Luka

Samael and I decided to quit our search in the archives, gather the documents we found, and head back to the dorm so we could comb through them there. I'm hoping we will be able to find something in them, possibly a timeline of her whereabouts that might give us a clue on where she might've gone. Samael grabs the thin file he found on Lilith, and we stuff all the paperwork I found into it. The folder can barely contain all the documents, but it should work as a disguise if we run into Persephone on the way out, seeing as Samael already told her I needed to get a file from the archives.

"Samael," Hades calls, startling us both as we exit the archives.

He's leaning casually against the wall but pushes off of it when we enter the hallway.

"What do you want, Father?" Samael asks, his voice laced with anger that he isn't trying to hide.

"I came to apologize for my behavior earlier," Hades replies, shocking both of us.

"Why?" Samael scoffs, "Are you really that desperate to be back in Mom's good graces? She loves you; give her a couple of days to blow off some steam, and she'll let you back into her bed." Samael retorts aggressively as he begins to make his way past his father.

Hades hand spits out, grabbing Samael by the shoulder to stop him, and I stay where I am, not wanting to get involved in this father-son conflict. If Samael needs me, I'll be here for him, but I know whatever this is, it's something he can handle on his own.

"I'm not here to get in your mother's good graces. I'm here for you, son." Hades replies, his eyes filled with... is that sorrow?

"Hurry up and spit it out, Hades. I have places I need to be."

Hades flinches at Samael's use of his name, but I feel no empathy for him. His words today were insulting and hurtful. Samael might not have mentioned his feelings toward the entire situation, but I can read him like a kid's picture book. His father's words cut into and brought back some of his original insecurities about our relationship and his feelings for me.

"Samael, I'm..." Hades pauses, sighing, "It took me by surprise seeing your relationship with Luka. He's your professor, and when I last saw you, you were happily mated to the girl..."

"Her name is Katrina." Samael growls, his anger rising, and a faint blue glow surrounds him.

"I'm sorry, I haven't heard her name since you introduced us, and I know that's my fault too, yet another thing I messed up on. The last time I saw you, you were happily mated to Katrina, and you seemed to have a platonic relationship with the professor. You just seemed to be on friendly terms. Growing up, you never once expressed interest in men, and there were never any signs growing up that you were interested in men as a partner."

Samael seems bored and like he wants to stop Hades, but Hades continues on, "The world I grew up in, hell, the world we still live in, isn't accepting of nonstraight relationships. My brothers and I were raised under the impression that homosexuality is a sin. Growing up, there were two boys in the kingdom that were caught in a romantic embrace. As an example, Cronus had them brought to the court and had them flogged in front of us; then, he forced my brothers and me to torture the boys with our gifts. Poseidon was the first; he relished being able to torture the boys. He had one of the palace guards tie them to a chair and hold their heads back, forcing their mouths open while he poured water down their throats. He did this for an hour, in fifteen-minute intervals, giving them both a minute to catch their breath; he only stopped once Cronus commanded him to do so. Zeus was just as joyous when it came to torturing those boys. He repeatedly struck them with lighting, ensuring each strike didn't hit a vital organ and that the strikes weren't strong enough to kill them but powerful enough to cause immense pain. When it was Ares' turn, he hesitated, not wanting to harm two children. Cronus had the guards whip Ares until he conceded. Ares was whipped to near death and only submitted when Cronus threatened to have DeGe brought in. Ares buried those boys leaving only their heads above ground for over an hour. By the time it was my turn, the boys were near death. I.." Hades's voice breaks. "I burned those boys alive. Their screams still haunt me to this day. When I saw that you'd mated Luka, it sent me back to that day, and all I could see was that being your future. Our community still considers homosexuality a sin, you'll be ridiculed for your choices, and some may even call for you to be banished and stripped of your title. Your life won't be easy." Hades states, leaving my eyes wet and my cheeks streaked by the time he finishes.

"When has my life ever been easy, Dad?" Samael asks; Hades' shoulders perk up when he hears Samael call him Dad, "I've been an heir to the throne since the day I was born. I've had threats on my life before I could roll over. This community we live in and these kingdoms we've created will tear you apart for any little imperfection you might have. Mating Luka might cause some of the people to hate me, but I have my cousins and Katrina to support us. And times are changing. Outside of our family bloodlines, people are more accepting. Those descended from Loki and Iris are completely open to any relationship. Ares has forbidden discrimination entirely in the Earth Kingdom. Posideon and Zeus still hate anyone and everyone who dares defy them and the "natural" order of things. Which stance is the Underworld going to take?"

"I'll always take your side Samael. You're my son and I want nothing but the best for you. I'm sorry for my behavior earlier and I will support you one hundred percent Samael. My love for your mother,Slyvia, your siblings, and you is unwavering. All I want is your happiness. I would move mountains for you, son." Hades responds, tears littering his eyes.

This is the most emotion I've ever seen Hades have. I hear about his undying love for Persephone, but I've never been witness to it. He's usually an empty shell, his expressions stoic. Some even whisper that he's a sociopath, void of all emotions. But the love he has for his son, it's larger than all four kingdoms.

Samael steps forward and encompasses his father in a hug. I forgive you, father, and I think those boys forgave you the moment their souls ascended. Cronus was a horrible man, a tyrant, don't let him win, dad. You defeated him and the rest of the titans, but now it's time to cleanse him from your soul."

When they part, Hades smiles, "You have your Mom's heart. And you're right, Cronus corrupted my soul, and it's high time I expelled him from my body. I promise I will be better; I'll do better. The next time you come and visit the Underworld will be an entirely different kingdom, and the throne will be waiting for you."

Samael's mouth drops. He's stunned, speechless.

"Yes, son, the throne is yours. You more than deserve it. You've practically run this place since you were young, and you've taught me today that you've grown wiser than your old man. It's high time I gave you your birthright."

"I...I... I have no idea what to say."

"There's nothing for you to say, Samael. Now, I know that you two are busy, but there's one other thing I need to talk to you about."

"Okay," Samael states cautiously.

Hades waits until I'm beside them before he continues. "I was standing out here waiting for a while, and the archives aren't as soundproof as one might think. I heard tidbits of your conversation." I can see the instant panic on Samael's face, and I'm sure my facial features are mimicking his, "Those pages you're holding. Be careful with them. I took them off a demon who was banished to the Underworld. He was hired by someone to track down Lilith. I don't know what you need them for, and I'm not going to ask, but whoever hired that Demon, his identity is unknown, and he's still out there. Lilith was angelic as a fallen angel could be, but she was also extremely powerful. If she gave birth to that child, they could be even more powerful than her. Especially if her father is someone equally as powerful as Lilith."

If HER father. HER. Hades said HER. Does he know? And if he does know, why not say anything?