𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒

42. 𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵

𝖂aiting was the hardest part. Being patient takes a lot of strength in the mind, and practicing self-restraint allows time to heal.

It was just a matter of waiting.

And so they did. Everyone squeezed inside Audrey's dorm room, scattered all over, quietly waiting for any update on Audrey's condition. Some stood in place, eyes straying from stressed faces, avoiding looking at Audrey's figure on the bed. A few found a spot to sit, bodies turned and keeping to themselves. It was deathly silent in Audrey's room, as if they were afraid to speak, but it was too stressful for anyone to bother talking.

They'd been sitting in Audrey's room for what felt like hours, and nothing seemed to be working. It's like the scepter reversed the spell against Audrey, lulling her into a wakeless slumber, but this time, there wasn't a True Love's Kiss that could wake her up. Audrey was slipping away the longer she slept, with no one to save her as her father saved her mother.

Rilynn peered up from the pink couch at the sound of Ben's shoes clicking, unable to sit around like everyone else; Ben was never the type to sit still when he's stressed. Ben needs to move around to keep his mind off of the situations at hand, needing to have a clear mind as King.

It was hard to understand what was happening to Audrey; all Rilynn knew was that after Mal stopped Audrey, it was like the scepter backfired, spelling her in return for not succeeding. Rilynn knew Audrey never liked her, and they never got along as she hoped, but Rilynn does hope Audrey gets better. But what if she doesn't?

Rilynn willed the thought away, refusing to think negatively.

"She's slipping away," Evie's gentle voice finally broke the silence. Her fingers grazed Audrey's cheek, and she wondered if the princess would ever wake up, but it was hopeless.

What are they going to do if Audrey doesn't ever wake up? Would Fairy Godmother use her wand and cast a spell that could break the scepter's spell? It was possible, right? Fairy Godmother's wand is one of the most powerful objects in the entire world, yet where was she in these dire needs?

"There's only one person in the world who might be able to do something about this," Mal flicked her eyes up toward Evie. Between their silent conversation, Evie sat straight in realization. Her face fell, and she knew where it was going. "And that's Hades."

Just the mere sound of his voice had sent shivers down Rilynn's spine.

His stories never went unspoken. They were never good ones, either. It was said that Hades thrived in the chaos of others and chose to sit back and watch as the world burned around him. Zeus had kicked Hades out of Olympus and into the dark world that Hades hated, then wound up on the Isle. Hades thrived in making deals with people who had no business making deals, double-crossing them, and taking their souls.

But Rilynn couldn't help but wonder: Why would Hades want to help them?

After all the villains had gone through, what made Mal think Hades would offer his assistance? One of the most powerful gods was locked behind a magical barrier, forbidden from ever using his powers, and put away by the very people who needed him. Yeah, that'll blow over nicely.

"Hades?" It took Ben a minute for the name to register, and once it did, he shot it down. "He wouldn't do it. I wouldn't risk it."

"Actually, he might do it for me," Mal ignored the subtle look from Evie, who looked at her almost concerned. It was a secret for a reason, and Evie knew this would've been Mal's last choice if there were no other options. "He's my father."