XVII

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Hades' point of view

My body swayed softly with Ella's, her small form pulled close in my embrace as we danced peacefully through the West Wing. 

My mind raced with what she had confessed. She loved me, despite who I am and what I represent - she loved me. 

I sighed peacefully as I watched her. She smiled timidly to herself as her gaze drifted across the expanse of the room. I had built the West Wing for her many years ago and had always longed to bring her here. 

I wished that time would stop and it would just be us two dancing through the garden I had made for her, our bodies moving to a soundless love song they both seemed to know. 

For the first time in my entire existence, I wondered if this was fate? Was it foolish of me to think that this woman in my arms was meant to be mine? Everything that had happened up to this point leads me to believe that maybe this was fate. 

Maybe her soul was destined for mine, and just maybe everything would work out. 

I desperately begged that this would be true, but I had no god to pray to. 

I stared down at her once more, trying desperately to distract my thoughts, and it worked. Her head laid on my chest and her arms fitted perfectly around my torso. 

"I want to show you something else," I said, breaking the silence that had fallen between us. 

"More?" She asked. 

"Come with me," I smiled. 

I took her hand in my mine and directed her towards the double oak doors at the other end of the room. I pulled them open easily and we walked out. 

The late morning sun began to warm up the land, but it didn't do much to suppress the howling winds. There would be a storm soon, maybe tomorrow or the day after that. 

We strode through the castle gardens and chatted about nonsense. 

We quickly reached the entrance to the castle and I lead her in, we turned many corridors and I knew that if she was alone she would get lost. 

I watched her eyes twinkle with curiosity as she glanced at the many portraits on the walls. Eventually, we reached her destination. 

I let go of her hand and faced her, "I want to show you this before breakfast." 

"What is it Hades?" She asked faintly. 

I smiled at her and pushed the doors open, gently nudging her inside. 

Her mouth dropped open as she stared at the scene before her. Her eyes were wide and I couldn't help but smile at her reaction. 

Her eyes roamed the large library, falling on the countless books I had filled it with for her. There was a warm fire humming in the corner near the large windows. Countless chairs and sofas were scattered across the room, ready for her use. 

The room was lit by the late morning rays of the sun and I hoped that she liked it. 

She hesitantly stepped towards the spiraling staircase that would take you up to the second floor. Her hands gently touched the wooden banister. 

"Oh Hades," she whispered, turning towards me with tears in her eyes, "It's beautiful." 

"My sweet, why are crying?" I  worriedly asked, stepping towards her slowly and wiping away the few tears that had escaped. 

"It's all too beautiful," she admitted, and I smiled at her happily. 

"While it is all yours, this room is out of bounds to everyone except you and me. It is your library Ella," I said. 

I had turned this room into a library not too long ago, it was another one of the things I had wished to show her if I ever got the chance. 

At the time I had thought it was foolish, selfish, and unrealistic. Her heart and soul are too pure for my tainted being. I had foolishly thought that maybe one day I would meet her. 

However, as time went on I had decided that it would be better to keep my distance and let her live her life, but by then the West Wing and the Library were already built and I could do nothing about their existence besides live with it. 

"Oh Hades," she said again, fresh tears spilling from her eyes, "Is this really mine?" 

"Of course it is my love," I said, gently stroking her cheek and pulling her into my embrace. 

"I've got a few things I need to sort out after breakfast, it shouldn't take too long, but I thought that maybe you could try to find a book to read while I am busy?" 

I had a meeting with Jason and a few other high ranking guards that were gathering information about Kronos. We are meeting to discuss how we should move forward from here. 

"Thank you Hades, this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me," She admitted. 

I looked down at her angelic face, she truly was a goddess. Her long, dark eyelashes framed her eyes and I couldn't help but stare at her plump lips. 

Without hesitation, I dipped down and brought her lips to mine in a soft and delicate kiss. I poured out my emotions to her and hoped that she could feel a fraction of the love that I felt for her. 

She responded to the kiss immediately, her lips moving softly against mine. After a few minutes, we pulled apart. Our chests rising and falling while we stared into each other's eyes.  

I couldn't believe that she was mine. Mine to love, mine to cherish, mine to look after for the rest of eternity. It was in moments like these that I remembered the prophecy. 

I remembered who she was and what important role she played in not only my world but the world of everyone else. 

Jason and I were the only ones that knew the truth of her powers and I wondered what the gods would think when they realized that their entire existence rode on the shoulders of the woman before me. 

I didn't doubt her power and capabilities, but I couldn't help but laugh at the thought of the immortal gods realizing that their lives were just as fragile as the humans they dispised.   

I pulled her closer, snuggling my head into the crook of her neck. She is much shorter than I am, but I didn't mind bending down to her height. 

Eventually, we pulled apart, my heart, however, was still drumming along inside of my chest, not showing any sign of slowing down soon. 

"You must be hungry my love, let's go eat," I said to her, gently taking her hand and pulling her out of the library. 

"What is for breakfast?" Ella asked, I watched as her eyes roamed the large passageway we walked in. Portraits of gods lined the walls and my old battle shields were displayed throughout the castle, her eyes lingered on each weapon and shield. 

"Hmm, I think today is omelets or perhaps croissants? I am not exactly sure," I admitted. 

"They both sound delicious," Ella replied. 

We reached the dining room quickly, I pulled open the doors and noticed the large selection of pastries and fresh fruit that lined the large table. I lead Ella towards her chair, making sure it was close next to mine. 

We sat down and one of the staff walked in carrying a large pot of steaming tea. She glanced warily at me before her eyes settled on Ella. Her face was plastered with shock, but she didn't question her king. 

She left quickly and Ella spoke up softly, "I guess you were wrong about the omelets," she stated while picking up a cherry danish. 

"I guess I was," I replied with a laugh. Ella giggled at this and I couldn't help but love the sound. 

We both filled our plates with pastries and fresh berries and began eating. 

I occasionally stole glances at Ella, but she was too engrossed in her food to notice. I smiled to myself, she really did enjoy her food. 

"Hades, do you think the war will be soon?" 

I was so deep in thought that I almost missed her hushed voice. Her question stunned me. 

"I don't know yet," I admitted, tugging at my hair slightly in annoyance, "that is one of the things that will be discussed in the meeting today." 

"What is the meeting about?" She asked. 

"I sent some of my best warriors out to keep surveillance on Kronos, they return today and I am hoping they will have some good intel and we can have an idea of what we are dealing with," I replied. 

The meeting was important, I needed to know what my father was planning otherwise I was going into a war blind. I couldn't risk that, maybe before Ella was in the picture I would have been so foolish. 

My younger, more reckless self suddenly flashed into my mind. I remember how I used to let the darkness drive me to near-complete insanity. How, no matter how much I wished things were different, I had enjoyed the feeling. 

The feeling of losing yourself to the darkest depths of the world, letting the flames consume and control me. I remember how it was in those moments of complete darkness I had felt most alive. I was no longer alone in a world where no one understood me because the flames understood. They knew the pain I felt and they took it away. 

It was a selfish thing to do, letting the darkness take control, but I have always been a selfish god. I had done that with my love, I had been selfish enough to bring her into my world because I loved her. 

My selfishness angered me and slowly, almost going unnoticed, the flames crept up around me. Threatening and begging to take control. 

I hadn't noticed them, too consumed in my anger, until a small figure suddenly sat down on my lap. 

I looked down and saw Ella sitting on my lap, her arms wrapped tightly around my torso, rubbing my back in a continuous fluid motion. 

"It is okay Hades, come back to me now," She whispered into my ear. 

It was at that moment that I noticed the black flickering flames, they danced around us and licked at Ella's skin. I willed them to go away and they did.

The control she gave me was something I would never understand. I knew at that moment that the prophecy was correct, she was the only thing that would keep me from giving complete control to the power I dreaded. 

She didn't seem bothered by the sight of them and that surprised me slightly. Everyone that had ever seen them had cowered away in fear, but not her. She seemed unbothered by them and that made my heart happy. 

I listened to her heartbeat as her hold on me never ceased and her hands never once stopping their wave-like movement on my back. 

I pecked her forehead softly, "Thank you," I whispered knowing that she heard. 

She smiled up at me before gently rising off of my lap. I wanted to pull her back and ask her to stay but I knew that I had a meeting to get to. 

Sighing, I got up and took her hand in mine. She pecked my lips and gripped my hand tightly in an understanding of what just happened. She knew that the war worried me and she knew how my father angered me. 

I walked her back to the library and promised her that I would be back after lunch. She simply nodded her head and shooed me away, telling me that I was going to be late. 

I laughed at her antics, I was already twenty-minutes late but I didn't dare tell her that. 

I watched as she picked out a book and wrapped herself warmly up in a blanket. She sat on a window seat near the warm fire. The glow of the red embers illuminated her face and I stared in awe at her beauty. 

Her warm brown hair shined softly in the light and her skin glowed in the otherwise dull room. I had realized that everything was dull unless she was around. 

The world I lived in will forever be changed by her ethereal nature and beauty. 

................................................

Hello loves, 

Another chapter is done and we are drawing closer and closer to the impending war. Any guesses on how it will end? 

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, if you did I am so glad. 

Thank you for all of the love and support that every one of you shows me.

Stay safe and happy, 

lots of love, 

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