sighed and took a breath before gulping down its contents. I felt a rush of energy flow through me. The drink was water mixed with sugar.

“Your makeup is all ruined and we’ll need to fix it, there isn’t much time left. You do feel better yes?” she asked looking at me with raised brows ready to make me her son’s bride at all costs.

The last time I saw Nero was during the wedding rehearsals. It’s been at least a week since then and meeting him now even though I knew what to do as practiced felt like something I should avoid and I wanted to.

“Athena? We have to hurry, get up.” she ordered but my body stayed glued to the seated position. I also didn’t make any effort to push it up.

“I don’t want to get married your Majesty. Nero hates me, he doesn’t want me either.” I was sure she had missed what I said.

“I know that you feel scared, but you have to. You got into that arena and fought for his hand. And although you can revoke your stand on the matter, I want you to know that you’re the one meant for him. You might not see it now but eventually you will. So go sit, the makeup artist is waiting.”

I stood in front of the door leading into the throne room where I suspect hundreds of guests were waiting. Somehow the makeup artist seemed to have made me look better than she first did but she was unable to rid me of my anxiety.

The door opened and I gasped. I thought I was ready to march down but the stares made the remainder of my confidence falter. I peered through the veil as I marched through the hall. Nero had a look of shock on his face that made my stomach drop. Perhaps he expected that I would drop out of the wedding and not show up.

If not for your mother, I wouldn’t have. Then maybe you wouldn’t resent me so much. I thought.

Before the steps, in a fraction of a second, I imagined a life where I got to wed a man who was completely and utterly in love with me in a world where the moon goddess gave us each a mate. I smiled inwardly at the images that formed where I was spoiled rotten by my mate. We didn’t have riches but I was content knowing he was mine and I, his.

Nero had his hand out to me and he helped me up the steps. I tried to hide my eyes behind the veil but I am pretty sure that he could see right through it and me. The veil did not shield me from his burning gaze and the aura around him felt choking.

He continued to stare into the veil allowing his eyes meet mine as he tried to send a message. I wanted the opportunity to appreciate his features. My heart fluttered as he stared at me for a second I caught something in his eyes that could be mistaken for care but it vanished the same time it came.

I craved so much to see him gaze upon me with the look he would have for Zara, I wanted to know how it would feel to be stared at with so much love. I could see a reflection, a tiny of the hope in my own eyes from his and the possibility of a happy life together should he give it – us a chance.

His icy blue eyes turned colder than they first were when I arrived and I watched as a smirk formed on his lips. His brows moved with the smirk giving it a knitted wicked look.

I did not expect the words that flew out of his mouth. Because as soon as it did, I was sure the colour on my face drained and I felt the room suddenly grow cold causing me to shiver in fear.

“Welcome to hell.” He said his eyes not leaving mine.