Chapter 8: Powers?
Aria POV
I don’t remember falling asleep, I just remember coldness curling around my spine, and then I sink into the dream.
I stand before a black marble throne, but it’s not just made of wood and stone, fire and shadows curl around the throne. I look around my body, my dark hair is long and my hands….
My hands aren’t what they usually are. Black flames pour from my palms, they swirl around my fingers like serpents. It’s beautiful but terrifying.
Below the throne, glowing eyes attached to shadows kneel to me.
“What?..” I step back watching as they multiply in hundreds.. in thousands
My lips part to speak but I’m ripped away from the dream with a choking gasp.
The room is freezing even though the room windows are all shut. My skin glistens with sweat, I breathe out in relief.. I’m no longer in the dream
“What the hell…” I press a shaking hand to my chest, “what was that?”
The nightmare lingers behind my eyelids, it seemed too vivid and real. I scan the room for any of the shadow servants because Hades promised he wouldn’t send any servants to me last night.
Before I can get myself back, the door burst open.
Hades strides in without knocking. Of course he doesn’t knock.
“You’re awake,” he says his voice low, “Good.”
I blink at him, then I blink again. Because today…he’s shirtless.
A long black and gold cloth wraps around his waist, draped like ancient armor. Golden bands circle his wrists and another dark cloth crosses his torso, hiding just enough while revealing everything else.
My brains short-circuits. “Do you…do you own a shirt?” I snap because if I don’t snap, I might stare.
He lifts one dark brow, “This is my palace.”
“And last I remember, this is my room.” I shoot back
“Temporarily.” His mouth curves into an amused smirk
Gosh, I could strangle him.
He comes closer and the air seems to thicken around him, “You fainted yesterday, I need to assess your stability.”
“I’m fine.” I scoot back before he can touch me. My hair is a disaster. I am a disaster, while he looks like he was carved by a team of god-level sculptors.
“You’re pale.” He murmurs, tiring his head slightly
“I’m always pale.”
He ignores my attitude, which somehow makes it worse.
“Aria…the soul bond is adjusting, and you may experience sensations you don’t understand yet.”
“And there is is again,”
His eyes narrow. “Again?”
“You talk like you own me,” I snap, “Like you get to decide what I feel or don’t feel.”
His jaw tightens.
I turn toward the giant window, “Just because you dragged me down here doesn’t mean I belong to you Hades.”
His eyes flicker, what anger or hurt, I don’t know and I don’t care.
“You don’t belong to me,” he says quietly, “The bond isn’t ownership.”
I lift a brow, “Then what is it?”
He opens his mouth, closes it, tries again and fails.
I smirk, I can’t lie, watching him struggle is satisfying.
He turns toward the door, “Servants will prepare you, I want to show you something.”
“I’m not a dog you get to summon.” I call after him
He stops for half a second, shoulders rising but he reduces his temper, “I will see you soon, Aria.” He says and leaves the room.
There’s barely any silence when two ghost women glide inside and they bow in unison.
“My lady.”
I shake my head, “No. my name is Aria.” I point between them, “And you are?”
They look between each other nervously. “Bella and Freda, my lady.”
“Great. Bella and Freda. I can bathe myself. Please don’t–“
“No my lady!” Bella squeaks. “Lord Hades instructed us to wash you, braid your hair, and dress you in fresh clothing. We must obey.”
Freida’s face trembles with fear.
I sigh. “Fine. But we do this my way.”
I peel off my dress and follow them into the bathing chamber. And Damnl…I could probably get used to this.
The large tub is filled with warm water and oils. They scrub massaging my skin till it glows. My hair is braided with delicate precision.
Next they show me to my closet and my jaw drops. The space is enormous with arched ceilings and golden lanterns. There’s a mirror taller than my entire bedroom back home with racks of gowns, silk dresses and a vanity with jewels.
Back home, everything extravagant, I gave to Selene because I felt bad about her and took the leftovers for myself
But here?
“All of this is mine?” I whisper
“Yes, mam,” Freda says softly, “it’s all yours.”
She lifts a black dress, eerily similar to Hades outfit this morning. I pull it on and the fabric melts over my skin. I look absolutely regal and different.
“Take me to your master,” I say dryly.
As we walk through the palace, each ghost we pass all pause and bow to me.
“Okay, that’s weird,” I mutter
Freda and Bella leave me at the grand dining hall. Hades stands with his back to me, facing the fire . His broad shoulders and muscles flex under the dim light
I almost sigh, his wardrobe choice should be a crime.
“Why were the ghosts all bowing to me?” I lift a brow
“Because they sense the bond.” He turns to me and freezes.
His breath catches, eyes travel from my face to my waist to the hem of my dress and he quickly swallows
I fold my arms, “It’s really not bow worthy.”
“It is…when the realm reacts to you.” He says, his voice low
“Realm?” I narrow my eyes, “What does that even mean?”
“Nothing that you have to worry about–“
“Nope, I’m done,” I turn toward the door to leave.
I don’t even get two steps forward when something slams into my body. I feel a burst of energy, like lighting, it shoots through my arm and my knees buckle
“Ah–!” I yell out in pain
Hades catches me instantly, one arm around my waist and the other gripping my wrist. My body slams into his chest and we both freeze
His hand is flat against my bare skin and his face just inches away from mine. His eyes darken, he already had dark eyes, but shadows twirl around them like I just unlocked something inside of him
The bond between us surges, and slams between both of us.
I hold my breath and Hades pulls himself closer, his breath warms my cheek as he calls my name, it almost sounds like a moan, “Aria.”
But before I can reply, push away this strange feeling, all the lamps in the room flicker violently
Then go out.