Page 7 of Love and Death
Much to my surprise, though his expression remains unchanged, and he doesn’t so much as glance my way, his grip seems to loosen slightly at this. What little relief I get from this is short-lived, however, as Hades suddenly stops and turns to look back at us.
My stomach twists sickeningly beneath his gaze, though it shifts almost instantly to Cerberus.
“Continue on to the palace,” Hades commands. “Until my return, I am hereby reinstating you as the girl’s personal bodyguard.However, everything else remains unchanged about your current orders.”
My eyes widen at this. I didn’t know he’d been removed from the position. Could that be why his demeanor toward me has been so strange?
“You honor me, my lord,” Cerberus answers, straightening to his full height and nodding once. “But may I enquire as to where you are going?”
“It would appear I have business to deal with outside the city, but I shall return to see to Death and the girl before too long.”
“Outside the city? Should I not accompany you then?”
“No, this I must do alone,” the king says, absentmindedly tracing the deep V of his neckline. The dark silksbriefly part to reveal a long silver chain, glinting in the morning light … on the end of which hangs a strange key.
I have to stop myself from gasping at the sight. Could that be it … The key that we’ve been so desperate to find all this time?
My fingers itch to reach out and grab it, but of course, I do no such thing.
“Very well.”
“See to it that the mortal is dealt with properly in my absence,” Hades starts to turn away, but stops to add, “No manis to enter her room, aside from yourself, is that understood?”
“Yes, my king.”
The God of the Underworld eyes him for a moment before he waves one hand in the air, signaling for his men to make way, and sets off toward the city gates.
I can’t help but stare after him, a mixture of shock, disgust, and relief swirling within me. After everything that’s just happened. After everything that he’s done to me—takenfrom me—he chooses this moment to pawn me off on his lap dog so that he can deal with other business?
Of course, this only confirms my suspicions that all of this was never really about me. I know that I should be grateful to be rid of him, however temporary that may be, but still, it’s rage that now burns brightest within me.
Cerberus drags me stumbling backward even as I continue to glare at Hades’ retreating figure in disbelief, my mind struggling to accept how someone could be so cruel, despite everything I’ve experienced at the king’s own hands.
It is only once we step into one of the narrow lanes that knit the sprawling city together, and my line of sight is broken, that I am finally able to accept the small gift of time that I’ve just been granted.
This may be my only chance to come up with a plan ... though what sort of plan that might be, I do not yet know.
Unfortunately, as of this moment, escape is not an option.
Even if the city wasn’t literally crawling with the king’s men, and Hades was not the keeper of the key, Cerberus is far too strong and far too fast for me to escape him.
No, as much as I may want to, I cannot act. Not before I have a means of escape, and even then, not until I find out what has become of my father’s soul and ensure his safety … not to mention that of Death’s body, and Eros.
Eros.
I blink; my racing mind briefly stunned into silence.
How have I not spared more than a fleeting thought for him since last I saw him?
Shame burns my cheeks as I recall the way Hades had threatened to inflict greater punishment upon Eros for Anteros’ continued disobedience. It’s only now that I realize just how perfectly cruel his threat was.
Of course, it only makes sense to threaten the God of Love with not his own torture, but the torture of one he holds most dear.
And yet, Anteros had not backed down.
Frowning, my imagination springs to life as I realize there may be more to their interaction than meets theeye. Could it be possible that Eros escaped, thus rendering Hades’ threats empty?
That would certainly explain Anteros’ blatant disregard for them.
