Page 1 of Thanatos' Craving

Chapter One

Thanatos

Itook the long way around the King of the Underworld’s palace, dragging my scythe along the stone path. I pulled along the stones until picked it up and set it in front of me again, hearing the pang against the cobblestone. The demons who tended the grounds glanced over at me and shivered, tucking in on themselves and scurrying away, trying not to gain my attention.

I kept my eyes straight to my destination, never veering off the path, even though the path was winding. The path got close to every patch of decent fake flowers filled with their faux perfumes. This entire garden reeked of magic. I doubt that the Queen of the Underworld could smell the magic that tainted them, or even cared. I’d seen her look at them longingly, with an emotion on her face I did not understand. I tried to thinkabout what that emotion was, but I could only grasp a superficial understanding of it.

It wasn’t fear, sadness, or pain. The emotions that I knew all too well.

Joy had crossed my mind, but even that didn’t seem to fit. Each time I was left with more questions, so I had blocked it entirely from my mind. I had more important things to worry about than why she held a look at those damn flowers with an emotion I couldn’t decipher.

I just knew she was bound to the King of the Underworld, Hades. He created this garden for her. Everything about this garden appeared to be alive and vibrant. The fiery world they inhabited seemed almost distant compared to this garden of life, full of lush greenery, bright flowers, and sparkling streams. It was the perfect balance between a lasting reminder of her wolf-shifter roots, and a paradise created by her powerful king.

And it was all because of this bond. A string that held her and her mate together. A strange magic, a bond. A string so small and delicate yet woven between two people's souls that many people had fought over in this world and in many others. I had spent many hours delving into the pages that described what this bond is, its intended purpose being to bring two lonely souls together and find companionship.

Love.

It was a word tossed around amongst the pages, but never a description given of what the word meant. I often thought maybe this was what Her Majesty saw in those flowers, but I couldn’t be certain. I didn’t understand what this love was.

All I knew was death, fear of the unknown, and sometimes peace when those who had lived good lives were brought to the Elysium fields. Only a few were fortunate enough to be brought there and spend the rest of eternity in blissful peace.

I scoffed and continued down the path. Small little foxlike fire creatures battled with a sphere around my robes of smoke and shadows. I stopped as they continued to growl and fight over the sphere that rolled into the grass until it popped up and over the cobbled stones and landed at my feet.

The creatures locked eyes with me, their mouths gaping open in shock at what they saw. A hood obscured my face, leaving nothing but darkness visible—a deep, impenetrable void that radiated a sense of dread and foreboding.

Cries and whimpers erupted from their maws, and they darted into the flowerbeds, letting the leaves burn in their wake.

I let out a sigh.

Emotions had turned this place upside down.

Before Hades had grown an obsession with Persephone, he ruled the Underworld well. Afterward, he grew a temper, anger, then an obsession to gather the goddess and bring her here. Only to be met with disappointment when the Goddess Selene, the matchmaking goddess, ripped her away and promised Persephone to Gabriel.

“A better match. They are soul mates,” Selene said.

For years, Hades sulked in the Underworld.

Then, of course, Ember, his true mate, arrived, and thankfully she calmed his anger. Mostly anyway. At least Hades was stable and continued to rule the Underworld, but still his moods fluctuated more than human females did . His mate and their children were to blame. They got themselves into trouble and caused scenes for all the three realms to see.

“Thanatos!” Ember waved from the enormous glass dome.

The glass dome allowed for natural light to consume the area. It illuminated the plants and flowers that filled Ember’s office. Despite its beauty, the dome was also a symbol of Hades’ protective nature. It kept Ember confined to the safety of their palace.

The guards stood at attention with stoic expressions, their hands tightly gripped the hilts of their swords. I lifted my gaze and entered the greenhouse.

Ember stood from her table. Her Sphere of Souls that Selene gifted her upon her departure years ago were placed delicately on its holder.

Where Selene went, only Rhea knows.

Ember stepped away from the table. Tiny star-like whisps dashed over the orb of darkness when she walked away from it. I swear I heard moans that beckoned her to come back.

She stared back and shushed it.

Ember turned back to me with her hands on her hips. “They never want me to leave. It makes me feel guilty, but I have other jobs too.” She put her hand on one hip and waved to a cream-colored couch for me to sit.

If I could’ve frowned, I would.

Sandwiches were laid out on the table, fruits, cheeses, wine, ambrosia. This would not be a short meeting, and if I had lungs right now, I’d be taking large breaths to calm my distaste.

---