Elysian Fields

CHAPTER 18

Hades felt his heart quicken as his hand lingered, suspended between himself and Kore. He knew it was likely that some form of rejection was coming, and if this was that first step toward rejection, so be it. He could see the wheels turning in her mind, her face scrunched slightly as she considered the choice to take his hand or walk away. Finally, thank the gods, she stood and took his hand. Her own was shaking, which he was thankful for as it masked his own nerves. He laughed internally. He was the God of the Dead, and he was nervous because of the opportunity to hold a girl's hand.

His eyes swept over Kore's form, taking in her radiance and the way the dress he'd chosen hugged each curve of her body perfectly. Her pearl headband, wrapped around her head in a tight line across her forehead stood out against her red hair and pale skin.

"You look stunning," Hades breathed, unable to help himself. "I didn't know if you'd choose to wear it tonight."

Kore glanced down at her gown, unable to help the small smile on her face. "It's beautiful. I've never seen anything like it. I feel like royalty. You truly send a message, don't you?"

"And what message would that be?"

"That you like to look at pretty things."

"One can hardly blame me if you're in the room."

"Unless there's a mirror and you're staring at yourself," Kore remarked with an eye roll, finding heat rising in her cheeks. They fell into their usual banter so easily. It's part of why she enjoyed his company so much.

"Hey, could anyone blame me? Look at this visage," he proclaimed, coming to a stop and gazing off to the side wistfully. He put on an affected accent for the final word and Kore couldn't help but laugh.

"Aydon, you're an idiot," she shoved against him slightly, realization suddenly dawning on her. Bitterness began lacing her words. "Or, is it Lord Hades, you make a fool of yourself? I'm not sure how proper to be."

The shift in tone had Hades standing straighter as he looked down at his feet.

"I'm sorry," Hades's voice was low, a quiet rumble among the trees they walked through. "I should have told you."

"Damn right you should have," Kore said, pulling her hand from his and turning to look at him, her voice growing more and more exasperated with each word. "I've made a fool of myself! All this time, asking you what it was like to meet the God of the Dead, telling you what a selfish bastard he was for never getting to know his residents personally, lamenting the fact that the land was so beautiful, plentiful, and rich, but he still chose to punish those who couldn't pay their way across the Styx and how incredibly pigheaded he was for that, and it was you the entire time!"

She took a deep breath, preparing another diatribe when she was caught off guard by the smile on Hades's face, teeth gleaming and eyes sparkling.

"What?!" She demanded, crossing her arms.

"Would you have told me those things if you knew who I was?"

"Absolutely not! I don't have a death wish."

"Ah, there's the crux. You're already dead," the humor in his voice annoyed Kore.

"Are you serious right now?" Rage began coursing through her veins, her legs beginning to shake.

"Yes, I am. What's death without a little humor?"

Kore cocked an eyebrow at him, her glare deadly as she stared him down. She was clearly not entertained and Hades could see that trying to make light of the situation was just turning out counterproductive.