Daughters of Gods and The Trials of the Poison Belt

Chapter Fourteen: Dream Pox and Bonds

Chapter: Dream Pox and Bonds

Melody

Sleep eluded me, as if the darkness couldn't offer any solace for my weary mind. Instead, I slipped down to the kitchen, seeking relief in a glass of cool water. But even the silence there was interrupted by the familiar presence of Hades lingering in the shadows, an unspoken weight in the room.

"Are you naturally creepy, or are you lurking?" I quipped, acknowledging him as I turned to face him.

His troubled expression mirrored the turmoil within. "I am troubled. Would you like to hear why?" he asked, his voice laced with an unusual vulnerability.

I sighed, not in the mood for yet another lecture. "You've already told me how much of a disappointment I am. Must I hear it again?"

His voice softened, revealing a complexity I rarely heard from him. "I know down here you're the leader, the warrior, and a friend, but being that also requires you to make sacrifices. Being Queen demands it."

I bristled at his words, my resentment bubbling up to the surface. "I'm sorry, you're the King of what, exactly? The Underworld, not the Heavens. I never asked for your opinion, but if I need it, I'll let you know." With that, I brushed past him, yearning for solitude.

Hades remained silent as I walked away, and even though his words stung, they lingered in my mind. His tone had been softer than usual, and his demeanor carried a vulnerability that seemed almost out of place. But right now, I couldn't process it all. I needed to be alone, to sort through my emotions and the mounting expectations I faced. I could feel the weight of my responsibilities pressing down on me like never before, and the solace I sought was still far from reach.

The following day, training became a battlefield that I was ill-prepared to conquer. Chiron's strikes landed with precision, exposing every gap in my faltering defenses. Frustration hung thick in the air as I struggled to match his skill. "Acelptus!" he barked, concern etched on his face as he examined my eyes.

"Sit!" he commanded, and I hesitated before sinking down, curiosity mingling with unease. My father and Poseidon's arrival heightened the gravity of the situation. "She has Dream Pox."

"Dream Pox? What the hell is that?" I demanded, my voice edged with both frustration and fear.

Chiron began to explain, and dizziness clawed at my senses. The room seemed to spin, and perspiration beaded on my brow. "So, what do I need to do?" I managed, determined to find a solution despite the toll on my body.

A disorienting twist of reality brought Hades behind me. "Pass out," he quipped, his voice tinged with unexpected dry humor. He caught me as I collapsed, his arms a surprising source of support amid the chaos.

As they discussed my predicament, I became a silent observer, trapped outside my own body. No one could hear me. I noticed the way Hades held me, like a fragile relic. Confusion and vulnerability danced in his gaze, revealing facets of him I had never seen before.

They carried me to the upper chambers, and instead of leading me to my room, Hades guided me to his own. A battle waged within me—unease at the situation clashed with the contradiction between his actions and reputation. Could someone intervene, shatter this surreal tableau?

He cleared a space on his bed, sweeping books aside with an absentminded gesture. Gently, he placed a cool cloth on my forehead, a gesture that held both care and curiosity. My confusion deepened—Hades, the God of the Underworld, playing the role of caretaker?

The door creaked open, and my heart skipped a beat as Jake entered, his expression reflecting turmoil. "Why are you here?" Hades asked, irritation edging his tone, masking an underlying uncertainty.