BRAVING THE DARKNESS: One Night With The Demon King
BENEATH HER DARKNESS: The Alpha’s Little Demon Book 2
Chapter 51 – The Three Gods (PATREA)
“But Hades cannot unbind the spell you created, Patrea,” Guinevere explained, and I felt my heart being ripped apart.
“What do you mean? So King Hades was not lying when he said he couldn’t?” I asked.
“The spells were created using the energy of my spirits, not the energy of his demons. So, he’s not lying in a way, but then he can do something to override it. That’s why he asked you what you wanted to give in return.
“But why would he offer a gift if he wants to take something back?”
“If the gift you are asking for is something he can do in a blink of an eye, like lifting Lucien’s curse of linking his bloodline to kill you, then he will do it without asking anything back. But what you are asking is something that he needs to touch in other realms to get. He can, if he will. But he has the heart of a demon, Patrea. So, if he can get more than what he gives, he will take it.”
“I have nothing to offer him. I will not give up Lucius!”
“What do you think you have that demons are always craving for?”
“My soul…” I answered in almost a whisper.
“Exactly. Right at this point, your soul is divided between the spirit realm and the demon realm. When the day comes that your life perishes, you can decide where your soul stays. And I’m sure you will choose to stay here with Lucius. But he has the power to allow you to cross between realms.”
“Will that mean there is a possibility I can visit Adora in the afterlife?
She nodded her head, and tears trickled down my face.
“And I believe that is exactly what he wants you to give up, the same way he took Adan’s soul for himself.”
“Why do I have to choose? I want to be a mother to Lucius’ heir, but I am also Adora’s mom. I shouldn’t be choosing between my children. When can I rest from this pain, Guinevere? What have I done wrong? I love Lucius. But I love Adora too.” My heart was shattering into pieces.
I didn’t know what I needed to do. I chose Lucius over Adora, but choosing another child over my Adora would be unfair.
“That’s why I’m here. I will make you an offer, but you must promise me that no matter what happens, you will take care of the part of your soul that belongs to the spirit realm.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, but hope was slowly rising from my chest.
“I will undo the spell you created on your body, but the gift you will ask for from Hades is the gift of allowing your soul to travel back to the spirit realm whenever you want.”
“You are okay with sharing me with the underworld?”
“I want you for myself, Patrea, but Lucius belongs in this world. I knew what it felt like to love and lose the one you love. I will never wish it for my children. So, I will be content to share you even with the wicked Hades, so you can be happy with Lucius.”
My whole body was wracked with tears and sobs as my arms flew around
Guinevere, and I hugged her tightly.
Tears continued to race down my cheeks a s I kept murmuring my thank-yous to her. “I will be forever grateful, Guinevere. I promise you, I will not let them take a part of my soul that belongs to the spirit realm.”
“That will be enough for me.” Her hand smoothed over my back.
“I’m sorry, I hugged you without asking. I got carried away.” I pulled away slowly a s I wiped my tears off my face.
“I never get many hugs, so a hug is always welcome.” She smiled warmly at me before our conversation was cut short.
“I don’t appreciate both of you meddling with my realm.” Hades hissed, eyes blazing red, as he threw a deadly glare at Guinevere.
“Again, Hades. We wouldn’t be here if you were doing business fairly.” It was Selene who answered as she floated down from the steps of the throne. I saw her wink at me before she stood beside Guinevere.
“When did I do my business fairly?” He scoffed, propping his elbow on his armrest before brushing his chin with his hand while he looked at the three of us. “Exactly, so you can’t blame us for doing things your way to make sure you don’t win all the time,” Selene told him.
“Still upset about Adan Stone?”
“Of course! And I will not rest until I get a part of his soul back!” Selene snapped at him, but because her voice was so soft and melodic, she sounded like she was about to cry.
Hades chuckled, which I wasn’t expecting before he let out a laugh that echoed around the walls of his throne room. “Upset about Adan or upset about us, Selene?”
Selene’s body jolted, and my eyes darted to her, but I saw Guinevere’s lips pursing into a thin line as her eyeballs shifted back and forth between Selene and Hades.
It seemed there was more than meets the eye between the two gods.
“How dare you bring up that issue? It was a long, long time ago, Hades. I have moved on, and you should do so.”
“I did. I’m not sure about you.”
Selene’s chest puffed up before she faced Guinevere. “Are you done with your business with Patrea?”
“No, not yet. But you can leave if you don’t want to be here at the moment.” Guinevere answered in a hushed tone.
“I will stay. I will make sure he can’t play with Patrea’s mind and emotions too.”
Guinevere opened her mouth to say something when Hades’ voice cut him off. “Patrea.”
All heads turned in his direction.
“King Hades,” I acknowledged him.
“Come closer, my child.” He ordered.
I looked at Guinevere, and she gave me a nod of her head, giving me the confidence I needed to step forward and stand at the foot of the step directly to his throne.
“I guess Guinevere convinced you to change your wish, am I right?”
“Yes, King Hades.” There was no point in lying or reasoning.
“Tell me what you want, my child.”
“I want a gift that would allow my soul to traverse through the spirit realm and the moon.”
“And the moon?” He asked, his forehead creasing.
“Yes, King Hades. My granddaughter, Althea, is mated to a wolf. If she comes to accept him, her soul might come home to the moon, and I want to be able to reach her as well.”
“Do you know there is a wish far greater than that?” I swallowed, but I didn’t say anything.
“Why not wish for Lucien’s curse to be lifted? What if you came out of here and met Lucius’ siblings? They are capable of killing you. What if giving birth to Lucius’ child makes you bleed to death? Tell me, Patrea, is your wish worth it? Getting your soul to travel in any realms you want but cutting your life short so you don’t get to spend this lifetime with Lucius?”
“Are you planning to kill me right away to prove your point, King Hades?” I was not able to stop myself from asking. But in reality, his words stung.
I heard Selene stifle a chuckle at my words as Hades’ brow hiked up.
“You just spent a few minutes with these females, and you are turning out to be exactly like them.” He said it in an annoyed voice, but his jaw twitched into a smile, which made my heart lighter. For a split second earlier, I thought he would snap at me.
“I’m not really sure if I should apologize for that or not,” I added.
“Of course not,” Guinevere stated. “Don’t let his words rattle you, Patrea.”
“Trust me, Patrea. You don’t have to take the one he was offering. Take the wish you want for your soul.” Selene added, and I could hear the confidence in her voice. She sounded like she was sure of her advice.
“You are not fighting fair, Selene. Stop stalking me.”
“You wish I was stalking you, Hades. But we both know I am just after catching you stealing souls not meant for your realm completely.”
“You should leave, Selene. And you as well, Guinevere.”
“I am not leaving until Patrea gets her wish, as I have some business with her as well,” Guinevere answered.
“I will think about your wish, Patrea.” Hades shifted his attention to me.
“Hades, you can’t keep her hanging on a wish you voluntarily offered. You must grant it. Keep your word like a true God should be doing.” Selene threw those words at him.
And it only made a devil’s smirk cross Hades’ face. He looked like he was enjoying Selene’s angst toward him.
“I cannot argue with that, right? Keep your word like a true God should be doing?” He chuckled before his gaze returned to me. “With two females harassing me, I think I am left with no choice but to grant your wish, but one more time, Patrea. Is this the gift you really want?”
Our eyes locked, and his jaw tightened. It must be awful for him to share souls with other realms, but I knew what I wanted this time. “Yes, King Hades.”
“It will be granted then.” I felt something jolt in my chest, but it was just for a split second.
“Thankyou, King Hades.”
“It is a pleasure to serve you, Queen of Kalmerus and Athwart. Now you are free to leave.”
“Wait!” Guinevere hurried to stand before me, her eyes swirling with happiness as she nodded at me before her hand touched my stomach. “Espiritus estou chamando a vos. Axuda a mina filla Patrea e inverte o feitizo no seu ventre.”
She chanted the spell three times before I felt a warm sensation envelop my stomach until it traveled up to my heart and whole body. And then it was gone.
“Done. I fulfilled my end of the bargain.” Guinevere smiled at me.
“Thank you, Guinevere.”
“A pleasure to help, Patrea.” She smiled a t me before her finger touched the tip of my nose. “Now be merry and multiply.”
I nodded my head as a wide grin curled onto my lips.
“Demon witches and demon wolves. Soon, your species will be dominating my realm.” Hades’ hissed, and Selene giggled softly as silver mist covered her body.
“Thank you as well, Selene,” I told her.
“The pleasure is mine, Patrea.” She took Guinevere’s hand and clasped it with hers before she turned to face Hades. “Now, we’re leaving. We no longer have a reason to be here. However, it is a pleasure to conduct business with you, Hades.”
And then they were gone, and Hades grunted before shaking his head.
“Thank you again, King Hades. I am ready to take my leave.”
“Tell Lucius that the wish he was asking for will be granted.” He said it in a defeated voice.
“What did he…” I was not able to finish my words when my body was sucked into limbo, and I appeared in the same bedroom where I was.
I staggered on my feet as I balanced my body and found myself looking at Lucius’ who had a deadly expression on his face, with Lucy and Althea in front of him. It looked like my king was interrogating them, and I was sure it was about me and my whereabouts.