Page 87 of Guided by the Stars
My control of the shadows was decent at that point, so I concealed myself and walked down the hall. I had kept some dirt in my pocket and used my abilities to fashion a key out of it to unlock the door. He sat in the corner with his arms wrapped around his knees and glared at me.
I set the tray of food down in the middle of the room, a small goblet of nectar in the center. “You haven’t eaten in days,” I said to him, but he didn’t move.
“Why the fuck would you even care?” he asked, his hands balled into fists like he was ready for a fight.
“Because I’ve been where you are,” I replied, but when I walked out of his room, someone grabbed me roughly by the neck. Hades loomed over me, disappointment seeping from every limb, and he threw me against the wall.
Jax bowed quickly, showing his hands were empty, but Hades didn’t care. It didn’t matter that he hadn’t touched the tray, what mattered was that I showed kindness to someone beneath me. I had to listen to his screams of pain while they punished him for my behavior. They brought him back to the room bloody and beaten, and I knew Hades was teaching me a lesson. Kindness was for the weak, and he would meet any act of defiance with swift consequences on whoever he wished.
I realize now that kindness is a strength and only the weak view it as anything less. But I was just a kid then, I didn’t know better. I never wanted to see someone hurt for my actions again, so I closed myself off. Affection and love weren’t for me. I only had myself to rely on or let down.
Jax didn’t care though, and from that day forward I had his trust. He didn’t care that I tried to push him away; he kept coming back. And if I’m honest, I don’t think I’d be alive without him.
But now he’s gone, just like she is. The only people I’ve ever opened my heart to left. Deep down I know they had to, death awaited them both if they stayed, and I’d gladly die to protect them.
I’m lost in thought as I approach the palace, not realizing there’s someone standing in the shadows, waiting for me to enter. Persephone leans against the wall, her black and red gown held up in one hand as she sees me.
“Darling!” she says, walking over to meet me.
I bow, hoping they haven’t noticed the two things that are missing: Adriane and the helmet.
Her icy hand touches my cheek and she motions for me to stand. “How upset I was when your father told me someone took his helmet. I was so close to grabbing the other silly girl and had to come home.”
She grabs the front of my shirt and pulls me closer, it takes everything in me not to fight back. But when she kisses my neck, I snap. I shove her away from me, trying to get some distance between myself and her disgusting lust.
“I can taste her on your skin, you know. I could smell it before you even walked through the door.”
“So? I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” I reply, careful to keep my face neutral.
She smiles knowingly and reaches up to run her hand through my hair. “A little birdy told me they saw you leave with the descendant, and yet you return empty-handed. Your father and I will have such fun hunting her down, but first we have to deal with you. I can’t wait to give you the present I made.”
The blood drains from my face, but I don’t react. Jax and Adriane need all the time I can give them, and if someone saw us leave, then they may already be doomed. She wraps a chain around my neck and pulls me to her garden, skipping as she goes.
I grab her hand and yank her back. If I’m going down, then I might as well put her in her place before I do. I shove her away from me, throwing my shadows at her and knocking the stupid tiara from her perfectly coiffed hair. Before I can do anything else her hellhounds surround me, closing in. I won’t be able to fight them all.
She steadies herself and tries to fix her hair before clapping her hands. The hellhounds back away and she approaches. “I hope that was worth it, darling. I thought nothing couldpierce that stony heart of yours, but I will so enjoy crushing her while you watch.” She yanks me by the hair to expose my neck and leans in to take a deep breath.
“Do your worst, Goddess of Spring and Queen of the Dead,” I say, resigned. I have nothing left to fight for. I’m alone, and if my last act will buy time for the people I care for, then it’s worth all the pain and suffering to come.
She kicks my legs out from under me and I fall to my knees as she tilts my head once more. Hades stands in the doorway with murder in his eyes and a scowl on his face. “Hello, Father. Enjoying a relaxing stroll tonight?” I ask with a smile, knowing it’ll rile him up.
They hoist my arms above my head and tear the shirt off my body. Persephone runs her icy hands down my back and I want to vomit at her touch. She made me an offer once, a trade of sorts. She’d do her best to reduce the amount of beatings I took if I shared her bed. I couldn’t say no fast enough and would gladly take more beatings if it meant she wouldn’t defile me this way.
Hades walks towards me as she shoves something nasty in my mouth. I’m forced to chew and swallow the clump of herbs. Something moves in my periphery as I glare at Hades, and it takes a few moments for my eyes to adjust. Hera stands in the garden, watching as the thickest vines I’ve ever seen grow around me.
Why is she here? Did she come alone? My mind whirls with unanswered questions, but I’m quickly distracted by unbearable pain. I’m bound to the vines with a new chain. It’s covered in sharp hooks that dig into my skin, burrowing in deep and latching on.
I’m punched with the force of one thousand fists and my body burns hot as the blows keep coming. Bright spots dancein my vision, but I don’t cry out. I won’t play into their sick fantasies.
“You chose the wrong side, boy,” Hades says, his voice deep and menacing. The next blow rocks me sideways and searing pain explodes from the hooks in my skin. I bite my tongue and the taste of copper fills my mouth.
Hera watches with a gleam in her eyes, arms interlocked with Persephone as though they were friends, but I never knew they were close. Through the pain, I watch them whisper before Hera leaves, and I hope Alexius could get Nora out and back to Adriane.
I spit the blood from my mouth at Hades’ feet, grinning at him as I watch it blemish his polished shoes. One last act of defiance, one last chance to provoke him into a rage like I’ve never seen before. Whatever I can do to buy them more time. Because even if it’s the last thing I do, at least I saved someone from this godforsaken place.
Hades comes closer, smirking, and unease runs through me. “You pathetic fool. I thought I had taught you better than this, boy. You and the descendant are too much alike. She didn’t scream either...at first.”
He leans in closer, but I still don’t understand his words. “After I whipped her, though, her screams were music to my ears. The pitiful sound of her voice begging me to stop plays on repeat in my head. She looks beautiful with my tattoo, don’t you think?”
