Chapter 50
Elara's POV
The morning felt heavy. She tried to distract herself—wandering the halls, pretending to look for another book for her research—but the truth was, her mind kept replaying the way Hades's voice had nearly broken last night.
"You don't know what you do to me, Elara."
Her cheeks warmed, and she pressed the book tighter against her chest, irritated at herself. She needed to stop thinking about him this way. He was a god. Untouchable. A force of nature she had no right to want.
"Lost again?"
The voice broke through her thoughts, smooth and teasing. Elara turned and found Erebus lounging in the hall, his smile carved from shadows and mischief.
"I wasn't lost," she muttered, brushing past him.
He followed anyway, walking in step with her as if she had invited him. "You spend a lot of time in these halls. I wonder—what are you really looking for? Knowledge? Or... someone?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Why do you always do that?"
"Do what?" His grin widened. "Get under your skin?"
Elara huffed and turned a sharp corner. To her dismay, the corridor ahead was already occupied—by Hades. He was walking toward them, his eyes dark as they landed on her... and then shifted to his brother.
The air thickened.
"Morning, brother," Erebus drawled, clearly enjoying himself. "I was just keeping Elara company. She seems lonely wandering these endless halls."
Hades's jaw tightened, but his voice remained smooth. "Her company is none of your concern."
"Isn't it?" Erebus tilted his head, stepping a little closer to Elara, his smirk daring Hades to react. "You should be careful, brother. If you neglect her, someone else might step in."
Heat rushed to her face. "That's enough," she snapped, stepping away from Erebus.
But it was too late—the shadows coiled around Hades's feet, betraying his temper. His gaze flicked to her, sharp and unreadable. "Why are you always with him?"
The words struck like a blade. She froze, her heart stuttering. "I'm not with him," she whispered, hurt threading through her chest.
Hades's expression faltered, regret flashing in his eyes—but it was too late. The damage was done.
Elara swallowed hard, blinking away the sting in her eyes. "You think I want this? That I enjoy being caught between you two?" Her voice cracked. "I never asked for this. For any of this."
She turned and walked quickly down the hall, her figure retreating until she vanished into the shadows.
The silence she left behind was deafening.
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Hades's POV
Her words cut deeper than any blade. He hadn't meant it. He hadn't meant to let jealousy slip past his guard, but the sight of her with Erebus... the way his brother lingered close, smirking like he knew something Hades didn't... it had frayed his restraint until it snapped.
And now she thought he doubted her.
A bitter curse slipped from his lips. He shoved a hand through his hair, shadows swirling in restless waves at his feet.
"Well done," Erebus said lightly, though his tone carried an edge. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching him. "Truly masterful. You've terrified monsters and gods alike, but one mortal girl and you fall apart."
Hades's glare could have shattered stone. "Stay out of this."
Erebus raised a brow. "She didn't deserve that, brother. Whatever storm's inside your chest, don't make her carry it."
"I know," Hades growled, shadows trembling as he clenched his fists. "Damn it, I know."
Erebus's smirk softened just slightly, though his eyes still glimmered with something sharp. "Then make it right. Because if you don't..." His gaze turned toward the hall Elara had disappeared down. "You may lose her before you ever admit you want her."
The words hit harder than Hades wanted to admit.
And for the first time in centuries, the Lord of the Underworld felt something unfamiliar coil in his chest. Not fear. Not rage.
But the possibility of losing what he hadn't even allowed himself to claim.