Chapter 73 Back to Earth

Chapter 73 Back to Earth
Aria POV

My heart pounds loudly, where did he disappear to? “Hades?” I whisper into the empty room. Panic claws his way up my spine, did he leave? Without me? “Hades?” I call out his name again.

The sound of running water reaches my ears. I freeze, before I can spin and hide my face, the bathroom door opens and Hades appears.

Naked. “Shit.” I whisper.

Water droplets slide down his chest, tracing slow paths over his muscle and skin, evaporating lower than my eyes are willing to follow.

His dark hair is damp, curling slightly at the ends with a calm expression stamped on his face. He looks up at me, like he didn't just unravel my entire world just hours ago.

My face immediately goes up in flames. “Oh my gods,” I squeak, spinning around so fast that I nearly trip over my own feet. 

“Hades!! Wear some creaking clothes. Now.” I squeak out, my entire face burning with embarrassment. I can’t stop thinking about his member. The length of it. The width of it. It sends shivers down my spine just remembering it.

I hear him chuckle lowly behind me, his voice deep and certainly amused by my sudden shyness.

“You weren't so shy just a few hours ago Aria.” he says lazily.

“That was different!” I snap, clutching the shawl tighter around my body. “Now wear some damn clothes.”

Instead, I feel him move closer to me. The air instantly thickens with heat and my heart betrays me, beating faster with every step he takes.

“Diffeent how?” he whispers directly into my ears, his hot breath against my face.

I swallow hard. “It was the drink. Aphrodite’s drink. I wasn't….I wasn't thinking clearly.”

He moves closer to me, his front almost pressing into me. I hold my breath as his cool touch brushes my neck.

His fingers close around my wrist firmly but gentle, just like last night. And in one smooth movement, he turns me to face him. The shawl slips from my shoulders, pooling at my feet, revealing my naked body to him again.

My breath stutters. Before I can react, my back meets the door. His body arches me in, one arm braces beside my head and the other holds my waist tightly to him.

“You’re shy now? Interesting.” he says softly as he looks down at me, our eyes intensely on each other causing me to look down immediately. How can I face him after last night? 

A smirk tugs at his lips “I think you were thinking quite clearly Aria. The drink only reveled your desire.”

My cheek burns even hotter, “This…this would never have happened without that drink. That's the only reason–”

“That you kissed me?” he interrupts softly, “That you pulled me into bed so hard?” he chuckles lowly, “That you practically begged that I fuck you till you cum Aria?”

My face burns hotter with every word, and finally I gather the guts and look up at him, forcing the words out, “it won't happen again. Ever.”

For a single moment, he just looks at me, like he's trying to read my mind. Then a deep warm laugh escapes his lips. Something I've never seen Hades do.

“It already happened, Aria,” he says quietly, “That means it will happen again.”

He lifts my chin with a single finger, tilting my fave toward his. My heart pounds wildly as his thumb brushes over my lower lip. “And the next time it happens.” he murmurs, “You will be fully aware.”

Then he kisses me. It's nothing like before, there's no urgency or hunger, or aphrodisiac. It's soft, slow and careful as he presses his lips against mine. Almost like he's asking for permission.

I hate that my body melts instantly into his. When he pulls back from the kiss, I'm breathless and furious with my own self. How did I agree to that?

I look up at him to see him smiling widely. A real smile that hits me harder than the kiss. I've seen him laugh and smile in one minute. The world must be ending.

He steps back, giving me space and just like that, the moment breaks. I scramble for my clothes, ignoring my engorged nipples from that kiss. I dress up quickly, my hands shaking.

My mind drifts back to the hallway. I wonder who Persephone was talking to, why did she mention my name and what is she planning? Should I even be worried?

I glance at Hades who is also getting ready. Should I tell him what I heard? He will probably brush it off with the last he has with her and it should not be anything serious. I mean Perspehone is always up to something since meeting me. It's nothing I can’t deal with.

“We’ll be leaving soon,” Hades says into the silence, fully dressed now, “You will return to earth tonight.” he smirks 

I pause, lifting a brow, “I can?” I honestly thought I would have to run again.

“You will come back tomorrow evening, underworld time for the next event.” he adds, his eyes meets mine, “I know how important it is for you to be on earth as well Aria.”

Relief crashes though me so suddenly by how sincere he sounds, but before I can say anything else, his expression shifts.

“Aria… I owe you an apology.” he says

I frown, confused, “For what?”

“For what happened here.” he looks to the bed, “I didn't know you were a virgin… I shouldn't have continued.”

My throat tightens. I forgot about that. The pain lasted just a second and after that came just pleasure after pleasure.

He continues, “I assumed...given your relationship with Nicholas.” 

I cut him off, “That was one of the reasons I always wanted to prove myself to him in other ways,” I admit quietly, “I wanted to wait. I believed if I wanted to have sex, it should be with my husband.”

His eyes light up, and his lip lifts in a sincere smile, “You did get your wish Aria.” he says softly, “I am your husband.”

My heart stumbles.

“I promise you Aria,” he adds, stepping closer again, his voice low, I’ll treat you right.”

He moves closer to me before I can speak, cornering me gently against the door, “Though I must say…Aphrodite’s drink made you quite feral.”

I gasp as he kisses me again, brief and playful, just enough to make the soul-bond pulse hard in my chest and for goosebumps to cover my skin.

He takes my hand softly, “Come on,” he says, “Lets rejoin the party.”

My cheeks turns red again, this was meant to be a game of 10 minutes, “I don't want to face them.” I mutter, “Everyone knows we stayed in here for hours. Let’s just go home.”

His brow raises in surprise and for the third time today, he smiles, he squeezes my fingers, "There's nothing to be shy about or embarrassed about. You are my wife and I your husband.”

I nod, my heart pounds in my chest as we reach the party site. The place is absolute chaos. gods are laughing, the music is loud and wine is spilling from Dionysus cup to multiple people.

They spot us immediately when we enter. Ares lets out a loud whistle, “The love birds are back!”

I almost hide my face behind Hades but we ignore him as we make our way through the crowd. I spot Aphrodite and I almost want to go to her and shake her and ask her why she did that but she only raises her glass to me giggling like a school girl.

Hades bids Zeus goodbye and in a moment we return back to the underworld.

I would love to rest, especially with all my sensitive parts currently engorged but I've missed too much on earth. I change my clothes quickly to a T shirt and Jeans and Hades relaxes by the side of his bed.

I open a portal when he stops me, “Maybe you shouldn't go alone, what will be your excuse?” he frowns standing up.

“I should change, tell everyone you were with me, bonding.” he smirks

I shake my head, “I have to be alone.” I say, the portal whooshing behind me, “I can't have you by my side all the time and plus, I'm not only focused on my revenge against Nicholas and Selene,” I shake my head 

“I need to discover the rest of their plans, right before they murdered me, they had other plans and I need to discover them and stop them before time… alright?”

After a long moment, he nods in understanding. I step into the portal and it swallows me whole.

Morning light hits me first as I arrive on earth, completely different from the underworld. I stop in front of my dads mansion.

I push open the door and the smell of breakfast hits me instantly. I wonder how much time has passed? 

Voices drift from the dining room and I follow the sound. The moment I step inside. Selene freezes, Nicholas' face turns pale and my step-mother rises from her chair, her eyes blazing with fury.

Before I can speak, her hand strikes my face, hard.