chapter 24

I sat in the pool, letting the hot water soak up my body, hitting all the right spots. I watched as the demon carried more ashes to the flame to let it burn properly.
“you never told me your name” I said, hugging myself”
“Natalie” she said, striking a nerve. I sat straighter, starting to get more attentive.
“I knew a Natalie once” I smiled, the only other person other than Kharon that did have me as a friend.
“I know” her words sent chills down my spine. I opened my mouth to say something but she beat me to it.
"you must hurry, the lord is waiting and you must definitely not keep him waiting any further'' she said, ending all attempts to talk to her,
'something is definitely suspicious' i thought to myself as i started to wash up

*
I made my way to the dinning hall. Forcing the urge to get irritated at the sight of Hades away.
The table was set with a spread of foods that I hadn’t seen in ages—fresh fruits, warm bread, an assortment of cheeses, and a steaming pot of tea. Hades… he looked… flawless


"Good morning, Valerie," Hades greeted, his voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate through the hall. "I hope you are feeling better."

"Good morning," I replied, offering a small smile. "I'm feeling much better, thank you."
“good, have a seat” he said in a commanding voice, one that left no room for argument.

"Allow me," he said softly as I reached for the food.

I watched as he reached for the food, giving me his signature one sided smile as he took the plate, with a hint of something in his eyes, those eyes. his flexed his muscles as he cut up the food. those hands were big and....
*random memory*
i went down on him, that sinful gaze, daring me to look away as i took him into my mouth....

"i cleared my throat, forcing myself to think clean thoughts
'He sliced the bread and portioned the food to make it easier for me to reach without having to stretch'
"Thank you," I said, feeling a bit self-conscious. "You don't have to do this."

He looked up, his dark eyes meeting mine. “…”

"i heard you found a way to anger your boy toy" he said referring to Kharon. i said nothing, not wanting to ruin the breakfast and my appetite.

As he continued to cut the food, I tried to think of something to say as we had fallen into an awkward silence some how, and in some way, my mind was thinking of what Mane had said about being lovers in my past life
'you are quite stupid to be thinking of him that way sitting acroos him when he is doing something nice for you' i scolded myself harshly
. "Have you always been good with a knife?" I asked, a hint of teasing. trying to calm my racing thought.

“yes, I love the look of blood on knife” that seemed to kick me out of whatever it was that I was feeling.
“well then, I can help with your blood on it then’ I said, getting worked up for reasons unknown to me. it was a big lie, i knew the reason why, i was just not ready to admit it
“really now. and here I was, thinking I could slice your tongue with it” he sneered.
“you are prick! You always find a way to irritate me!”
“and you make me want to pull out my hair!!”
“well, then! I would love to help you pull it out!!!” at those words, I saw his eyes darken.

"Hades?" I called softly, hesitant to break the silence.

He turned sharply, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that took my breath away. For a moment, we stood frozen, the air thick with unspoken words. Then, in a blur of movement, he closed the distance between us, shoving the table away with one hand. He pulled me to him, his hands gripping my arms with a strength that was both thrilling and terrifying.

Before I could react, he pushed me against the nearest wall, his body pressing close to mine. The cold stone bit into my back, a stark contrast to the heat radiating from him. His face was inches from mine, his gaze burning with a smoldering intensity that made my pulse quicken.

"Valerie," he growled, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through me. "What did you say about pulling my hair?"
He said in the most taunting way possible a storm that threatened to consume us both. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I was trapped by his gaze, unable to look away, unable to do anything but feel the overwhelming force of his presence.
“cat caught your tongue?” he said looking at me with this look I could not quite place.
“Aidy” I said for some reason, unable to think things through before talking.
The name seemed to do a lot as his eyes darkened further, placed his hands on my neck, using his thumb to stroke my lips.
“are you taunting me, stinky?”
“you keep calling me stinky, but don’t think I don’t see how you take in deep breaths when I am in the room”
That seemed to have done the trick cause he looked more mad for reason.
“don’t call me that anymore, was it zeus that told you to call me that? Was it Mene?” he seemed to really hate the name for some reason.
“this is not the reunion I hoped to have” a voice came from the door causing me to go still