The invitation

"My lady," a voice came from the other side of the door, startling me awake, one which I cursed to. I was having very vivid dreams about a certain man and although I could not pinpoint who the man was, the man seemed oddly familiar.

"My lady," the annoying voice called again. It took me a while to realize that the person calling for me was Kharon.

"What!" I did not mean to snap, but I was not exactly the nicest when I was just waking up from sleep. He revealed himself, a little panic in his face as he approached me, that I almost felt bad for him. Almost.

"Forgive me for the disturbance," he said, fidgeting as he tried to straighten his back. I did not miss the way he winced as though he was in pain. "King Hades has requested you share a meal with him this instance." He said as he bowed to go. I stood looking at his limping form.

"Tell him I am not going." That seemed to freeze him up a bit.

The underworld was a realm of shadows and whispers, a place where the dead found their rest but at that moment, Kharon was scared that Hades would find a way to kill him if he dared bring that news to Hades. Hades was death himself. No one said no to him.

"My lady, please, just go and meet him, see what he wants."

"No. First, he leaves me here for days I assume, treats me like a prisoner and assumes I would be at his call because he needs me?"

Kharon mumbled a few incoherent words but was not brave enough to say any of those words out loud.

"What is it, Kharon?" I asked, my tone one of impatience.

Kharon bowed slightly, his fear evident. "My lady, Lord Hades requests your presence for a meal."

My eyes narrowed. "Requests, or demands?"

Kharon swallowed hard. "Requests, my lady. But it is not wise to refuse him."

I stood, my expression defiant. "I have no desire to dine with him. Tell Hades I decline his invitation."

Kharon paled, his skeletal hands shaking. "My lady, please reconsider. Lord Hades does not take kindly to refusals."

I crossed my arms, my resolve unwavering. "I am not one of his subjects to be ordered around. If he wants to speak with me, he can do so here. You cannot just drag a person to literal hell and treat them this way."

Kharon bowed his head, dread filling his being. "As you wish, my lady. But please, understand the peril in this choice."

I watched as Kharon retreated, pity mixing with my irritation. I knew the risks of angering Hades or at least had an idea, but I refused to be cowed by his power. If he wanted my presence, he would have to come to me. I did not know where the confidence was coming from but I did not mind, not one bit.

---

**At the throne room:**

Kharon returned to the throne room, his steps heavy with trepidation. He knelt before Hades, his head bowed low. "My lord, Valerie... declines your invitation."

Hades' eyes, dark as the void, flashed with anger. The air grew thick with tension, and Kharon felt the ground beneath him tremble. "She dares refuse me?" Hades' voice was a dangerous whisper.

Kharon trembled, his skeletal form nearly collapsing under the weight of Hades' ire. "Forgive me, my lord. She is... unyielding."

Hades rose from his throne, his presence overwhelming. "Then I shall go to her. She will learn that defiance has its price."

Kharon could do nothing but nod, his fear for Valerie growing with each passing moment. He knew Hades' temper well, and he dreaded the consequences of Valerie's defiance. As Hades swept from the room, Kharon followed at a distance, his heart a hollow echo of dread.

---

I stood by my window, staring out at the bleak landscape of the underworld. The door to the chamber opened, and I turned to see Hades himself standing there, his dark gaze fixed upon me.

"You refused my invitation," Hades said, his voice cold and commanding.

I met his gaze without flinching. "I did. I am not a pawn to be summoned at your whim."

Hades stepped closer, his presence a dark force that filled the room. "You are in my realm, Valerie. Here, my word is law."

"And yet, I did not choose to be here of my own will," I replied, steadying my voice.

Hades' eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Kharon had this look of fear in his gaze. I expected that he would do something to me, but was shocked when he smiled, a slow, chilling smile. "Very well. You have spirit, Valerie. But remember, even the strongest spirits can be broken."

I held his gaze, my heart pounding but my resolve unbroken. "I will not be broken, Hades. Not by you, or anyone."

Hades regarded me for a long moment, then turned to leave. "Funny since I have seen what your family has done already, we shall see about that," he said softly, his voice a promise of future confrontation.

As he left, Kharon remained behind, his fear unabated. He approached me cautiously, his voice trembling. "My lady, you do not understand the danger you are in."

I sighed, the defiance giving way to exhaustion. "I know, Kharon. But I will not live in fear. Not even of him. I have done that my whole life and what more could I lose?"

Kharon bowed his head, respecting me even as he feared for my safety. "If you ever need assistance, my lady, you have but to ask."

I nodded, appreciating his loyalty. "Thank you, Kharon. I will remember that."

I smiled at him. Kharon went back to his post, dreading to go back to his personal hell.