Hades

|End|

•CHAPTER FIFTY•

Shock runs through me.

He's alive.

The annoying, disagreeing voice in the back of my head finally goes completely silent, it's sound a distant, drifting echo.

Ares darts out of the room, his quickening footsteps heard down the hall.

I follow after him, being stopped by the servant.

She glances up nervously, "I-I'm uh, I.." she clears her throat, finding confidence as she straightens up. "I can't let you go. You're not allowed to get hurt or-or be damaged in any way, princess. N-now, I don't know why they don't have you guarded at all times b-but a lot of people are harmed around here and-"

I hold up my hand, stopping her rambling. "Darling, I don't belong here. I'm Queen of the Underworld, and the darkness you spoke of? That's my husband. Now, I'm going to need you to stop looking at me like I'm crazy or I'll have to take measures because you don't seem too trustworthy right now. Can I trust you?"

I take a deep breath, my patience beginning to run thin. I needed to get out there and see him, and have his arms wrapped around me. I needed to protect him at all costs, because the cost of losing him was stronger than the cost of losing everyone. As selfish, and ignorant that sounds. I cannot live without him.

She nods frantically, her eyes wide and innocent.

I take a moment to observe her, but keeping it quick.

"Okay. If anyone comes, tell them I escaped. Alright? I don't want you being blamed for anything."

She swallows, and I hear screaming in the halls.

My heart rate quickens and I think quickly.

"I'm sorry for this. Remember what I said." With that, my fist connects with her temple without using my full force.

She slumps to the ground and I grab her, lifting her onto the bed.

"Sorry," I whisper once more before darting out of the room, following the way Ares went.

I skid to a stop, hearing thumping footsteps coming my way.

Pressing myself against the wall, I hold my breath, biting my lip tightly as a group of men walk by. Fully clothed in battle wear paired with guns in holsters and knives.

My heart clenches in fear and sympathy.

All these men fighting, believing in their need to protect their wrongful King. Some will die, leaving families behind.

When they disappear around the corner, I wait a few beats before going in the opposite direction.

I keep my footsteps light and calculated, my head turning down every hall.

My heart skips a beat as I feel light thrumming, a deep hymn inside my body.

I race towards it, my wariness and self erasing itself from me.