I know my lovelies that it has been months. But good news. I graduated with my bachelors degree! although my college career is not over yet I just completed a big milestone. So an an apology and a celebration with a new chapter.
Enjoy!
BPOV
"Judgement has been made for the day." Hades announced as he rose from the throne and left the room. His footsteps were the only sound to be heard throughout the room until he disappeared behind a closing set of doors.
Alice did not speak a word my way as she rose from her seat and walked towards the descending stairs. And I did not say anything. If I were honest, I was afraid of what my repercussions would be. She did not even glance behind her to see if I was following her. Although our footsteps radiating around the small, stone walls and staircase would be a big indicator that I was following her. I knew I had made a mistake. I should have kept quiet. I wanted to.
But... how could I? Hearing of the horrors that man cast upon his wife. No, his younger sister. Better yet his whole family. I could not stay silent.
I must have been so lost inside my thoughts that I hardly noticed myself passing through the doorway that lead us to the torch-lit halls. Alice stopped ahead of me. I squeezed my palms and swallowed. Preparing myself for Alice's chastisement. She turned around and faced me with a serious look in her eye. Her eyes were hard and cold. I could feel my heart in my chest beat faster.
"Isabella, how cou-"
"Pardon me ladies." His smooth voice cut Alice's off promptly. I discreetly breathed out a sigh of relief as I turned towards my red-eyed savior. Alice quickly curtsied while I lowered my head to acknowledge him. "I hope I am not interrupting." He seemed to apologize but looked directly at me while speaking.
"No my lord. You are not." Alice said while avoiding his gaze.
"I see." He replied, slightly nodding his head. "Since I am not interrupting, then would you like to accompany me for a walk Isabella?" He asked as his red eyes fixated on mine.
I was still unable to speak as my heart beat faster in my chest. However, it was not form fear like it was with Alice. Instead I nodded my head and stepped closer to him. His face did not smile but I could have swore it looked as though his eye lit up. I cold not tell because as soon as I stepped closer to him he simply turned around and began walking. I stayed close as I followed him. No words were exchanged between us but I did not mind. Probably because being in his presence did not irritate me as much as before.
I had forgotten how beautiful this place was. The flowers and grass did not wither in color. I could still feel the dewy blades between my toes tickling my feet. Almost every flower of every color was here. I had almost forgotten this place is artificial. But for now I will not think of it as unnatural but as a getaway.
"It has been awhile since I've been here." I said as I plucked a dandelion near my toes. I brought the flower up to my nose as I heard Hades shift beside me.
"Long time for me as well." He answered in a whisper. I'm not sure If I was supposed to heart those words or not, so I remained silent. "You mustn't let Alice control you." He said as he passed me and continued walking ahead. I was stunned at his comment at first but once I realized he was not going to stop, I quickly ran towards him until I was by his side.
"I do not understand." I answered his question as I looked into his face. A mistake on my part because I was momentarily speechless by his features. "She is your adviser and most loyal servant. Is she not also to watch over me?"
"That may be true. She was also supplied to you to teach you the culture and ways of the Underworld. However, when I brought you here, it was to be my wife." I had to avert my eyes while I felt my face most certainly grow red and hot. I can still remember the kiss he took upon my first day here. "If you were to be my Queen then she must be loyal and subservient to you as well." I though about what he said. In a way he was right. If I were to become his Queen then she would have to respect me as well as him.
"But did I not disrupt the judgement process earlier?"
"normally, I have a rule that no one should speak when I am giving judgement. It is a very...emotional time and it is hard to make sound, fair judgments when there are distractions. It i imperative that the souls are judged accordingly so that none with malicious intent are sent to paradise to prey upon the good and innocent or vice versa." I dropped my head. If I had made an even the slightest mistake then that means a murderer could have been placed with innocent children. Or that girl, Isla.
"Do not frown, Isabella." His fingers softly grasp my chin and pulled my face up until our eyes met. "Your distractions are most welcome. However, if it would suit you better, you are more than welcome to sit closer to the throne so you can a closer look, okay?" I could sense a hint of humor in his eyes. He was not upset by my outburst.
"I did not know that judgement took place within this realm." I answered honestly. "The tales did not state what happened down here."
I noticed him shrug his shoulders slightly form the corner of my eye. "Most of the tales paint the Underworld as a dark, decrepit place to be feared. When in reality it is only a pit stop before human souls can really rest. But no. Sometimes tales can be full of lies. The truth can be somewhat shocking and even disappointing."
I noticed a dandelion in front of my feet and stopped. I lowered myself to the ground to pluck it from the earth. As I stared at the small weed in my fingers, I thought about what he had spoke. My mother had often told me how the Underworld is a dark, evil place. Hades himself was a monster to behold and no mortal has ever seen him and lived. However, that is not that case here. True he did capture me to force me as his bride. We even had a scuffle among each other. But...things have changed. The Underworld is a world in itself. There are townspeople who, like me, were forced into this world but created a new one. Some have begun families and started their own shops. To continue living. Even in the Underworld, there is life to be had.
I looked up and noticed that Hades too had stopped, however, he was looking away from me. Towards the open field of flowers. Artificial flowers. At first, like everyone else, I deemed him a monster. He certainly acted like one. But as time has passed I have viewed a new side to him. Despite his tall, imposing stature, he is mostly quiet and reserved. His anger is red like his temper but he can humble himself as well. I too may have misjudged him. Given our...unconventional meeting it was understandable but he is different. Or maybe he has always been this way? Was he like the townspeople? Was he thrust into this world against his will as well?
I could see the subtle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed beneath his dark tunic. His red eyes seemed to glaze over. As if he was lost within his own thoughts. His stubble was coming in. My fingers twitched to feel it's texture but I remembered myself and placed my eyes back to the dandelion. It was then that I realized that I never did answer his question.
"I would appreciate a closer seat." I replied as I stood next to him. I kept my gaze upon the flower as I continued. "I find the Judgement Room fascinating and I want to learn more about it...if your willing to teach me." I felt my face grow hot and I lifted my eyes to his.
"I would be most willing to teach you, Isabella." A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as his eyes turned amber for a second. I don't know why but my felt my heart flutter at the change and my face grow hotter.
I nodded my head and began walking ahead of him. Although I could not see him within my view, I could not get the image of his eyes out of my head. That color made him seem happier, light, and...dare I say pretty?
RPOV
I walked through the trees. The air had gone colder as the days dragged on. Some of the trees even began to lose there lustrous color. The once vibrant, green leaves have started to turn orange or red. The grass which once held either the dew from the morning or crunch from the heat, had gone dry. The sun which never hid behind the sun now always seemed to hide behind a cloud.
But I didn't care.
Nothing mattered. Not while she was gone.
Sometimes I just walked. As of now, I have no idea how longed I have been walking for but I just keep going. Somehow, I ended back at my mortal home. Once the door opened, I half expected Isabella to run up and hug me. However, I was only greeted with an open, empty hall. I walked the halls, hearing nothing but my own footstep echo throughout the space. Angela has been avoiding me. I know she fears speaking to me regarding Isabella. If it was form fear or sadness I did not know. Most of the time I think about selling Angela and her family to another wealthy one. One that has a house full of children to raise and care for. However, when I do think about it, I need her here in case she came back.
Without thinking I opened the door only to be in her room. The soft purples and pinks did nothing to lessen the pain within my heart. Slowly, I touched every surface within the space. The furniture that I had specially made once I conceived her. Every trinket I ever gave her form my travels across the world. Even her dolls from her girlhood. She had just become a woman...
Alas, I came to her bed last. Her bed where I used to rock her to sleep. Comb her hair and read her stories. I would tuck in her falling hair and make sure she slept peacefully. This room reeked of her. I hated this room. But I refused to move a single thing. As I glanced over the room again, I clenched my right hand. I felt something wet drip from my palm, knowing it must be my own blood. But I didn't dare open it. I refused to let go of it.
That damn flower did not belong in that field. I should know I grow things for a living. This flower was no coincidence. And because of this flower, I lsot mine.
My little flower.
My daughter.
Bella...
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