Page 65 of Thanatos' Craving

"I vow," I said with a chilling determination in my voice, "they will feel every bit of their soul being purged from their body." The taste of vengeance hung heavy as I planned every single soul’s demise.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Juniper

I’ve never been to a palace before.

I’ve read about them in books, seen them on television and the internet, but this one–beat them all. This one defied all the descriptions and sights I’ve ever seen.

This was the Underworld Palace, a sight to behold. Towering black stone structures pierced the vividly colored sky, merging blue and red hues that transitioned into a mystical shade of purple. The grand entrance, adorned with touches of gold and black trimmings, exuded an air of opulence. As we approached, the colossal doors stood imposingly, their ebony and crimson surfaces.

The guards standing in front of the doors were formidable demons, their towering horns and swords at their sides instilling fear. Fangs, claws, and bulging muscles spoke of their sheermight. Yet, it was they who shook in the presence of Thanatos. As we ascended the mountainous steps with Hypnos and Fluffy behind us, I gripped hold of Thanatos' arm tightly at the sight of these demons. I don’t think I’ve seen anything more frightening than these things.

As we ascended the last step, the majestic sight of the six beasts greeted us, their massive forms bowed respectfully. The heavy doors swung open and revealed a grand entrance. The creaking hinges echoed, and the faint scent of aged wood added to the realness of this place. Thanatos’s firm grip on my arm provided reassurance, accompanied by a gentle pat. His hushed words brushed against my ear, “No one will harm you here,” he whispered. “They are family and overbearing with their affection,” he said, annoyed.

My surprised face must have brought amusement to him, because he chuckled and brought my hand to his lips.

How freaking sweet.

My shoulders relaxed, but still I worried about meeting the freaking God of the Underworld. This was Thanatos’ boss. The head honcho, the big kahuna. What if he told Thanatos to get rid of me?

The doors thundered as they opened wide, bringing my attention back to the present. The palace, with its majestic architecture, surpassed my imagination with its sheer grandeur. The absence of darkness, fire, and brimstone, the scent of sulfur and decaying flesh lingering in the air, and scattered bones strewn about pleasantly surprised me.

It was bright inside. It still had aesthetics of darkness. The dark rod irons, the dark silver doors, crimson accents, but the rooms were lit with candlelight, torches, and the floors were bright to keep the rooms happy.

Outside was no different. The lush gardens displayed green grass tipped with red and vibrant flowers bloomed in an arrayof beautiful colors. Bushes lined the pathways, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. The warm sunlight kissed my skin, reminding me of the beauty I had left behind on Earth.

“He changed everything—for her,” Hypnos whispered in my ear as my mouth hung open when we walked into the magnificent hallway. “Ember is part werewolf. She missed earth and lived in a large pack house. Hades redid the palace and the gardens outside to make it look more earth-like so she doesn’t visit her family so much.”

That was sweet.

Or selfish so she doesn’t leave him to visit.

As we ventured further into the grand foyer, an enigmatic figure emerged from the shadows. He meticulously slicked back his hair, perfectly complementing his attire—a sleek, charcoal suit paired with a tie of deep, velvety crimson. The resounding click of his polished shoes echoed through the hall, breaking the silence. Beside him, a vibrant woman with cascading strawberry blonde hair practically danced to keep pace with his commanding presence. Her animated chatter filled the space, punctuated by the gentle patting of her hand on his arm. He graciously gave a smile upon her, only to redirect his piercing gaze towards us, his countenance furrowing once again with an air of concern.

Gods, he looks intimidating.

“Thanatos, a pleasant surprise.” The male’s voice radiated a calm power.

Still creepy though.

Hypnos chuckled beside me.

This must be Hades. I was worried all morning about what to wear. I tried to settle on a simple black dress, tried to go with the ambiance of the palace. Instead, Thanatos requested I wear a green wrap dress and mumbled how it complimented my hair.

My bone daddy softy.

The woman beside him—Ember, I’m assumed—gasped and ran toward me and threw out her arms. “And you must be Juniper!” She squealed and wrapped her arms around me. “I just knew Thanatos would scoop you up and save you. I’m so happy you are here.”

Thanatos let out a low growl of warning and brought his wing around me.

Hades pulled Ember back, and Thanatos and Hades stared at one another, silent words spoken between the two.

“Ember, you of all of us should know the consequences of what you are doing,” Hades drawled.

Ember slapped Hades on his chest. “Doesn’t matter. I brought them together. Thanatos can’t do anything, right?” Ember fluttered her lashes at him, and Thanatos just sighed, annoyed.

“It’s a pleasure to have you all here,” Ember announced. “Let’s go to the dining hall for lunch, and then we will talk business afterward. Business only after lunch. That is the rule.” Ember pointed her finger at all the men in the room, but I was the only one nodding.

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