"We shouldn’t be out so late, Astrid." Augustus said.
"Good thing we’re insignificant. No one will notice," she said and held his hand tightly.
Astrid had found Augustus in the early hourse of the morning and pleaded that he accompany her for a tour of the city.
"Haven’t you seen enough?" He asked. "We’ve already covered so much of the city, only the countrybsiee of it is left."
"I just want to spend as much ti as i can with you as possible. You never know what might happen."
"I know you’re going back to be your kingdom’s ruler. So i do know things will happen. But like i told you, if you’ll still have , I’ll co find you when i can."
Astrid turned and stared at him as tears pooled in her eyes. "I wish for nothing but that," she whispered. Unfortunately we don’t always get what we want, she thought.
They headed back to the castle and while in the carriage, Astrid pulled Agustus in for a kiss. She grabbed a handful of his hair and crushed her mouth on his, taking and taking.
Augustus, eager and ready for her since he’d set eyes on her snaked his hand around her waist and oulled her closer. Ti almost seed to pass slowly for them that they almost didn’t realize when they’d entered into the palace until the horse neighed to a stop and they reluctantly pulled away from each other and caught their breath.
Augustus smiled from ear to ear and refused to et her eye while Astrid stared at him with a sad smile. Her heart weighed heavy in her chest as she tried to steady her breathing.
"When will we see each other again?" Augustus asked.
Astrid bit her lower lip and turned away from him. "I’m not sure," she said. "I still have to take care of the issue with my sister. So I’ll be busy for a while."
Augustus put a hand over hers, "i understand," he said quietly. "Octavia... has always been a thorn in the flesh."
"I’m about to be a a thorn in hers." Astrid looked down at the hand on top of hers and pulled her hand from under his. Then opened the door to the carriage and left.
She went into the palace and up to hr room where Hera lay misreably on her side.
"Hera," she called. When she moved closer, she gave her a little shake. "Hera?"
"Leave alone," she whined. "Just leave ."
"Stop this nonsense," she chided, "right now!"
"Why?!" She shouted, "tell why?! Iris is in a cell, this city is horrible and I’m preg..."
Astrid rushed and covered her mouth before she could finish. "Stop talking!" She hissed. "You want to announce to the world that you’re pregnant?"
Hera tore her face away from her grasp and laid back on the bed sobbing silently. "Everything’s going horridly, nothing is going accoeding to plan. Nothing."
Astrid plopped down on the chair by the window, closed her eyes and leaned back. "I’m tired too, Hera. I’m tired as well." She shook het head, got up and walked towarss the door. "I’ll be back," she said, and didn’t wait for Hera to responde before she slipped out of the room.
Astrid went straight to Selene’s room and curled up beside her on her bed. "This is all eating alive," she whispered. "I don’t know what to do."
Selene turned her around and hugged her, "it’s alright."
"When are things going to get better? How do i get her out of prison? How do i deal with Iris and her pregnancy? It’ll start showing soon and there’ll bw no way to hide it."
"You’re Astrid. You’ve always been brilliant. No matter what ca your way, you managed to sort it out," Selene whispered. "This too shall pass."
"I asked Adonis to marry instead."
"What?!" Selene tried to sit up on the bed but Astrid held her tightly.
"I know it’s crazy, but how else am i supposed to fix this?" Astrid asked and sat up, then Selene followed.
Selene studied her face and sighed. "I hope you know what you’re doing, Astrid."
"I don’t, but i have to try."
Selene got up from the bed and stared down at Astrid. "I think i might drop dead if i hear any more of your plans," she said, pressed her lips in a thin line and narroed her eye. " so just... keep your plans to tohrself let us visit our beloved sister."
"Of course." Astrid nodded. "Lets get Hera first."
They collected hera from her room; whichbhad obly been possible because she was forcibly dragged out of bed, and went to see Iris.
They t Penelope on the way to the dungeon as well and Astrid couldn’t help but shoot glares at her.
"You’re going to her?" Hera aske weakly.
"I am."
"And what do you want with her?" Astrd as. Her voice was weary.
"She’s my friend and i would like to see her," Penelope answered.
Asteid sized her up for a while and kept moveing untill thwy reached her cell. Astrid and Hera rushed towards her.
"I’ve missed you so much, " Hera said ans sobbed.
"It has only been a few hours Hera," Iris chuckled.
"And they’ve been the most myn excruciating ti of my life," Hera replied.
Astrid scoffed. "I see."
"Selene," Iris called and turned to her. "Take care of them for while I’m in here. "
Selene nodded and smiled.
The girls spoke at length of so much, reminiscing about their carefree days and a few monts the had gotten to share with Hera while Penelope stood by the side..
"There’s soone else here to see you," Hera said.
"Who?"
Astrid, Selene and Hera turned towards the direction Penelope stood and she ca forward.
"Pen," Iris said softly, "you ca."
Penelope smiled back at her. "I did."
Iris held our a hand to her and she took it. Penelope blushed and averted her gaze, then Iris pulled her head back so she could look at her.
Astrid, Selene and Hera all stood, mouth wide open and their eyes bulging as thwy watched.
Penelope left a short while later and the three girls rushed towards Iris ans bombarded her with questions.
Iris whizzed. "All you need to know is that i like her, and she like ," she said. "Now leave alone. Shooo"
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