Thorns

Part II

You refused to believe in your ears. Hades was telling you that he intended to go to the battlefield and stop the beasts all by himself?

– What...? You... – your hand loosened the grip upon his arm, the same in which hand he had the bident, but didn't release it.

Hades ignored your shock and gave you a clear explanation:

– You know that the messenger came from our nearest detachment. If he was their last man, then the enemies are probably going to trespass the gates and reach the castle's bridge soon. They will be at our doors before the night falls.

You immediately remembered what Adamas told you, how he went alone to Hellheim and fought the Titans without help, just to save his brothers and his people, and realized that now he intended to do the same.

However, I'm here with him this time. He doesn't need to do this alone.

And you wanted to show that to him.

– Hades, if your intention is to go and face them by yourself...

Your husband put his hand upon yours on his arm and looked into your eyes, where he guessed what you were trying to say.

– Y/n, if you're going to ask to go with me, then, please, don't. You're not going anywhere. You're staying here to grant the castle's safeness, and your own. This is why I asked Adamas to come and stay here despite his willing to fight – he glanced over you, probably to his brother – He will help you in anything you need.

You swallowed. You were already expecting this, but you weren't finished yet.

– I'm not asking for permission – you approached him as you spoke – We all understand that the situation is worse than we first suspected and might become out of hand if we don't do anything! The last member of our remaining detachment just died in my arms! How can I stay behind when I know you'll be in the eye of the hurricane? I can't...

Hades laid his free hand on the knob, irreducible.

– But you must. You've never been in the battlefield before, and that's not the best way to start. I won't forgive myself if anything happens to you.

Here, your patience was gone.

– And how do you think I'm going to feel if anything happens to you? Especially when you know you don't have to do everything by yourself? – you gasped – Did you forget that I'm no longer human? I've been here for five hundred years now! Frailty doesn't define me anymore! If someone will have to die in battle, it won't be the Queen of the Dead!

Apparently, Hades' patience had the same destiny as yours, because his posture – and the entire energy around him – changed. Leaning the bident on the fold of his arm and holding you by your shoulders, he made you forget everything and everyone in that room while you looked at him.

– And she won't die in battle because the King of the Dead, who has been here for billion years longer than her, will keep her safe inside her home and in the company of the people he trusts – and, before you could think of any response, he pulled you closer and kissed your forehead – And, being the reliable wife she is, she won't do anything to disappoint him.

Now, there was nothing you could do or say to change his mind. You took his hands off your shoulders and held them between you for a moment.

– Then she asks him to take at least a few strong, capable men with him, so her heart can be still.

There was a moment of silence from his part, where you just stared at each other, and you even thought he was going to turn his back on you and leave without a word, but he sighed, recovering his calmness, and agreed with your request.