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Each day, he showered me with gifts—exquisite gowns of the finest silks that made me feel like royalty, delicate jewelry set with gems that sparkled like the night sky, and even books filled with stories and knowledge from realms I had never heard of.
It wasn’t just the gifts that made me happy, though. It was the way he looked at me, the way his eyes softened when they met mine, the way he listened to me, truly listened, as if every word I said meant something to him.
Somehow, in some way, Hades had become more than just my captor, more than the powerful king who ruled over Helheim. He had become someone I deeply cared for.
Someone who I might even love.
I shook my head, trying to push away thoughts I wasn’t ready to contend with yet, and headed down to the dining hall for breakfast. I ate my fill, picking through the pastries until I found my very favorite apple ones and piling three of them on my plate.
After I was full, I decided to take a walk in the castle garden. It had become one of my favorite places, a quiet haven where I could escape the castle walls and breathe in the fresh air.
I rounded a corner, only to find the massive hellhound that had fought at my side in battle waiting for me.
The giant creature lifted its head as I approached, its blazing eyes locking onto mine. There was an intelligence in those eyes and for a moment, it gave me pause.
“Hello,” I said softly, feeling slightly foolish for talking to a creature like this, but unable to stop myself. “I wanted to thank you… for saving me.”
The hellhound tilted its head, as if considering my words, and then, to my shock, it began to change. The dark fur receded, the huge form shrinking and shifting until, standing before me, was not a beast, but a woman—a woman I knew all too well.
“Liora?” I gasped, my eyes widening in disbelief as I stared at her.
She smiled a little sheepishly as she stepped forward, her form now fully human, though there was still something wild and untamed in her eyes for a moment before it was gone.
I blinked, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. “You… you were the hellhound? All this time?”
Liora nodded, her expression both amused and a little sad. “Yes. I’ve been watching over you, even when you didn’t know it.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice filled with genuine gratitude. “You saved my life, more than once. I don’t know how I could possibly repay you.”
“You’re welcome,” she murmured and shook her head. “There is no need to repay me, I’m just happy you’re still alive.”
For a moment, we stood in silence, the garden’s stillness wrapping around us. I bit my lip, my thoughts swirling with everything that had happened, not just with the battle, but with Hades. There was so much I wanted to say, so much I wanted to tell her, but I didn’t know where to start.
Liora seemed to sense my hesitation, her eyes twinkling with a knowing light.
“You care about him, don’t you?” she asked gently.
I felt my cheeks flush, warmth spreading across my face as I looked away, embarrassed by how easily she could see through me.
“I… I don’t know,” I stammered, though the words felt hollow even as I said them. “It’s complicated.”
“Of course it is,” Liora said with a soft laugh, stepping closer. “He’s the Dark King, after all. But that doesn’t change what’s in your heart.”
I looked down at the ground, fidgeting with the edge of my sleeve. “He’s been different lately… softer, kinder.” I paused, biting my lip as the next words tumbled out. “It scares me how much I’m starting to care about him.”
Liora’s expression softened and she reached out, placing a comforting hand on my arm.
“There’s nothing wrong with that, Aria. It’s natural to feel conflicted, especially with someone like him. He’s powerful, yes, but there’s more to him than just his darkness. And you’ve seen that side of him—the side he doesn’t show to anyone else,” she offered.
I nodded, my heart racing as I thought about all the moments we’d shared, the way he’d held me, the way he’d allowed me to show my strength in battle even when it had frustrated him, the way he’d just let me be me.
“Do you really think he could care about someone like me?” I asked, my voice hesitant.
Liora’s hand squeezed mine gently, her expression warm and reassuring. “I think he already does, more than you realize. And if you care for him too, then maybe it’s time to stop being so hard on yourself and let yourself feel what you’re feeling. The heart knows what it wants, Aria, even if the mind tries to resist.”
I nodded slowly, her words resonating deep within me. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to stop fighting against the tide and allow myself to embrace what was happening between us, to trust that what I felt was real.
That I loved him.
