Royal Hearts Read online

  “Over here are the dorms,” Kent rambled on. “A lot of students like to live in the nearby apartments. Dorms are smaller, but they’re also cheaper. Of course, since you two live in the area, you’ll probably just commute from your homes.”

  “Where did you come from?” Stacey asked him.

  “You’re going to laugh when I tell you.”

  “Okay. So humor me.”

  Kent shifted from one foot to the other. “Toledo.”

  Stacey’s eyes grew wide. “Toledo, Ohio?”

  He nodded.

  “Why didn’t you go to college there?”

  “It was too busy.”

  “You don’t think it’s busy here?” Hathor asked. “I’ve never seen so many people crammed into one area in my entire life.”

  “Really? Where did you come from?” Ann asked.

  Hathor was ready to say something but paused. “A place where you can go out in your backyard and see mountains in the distance. There are certain sections that are well populated, but it’s nothing like this. Being here, a person almost feels trapped.”

  “If that place was so wonderful, why did you come here?”

  Again, he hesitated then finally said, “I had to.”

  “No college there, huh?” Stacey guessed.

  “If there was, it sounds like a nice place to be,” Ann said.

  “It is,” Hathor replied.

  “We’re trying to sell them on this college, not deter them from it,” Kent told Hathor, laughing. “Anyway, you two are used to this area, so it won’t be any problem adjusting here.”

  “What is Toledo like then? How does that college compare to this one?” Stacey asked.

  Ann noted that Hathor seemed to be relieved the conversation had turned back to Toledo. There was something different about Hathor, Ann was sure of it. Her gut instinct told her she could trust him with her life, so whatever separated him from others wasn’t something bad. For all she knew, it might even be good.

  As Kent and Stacey talked, Hathor smiled at her. “It’s not easy to explain where I’m from. You have to see it to understand it. I came here because I had to.”

  She was reminded of her impending move. “I know that feeling. We can’t always choose where we end up.”

  “Maybe not, but I like to think we can choose who we end up with,” he softly said.

  Her eyebrows furrowed. She sensed a hidden message in his comment, but she didn’t even know where to begin in finding out what that message was.

  Kent turned to her and Stacey. “I don’t know when your parents expect you home, but I was wondering if you want to get something to eat at the snack bar? It won’t fill you up so much that you won’t be able to eat your dinners at home.”

  Ann grinned at the way Kent worded his statement. He was kind of quirky, but his heart was in the right place. She liked him for Stacey.

  “We’re buying,” Kent added.

  Ann glanced at her watch. “My mom told me to have the car back in an hour, so it’s going to have to be a quick snack.”

  “Okay. Great. I mean, it’s great that you two can stay for a snack, not great you have to leave in an hour,” Kent clarified.

  Again, Ann had to grin. If Stacey didn’t see how nervous he was and how much he was trying to impress her, then she was blind.

  By the time they got their snacks, the Student Union was packed with students, so they had to break up and sit at separate tables, which was fine with Ann because she wanted some time alone to talk to Hathor. She sat across from him at a small table and absentmindedly stirred the straw in her soda. “Since you’re new here, I was wondering how things are going for you. Are you fitting in? Is it hard to adjust to everything?”

  “It’s like being on another world. You’re around people who look like you, but you know you don’t belong here.”

  She considered his words. In a way, she knew how he felt, even though she hadn’t moved yet. It was the anticipation of the move that often brought her the same feeling. “So it’s not going well?”

  “Kent has helped me fit in, so I don’t have to feel so alone. It’s nice to have someone to help you out. But now that I met you, things are…complete.”

  She blinked in surprise. She secretly felt the same way about him, that he completed her as well, but she was afraid to admit it.

  “Anyway,” he continued, “at some point, I’ll have to go back home. It’s just a matter of what the circumstances will be when I do.”

  “And you’re not going to tell me the name of this place you call home, are you?” She smiled to show him that he didn’t have to answer her. They didn’t know each other well enough for her to pry into his personal business.

  He sighed as he stared at the napkin in front of him. “I wish I could,” he said at last, his mood turning somber. “There’s a lot of things I wish I could tell you. If all goes well, then someday I will be able to, but I can’t right now.”

  Unsure about his meaning, she shifted in her chair and took a sip of her soda. There was definitely something different about him. He wasn’t like any of the other boys she’d come across. There was a seriousness about him she’d never seen in anyone before.

  Deciding it would be best to turn to easier topics, she asked, “What kind of things do you like to do?”

  “I like going for walks in the evening when the sun is setting. I like to carve things out of wood. I like doing things for…someone else.” He offered a smile. “I like to be of service when I can. It’s a privilege to know I can make things better in the world, and that’s where helping someone else comes in. Few things are more fulfilling than that. But enough about me. What do you like to do?”

  “Well, I’m not as noble as you,” she admitted with a wry grin. “My interests are pretty self-centered. I like to read, write, hang out with friends, go to the mall... That’s about it.”

  “I don’t see how that’s self-centered.”

  “No one benefits from what I do. There’s nothing special about me.”

  “You never know. You might be more important than you imagine.”

  Before she could ponder why he’d say such a thing, the timer on her watch went off. Groaning, she pressed the button to stop it. “I have to go. If I get home late, I lose my driving privileges.”

  He stood as she got up. “Can I see you again?”

  “Yeah, sure.” She gave him her phone number.

  “I don’t have a car of my own. I’m pretty much stranded here on campus unless I take the bus,” he said. “So I can’t pick you up.”

  “It’s no problem. I can drive.”

  “Is there a good time for another meeting?”

  That was an interesting term for a date, she thought. “I’ll be busy Friday night. How about Saturday? We could see a movie.”

  “A movie? Oh, yes. I know what that is.”

  At first she thought he was joking, but the expression on his face told her he was serious. Didn’t they have movies in his hometown?

  “Just give me a call, and we can decide on what to see and when to see it,” she said. “Unfortunately, I really have to go. It was nice seeing you again.”

  “Yes. I liked seeing you again. It’s too bad our time was so short.”

  Surprisingly, she couldn’t help agreeing with him. It had been nice to see him, and she had no doubt she’d enjoy seeing him again. Focusing on her curfew, she told him good-bye then went over to Stacey, who was laughing at something Kent was telling her.

  Ann waited until he finished with his joke before speaking. “I hate to break this up, but I need to get home.”

  After Stacey said her good-byes to Kent, they headed for the car. “He is so great!” Stacey exclaimed. “I hope he calls me.”

  “He will.”

  “You think so?”

  “I watched him talk to you. He definitely likes you.”

  Stacey smiled widely. “Who would have thought going to that thing about colleges could actually be useful?” When they g
ot into the car, she asked, “What do you think of Hathor? The two of you looked like you hit it off.” She fastened her seatbelt and turned to Ann, waiting for all the details she could get.

  “He’s different from any boy I’ve ever met,” Ann said. “It’s hard to explain, but I feel like I’ve met him before. I guess it’s because he seems to know so much about me.”

  “What did he say to make you think that?”

  “That’s just it. It wasn’t really anything he said. It was the way he looked at me, the way he said things.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand it.”

  “Maybe you two are meant to be together.”

  Ann considered the possibility but decided it was too soon to tell. Besides, she was moving to Florida. With the Internet, it was possible to have a long distance relationship. But it was still too soon to make a decision either way.

  “We’ll see,” Ann finally said then drove them home.

  ***

  Hathor hadn’t wanted Ann to leave. It took all of his willpower to let her walk out the door with her friend. He knew that she was going to see William at some point in the week. Perhaps that was what she was doing on Friday night. His heart constricted at the thought of her with someone else. He didn’t want to share her with anyone. She was his wife, his best friend.

  William’s words echoed ominously in his mind. “Look, what happened in the future we came from isn’t necessarily going to happen this time. We’re all starting with a clean slate. The future is wide open.”

  Hathor released his breath. No, William couldn’t have her. He didn’t deserve her. She chose Hathor once, and she would choose him again. Or at least, he hoped.

  Kent walked over to him and grinned. “I think I just found the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  Hathor looked over at his friend and smiled. “I’m glad things went well for you.”

  “Yeah, she’s not only nice to look at but she’s actually got a brain. I think I’ll give her a call. Do you think tonight is too soon to talk to her?”

  “I think the best time to call her is when you want to hear her voice.”

  “I don’t want to seem pushy. I don’t think girls like that. It scares them off.”

  Hathor hadn’t thought of that. He didn’t want to scare Ann off.

  “I think I’ll wait for tomorrow. Then I’ll ask her out for this weekend. Friday will be too soon since tomorrow is Thursday. I think Saturday will be better.” He put her phone number in his backpack and took a deep breath. “So, how did things go with you and Ann?”

  “Great, I think,” Hathor replied.

  “Is that a good thing or bad?” Kent asked as they left the Student Union. “Not that it’s any of my business.”

  “I don’t mind your asking. Remember William?”

  “I don’t think I’ll forget him anytime soon. He got you really mad about something.”

  “Yes. It turns out that Ann is seeing him this Friday. She doesn’t know what a jerk he is.”

  “Bummer. Are you going to see her again?”

  He nodded. “Saturday.”

  “You know, I think the key here is to show her that you can be more caring than he is. Girls like guys who are interested in them and what they like. It makes them feel special. And of course, it’s not a bad idea to compliment them on something like their hair or what they’re wearing,” Kent continued.

  “How do you know so much about girls?”

  “I have an older sister who complains a lot about what the men she dates don’t do right. I try to make sure I’m not like them.”

  Hathor smiled to himself. He would miss talking to Kent when the time came for him to go back to Raz, but he couldn’t stay on Earth forever. He didn’t want to stay here forever, though, even if he had the choice. Regardless, he had to admit that Earth did have its good points, and finding a good friend like Kent happened to be one of them.

  Chapter Twelve

  Present day

  Underworld (Hades’ Domain)

  Planet: Olympia

  Guard Falon’s shoulder throbbed with pain as he continued walking down the vacant passage inside the mountain. He heard various sounds. Sometimes he thought he heard screams. At other times, he heard laughter. This place was gloomy and depressing. He couldn’t wait to find his way out of it.

  He needed to find medical help, but he knew he still had a couple of days before he’d risk an infection in his wounded shoulder. Still, he’d love to have something for the pain right now.

  His footsteps echoed hollowly in the place for another half hour, then…finally, he saw a glimmering light up ahead. Relieved, he quickened his step, his pain momentarily forgotten.

  When the narrow passageway came to an end, he found himself at a large circular area lit by torches. To his right was a gate, which was partly open.

  Figuring he had nothing to lose, he headed for it. Just before he got to the entrance, a huge three-headed dog jumped in front of him, snarling its displeasure at the uninvited guest.

  Falon had never seen anything like it in his life, so he wasn’t prepared for it. He looked behind him and saw there was no other way for him to go except the way he had come, and he already knew that path led to nowhere. He had no choice. He would have to find a way through the gate.

  “I’m lost. I need to find a way out of here,” he told the dog.

  The dog snarled at him.

  He stepped back. How was he going to get around this beast? After a moment, he tried to reason with it. “I need to go through that gate. I have no other way to go.”

  The dog’s response was to place itself right in front of the gate, as if to tell him he wasn’t going to enter, no matter how much he needed to.

  Falon groaned. He wasn’t in any shape to fight with his damaged shoulder, but it looked as if he didn’t have a choice. He slipped his flashlight and compass back in his pockets. Then he squatted down and assumed a familiar combat position.

  The dog hunched lower, its three heads turned right to him.

  One, two, three… Go! Falon shot up into the air and flipped forward once before he landed in a sitting position on the dog’s back.

  Irritated, the dog howled. Two of the heads on either side of him turned towards him, each head baring its teeth and trying to bite him.

  Falon swiftly slammed his fist into one of the heads. He punched the jaw so hard that it broke. Without missing a beat, he kicked the other head squarely in the jaw, also breaking it.

  The dog bucked back, forcing him off its back and onto the ground. Falon rolled over and started to sprint to the opening of the gate. The dog was too quick. It pounced on him and pinned him to the ground. The good head in the center got so close to him that he could smell its putrid breath.

  “Cerebus!”

  The dog jumped off of him, retreating to the shadows.

  Shocked by the sudden change in its temperament, Falon looked for the person who had shouted the dog’s name.

  An old man, clothed in a black robe, emerged from behind the gate. “You are a stranger here. What is your business?”

  Falon tried to stand up, but a sharp pain shot straight through his shoulder, making him stumble.

  The old man helped him up.

  “I am Guard Falon from Pale. I came here on a mission to-”

  “Excuse me,” he interrupted. He listened to the earpiece he was wearing and turned back to Falon. “Hades is demanding my presence. I will have to take you to him since this is his territory that you’ve invaded.”

  “I’m not invading his territory. I was on my way to see the gods and goddesses in the palace on top of this mountain when I went into a cave near a cliff. I saw a crack in the cave’s wall and went to investigate it when I fell down here. I just want to get out of here.”

  “That is for Hades to decide.”

  “Are you saying he might not let me out of here?”

  “It depends on his mood. Considering what you’ve done to his pet dog, I seriously dou
bt you’ll see daylight again.”

  Falon considered running off, but really, he had nowhere to go.

  The old man walked through the gate and turned back to him, a question in his eyes.

  Reluctant, he passed through the gate. “When you say I won’t see daylight again, do you mean temporarily or…” He couldn’t bring himself to say it.

  “Oh, this will probably be permanent. Hades never forgives a wrong done to him.”

  “But that dog wouldn’t let me through the gate. I tried to explain my situation to it, but it wouldn’t listen. I had no way out. It was either fight it or die of starvation from wandering around this desolate place.”

  “That won’t matter to Hades. He’s not fair or logical. He is ruled solely by his passions, and he loves that dog. It’s one of the few things that gives him joy, except for Persephone, and she’s not here to calm him down.”

  “If she were here, would it make a difference?”

  The old man shrugged. “She puts him in a good mood. It is quite pleasant when she is with us.”

  They approached a long, winding river. The old man stepped into the wooden boat and motioned for Falon to join him.

  Falon hesitated.

  “If you don’t come with me, you’ll die out here. At least Hades will sustain you with food. There is nothing out here for a living soul.”

  Resigned to his doomed fate, Falon got in the boat. He hoped that Jaz and Lino would succeed in finding Queen Ann because it looked as if he wouldn’t be able to help them anymore.

  ***

  Present day

  Ivory Palace

  Planet: Olympia

  Second Commander Jaz knew the gods and goddesses on Olympia could be extravagant hosts, but even she wasn’t prepared for the meal they served. The tables were full of all kinds of foods so that even the pickiest of eaters would find something to satisfy their appetites, but the gods and goddesses stayed mostly with the ambrosia they loved so well. But she had a hard time enjoying any of it since Guard Falon was in the Underworld.