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“This is where I guide the souls of the departed,” he explained, his voice gentle. “It’s a responsibility I take very seriously, ensuring they find their way to their final resting place.”
One by one, the souls drifted toward the gateway, their forms shimmering like wisps of smoke. Hades guided them with a steady hand, his magic ensuring that each one found its way to the other side. There was a reverence in his movements, a respect for the dead that spoke to the depth of his character.
When the last soul had passed through the portal, Hades turned to me, his eyes soft as he reached out to brush a strand of hair from my face. “Thank you for being here with me,” he said quietly, sincerely. “It means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
I smiled, leaning into his touch. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” I replied, my voice equally soft.
His eyes darkened with emotion, and he pulled me into a gentle embrace, his arms wrapping around me as if he never wanted to let me go. I melted into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my cheek, the warmth of his love surrounding me like a protective shield. We stood there for a long time, wrapped up in each other’s arms.
I went to bed beside him that night, happy and feeling whole for the first time in a very long time.
I woke with a jolt, a cold, sharp pressure on my throat. My eyes snapped open, my breath hitching as I realized that there was a dagger pressed against me.
Mais stood over me, her face twisted in a sneer of contempt. “Good morning, Aria,” she hissed, the blade pressing harder against my throat as I tried to move.
Fear surged through me, but I forced myself to stay still, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of what was happening. Where was Hades? Why wasn’t he here? Was he called away on castle business?
It didn’t matter now though. At the moment, I needed to worry about the dagger at my throat.
“What are you doing?” I whispered, my voice trembling.
“What I should have done weeks ago,” she spat, her eyes narrowing as she leaned in closer. “The king may have forgotten what’s important, but I haven’t. You were supposed to be his sacrifice, Aria, the final piece in his rise to power. But instead, he’s been playing house, coddling you like some kind of wife. It’s pathetic.”
I swallowed hard, my pulse racing as I felt the cold metal of the dagger bite into my skin a little bit deeper.
“He won’t let you do this,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear clawing at me.
Mais let out a harsh, bitter laugh. “Won’t let me? You don’t understand, do you? This isn’t just about him. There areothers who want to see the prophecy fulfilled, others who have been preparing for this moment for centuries. The Cult of the Everlasting Darkness has been waiting for this day, for the blood that will grant him ultimate power.”
My heart pounded in my chest as her words sank in. “The Cult of the Everlasting Darkness?” I repeated. “What are you talking about?”
“Yes,” Mais sneered, her eyes gleaming with a fanatical light. “A sect of followers who believes in the Dark King’s ascent to power, who has been preparing for this sacrifice for years. Three vials of blood have already been collected—the blood of three women touched by dragon magic. But there’s one more vial left to fill, and it’s yours.”
“You’re mad,” I breathed, trying to find a way out of this nightmare.
Mais’ smile was cold, cruel. “The prophecy is clear. With your blood, the king will ascend, and he will reign supreme over all five realms.”
I tried to push her away, but she was too strong, the dagger unyielding against my throat.
“Hades won’t allow this,” I said desperately. “He’ll stop you.”
“He’s been weakened by his foolish love for you, blinded by his own sentimentality. But it doesn’t matter. The ceremony has already been set in motion, and you will be the final sacrifice,” she spat, her eyes narrowing into slits.
Before I could respond, Mais grabbed me by the arm, yanking me out of bed with a force that made me stumble. The dagger stayed pressed to my throat as she dragged me across the room.I struggled against her, trying to break free, but she was too strong.
“Where are you taking me?” I demanded, trembling with fear.
“To the chamber where the ceremony will take place. The cult has been preparing it for years, and now, it is time,” Mais replied, her voice cold and detached.
She dragged me through the twisting corridors of the castle. The walls grew darker, the air colder, as we descended into the depths of the massive underground labyrinth.
Finally, we reached an iron door at the end of a long, dark corridor. Mais pushed it open with a grunt, the heavy door creaking on its hinges as it revealed a vast, cavernous chamber beyond. The room was lit by the eerie glow of torches set into the walls, their flickering flames casting long, dancing shadows across the stone floor. In the center was a steaming pool swarming with light violet, glowing lights that swam by in flashes. The power was so strong here that I could feel the floor vibrating with it beneath my feet.
It was magic.
A series of steps led to a platform in the middle of the pool where a massive stone altar stood, surrounded by dark, hooded figures who murmured in a low, chanting tone. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the oppressive weight of dark magic. My blood ran cold as I took in the sight before me, the realization of what was about to happen sinking in like a stone in my chest.
Mais shoved me forward, the dagger still at my throat as she forced me toward the altar. The hooded figures parted as we approached, their chants growing louder, more intense, as ifthey could feel the moment of the prophecy’s fulfillment drawing near.
