FOURTEEN

“I…” Words left her. She’d forgotten about it: the reason why she was called to his chamber in the first place. Last night, she had enough time to brood over it. To guess and overthink what things he could be doing to her. She’s thought of so many things, each one worse than the last. It was the reason why she wasn’t able to sleep. And now, here she is, in front of the lord of the underworld himself.

Hades turned to Cerberus. “Leave us. I want you scouring the upside and tell me everything when you get back,” he ordered. Cerberus gave her a look—the look that silently tells her she’s not going to escape no matter what she does. He then bowed his head to Hades before he disappeared, leaving a trail of black mist.

Hades faced her. “Well then, we shall proceed.” He took a step close and she took a step back. He narrowed his eyes in her direction.

“Please,” she said. She hated saying the word and it never really did anything based on her experience. But it’s all she got. What does she have against a god?

“Just last night you were feisty. What have Cerberus been telling you?”

Cerberus did tell her a lot of things and showed her things she would rather forget. She couldn’t possibly tell him what Cerberus showed her! And Cerberus did tell her what she could be doing in Hades’ chambers. He made it perfectly clear as he showed her that illusion.

Is it the reason why I am called here?

“What did Ceb tell you?”

She looked at him and he had this look of seriousness on his face that tells her she better tell him what he wants to know or she wouldn’t like the consequence.

“He…” she trailed. Will she be willing to say? Is she really going to say it? Will Hades know if she’s lying? What would happen if finds out she was lying? She doesn’t want to think of so many things all at once especially when all of them could end up her being dead.

“He showed me something…and he…and he said it’s going to be what I’d have to do—“

“What exactly did he show you?” His brow rose and there was more amusement and curiosity dancing in his eyes than the dead seriousness earlier. She had a feeling he already has an idea as to what she was trying to say and he was torturing her by humiliating her. She won’t give them the satisfaction.

“He showed me you fucking a girl and told me that I should take notes because I will be doing it in the future.” She willed herself to look at him straight in the eye and pretended the statement did not embarrass her but she could feel her face getting hot.

Hades looked at her for a moment. His brow was still raised and the amusement on his face was so visible it lit his eyes.

“Do you want to?” he asked and that’s when her strong will wavered.

“I…What makes you think I would want to?” she asked.

“What Ceb showed is something that actually happens around here. It’s normal. This is not the human world where we are bound by rules. You probably have heard of underworld stories about demons and sins. They’re all real, Guinevere. We bathe in debauchery and sin. Humans have punishment for them but here, it’s normal. And besides, we’re all made to sin. Humans, especially. No matter how many rules they set for themselves, they’re bound to break at least one of them.

“Sooner or later, you’re going to embrace this place. And when that happens, would you want to sin with me?”

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Sure, this is the underworld. And sure, this is a place where sin is not punished. But she wouldn’t want to dive into sin. Not sooner or later. She will not do it ever. And even if there’s little chance of her freedom, she intends to grab every little chance she gets to go back to her old life.

“That is not going to happen, Hades,” she said and was surprised at how stern her voice was.

Hades let out a small smirk before he took another step. She raised her hand to stop him and the man thankfully did.

“Don’t do this to me,” she said, pleading in her voice.

“I don’t intend to touch you without your consent, Guinevere.”

“You…You don’t?”

“This may be a place of debauchery but creatures here enjoy it. If you don’t enjoy it then you shall not be touched. It should be done if you want it to be done.”

“I don’t want it to happen.”

“Then it won’t happen, simple as that. I can’t be fucking you while you’re crying. Sours my mood.”

She ignored his last sentence. “What are we doing here, then? Why am I here inside your chamber? What do you want?”

“I am pretty certain I told you last night what I’m going to do.”

“You’ve proven enough—“

“Have I? I think we’re still lacking in so many areas.”

“You already showed me what you can do and what this place is. Let me go back to my room.”

A devilish smirk curved his lips. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. You’re going to stay here forever, Guinevere. You might as well get familiar with the place.”

She narrowed her eyes in his direction. “What are you trying to say?”

“I know Cerberus has told you more than he ought to. I intend to tell you more about this place and everything you needed to know about the curse. Now, stop being stubborn and come with me.”

Part of her wanted to refuse and demand she be sent back to her chamber. But another part of her, the curious one, wants to go and look around the place. She also wanted to know more about the curse and why exactly it was given to him. Besides, it looks like she wouldn’t be given the choice of going back to her chamber. It would also be a good thing to have a look around the place. She might be able to see possible exits.

She cleared her throat and took a step forward. Hades offered his hand and she took it with hers.

“Prepare yourself,” he said and she did, even though she doesn’t know exactly what she was preparing herself for. His hand was cold against hers and before she could even process everything, she found herself swirling in darkness. She blinked and then it was gone.

They’re not in the chambers anymore. They’re in an entirely different place. And judging from what she could see, she could only guess that it was the underworld.

The real face of the underworld.