Ella's point of view 

The light morning sun rays danced on top of my skin. I watched in amazement, through half-shut sleepy eyes, as the rays fluttered through the slight break in the thick, dark curtains. 

The air around me was cold compared to my warm body, the heat of the room seemed to have increased compared to the first night I stayed here. 

As I dozed, slipping in and out of consciousness, my eyes caught sight of the male clothes hanging on a chair I did not remember having in my room. Slowly I realized that in fact, this was not my room, to begin with. 

The walls were too dark and the bed far too large compared to before. The heavy arm slung casually across my waist suddenly came to my attention and I stilled, only now realizing I was not alone. 

I could feel the person behind me was still asleep, his chest rose and fell steadily, but softly, against my back which was pressed onto him. 

I carefully lifted the hand and turned around. There before me lay Hades, perfectly still and asleep. His soft black curls looked wild as he slept with his mouth still half-open. 

I could not help but smile at him, he seemed so strong and rugged at times, but now as he slept before me he seemed calm and gentle. 

Two words I don't think have ever been used to describe the god before me. To others, he was their king. 

The king of the underworld, the king of everything that was believed to be dark and twisted. I thought of what others thought of him. The power he held scared them, the gods had believed for centuries that they were above nature. Above every mortal, but the thought of being just as weak as those they deemed below them, scared the gods. 

They sat on their mountain living the life they had so easily been given, while Hades sat in the underworld drowning in the dark flames. 

They enveloped him, covered his soul, and tainted his mind. They told him untruths of his being and took control of his soul when no one was watching. 

Yet, to me, these stories did not scare me. The death and bloodshed did not push me away but instead pulled me in. The dancing flames beckoned for me, called me to join them in a slow dance they had carefully choreographed.  

My entire being ached for his, to be with him, for the rest of time. Deep down I wondered how that could be? 

Was it possible to be his for eternity? Certainly not. The gods on the mountain had not blessed me enough for that to happen. 

To me, he was simply Hades, the man that had stolen my heart before I had even noticed. He was the one I craved to be with. To me, he was not just a god or a king to the people of the underworld, he was everything I would ever need.  

I glanced again towards the man next to me, his eyes still peacefully shut. I wondered what he was dreaming about, I wondered if he dreamed at all. I carefully pulled myself closer to him, snuggling into the warmth his body provided. 

His scent engulfed me, filled my senses, and muddled my thoughts. His strong arms wrapped tighter around my waist and his head nudged my neck slightly. 

I looked up again and saw that now his eyes were open and were gazing down at me. In the soft morning rays of sunlight, he looked at me in a way no one had ever done before. His gaze was soft and warm, drowsiness still plagued him and I could not help but see the happiness flutter within his eyes. 

He looked at me with such longing and love that I wondered if anyone has ever looked at him that way. 

"Good morning my sweet," He whispered, his lips now brushing slowly across my neck. 

I heard the soft sound of him inhaling and the flutter of his eyelashes against my neck. He rested peacefully against me, the worry of war and the future long forgotten in his deep blue eyes. 

I breathed out. My heart fluttered wildly in my chest, I could not help but feel a wave of peace at this moment. 

"Good morning Hades," I whispered back. My hands subconsciously making their way up to his back and into the tangle of dark curls on his head. 

I trailed my fingers through his locks, gently weaving my way through the wild curls. Hoping that time would stop for just a second and I could stay within his embrace. 

I knew that no matter how hard I tried, time would not stop. The clock would keep on moving, their long hands taunting me from afar, reminding me that my time here was short but Hades; he would be here forever. 

"What are you thinking about?" He asked, his eyes watching me carefully. 

"Time," I whispered nonchalantly. 

"What do you mean?" Hades questioned. 

"You're going to stay young down here for eternity while I get old and grey," I answered. 

He pulled me closer towards him again, "Do not worry about such things my love." 

I suppose he was right; there was nothing my worries could do to fix anything. I nodded my head and Hades smiled softly down at me. 

"Care to explain why you decided to come to my room last night?" He asked, with a wicked grin plastered on his face. 

"I missed you," I admitted. A hot blush spread like a wildfire across my cheeks and I could not help but be embarrassed at my confession. 

"Stay," He said. 

"I'm sorry, what do you mean?" I looked at him, confusion evident in my eyes. 

"Stay here; in my room with me." 

"Could I really stay?" I asked hesitantly. 

"Of course, I can ask one of the staff in the palace to move your things here later," Hades said. 

I nodded my head, not entirely sure what to say to him. The thought of sharing a room with Hades seemed exciting. 

There was something about him that was different from anyone I had ever met in my life before. He was dark and full of a pain I had never witnessed before, yet, he set alight a fire in me that had burned since the day I met him. 

It was a fire of leaping flames, they hummed his name as they danced their way through me. They did not speak of the things he did but whispered his name into my ears. I wonder if this was the prophecy? 

Was this what I was meant to become? I still did not understand how I would save him, but a part of me knew I would. It was the part of myself that was locked away; hidden deep in the back of my soul. 

The part that wished for more, wished for adventure and freedom. It was the part of me that leaped at the flames, wanting eagerly to dance with them. 

The darkness of the black flames did not share this part of me, it enthralled me, beckoned me out of the corner I had buried myself into. I had done everything right in my life; I had gone the safe route and got a stable job. 

However, in the depths of the underworld, none of that mattered. The darkness was too tempting, the restraints I had were slowly giving way and I wondered how it would feel to give in. To let me go and follow the flames to wherever they call me. 

I desperately wanted to do just that and I knew that it was just a matter of time before my will power would run out and I would give in. I smiled at the thought of losing control, I wanted to dance with the thorns on the rose. 

I thought of him, then I thought of me and somehow the two could not be thought of separately.

I stole one more glance at the god before me. His eyes were absent-mindedly shut.

His arms wrapped tightly around me wishing me not to leave; so I did not.

The days lulled by peacefully. Being with Hades was like listening to your favorite song again and being reminded of why you love it.

I was a permanent resident in Hades' room now. The wardrobe was filled with clothes that had been bought for me from some unbeknownst place.

A week passed and it was the evening before our departure back to earth.

We sat together in the library. The fire flickered softly in the background and we had chosen to have dinner here tonight.

We sat together on large cushions placed before the fireplace, wrapped up in thick wooly blankets.

"Do you miss Earth?" Hades asked. His tender fingers stroked a winding path up and down my arm.

It was hard to focus when he was so near; a breath away.

"No," I answered truthfully.

My answer startled both him and me. I always thought that I would hate it done here, in the depths of the underworld. Yet, there was a peace here that I had never found anywhere else.

"I always thought you would hate it down here," He spoke.

"I suppose I thought the same before I arrived."

"What changed your mind?" He wondered.

"Everything. It was you, this castle, the lands," I answered.

"There is something here that is different to earth, I feel calm and needed. It is almost as if I am drawn here," I continued.

"I never expected you to feel this way," Hades said.

I smiled softly up at him and kissed his lips gently.

"Are you ready for the next few days?" I asked.

"Ready to meet your family? Certainly not," Hades replied.

I smiled, he did not understand how great he was.

"You will be amazing, they will love you," I replied earnestly.

He nodded his head and pecked my lips gently.

I thought of our room. Our suitcases stood absent-mindedly next to the door, waiting for tomorrow to come.

We had to leave at seven to reach the lake by late after. We would simply teleport near the lake and take a pre-arranged car to the lake. The only problem was the time difference.

In the underworld, it will be seven in the morning, but at the lake, it will be about five in the evening.

I had told my mother to expect us at this time, my excuse for arriving later was that the only available flights were later.

I had told her of Hades and she had told my sister, who had told my father. They had messaged me profusely over the last few days, begging for information on the mysterious man I was bringing.

I simply told them his name and left the rest up to their imagination. Hades looked at me warmly, a look that no matter how many times he gave it to me I would never get used to. 

His strong facial features glowed in the dying embers of the fire before us. My eyes followed a small scar that tainted his otherwise clear skin. It ran along his jaw smoothly, barely visible to the untrained eye. 

I, however, was not untrained. I had spent plentiful hours taking in his beauty. He was everything I had imagined a god to be like. Strong and powerful, beautiful and effortless. 

Greek art simply did not compare to his beauty. I thought about scouring the underworld in search of the ancient artist who depicted him. I would ask him if he had ever seen Hades before he constructed his masterpiece or if he had simply created him out of some deeply locked cavern in his head. 

His work shone dimly compared to the god before me. Hades was tall and intimidating, he was like no one I had ever met before. 

I wondered what my family would think of him. Would my sister and mother be shocked that I had managed to interest someone as unearthly as him? I do not care what they think, Hades is the only man I want to be with, for eternity and beyond, and their opinions were not going to change that. 

The night grew darker and colder, Hades and I drifted on upstairs. Hand in hand, talking about the events of today and the adventures of tomorrow. 

We fell into a peaceful slumber, his arms around me and my head against his chest. I awoke the next morning to a single pallid sun-ray peaking into the room. The floor was cold this freezing winter morning, I tried to be quiet as I made my way to the wardrobe. I grabbed some jeans, a sweater, boots, a warm coat, and I got dressed. 

Hades grew restless, sensing me no longer being asleep. His eyebrows grew furrowed when he reached out to me but I was not there. He shot up quickly, his eyes scanning the room for me, anxiety plagued his face. 

His features relaxed as he saw me standing by the wardrobe doors, watching him.

"Good morning my sweet," He said, a yawn escaping his mouth. 

"Good morning Hades," I replied with a smile. 

"You scared me," He said honestly a deep frown settling on his face. 

"I didn't mean to," I answered honestly. 

"I know you didn't mean to." 

He glanced towards the clock on the bedside table, before springing out of bed. 

"Why didn't you tell me how late it was?" Hades half screamed as he stumbled around the room trying to reach the wardrobe to get dressed. 

I laughed at his silly antics but let him be as he got dressed. I went downstairs and collected breakfast: omelets, toast, coffee, and fresh fruit. 

By the time I got back with our food, Hades was done getting dressed. He wore a casual pair of blue jeans, a red sweater, and a black coat. 

We ate breakfast together, before grabbing our luggage and heading downstairs. We reached the large doors to the castle and a castle worker came and took our luggage for us. Our bags were placed inside the car and we were driven off to the portal. 

Once we reached the gates of the underworld we got out and took our luggage with us. Hades and Jason spoke together quickly before we departed. 

I had learned in the last week that Jason was in control of the gateway and spent a lot of his time here running it correctly. 

The trip back to Earth was quick and easy, the gateway did not scare me like it did the first time I used it. 

By the time we reached Earth it was late afternoon, the car Hades had prepared was waiting for us when we arrived. Hades loaded our stuff and we set off. 

"Are you excited to see your family again?" Hades asked, glancing towards me as we drove towards the lake. 

"Yes, I haven't seen them in a while but I don't want the fuss of my love life ruining the holiday," I said. 

Hades laughed at this, "What's so funny?" I asked. 

"I am sure now that we are together they will not intrude," He said. 

It was my turn to laugh now and his to ask what was so funny. 

"The fact that I am with you will do nothing but increase the questions they have for me." 

"Oh, I see," Hades answered. 

His hand reached out for mine, grasping it tightly. For the rest of the car ride we listened to music and spoke to each other. 

The sun was nearly setting when we reached the lake. We pulled up outside of the lakeside cabin and as soon as the engine shut off I watched the front door burst open. 

"Great, the chaos is already starting," I told Hades. 

I watched as my mother and sister strode briskly down the front stairs, my father and brother-in-law trailing on behind them. 

I was the first to emerge from the car and I was grateful for it. The car windows were tinted, so thankfully they could not see Hades just yet. 

"Ella, oh how I missed you," My mother said while pulling me and my sister into a hug," now, where is this mysterious boy you have brought to meet us?" 

I ignored her question, instead saying hello to my father. 

"You can't keep him in the shadows forever Ella, where is he?" My sister asked. 

Suddenly I heard the drivers seat door open and out stepped Hades in all of his shining glory. He towered over me and my family, the aura he let out was powerful but not enough to scare any of them away. Just enough to gain their attention. 

I knew that this was nothing but a smidge of the powerful aura he possessed. I turned to him, a huge smile on my face. He reached my side in a few large stride, his arm snaked its way around my waist, pulling me closer to his side. 

"It is so nice to finally meet you all, Ella has told me so much about you," Hades said. 

His voice was smooth like silk, everything he did was effortless and in this moment effortless was exactly what I needed.

There was a silence that fell between us all, my family stared up at him then back down at me. Their eyes flickered between us for a few seconds, with absolute shock plastered on their faces. 

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Hey loves, sorry for such a long wait for this chapter. I decided to take a break during the holiday season to spend that time with my family! This chapter is 3002 words! I hope you all enjoyed it, if you did feel free to leave a vote or a comment. 

sending you all lots of love and healing, 

-s