Hade's Rose

Chapter 29: Owed Explanations

The mantelpiece clock chimed eight; the last sliver of sunlight slipped away as evening drew in. I sat cross-legged on the couch, a blanket draped over my lap, my gaze fixed on the library door. Anticipation buzzed within me, a restless energy urging me to pace the room, but I stayed still, waiting.

He was here. This strange connection between us telling me things I couldn't explain or comprehend. It was entirely unhuman, but not uncomfortable. It was like a thread in my mind, tying me to Hades, and even if I hadn't decided to be honest, I couldn't hide from him any longer even if I tried. His and my emotions were bared to each other; the last few hours, as Hades had moved ever closer to Ardel I could feel his fears, unsureness, excitement, and even awkwardness. I couldn't put words to his thoughts, but he seemed.... vulnerable. I was no different I was sure. But, I no longer felt as scared of him, knowing we could no longer deceive each other or hide why we had done what we had. Strangely, I felt like we were finally on equal ground.

I mulled over this to distract myself. He should've arrived by now. A flicker of his annoyance reached me, as if something delayed him, then vanished abruptly. Moments later, heavy footsteps echoed in the stone hall outside, deliberate, announcing his presence. My mark felt warm, leaving me a tad lightheaded.

A knock rapped on the wooden door. "Come in," I called, my voice thin and thready, heat rising to my cheeks. The door creaked open, revealing Hades' tousled hazel hair, cropped short since my collapse in the cupboard all those months ago. His olive skin and chiseled jaw struck me anew, as if I hadn't seen him in weeks rather than days. I once thought he wasn't handsome, but looking at him now - I could not remember why I had ever thought such a thing. He was handsome to me now.

His eyes roamed over me, radiating love, desire, and worry. "Hi," I whispered, offering a shy half-smile.

"Hello," he replied softly, stepping further into the library; his butterscotch scent permeating the room afresh.

"It's... good to see you," I admitted, my voice steadier.

Hades eyebrows raised, he had no reason to disbelieve me as I knew he would sense no deceit in my feelings, but he still looked surprised. "When I was last here, you were recovering from me biting you?"

Straight to the point and no hiding from his past actions; I liked that about him I realised suddenly. "Yes," I said, frowning as memories of that night resurfaced, sharp and unpleasant. "You still owe me an explanation for that."

Hades settled into the leather armchair by the fire, opposite me, leaning forward with his fingers steepled, elbows on his knees. After a long pause, he started speaking, his gaze holding mine the entire time: "I thought I had to handle the rogue issues myself, as I always have. But I should've stayed, trusted my warriors, and protected you here. If I hadn't left, I wouldn't have panicked and forced my bite on you. It was wrong. I'm sorry."

His sincerity hit me through our bond, raw and unfiltered. Tears pricked my eyes, my lip trembling. "Why did you bite me?" I asked, though I was stalling. No sooner would his explanations be over, then it would be my turn to apologise and share.

Hades exhaled, watching me closely. "I knew you'd fall ill if I stayed away too long. Your medical team warned that Mate Withdrawal Sickness, as severe as yours, could be fatal after the last year. I wasn't thinking clearly. I was terrified of losing you."

His vulnerability disarmed me. I nodded, turning to the window, unable to hold his intense gaze. Moonlight spilled through the window, as I toyed with a loose thread on the blanket, my cheeks warm.

"Rose," he said after a pause. I glanced back, startled by his wolven yellow eyes. "Are you alright? I heard you were poisoned." His voice tightened at the word, his eyes flaring brighter.