The Gathering
"Give me your hands."
I turned swiftly in surprise. He was finally talking. I mean I would have gone all day playing the 'no speaking' game he was trying to play. I guess those silent huffs and puffs didn't make him feel better.
"Whatever for sir?" I questioned
Without warning he snatched my wrist, which was resting calmly on my thighs. "Hey!" I called, not liking how hard he gripped my wrist, but I did not try to take them back.
"I have something for you, it's for protection."
"Protection? I thought I was the dangerous one, aren't they supposed to be needing protection from me?"
Hades grunted and said, "It's not from them, it's from yourself."
"So it's official, I'm wearing handcuffs now? I haven't hurt myself in years, my powers don't hurt me. So unless you are doing this to keep me in check because of what happened last time, you could have just left me locked up in the room."
I spoke words that reflected how hurt I was. Why was I being treated this way? Was I some kind of dangerous weapon?
Hades doesn't snap at me like he would have usually done. He just exhales and turned to me, the glare very much intact, and he spoke
"Be rest assured the gods have themselves with armors invisible to the eyes. You just need to go there and show them you aren't a threat and you are fine, so try and keep your emotions in line, because from what I've noticed, they are all over the place."
As much as every word he uttered was hurtful to hear, he was right. I turned to him, and we were both staring at each other… Intensely.
"I came here to find answers not to become some fancy prisoner. If I'm not finding one soon… I'm going back to earth."
"You need to prove you are capable of handling yourself till then, or you'd start seeing that room as a pretty prison made just for you soon."
And with that Hades hops off from the chariot. I hadn't noticed that the chariot had taken us to the location.
I stared at the two pieces that were embedded in my left wrist. It was a dark ruby trinket-looking bracelet. It looked almost normal until I touched it and it glowed a soft red. Not too noticeable but enough to warn me and keep me in check.
The rider of the chariot came and stretches out his hands in a bit to take my hands and help me down but I hesitated not sure if taking my hands was a good idea. His generous smile didn't do well to hide the fear in his eyes.
"I'll get her," A voice came from behind. I have never been more relieved to see Hades. He stretched his hands and I took them immediately trusting myself with him. He led me inside a building where I presumed the gathering was to take place.
I frowned, looking around in confusion. The room we were in was empty and dirty. Did everyone crash the party before we got here so that they wouldn't see me? My eyes suddenly widen at the other possibility. Did Hades take the liberty to invite me out of his kingdom, have me dressed just to bring me here and kill me? I turned to Hades to confirm if my suspicions were true, but I only found Hades muttering incoherent words or his native tongue. I wasn't sure what it was. But the once dark and empty room started to change into a magnificent suite.
"This is done because of intruders that might want to ruin the party and for those who were not invited," Hades tells me with a sly smirk. I wonder if he does any other thing than smirk.
I looked away from Hades and gasped in astonishment. The place was beautiful with high ceilings and a fine golden chandelier hanging in the center. Majestic and intricate paintings adorned the walls. Madison would have definitely loved this place, she would have made me take her pictures. And I bet her favorite spot to snap was that of the paintings.
I turned to the dance floor.
Hades and Madison certainly do have a similarity, they understate big parties as small ones or call them small gatherings.
What was small about this gathering? I wondered.
Hundreds of gods and goddesses were all over the place, either chatting, dancing, or drinking themselves senseless. They livened up the place with their presence and apparel. The sweet aroma of various perfumes filled the air accompanied by the loud rhythmic music that echoed throughout the suite, vibrating against my body and I smiled. The gods sure do know how to throw a party. A luxurious one at that!
The attention suddenly turns to Hades when his presence was announced, by a man who was with the invite list, situated just close to the door.
Everyone was now staring especially when my name was announced right after.
"Lady, Aurora"
The music stopped playing, everyone stopped chatting, and the men stopped drinking as they stared in anticipation. I slowly came out from behind Hades' figure, as I stared at the crowd. Hades started the walk down and I followed closely behind him, not sure of what to do. As we made our way further into the room.
We stopped walking when we got to the center of the room. I spot a waitress with a tray of glasses filled with wine. I asked her to come closer and when she did I grabbed a glass and another.
While sipping the wine I noticed everyone still has their eyes on me, a glimpse of fear still in their eyes. While Hades simply just removed imaginary dirt from his nails.
"Well, are we going to party or not?" I questioned aloud.
"We sure are" A voice called from behind and I turned slowly to look who it was. The music slowly came back on and people started dancing, drinking, and chatting, but I sure as hell knew it was about me.
"Aphrodite" Hades murmured but I heard, I always do.