Her Forever

Gwen’s POV

My breaths were quick as I slid my bare feet on the marbled floor and reached for the door of the bedroom. I was running so fast I lost my sandals somewhere between Hades’ portrait and the dancing witch sculpture around the corner. Poor Blaze was hanging on for dear life on my hair, growling at me for trying to run away from my little protector.

Pouncing into the bedroom, I untangled him from my hair and placed him on the bed. The chattering and hisses leave his lips were adorable, but I had more significant problems to worry about.

Hearing his soft flutters trying to catch up, I slammed the door shut and locked it. Not that could keep the God of the Underworld out. Another cramp ripped through me, and I pulled all the drawers out, hoping to find what I needed. Why Hades would keep some sort of pad in here was beyond me, but a girl could dream, and I mean, really dream.

Nothing, absolutely nothing. I ran to sit on my royal throne only to g***n, realizing my once perfect pair of jeans was probably ruined. Growling and pulling at my hair, frustrated, I slapped my hands on my thighs. How could I not have known this was going to happen? How many years has it been since I learned about this situation that happens to all women?

“You know, she is of that age where she should be getting her period,” one of the long-standing strippers spoke as she powdered her nose. “Do you think she’s been told about the birds and the bees?” Anna stood up and started to walk towards me. I had just finished a load of laundry that held all of their outfits, and my job was to hang them up, making sure they were wrinkle-free and ready for wear.

“Well, ask her,” Jane spoke. “I’m sure she knows what the act is but isn’t sure what all comes with it. She’s only what 11 and workin’ here?”

“I’m 16,” I whispered. I pulled down my sleeves to cover up the bruises. I knew the other strippers talked about me. I help them when they first arrive, but I’m gone to help the newer ones get settled once they understand their role. I knew what made John Oliver tick, and if they wanted to not get beat, they would listen to my words.

Several of the strippers grew accustomed to the job and started to enjoy it, supposedly. Really, they were scared for their lives and what would happen next. If they made enough money, then they wouldn’t be sold; they would collect the money and give it all to John.

“Sixteen? Child, you are so young looking,” Anna came in and pulled my hair back. “Thank you for the clothes,” she looked at me in pity. “You looked out for me when I first came here 3 years ago, and I never really thanked you. I’ve been too scared to talk to you, worried you or I would get beaten again.” Anna’s eyes watered. “But I want you to know, if you have questions about things, things a mother would tell you, I am happy to help.” I nodded.

“I know you understand this place and what it’s for, but do you understand how a woman’s body works?” I shrugged my shoulders. I had seen some women carrying small tubes like products but never really asked. Thought it was for aftercare from having to deal with customers. “That women are for men’s pleasure; that’s all I really know,” I whispered. Jane’s eyes watered as she watched Anna interact with me.

“Not all men are like that, I assure you. This is just a bad place with a bunch of evil people,” she whispered.

So Anna told me the birds and the bees and how a man should treat a woman. We sat in the chair talking until the club opened, and once the cage doors creaked, John Oliver glared daggers at Jane. The rest of the strippers stood in fear as he walked in, holding the cane he used to beat me with. “Enjoy your talk?” he rasped. “Gwen won’t be able to experience any of that because she will be long dead before I let it happen. Now get out there.”

That night I scrubbed the bathroom floors at the club with a toothbrush while Anna was sold off to the highest bidder that night.

I g*****d again, wondering where Anna could have gone. It was nice to have a friend, even if it was for a good hour. She taught me enough to help me, but she also told me what to fear the most and put even more fear in my heart.

Gentle knocks were at the door while I continued to sit on the toilet. Groaning, I put my face in my hands. “Go away!” I pleaded, but the knocks only grew louder.

“Please, angel, come on, please. I can help,” he said calmly.

“No, it’s embarrassing. Please just let me be.” My heart began to ache that didn’t feel like my own. Rubbing my chest to relieve the pain, it didn’t stop. “Hades? My chest hurts.”

“You feel me; you feel our bond and how I’m worried about you. Now, can I come in?” I didn’t want to let him; this was such an intimate thing. Men aren’t supposed to be comfortable with this, right? Not answering, I heard the door unlock, and it crept open, and I saw a sheepish-looking Hades close the door behind him.

I hid my face with my hands and held my thighs tight; wanting to curl up in a ball, I let out a small whimper. This is racking up to be the most embarrassing moment of my life. Hades knelt down and tried to pull my hands away, but I wouldn’t let him. Pulling my hands back, he let out a chuckle.

“Angel, it’s completely normal. Why are you so embarrassed? We knew you were getting healthy, and this might happen. Come on, let me help.” I sniffed and let my hands drop to my lap.

“Let me take care of you, please?” I nodded my head silently while he took the bottom half of my clothes and left the room. I sat here, bottom half-naked, until he returned with some of his joggers and a fresh pair of black undies. Leaving the box he brought in on my lap, he kissed my forehead and left the room.

I think I just swooned.

…

Hades carried me into the living room next to the office he works in. The couch was massive and had a huge flat-screen TV that was loaded with tons of movie channels. I couldn’t understand how to work the remote. I let Ares take over most of the time, and we would watch the action and war movies; I didn’t mind it too much.

Ares would be so intense as he would watch them; watching b***d spatter on the camera lens was almost comical as Ares’ smile would creep up his cheeks.

When Hades was with me, he would lay on the couch and spoon me from behind and have his arm draped over me while we watched random shows. Hades asked what I would like to watch, and the only thing I could say was “something happy” or “something funny.” He always delivered and would bury his nose into my shoulder and sleep.

I never thought gods would sleep, I thought of them as all-powerful beings, but it looks like everyone needs their rest. The way Vulcan would talk, Hades barely rested, and since I’ve been here, he has had the most sleep in a long time. I was happy that I could help him in some way, even though it was something small.

I had finished off a small tub of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, triple the chocolate with a fudge core, and I was stuffed. Who knew eating your way through some hormonal embarrassment from your soulmate would make you feel so much better?

We were in our usual position, but this time Hades had his hand under my shirt, and his hand was at the top of the joggers, palm down at the seam. They were loose and easy for him to get his hand into. All he did was lay the palm of his hand on my stomach, and I felt heat radiate from his palm. I instantly melted and let out a slight hum of enjoyment.

“Vulcan said that might make you feel better,” he kissed the back of my head.

“Mhmm, it really does. You can leave it there as long as you want,” I laughed as he stopped on a movie channel. It was called ‘Hercules,” and the character Hades was grey and had bright blue hair. I started laughing, and Hades was growling behind me.

“Who comes up with this s**t?” He scoffed as he turned the channel. “Of all things, why would I have blue hair? It’s insulting!” I continued to laugh as I gripped his hand on my stomach.

“You think that’s just hilarious, don’t you?” he joked as he turned my face. Tears were in my eyes at the harmonious laughter I was emitting. Hades showed his pearly whites and leaned in to k**s me, but there was a ring at the door.

The servants had been ordered away, so it was only Hades, Vulcan, and Ares. I couldn’t see Ares opening the door, and I heard Vulcan calling for Hades. Hades growled in his throat and held onto my arm tightly. “Don’t leave Blaze or Cerebrus, do you understand?” I nodded worriedly as I watched him stand from the couch and walk out the entryway. Turning back, “If Cerebrus tries to lead you somewhere, you go.”

“What’s going on-?” Hades cut me off.

“I mean it, it’s to keep you safe,” his voice was low as I heard his bare feet smack across the floor. Cerebrus growled, hopped on the couch, and snuggled next to me while Blaze started chittering at Cerebrus to let me go. I continued to pet the both of them to sate their inner beasts while I waited.

I would just stay here on the couch and do what I was told, but the curiosity was getting the best of me. “Come on, let’s see what they are doing,” Cerebrus whined and pulled on my shirt. “I won’t be seen, come on.” Cerberus hopped off the couch as I stood in the entryway to the living room, I had one hall to walk down, and I would be able to peer behind a giant statue of Aphrodite. It would be the perfect place not to be seen.

Tiptoeing and grabbing my stomach from another cramp, I made my way down the dark hall. I heard talking, some shouting as I reached the doorway before the statue. Before I had my chance to get closer, I realized I didn’t need to because now they were full-blown yelling at one another.

“She is to come with us; she cannot stay here,” the angel boomed. He was dressed in white robes, chest shining in pure porcelain skin. I recognized him from the club, he was the one that tried to buy me! I squat down lower to the ground because my legs began to shake. Cerebrus sat in front of me, so if the angel-like creatures looked over, they would see him instead.

“Gwen is my damn mate; of course, she can stay! She’s human but she’s mine!”

“Rules are rules Hades, only gods and spirits can remain in the Underworld, and she is obviously living. Hand her over, and she can stay in the Celestial Kingdom while we wait for trial.

“Never,” Hades growled, and wisps of black smoke began to travel from his body. Cerberus barked and pushed me to the floor. Nodding his head in the direction we came, I ran down the hall.

“She is here; go search for her!” I heard the familiar voice say. Running back to the living room, Cerebrus grew to the size of a large Clydesdale horse. Jumping in front of me, he knelt down for me to climb. The Blaze tried to help by pushing on my rear, but his small stature couldn’t do anything. Holding onto Cerebrus’ collar, he let out a large howl as he reached the far West end of the palace.

The large windows I had looked out over the pool just a week ago stood staring down at Cerebrus as he ran towards it. “Cerebrus!” I shouted, but he continued on, huffing while gripping the floor with his padded paws. In one swift movement, he jumped and crashed through the window.

Thousands of chard glass rained down on us. I could feel it knick parts of my skin as he lept one more time to jump over the massive pool. It proved to be no obstacle for Cerebrus. The men or angels were shouting behind us as we ran. I dared not look back because falling off was not an option. My legs gripped Cerebrus tighter as I saw dozens more of Blaze’s kind emerge from the forest. Cerebrus grunted in disgust but continued ripping the soil under his claws.

At least fifty phantom tails were flying towards us. They came in awry of colors, blues, purples, yellows, and reds, and they talked to Blaze. Blaze flew ahead of them all and in front of Cerebrus, who continued to chatter in his ear. In a language I didn’t know, they ran faster and in a slightly southwest position. The sun was still high in the sky as we ran, but it became darker as we went deeper into the forest. The trees lost their green, the dirt became black, and ash had begun to rain down on us.

Tartarus? I wondered, but then I remembered it was far beneath Hades’ Underworld. For hours we traveled until no sunlight was left, the moon had not risen, and there were no signs of stopping. The phantom tails started to land on Cerebrus and chatting to him to get him to go to a slow canter and eventually stop at a large lake.

With no moon, it looked black as tar, and even though my thirst for water had started not long ago, I dare not take a drink. Sliding off of Cerebrus, I got a better look at my surroundings. Rocky cliffs were to the right of us; just as the lake meets the sand, it would be an excellent place to stay for the night. The trees were straight out of a horror movie. Finger-like branches blew in the wind, and I couldn’t help but squeeze my arms to my body.

The large crowd of phantom tails gathered around and started pulling at my joggers to walk there. Looking at Cerebrus for confirmation, he sized back down to the size I was used to and mushed me along with one of his heads.

This was getting stranger by the minute. I never knew the Underworld could be so large and vast. Not once did I see another person, demon, or soul encounter us along the way. My heart started to ache to be away from Hades. It had only been this morning since I saw him, but my worry was only growing that he hadn’t come to find me.

Who do you pray to when you are mated to a god? Zeus wanted me to come to the Celestial Kingdom, so I doubt he would be the right choice. What about Selene? The mating god? Remembering her glorious statue in the garden with a wolf beneath her fingertips gave me a glimpse of hope.

I’ll take what I can get. Once we were settled, I could pray for guidance on what to do next.