Proserpina's sheer white gown glided behind her as she walked, making her feel as if she was floating across the marble floors. She took a sip from her wine goblet and smiled at her whispering Grand Aunts as she passed by.

"Proserpina!" Her Grand Uncle Neptune wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her closer. "It's been such a long time since I last saw you. I couldn't believe how much older you were. It's only been a few years."

Proserpina smiled. "That's because I'm human, Uncle."

Neptune chuckled, "yes, that's right you are. I always forget."

Embarrassed, he pressed his lips together. "You must come visit me sometime." He changed the subject. "I know Minerva would love to have you there as well." He gripped her shoulder a little tighter. "You know your a beautiful young lady who should be thinking about marriage. I've got a grandson I think you should meet." He raised a brow. "I've also got a granddaughter if you would prefer her."

Proserpina felt sick. She'd had offers of marriage before but this was really embarrassing. She knew he meant well and she really didn't want to hurt his feelings.

"I know both of them would be honored to be considered by you. If you come to my kingdom I can arrange a meeting for you."

Proserpina could only guess what was rolling around in his head and forced a smile. "I would love to, Uncle. We will have to plan a time that is convenient for both of us."

There was never going to be a convenient time.

Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw her Uncle Vulcan approaching.

"Excuse me, Uncle, but may I steal away Proserpina." Vulcan was going to rescue her.

"By all means, please steal her away." Neptune gestured towards her. His eyes met hers. "We shall be seeing each other very soon, Proserpina." He smiled then turned away.

Proserpina stood there for a moment, completely embarrassed.

"What was all that about?" Vulcan stepped in front of her line of sight.

She wrapped her arm around his and he turned and led her towards the opposite side of the room. "He suggested marriage and wants me to meet his grandson or granddaughter."

Her Uncle chuckled. "Ah, that sneaky devil, I was going to suggest you marry my grandson." He teased.

Proserpina laughed and playfully punched his arm. "I love you dear Uncle, but I will not marry an eleven-year-old. Besides his mother would be furious."

He chuckled. "I thought it was your father that was supposed to be furious."

"That's not funny." Mars glared at Vulcan, killing all their fun.

Her Uncle swallowed. "I have a gift for you Proserpina." He changed the subject. Vulcan held up his opened palms and a sword fell into his hands. Proserpina inhaled sharply. It was beautiful. The gleaming hilt was molded to look like the wings of a golden bird.

"A new sword," Proserpina said breathlessly.

Vulcan placed it in her hands. She unsheathed it and held the blade up so she could examine the craftsmanship. It was so sharp, she knew if she ran her finger along its edge, it would slice into her like butter. Vulcan had really outdone himself this time, this was a real work of art. A big old grin came onto her face.

"I think she likes it, Vulcan." Her father chuckled as he patted his brother on the shoulder.

"I do. Thank you, Uncle. I will cherish it." Proserpina slid the sword back into its sheath.

"I am very glad you like it. I thought our official Titan of War needed a proper sword to go along with her new title." He smirked.

Proserpina looked down at her present and gripped it tightly in her hands. She wished that she could go out to the courtyard and try it out, but her father would be furious.

"Proserpina." Her father caught her attention. "Let me put that in your room."

He held out his hand for the sword. She was reluctant to give it to him but handed him the sword anyway. The sword disappeared from his hands.

"You can try it out later, right now you need to go mingle with your guest. They are here for you after all." He made a shoo like motion with his hand.

Proserpina sighed and took a sip of her wine before turning on her heels. She slowly began to walk through the grand hall, observing the gods around her. Proserpina really hated gatherings like this, she wasn't cut out for the social life. She would have preferred and loved to have been able to spare with the majority of the guests here instead.

"Proserpina." Queen Juno slid her arm around hers. "I believe it is my turn to steal the star of the show."

Proserpina, smile. "I'm very excited you could make it," she lowered her voice to a whisper. "Grandmother."

Juno grinned, giving Proserpina's arm a gentle squeeze. The pair took a seat on the navy blue loveseat off to the side of the room.

Juno took Proserpina's hands into hers. "You've really improved since last I saw you. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time."

Proserpina couldn't help the smile that spread onto her face. "Thank you and I am glad you enjoyed yourself, but I cannot take all the credit though. Without Diana and Father's training, I would have never made it this far." Proserpina took another sip of her wine.

"Humble, I like that. But we both know you enjoyed yourself." Her Grandmother smiled, all-knowing.

"You caught me. I haven't had that much fun in a while." Proserpina smiled.

Juno patted the top of Proserpina's hands. "So have any of these fine young men, caught your eye?"

Proserpina took a big gulp of her wine. Why was everyone trying to marry her off?

"I bet there's been at least one." Juno pressed. "Come now tell your grandmother who. I'm Queen you know, I'll arrange it. As long as they are not taken, of course." Juno sipped from her wine with a smile on her face.

It wasn't like Proserpina hadn't thought about it before, but there really hadn't been anyone that caught her eye. She always wondered if maybe it had something to do with the curse that Venus had put on her. Maybe that was why she hadn't found anyone, because she hadn't found the one yet.

"I appreciate your generous offer grandmother, but there has been no such person."

Juno smiled softened. "Well, I guess we will have to wait for that special someone. When he does show up, be sure to tell your grandmother. Now, will you?" She rose to her feet.

"Of course, grandmother." Proserpina looked up at her.

Juno was the grandiose of all the goddesses. Proserpina thought she looked so powerful dressed in the colors of a majestic peacock. So wise, beautiful, and terrifyingly vicious. The ideal Queen of the gods.

Proserpina watched Juno push her rosen golden crown back on top of her head, her eyes were fixed on her husband. "I am afraid I must leave you, my dear. Jupiter seems to be consuming too much wine. We wouldn't want him to go home with the wrong goddess now would we?" She winked.

"It was a pleasure to see you, grandmother." Proserpina smiled sweetly.

Juno kissed the top of her head before she started to walk in Jupiter's direction. Proserpina turned her gaze back to the party and sighed. She was tired of this soiree already, but by the looks of her drunken father, she knew it was far from over.

The billowing curtains by the balcony caught her eye and she rose from her seat. Proserpina smiled at her guests as she made her way through the crowd and over to the balcony. The gentle breeze felt orgasmic against her skin. She set her cup down on the railing as a sigh escaped her and she stretched out her arms over the balcony edge. Her eyes gazed up at the waning crescent moon. Blued in color against the night sky. The twinkling stars were more yellowed in comparison with the striking moon. She started up into them with wondering eyes. The night sky had a real way of making her feel small. Proserpina picked up her goblet and emptied the last of her wine into her mouth. She savored the refreshing acidity against her tongue before she swallowed. Placing her goblet down on the railing first, she leaned her elbows against the cool metal and shut her eyes.

"Looks like you could use another." A deep male's voice startled her.

Proserpina turned and knocked her goblet over. She started at the goblet hovering mid-air before it was set back down on the railing. Her eyes met his impossibly dark ones. The God of the Underworld held out a fresh goblet of wine to her.

"I don't believe we have officially met. I am Pluto, the God of..."

"I know who you are." Proserpina smiled sweetly as she took the goblet from his hand. "Thank you."

She looked him over with her eyes. "I've never seen you at this kind of thing before. So what made you decide to come this time?"

He smiled. "I usually have too much to do, but made an exception this time. It's not very often the God of War asks for favors." He drank from his cup.

Proserpina was surprised to hear this bit of information. "My father asked for Bacchus to my opponent?"

"He did." He looked out into the deep darkness of the night. "He told me he could find no other that would be enough of a challenge for you." He smirked. "I see why now." His eyes stayed fixed on her as he drank from his goblet again.

Proserpina couldn't help the smile that crept onto her face. "Thank you." She met his eyes. "For both allowing Bacchus to fight me and for taking time out of your schedule to come." She chuckled once. "To be honest, I quite enjoyed that."

Pluto smiled. "I thought so." He took another drink from his goblet. "If you want, you can come to the Underworld any time and spare with Bacchus."

Proserpina turned to him surprised. She hadn't expected to receive such an invitation from him. "I'd like that." She smiled as she took a sip from her goblet.

The Underworld. That sounded too exciting to Proserpina. She had wanted to see the Underworld since her Aunt Ceres had told her about it when she was a child. If that was exciting enough the promise of another good sparing match sounded extremely entertaining.

"I'm going to hold you to that promise, you know." She looked him in the eyes.

Pluto smiled. "I hope you will."

The breeze picked up a little and blew Proserpina's caramel brown hair into her face. She reached up to tuck it behind her ear when Pluto's hand shot up and the wind died down. Her eyes widened as he reached out and brushed her hair out of her face. His onyx orbs intensely stared into hers. He took a strand of her hair in-between his fingers and gently kissed it. Proserpina's heart pounded wildly in her chest, she couldn't look away.

"It's nice to have met you, Proserpina." He smiled as he released her hair. A smokey dark mist swirled around him until he vanished before her eyes.

Proserpina stared at the spot where he had just been, caught in a trance. She smiled. Something was different about him. She couldn't say she had ever felt her heart pound like that in response to another's touch before. She brought her goblet to her lips and took a small sip. She reached up and touched her hair, pausing as she found a foreign object. Confused, Proserpina pulled it out of her hair and stared at the golden comb in her palm.

She smiled, he must have given this to her. She ran her thumb over the emeralds that shimmered in the moonlight.

Proserpina turned to head back inside passing by she noticed that some of the guests had already left. She chuckled as she spotted Diana and her Father. Both completely intoxicated and slowly passing out in their chairs. Today hadn't just been important to her, but to them as well. Proserpina couldn't have felt more accomplished than she did at that moment. She made them proud and that made her heart soar.

She took one last swallow of her wine before she set it down. No one would notice if she was gone now, so she slipped out into the hall. As she walked away from the grand hall the music slowly faded out behind her. She sighed contently.

What a day.

Her eyes fell on the comb in her hand. A smile spread across her face. She was thrilled to visit the Underworld, but she was even more excited to see him again.

Thank you so much for reading Daughter of Mars. I am thrilled you stuck around this long. Unfortunately, I am no longer going to be updating this story on Wattpad. I will publish the full book on Amazon Kindle once I have completed it. I promise you'll get to read the full book, I can't stand leaving stories unfinished. When that will be, that's the mystery. I need time to grieve and take care of myself and family. I lost two close family members this year and I just need some time.

Poppi ❤