The Trials of Aphrodite

♦ Chapter Seventeen ♦

Reyna, Hylla, and I sat on a bench overlooking the ocean. It was frozen over, just like everything else, but peaceful and beautiful. It's strange all the places beauty can be found. I decided I would be the goddess of all beauty when I regained my seat on Olympus-I would represent human beauty and earth's beauty. I seemed to be changing.

"There's something I need to do," I said quietly.

The sisters turned to look at me. "What?" Reyna asked.

"Reyna, I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused you," I answered, relieving myself of my guilt. "You're my best friend. So I thought this would be the right thing to do."

Reyna looked puzzled. "Do what?"

"I revoke my curse," I said, giving out what lasting power I had after the fight with Khione. "Reyna Ramírez-Arellano, you're free to love whoever you wish."

Reyna bit her lip. Her eyes swam with tears. "Thank you."

Hylla sent me an approving glance and mouthed I forgive you.

I leaned forward. "So what now?"

Reyna sighed. "It looks like we can't keep a secret any longer. We'll have to tell everyone about your true identity."

I blinked. "Really?"

She nodded. "Really. But, sadly, Khione is still at large. She still has the girdle. She's still bent on world domination."

"True," I admitted. "But we make a great team. We'll defeat her."

Hylla shifted in her seat. "I can't accompany you, I'm afraid." She sighed. "I'm Queen of the Amazons. I have to lead them. And find the Amazons Khione stole from me."

"That's fine," I said. "I won't forget this quest, though. I won't forget you."

For the first time since I'd met her, Hylla smiled.

I smiled just as wide and stared at the white sun that cast ethereal light on us like a spotlight. I closed my eyes and basked in its warmth. The snow was slowly melting, giving way to a warm breeze. Which was weird, as it was winter. But I took it as a sign.

"It feels like spring," Reyna murmured. 

"It's a new beginning," I replied. "The wrongs have been righted, and the storm is gone."

"For now," Reyna said. 

We held hands and watched as the frozen water thawed out, just like my heart.

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                                                                  THE END OF BOOK ONE

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I can't believe it's over. But it is. It breaks my heart. Good news, though! I will have the sequel in shortly, and I hope it's just as riveting as this one. Reyna is still going to be sticking with Aphrodite, but there will be others tagging along . . .

Oh, second books are hard. Tremendously hard. But I accept the challenge.

Thanks for reading about Aphrodite's adventures, and there's more on the way!

Love, 

Wolf