Hades

|Secrets|

•CHAPTER EIGHTEEN•

Blowing out a breath, I take my tenth lap around the room.

Hades gave orders to not let me leave the room under any circumstances...again. And for whatever reason, he was keeping information from me.

Lately he's been secretive, sneaking out before sunrise and coming back to bed later than usual. I had a strong feeling that his trips had something to do with his brothers visit. The interactions between them and what went down is something he's keeping from me too.

Opening the bedroom door, I glance up at the two new guards assigned to me. One was burly, with brown hair and green eyes while the other was skinny but tall with silver/blue eyes and gray hair. I swear, everyone in this kingdom was handsome or beautiful.

Turning towards the gray haired one, I smile kindly. "Ezio, is it?"

He nods, giving me a warm smile.

"I'm due for a visit to Uyate. He's been waiting for me since forever. Would you two kind men mind taking me down for my weekly consultation?"

Ezio glances up at the other guard before looking back down at me. "I do not think that is wise, Queen. King Hades gave us strict orders to keep you confined-"

"In the room, yes. But you see, it's about lady issues. And he's the one known for knowing all," I fake a sniffle, averting my gaze to my shoes, "I just need to see him. He's like a father, you know? Since mine isn't here and all." I sob dramatically, holding my hand to my heart, "Hades wouldn't deny me that, would he?"

Ezio's eyes widen and he stands up straighter, suddenly looking uncomfortable. "N-no? Of course not...I-I don't think."

I whirl around, gazing up at the other guard, "Flavian, he wouldn't deny me that?" I widen my eyes for extra effect.

He clears his throat, "Let's find out, shall we?"

Aw shit.

"Flavian, Ezio. You can go." Relief floods through me and I sneak a smile over my shoulder at Felix. He narrows his eyes at me for a quick second before looking back at the two men.

A minute passes by and they're both standing there, hesitant to leave.

Felix raises an eyebrow, "Did I not speak?"

Flavian takes ahold of Ezio's shoulder and they walk away slowly, chatting about a feast happening this afternoon.

"What are you doing?"

I glance back at Felix, both brows raised. "What?"

He chuckles, sauntering over to me. "Don't act like I didn't just see what you tried to do there. If you wanted to escape, all you had to do was call me."

I shrug, crossing my arms in front of me. "Hades said you were out doing business. I didn't want to know what that entailed."

He crosses his arms and shrugs, "Not much. Blood here..blood there. Not that big of a deal."

I rear my head back, giving him an incredulous look. "Not that big....I have to remember I'm now in the Underworld where ponies and rainbows don't exist." I face palm, walking around Felix.

A confused look forms on his face, "Ponies don't exist anywhere."

I shake my head in mock pity, "Let's go. I'm going to visit Uyate and then we're going to leave this damn place. I'm getting sick just looking at the same walls."

Felix catches up to me, walking beside me. "We can't go anywhere. I mean while you're with me you can leave the room because I'm just awesome. But Hades will cut off my dingleberries and feed them to Cerberus if I let you leave the castle."

Let me?

I scoff, "I don't know about you but some man comes to me, says I can't leave the room without telling me why? Hell yeah I'm leaving the room. I'm not going to stay in there and stress myself out over the same things over and over again. I need air. And that means leaving the castle."

I open the library doors, looking around for the silver haired man.

"Uyate?" My voice echoes in the tall room.

"Ah, my dear Samira."

I whirl around quickly, nearly giving myself whiplash.

Uyate stands there, his silver hair that is usually combed back neatly now disheveled. His entire presence screams exhaustion as he uses the chair handle for support.

"Woah, dude." I rush towards him, helping him take a seat. He grunts, moving slowly as if his bones were broken all over his body.

"What..what happened? Are you hurt?" I take a seat next to him, staring at him worriedly.

He waves me off, "Just old age, my dear. Is there something you need?"

I glance up at Felix to see him already staring at Uyate with narrowed eyes.

His eyes flicker up to me and I furrow my eyebrows at him.

"No, there's nothing I need. Are you alright, though? You seem..drained."

"I'm just tired my dear. I haven't been receiving my youth juice lately," He jokes, patting my knee. "Is this all you came here for? To check up on this old man?"

I lay a hand on his shoulder, "You get better. I don't know what I could give..but if you need something.. anything...just let me know."

He smiles, and for the first time since we've spoken I see his eyes light up. "You truly are kind, Samira. You will be a great Queen. You will lead these people into something better than blood and gore."

I tilt my head, "What do you mean, Uyate?"

Felix clears his throat, walking over to us. "Excuse me. Samira, I think we should allow him rest for now."

I nod in agreement, "I'll try to come by again. Rest up." I pat his shoulder gently before standing and letting Felix guide me out the room.

He closes the doors behind him and I turn to him. "What was that about?"

He feigns surprise. "Whatever do you mean?"

I narrow my eyes at him, poking his chest. "I saw the look you were giving him. Why?"

He grabs my wrist, "Stop that."

"Then tell me."

He releases my wrist, running his hand through his hair. "Look..he just seemed different. He's a man who is cursed to the library. A damn library. And he has to be there whenever someone needs him. His knowledge. That seems miserable but he never acted as if it was. He acted grateful. But now..he seems tired. Drained and sick. It just makes me wonder."

My heart drops to the pit of my stomach as thoughts race through my head.  Hades protected him because anyone could use his knowledge. And his curse was to answer and supply it of someone needed him to.

It couldn't be..

No. He would tell us. His curse wasn't to keep anyone confidential.

Right?