Page 49 of The Queen & the King

Hades trails the tips of his fingers down my forearms, and even the phantom touch makes my skin zing with need. He slides his fingers between mine and whistles sharply, the noise making me wince. Less than a second later, the ground trembles. Hades turns his head and smiles brightly. I follow the direction of his gaze, and my eyes widen as I see a huge beast barrelling toward us. Its dark, shiny coat reflects the sunlight, and I blink when my brain finally catches up to my fear. Three heads, it has three fucking heads. Its six eyes are trained on me, and its tongues are lolling out of its mouths. Its size is intimidating, but its expression surprises me, goofy and excited.

Maybe it’s excited that it’s approaching its next meal. Can I even be eaten in a dream? I back away as the beast comes closer.I look up at Hades, who still holds my hand, keeping me in place. He is completely at ease.

I yank my hand from Hades’, who is obviously having some sort of psychotic break, and I move quicker, squealing as the dog gets closer. Hades grabs my hand before I get out of reach and pulls me into him, holding his other hand out. Shadows form and wrap around the animal, holding him back. He whines and pulls, trying to get to us.

“He won’t hurt you,” Hades says, wrapping a comforting arm around my back. “This is Cerberus.”

I blink at Hades, then at the huge beast still trying to get to me.

“He guards ou—” He stops, and a flash of pain crosses his face before he continues. “My home.”

“Oh,” I say, shuffling nervously, my whole body shaking in fear.

“He’ll calm down if you pet him,” Hades says, a note of humor caught in his voice.

“Pet him?” I ask, my gaze snapping to Hades. “He’s trying to eat me!”

Hades laughs, nudging me forward. “Trust me, my spring.”

I glare at Hades, and then I look at the beast, struggling in Hades’ powers, the goofy expression still fixed on his faces. I slowly reach forward, my hand trembling as I move it closer to him.

Hades wraps a hand around my wrist, steadying me as I place my fingertips against the top of Cerberus’s middle nose.

I don’t move, frozen in fear.

“Tell him to sit,” Hades says, still holding me. “He’ll listen.”

I look at the dog, swallowing thickly. “S-sit.”

The ground shakes a little as he plants his butt down, his tail wagging so much that grass is flying all around us.

I blink, tilting my head at him. Should I be afraid of him?

“Well, tell him he’s a good boy,” Hades says, smiling at me.

“Good boy?” I say, but it sounds more like a question due to my uncertainty. Cerberus barks, and the noise is so joyous and happy that I can’t help but smile.

Hades bends, whispering in my ear, “Watch out.” He releases Cerberus from his power, and the dog lunges at me, tackling me to the ground. His huge, heavy body covers mine, and his wet tongue drags over my face.

Ugh. I’m partially grossed out, but I surprise myself by laughing. Cerberus’s tail thuds against my leg as he continues to give me wet, sloppy kisses.

“Berry!” I exclaim as a phenomenon I’m becoming increasingly aware of occurs again. The words come before I’ve thought about them, and then they are lost to the ether.

I glance up at Hades, still laughing, hoping to get some assistance. Hades watches fondly as his huge dog pins me to the ground, nuzzling and kissing me. Even trapped beneath this three-headed monster, my body is completely relaxed, and I am at ease.

“He’s a big marshmallow,” Hades says, laughing with me.

Cerberus pulls back and looks down at me as if waiting for something.

“Are you a marshmallow?” I ask, smiling up at his goofy faces.

Cerberus barks happily again, and it feels like he collapses his full body weight on top of me. All the air leaves my lungs on a groan.

Hades laughs again and finally comes to my rescue. He grabs one of Cerberus’s leather collars and tries to pull him off me. Cerberus is reluctant to move, and he whimpers sadly, looking down at me. Hades’ shadows wrap around him, and he lifts the dog easily, setting him down beside him.

“You are a menace,” he says, his voice full of such affection it makes my heart ache.

I sit up on my elbows and look at Cerberus. I have no idea what I was so terrified of. He truly seems like the gooiest of marshmallows. I can’t help but smile at his silly, happy faces, the way his tail wags constantly, and the sweet red leather collars fixed around each of his necks. Each collar has a tag in the shape of a heart with “Berry” written on it. This dog is clearly very loved and clearly very loving in return.

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