Chapter 76: Someone Watched
Hades POV
Aria jerks away from me at the sound of his voice like we have been caught doing something forbidden.
I shut my eyes, the sight of her back against the wall, her breath uneven, eyes wide and lips flushed. I want to grab her, my wife and show this idiot who she is to me, admit our hunger for each other but I keep quiet.
Nicholas stands a few feet away, his posture stuff and eyes darting between us like he's trying to piece something together. Probably too large for his brain to even comprehend.
His jaw clenches, and he squares his shoulders as he tries to look imposing.
But it only amuses me. Oh such a silly human.
I straighten slowly, rolling my shoulders back to my full height. I look down at him as he finally reaches us.
The difference between us is very obvious. Power always recognizes power, and Nicholas has none. He feels it too, and I see it the way his confidence fractures with every look from me.
“Care to explain what is going on here?” Nicholas asks, his voice loud and sharp as he turns toward Adia, attempting to intimidate her.
My jaw tightens. If only he knows what she already knows about him, if he knew she is standing here out of calculation rather than feat then he won't be speaking so loudly, in fact he won't be standing at all.
He pulls Aria by her arm closer to him and the sight of him so close to her makes something dark coil in my chest.
Jealousy. A sensation I despise and just discovered. I'm not accustomed to losing control like this.
Aria glances at me, my fingers pulled into fists beside me and she immediately knows I'm on the verge of reacting. We have been married for barely two weeks and she can already read me.
She moves and steps towards Nicholas immediately, “It's nothing Nico, Mr Aiden Back came to see Dad.” she smiles, circling her hand around his and pulling him back before I can smite the poor human.
Nicholas misreads the moment, mistaking it for loyalty, he lifts his chin boldly, "You've been spending far too much time with Aiden Black Lately,” he snaps, “Ever since he came into the picture, you've changed Aria.” his face falls, sadness taking over.
Aria’s expression softens, I frown, I hope she knows he is just manipulating her? She's too smart for that.
Nicholas continues turning to me, his voice rising, “I come from nothing, Aria, just a driver's son who worked for everything I have. I can't compete with a man like him, with his money or power so I know you would gravitate towards him.” he looks back to Aria with tears practically begging to fall from his eyes
I roll my eyes, a deep laughter leaving my lips, he turns to me, a smirk on his lips.
I want to kill him. I want to tell him Aria is already my wife, bound to me by fate older than his entire bloodline, she's mine to have, all mine and not for him to manipulate.
I take a step forward but Aria reacts instantly. Her hand comes up, resting against Nicholas' chest, “Calm down my love” she whispers softly, then she presses a soft kiss to his cheek.
The corridor tilts, my fingers clench into tight fists in anger, ‘Don’t do it Hades, don’t kill this mortal man because of a peck.’ I repeat to myself.
Aria turns to me then, her face hard, like she’s dismissing nearly a stranger, “We have to go Mr Aiden,” she says evenly, “My father is awake now, you can go see him if you want, I have work to deal with.” she says then takes Nicholas hands.
I breath out in anger, she guides him away and he throws me a smug look over his shoulder
“Idiot.” I mutter to myself. What kind of god lets a mortal man share his wife?
I sigh, she's doing all this for revenge and I have to help somehow. But at the same time I have to be here to remind her that I'm her husband, I'll insert myself in every part of her life as Aiden black.
I turn to the door, first though, I need to secure her fathers complete trust and love.
I lift my hand slightly, my fingers flicking through the air. The shadows ripple and a large bouquet of flowers materializes in my grasp.
I push open the door to his room, he looks frail, nothing like when I last saw him, but his eyes brighten when he sees me.
“Aiden,” he says warmly, “You came.”
I step further inside, trying not to look intimidating, “of course,” I reply, placing the flowers beside him, “How are you feeling?”
“Much better,” he says with a faint smile, “Especially knowing my daughter is no longer alone.”
He gestures for me to sit beside him, “At least if anything were to happen to me,” he continues quietly, “You are here with Aria and I can finally be with my wife again.”
My brow furrows, “Your wife?”
“My first wife,” he clarifies, “Aria’s mother.” he sighs heavily
My frown deepens, I never understood the concept of love, I thought I loved Persephone and that's why I chased her for centuries but turns out it was just lust.
Human love itself is a concept that is so hard to comprehend and I guess that's why Aria and I have so many issues finding a common ground. I have no idea how they do it. How they say they feel heavily for someone but get another woman in the next turn.
“If you loved your first wife so much,” I ask carefully, “Why did you marry again then?” I lift a brow at him.
He exhales slowly, staring at the ceiling, “Because I thought Aria needed a mother after her mother died. She changed a lot after her death.” he wipes a single tear
“Selene’s mother was a single mom and somehow we crossed paths in my company and I thought it would help. A new mother and sister to go with.” he says
“But I was wrong.” he continues and I remain silent.
“She tried so hard. She loved them with everything she had. Shrinked herself for Selene and looked for affection everywhere, especially with that bastard Nicholas.”
Understanding settles in my chest. That's why she hates being weak, not in control of her emotions or love life, it happened before. Everything clicks into place.
I stand up slowly, “Thank you for telling me.”
He smiles weakly, “Take care of her.”
“I will,” I promise looking towards the window. My eyes catch the flowers in the sill, all dead.
My brows furrows, looking between the flowers and her father. Did Aria perform a spell here? When did she start performing spells apart from teleportation?
I can ask her later, I head outside into my limo and close the door with a soft click. Shadows gather around me as I summon my butler.
“Lord Hades.” He bows slightly, “Your itinerary is quite full today sire.”
I shake my head, “Forget that, send a summon.” I say calmly, “To Argus panoptes.”
The butler hesitates, “The giant with a hundred eyes? What do you need with him, Sire?”
A smile curves my lips. I need to help Aria with Nicholas, to make her know I'll always have her back, so she can open up to me more.
“He sees all things.” I shrug, replying softly, “And I need someone watched.”