Son of Hades (Redo)

The Prince of Darkness Wears Superman Boxers

The bath house was nearly full, and almost silent.

Bubbles rose up out of the bath-water, and six other servants waited silently outside for us. The mirror was foggy, and it gave the room a surreal look. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears as I turn on the water; bubbles fill the run from a separate faucet, and for a second, I sit at the edge of the tub not moving or doing anything.

I pull my legs up to my chest, and breathe deeply, forgetting where I was for a second. The steady stream of water fell against the empty tub, and when I look up again, a girl is standing in front of me. Jasmine?

"Death by drowning?" She guesses. "Suicide."

I frown. I watch as Jasmine, holding a white towel around herself, moves to turn off the water. The tub's bubbles smell like lavender, and they barely touch my toes. I stood uncertainly to meet her eyes. "Death by arrogance?"

"Actually - " she flips her wet hair, splashing me a little. "Death by a lover. The most romantic way to go, isn't it? That's insurance money lining his pockets." She pretends to admire her nails. "Whatever."

I could see why Xavier was uncomfortable talking about death. As if to prove she was no competition, that my fear of water was just a fear, I strip and do a small cannonball into the middle of the tub.

Warm water washes over my tingling skin; for a moment, it's like I forget how to swim, because all I can see is my body floating on the river. And then, I resurface, and spit a little water out at Jasmine's feet. She rolls her eyes, and simply starts to walk away. "Try not to drown again? No one here will save you."

Xavier would.

Anna would save me.

I wash over my body with their lavender scented soap, and dip by hair back under the waves.

I put a little make-up under my gray-green eyes, and curl my hair so it cascades down my back in ringlets. I make sure my breath smell like mint. Finally, I move to a spot of the mirror that wasn't covered with fog. I held the dress against me.

It was black, and rested right above my knees. It was retro fifties style, with a Queen Anne's collar. When I put the dress on, it twirled when I twirled and I figured that this dress would make the perfect party dress.

Happy birthday, you sweet Prince.

A small smile perches on my lips. I'm not the last girl to leave the bathroom, but when I come out, I can see Xavier's eyes widen. "Do I look pretty?"

"You look beautiful," Xavier admits, and the three remaining servants stare at him like he's gone crazy. He clears his throat. Recovering quickly. "You look like a Princess." I felt my cheeks getting hot. "Shall we?" He asks. "Persephone awaits. You're a little late."

I let him lead me down the corridor. I don't know why - but I felt like I was practically glowing. I kept up my pace so I was right behind Xavier. I would meet the Prince today.

There were so many questions I had for Persephone.

We arrived at the same room as the previous night. The memory of being naked here made my cheeks go warm with embarrassment. Akari, Jasmine, and Ivana were already there. Persephone was lounging on a couch of her own.

Xavier bows his head, and goes to stand by the other servants near the wall.

"A little birdie informed me of a bedtime story, Cinderella?" Persephone asks. She glances from Xavier to me with a smile on her lips. Jasmine and Ivana giggle like best-friends. In turn, my cheeks are getting hot. How does she know about that?