by K. C. Hamby
I take a deep breath and my shoulders release their tension.
“Thank you,” I murmur and lean my forehead against Nina’s with my eyes closed.
“Always.”
Chapter 36
Ash
“You okay, Fal Pal?” I ask, not crowding her until she’s fine again.
She swallows hard and pulls her head away from Nina’s.
“Yeah. I’m okay now.”
“That’s a lass.” Eddie pulls my hand, and we head back down the stairs.
When I get to Fal, I stop. “Can I hug you?”
She stands and nods, eyes watering. I wrap her up in my arms and she returns the embrace with shaking hands around my waist.
“You’re strong, Fal Pal. Remember that. I know you’re going to be okay.”
She nods into my chest, forehead rolling over my shirt in a way I vaguely remember from our childhood before Mom died and I would console her if she got hurt. Before I can bring up the foggy memories, she pulls away.
Honestly, I’m surprised she let me hug her at all. She must be struggling. And it’s left me with a hint of nostalgia almost too small to touch.
“Okay, let’s go,” Fal commands, sliding power into her words in that way I’ve grown use to so her voice doesn’t break. Without a second to consider her own resolve, she marches down the stairs with Nina’s hand clasped firmly in hers.
With a glance to Eddie who returns my look with a worried shrug, we follow closely behind, air tinting darker and darker red until it is nearly the thickness of blood.
When we finally make it to the bottom of the steps and walk into the fiery pits of hell, Persephone, goddess of Spring and Queen of the Underworld, is waiting in all her haughty glory. Her eyes are gray, nearly white, and glowing from the light of the crown of flames around the black-haired bun on her head. Her dark skin is perfect and smooth in the Grecian style black dress. Not one jewel anoints her, odd for a queen in my opinion.
“My my,” she rolls, lips sensuously punctuating the sarcasm somehow sewn into one little repeated word.
It’s both nice and terrible to my senses.
“It has been a while since I have seen you all.” She glances over us all in one swift roll of her eyes. “Wolf, Nina, Erinys, and Boy.”
I guess I’m Boy.
“What brings you to my kingdom once more?”
“I’m going to go through the Burning,” Fal grumbles in the growing silence threatening to squash us all.
Persephone’s mouth briefly turns down into a frown of sympathy.
“Don’t give me that look,” Fal snarls and crosses her arms over her chest, giving her best shitty sneer.
With all the things Fal kicks ass at, she could win a gold medal in giving soul-shredding, eat-shit glares. They are always condescending, wrath-inducing, and absurdly impressive at the same time.
Persephone doesn’t even acknowledge Fal. Probably for the best, really. “You will need to come to the dais of the Burned in front of the castle, Wolf,” is how she replies with those cold eyes locked on my sister.
Fal doesn’t flinch at the contempt and challenge in the goddess’ stare, so I do it for her.
I am man enough to admit Persephone scares me.
“How are we all going to fit in the boat of death?” Fal asks, looking to the small, wooden rowboat somehow not burning as it stays bobbing in the river of lava: Phlegethon.
Yeah, no. No fucking way am I getting in that again. My big ass barely fit the first time. And that was only with me, Nina, and Eddie when we came to rescue Fal.
Persephone rolls her eyes and scoffs. The noise sends spiders crawling beneath my skin. “You think I would travel in that…thing? Foolish.”
Fal clenches her jaw and curls her hands into fists at her sides.
Here we go.
“Oh, excuse me, Your Majesty. Are we waiting on a horse drawn carriage with wine and a violinist playing classical music?”
Nina elbows Fal in the ribs.
“Fal,” I grumble under my breath and rub my palm against my forehead.
“Well, your attitude surely has not changed since I last saw you.” Persephone gives a small trace of a smile when she leers at Fal for a moment too long. “Now, everyone, hold hands,” she commands without a further comment on Fal’s assholeness.
We do, a bit confused as we glance at each other. Eddie’s hand is softly callused in mine, a contradiction I love. She grabs Fal’s hand—her and Fal both cringing at the interaction—and Fal holds on to Nina’s, a little hard if her white knuckles are to be believed.
With a warm smile to Nina, Persephone grabs her hand and we…kinda...poof into smoke and land in front of the castle. Like we turned into vapor and teleported. It’s as if my body comes apart into tiny little molecules for a split second and then slams back together into the solid, confused, giant mother fucker I am.
“Holy shit,” I groan and fight the nausea rolling up from my stomach. My feet are on the ground, but my head is a spinning puppy chasing its tail. I dry heave a few times, my mouth watering with the idea of vomiting, but I ultimately keep down the shots I had for breakfast.
“I apologize. I should have warned you.” Persephone smirks like she isn’t sorry at all.
She’s really not my favorite person.
Careful, Ashy, Eddie scolds in my mind. The divine are privy to our thoughts.
The nausea flies back immediately, but this time at the thought of pissing off the Queen of the Dead. When I glance up in her direction, she raises her brows and gives a predator’s smile, but ultimately decides she’s okay with me staying alive.
For now.
“Oh no,” Nina moans and runs off with her face green and shaking hands shoved against her mouth.
“Nina?” Fal follows her with a worried frown and a small glance to me and Eddie.
Hm. Fal Pal doesn’t seem to be bothered in the slightest by the cacophony of bullshittery we just poofed through.
“You a’rite, Ashy?” Eddie asks trying not to laugh as she squats beside me.
“Oh, yeah. Peachy.” I spit the excess saliva into the dried, dead grass in front of me and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. I stand upright when all the nausea shoves itself back down my throat and get a gander at our new surroundings. “Woah.”
I’ve never seen Hades’ castle before and it’s fucking huge and terrifying. It’s all gray stone stacked high enough to touch the Earth somewhere above us, nooks and crannies filled with darkness and shadows, probably hiding some demon ready to eat you the moment it gets the chance. The roofing is red stone and steeply slanted; the tops of the towers are sharp as knives ready to penetrate an unassuming soul and send them into a dark, torturous eternity.
“Aye, it’s somethin’, isnae?” Eddie agrees, hands on her hips as she stares at the dark fortress before us.
She doesn’t seem impressed, but hell. She’s been to the Underworld more than I have. Maybe the sights get boring after a while.
“’Something’ is a word, for sure,” I comment, pulling my eyes away from the castle of nightmares to land on her blazing eyes of vengeance.
Fal and Nina walk back over to us, Nina a bit paler than she was before. Fal wraps an arm around her and kisses her clammy forehead.
“You okay, Nins?” I ask, almost able to feel her vomity pain in my own stomach.
Her glassy eyes glance at me and she mumbles something like, “Mhm,” while pushing strands of escaped hair back into her bun.
“If you will all follow me,” Persephone interrupts, turning to the castle of doom.
I didn’t think anyone was allowed in the castle other than Persephone and Hecate? I sure as hell don’t want to go in there.
The pallor of Fal’s skin and wide eyes as she stops in her tracks seem to agree with my sentiment.
“No need, my dear,” is said right before a plume of crimson smoke appears beside Persephone and out steps Hades, black suit and white hair immaculate as it falls to his sho
ulders. “I’ve decided to come to you.” His red eyes are alight as he gazes at his wife.
It’s kinda sad because he clearly is head over heels in love with Persephone, but she shows nothing but disdain when she stares soullessly back.
I slap the sympathy out of my thoughts. He let Fal Pal be tortured. He deserves all the bullshit raining on his fire crown-covered head he can get.
Fal growls at Hades as soon as she sees him and takes a threatening step forward.
I don’t blame her. In fact, if she goes for him, I’ll be right behind her to get a swing in before he burns us to death and gives us a room to share in Tartarus.
My fingers flex at my sides.
But Eddie’s hand grabs my right hand lightly, pinching the inside of my palm in a scold and reminder that Hades probably heard everything I just thought.
Good.
“Ah! Falen. I have to say I am ecstatic to see you! And your Nina as well.” Hades stands with his hands clasped behind his back, red eyes wide and glowing.
“Can’t fucking say the same,” Fal snaps, hate sharpening her words enough to kill.
He ignores her and looks over to me and Eddie with that annoyingly genuine smile. “Erinys. Lovely, as always.”
Eddie dips her head only slightly to acknowledge him.
“And Ash. I am nearly most excited to see you.”
“I’m not sure I like the sound of that,” I reply, barely a grumble, but Hades stays a vague asshole and doesn’t explain himself further.
He just laughs and waves me off before focusing his attention on our whole group. “To what do we owe the pleasure of such delightful company?”
We all remain quiet except Fal who continuously growls low at the god.
“Falen has decided to Burn, Husband,” Persephone answers, filling the silence, clearly annoyed at his presence.
Hard not to be, if I’m honest.
“Marvelous! Absolutely marvelous.” He smiles at Fal Pal like they are old friends as he clasps his hands in front of his chest. “I was worried after not hearing from you for so long, but I knew you would come to your senses. It’s ultimately the best decision.”
“Oh, fucking spare me the annoyance of you pretending you know me, Hades,” Fal leers, muscles tensing all over her body as if she’s ready to make a kill shot.
Goddess, she wants to rip his throat out.
Hades’ smile falls. “Don’t I, though? Your last visit we spent a great deal of time together. We bonded, you and I...”
“You mean my last involuntary prison sentence? Don’t pretend I was actually happy to be here. Like I brought some goddamn snacks and beer for the occasion.”
He grunts his annoyance at her interruption. “Anyway, you gave me rather…blunt advice I have been using despite your refusal to stay as my guest. And your continued use of foul language.”
“If that’s how you treat your guests, you need to think about becoming a better host.” Fal smirks and crosses her arms over her chest.
She really knows how to piss people off and press those hard-to-find buttons. And doesn’t care if said people can kill her with a fart.
In the lingering silence, Hades’ crown of red and orange flames slowly turns a burning blue.
“I assure you; I can make your stay much less pleasant, Falen.”
Fal’s face pales with a quaking loosed breath and she retreats a step.
I growl at the god, ready to fucking tear him to pieces. I’ll be damned if he hurts her again.
“Are you always such an ass?” Nina asks, stepping in front of Fal with her energy popping around her. Her hair stands and flows around her head, moved by the energy she relentlessly wields.
Hell yeah.
Nina is so scary when she’s angry.
Hades flinches. It’s small, but I see it.
He’s scared of Nina.
“I apologize.” He quickly backtracks and his crown of flames goes back to its normal orangey color. He gestures to a smug Persephone. “It seems I am indeed. At least, that is what my love here tells me. Anywho, I must gather everyone for this wonderful occasion! Give me a moment.”
Before we can say anything, he is gone with a clap and in a cloud of smoke.
Nina blinks and drops the hold on her electric energy. It falls from my skin like a static blanket.
“Scaredy cat,” Nina mumbles and crosses her arms defiantly over her chest.
Persephone chuckles, smiling at Nina. “Indeed.”
But I don’t even have a chance to push out a relieving sigh at his absence because Hades is back in an almost instant with someone tagging along behind him.
He grins conspiringly at me and steps to the side.
I choke.
This isn’t real.
But it is. There is no doubt in my mind once I see her smiling face. There, standing beside Hades just like I remember her…
“….Mom?” croaks from my throat before my knees give out and I hit the ground.
Chapter 37
Edelina
Ashy drops to his knees beside me when he catches sight of the woman so obviously his and Falen’s ma.
They both are the spitting image of her. Killer bone structure, sharp cheeks and jawline, raven black hair, amber glowing in their eyes…
I squat beside Ash and hold his elbow as the woman walks closer with tears welling in her cat-like eyes.
“Oh, Ash,” she whispers and drops to her knees in front of him. Her hands find his tear-streaked face, thumbs rubbing away the wet trails and leaving behind damp glittering on his cheeks. “My baby.”
Ash watches her like he’s waiting for her to disappear at a moment’s notice. His eyes flick all over her face, seemingly memorizing every little detail, comparing her to the last time they were face to face like this.
A plethora of emotions are flowing through our bond, it’s difficult for me to keep up.
Shock, sadness, joy, heartache….
He suddenly throws his arms around her strong shoulders and sobs.
I’ve never witnessed my Mannie this vulnerable. I’ve always loved how Ash doesn’t hide his feelings like most lads are taught when they are young. He feels everything and he feels out loud. But I’ve never seen him sob like this before. It’s endearing and…I want to comfort him so badly.
My hands flex at my sides, resisting only just.
He swallows his ma with his size, but she holds on to him fiercely as if she is enveloping the whole of him. My eyes burn at the sight of the love radiating between the two, falling from their eyes like a rain that may never stop.
Falen soon drops to her knees as well after giving them a moment and wraps her arms around them both.
I know Ashy said Falen saw their ma when she came last. He would never say it outright because he’s not that type of person, but I know he resented Falen for it. And it’s not Falen’s fault.
Sometimes we can’t help how we feel.
“My babies, I have missed you both so much,” Alina cries and pulls away with a smile. She looks at each of her children over and over again, memorizing all the growth she has missed in death. Both of her hands find each of their cheeks and they lean into the touch as if her hand is made of magnets.
They stay like this for a touching eternity before their ma gives a sighed smile.
Her eyes find me after a moment and that smile widens. “You must be Eddie.”
“Aye, I am,” I smile and nod at the lass. She knows about me. She knows my name.
“Then you are my daughter, too.”
My mouth drops its happiness as Alina moves in front of me, still crouched beside Ash, and touches my cheek. I can’t help leaning into her hand. There is so much warmth and acceptance in the touch. I haven’t been called daughter since...
“Thank you,” I croak out a whisper and swallow the sob wanting to erupt from my mouth with the tears trailing down my own cheeks.
Alina stands after touching her forehead to mine and releasing my face. I want to say
it doesn’t disappoint me, having a mother’s touch leave my skin, but it does all the same.
Ash and I stand as well, and I take a small step back to evaluate my feelings.
A mother’s love is something I haven’t felt in quite a long time.
As I collect myself, Nina walks over with a small smile and her eyes of ice shy beneath her lashes.
“Hi. I’m...”
“Oh, sweet Nina. I know who you are,” Alina interrupts and touches Nina’s cheek as well. I notice Nina also leans into the touch.
I press my lips together. She’s never felt the love of a mother. Hers left before she could.
Suddenly my sorrow doesn’t seem so mountainous.
“Thank you both for taking care of Ash and Falen,” Alina smiles, reaching out again to touch my hand for a moment.
“It’s a job, that’s for sure,” Nina jokes and wipes tears from her cheeks when Alina releases her. Her face is red, ice eyes glowing with the rest of her tears pooling along her lashes.
I snort, stepping away from my feelings. “Ain’t that the truth.”
“Hey!” both Fal and Ash protest at the same time and roll their eyes at each other.
Alina giggles at both of her children and the sound is almost musical.
“Oh, this is beautiful,” Alina whispers, stopping her laugh short, and grabs Nina’s ringed hand. Her eyes are wide and bright as she gazes at the ring on Nina’s small finger.
“Thank you. Fal gave it to me.” A deep blush colors Nina’s cheeks as she uses her other hand to twirl a lock of hair around her finger.
Alina’s brows furrow and she gazes from Nina’s hand to Falen and then to Falen’s hand and the ring wrapped around her finger. Her eyes snap back to Nina, wide and excited. “Really?”
Nina nods, smiling through more tears sliding down her rosy cheeks.
Alina wraps her arms around them both and kisses their foreheads. “Oh, I’m so happy for you! So so happy.”
Falen’s face has turned a deep scarlet, but there is immense pride in her eyes.
“Well,” Hades chimes in after, surprisingly, staying quiet for more than a minute. “That’s all good and well. Congratulations.” He almost spits the word.