Hades Rewound (Hades Series #2)

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

"Evie. Wake up." Someone nudges my shoulder, ripping me out of my otherwise peaceful sleep.

I bolt up in bed like I've been electrocuted, startling Calla so much that she jumps about a mile into the air. I frown slightly, looking down at the dark maroon bedspread I've cocooned myself in like a mummy. "I'm in my bed."

Calla gives me a weird look. "Of course you're in your bed Evie."

"Why am I in my bed?"

"Because that's where you sleep at night?" She says the statement like a question, complete confusion evident in her tone.

"No Calla, you don't understand. I fell asleep in the library. So how am I in my bed?"

Her chocolate brown eyes twinkle, and I swear she bites back a mischievous grin. "You don't remember?"

"Yes Calla, of course I remember. I'm just acting like I don't because I'm bored and want some entertainment at my own expense." I retort sarcastically. "Would I be asking you if I remembered?"

She just laughs, not at all fazed by my bitterness. "You're so grouchy in the morning. How on earth did Hades cope, waking up next to a grump every day?"

"He learned pretty quickly not to wake me up. Apparently I'm much cuter when I'm half-asleep." I grumble. "You still haven't answered my question. How am I in my bed?"

"Oh, I do apologise your majesty." She replies demurely, bowing her head and ignoring the deadly look I throw her. "Hades carried you here."

I feel like she's thrown a bucket of cold water over me. Instantly, I'm awake. "What?"

"Hades carried you here." She repeats.

I shake my head in denial. "No. That can't be right; he hates me. You're just pulling my leg. That's mean, that is."

"Well, unless you magically discovered the ability to walk all the way here from the library while you're still asleep, I'm pretty sure I'm not lying." Calla replies with a little laugh. "Also, I saw it with my own eyes. So, I'm kind of right."

I stare at her, my heart racing. Does that mean that my dream was real? I can't stop the blush that burns my cheeks at that realisation, and immediately I regret my - albeit sleepy - actions. Oh my god, Hades must have felt so awkward carrying me like that; I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he hated me even more now because of it.

Calla, for once, isn't her usually obliviously naive self, and notices the blush staining my cheeks. Her forehead furrows in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I mutter, shaking my head. "I'm just... I'm surprised that he actually did that. I didn't think that he cared."

Calla doesn't respond to that, though I can tell that there's something at the tip of her tongue that she's itching to blurt out. I narrow my eyes at her suspiciously.

"What is it Calla?"

"Nothing." She says quickly, avoiding my accusatory gaze and fidgeting with the hem of her skirt.

"You're a terrible liar Cal." I tell her amusedly. "What is it? You know it's pointless to keep a secret from me, I always manage to weasel it out of you. So honestly, just save yourself the bother and tell me already."

"No. Kezia would kill me. I can't tell you." She replies determinedly, and the way she says it sounds almost like she's trying to convince herself, not me. "There is one thing Hades told me to say, though."

Well, that's new.

"Really?" I stare at her incredulously, successfully distracted from extracting the secret from her. "What?"