Page 151 of Seeking Hades' Ember

Chapter 72

Ember

Slamming the door to my old room I fell on the bed with a large “umph.” Mom harassed me all the way home. Saying I needed to be more sensitive to Hades, that he was a god on top of that dealing with his new Wolf. Sure, that was true but think of all the crap I have been through. I went from knowing nothing about myself to knowing everything, being mated to the god of the Underworld. I grit my teeth again and slammed my hand on the fluffy comforter.

Who was I kidding? I already missed him and the disappointment and guilt in his feelings didn’t help me walk away. Pushing off the bed, I hear a roar and Evan yelling a mass mind-link for everyone to get out of the forest. Running to the window, my hands land on either side of the windowpane. Fire erupted around the forest. Heat could almost be felt right up to the glass.

“Immature dummy,” I whispered until mom pushed the door open.

“You get down there and tell him to stop. Your ancestors spent a lot of time putting that forest together! Now look at it!” Mom was almost in sobs, but I didn’t want to relent, just yet. The gods walked to Hades from behind, keeping their distance but trying to sooth the fiery attitude.

“He has to learn, mom. He needs to know he can’t get jealous all the time, not when I’m pairing other people to help Selene.” Dad walks up the stairs wrapping his hand around her waist and whispers in her ear.

“If you are that worried, I’m sure Persephone will rebuild the forest,” dad comforted her. He was right, she could rebuild the forest. Not only that, her and Gabriel were amongst the others trying to talk him down. My claws extended and pierced my skin of my palms while I gripped tightly into fists. Why the hell was she there?

Cerberus made a gagging noise and Persephone started giggling frantically. Hades was still a few feet away but too close for my liking. He tried to get in her pants for a long time. Thank Selene that it never happened. All that time he obsessed over her, for over a thousand years. My mind clouded with an emotion I had never felt before. Jealousy.

Is that the feeling? Dad snickered from the doorway, knowing exactly the turmoil going through my head. The gears turning and the emotion had to of been readable on my face. My tears welled into my eyes. I’m a jealous pregnant Wolf, goddess, and I’m doing the exact same thing Hades was doing. I’m such a hypocrite. Covering my mouth, heavy sobs left my mouth while mom came to comfort me.

“Honey, it’s all right,” she rubbed my arms together. “Wesley, please go get her some of that chamomile tea. It will help her and the baby.”

“Hades won’t want me anymore because I’m going to be fat!” I wailed again, flopping to the bed. “He is going to go back to Persephone and try and get her back once I’m ugly!” My tears stained the pillow while mom wiped the tears out of my hair.

I don’t know how long mom stayed there, cooed me and even spooned me in the bed telling me the tales of how dad had made mom fall in love with him. “He fell even more in love when you came into the world, sweet child. You are his first daughter. You will always have a special place in his heart. It isn’t often an Alpha male has a daughter for an heir.” Sniffing lightly, mom kissed my forehead and I felt her leave the bed.

The lights dimmed and mom’s comforting emotion turned to guilt, love and sorrow. “Mom?” I whispered, but instead I felt the bed dip and warm body, much larger than hers engulf me. Now this was a big spoon. The smell of smoke, burned smores and musk filled my nostrils.

Rolling over immediately, I swung my arms around his neck. “I’m sorry,” I cried, Hades petted my hair with one hand while pulling me impossibly closer to the other. “I got mad that you were jealous and then I turned around and got mad because I was jealous.” Hades laughed out loud and pulled my head from his neck.

“What do you mean you got jealous?” he asked incredulously.

“I saw Persephone laughing with you when Cerberus was gagging. You both looked happy,” I sobbed. “You are going to want her when I’m all fat!” I cried again.

“Oh, oh, Ember.” A smile appeared on his face, but he ducked my head back into his chest while continuing is comforting rubs on my back. “I would never, ever want her. You are the only woman I will ever want, ever. You are mine and I will never give you up. I’m sorry I got jealous too, I want you to myself and I know that cannot be all the time. You being pregnant makes it extremely difficult.”

I inhaled a large breath of his scent, instantly calming me. “We are both experiencing a bond so strong, we both will get carried away sometimes. That’s normal, it’s normal to have disagreements. Otherwise our relationship would be insanely boring. Besides, the makeup sex is going to be awesome.” I giggled, his fingers detangling my hair while he breathed me in.

“For now, though, let us rest. We have a busy day tomorrow, hmm?” I couldn’t even answer, as my eye lids fluttered shut on their own accord as Hades hummed some ancient lullaby for me to sleep.

***

“Stand here,” mom had me on a stool, three dresses hung over the door of my bathroom. They were a gorgeous cream colored designs of a mating ceremony dresses. They were all equally beautiful and I couldn’t pick just one. Mom fluffed one. It was more of a ball gown with a wide bustle and a huge train. It was a bit much for me, but mom was insistent I at least try it. “It just accentuates your waist so well, but I do understand you have to go what you like best.”

Dante was dozing in the corner. He had guard duty since Hades wasn’t allowed in my room while I tried on the dresses. Most of the men, gods, goddess were downstairs in the living room eating food brought in by the Celestial Fairies. Dionysus was discussing the preparations and taking the job of the catering, food, wine and even games he had planned. What kind of games do you even play at a mating ceremony? Was it a god thing?

Dionysus was in and out of the house, I could see him running back and forth. For a god that constantly had a drink in his hand, he could walk a strangely straight line. “I don’t know.” Mom leaned back on the stool she was sitting in. “Please tell me what do you like best?”

“I’m just happy to get the ceremony over with, to be honest.” I played with the tulle that laid at my hips. “You can pick.” Mom groaned again until Hecate and Selene walked in.

“Need some help?” Hecate walked around the dress, while I smiled at Selene. Her color was back and even the moon glowed brightly, more so than I had ever seen.

“I think something simpler might be for our Ember, what do you think?” Hecate nodded, pulling up a thick amount of tulle.

“I agree. There isn’t a special significance to this dress is there?” Mom shook her head. Her body was overwhelmed by the presence of the gods, all the Wolves felt it. The power, the overwhelming energy that eludes them. “Right then.” Hecate waved her hand, instantly turning the tulle to a delicate lace with gold threads. The pattern was of delicate flowers, leaves and hints of small bees around the lace. One would have to be close to see it, but it was there.

An off-the shoulder, clear lace hugged my shoulders, and my hair was swirled into loose curls and a braided crown. “Let me try!” Persephone hopped into the door and her fingers traced my crown braid that now held small white roses and baby’s breath.

“Goddess,” mom breathed, holding her hands to her mouth. “You are gorgeous. This dress looks perfect.” The dress held every curve, flaring at the knees with a small train that could be easily buttoned behind the dress during the reception.

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