Hades

|Confess|

•CHAPTER THIRTEEN•

Taking a walk in the garden was refreshing, and I couldn't have been more excited to smell the 'fresh air.'

I hope it's fresh air.

"Miss,"

Startled, I whip around while simultaneously managing to knock over one of the intricate pots off of the stone decorated stand.

Without thinking, I lunge for the pot, catching it in time before it hit the ground.

Unfortunately, I didn't catch my footing, and tumbled to the ground.

"Ow! Fuck!" I hiss, setting the object of molded clay down before sitting up, rubbing my back.

Felix rushes over to me, latching onto my arm before helping me up.

"Are you alright?" He exclaims worriedly, his eyes running over my body for any apparent signs of damage.

I wave him off, glancing down at my now throbbing wrist. "I'll be fine. Thank you." I smile up at him. "Hey, where have you been? I've been having this guy," I thumb behind me, "As a guard."

He straightens his posture, crossing his arms behind him. "Nothing to worry about." He sends me a tight smile, nodding curtly.

I open my mouth to reply but I'm soon cut off as he walks away, speaking shortly to the other man. He nods, taking his leave.

"Well that was easy. I should've just called you up to get rid of him for me," I joke, elbowing him in the side.

He just sends me a smile that looked more like a grimace before returning to his stoic expression. I frown.

"Felix? What's wrong? Why are you acting so..uptight now?" I stand in front of him, gauging his expression.

He sighs, "Please, Miss. Don't make this any harder than it has to be. I'm your guard. Here to keep you protected at all costs. Not to engage in conversation."

I tilt my head to the side, staring at him incredulously. Is this the guy that was laughing and joking around with me that day? What happened?

Realization dawns on me and I feel my cheeks warm with irritation.

Hades.

Granted, I didn't have to say how Felix made me laugh, smile and everything else I told Hades. But he didn't have to do whatever he did to Felix.

Guilt overwhelms me and I place a hand on Felix's bicep, the easiest thing to reach that was appropriate..

"I'm sorry, Felix. Whatever happened to you was completely my fault. I..I said some things to Hades to make him angry. I didn't have to bring you into this, and I apologize. I will talk to him."

He tenses, staring at me intently with an unreadable look. "It's not your fault. It's mine. I acted unprofessionally and therefore, I received what I deserved." He voices gruffly, sending me another nod before staring dead straight in front of him.

Oh, no. I was not going to be stuck with another stoic, stick-in-the-ass guard for however long again.

With determination, I begin striding to the entrance of the castle, pushing the doors open. I hear no footsteps behind me, but I knew Felix was following.