Hades

Macaria

Hades

Stella was wrapped around me when I woke. I was starting to fear she would disappear during the middle of the night. I wouldn't check up on her, because I would know if she was about to die.

I glanced up at the ceiling.

The sexual intimacy didn't help the craving I felt. I wanted more of her. Right now, I wanted her for eternity. I knew that was a long time, but I wanted it. Knowing I had to send her back to Earth felt like a punch to the gut. But I would do it. She had a life to live.

A soft knock was placed on the door.

"Hades, Macaria has arrived." Lucinda whispered.

Now? I gently slipped out from underneath Stella and got dressed. On a small piece of paper, I scrawled a hasty note, before I left the room, shutting the door carefully in my wake.

I went to the front door, where my beautiful daughter stood. Her white hair reached her waist, yet was pulled back with purple butterflies. Her eyes dark, her skin fair, she looked even more beautiful than Aphrodite.

"Hades!" she said, all smiles.

I pulled her to me.

She wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me close. "I've missed you."

"You know where you can find me." I said.

"Yeah," she said and looked back at my face. "You seem both calmer yet more troubled."

"I may have fallen in love with a mortal girl."

Macaria whistled. "Persephone's not going to be happy with that."

"I know," I said. "But she's only comatose so she'll be going back to the lived life soon enough."

Macaria smiled a sad smile. "You don't think that's a good thing, but I can understand your conflicted emotions."

I nodded. "Have you had a long travel? Lucinda has made breakfast in the kitchen."