Seventeen

The pounding in my head made me want to down every ibuprofen in my house. Even the sunlight behind my eyelids hurt. What did I do last night? Did I drink too much wine or something? I remember walking home from work—

I jolted upright—much to my head's protesting. Where am I? Did Cameron kidnap me? To my relief, I recognized the familiar interior of my bedroom.

"Magnolia?" a voice asked.

I whipped my head to the side and tackled the man in bed with me, the pain in my head forgotten. The comforting smell of Hades engulfed me. "I'm so, so happy to see you," I said, my voice muffled by his chest.

"Me, as well," Hades responded.

God, I didn't realize how much I missed his voice...

"How are you doing?" he asked, petting my hair. One of his hands settled on my lower back. "That vile man didn't touch you, did he?"

I raised my head. "He didn't touch me—thanks to you. Should I have gone to a doctor for my injuries?"

"No. Your god-like healing should take care of any concerns."

"Good. Dying while you're here isn't on my schedule."

I leaned forward and connected our lips. Oh, how badly I have craved this! His familiar taste exploded on my tongue, and I wanted to weep with happiness. His hand on my back slid under my shirt—not going very far, but it was enough. I couldn't help but let a moan slip through.

Hades laughed behind my lips and pulled back—much to my disapproval. "As much as I would love to spend this time with you—wrapped up in the sheets—I would like to know what happened in that alley. I saw the flowers and the notes on the counter."

"That man, Cameron, has been sending me flowers for the past few days. He finally asked me to dinner last night. I said that I am married, and he stormed out. As I was locking up, Cameron grabbed me, and, and... you know the rest."

Hades traced my cheek. I closed my eyes as the goosebumps raced through me. "Well, it's a good thing that I came when I did."

"How-how did you know to come?"

His voice dropped to a whisper, "I told you that I would watch over you."

"Should we go to the police?"

"That's entirely up to you. But I have to warn you—there will have to be a few holes in your story. You won't be able to explain what I did or how I knew to come when I did."

I paused. "What did you do?"

"I cursed that Cameron man you speak of to have some spirits haunt him. I sent any ghost that was raped and killed to haunt him as a... reminder."

I laughed. "Son of a bitch got what he deserved."

But I knew Hades was right. How do I explain that my god of a husband knew to show up? And this town isn't the nicest when it comes to rape victims. When I was about ten, there was a rape trial, and the people harassed the victim so severely that she killed herself. It was an awful thing.

"Thank you for saving me."

"Of course. Whenever there's a damsel-in-distress—I am there."

"Hey—don't call me a damsel-in-distress."

But I felt silly for practically letting Cameron overpower me. I am a goddess! Why didn't I teleport away? Why didn't I harness my strength? But, looking back on it, it was like I was frozen, unable to think straight.

Fear and panic are one hell-of-a blinder, I suppose.

For a few minutes, we laid there, merely existing. Hades traced swirls and loops on my back, and I lost myself in his touch. I enjoyed the steady rhythm of his breathing and the rise and fall of his chest. I am so glad that I have today off of work.

"How long until you have to return?" I whispered, breaking the tranquil silence. I half-hoped that he wouldn't answer me.

"I'm not sure," Hades whispered back, "but probably in the morning."

Although I expected that answer, it didn't hurt any less.

For the rest of the day, we lounged in my bed, watching movies and such. I was content just to have him there. I held onto him like he is my lifeline.

"Let's go out to dinner," Hades suggested, hearing my stomach rumble.

"Where?"

"Don't worry. I know just the place."

"...Okay. Dress code?"

"More formal."

I headed for the shower, Hades trailing behind me. After we had our fun, I headed to my closet. I riffled through the racks before landing on a dress of mine. It was shoved so far deep into my wardrobe that it was no mystery as to why I forgot about it. It was a somewhat fitted, silver lace dress. The gown ended at my feet.

Hades came out of the bathroom wearing a black button-down shirt. "You look as radiant as ever," he said with a smile.

I went up on my tiptoes, bridging the divide between our lips. "And you look as charming as ever."

He took me by the arm. "Come. Let's get going."

"Where are we going?"

His lips turned upward slightly in a smirk. "You shall see."

"If you're planning on kidnapping me—I whole-heartedly agree."

Hades laughed, the familiar sparkle returning to his eyes. "It's not a kidnapping, magnolia, if you're willing to go."

I spotted my roses in vases on the counter. They were all shriveled up and brown now. Okay, I didn't do that. "Hades... did you kill my flowers?"

"Yes. I made sure to expunge every trace of that abhorrent man from your house."

"I can't tell if I should be angry that you sucked the life out of my flowers, or touched at your gesture of enviousness."

"It is not envy. You are my wife, and someone tried to steal you from me. I have a right to be a bit cross."

I laughed, pecking his cheek. "Don't worry, my jealous husband. I am not going anywhere anytime soon."

The further we drove, the more I had an idea of where we headed. I smiled as we pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant the two of us ate at nine months ago. The memory of that incredible night seems like ages ago.

A hand rested on my thigh. "I see you remember this place."

I met Hades' eyes. "I do, Aidon."

As fate would have it, the same hostess greeted us. "Good evening, Your Majesties."

I froze and shot Hades a look. "It seems that I forgot to mention something," Hades said with a grin as the hostess led us through the place. "This restaurant belongs to me."

"What?"

"It's true. I opened it as a little side hobby."

"But I thought mortals weren't supposed to know about us?"

"Imogene is not a human. She is a creature made by your friend, Hekate, in fact. Imogene is an empousa. They are similar to vampires in which they eat flesh, but empousai have one leg of a donkey and the other of brass."

"Are the entire staff empousai?"

"No. I employ any creature that feels unwanted or thought to belong in Tartarus. Empousai, gorgons, kampê, et cetera. If people condemn them to Tartarus, and said creature is not dangerous, they are welcome here."

I kissed the wonderful man before me. "Hades, that is incredibly sweet of you."

"Well, I know a thing or two about loneliness."

Before I could respond, the hostess stopped, sweeping open the French doors. I gasped—this was our spot last time! There, the same table sat, the balcony equipped with the same view of the ocean.

I took my seat across from Hades, admiring the candlelight dancing across his features. After we ordered, I started a conversation, "How are things back home?"

"Everyone was livid that you left. Not at you, of course, but at their helplessness. Hekate took it the hardest, in my opinion. No one has seen her since... since that day. She's usually out with her Lampades, but... nothing."

"She's allowed in the mortal world, correct?"

"Yes."

"Go and visit her. Tell her she can live with me. I would appreciate the company in your absence."

He smiled, taking a sip of his wine. "I shall do that first thing when I arrive."

We ate in silence for a few more minutes. I reminisced at the last time we were here. Oh, how things have changed! I knew this man as Aidon, he wasn't even my boyfriend yet, and I still thought I was human.

Oh, how this man turned my world upside down. But I wouldn't change a thing—except maybe the part where I am not allowed to see Hades.

"When can I start seeing you once more?" I said, my voice quiet.

"I'm not sure, magnolia. Perhaps we can take it up with the Fates. There are no legal reasons as to why we can't be together—it's purely prideful and selfish motives."

I raised my eyebrows. "Do you think they would be on our side?"

He hesitated before sighing. "There is something that I never told you. About twenty-three years ago, the Fates visited me, saying someone important to me was born. I believe that person is you. It only makes sense. If so, Zeus would have to consent to this relationship because the Fates constructed it from the beginning."

"Well, well, that's great news!"

"I shall have to consult Thanatos and others, but it is a possibility."

I laced my fingers with him, giving his hand a squeeze.

At the end of the night, a headache formed in my skull. I ignored it, refusing to let something minor ruin my night. I avoided the lights, quit drinking my wine, and sipped my water.

I grabbed the bill. "My turn."

"Magnolia—"

I glared at him, teasing him. "No. My treat."

He leaned back in his chair, bringing the wine glass to his lips. "If you insist..."

Then the bumping of the road stirred the nausea in my stomach. I rested my head against the leather chair and squeezed my eyes shut. The sensation of having to vomit crept up the back of my throat just as he stopped the car. I made it to the toilet as my stomach emptied itself.

"Magnolia?" I heard a gasp before Hades pulled back my hair. He started to rub circles on my back.

I kneeled there for a few minutes before lying down. The cold tile felt magnificent on my flushed skin. Hades crouched beside me. "Don't," I murmured, closing my eyes. "I have puke-breath."

He laughed softly before kissing my forehead. "I don't care in the least. What happened? Was it something you ate?"

"Probably. I'm not sure what, though. My meal didn't have any meat in it—nothing could have been undercooked."

"Perhaps the dairy, then. I will call the restaurant in the morning."

I smiled weakly. I'm so tired.

"You look warm..." Hades pressed the back of his hand to my forehead. "You're burning up! Come, let's run you a cool bath."

I leaned against the wall as the sound of flowing water echoing through the room. Hades helped me out of my dress and carried me into the bath. The water wasn't cold, but it teetered on the edge of warm.

I grabbed ahold of his lapel as he went to draw backward. "Join me."

Hades kissed my forehead, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, someone must make sure you don't drown yourself."

I unbuttoned his shirt, and he worked on his pants. "I have to admit something: I never thought I would see your body again," I whispered, settling between his legs with my head on his chest—my favorite position.

"Life is full of surprises."

The water appeased me. As I laid there, my nausea quietened, and I no longer had to puke. Hades' scent filled my nose: minty and something earthy. His fingers trailed up and down my spine, following its dips and curves. I sighed in total bliss.

"Calantha... are you pregnant?"

Uh, oh. Hades used my real name.

I raised my head to meet his eyes. "I haven't checked, but I'm pretty positive that I'm not. I don't remember a time when we did it without protection. Unless... there is something you would like to share?"

"No, I would never do something like that—it's deceitful. But, magnolia, if you find that you are with child, come straight home. To hell with Zeus—you are not raising that child without me."

I beamed. I love this man with everything that I am. "I will."

As Hades wrapped me up in a fluffy towel, he spoke once more. "Do you think it could be, perhaps, the sickness?"

"The sickness? The one about my soul belonging to the Underworld?"

"Yes."

"I-I'm not sure. I don't know what the symptoms are, and you said that you aren't certain, either."

"Yes, that's true, I suppose."

I dressed in some pajamas, dreading that Hades will leave in the morning. He took off his shirt, and I admired his figure. His body will never get old to me. I yanked him to me, desperate to be with him one more time. I want my husband, damn it.

Hades laughed behind my lips. "I see you're feeling better."

His palms found their way under my tank top, grazing my navel. I moved closer to him, silently asking him to take off my shirt. After an hour of passion and heat, we lay side-by-side. Hades put his face in the crook of my neck, softly pecking my skin.

I thought back to what Hades said—about me having his child. Then I thought of my dream. My mind pictured us with adorable children.

"I want to have your child," I murmured.

Hades raised his eyebrows. "Now? As much as I would love nothing more—this is a bit of an inconvenient period."

I laughed. "No, not now. Then I would have to raise it on my own. Whenever this ordeal blows over—that's when I want to do it. I want to start."

He cupped my cheek, his eyes darkening. "The minute—the very minute—this ends, I will drag you to our bed and start."

That got the warmth in the pit of my stomach to flourish. "Is that a promise, my husband?"

"It's a vow."