AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. The thought of her out there, in the middle of that chaos, made my blood run cold.
“I don’t care what your father taught you,” I said through gritted teeth. “This is not a battle for you to fight. It’s too dangerous, and I will not lose you to this madness.”
Her eyes softened slightly, but her resolve didn’t waver. “I’m not asking for permission, Hades.”
“If I see you anywhere near that battlefield, I swear by all the dark gods, I will drag you back to the castle and truly punish you myself.”
Despite the danger, my cock hardened at the thought of her sobbing over my knee, her bright red ass well marked from my belt as she begged for mercy, but that would be far from the end of it for her.
It wouldn’t be over until my cock sank deep into that tight little asshole and she came good and hard for me like a bad girl who had been thoroughly punished by her king.
She crossed her arms, glaring up at me. “You think you can just order me around, like I’m one of your soldiers? I’m not afraid of you, Hades.”
“Then maybe you should be,” I shot back. I didn’t want to frighten her, but I needed her to understand the gravity of the situation.
“I’m not going to stand by and do nothing while you risk everything,” she countered.
I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my frustration. “I don’t need you risking your life for this, Aria. You don’t understand what you’re up against.”
“Don’t push me aside like I’m fragile. I can handle more than you think.”
I met her gaze, a battle of wills playing out between us. I could see the determination in her eyes, the stubbornness that matched my own. But this wasn’t a fight she could win.
“I won’t lose you, Aria,” I said quietly, my voice softening as I reached out and cupped her cheek.
Her expression faltered, her anger giving way to something else—fear, uncertainty, and something else I couldn’t quite name. She placed her hand on top of mine, her touch sending a spark of electricity through me.
Then, with a sigh, I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her in a protective embrace. She tensed for a moment, but then relaxed against me, her head resting on my chest. I pressed my chin on top of her head, inhaling the scent of her hair, a mix of something sweet and earthy that temporarily soothed the storm raging within me.
“Aria,” I murmured softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “I need you to stay safe. I can’t fight this war if I’m worried about you.”
She didn’t respond right away, her body still pressed against mine. I could feel the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, the warmth of her breath on my chest. It was a moment of peace that I didn’t want to end, but I knew it couldn’t last.
“I promise I’ll stay safe,” she finally whispered, her voice almost too soft to hear. I nodded, accepting her words even as doubt lingered in the back of my mind.
Reluctantly, I began to pull back, but even as I did, I felt a subtle change in her stance. It was so quick, so smooth, that I almost missed it.
But I didn’t.
I looked down just in time to see her slip my dagger from its sheath, her fingers curling around the hilt with practiced ease.
My little thief.
“Aria,” I growled, my voice a mix of frustration and disbelief.
She met my gaze, a determined glint in her golden eyes. “I told you, Hades. I can fight. And I will, whether you like it or not.”
“This isn’t a game,” I snarled.
Her grip on the dagger tightened, but she didn’t back down. “I know exactly what’s at stake, Hades. I’m not some fragile thing you need to protect.”
There wasn’t time for this. I needed to call on my army and I needed to do it now.
“When this is over, I’m going to punish you,” I growled and her face hardened.
“Do your worst, my king,” she dared me.
Oh, I would… I most certainly would…
