He leans back in the chair, listening as I tell him about my life before Death and my arrival in the Underworld. In almost no time, I’m spilling nearly every little detail about myself. From learning to hold a paintbrush with my father’s gentle guidance to the immense sadness of losing my mother.
The disappointment of Father remarrying, the endless torment my new family put me through, and how I came to stand before Death.
Nothing prior to my meeting of Death is held back, much to my own horror. Without any prompting, I tell him my fondest and my darkest memories. As the words finally dry on my tongue, I find myself exhausted from reliving the life I left behind.
My voice trails off as a soft sob overtakes me, my words still hanging in the air as if to taunt me over how pathetic my life was. Over how little I managed to achieve ... and even then, I failed.
Even my death, the giving of my very soul, was not enough to save my father.
Tears sting the backs of my eyes, and I bury my face in my hands as I try to hide them.
Hades’ chair scrapes against the floor, forcing me to look up, as he slowly rises. The measured tread of his boots against the marble floor echoes through the room as he makes his way over to me.
I blink up at him as I struggle to regain my composure, the tears in my eyes making him swim in my vision. I’m unable to read his expression as he leans down, cupping my chin in his massive hand as he tilts my face toward his.
“It appears there is more to you than meets the eye. What else are you not telling me, mortal?”
His eyes search my face for a moment as I try to think of an appropriate answer, but then I realize that’s not what he’s looking for as his eyes drop to my lips. I’ve barely had time to decipher the look that passes across his face before he bends and his lips find mine.
My shock only lasts a second before I pull away, using every ounce of strength and courage afforded to me. My chair topples over, crashing to the floor, as I scramble away from him.
Hades watches me, his eyes following my every move, as I try to put as much distance between us as possible. There’s a predatory look on his face that I know far too well from my years spent avoiding my stepbrother’s advances.
It unsettles me as he advances. It’s clear that he will not simply allow me to leave, not when there’s that hunger fueling his movements.
“No,” I say, my voice coming out broken and shaky. “Please, no. I don’t want this.”
But of course, he ignores me as he throws my chair aside and closes the distance between us. A startled cry escapes me, my wrist caught all too easily in his hand. He pulls me roughly to him, bringing my body flush against his.
I scream out just as the double doors to the room crash open, and I look to see a massive wolf filling the hallway, flames licking up over its entire body as his eyes narrow on Hades and me.
21
Hazel
Cerberus lets out a growl, sending chills cascading down my spine as he ducks to step into the room. Every ounce of his humanity seems to have been lost, burned away in the fire that now encases him. His eyes flash and narrow as another low growl of warning escapes him.
Towering above me, Hades lets out a curse as his grip on my wrist tightens, taking out his frustration at Cerberus on me. Unable to stop myself, I let out a small whimper of pain as his fingers dig into my skin.
He glances down at me, surprise momentarily flickering across his face as he realizes that he’s actually hurting me. He releases me, the concern instantly replaced by his usual stony expression.
I quickly step back, clutching my bruised wrist to my chest and wincing at the pain that gently radiates from it. Hades takes a step back as well, as if suddenly eager to put distance between us.
“We are finished here,” he says. “Take her back to her room.”
Cerberus lets out another growl, this time coming to stand between Hades and me. The flames slowly dying out as they flicker and dance around him, casting an eerie glow about the room.
For a moment, the two stare at each other, but then Cerberus quells the remaining fire with the shake of his fur coat. Turning toward me, he gently nudges me out of the room with his snout. I don’t fight him on this, and find myself strangely comforted by his presence as we leave the private dining room behind.
It isn’t until we’re well away from Hades that he pauses to shift back into his human form.
Rage still rolls off of him as he stares at me. For a moment, I wonder if I’ve managed to do something to upset him.
As I meet his fiery gaze, questions rise up even through my wariness and confusion.
I thought he was supposed to be loyal to Hades … and yet, he just saved me from the hands of the king.
His beloved master.
