by Carly Spade
“Tartarus. Is it all fire and brimstone like I imagined it to be?”
He pursed his lips. “I’d rather not get into details about Tartarus. If you’ve ever pictured what hell would be like, then it’s truly all you need to know.”
I made absent circles with my fingertip over his knee. “And the Elysian Fields?”
“My powers couldn’t show the true brightness and colors of the Fields. It’s paradise.”
My heart fluttered. “Sounds amazing. Are people happy when they see it? Does it help them not be so afraid?”
He turned to face me, draping one arm on the edge of the tub. “It does. So curious, you’d think to ask such a question.”
“Have you thought about it? Taking on another Queen?” It left my lips before I had a chance to think about his reaction.
His jaw tightened, and he looked away. “I have. But I’d never feel right askin’. Since last time, it’d have to be a choice. An eternity in the Underworld isn’t exactly an easy sell.”
He forgot it was a package deal, a package that included him.
“Anything else your smoke monster can do?” I gave a coy grin.
His tongue grazed his lip, and he whispered into my ear, “Shut your eyes.”
I kept my grip on his leg and closed my eyes. A touch like a rose petal caressed my arm. It lit every nerve on one side of my body on fire, liquid fire coursing through my veins. The sensation traveled up my neck, and I moaned. My hand clenched his knee, and he slipped a hand over mine, clenching it back. It skirted over the back of my head, dipping over my shoulder to my breasts. I gasped, and my lip trembled. The sensation dripped to my core, tantalizing me, and tightening. My head flew back. I grabbed for him for fear I was falling.
My eyes flew open, and I couldn’t catch my breath. The fog was wrapped around us, curling over our limbs and breezing through our hair. I stared up at his ravenous gaze. His nostrils flared. He dipped his chin, kissing me with the same fiery intensity I’d felt across my skin. The fog swirled around us, and I fought back a groan.
A throat cleared nearby that didn’t belong to Hades or me. A low growl vibrated in Hades’ chest, and he slipped away. The attendant gave us an awkward wave and rattled off words in Greek. I pressed a hand to my chest, ensuring my heart still beat.
“He said our time is up,” Hades said with a frown.
Ironically, our time really was up. Hades would have to return to the Underworld, leaving me with nothing but memories of his molten touch.
“I still don’t regret kissing you,” I said for me as much as I said it for him.
He traced his knuckles down my cheek. “I only regret I can’t stay.”
“We still have tonight.” I forced a smile.
As Hades walked me back to my room, the older woman from the resort I’d seen him talk to days before ran up to him. She looked pain-stricken, grasping his hands within her gnarled ones.
“Fovámai,” she kept saying over and over.
Hades glanced at me before wrapping an arm around the woman’s shoulders and leading her to a bench. Her hands trembled, and tears streaked down her face. A butterfly appeared in his hand, and he held it out to her. It was beautiful in shades of purple, delicately flapping its wings, allowing the woman to hold it. The woman smiled. Smoke swirled in patterns around her body, emanating from the butterfly. She didn’t seem to notice, staring down at the insect, grinning, until she slumped over motionless.
I walked over. “Is she…”
His face hardened. “Yes. Her time had come to an end.”
I gasped, tears threatening. “I thought you said you guided the souls once they’re in the Underworld, not here.”
“I did say that, and it still holds. Something’s not right. I have to go back soon.”
I stared at the woman in horror. It was a natural process of life, but being so close to it sent a chill down my spine. The only sense of comfort was seeing her serene face when he’d calmed her.
“Stephanie,” Hades said, gently touching my elbow.
I jumped and peered down at the man who had shared such intimacy only moments ago. It felt bizarrely normal despite conversations of the Underworld and animated fog. I should’ve been scared of him after witnessing what I just had, but couldn’t bring myself to be.
“Yes?” I asked through a cracked voice.
“Can you please go get someone? Tell them what happened to her.”
“What about you?”
His brow creased. “What about me?”
“What if they…” I lowered my voice. “What if they think you killed her?”
“They won’t. Trust me.”
He kept my gaze and waited for his words to sink in.
I gave a firm nod and turned away. His hand caught mine.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he said.
Tonight. The dance.
I sat on the couch in my pink chiffon dress and nude-colored flats, waiting for Hades. Sara had been rather proud of herself when I got back to our room. When she asked how it went, I left out all of the steamy details. He wasn’t going to be around forever. It was just as unfair to her to make it seem otherwise. She helped me with my hair and hurried off to claim her front-row seat in the atrium. Thoughts of the older woman consumed me. It was a grim realization of who he was.
A light knock sounded at the door. I stared at the peephole before opening it to reveal Hades leaning against the frame with his hands in his pockets. He wore a black silk collared short-sleeve shirt with several buttons undone and black pants.
I sucked on my lower lip. “You’re going all out. Same outfit and everything.”
“Figured you would appreciate it.” His eyes dropped to my dress.
My body hummed. “Oh, I do. Very much.”
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Heat flushed over my cheeks. “Is everything alright? With the woman, I mean?”
“Yes, but you shouldn’t have to think about that right now. Tonight is for you.” He reached for my hand and curled it around his arm, escorting us to the atrium.
“What happens to all the souls when you’re not in the Underworld?”
“They remain in the river Styx until I’m there to guide them in the right direction.”
My grip tightened on his bicep. “That’s awful. It’s like a sort of limbo?”
“Time works differently down there. They don’t know how long they’ve been there. But, it’s also why I can never be on the surface for a prolonged time. They might not know, but I do.” He squeezed my hand.
“That’s quite the burden you have on your shoulders.”
He shrugged. “You get used to it. I was never meant to lead a normal life. No waking up, brushing my teeth, and brewing a pot of coffee.”
“You’d take your coffee black, I assume?”
“Naturally. And I’d guess you have a little coffee with your sugar?”
I laughed. “And two creams.”
His eyes twinkled, peering down at me. My breath hitched. The murmurs from the inside crowd muffled through the atrium doors once we reached them.
“Ready to win this thing?” he asked, pulling the door open for me.
“I have full confidence in you. I just hope I don’t trip and fall flat on my face.” Nerves prickled my skin.
“You know I wouldn’t let that happen, darlin’.” He pressed his hand against my lower back, steering me toward the table with sign-in sheets.
The woman looked up at us unenthused. Her gaze landed on Hades, and she smiled wide. “You look amazing.”
Hades was a juicy steak, and I was a window.
My hands trembled as I picked up the pen. Hades touched his fingertips to my arm, gently taking the pen from my grasp.
He nodded at the woman. “Thank you kindly.”
After he signed our names in that gorgeous scroll of his, he led me past signs reading “Contestants This Way.” We went backstage where a man stood, holding square pieces of paper wi
th numbers on them. He handed us a number six and pointed to a far corner. I shuffled my feet forward, Hades still leading me.
“Are you okay? We got this. Not sure why you’re so nervous,” he said, massaging my shoulders.
My eyes closed, remembering the feel of the fog pooling over my chest.
“I’m fine. I’ve only wanted to do this pretty much my entire life. I have the perfect partner, the perfect scenery. Hardly seems real.”
“Perfect partner?” His breath breezed against my ear.
I tensed and turned around to face him. (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life blasted through the speakers as the first couple took the stage. “Guess we should watch our competition?” I moved to the wings.
Several couples went before us, most of them messing up one move or the other, and none of them were able to complete the ending lift. Rupert and Michelle were next. I secretly hoped Rupert broke a leg.
Okay, not really. But still.
Hades stepped behind me, gripping each of my hips. I watched them go through the routine flawlessly, and my heart raced.
“They won’t be able to do the lift,” Hades whispered.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Trust me.”
Rupert trotted to one end of the stage, motioning for Michelle. He planted his hands around her hips and hoisted her straight into the air. She remained suspended until Rupert winced, clutched his stomach, and she landed flat on her butt. She was lucky she didn’t land on her head.
Several resort workers ran on stage, helping Michelle to her feet. One bent over to help Rupert, but he slapped their hand away. Michelle cried as they led her off stage, Rupert following behind, still clutching his side. Hades’ expression turned predatory as Rupert passed us. When he spotted Hades, that same look of pure terror engulfed Rupert.
Hades’ expression softened. “We’re up darlin’.” He took my hand and led us to the dancefloor, but I couldn’t help look over my shoulder at Rupert.
Why was he so scared of Hades if he didn’t know who he was? And what was he hiding? Or was Hades the one hiding something?
The song started up, and as we practiced, he wrapped a hand around my back, dipping me. Sara gave an enthusiastic “woo” from the front row. I turned my back to him, draping my arm around his neck, and right before he gripped my hip to spin me, he kissed the tip of my nose. It threw me so off guard I almost didn’t move my feet with the turn.
As we went through the cha-cha moves, spins, and dips, we made eye contact whenever we faced one another. I got lost in his gaze several times, staring at amber-colored eyes. Did his true form have the same color? He wrapped a hand around my waist, lifting me, and spinning several times. It was the first of two times I’d be entirely at his mercy during the dance.
When we neared the end, ready to perform the final move, he squeezed my hand, backing up to the edge of the stage. Was he going to—? His eyes flashed before turning as he leaped off stage. I stared dumbstruck, pressing a hand to my chest. Sara sat between Keith and Guy, and she elbowed them both, motioning toward me. Begrudgingly, they both got up to help me down from the stage. I thought I was about to cry.
I ran at Hades, his hands wrapped around my waist, and with no effort in the slightest, I was up in the air, doing the best Baby pose I could. The crowd went wild, but I was far too preoccupied with Hades lowering me back down. I gulped, staring at him as I slid to the ground. He searched my face, looking about as confused as I felt. At some point between the feel of my chiffon skirt floating like a cloud around me and the longing in Hades’ eyes every time we drew close, a realization crept over me like a flame on a lit match. Whether we won the contest or not, I couldn’t be sure because my mind caught on the fact that I’d fallen for the god of the Underworld.
We stood still staring at each other while everyone else around us cheered. Hades brushed a strand of hair from my face. The subtle touch of his fingertips grazing my cheek made me shudder.
“Oh, my God! That. Was. Amazing. I felt like I was watching the movie all over again,” Sara said, grabbing my shoulders.
I gulped and slipped away from him.
“You two, okay?” Sara asked with a crinkled brow.
Hades’ eyes glinted. “Never better.”
“Well, come accept your award.” She grabbed our hands and dragged us toward the stage.
“They haven’t announced the winners yet,” I said, laughing.
She cocked an eyebrow. “Oh, please. You guys were smoking. And the only couple who did the lift.”
A resort worker walked out on stage with a microphone and envelope. “I’m sure I know whose names are in this envelope, but may I announce the winners?
The crowd cheered, pointing at Hades and me. I turned to face him, shoving my forehead into his shoulder. My inner introvert screamed. Being the center of attention made me want to crawl in a hole. Hades’ body tensed.
“And the winners are…” He opened the envelope, paused, and smiled. “Stephanie and Ha—des. Hades? Did I read that right?”
Heat sprung up the back of my neck as Hades led me to the stage. The resort worker handed us an envelope. “Tomorrow evening, we’re having a special guest. And you two have been given VIP access.”
“A band?” I asked, peeking into the envelope. Inside were two badges, and once I read the name Apollo’s Suns, I almost lost it. “Apollo’s Suns?”
Hades rolled his eyes.
“That’s right! Not only will you watch the entire concert from the wings, but you’ll also get the opportunity to meet the band itself.”
“I’m overjoyed,” Hades said monotone.
I slapped him on the shoulder with the envelope. “They’re one of my favorite bands.”
“Of course, they are.”
As we walked off stage, I grabbed his arm, turning him to face me. “Can you stay through tomorrow?”
He licked his lips, holding his head low. “Does the concert mean that much to you?”
“Well, I hoped to watch it with you, but I also can’t be so selfish as to keep you from wandering souls.” It alarmed me how normal that sounded.
“I doubt one more day will hurt. I’ll stay for the concert and then I have to go back.” His jaw tightened. “In the meantime, I have a few things I must do. I’ll meet you back here tomorrow night.”
I frowned. “You’re not sticking around?”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He curled his hand around the back of my neck and kissed my forehead.
He turned away and walked off before I had another chance to protest.
It was our last day in paradise, and I was depressed for more reasons than one. Admittedly, the thought of never seeing Hades again was at the top of the list. I sat on the stool of the swim-up bar next to Sara, who was with Guy. Sara leaned into Guy, and they couldn’t stop smiling at each other. The ice had melted long ago in my hurricane drink, diluting the color to pale orange. I stared into my glass, stirring its contents.
“We’re going to have to go on vacation more often,” Sara said.
I took a sip. It tasted so watered down it made my nose scrunch. “Why?”
“Look how depressed you are.”
Not over what she thought. “Yeah. More brain breaks couldn’t hurt honestly.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” She shook my shoulders.
“Too bad you girls aren’t sticking around for one more day,” Guy said, tossing his hair from his face.
“Why’s that?” Sara asked.
He grinned and moved his face closer to hers. “Because we’re here one more day.”
I bit down on my straw with such force it cracked. “I think the concert is a perfect end to our vacation.”
“Oh man, Apollo’s Suns? Their singer is steaming,” Sara said, fanning herself. “And you finally get to meet him, Steph.”
Guy smirked, taking a long guzzle of his drink. “If you like the blonde pretty boy look.”
“Methinks someone is jealous,�
�� I said, elbowing Sara.
She elbowed me back. “Methinks you’re right.”
“I can hear you. You know that, right?” Guy asked.
Sara grabbed a cocktail napkin. “Can I borrow a pen?” She asked the bartender. After scribbling a series of numbers, she slid the napkin to Guy. “Tell you what, Canuck. You ever want a tour of Chicago, you let me know.”
Guy’s eyes sparkled. “Chicago isn’t too far away.”
“Not at all,” she responded, popping the cherry from her drink into her mouth.
Seeing them so happy made me nauseous. I’d grown feelings for Hades, and here he was about to crawl back underground to play soul keeper. “I’m going to get a refill.”
“Why don’t you get it from this bar?” Sara asked, but I didn’t look back.
I slurped down the rest of my drink and waded through the pool. Once I reached the bar Hades frequented, I plopped my empty glass down and pointed at it. “Another hurricane, please.”
Michelle emerged from a corner of the walkway. I crouched my head down, as if I were a turtle with a shell, hoping Rupert didn’t follow her. Much to my dismay, he did. I tensed, moving to the opposite side of the bar. Michelle’s face looked pain-stricken, and she wrapped Rupert’s arm around her shoulders. Most of the color had drained from his face, and he clutched his side like he had a stab wound.
They passed by the bar, Michelle dropping him several times as she dragged him along. I ran over to them. “Michelle, do you need help? What’s going on?”
She shook her head frantically. Rupert groaned. “He has a stomach bug or something. I’m taking him to the infirmary. I’m fine. Thank you.”
Stomach bug? I had my fair share and didn’t remember looking that bad. I stepped away, feeling guilty for not being able to help.
“Why the frown?” Keith asked, appearing beside me.
Rupert’s business was his business.
“Last day,” I said.
“Ah. Yeah, that’s always a bit of a downer.” He patted his hips, looking around.
