Her Forever

Hades’ POV

I watched as Parisa fell to the floor. Her body was shaking as she held her head and her heart. I had absolutely done a royal f**k up, and I knew this was coming. I was being a fool and blindly shutting it away. If Zeus wasn’t a complete prick, I could have had a few more days to break the news to her. Telling her the moment I was spilling my heart out about the Helm should have been my first clue she would have accepted what had happened. She believed and accepted the truth with ease.

Parisa would have been hurt, undoubtedly so. Now, I had made it ten times worse by having her hear it from my younger brother, who has absolutely no filter and no damn soul as far as I thought. How Hera puts up with his s**t is beyond me. Then again, they were only an item in the eyes of humans.

“You are a piece of s**t,” I stood as Parisa was being led away by Hera. The goddess of marriage and relationships would be the best comfort for her. Maybe she could talk to Parisa and calm her down. Unfortunately, that is wishful thinking because I knew Hera would come back to chew my firey a*s out.

“I spoke the truth. I have no regrets.” Zeus waved his hand to sit down, but I lunged forward, pulling at his white robes.

“You have already interfered in my life again involving my relationships, and here you are at it again. I believe you should be the one in the Underworld having no regard for your family’s feelings,” I hissed as I knocked his drink from his hand. “You are a complete a*s, I’ve known her for several weeks, and the bond is still forming. I wanted to break it to her gently, and you go and blurt out a sentence that will now haunt her the rest of our immortal lives. She will doubt me, she will….” Zeus cut me off with a stiff blow to my jaw.

Stumbling back, I put my hand on my jaw to lock it back in place. The static electricity was sparkling above his head as well as his fingers as he tightened his fists. “You having just a little under a month with a mate is enough time to tell her the truth and why she is with you now,” Zeus growled as he started to circle me. Just because he was the god of the heavens, he believed he was more superior. “Is beyond a reason of a miracle.”

Sure, Zeus defeated Kronos but only because Rhea had enough of him swallowing her children. Zeus was hidden, and once finally raised to maturity, he was ready to fight and ultimately defeat Kronos. I was the firstborn. I was not given the luxury of killing the monster. In fact, I suffered the worse since my fertility had been taken away from me being in Kronos’ stomach acid too long.

Now, trying to be high and mighty, Zeus lectures me on relationships when he couldn’t keep his d**k in his pants for Hera. For a few thousand years before learning of Selene’s new attempt to make mates for the gods, he cheated on her constantly.

Talk about a hypocrite. Giving out advice, my a*s.

“Out of all the gods, you shouldn’t have been allowed to be the first to receive one,” I growled as my fangs descended, ready to rip his damn head off. “You work in the Underworld, away from the light, away from the normalcy. What mate would want to live in a dark hovel of death and destruction? I live in the sky, where it is bright, and I see the happiness in every face I pass. Bringing joy to those who are saddened, having the angels help those who are of pure of heart and in need.” Zeus smiled as he approached the hearth with each original god in place. He walked to the very end or should be the first god born, which was me. Tapping the base with his finger, he moved it back behind the rest of them.

“You bring death. Your body even knows this, so why were you the first to gain a mate?” Zeus’ tone went sarcastic. I stood in silence, waiting for his answer before I strangled the lightning from his body.

“Because Selene wanted to see your mate reject you because you can’t give what most women want… a child.”

That did it.

Zeus swatted my statue from the hearth to the floor and put up his hands to crack the lightning at my torso. I felt nothing. I was pain and suffering, so why would I falter at just the tickle of a bit of static? The heated punch of my fist singed his hipster beard, bringing burning hair and flesh into the air. Gaining his composure, he stood up to crack his neck as a few bolts ran through the palm of his hands.

Easily dodged, I crouched forward and aimed for his legs. His screams felt music to my ears as he grabbed his leg and tried to use his head to push me away. Putting him in an easy headlock, I took my knee and smashed his nose. The touch of death that I left for the vilest of humans was activated, and the skin began to melt.

“Had enough, little brother?” I laughed darkly just as Hera walked into the room. Several Celestial Fairies flew around in shock in the state of the room, not paying much attention to their master.

“Hades, it is enough. Now let him go,” Hera waved her hand as several fairies started to clean the mess. Couches had been pushed over, a few stray lightning bolts had set fire to the curtains around the windows. Out of the chaos, I caused the least amount of damage. Not unless you counted Zeus. I damaged all of that piece of s**t.

Straitening my suit, which had nothing but a few pieces of rubble, I walked to Here closely to speak privately. “Is she alright? Is Parisa alright?” My voice came out more panicked than I wanted, but Hera, being the loving sister she was, cupped my cheek.

“She is fine and overwhelmed. She’s relaxing with Pasithea, and Athena is on her way. There are a lot of questionable things going on with her body,” Hera spoke thoughtfully.

“You mean the magic?”

“No, something else. Pasithea said she has the gift of empathy, almost unheard of for a human. Parisa can feel and suck in the feelings of those around her so strongly it triggered her body to shut down. On top of it all, she has magical wards and supposedly another entity in her body.” Hera spoke in hushed tones as she explained.

An elven woman walked into the room and rushed to Zeus’ side. That was probably his side piece of the decade. Long brown hair was braided and swept the floor. Her purple robes and golden ropes that tightened and accentuated her assets sparkled in the sun.

“Your majesty,” the elven woman bowed to Hera. “Is it alright if I take Zeus away to help with his wounds?” Hera nodded. Zeus and Hera hadn’t shared a bed in centuries, but both still remained the King and Queen of the Celestial Kingdom. Once they both gain their mates, I’m not sure how that would work out. Not my problem.

“Parisa has also been given her nutritional supplement in pill form; Asklepios already had such a pill ready for her. Why didn’t you bring her here before? Hera didn’t understand my concerns. I thought and still think Zeus was part of the conspiracy. “He would have healed her body more quickly if you had?”

“I didn’t want to subject her to more stress. What was working in the Underworld was fine. Hectate said slow and steadily with Parisa that there is much for Parisa to figure out independently. Her memories, her dreams, I wanted her relaxed and not deal with that a*****e.” I glanced to where Zeus stood. His gold metallic b***d still staining the floor.

“You both have your ways, but you know why he is this way, don’t you?” Hera wrapped her arm around my own as I led her to the couch. Willing a pot of tea, she poured us both a cup and dripped the honey into the cup without asking. Ignoring the question, “Vulcan made you this set, didn’t he?” Hera smiled as she looked at the intricate gold designs.

“He did. I miss him.”

“All you need do is ask, and he will come,” I took a sip and set it back down on the cracked table.

“He is my son, and he feels he needs to find his own place in this world. Zeus hid him far too long, and I did not fight hard enough for him. If my time comes to find a mate, I will ask Selene to pass my gift to him if he doesn’t already have one.” Hera’s eyes drifted to the large bay windows, where she saw Michael sparing with a few other angels. Her love for him had only grown, and since the announcement of mates, she thought of ending it with him. Her passion for her mate would cloud over her love for Michael, and it would only break his heart if they were not together.

“You shouldn’t blame yourself. Rhea did the same to us. I do not hold her accountable.” Rhea had taken her place in the stars after Kronos was killed. I refused the idea to let him suffer in Tartarus. Too much of a responsibility and the idea if he escaped one day infuriated me. He would go and harm our birth mother for her betrayal.

Quickly changing the subject, Hera spoke about how Parisa took the news. Parisa was more angered that I didn’t tell her, not the fact she suffered all those years. A strong, capable woman I had for a mate, and I overlooked it all. “She loves you, Hades. Parisa takes truth as more important than anything. She doesn’t want the information to be hidden from her; she wants all the light shining on even the darkest of places.”

“I must see her,” Hera looked warily at me as I gave her pleading eyes.

“She told the servants she wanted to be left alone to think. I think that is for the best.” Hera put her small cup back on the saucer and went to stand up. “If she asks the truth from you again, even if you are not ready to give it….” Hera glanced down at me. “You give her the truth. She has been hidden from her own past and now just wants answers for the future.”

Resting my forearms on my legs and my thumbs rubbing my eyes, Hera patted my shoulder. “Leave Zeus alone. I can tell you now that he has been busy with Selene and Hecate missing. I was there when Selene asked he take care of Parisa from that night if you had decided not to rescue her.”

“Where is Nero then? Where is he?” I growled, and Hera scowled.

“I do not know Hades, but I will find out. Mark my words.”

Hera stilled at the door, her back still facing me. Her hand touched the handle and glanced back. “Zeus only wishes to have a mate. He craves it and is jealous that his brother, who cried he didn’t want Selene’s help, was granted one. Try not to be too hard on him.”

….

Hera told me that I should not find Parisa and leave her be, but I didn’t listen. My heart was beating for her, I could feel her sadness through the bond, and I wanted nothing more than to hold her tight and beg for her forgiveness.

Following the bond, I walked down the brightly lit hallways. The cold, white marble was blinding and not warm like the palace where we lived. Carpets of white and gold were few and far between, and I swear I could feel the cold go through the soles of my shoes. The pull in my chest became strong as I came across the golden door with tiny cherubs painted on the doorway. Light pinks, blues, and purple flowers lit over the door.

Does Parisa like these colors? Does she like it here better than our own home? I’d change anything she wanted if it meant to keep her with me. Where it’s safe.

I willed myself to the other side to see the room dimly lit and a small figure on the bed. The curtains were drawn, and the darkness felt more familiar than the light. Parisa’s form was small; her cheeks still held the light pinkness to them. Her eyes were puffy, her lashes still wet from her crying. I wanted to reverse time and k**s every single tear that trailed down her face.

Parisa sniffed a few times, and I grabbed a nearby tissue to dab her nose. The strawberry blonde hair was sprawled across the pillow, and her pink lips puckered as if she was thinking. Her green eyes I longed to look into was sitting in darkness. Parisa’s fingers began to twitch as she held onto the sheets, a habit she had right before she has a bad dream.

Not heeding Hera’s warning of leaving my mate alone, I took off my suit jacket, shirt, shoes, and pants and left myself in nothing but my boxers. Crawling into the bed with her, I pulled her back to my front and felt the warmth radiate. Immediately, she moved her body, facing me, and her face was directly to my chest. Skin to skin now and ultimately relaxed, she took long breaths of my scent. I had wished she was a supernatural so she could smell me like I could smell her. The aroma she gives off calms me when she is near, and I crave it like a drug she truly is.

My arms wrapped around her tiny waist. Hera had her dress in a plain white lace gown that went just to the top of her knees. I’m sure it would just cover Hera’s rear if it was her nightgown. My mate was small and fragile, and I had to get clothes personally made for her. I was fine with that. I was fine with everything.

How stupid could I be? Most of my existence was made making mistakes, running from them, being angry at the people trying to help me. Parisa was doing what a mate is supposed to do, feel. She felt me, and I took it as the bond, but no, she has something more. Now there was something else inside of her, and Athena was going to be our only hope to figure out what it was.

How can she pull in emotions so well? It explained how much information she had pulled from me when she did ask about my past or why I was feeling the way I was. Parisa could feel the guilt and the burden on my heart.

f**k.

I had inadvertently made her suffer as well. Blaze was sitting on the bedpost, watching me with anger. His tail went ablaze as he saw me staring at him. “f**k off,” I whisper yelled as I nuzzled into Parisa’s hair. Stupid judgmental squirrel.

I would make it all up to her. Hell, I’ll let her look into my mind so she can see every bit of my past. My mood brightened instantly. That is what I would do, let her know of all of my history. Something that should terrify me but knowing she was my mate, she was here to stay even if she did see the worst in me. Numerous times she said she would stay, and I had to trust her.

I had long lost my trust when I tried to take Persephone. She was wonderful in the beginning, just asking for time. Time turned to days, weeks, and then years of nothing until she despised me. I tried to give her everything. No love was returned. Meaningless gifts she had asked for collected in her room. What brought her happiness for a few days only made her hate me more.

The day she said I didn’t even look like a god of the Underworld was what cut me to the core. I changed the very person I was and became bitter along with her. I should have let her Persephone go. We were never a match.

Now I do not have to hide. I will bear my soul to her to make her happy. She has not once asked for shiny jewels or lavish gifts. She asked for the true person that I really am. Rest my little mate, for I will show you every part of me when you wake up.