Wanted by Hades

𝕷𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖘

|| Chapter 18: Lovers ||

☾

*unedited*

Eros sat gently on his bed as he stared down at the crumpled up paper. It was a note - a curious note that left his heart unattended for.

Let's meet, the note said, where the last king of love established himself.

Although the note had no written author, he knew who it was from and that sent chills through his spine. It was an understatement to say that he was afraid; he was terrified out of his mind.

Behind him, the door gently creaked open revealing a woman's figure decorated with butterflies on her dresses. The pink color of their wings contrasted against her skin making her look like a vivid painting. She observed Eros for a few seconds and walked in gliding over the floor.

"Did you hear the good news!" His mother exclaimed making him jump. "They are getting married!"

Eros gave a weak smile feeling his heart sink more into the dark ocean of love. "Hades and Isabella?"

"What a question!" His mother clapped her hands together and couldn't help but smile. "Of course! Who else?" Feeling the unease of his son she looked at the paper that rested on Eros's pale hands. She cocked her head sideways, letting her long hair flow down her waist. "Let me see that note, child." She said in a stern yet gentle tone.

Eros looked up at his mother and crumpled the paper back to its usual state. "It's nothing," he concludes making the dirty paper burn in a fire. His mother made a face and slapped him on the back of the head. Eros winced and sneered at her but didn't dare to say a word.

His mother sat next to her son and rested her head on his shoulder. Her childlike complexion disappearing. "Are you not happy Eros?" She asks in a hush. "The curse will finally be lifted."

"That is good," Eros answered. "Everything will be back to normal."

"Hm," His mother took a hold of his hands and played with his fingers. She grabbed his ring finger and observed it. "Do you miss him?"

Eros looked down at his own hands and shrugged his shoulder lightly, careful to not disturb his mother. "I am not sure," he said honestly. "We were never in good terms." His mother smiled.

"You miss him," she concluded following of mother's instincts. "The only problem is that he was your brother." She sat up straight and let go of her child's hands. Gathering her forces and swallowing old tears she stood up, cleaning the imaginary dust from her dress.

"Let's go matching," She said. "to the wedding ." Eros smiled at his mother and nodded.

☾

It was midnight. The city of love was crowded with tourists flashing their cameras at every unfamiliar object. It was expected of course. France is a beautiful place. Well, was.

Eros remembers clearly like it was yesterday. Summer of 1502. When love was blooming in the eyes of the young lovers. Lovers of music, lovers of art, lovers of knowledge, and lovers of love. It was a great time to be in. It was all new. All fresh. A new start for humanity. But today, this fire has ceased to exist and humanity lives in a lifeless routine. Confused about who they are and what the world means to them. They have forgotten to live. To fall on the dirt, blees, and get with a smile. Bless the poor souls that have forgotten their childhood dreams.

Eros stared up at Versailles and shook his head. So many memories that shattered his heart. Oh, how he missed those ages.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed the heavy door that he used to enter. It was located in the back of the castle, where the servants passed by undetected. He made his way through the kitchen, seeing faint images of the souls that once worked there, bumping to his younger self as he tried to get by. If he stayed a few seconds longer, he could hear the french comments of the servants and smell of the burning food. And if he stayed a few minutes longer, he could taste the old food of the lovers.

He walked towards the old stairs leading up to the king's chambers and placed his hands on the rail. Closing his eyes, he smiled gaining a piece of himself back. He could not recall how many times he had passed through these stairs, jumping over steps and swerving out of the way of people. Or when he would come down like a young child, sliding down the rail. His memories were imprinted in this place as an old history book.

This moment of piece soon perished when he heard faint steps coming down their stairs. His light eyes glared at the shadowed figure who returned his gesture with a grin.

☾

"My love," Hades said looking over her. "Are you sure you don't want to go somewhere else?" Hades glared at the small pizza place, feeling the hot air from the ceiling come down at him. The place disgusted him, or more specifically, teenagers disgusted him. He couldn't help but give a death glare to the two teenagers next to their table eating each other's face off.

Isabella noticed this and playfully slapped his arm bringing his attention back to her. She took a bit of the greasy pizza and cleaned her hands on the white napkin. "Stop judging them," she mumbled. "We do worse."

Hades rolled his eyes and leaned back on the chair. "Correct," he said crossing his arms. "But not in public." Isabella giggled.

"We could," she whispered low enough for Hades not to hear. He gave her a look telling her to speak louder. She shook her head and took another bite of her pizza. "Nevermind."

"Are you feeling better?" A familiar voice asked Isabella making her look over her chair. "You look better." The girl giggled.

Isabella's eyes widened and she laughed. "Yes. I am. Thank you for asking." Hades kicked Isabella under the seat, making her roll her eyes. "This is my boyfriend," Isabella introduced the waitress to Hades.

"Fiance," Hades corrected her. The waitress smiled and nodded reaching her hand out to shake Hades's.

"Nice to meet you," the waitress said gently. "I hope you take good care of her," She said referring to Isabella. "Last time she was here she was bleeding and with a weird mark on her neck."

It took a few seconds for Hades to understand what she was talking about, but once he realized it his eyes widened for a second and he nodded. "Don't worry," Hades returned. "She's in safe hands."

Isabella raised her eyebrow and took a sip of her chocolate milkshake. Almost as Hades could hear Isabella's thoughts, he kicked her once again under the table. Isabella glared at him and shrugged.

"Well," the waitress interrupted. "I have to get to work. But it was nice seeing you again." Isabella smiled up to her and returned her good-bye.

"Why here?" Hades asked. "You wanted me to feel guilty?" Hades' eyes turned a shade of red that sent shivers down Isabella's back, but she hid her reaction well.

"Hades, the world does not revolve around you," She answered him. "I wanted to eat pizza so I came here. Also, think of this as memories." Hades raised a brow. "One day we are fighting, almost ripping each other's throats out. Literally. And now we are engaged."

Hades hummed. "You dodged that bullet really well."

Isabella smiled. "I did, didn't I?"