Hades

XXIV

important authors note at the end - please read! 

Hades' point of view

I glared at Zeus. His eyes bore into mine as if waiting for my answer; daring me to fight back. I let my gaze wander, taking in the gods before me. They stood tall behind Zeus, their knowing eyes flickered between Ella and me. 

Some were shocked and others were confused. I let my gaze settle on Aphrodite watching her carefully. She is a vain goddess, one that is shallow, arrogant, and jealous. If this was her doing, Ella and I, she would not hesitate to make it known. 

She would bathe in the sight of us, overflood with the thought of the power she had over love and lust. 

Her lips twitched slightly as she realized I had focused my attention on her, my eyes narrowed in warning. She did not say anything now, but her eyes twinkled in promise. 

"Zeus, I do not have time to discuss this with you right now," I answered, my voice deep and hoarse. 

I did not have time to deal with his antics. He was enjoying this more than he needed to. I was here to discuss war, not the prospects of marrying Ella. 

"Touchy aren't we brother," Zeus answered, his smile growing painfully wider. 

I felt the anger boil within me. It bubbled quickly to the surface and began to flow over the edge. The darkness had won once again, wrapping its velvet fingers of the night around me. Flickering violently around me. Hissing almost at Zeus' words. 

My hands trembled in anger, my control slipping once again. Ella was my weakness. I watched Zeus and the other gods before me. They stood back in what could nearly be described as fear. 

Suddenly, soft fingers found their way onto my arm. The flames did not fear these hands. The flames knew these hands. They relaxed at the touch and died down slightly.

I tore my eyes away from the gods and looked down towards the small being before me. She had placed herself between myself and the gods on the quartz palace steps. 

Her dainty fingers brushed over my cheek. So gently that they almost felt like feathers. My eyes closed subconsciously and I leaned into her touch ever so slightly. I basked in the light she provided. The light that shone from her grounded me, willing me to gain back my control. 

"Come back to me my love," She whispered. 

Her lips were close now, yet just out of reach. I knew these lips. Knew the curves of her waist and the hollow of her back. My hands reached out for her. They found their way easily, it was a path they had traveled plenty of times before. 

My hands wrapped smoothly around her waist, her hips molded perfectly for my fingers to hold. My breathing slowed and my eyes opened. 

She stood calmly before me, her eyes sparkling in the setting sun. She smiled at me and I could not help but return it. She was the light that guided me home through my darkness. She was everything good the world had to offer. 

Her rich brown hair shone in the light, the dress I had given her was also rich against her skin. I ran my hand across the fabric of her back. I watched as the sun met the strands of gold and how they sparkled in the sun. 

She wore the color of the gods. Woven intricately into the dress I had given her. One fit for a Queen, the Queen she was destined to be. 

She let her thumb run across my skin one more time before stepping out of my arms and placing herself back by my side. I looked up and saw their looks of shock and how the questions flashed in their eyes.