I want to thank my new bata Enygmass for editing this chapter! It is super helpful since I take forever to edit and always need another pair of eyes. This is the last chapter to this fanfic so I hope you all enjoy. I wanted to do more with the ending, but honestly I think this is a good stopping point. Lastly, there is sexual content in this chapter, so gird your loins.
—
Hades and Emily were not exactly close. Neither of the two discussed the details of their pasts. Hades was focused on his future and Emily wanted to go home.
Hades never again served wine. It was a loss. He asked the occasional groping question. The location of her home went only vaguely discussed. He was as uninterested in her life as he was preoccupied with his schemes.
"When are you planning on killing Hercules?" She asked the question carefully, without feeling. It was the sort of question which occasionally went unanswered because it sounded too mundane and the surrounding conversations were far more interesting to the wandering ear.
"Me? No. I'm not that type of god." Hades paused nonchalantly to weigh his answer without looking up from his papers. "I leave those details to my faithful little minions." He did not realistically need to worry about death. He was confident he could remove the child from the board within the decade. Such a small thing required little pomp and circumstance.
"You plan to trust your entire operations to those two?" She squinted incredulously at the two bickering flashes of teal and magenta.
"Why not? They can handle a little homicide." Hades flicked his eyes towards the two imps. The minions stuck their forked tongues out at Emily.
"I am almost positive they can't." She did not mean the words as an insult to the creatures. However, Pain and Panic were not pleased. She cringed as the pink minion tossed a rock in her general direction. The gravel piece pegged her in the forehead.
"How about you sweets?" Hades allowed the minions their slight retribution. The imps could be placed on notice to watch their aim after they knocked out the brat. Although, a seer would be useful in making the mission more predictable. "Want to put a murder on your resume? I'll wipe the ledger clean right after. No consequences guaranteed." Hades was more than capable of altering the record on a flit-a-bye soul. He rarely gave such generous offers as he usually kept the score on an as-is basis. If a soul was commissioned to commit an ill, they still had to pay up in the afterlife. Admittedly, Hades sent the souls doing his work through the wringer on a gentler cycle than most, but he still sent them through.
"I'm not a killer." She shook her head. She might have been in a land where life was just creative consequence, but she was not going to commit infancide.
"You are mortal. Mortals kill and by proportion I have more mortal killers down here than pacifists." Hades gave the prod a minimal level of effort. He was not really interested in using the girl as a sword when she was more of a purse. She had value as a seer and it would be a waste to send her out onto the killing fields when she was being remarkably cooperative.
—-
Hades was growing attached. She could see the fondness in his actions. The development worried her because Hades always won his end game. Although they had a deal, she doubted he was planning to send her home within the year. Already several more months had passed and Hades was no longer biding his time until Zeus looked away. Hades was hesitating. He was drawing their time out and finding more reasons to extend her stay.
Hades's displays of affection terrified her. He was no longer satisfied with sharing their meals. Her first mistake was in grabbing his robes when a soul passed through the air. The dead thing's chilly fingers brushed through her hair and forced her into Hades. After the contact, he bullied her to observe his duties at close proximity under the guise of displeasure. He argued exposure would lessen her fear and give him a more productive minion. She disagreed, vehemently. It was the first time he struck her.
The blow stung her face. He was simmering red and his eyes glowed with rage. She risked everything with the apology.
His color cooled to blue and he drew his thumb across her cheek slowly. "I never chose to surround myself with dead things."
She froze under his touch. Her arm reached up to stroke his forearm but he was too hot and her fingers only grazed his burning skin. "If you need the company, I'll go with you."
He might have eventually returned her home. Now, he did not want to. "If you insist."
—-
The first time he kissed her he nearly took her on the floor. She entered his rooms for dinner and was alarmed to find him slumped at his desk with carved figurines lying strewn about the desktop. She should have left his chambers as soon as she caught scent of the wine on his breath and the tobacco smoke in the air. Instead, she touched his shoulder to catch his attention.
He grabbed her immediately and pushed her into his lap as dim recognition filled his eyes. The bowls dropped to the floor spilling their meals out onto the marble floor.
Emily's eyes followed the mess covering the white tiles. She did not notice his hands pressing her into his lap until she felt them. She sat against Hades, leaning across his chest. Her eyes widened at the intimacy of the position. He tightened his hold when she tried to push him away. She could feel his arousal pressing through the fabric of his chiton. He pushed his lips against her neck and trailed heated kisses down to her collarbone. His teeth nicked her skin and the flesh broke open. She was surprised the blue flames on his head did not burn or char her flesh, but instead licked warmly against her skin. His hands bunched together the fabric of her toga. She felt his sharp claws push into the thin skin of her thighs and force her to press closer against his arousal. He hummed in approval. Emily tried to tell him to stop, but her words were muffled against the shock of the circumstances.
He paused in his kisses to pull her from his lap and onto the floor beneath them. Hades tried to remove the brooch pinning together her toga but instead ripped through the fabric. Both breasts were exposed to his yellow eyes. Hades eagerly removed his own chiton. Her hands moved against his chest to push him away with the dull strikes of her hands. He rocked himself between her legs, pushing the fabric higher over her thighs.
"Please. Don't." The tears were blurring her vision. She was choking on her own words. He was stronger and her motions were not registering because he was too drunk.
He rolled his hips forward. He wanted to feel more. He only paused when her tears wet his skin. "I thought-" Hades felt nauseous. He had too much to drink and was in a vulgar state. She did not want him. He was behaving exactly like his brothers. "I'm not going to-" He loathed his personal folly and wished that she could be held accountable instead.
He was curled into her with the flesh of his manhood pointed between her thighs. She could feel the solid weight of his body against hers. "I know. Just not like this." She trusted him to stop, but knew better than to fully reject the god. If he wanted her, he would have her. If she rejected him, she would be forced to yield.
When he finally stood she was thankful to find his arousal was already deflating. He was not going to rape her. She averted her eyes from his form respectfully and covered her chest with her arms. He dressed himself in silence and returned to where she sat to lay a deep purple dress at her feet. He did not acknowledge her exit.
—
After that night he avoided eye contact during their meals, but continued to encourage their increased proximity. He was beginning to take her above ground on envoys to his temples. His worshippers were few and far between, but their true hallmark was desperation.
Hades often hid amongst the shadows that enveloped his temple listening to the desperate prayers of dying men, mothers holding sick children, and the elderly who were afraid of death. He was not moved by empathy, but by persuasion. Emily spent her time interacting with the few people who bothered to visit Hades's temple. There were few consistent prayer goers but there were some who made Hades frequent monthly offerings.
"Hello Phyllos. What brings you to Hades's temple today?" She knew Hades would be too busy enjoying and numerating the offerings Phyllos and the others gave to care if she made simple conversation. After her less than optimal encounter with Hades inside his bedroom, she was chilled from attempting to make free conversation with the god. The Grecian male was a better substitute. While Hades expressed no further sexual interests in their engagements, she knew better than to test the vengeful god's patience. Hades had a temper which her mortality was unlikely to survive if she chose to provoke him.
"My father is still sick, but I cannot lose hope. Even Hades is not so unmovable." Phyllos was too determined for his own good. He held too much faith. However, Emily knew the consistent offerings were looked upon fondly by Hades.
"So. What did you put on pyre this time?" Emily stared at the man's features while kicking her feet up to rest on the stone steps. Phyllos was blond with dark skin. He was an anomaly amongst the common Greek, who carried the usual traits of olive skin and dark hair. She often stared at his appearance and wondered where he came from.
"A fine sheep and several gold treasures." Phyllos smiled with white uneven teeth.
"Yum. He's going to be thrilled." Emily wrinkled her nose and humored the young male.
"I hope." Phyllos's smile fell for one brief second.
During each visit, Hades took stock of the gold coins and burnt offerings made in his honor, while Emily went to talk with Phyllos. Hades was kept busy collecting all the gold pieces and enjoying the fresh burning meats. Occasionally, he would share his honors with the girl, after he enjoyed the first cuts. The scraps were given to her out of generosity and were primarily symbolic in gesture. She was his living ward and he would share the blood and flesh which had been sacrificed in his honor to demonstrate his personal favor.
"I do not understand. What more can I offer?" Phyllos eyes were watering as he sat upon the marble steps outside of Hades's temple.
She did not mean to comfort him as he wept. She knew better than to hold Phyllos close to her chest as he clung to her dress, but then again, she also did not know Hades was nearby.
The torches inside the temple which glowed blue went red, yet the flames atop Hades's head remained stable without combusting. "Well, just exactly what do we have here?" Hades's voice was high and his smile was filled with rows of pointed teeth. "Making friends?"
Hades walked slowly towards Emily, his eyes trained on the boy's hands. The boy's fingers were entwined in the purple dress Hades had generously gifted the girl. The dress was a luxury purchase he had made specifically for his ward, and the sight of a commoner's hands intermingled with the royal color stoked his ire. "Don't get up on my account." He waved his long fingers nonchalantly, reverting the torches back to their original blue hue. "But really." Smoke billowed from his robes, swirling forward in black wisps. "Really." Blue fire ignited the smoke and spread across the tiled floor. "You should." Hades flicked his hands forward and fanned the flames towards the couple with a small turn of his wrist.
"My lord." Phyllos stood only to bow immediately in the direction of Hades's feet. The firelight illuminated trickling beads of sweat which dripped down Phyllos' brow.
Emily could see the calculation in Hades's yellow eyes. He was in a cruel mood. She knew that too much interference on her part would cause Hades to react volatilely.
"Hades, this is Phyllos. His father is sick, and he's going to get burnt if you don't put this fire out." Emily walked past Phyllos and towards the flames, never once averting her eyes from the god. "He has been the one making you the recent offerings of lamb for the past few months." She could play off the encounter. Hades would be reasonable if she kept her attention focused only on him. She just needed to trust he would put out the flames long enough to allow her to cross. She needed to show she trusted him or Hades would lash out at the boy.
"Oh no. Daddy dearest is going to die." Hades clutched a cold hand into his robes, pretending to have a heart. "Well, you are in the right temple kid. Hades, Lord of the Dead. Death is my business and dying mortals are my specialty." Hades lingered sadistically on the word dying. He watched Emily with suspicion but couldn't help enjoying her focus. He liked taking opportunities to demonstrate his power, so he let the flames bend low enough to allow her a safe but uncomfortable passage. Hades let the flames lick across her skin as she crossed the barrier to caution her impiety and warn her to weigh her next words carefully. The flames were his and there was no real danger her dress would catch fire unless she pushed him into a rage.
"He's a great client. He burns an offering every month." She hedged, never once looking away from Hades.
"Delish." Hades smiled. The guy was building up his frequent temple miles. Hades extinguished the flames circling the boy with a casual flick of his hand. There was no point to shishkababbing the shmuck.
Emily moved to stand at Hades's side with her arm pulling at his shoulder. She pulled at the god to lean into her slight stature and whispered. "Help him. He's made you more offerings than the last ten worshippers put together."
"Alright, alright, already. I get it. The guy is good for business." Hades felt his face pull into a grin. He liked the feeling of her small hands pulling him closer. "It's your lucky day Mr. Phyllo-dough-boy. I'm going to grant your prayer, provided we continue this sacrifice routine once every six months for as long as your dying daddy remains in the land of the living. Deal?" Hades outstretched his blue hand.
Phyllos only hesitated for one brief blinking second. "Yes. Thank you my lord." He agreed slowly and kissed Hades's long blue fingers. Phyllos turned from Hades to look at Emily with warm eyes. "Thank you Emily." Emily looked at Phyllos and away from Hades.
Hades noticed her attention divert to the boy and the god felt affronted by the neglect. "Exactly why are you two on a first name basis?" Hades paused and touched his fingers to his chin.
"Hades. Just let it go." She could see the cruel thoughts bubbling beneath his sallow skin. She knew Hades was capable of a great depth of harm.
"How long have you known Emily?" Hades spoke her name with a twisted sneer. He hunched his tall figure towards the boy and waited for an answer.
"Several months my lord." Phyllos dared not show disrespect to the god. Phyllos came to the temple for his father. The god gave his blessing and Phyllos would not be ungracious.
"Cute. I'm adding a liquidated damages clause." Hades snapped his fingers and the room went dark. "If you make a late payment or talk to my ward even once, then you and daddy get to share headstones. Capeice?" His words reverberated across the marble walls of the dilapidated temple as the god evaporated into the darkness.
"Hades!" Emily rushed towards the shifting shadows and was pulled inside the blackness. She was not able to keep pace and could only follow the faint glow of blue.
Hades appeared behind her. The smoke from his robes floated in bloated clouds around her body. "What was that about?" She tried to raise her body to his tall stature but was cowed to shrink back to the balls of her feet. Hades was a large man and she could not hold her position within his presence.
"Do you think I'm some sap?" He placed both hands onto her shoulders and pressed her closer into the ground to demonstrate his strength. "I have been tiptoeing around you since our little wine night and believe me, I have been more than patient." Hades grounded out the words in a fast and frenzied tempo. "I let you play it chaste. But, I see you've recovered very nicely. With some help." Hades dropped his hands to pull her further into the emptying corridor.
The patrons were rushing away now that the god's presence was made known. No Greek wished to make an early encounter with the deity for fear he might take the worshipper into the Underworld well before their time.
"Hades, please. You've been here with me." Emily moved further into the darkness using Hades's natural blue light to guide her steps. "This is your temple. Why would I ever disrespect you here?" She was afraid to touch his robes. If she placed her hands on him, he would surely expect her to prove her sincerity.
"Hades please." His voice went high to mimic hers. "You think I haven't heard that one before?" Hades scowled and looked down at the woman. He needed to stick to the end game. She was just a mortal and there was no reason to get emotional. This was about retirement and ruling the cosmos.
"I have not been disloyal. You know this." She touched his back and ran her cool fingers across his spine. He felt hot and she knew this meant he was suppressing an outburst.
"Do not." He was still blue but close to eruption. "Toy with me." He ripped her hand away and held it menacingly in his palm. He dared her to pull away. He dared her to run from him. He wanted a reason to reveal his true nature. He desired to correct the mortal's trespass and felt compelled to hold her close as he burned.
"I'm not. You own my soul." She did not dare pull her hand out of his grip. His forceful grip was a clear warning to keep her hand locked with his. "I'm just as interested in your success as you are mine. I would not reject a god for the benefit of another mortal." She put her other hand deliberately on his chest. She chose to submit and allow him to advance. The decision would be the one thing which stood a chance of distracting Hades from his personal ruthless attributes.
"Come here. So? You want me?" Hades would not mince words. He would not have her beneath him unless she was willing. He would not allow himself to become overly affectionate until she made her intentions clear. He hated making bad investments.
"Yes." She knew there was only one way to prevent Hades from persecuting the boy or causing her personal grief.
"And you're not just saying that because I might give your future snookums leprosy?" He lifted her up to stand in the crook of his arm.
"No." She leaned into his hold and held his eye contact. If she looked away Hades would without a doubt kill Phyllos out of spite.
"So, you wouldn't mind me leaving Mr. Dead-dad as is?" Hades was bluffing. He never revoked his deals, but he needed to know she was sincere.
"Hades, I do mind. He is one of your temple's best customers. He has burned an offering to you twice a month over the last six months. But if you need to punish him to feel secure I won't protest." She put her hand on his lower back and rested her head against his chest. She held him and heard his pulse increase.
"You know what would help me feel secure doll? I mean just all together cozy with the situation?" Hades pushed her away lightly. He gazed into her eyes with a dangerous look.
"What?" Emily knew exactly what Hades would need to feel secure.
"Why don't you and me take some alone time together. A little siesta without the clothes." He wanted her with no strings attached.
"Can we go somewhere private? I don't want an audience." Emily knew what sex was and what it required. She could commit to such a little thing with Hades.
"Lady's choice." Hades pulled her deliberately against his front. He let her feel him, so she would know exactly what he expected.
"I want to go home." Emily leaned forward to whisper the words into his ears half afraid the flames on his head would scald her skin.
With a snap of his blue fingers they were inside his chambers. Hades grinned showing every sharp pointed tooth in his smile. "Want a drink?" Hades plucked a martini glass from the air and slurped at a worm attempting to wriggle over the top of the glass.
She scrunched her nose to indicate she did not want a worm-tini. "Not interested." She watched Hades shrug his shoulders and finish the cocktail in a gulp and a half.
"So, how do you want to do this?" She asked the question in a breath and stripped her clothes without preamble. She did not bother to look in his direction as she moved to sit on his bed.
"Wow. You look hot." He licked his fingers and let them sizzle in the air. He used the motion to detract from his growing unease. He felt overdressed and overheated gazing at her nude form. He assumed she would back down the second they entered the room and was surprised she was following through.
"So. Missionary?" She wanted to get the logistics out of the way, so that the act could be done quickly. She was already ruining a significant portion of her childhood.
"Wrong god. I, my little bosom buddy, am Greek." He approached the bed and ran an open palm against her breast. "I prefer variety." He leaned down and pressed his sharp nose into her soft-button nose. He meant the gesture to be sweet, but it turned into an unfortunate leer.
"I'm not fucking a swan." She remembered the myth vaguely and was not interested in exploring whether or not the story held any truth.
"Woah. Woah. Firstly, not my gimmick. Secondly, I would keep mentions of my brother to a never in the bedroom." He raised his hands to head and pushed his fingers into his pointed ears. He did not want to hear about Zeusy's conquests while he was in the middle of sealing the deal with his new chick-a-dee. After looking up once to indicate the conversation was finished, he moved his hand to casually pull at the skull brooch pinning the smoky fabric of his chiton in place. The chiton dropped to the ground. Hades brushed his fingers across his manhood to harden himself completely.
"You ready?" He pressed himself between her thighs. He would have enjoyed taking the seduction farther by kissing her neck and fondling her curves, but he understood she was not interested in drawing the experience out.
"As I'll ever be." She laid out on her back and pulled the god forward to cover her body completely. She felt his weight settle over her and realized he was trying to be considerate by bracing a portion of his weight against the bed.
He waited for one single line of protest before shoving forward. He would give her the single opportunity to reject his advances. He was not giving out second chances after-the-fact.
His pace was slow and deliberate. Her hands pulled across his skin and reached for places he was shocked she knew to touch. He enjoyed the touches but felt a nerve strike. He was obviously not her first and she was likely touching him the same way she touched others. He pushed her hands away and held them above her head.
He came deliberately within her walls. He wanted to bind her to the Underworld. If she came to be with child, she would require a father to provide security. No suckling babe survived long in Greece without its father. Then she would nullify the contract on her own volition.
Months had passed and she remained barren. Hades was curious as to how she accomplished the feat. His kind were fertile and very few women escaped a full encounter without result. He knew his seed was inside her and yet he was puzzled as to why it was failing to take root.
"Hey babe, personal question." Hades gave a cough as his large frame filled the kitchen.
"Yeah?" Emily barely looked up from her task of cutting the onions lengthwise.
"Are you barren? Not that it's a deal breaker. But I do know a gal who could fix that particular situation." He gestured to her abdomen with a quick uncomfortable movement. Aphrodite would love the opportunity to loft her abilities in his domain and establish a personal debt.
"It's not a problem for me. I can have kids when I want them." The question startled her. She was not entirely certain the statement was in fact true, but imagined it was highly improbable she was barren.
"When you want them?" Hades felt his brows furrow and his nose twitch.
"I don't want kids yet. So, I won't have kids yet." She tried to think ahead of Hades. She was not sure how to explain modern birth control to an ancient deity.
Hades snorted "Hate to break it to you, but at the rate we are going. I'd say you are going to want kids sooner rather than later." Hades made the joke quickly and rolled his eyes over her features to gage a reaction.
"Nope. Not going to happen because it can't." She smiled and shook her head, failing to understand that Hades wanted children.
"Why not?" Hades felt his lip curl. He was more than capable of providing the materials. He knew there were no issues on his end.
"Birth control." She almost laughed at the sour blue expression on his face, but held the sound inside her throat.
"What's that?" Hades wracked his brain, but found no knowledge to match her statement.
"In my home country, women use birth control so they don't have kids until they are older." She hoped the answer was sufficient. She was becoming uncomfortable with the line of questioning.
"Older than you?" Hades was shocked. She was pretty old to be without a husband and much too old to be without child.
"Much older. And to accomplish the no kids thing they have another thing put up there." She patted her abdomen. "And wham, bam, no thank you mam, it kills all your..." She paused not knowing exactly what to call the gook Hades crammed inside her. "Well you know. The guy stuff. It kills that."
He tried to shake off the information. He did not like kids anyways. "Take it out." However, he wanted her to stay.
"No." She should have considered her words more carefully.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but who is the guy who holds the one chance you have to leave? Get you home safe and sound?" Hades tilted his head back and forth while listening to his words and trying to control his actions.
"Hades, I-" She was interrupted by Hades's whiplash comments.
"Yep!" Hades snapped his fingers as if he just remembered where he placed his keys. "That's the guy. Oh. Wait no." He paused and his voice dipped. "That's the god." Hades was a divine being. He was not some guy who a girl started and then ended things with on a whim. He would not allow her the option.
"Hades, I'm not having kids." She started slowly, using reason. The words only glanced over Hades's slumped shoulders.
"Why not?" Hades frowned and his sharp teeth gripped against his inner lips without cutting the flesh.
"What do you actually want?" She tried a different approach. There was no safe way of telling a man that their offspring were unwelcome.
"I want you to stay here." Hades grasped at his nonexistent hair and traced his long fingers through the blue flames atop his skull.
"I am staying here." She twisted her head to the side and thought slowly. She was staying in the Underworld and she was not able to leave freely without his permission. She was at his mercy and there was no reason for him to to tempt her stay further.
"Sure, you are now. But, I want you here permanently." He hedged into the conversation with a small hope the girl would react carefully.
"We already made our deal." She struck a deal with the devil once. She was not amending the contract because the villain felt lonely. "I get to go home and you take me there. That's the deal Hades." She stared at him with a neutral expression.
Hades took a breath and held the air in his hot lungs. "Well, at least I have my consolation prize." He growled and pulled her into his side.
She was pushed into his dark bedroom and the argument ended. She exited his bed with several burn marks on her arms and his drying seed spilled out across her stomach. He left the bed without comment and she cleaned herself with a wet sponge.
Over the weeks their arguments increased in frequency along with her bruises from the rough nature of their engagements.
Eventually, the arguments ended and her incidental injuries started to become less frequent when Hades discovered a loophole in their agreement. She grew suspicious at the gentling of his touch. Hades was not a nice guy—at least not without having reason.
"Alright, I'll bite. Why are you being nice?" Emily rolled over onto her side not bothering to cover herself with the sheet which concealed their lower parts. She scrutinized Hades expression which was currently fixated with her uncovered bosoms.
"I'm always nice to you." Hades stretched his arms behind his head and rolled his shoulders backwards into the bed. "Well, I'm nicer to you than the boys." Hades turned into his side and reached a long arm forward to caress her sides, inching his fingers towards her breasts.
"I haven't had burn marks in weeks." She made the statement cautiously. The last time she mentioned the burn marks Hades demonstrated the difference between unintended, incidental first degree burns and willful, premeditated second degree burns. The blisters took weeks to heal and oozed watery pus when the skin finally broke open.
"I am in a much better mood." He hummed and cupped her breasts. He would never apologize for his treatment of the woman, but he felt remorse for some of the wounds he caused. He knew his burns were very painful for mortals to endure. He recognized the danger her injuries presented as her kind were more susceptible to disease when injured. He was thankful she continued to accept his touch despite his temper.
Still, she should have welcomed his offer to make her a permanent addition to his lifestyle. The girl was at fault for thinking she could rebuff the affections of a god without incident. He groaned as he felt his temperature increase and the girl's entire frame stiffen. She was getting much better at reading his emotions. "Relax babe. I'm calm." He kissed her cheek in hopes of smoothing away some of the tension.
"Why are you in a better mood? Did the minions kill Hercules?" She regretted the question instantly as she felt Hades's palms go hot against her breasts. She winced, and he immediately retracted his palms.
"Ugh. Babe." His body was reacting to his rage by warming his skin into a burning flush. He did not like having to remove his hands from her body when all he wanted to do was fondle. "When you are in my bed, mentioning the little sunspot is not a great idea." He blew out a breath and tried to focus on other thoughts. He pulled the covers down completely to look at her naked body. The view successfully distracted him.
"I am in a better mood because I've decided to enjoy your time here for as long as it lasts." His grin was sly and his yellow eyes were narrowed in satisfaction. He would send her home and she would find herself back in the Underworld. Home is, after all, just a place where one permanently resides.
—
When the boy died, Zeus demanded all illnesses which were lethal to children were to be removed from Greece. Hades wished to fight his brother on the issue, but understood there would be little point. His brother was consumed with grief and Hades felt overwhelmed by his brother's growing edicts. Hades's authority over his own domain was constantly being restricted. Overpopulation was a one way concern and Zeus would not understand such logistics. Humans bred rapidly and increased population in the above world would adversely affect his domain as inconsistencies in soul intake affected his schedule. He was always working and his tasks never ended.
Hercules died at three years of age. The boy was mortal and vulnerable to illness. Hades personally approved the disease for entry into Greece and the unplanned infection came as a surprise to the death god. The opportunity was capitalized upon and the cure was moved to an abandoned island. The illness was largely innocuous in older individuals but lethal to the younger mortals. Zeus did not think his boy's malady was serious as his son shared the god's noble bloodline and Hades dared not offer any warning.
Hades rubbed at his eyes and moved towards Emily. He was exhausted from his trip to Olympus and had put off the inevitable for far too long. Her deal was coming due. "Alright. A deals a deal. Ready to go home?"
She moved towards the god with slight steps, knowing that her eagerness would rile the lord's temper. "Yes."
Hades sighed. She was not going to be happy with him. "I, Hades, son of Chronos, send Emily, daughter of the land of California, home. With this blessing I fulfill my end of the bargain." He touched his hand to the floor and watched his fire create a circle. "So, just step through the flames and when you reach the other side you will be home." He frowned.
"It's not like we won't see each other again. I have to die sometime." She touched his shoulder and gave his cheek an obligatory peck. She doubted she would see the god in the afterlife. He lacked jurisdiction over the souls in her world.
"Then I hope to see you soon." He nearly laughed as he watched the color drain from her face and her smile become uneasy.
"Goodbye, Hades." She stepped through the flames and began walking to the other side. When she reached the edge of the flames she walked into something solid. When she looked up, she saw Hades grinning wildly.
"Wow. That was sooner rather than later." He grinned showing every single pointy tooth in his mouth.
"What?" She blinked slowly. She was not back in her world.
"Surprised to see me?" Hades leaned down and pressed a meaningful kiss to her cheek.
"Did I die?" She stared blankly and touched her hands together. She did not feel dead.
"If only I'd be so lucky. No doll, you are not another of the million of stiffs I share my living space with." Hades laughed loudly and smiled. She was taking the news well. He knew she was in shock, but he was relieved she was not yelling at him.
"Why am I still here Hades?" Emily stepped closely to Hades. Her question was followed by a careful intake of breath.
"Our original deal was that I send you home. But guess what?" He started the explanation in a rush, talking over his words at the pace of an auctioneer. "We never went in depth over those oh so crucial details." He tilted his head and splayed his hands open. "Your home was once in California, but now you currently live and reside in my lovely Underworld." He pointed triumphantly at Emily and gestured back to the Underworld.
"This is not my home Hades." Her mouth was hanging open and the words fell out in a pile.
"Yeah. You see, it is. You called the Underworld your home and now it is. " Hades tapped her jaw closed with a soft touch. The words were her own and the consequences were his boon.
"When? I never said the Underworld was my home." Emily pushed his arms away and shouted.
"See, one of the great things about being immortal is that my memories never gets fuzzy. Do you remember our first time?" Hades leaned away. At least they were finally to the customary hysterics. "Do you remember asking me to take you home to the Underworld because you didn't want an audience watching me screw you into the marble floor of my temple?" He did not choose his words with any delicacy because he wanted to shock her into coherence. He wanted to remind her that she seduced him.
She turned away from him and he floated in front of her using his hands to walk across the air. He pulled her eyes away from the ground by pushing her chin up with a heavy handed grip. "Don't be bitter. Trust me, that floor is rough on the back. You were better off on the bed." He had, in darker times, taken a worshipper or two inside his temple in exchange for his usual types of deals. He personally preferred the bed, but his worshippers were not keen on making the trip into the Underworld. Mortals had such fickle trust.
"I get it. The Underworld is not exactly a perfect home for living mortals, but I can be reasonable." He swirled away from her to stand upright and hold his hands above his head and shrug. "I'm even willing to let you add your personal womanly touches to my bedchambers." He formed a bouquet in his hands and cringed when the flowers caught fire in his hands. "Whoa." He threw the dead flowers behind his back and pulled out a brooch. "I can make you very comfortable here." He pinned the jewel encrusted object to her dress and tried to smile largely as her eyes widened.
"You cheated me." She spat the words to the ground. He cheated her just to keep getting his rocks off. Hades made bad deals, but she trusted him to be fair. She trusted he wouldn't screw her over.
"Look. I get that you're upset but let's choose those words a little more carefully." Hades tried not to take the attack personally. Mortals had no idea what it felt like to be cheated. He sometimes wished their lifespans were as long as his. Then they might find that the almighty Zeus was not such a stand-up guy.
"I'm never going to see my friends or family again thanks to you." She plowed forward. He deserved to know how his selfish actions affected her.
"You want to visit the fam and friends. Sure. No problem." Hades steepled his long fingers against his lips. "I just need an assurance that you are coming back here. I'm not an unreasonable guy." Hades moved through a cloud of smoke and appeared behind her to touch her hair. "I can accommodate your needs if you are willing to accommodate mine." His lips curled forward and pressed possessively against the blond locks threaded within his clasp.
"My home isn't even in this time. Hell, it's not even in this universe. I don't think I can head back over here once I do leave." She blanched at his touch. She knew he was picturing a lewd scenario and hoping she would submit. He would want to celebrate his conquests.
"Not in this time or this cosmos?" He laughed feeling only slightly wounded. "You can tell me where you live. I won't throw a plague across the borders. I'm not that capricious." He knew the stories mortals told. He was not so petty as to take a girl's family and friends into the afterlife early just to soothe his worries. Especially, since such sentiments were more useful for leveraging her return. "Just tell me where the place is on a map and I'll send you over for a quick round trip visit. I'll even let you ride shotgun in the chariot." He hoped to entice her by offering her his services as an escort. Riding in a god's personal chariot was a high honor and he was already offering her so much more. He understood wanting to get out of the Underworld; he could relate. He just needed another person to spend his time with that was not a low thinking minion.
"Just look." She pulled a small metal object from her pocket and pressed a button and watched light emanate brightly from the object. She pushed the bright item into the god's hands.
"What's this?" Hades touched the screen of the phone and watched the item open to an app filled with words. It appeared to be a light illuminated book.
"A phone. Never leave home without it." She sighed and let Hades's clever mind come to the appropriate conclusion.
"Oh." He felt a small bubble of guilt burst. He couldn't send her back. He could never trust her to return.
"I'm not from around here and I want to go back to my real home Hades." She moved to touch his arm and hoped the supplication would work in her favor.
"Well, I want to rule the cosmos and I want my little prize to sit up close and personal with me in the front row seats as I seize Olympus." Hades threw his hands up and outside her reach. He needed to remain unaffected by his fond feelings.
"Let me go." She stared into his yellow eyes without looking away. He needed to do the right thing.
"Hmmm. Nope. No can do sweets." He floated across the floor and into his throne. "You are stuck here, with me, for the rest of eternity." He clapped his hands forward and materialized a cigar from a puff of smoke. "I'll give you your moment to collect yourself now, but by tonight I expect you in my chambers and I expect a return to routine." He lit the cigar and gestured to the doors, watching them open in response to his will. He would not take her tonight, but he would demand her company.
—-
She ran at the first opportunity. She ran from Hades the instant he brought her to his temple. The sky was dark and the earth was wet with rain. Her sandals struck the muddy earth with heavy thuds. She never looked back as she fled. Hades was years away from his siege of Olympus, and he was clearly not ever sending her back. He had found a workaround their bargain and she would not stay to exchange congratulations.
Hades sat in his temple and waited. He knew already that she had run, but he decided to wait. He would search for her later. His hands were red and he was aglow with rage as he burned through his temple's floor. He was too angry and if he encountered the girl now he would only scar the mortal permanently. He needed to wait for his head to clear and then she would be brought home.
