Chapter 254 - Move the stars for you pt 2 (2/2)

Her mouth formed an O as she studied the various sections leading upward. ”Can this room be accessed from the main areas of the palace?”

Arei nodded and pointed overhead at a staircase leading down in a spiral along the many above-ground layers. ”You can access it from the library. That's why Scylla and Chari are usually found in the library. Many parts of it are linked with the passages down here. This particular portion is somewhat hidden and can only be accessed from up there which leads into the section of the library based around the history of the time period leading up to the sinking of the library and crash of Alexander's empire. Father thought it would be more fitting and theatrical that way.”

She laughed, ”Sounds like him...”

Arei chuckled. ”It's actually a lot easier to come the way we did and prettier... Would you like to look around or read through anything while we're here?”

Jos tented her brows as she spun in a slow circle, taking in all the room had to offer both above and below the water. ”I mean I'd love to... but there's also so much more I'd like to see and do.”

He smiled as he pulled her into his arms. ”And what else would that be?”

Her starry eyes met his. ”Can I meet some of the residents?”

He nodded. ”I don't see why not.” He couldn't help the smile that reflected even in his eyes as he asked. ”Anything else?”

She nodded in excitement. ”You mentioned art! And what of those statues down there? And could... could you introduce me to some of the more exotic creatures that live here?”

”Of course.” He said as he idly stroked her back. ”Anything you'd like, just keep in mind it is getting late.” She nodded as her eyes went back to the room around them. He chuckled, ”This was always one of my favorite things about our first years together. There will never be anything more fascinating to me than to see your reactions to new things, nothing more beautiful than the wonder reflected in your eyes as something you've never seen catches them.” He sent her a warm smile as her eyes moved back to him, her cheeks tented a faint pink. He leaned in and gave her a light kiss. ”Don't hold back, ask about anything you'd like, explore anything you want.”

She didn't waste any time following his suggestion, and he spent the better part of three hours giving her the history behind various paintings, statues, pottery, and more; giving details of when they were painted, when they had become lost to the sea as well as how, and how his father had come into possession of most of the pieces. Some of the other visitors would come over and listen from time to time and would introduce themselves and carry on small talk until they became bored of the history lessons and moved on. The most amazing part was getting to interact with some of the sea creatures she'd never known about before, her favorite being the sea dragon.

Jos couldn't help the awe and wonder from spewing out as she stroked the gigantic head resting in her l.a.p enjoying her careful strokes of its wide ears. Her eyes were wide with child-like astonishment as she said. ”I've seen 'sea dragons' before the little one that resembles your run-of-the-mill seahorse... and I recall seeing these guys when we first visited... but this is amazing... I wouldn't take such a magnificent beast to be so gentle.”

Arei chuckled as the beast in question let out a content purr that rumbled the area around them like a small earthquake. ”I'm sure if you weren't petting him like a childhood pet, he may be less agreeable... though you do seem to have a way of taming wild beasts.” He chuckled again as the creature rolled its massive body over for a tummy rub. ”I can't wait to tell dad you turned one of his guardian beasts into your own personal l.a.p dog...” He shrugged, ”I guess it can't be any worse than Ceberus...”

Jos's eyes widened at the mention of the hellhound. ”Could we visit him before we leave? Would that be possible? Is that entrance still connected to this palace?”

Arei nodded, ”Yes but I'm afraid Ceb has been retired. Uncle has replaced him with high-tech security cameras and devices. Ceb has become nothing more than a giant house pet.”

”Oh...” She frowned. ”So, we couldn't go see him?”

Arei chuckled, ”Well, not without paying a visit to my aunt and uncle... I wouldn't hesitate if not for the fact that dad suspects Zeus to be up to more shady shit...”

Her brows furrowed, ”Do you think your uncle Hades would help Zeus out in whatever he was planning?”

Arei shook his head as he reached out to pet the dragon as well. ”No, not intentionally, but unfortunately most of the passages to the underworld are open domain and free for any of the gods to travel through. It's a vast well-populated area, entire cities in places... Besides, I doubt the council would approve that trip.”

Jos frowned. ”Alright, sorry I asked...”

Arei let his hand fall away from the beast and move to her cheek, turning her face to meet his. ”There's no reason to be sorry. We can still go one of these days, and I'm sure they would love to see you again. But we need to make sure it's safe and that it won't get you into more trouble by going. The council's powers don't extend to the underworld so they would protest.”

Jos nodded, ”I get it...” She let out a huff as her eyes moved to the opening of the ceiling in the cave they were in. ”It's getting late, we should probably head back...” She watched as he nodded and lowered back into the water. She bent and placed a kiss on the tip of the brilliant cerulean blue dragon's nose before carefully pushing his heavy head out of her l.a.p. ”At least I can come back to visit you...” She said as she smiled up at the beast as it straightened to its full height. She waved up to it as she waded deeper into the waters. ”Until next time!”

Arei chuckled as he dove under the water. {This woman... I can't help but love her...}