Hades Titans {BOOK 2}

XXIV. High on relief

Evelyn's P.O.V.

Neither Penelope nor Sylver knew what Hayden and I did. We couldn't be sure that it was true. That the only person I had ever fully trusted and loved was no longer trustworthy. It was breaking my heart. I couldn't hold my glance for more than a second, feeling my heart chip at the sides and slowly crumble into my already wounded and weak body. My cramps increased, making me wonder whether it was a sign for me to leave. It had happened before. Whenever I felt like I was in danger my belly cramped up and what followed was either a blackout or a burst of my powers, knocking everyone around me off their feet.

"Are you okay?" Hayden's arm wrapped around me protectively, pulling me closer. His whole body tensed, and he made sure to stand a couple inches in front of me. There was no danger that Dorian posed just as himself, but there was no shame in being careful. I wrapped my arms around my belly, the aching increasing by the second.

"I – I think I should..." I looked up at Hayden's worried face which only intensified the ache inside me. His energy was seeping through me and causing me further pain.

"Penelope, can you take Eve back to our room please?" I felt Penelope's fingers intertwine with mine instantly. There was hardly a thought in my head that had anything to do with anything but the pain in my stomach, but for a second, the fear of Hayden staying behind and hurting Dorian, despite the horrible things he might have done, was too terrifying to ignore. Above that, the fear that Dorian might hurt Hayden was even greater. Pain and fear were a mix that I never wanted to experience again.

"Hayden," I reached for his arm, but he had read my mind and came to stand beside me. He cupped my face with the palm of his hand and kissed my forehead softly, before dropping his hand to my stomach.

"It'll be okay. We'll just talk. I promise." He smiled, relieving some of my fear. "I love you, both of you." He kissed my cheek quickly turning back around, before gesturing for Dorian to walk with him.

I stopped myself from looking up at Dorian. I could feel his eyes on me, but the coward inside me couldn't lift its head. Maybe it was because I hoped that Teo was lying, and I couldn't watch Dorian judge me for believing Teo before him.

"Come on," Penelope's other hand wrapped around my arm, guiding me towards the hall. With each step the pain in my belly lessened.

"It's okay, go back to the party. I have the key and I feel a little better." I smiled rigidly as we approached the elevator. "It's your wedding day. Go, enjoy it." I insisted, pressing my body lightly against hers.

"Are you sure?" She asked, her eyes worried and anxious for me.

"Yes. Go." I insisted, walking into the elevator, and pressing the button for our floor. I smiled with a short wave as the doors closed and the elevator began to rise. A heavy weight fell off my shoulders. I didn't have to pretend; I didn't have to hide the pain I was feeling. Hunching over for a second and inhaling a deep breath, I tried to lessen the pain further. The elevator beeped again, not yet at my floor, but for somebody who wanted to get in with me. I leaned back against the railing of the elevator, looking at the number five above the elevator door.

The doors opened and an elegant gown I had already seen before came into view. It was Harley. I had seen her walking around in the gold pleated dress, drawing the attention of the passer-by's as if she were the bride. There was nothing that I was going to be able to hide from her, especially if she had already seen it.

"Hi." I smiled brightly, hiding as much of my pain as I could in a reflex. She smiled shaking her head.

"How are you feeling honey?" She asked, stepping into the elevator, and coming to stand beside me. It wasn't much of a question, more of a statement, because she already knew I was dying inside. Literally. "Here, give me your hand." She extended her hand to hold mine. I hesitated for a second, before placing my palm against hers and wrapping my fingers in between hers. "Inhale." She said calmly, before closing her eyes. Filled with confused I did as she said and instantly the weight of the pain was lifted. I felt my knees buckling under me in relief, as she let go off my hand and caught me, holding me up.