As soon as they’re out of sight, I’m led through a series of hallways until we reach a spiraling staircase. I pause, hesitant to start the climb up into the tower.
“Move, girl, before I make you,” Deimos growls into my ear from behind, and I hurry to obey.
We ascend for what feels like an eternity before finally reaching a black door at the top of the tower. The guard opens the door as Deimos shoves me roughly forward into the room beyond.
Before I’ve even had a chance to catch my balance, the room is filled with the sound of a key turning in the lock, and I am officially made a prisoner.
Though the room is far from being a dungeon cell, everything about it is a reminder of where I am.
Of who has taken me captive.
The dark furniture is trimmed in silver and upholstered in deep blue velvets and silks, every bit as beautiful as they are cold and uninviting. Black curtains frame a large, single window that looks out over the world far below.
As much as I hate to admit it, this room is exactly what I expected Death’s home to be … and yet, even his palace held more hope, more warmth in it than this.
Again, I feel the bitterness of regret well up in me at the thought before pushing it aside.
Slowly, I walk toward the large window and push on the glass to open it. Peering out over the edge, I take in the great height of the tower room I now find myself in as I look out over an unfamiliar landscape. Leaning out as far as I dare, I just manage to catch sight of part of the city to my right.
One thing is for sure, there will be no escaping from this window unless I mean to fall to my death.
Sighing, I pull the window shut and turn back to face the room. A flat wall cuts the room in two, a small fireplace set in the middle of it, and a single arched doorway cut into one side. Crossing over, I poke my head through the doorless frame to find a small bathroom on the other side.
Though the room is far grander than anything I had back home, it is a far cry from the rooms I had in Death and Eros’ palaces.
Settling onto the edge of the bed, I force myself to come to terms with the fact that I am no guest here.
In some ways, this tower is truly no better than a dungeon cell … and in the ways that count, it is far worse.
I am being kept alone in a high tower with only one means of entry; a locked door.
There is no possibility of escape.
Certainly not on my own, and those who might wish to help me cannot be expected to know I am here. At least in the dungeons, or with the others, I might stand a chance of being found.
Though, after the looks some of the women gave me, I’m not sure I’d be alive by then anyway. Perhaps I should be thankful I wasn’t left alone with them.
Standing, I cross my arms over my chest as I take another look about the room. I wonder how much time I’m expected to spend here, or if Hades will call on me before too long.
My stomach knots sickeningly at the thought, and yet, I know it’s inevitable. As is his eventual recognition of me … even if I have to be the one to remind him.
Guilt weighs heavily on me as I am reminded of what my inaction has led to for the other women stuck here with me. Though, I suppose I cannot be certain he would have accepted my confession had I spoken up sooner.
After all, he didn’t seem to believe me when I finally found the courage to step forward.
Rising, I slip into the small bathroom to take a look at my reflection, and I’m mortified by what I find.
Perhaps Hades isn’t the one to be blamed for not believing me.
I look nothing like I did last night. My hair is a tangled mess as it falls in wild half-tied up waves down my back. Twigs and leaves stick out from odd places, and more than a little mud is smeared across my nose and cheeks.
The once-beautiful starlight dress is torn and dirtied beyond recognition, looking more like the brown dress Merelda gave me than one fit for a ball.
It is absolutely no wonder Hades didn’t recognize me.
Exhaustion pulls at me as if triggered by a reminder of everything I’ve been through since yesterday.
Still, I think I should start by cleaning myself up a bit before crawling into bed, regardless of how tired I may be. Besides, it’s the very least I should do before Hades sees me next.
