Her Forever

Hades POV

“Son of a b***h!” I yelled into the hall as Magna ran down the hallway. Transporting at the end of the hall before she could reach the corner, I gripped her neck roughly and squeezed. Her hands automatically went to her neck as she tried to scratch off my hands.

I am the king of pain, think that is going to do anything to me? I threw her up against the wall, she winces at the contact. Breaking her neck would be so easy, just one flick of my finger, and her spine would be disconnected from her head. “The f**k do you think you are doing Magna?” I growled out frustrated. Gwen could have read so much into those few words that the w***e said. Hell, she probably thinks I’m trying to get her well to treat her like one of the maids.

“I’m.. s-orry, my… King, I was just…thought…” she sputtered. I slammed her head back into the wall, leaving an indentation. “That’s the thing though Magna, you DON’T THINK!” Footsteps were running down the hall the greet us, if they knew what was best, they would back off, my mood was already sour and the time had come to teach this b***h a lesson.

“My Lord,” it was Niko. “Gwen is requesting you.”

“Gwen,” I whispered as I let the name roll over my tongue. Even her name soothes my anger. The rage building inside me became just a dull rumble.

I let go of Magna who falls to the floor, her high stiletto shoes caused her to wince as she tried to stand up. She fell twice more before she was able to gain her footing.

“Let this be a lesson to you, I don’t want any whores in my palace any longer. Pack your stuff and head to the village.” Magna bowed her head respectfully and ran off down the hall. “Did you hear that Niko? Make sure all of them are gone, every single one. Even the ones you have f****d, I don’t want them here.” Niko nodded his head and I headed back down the hallway to her room. Niko trotting behind me.

Knocking a few times, I opened the door to see Gwen pacing back and forth. “Gwen, what’s wrong?” My voice went from raging fury to calm and soothing in a matter of seconds. Is that what it is like when you are so enthralled with someone?

“I heard screaming, are you alright?” Her emerald eyes looked up at me with worry. I couldn’t help the small smile on my face. “Of course, Gwen. Just some servants getting into a bit of a brawl.” I could feel Niko’s eyes roll behind me. He’s lucky that Gwen has taken a liking to him.

“Has a maid tended to you to help you with the shower?” Gwen blushed and moved her foot around like she was being scolded. Damn, she’s adorable. “N-no, I was just going to have Niko show me the shower, I can get ready on my own.” I held back a growl as I fixed my collar. Niko took a few steps back and left the room. He shouldn’t be anywhere near her.

“Here, Gwen, I can show you.” I walk into the bathroom with my hand on the small of her back and show her how to use the knobs as I did at the penthouse. How sad it is to take the small things for granted. I’m sure she has never watched a day of television in her life let alone listen to music that isn’t for strippers.

Once settled, I headed back into the hallway to speak with the servants of the palace.

Gwen passing out in my arms was both a blessing and a burden. A blessing so I was able to have us all transport here instead of making her fall asleep myself. I don’t want to have to use my power on my mate, she should have free agency to fall asleep when and where she wants. It still pained me to see her pass out so quickly as she did.

Her body stayed dormant, and I held her for as long as it could until we arrived at the palace. The doctor made sure to take note of how bad off her bones and body are. She may be close to 20 years old, but her body is small, and her bones are soft. There will be many medications including IV therapy to get her back to a normal state. Not to mention the amount of food she is going to have to ingest.

Most demons around the castle stay in their demon form, so upon arrival, I had to have Niko arrange a mandatory meeting to let everyone know to stay in their human forms until Gwen has been told. Many demons were not happy, but my wrath is what scares them the most so they will comply. It takes quite a bit of their stamina to remain in human form so shifts will have to be cut shorter and new help will be needed until Gwen’s transition here will be deemed alright.

I don’t think she could handle another shock of new information. The facts alone about someone could be after her scared her. However, if I leave it too long then she will think I am keeping things from her. A delicate line has been set here and I must know when it will be safe to tell her.

Another doctor will be coming in to assess her mental capacity, it is strange she doesn’t remember anything from her early childhood and could be the result of foul play since The Helm of Darkness was being used while taking her to the club. I let out a growl that doesn’t go unnoticed by the servants cleaning the hallway. Many scatter and run away in panic.

Rounding the corner, I finally find the old concubine room. I haven’t used the willing women for a thousand years and the thought of even seeing one repulsed me. They were all afraid now, they were afraid when one of them came back with bruises on their arms and legs because the damn thing wouldn’t sit still. Not that it mattered, it never filled the hole in my heart back then.

Now the maids think they can have a go with me since I brought a woman back today. After today they won’t even try again. I don’t know what the hell came over Magna but I’m glad she’s gone.

“Listen here,” I roared as the girls looked at me in shock. Many of them sat on their beds, some combing their hair and some with absolutely no tops on. Many of my friends come by and use the room, saying they needed to be ‘broken in,’ since I was too much of a ticking time bomb to give them pleasure. The newer concubines didn’t know my wrath or my anger problems, so they start to look at me seductively. “Get. Out,” I roared. Some girls scream and some start grabbing their bags as I walk past the door.

“Aw man!!” Hermes appears. “This is the whole reason why I visit! Guess I’ll need to give them the proper send-off.” He winked. I glared at him and gave him a quick nod. I don’t need them if they want a good time with my friend, sure why not? They like to go after Ares but he’s too busy working out in the gym.

Ares isn’t liked by the other gods on Olympus or in the Celestial Kingdom, so he stays down here with me. The god of War and the God of the Underworld make a good match when trying to get s**t done.

My office sat at the far West wing of the castle. I hadn’t been there in few days since I was with Gwen so budgets, Under World Census, the comings and goings of souls were all scattered across my desk. I sat in my chair and sighed.

I have got to get my anger under control. “Yeah, no s**t,” Cerberus growled in my mind. The three-headed mutt comes up from his resting place beside the desk. His large paws hit the ground with a loud thud as he stretched. Cerberus was my first companion when I descended to the underworld, creating him the day I entered, and he has yet to leave my side even with giving him many outs.

“What’s all the excitement about? I heard your whores running around clacking their heels as someone offered them some good d**k.” I chuckled as I scratched under his maw.

“Close, Cerberus. I’ve found my mate,” I smiled.

“Damn, is your face broken? I haven’t seen your teeth in ages,” he snorted. I pushed him playfully away as I go up from my chair and walked to the window. I had to will the sky to be blue and the grass to be green. It isn’t always dark down here, just deeper shades of the colors of the Earth. The sky remains red due to the flames of fire lakes and Tartarus. That took quite a bit of my power to block all of it out, but it was worth it.

“I’m guessing that’s why it looks extra cheery down here then?” Cerberus nudged my leg for a pet.

“Yes, she is human, and she’s been through a lot. I don’t want to burden her with who I really am until I find her healthy.” Cerberus sat on his hind legs while one of his three heads continued to nuzzle my leg. “That is why I need to ask you a favor…” I started but was quickly cut off by Cerberus cracking his bones and two of his heads instantly retracted into his body.

“Yeah, I got it. Just for her though.”

“Thank you, my friend.” Walking back to the desk and pouring a glass of whisky, I tell Cerberus her story. How she was abused, beaten, and broken and about to be sold into s*x trafficking until I came along. Repeatedly, Cerberus growled and often bared his teeth, even the small bit of information about Gwen he was already protective. It might be best to have him as her permanent guardian until she has been shown the truth around her.

“You need to work on counting to 10, make sure you don’t blow up around her. You got to show her the soft side to the Dark Lord of the Underworld.” I rolled my eyes as I took another sip from my glass. Cerberus was known for giving his ‘life’ advice, and he was the only one I would take it from.

“Thanks, I think I know that.” In retrospect, I wasn’t throwing things like I normally do. Anything could set me off, a sound, a wrinkle in my clothes, hell even Cerberus snoring would piss me off. Now I was calm and sated, for now. If someone touches her or upsets her, I cannot guarantee I can reign it in.

When she made breakfast this morning, I thought one of my friends asked her too. I was livid and that was putting it lightly. She had worked every day for so many years and here she was making breakfast to ‘be nice.’ I sighed heavily again, thinking how scared she must have been. I didn’t think, I just acted. A terrible pattern that I will need to brake quickly. Think first you damn fool.

“My King,” one of the maids knocked on the door. “Dinner is served.” A curt nod from me and an impatient Cerberus trotted to the door, we walked out to pick up my beautiful mate from her room.