Page 146 of Seeking Hades' Ember

Chapter 69

Ember

Groaning, I rolled over into the bed. The fluffy covers felt soft on my appearance until I felt a hard rock chest pull me upwards and bury me in its chest. Hades sighed heavily as he stroked my naked back with his hand. "Soon," he grumbled into my hair while he kissed it softly. "You won't be able to lay on your stomach; I'll have to spoon you and make love to you from behind." Giggling in his chest, my face looked up at his.

He was happy, genuinely happy. The boyish glint in his smile hinted at his delirious high of becoming a father. "I still can't believe it. Do you think it will be a boy or a girl?" His hand rubbed my stomach longingly while I glanced at his delectable torso. No signs of scratches, scars, or wounds from the previous day's fight.

"I don't know; it is still so early. I don't even feel sick."

"You may not." Hades' hand wrapped around my lower back and pulled me close to his groin. "You're a goddess now. Such small trivial annoyances of what supernatural women have to face won't be in your favor." Excitement ran through me at the thought of not being sick. I had remembered mom being unhappy with each child after me. She ate everything she could get her hands on just to calm her stomach.

"I think I can live with that." Rubbing my finger over Hades' mark, we stayed in better for a few more hours. It was the first time we could relish in each other's touch without worry. My mind did wander to Malachi, but Hades' bliss of fatherdom had overshadowed that little detail.

I trusted my brother and my family to keep an eye out for the rogue angel, and I had hoped even Gabriel was let on to know of the missing suspect. One of the head angels would surely want a piece of the traitor.

We stayed in the cabin for the rest of the day; I heard my mother's mind-linking making sure I was alright. Mom mentioned the mating and binding ceremony was tomorrow. The reality was, we were already mates, and this was a formality. It was just important to Werewolf customs, a tradition mom wanted to skip initially as well. Since I was bound to a god, it was more of a massive deal for the pack. That one of our own had taken flight up to the Celestial heavens and will now be helping Selene find mates for wolves.

Ares and Vulcan took it upon themselves to invite the gods of the Celestial Kingdom. Zeus, Hera, and many more planned to stand in attendance to witness the significant mark in the center of my chest glow for all to see once our vows were complete.

Selene was going to be the officiator. Her power had grown overnight, and she had already started matching more souls together, complaining how far behind she was. Tamera had to take the Sphere away from her and lock it in a safe at the hospital wing, not that it would keep Selene from her work. Hecate had healed as well, mom explained. Hecate worked with Cyrene and planned how the ceremony would be over the top, bigger and better than any mating ceremony she had ever seen. My opinion was asked multiple times throughout the evening while Hades grumbled, listening in. He couldn't understand how women could talk about such things; it was just a ceremony.

I only agreed. I only cared about Hades by my side and was perfectly happy having something small. Hades, me, my family, and of course Vulcan, Ares, Blaze, and Cerberus, who had already been summoned and played at the foot of the bed. His soft snores radiated the room while Hades groaned in annoyance.

In light of Hades' good attitude, he still had his dark side to him. It was funny and enlightening as he would complain about sharing me. Still, he would eventually give in when I gave him the pout. It worked so well that he even went with me to the packhouse to eat our dinner with the warriors and give thanks for a job well done. Without them, I'm sure Hades could have taken on the whole area blowing it up until he found me. Accidentally taking casualties was not something I would have been too happy about. He respected me and my wishes and brought as many as possible to keep the cost of lives down.

Many warriors gave high fives to both Ares and Vulcan, who took them gladly. They were seen as war heroes, and this pack would forever spread history from generation to generation. Vulcan's eyes glittered with love for his mate as well as Ares, both receiving a gift I was so happy to give. They had been my caregivers for a while as Hades learned to control his anger, and the gift of a mate was the perfect solution.

Loukas was in his human form, crossing his arms, but his tail still swaying in a tantalizing motion. His ears and eyes were alert as he scanned the room. No doubt that Dante had briefed him on the circumstances with Malachi. Squeezing Hades' hand, I walked over to Loukas; the burn on the back of my head was felt from across the room as I approached him. Hades and his jealous ways would have to sit on the back burner until I found Loukas's mate.

"Loukas?" I looked up at his tall form. His chiseled face and beard that had grown far too much for my own liking of his human form smiled down at me.

"Queen Ember, what do I owe the pleasure?" My arms engulfed his torso, and his arms went above his head. Hades' growl inflicted through my thoughts, but I shoved them down.

"Thank you, Loukas, for all you have done for me. I know Hades doesn't want to admit it, but you led him to me, and without you, I wouldn't have all this." I waved my hand over the indoor cafeteria. Wolves were smiling, holding each other's mates, and several demons pruned and preened their mates beside them. Loukas's half-smile was sad as he glanced forward through the crowd.

"I'm just glad you are happy," he announced. "You have been a true friend, and you are perfect for Hades. Of course, you and Selene knew that already." His elbow nudged me. I looked over my shoulder, nodding my head, seeing Hades occupied with Gabriel, talking in hushed tones.

"Come with me," I whispered to Loukas. We both headed to the kitchen. Since arriving, several Celestial Fairies came to help with the preparations for tomorrow. Zeus had ordered them to support the Wolves with decorations and cooking and preparing food for the gods that they believed more appropriate for a proper binding ceremony. I had only seen them in a more diminutive form, but this one I saw in the kitchen was tall, as tall as Loukas.

Her wings glittered gold with hints of pale pinks; her outfit was far too short and covered just the curve of her rear end. The thin straps covered her average-sized chest as she stirred a sweet-smelling frosting that was being used to decorate the cake.

"Goddess Ember." Her head bowed low with the bowl in her hand. "I'm sorry for disturbing you." She put the bowl down to leave, but I grabbed her hand.

"No, please stay, I came in here just to talk to Loukas, but I don't want to stop you from your work. Thank you, it looks so beautiful!" The cake was white, and the small intricate details at the base showed Hades and me in different periods. One where we shared our first kiss and another where he had brought be back from the club. My unease was apparent looking at that, but the Celestial Fairy rubbed my hand.

"The Greeks would often time put stories on jars and pottery. This cake represents you and Hades' story. If you would like me to remove this section, I can." I smiled at her thoughtfulness to explain, but I shook my head. "No, it's beautiful. It's a beautiful story that should be shared." Her eyes brightened and bowed as she continued.

Before talking to Loukas about Malachi, a small omega came into the kitchen carrying a bowl full of fruit. Several of the Celestial fairies, also in their larger form, came to help her, but they were too late. Strawberries, grapes, and blueberries littered the kitchen floors. She tripped on a stray spoon. The small omega almost burst into tears. "I'm so sorry! I'm so clumsy!" Her hands went to her knees, picking up every last piece of fruit.

Loukas and I got on our knees as well to help her pick up the remaining fruit. "I'm Nora. I'm sorry, Alpha Ember." Shaking my head, I laughed.

"You have no idea how many messes I have made; please don't worry." Loukas picked up fruit absentmindedly without looking at the ground, his face still on Nora, who concentrated elsewhere. I narrowed my eyes, dropping the fruit I was holding, and grabbed both of their index fingers.

"What are you doing?" Loukas grumbled while Nora tried to pull her finger back.

"Hang on a second," I ordered, and immediately their fingers glowed under my vision. I was getting better at this match-making stuff.

Both of them pulled their hands away. Loukas sighed frustratedly and sat back on his legs. "What was that all about?" Letting out a chuckle, I waved for Nora to come closer while Loukas reluctantly followed. Holding out both of their palms, I placed them together. Did I need a Sphere to do this? Or could I do this on my own?

---