Page 61 of Seeking Hades' Ember

Chapter 30

Ember

It had been several days since Malachi made his escape and Hades has been hard at work sending Loukas and other messengers throughout Earth. Hades had a hunch that Selene was either on Earth or a place called Bergarian, a place where most supernaturals lived.

Hades gave me a book to read regarding the place, saying it was far more beautiful than Earth and meant to bless the creatures the gods had created. Like Earth however, they had their problems like any other. There was a nation called ‘The Cerulean Moon Kingdom’ that housed most of the shifters. Werewolves, lions, panthers and even dragons were littered about the land, and it only urged me to want to visit more. “Can we go please!” I begged. I even tried doing the pout which I have figured out only works when he is on the fence about something.

“Not yet. Let the threat pass and I will take you wherever you want.” Hades had gotten in the habit of pecking me on the lips each time I didn’t get my way and I’d in turn, I melted. Anytime I was getting upset about something he would do it; it was like he knew it would sate me to where I would be quiet. I bet it has something to do with that bond.

I continued reading, eating and being a slob. I haven’t rested so much in all my life. I was getting restless having to sit around all the time, so I started bugging Ares and Hermes more.

Hermes had come back with no new information. Selene and Hecate were still missing and there were no traces of them, barely any magic to even track. Zeus was getting more frantic by the day. Sometimes you could hear a thunderstorm down in the Underworld as he rumbled above Earth. I was glad I wasn’t on Earth for once, people were thinking the apocalypse was coming.

Hermes was sitting in the game room, flipping through some magazine when I entered. Hades had finally let me go out of his sight as long as Cerberus and Blaze were with me. I could still hear them talking at times but at others it sounded like static. Hades commented it was strange, but he wasn’t concerned because he would say, “You were made for me, and I to you. You would have to gain some of my power to help me rule.” I would shrug my shoulders and just continue. No use in worrying about it.

“There’s my little flame,” Hermes joked as he threw the magazine to the other side of the couch. “What has you looking all glum?” I went over and plopped myself right on the couch and let out a large, annoyed sigh.

“I’m bored,” I mused as I stared at the high ceilings. This ceiling had demons and angels fighting with each other. Did Hades higher a decorator or did he just ‘poof’ everything into existence?

“You are?” Hermes rubbed his chin as he leaned back. “Well, how long have you been living down here with us?” I counted on my fingers as I finally got an exact number.

“Two weeks give or take?” I questioned, still looking around the room. Hermes chuckled.

“He’s lasted this long, that’s strange.” My head whipped back to Hermes who had a glint of sparkle in his eye.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you are mates,” he deadpanned. My mouth hung open; I waited for myself to come up with a question, but I just sat there.

“Mates are supposed to be, well, mated.” I blushed as my eyes darted to the now interesting rug on the floor.

“Well, I’ve been… not my best.” I scratched my head.

“I’m just kidding with you, flame. In fact, I think we should go do something while Hades is working.” I perked up at the idea.

“What are we going to do?!” Cerberus growled but I hushed him. Hermes smiled again and rubbed his dirty blonde curls from his face. Hermes was definitely more of a feminine looking god. He was tall, lean and didn’t have a scar on his body. He wasn’t made for fighting; he was made for speed and agility. Hermes’ long fingers traced the couch as he continued hum and chuckle to himself.

“Go get a swimsuit on. We are going swimming.” I jumped up from the couch, excitedly.

“Will Ares come too!?” I headed for the door, turning around while my hair whipped into my face. Hermes continued to sit, tracing an invisible pattern on the couch.

“Of course, he will; he wouldn’t miss it,” he whispered as he started laughing to himself.

Running up the stairs and into our room, I dashed for the closet. Blaze sat on my shoulder while chittering something. “Can’t understand you right now, Blaze. Not sure why.” I shuffled through the drawers finding some swimsuits.

“Oh my.” I gazed at a black two piece. The bottom was cut out, so it looked like a thong. “That’s too much,” I mused and continued to dig. All of the swimsuits I looked at were two pieces, not a single one piece. I growled at the lack of style choices and ended up pulling out a dark crimson one. It had jewels outlining the hems. There were so many strings, it reminded my times back at the club. I would be tying for days and my fingers would get sore. This time I was the one tying an outfit for me.

This was a swimsuit though; it was technically different. Right? Nah, not really but this was Hades and his friends. They wouldn’t think anything of it. I mean, these things were here to be used and it was kinda pretty.

Many times I thought the things that the strippers wore were beautiful. I just thought it was sad they couldn’t go and use it on someone they really cared about. Instead, dirty old men would rub up on them. I internally shudder as I ran to the bathroom to change.

I didn’t look half bad in it, I thought. My bruises were gone, and my skin had a healthy glow to it. The extra calorie shakes that Ares had prepared for me were doing wonders. I didn’t look as gaunt as I did before. My hips had widened, and my chest totally filled out. My goods were actually looking like goods! Some of my friends back at the club might even be jealous of these! Adjusting my top one more time to pull them up a bit higher, I walked out of the bathroom and put on one of Hades’ shirts.

Walking around half naked in front of the servants might not be good. I didn’t need to see another puff of ash pile on the floor.

Screaming outside caught my attention as I approached the opened patio door. Loukas was in a black swimsuit, his tail waving back and forth in a crouched position ready to attack Ares. Ares, being much larger than Loukas, didn’t even have to crouch; he just had his hands out ready to just jump on Loukas.

Hermes was in the pool, lounging on a blow up mattress reading another magazine. The man likes to read gossip columns that’s for sure.

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