Page 95 of Going to Hell
“Show me your bed,” I said to Zotera.
When I glanced over my shoulder, Hades was still there, watching me follow Zotera. The pain in his gaze cut through to my soul before he blinked and the pain was gone.
With a nod, he turned on his heel and left.
“Isn’t it lovely?” Zotera asked, drawing my attention.
She stood beside a monstrosity of twisted and thorned vines. They wove together, forming a ball with a small, spike filled opening. Inside the nest of thorns, I saw a torn white blanket dotted with blood.
“It was a very painful rest. Was yours?” she asked, her tone still chipper.
I couldn’t have pitied her more than I did in that moment.
“My night was very restful, Zotera. Your bed doesn’t look comfortable. Would you be willing to make some changes?”
She nodded, her expression falling just a little as I started to describe what I wanted for her. With each incremental change, a bed fit for a princess emerged. The soft linens flowed over a well-stuffed mattress, and the thick bed hangings would keep out the torchlight and any drafts.
“Give it a try,” I encouraged.
She gingerly sat on the edge of the bed then lowered herself down.
“It is far too comfortable, Mother. Perhaps we could add hidden thorns in the mattress?”
“What if you try to sleep on it like it is tonight, and we’ll see how you feel about it tomorrow?”
With a sigh, she reluctantly agreed. “I’m sure I will love it very much and changing it tomorrow will be twice as painful.”
Like Hades, she thought I was teasing her with things she wanted so I could take them away later. My heart hurt for her, and I reached out to give her shoulder a comforting squeeze. She jumped at the contact, and I released her.
“Let’s focus on the rest of the room. Since we’ve been spending so much time here, maybe we could create some sitting areas?”
We sacrificed a few torch holders for more comfortable seating. Now there were lounges, padded stools, and floor pillows. My stomach started to growl by the time we finished.
I was about to ask Zotera to make something for us to eat when I remembered the contract about food.
“I think I’m going to go check on things in the Hall of Records. Why don’t you surprise me with a carving of your choice? Think of something that a human would find pleasant, okay?”
Thoughtfully staring at the image of myself running in terror, she nodded as I walked away.
At the entrance, I peeked out and looked both ways. The hallway was clear, but it was a long stretch to the Hall of Records. Cautiously, I stepped out of the room and started my quiet powerwalk.
It felt good to move around and be somewhere other than a bedroom or the throne room. If I were honest with myself, I was getting a little stir crazy. I missed trees, which was silly. It wasn’t like the time I spent outside when I was back home could be called enjoyable. But I’d still had windows to look outside. Here, I had nothing, and it made me miss those quick moments when I raced from my car to the academy doors. Even though they were mere seconds, it was still time outside and fresh air. I missed that.
An unfamiliar voice cut through my thoughts.
“You? Impossible.”
I froze and almost looked up. Thankfully, I stopped, my gaze locking onto his chest.
“Hades!”
Panic ripped my protector’s name from my lips before I registered what I was staring at. Buttons. A row of them cascading down the front of a very modern button-down shirt.
My gaze jerked upward just as Hades appeared in front of me. His dark brown gaze locked with mine.
Without thinking, I grabbed his arm and tried leaning around him. There was no one there. The man was gone.
Hades turned to see who I was looking at.
