Chapter 3
He watched her heal as the days passed, doing his best to keep her company in the few waking hours that she regained consciousness. When he could, he would read to her, and he often found her smiling when he spoke. It made him feel warm in a way he never thought he could.
"I like the sound of your voice," she told him.
"And I yours."
"But, my lord, do you always sound so sad?" That caught him off guard. Did he? He sighed. He supposed he did. Though lately, with her presence, he was beginning to feel happier.
Then she asked the question he had been dreading. "When can I go home?" I don't want you to leave.
"When you are healed, I will take you back to your mother." Please stay.
"Where is my friend?"
" . . . Gone." I couldn't save her. I'm sorry.
He didn't hold her as she cried, though he desperately wanted to comfort her. I'll keep you safe.
Then one day she grabbed his wrist and for a panicked moment, he thought that she could see him.
"Don't go," she whispered. "Please."
He gently pulled his hand away from her grasp. "My dear, I must." He wanted to slap himself as he said the words.
"Will I ever see my mother again?"
"Of course," he answered her, though his heart constricted at the double-meaning of "see." He looked at her, scarred and broken, and he felt like a monster for leaving. I want you to stay.
"Will you at least tell me your name?"
He froze. Should I tell her? Would that frighten her? He did not want her to fear him, and he was well aware of reputation amongst his siblings. Yet lying was the coward's way, and he would not lie to her.
"I am Hades," he breathed, and he immediately left when he heard her gasp of fear. Idiot, he cursed himself. Of course she's afraid of you.
But, as time passed, he was surprised to learn that she was not. In fact, as she began to regain her strength and he offered his hand as support for her walks around the underworld, she took his arm instead. Her legs were shaky, but still she walked, and she held tightly onto him.
"So we are in the underworld?"
"Yes."
"I wish I could see it." He felt his heart pound at her words.
"You will, sweet one. Hecate tells me you are healing well." He touched her arm with his other hand for reassurance. She turned towards him, and her bandaged eyes filled him with an immense sense of guilt.
"I wish I could see you." No you don't.
He smiled sadly at her, though he knew she could not see it. "Do not wish such a thing. The world has much more beautiful things to see."
She whispered something then, though he did not catch it. He decided not to press her.
(She said, "Not to me.")