Queen Of Hell & Paradise (Immortal gods: Book 1)

Chapter 6- You Need to Go Back Pt. 2

Samantha

"Hecate."

Thanatos' voice is so chilly and dangerously low, it strikes fear in my heart. The woman in question stands straighter, daring him to do something. The dagger in her hands glints under the lights of the throne room as she shifts her position into a defensive one, further challenging him. 

He glances at me quickly before settling his icy stare on the witch between us. 

"You've much intrepidity to speak in such way to your superior. Have you no respect? You are lucky it is I who has interrupted and not Hades." 

His eyes turning a scary shade of red as they bore into her.

"This mortal is not my queen," she seethes.

"The Fates have determined otherwise."

"The Fates? Ha! Do not mock me, Thanatos," she says, turning creepy again, "The Moirai only exist to make fools out of us. They thrive on the suffering of others for their own iniquitous purposes!"

Thanatos takes a step back indignantly. 

"How can you say such things, Hecate? Have you gone mad?"

He fists his hands at his sides. 

"On the contrary! I am very much cognizant-- I regard everything with clarity. The Fates have chosen a mortal as queen of the Underworld, and have ridiculed the gods in doing so!"

Thanatos shakes his head, glaring at Hecate one more time before approaching me. 

"I've no time to make you see sense. I believe it best you exit the chamber."

He bumps her shoulder with his, and though she remains stiff, she relents nevertheless. 

"Mark my words, Thanatos. Bringing a mortal into our realm and electing her ruler will only bring chaos."

 The padding of her shoes against the marble floors echoes in the empty throne room. After she's left, he turns to me, eyes are closed, concern still shadowing his features. 

"My most sincere apologies, queen Samantha. Are you alright? Are you injured?" 

 I shake my head, unable to formulate any words. At my lack of response, Thanatos furrows his brows. 

"My queen?" he asks hesitantly. 

"I'm fine," I answer, looking down to my hands in disbelief. His closed eyes follow my gaze to my palms. They seem unaffected, as if the events that just transpired were all straight out of a nightmare. In the silence that ensues, they're all that hang balanced in the air. 

"You must return," he whispers after a while, "You are not safe here."

I don't reply, but I feel disappointment fill me at his words. I was looking forward to working something out with Hades, I haven't even had the chance to think about my options. 

"How long until sundown?" I ask, walking over to the nearest window. I feel my heart drop when I look outside and all I see is darkness. 

The council members will be here any minute now... 

I settle my eyes on the somber clouds in the sky, feeling Thanatos take note of my worry beside me, wondering how he can even tell since his eyes are closed.

"Sundown is the coming of full darkness upon the skies of the Underworld," he explains, opening his eyes and looking out the window as well, "There is no physical sun in Hades. You still have time, my queen."