Page 73 of Seeking Hades' Ember

"All you need do is ask, and he will come." I took a sip and set it back down on the cracked table.

"He is my son, and he feels he needs to find his own place in this world. Zeus hid him far too long, and I did not fight hard enough for him. If my time comes to find a mate, I will ask Selene to pass my gift to him if he doesn't already have one." Hera's eyes drifted to the large bay windows, where she saw Michael sparring with other angels. Her love for him had only grown, and since the announcement of mates, she thought of ending it with him. Her passion for her mate would cloud over her love for Michael, and it would only break his heart if they were not together.

"You shouldn't blame yourself. Rhea did the same to us. I do not hold her accountable." Rhea had taken her place in the stars after Kronos chained. Quickly changing the subject, Hera spoke about how Ember took the news. Ember was more angered that I didn't tell her, not the fact she suffered all those years. A strong, capable woman I had for a mate, and I overlooked it all. "She loves you, Hades. Ember takes truth as more important than anything. She doesn't want the information to be hidden from her most of her life was hidden."

"I must see her." Hera looked warily at me as I gave her pleading eyes.

"She told the servants she wanted to be left alone to think. I think that is for the best." Hera put her small cup back on the saucer and went to stand up. "If she asks the truth from you again, even if you are not ready to give it…." Hera glanced down at me. "You give her the truth. She has been hidden from her own past and now just wants answers for the future."

Resting my forearms on my legs and my thumbs rubbing my eyes, Hera patted my shoulder. "Leave Zeus alone. I can tell you now that he has been busy with Selene and Hecate missing. I was there when Selene asked he take care of Ember that night if you had decided not to rescue her."

"Where is Malachi then? Where is he?" I growled, and Hera scowled.

"I do not know, Hades, but I will find out. Mark my words."

Hera stilled at the door, her back still facing me. Her hand touched the handle and glanced back. "Zeus only wishes to have a mate. He craves it and is jealous that his brother, who cried he didn't want Selene's help, was granted one. Try not to be too hard on him."

***

Hera told me that I should not find Ember and leave her be, but I didn't listen. My heart was beating for her, I could feel her sadness through the bond, and I wanted nothing more than to hold her tight and beg for her forgiveness.

Following the bond, I walked down the brightly lit hallways. The cold, white marble was blinding and not warm like the palace where we lived. Carpets of white and gold were few and far between, and I swear I could feel the cold go through the soles of my shoes. The pull in my chest became strong as I came across the golden door with tiny cherubs painted on the doorway. Light pinks, blues, and purple flowers laid over the door.

Does Ember like these colors? Does she like it here better than our own home? I'd change anything she wanted if it meant to keep her with me. Where it's safe.

I willed myself to the other side to see the room dimly lit and a small figure on the bed. The curtains were drawn, and the darkness felt more familiar than the light. Ember's form was small; her cheeks still held the light pinkness to them. Her eyes were puffy, her lashes still wet from her crying. I wanted to reverse time and kiss every single tear that trailed down her face.

Ember sniffed a few times, and I grabbed a nearby tissue to dab her nose. The strawberry blonde hair was sprawled across the pillow, and her pink lips puckered as if she was thinking. Her green eyes I longed to look into were sitting in darkness. Ember's fingers began to twitch as she held onto the sheets, a habit she had right before she has a bad dream.

Not heeding Hera's warning of leaving my mate alone, I took off my suit jacket, shirt, shoes, and pants and left myself in nothing but my boxers. Crawling into the bed with her, I pulled her back to my front and felt the warmth radiate. Immediately, she moved her body, facing me, and her face was directly to my chest. Skin to skin now and ultimately relaxed, she took long breaths of my scent. I had wished she was a supernatural so she could smell me like I could smell her. The aroma she gives off calms me when she is near, and I crave it like a drug she truly is.

My arms wrapped around her tiny waist. Hera had her dressed in a plain white lace gown that went just to the top of her knees. I'm sure it would just cover Hera's rear if it was her nightgown. My mate was small and fragile, and I had to get clothes personally made for her. I was fine with that. I was fine with everything.

How stupid could I be? Most of my existence was made making mistakes, running from them, being angry at the people trying to help me. Ember was doing what a mate is supposed to do, feel. She felt me, and I took it as the bond, but no, she has something more. Now there was something else inside of her, and Athena was going to be our only hope to figure out what it was.

How can she pull in emotions so well? It explained how much information she had pulled from me when she did ask about my past or why I was feeling the way I was. Ember could feel the guilt and the burden on my heart.

Fuck.

I had inadvertently made her suffer as well. Blaze was sitting on the bedpost, watching me with anger. His tail went ablaze as he saw me staring at him. "Fuck off," I whisper yelled as I nuzzled into Ember's hair. Stupid judgmental squirrel.

I would make it all up to her. Hell, I'll let her look into my mind so she can see every bit of my past. My mood brightened instantly. That is what I would do, let her know of all my history. Something that should terrify me, but knowing she was my mate, she was here to stay even if she did see the worst in me. Numerous times she said she would stay, and I had to trust her.

I had long lost my trust when I tried to take Persephone. She was wonderful in the beginning, just asking for time. Time turned to days, weeks, and then years of nothing until she despised me. I tried to give her everything. No love was returned. Meaningless gifts she had asked for collected in her room. What brought her happiness for a few days only made her hate me more.

The day she said I didn't even look like a God of the Underworld was what cut me to the core. I changed the very person I was and became bitter along with her. I should have let Persephone go. We were never a match.

Now I do not have to hide. I will bear my soul to her to make her happy. She has not once asked for shiny jewels or lavish gifts. She asked for the true person that I really am. Rest my little mate, for I will show you every part of me when you wake up.

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