Page 74 of Until Death
“However, I will allow you to choose someone to care for her well-being in the meantime,” the queen adds. “You may remove her from the room so that I may tend to my husband.”
Hades shifts at this, pulling my wary attention to him. It takes a moment for him to pull himself to his full height. Though his ego seems to have been bruised, his rage burns ever brighter in the depths of his eyes.
And I realize this trial, whatever it is, is all that has spared our lives for the time being.
The vines fall from Death’s body as he turns toward me.
My heart pounds in my chest as he bends to wrap me in the silk sheets before gently lifting me into his arms. His familiar, icy touch is a welcome relief, though I still flinch in pain as he tucks me to his chest.
As we pass Persephone, I can’t help but shift forward as I try to catch her attention.
“Persephone,” I plead, “I swear nothing happened. I did not come here of my own choosing.”
Her eyes do not lift to meet mine, but I see the way her lips press into a firm line ... and I have to hope she heard me, whether or not she believes a word I say.
As we move toward the open doorway, a wave of relief washes over me to be leaving it behind, even if I’m now to be faced with whatever strange trial awaits.
“Enjoy your last moments with your mortal, Death,” Hades calls out. “The second this trial is over … I swear on my very existence that I will make her mine.”
Death does not respond, his eyes focused forward as Cerberus and Eros step aside to allow him to pass between them.
A pair of guards appear to lead us through the halls, their wary distance a strange comfort as we walk. Death is tender in his touch, trying his hardest not to jostle me in his arms.
Still, I wince in pain.
Try as I might, I cannot seem to find my voice, let alone the words to tell Death how much I’ve missed him.
But my tongue refuses to obey, and my heart still pangs with worry over his honesty in regard to our deal.
So, instead, I savor the frosty smell of him, the concern in his eyes each time they glance down to check on me.
The guards lead us to a small room, barely large enough for a bed and a small table, with a single window high up on the wall. It’s more akin to a prison cell than anything else, and still far too close to Hades for my comfort, but it would appear we have no choice.
Death seems reluctant as he sets me down gently on the bed, taking care not to jar my broken body any more than necessary. Pain flares up at even the slightest touch, and I can barely stifle the whimper that escapes my lips.
Our eyes meet for a moment before he straightens, a thousand unspoken words passing between us. But then he moves away without either of us giving voice to any of them, and I’m left biting my lip, unsure how to break the silence between us.
As Death steps out of the room, Eros appears at his side, a look passing between the two of them.
“Take care of her,” Death says softly.
Eros nods.
Shifting forward slightly as I ask, “Where … where is he going?”
Frowning at the phrasing of my question.
“Tell her what you can,” Death says, again addressing Eros as a second strange look passes between them. “Until the trial.”
I’m even more unsettled by this trial now than I was before.
What isn’t he telling me? Why won’t he speak to me himself?
But before I can open my mouth to try to press the issue, several guards step forward, and I watch in dismay as he’s led away from the room.
Anteros moves to stand in the doorway, a bored expression on his face as he watches Death being escorted away. The first glimmer of emotion flickers across his face as he turns back to Eros.
“Need I remind you, brother, not to interfere with the rules of the trial?” Anteros asks Eros.
