Page 42 of Seeking Hades' Ember

"A powerful coven is trying to contact me. They will keep pestering me until I answer."

"Well, go answer them. Don't be rude!" I chided as I let him sit away from me. Hades set me down on the blanket, covering me with another as he scooted the basket over for me to eat.

"Stay out of view; I don't want them to see you." I nodded my head, half paying attention as I looked for any chocolate at the bottom of the basket.

"Hades we call upon you-" A bright orb shown in front of Hades that had a picture of a woman on the front. She looked worried as she and several other women around her were chanting.

"What is it?" Hades snapped as he continued to rub his temples. The woman stared at him, almost shocked that it worked.

"My Lord, thank you for answering us; it has been many years-"

"Yes, Cyrene, I know. Now get on with it." Hades waved his hand, but I put mine on his knee and gave him a calming look. He has got to get his anger under control around other people. His eyes softened, and he even gave a smile to me.

"The Lord is smiling," a witch spoke to Cyrene's left. Hades' smile faded, and the scornful one returned.

"What is it you called me for?"

"My Lord, the ward you have placed on the Black Claws Pack has been weakened for many years. This is the first time we've been able to reach you." Hades' eyebrows rose in question. "We tried contacting you for some ten or so years but not once you answered."

"I've never received a summons from you in all this time. This is the first. Are you sure you practiced the spell correctly?"

"Yes, My Lord. We have done it every year around this time for your help." Hades rubbed his stubble on his chin.

"Something is amiss," he stated. "I will talk to Hecate and come by the Black Claw Pack in one week. Is Alpha Wesley Hale still the Alpha?" Cyrene nodded as she began to look around the orb.

"What is it?" Hades snapped again, more harshly. His eyes glowed, and his fist tightened.

"Hades," I cooed at him. I put my hand to his cheek as he forgot about Cyrene staring at him from the orb. I made sure to keep my face away as he held he had to keep my own next to him.

"Goddess, he found his mate," Cyrene whispered as the Witches all talked excitedly. Hades glared at the orb.

"One week, Cyrene. Let them know." Hades waved his hand as the orb vanished.

I had more questions after his talk with this sorceress named Cyrene and about the Werewolf group, but I knew not to ask with the mood he was in. Hades had been really working hard all day today on something. The few pieces of information I could hear him talking to Loukas about were about someone named Selene missing and Hermes having trouble coming back.

Knowing that Hermes is a Messenger God, he must have a busy job running around gathering information. I hoped he comes back soon. I was really enjoying having all the men in my life; they made it fun and exciting. The male servants not so much; they dared not to look at me, let alone breathe or talk. It was tough to ask for things when all they did was nod and shake their head.

"Hades? Why don't the servants talk to me? Why aren't there any women either?" Hades stiffened as he took a sip of his wine. Cleaning his throat, he put down the glass as we witnessed a shooting star overhead.

"I kicked out all of the female servants and maids after that incident the first day you were here," he said, pulling his collar.

Oh, snap. That was the day the woman was basically taking off her clothes in front of him. Gah, that whore. I squinted my eyes and folded my arms. I had forgotten that little detail.

"Good choice; they seemed slutty." Hades gave a glorious laugh. "I mean, her boobs were practically falling out of her top, to begin with. You didn't sleep with her, did you?" Hades' face became stern.

"I don't fraternize with the help, angel. I won't lie, I did have a, uh, harem, so to speak." I gasped and slapped his shoulder.

"And you knew you were going to have a mate?" My voice flew a few octaves higher. "How dare you!" I stood up to look over the cliff. "I know I wasn't around, and you may have relationships, but having a bunch of concubines at your disposal is rather terrible!"

"Angel," he pleaded, trying to wrap his arms around me.

"You better get checked for diseases. I've seen things; I know what kind of yucky stuff you can get." I waved my finger in his face. "I never thought I would get so mad at you!"

Hades' face grew miserable. I swore I saw his eyes water, but I held firm. He went down to his knees and wrapped his arms around me, his head in my stomach as I let out a little grunt from the pressure.

"My angel, I am so sorry. I am full of mistakes." I could barely hear his voice as he spoke into my torso. The vibrations made me want to giggle, but I held back. I was flippin' angry!

"They meant nothing to me, as terrible as it sounds. They didn't. They were gifts from other gods and supernaturals, and I hardly even touched any of them. I swear this to you, Angel." His grip grew tighter, and my resolve grew weaker.

"The last time I even touched a woman was thousands of years ago, right before I met Persephone, and even then, she wouldn't let me touch her."

"Smart woman," I spat. "But thanks for being honest. I guess I can't fault you if it has been so long. Maybe all those diseases washed out of your system by now," I half-joked. "Maybe that's why you have been crabby for so long because you haven't gotten laid," I snickered.

Hades whipped his head up to look up at me, arms still wrapped around my torso. "You have been talking to Ares too much."

"What about the male servants? Why won't they talk to me?" I raised a brow.

"Because no one talks or touches what is mine."

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