33. Clara
33
CLARA
C ool ice hummed through her veins. Silk sat behind her hair, black locks curled around her cheeks and fell off the side of the bed. Bed?
Clara’s eyes flickered open. The floor was dark polished marble, white veins skewing in a way that looked like it moved as a river. A chandelier with light blue light hung above her. It was neither bright or dark. It offered sufficient glow for her to adjust.
Rough fingers caressed her cheek. She flinched, jumping up towards the headboard, the black sheets falling down her breasts and stomach. Her hand instinctively went to her neck. Kazimir had slit her throat. She knew it. But she was…alive?
Her eyes widened at the large warrior that sat on her bed. Phaedrus was not a ghost, but an actual man with a square faced, and cleft chin, blue scales lining high cheekbones. Thick golden horns left his temples and arched back with a smaller one arching from his forehead. Unlike his paintings, he was built more like a warrior, his chest wide and muscled with gold necklaces hanging from his thick sinewy neck. Navy waves swept back from his face, behind his pointed ears, and flowed down his chest to the bottom of his pectorals. He was not dressed in armor but only in silk pants and an open kymu .
“You are finally awake, my darling,” Phaedrus said. All dragons had seemed reserved, but he smiled at her so easily.
“I…I can breathe.” Moments before she was choking on her own blood, trying to find any way to communicate to Drakonis. Now she breathed normally. There was no pain, no soreness.
“Of course you can,” Phaedrus answered. “I promised you that you would not die. You fulfilled your destiny and now you are mine.”
Her heart thumped at the last word.
“I am most certainly not yours,” Clara answered. “My heart belongs to Drakonis.”
She rejected him, but Phaedrus merely smiled.
“That boy fell in love with you because I pursued you through him,” Phaedrus said.
“Maybe that it how it started out, but he truly loves me. And I him. I can belong to no other.” And he would come for her. Wherever she was. “Where am I?”
“The Underworld.” Clara’s heart stopped. “I had to bring you here so you would not die. All that come into the Underworld can never leave.”
“I…If I could not leave you might as well have let me die!” If she was here, Drakonis could not come for her. She would never see her family again. She would never get to look at the stars in the sky or swim in Oceanus’s waters.
“Calm yourself. That is normally the rule, but I have made a deal with Hades. Once Drakonis has come to take my place we will be free to roam the earthly plane.”
“But if Drakonis comes then he cannot leave.” Phaedrus’s facial expression did not change. She was stating the obvious, and this was his plan all along. “Why did you choose Drakonis?”
“I will tell you in time. You need your rest.”
Despite his large size, and grand wings, he was gentle as he pushed on her shoulder. Clara held firm, grabbing the lapels of his open kymu . She did not miss the way his scales blazed.
“I’m not tired. Please. You can’t take him away. The world needs him.” I need him . She finished in her mind.
With a sigh, Phaedrus pulled her from her blankets and held her in his lap. Guilt ate at her heart. She did not want this, but she could not fight this man. The only thing she could do was go along with what he desired to get her answers. To find her way out. But if Drakonis found out, surely, he would be angry.
“It is precisely that reason why I had to choose him.” Phaedrus stroked Clara’s hair. “Being a leader among our people is a tiresome one. You cannot think about yourself, but only of your citizenry and their needs. Any decision can make them grow or die before your eyes.” Clara remembered all that she had seen in the Ruins.
“You suppressed your people. I remember in the ruins…”
“Hades admired my strength. My brother, Scaeva, had declared war on me, and my people were wrought with despair over losing their families, for the sake of freedom. A bastardized freedom. I had to do what I could to ensure peace.”
As she touched Phaedrus’s skin, she felt his pain. His loneliness.
“I subjugated those that I felt were necessary, that would light a fire under other dragons to fight the gods like I had. While it seemed cruel, I saved them. Being a king, an emperor, is a thankless job. While there are some that you can council and take advice from you can never trust them fully. For as soon as you let you guard down, they will kill you. I saw that in Drakonis’s future. He was going to be a powerful warrior, but he would live a life of loneliness. You ask me why I raised him to abandon him? I merely taught him strength so that when the inevitable came he would survive. It is through that strength he will be able to guide our dragon kind to new heights, and so he could defeat the evil that you saw.”
“Have you seen the future as well? Do you know the evil that the Moirai keep showing me?” Hope blossomed in her chest but just as easily disappeared as he shook his head.
“Your vision spoke to me.” One muscled hand gripped her waist while the other stroked her cheek. “You do not remember, but you visited me a millennia ago. In a dream.”
“That’s impossible. I’m a human. I’ve only lived two and a half decades.”
Phaedrus shook his head. “You are a gift from Nyx. A sister to the Moirai. Your soul has been alive longer than your body.”
“That…can’t….” Phaedrus was lonely and crazed. It had to be a coincidence that he saw a woman that looked like her. “I must look like a dragon that you had seen…”
“No. There is not a woman who compares to you. When I saw you I felt peace for the first time in my existence.” Phaedrus’s thumb moved to her lips. “I had the same feeling when you arrived at Ouroboros for the first time. I knew for sure when you shook Drakonis’s hand.”
She remembered. When they had touched, it was the first time she had seen the snake. That snake had pulled her into a trance that she could never forget.
“Hades had promised me many rewards for all my work with the dragons. I wanted nothing but companionship. Something I had lost so long ago. And he showed me you.”
“My Lord, I’m flattered…”
“Phaedrus,” he corrected. “I beg of you to call me by my name.” The way he looked at her reminded her of Drakonis. His white eyes shimmered with flecks of gold sparking beneath.
“Phaedrus.” She corrected herself. “I’m flattered, but you have been with Drakonis a long time. You should know better than all that my heart belongs to only him.”
“He mated you,” Phaedrus stated. “I wanted to shackle him in the Tartarus for taking what was mine. But I knew that you and he did not realize what you were doing.”
“Excuse me…”
“You belong to me,” Phaedrus said.
“A human doesn’t belong to a dragon, much less a god.”
“Demigod,” he corrected. “And you will learn soon what you will become. What you have become.”
The statement made her clutch her throat again.
“Did…did I die?”
“Had that foolish boy kept you much longer you would have, but no. I brought you here in time. But I did not want to return with only your soul.”
“I must thank Hades.”
Phaedrus shook his head. “You need not engage him. It is part of our deal that you are to be taken care of in the highest regard. For you are as sacred to me as Persephone is to him.”
Clara was speechless. She would reject him, and he would merely brush it off. She would tell him that she loved another and instead of becoming angry he reasoned it away.
“You will learn to love me,” Phaedrus continued. “For you are my destined one. My salvation. And I intend to have you for all of eternity.” He finished his declaration with a kiss on her forehead. In that soft touch, pity overwhelmed her. How many had this man showed this side to?
“How can I love you when I’ve already given my heart away?” Clara asked.
“You love a dragon that will be forced to sacrifice you for the sake of his people. I have given all I have to those I left behind. With Drakonis awakened, I will be able to sacrifice the world for you if you wish it.” Phaedrus moved her back on the bed and stood. “I must check on your provisions, and Drakonis. He has done well given his circumstances, but his task is not yet done.”
“Wait!” she said as he turned his back. Phaedrus looked upon her.
“I kept seeing the Heir die, but you said his life would merely be different. Can you tell me…what is to become of him?” What did Drakonis have to prove to take Phaedrus’s place at Hades side? It was the piece of the puzzle that she could not solve.
“He must defeat the great evil that will be resurrected upon the universe. And, just as I, transform our people until they are in their true form.”
True form?
“Do not consume any food or drink while you are here,” Phaedrus warned. “For if you do, you will be locked here forever.”
With soft steps, Phaedrus left her. Her heart was pained, and tears left the corners of her eyes.
“Drakonis…” she whispered. She wailed, her face collapsing in her hands. Her beloved had sworn to her he would always come for her. She had even told him to find her, but how could see expect such a thing out of him? Even if Drakonis came down to the Underworld he could never leave. She would be forced to watch him become a slave to the god Hades; to have chains that he could not break.
“I’m sorry my love.” She spoke into her palms. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
Not a voice answered.
The Underworld was quieter than she had anticipated. She half expected to hear wails and pleas; torture or fighting. But it was nothingness. The floors were the same black marble with veining, the sky a deep navy and the walls barer than any palace she had ever seen. Were it not for the flickers of ice blue flame she would not be able to see. Clara approached the sconce, lifting her fingers nearby. The flame was indeed warm, but when she dared to push her finger through it, the flame moved around it, as if afraid to touch her skin.
The dress she had taken from an armoire was much like her hometown; off the shoulder silk that hugged her curves but was otherwise simple and airy. Instead of white and gold, she wore a dark gray with a black shawl. It was droll, but it beat wearing a filthy dress covered in her own blood. When she touched it, she only saw her final moments with Drakonis. His magnificence of transforming into a demigod. But he was still him. His scales and physical appearance changed, but he had the same warm glow of a warrior who loved his people.
“I see you have finally left your room.” An unfamiliar voice said to her. Clara turned and froze. A somber looking man, tall and lithe, stood in black robes. Dark hair fell over his forehead and was hanging freely to his waist. A black beard covered most of his face and heavy dark eyes looked like a deep abyss. A thorn crown sat on his head and a two-pronged staff sat in his hand, almost as tall as he.
Clara fell to her knees, as if compelled. She was overwhelmed with an emotion she had never felt before as his gaze roamed over her. This man…no this god. The only person he could be was Hades. Lord of the Underworld.
“O’ great Hades. I give you greetings. My apologies in having no gift to give.”
“You may cease this,” Hades said to her. “You were brought here on the brink of death. I have healed you and know how reverent you are.”
His voice was deep and steady. He urged her up and she followed diligently. She did not raise her head but stayed looking down at the ground. What was the code in greeting the beings of great? She had read stories of Hades triumphs and fight, but she never read a book on how to greet a god. She fell back on the etiquette of the dragons, hoping that it was the correct way.
“Clara Katsaros. Daughter of Alexandrios and Rhosyn Katsaros. Sister to the gargoyle queen Elisora Katsaros, General of Oceanus Romanus Katsaros, and Oceanus Prince Caius Katsaros. I have watched your journey. You have completed all with dignity even though your heart has wavered.”
Clara looked up through her lashes.
“I have only done my duty, my lord.”
“You have completed this first part of your destiny with grace,” Hades answered. “Come.”
His staff clicked against the floor as he glided across. She looked down and could not see his feet from the dark robes that became smoke at the bottom. Her heart hammered. She merely wanted to walk around, lost in thought. All what Phaedrus told her was overwhelming and she needed to process it. He had told her that there was not a way to save Drakonis, but even though he had become the Heir, there had to be a way for him to be free from his change. As the one that awakened him to his destiny, she wanted to also be his freedom.
Conflict settled in her heart. Phaedrus was such an omnipotent being. She had seen shadows of him, visions even. She had seen Phaedrus within Drakonis, as a dragon, but now she saw him in flesh. She felt his lips and arms. She could see sorrow and pain in his pale eyes and could feel his earnestness as he spoke. What he said was not meant to be harsh but just a matter of fact. He said that she was his salvation, but how could she be? Why did she feel the need to save both him and Drakonis?
“Phaedrus has confused you,” Hades said. Red tinted her cheeks. She was lost in thought again and forgot that a god was before her.
“He has told me his truth,” Clara answered.
“You are pure hearted. You have love and compassion for those that do not deserve it. A rare trait I see among humans.” Hades had called her human. Phaedrus had said she was something else. “I see why Drakonis will come after you. I just hope he does not fail as so many others have.”
“You mean…you will let me go?” She could not help the hope and hesitation in her voice. Hades did not answer. In the endless hallways, onyx doors appeared. Black skulls and spikes were inlaid with it and opened without a hand. Hades entered, and Clara followed. Phaedrus would not bring her here just to die. And Hades would not allow even him to bring a woman still living into the Underworld just to kill her.
“You are correct. I normally would not allow a living being in my kingdom.” Clara paused, clutching her shawl. When the door shut with a click, it reverberated in the empty air. She felt as if she stood in an earthquake. “You released many souls to me the day that Gavril crossed with the Ferryman.”
“I only did my duty,” Clara repeated.
“You are truly a humble girl,” Hades said. “For your diligence I wish to reward you.” Hades waved his arm, and a mirror appeared, floating. “Ask the mirror anything. It will show you all you desire.”
Clara’s heart hummed. She could see Drakonis again, even if he could not see her. She wanted to be selfish, make sure that her beloved was safe, but something was holding her back.
“I am happy to have pleased you so. Would it be disrespectful for me to negotiate a reward?” Clara asked.
She expected him to be irate. The gods were known to take offense easily and punish quickly.
“I’m not one to usually negotiate,” Hades answered. “But what do you wish?”
“Before I answer that I wish to ask this. Why must a dragon remain at your side?”
A smirk came to Hades’s face. “Phaedrus has told you this?”
“He said that Drakonis must take his place at your side. I’ve combed through so many texts, but never once stopped to consider why one of them must be here with you? I don’t know what they stole from you, but losing their entire family and becoming dragons must have been punishment enough,” Clara said.
“Even in my anger I give rewards, even if they did not consider it one then. I could not completely hold them accountable, considering they were caught up in power games of other Olympians.”
“Power games?” Clara tilted her head.
“There is nothing more I despise than an imbalance of power, aside from anything harming my wife.” Legends of Hades forcing Persephone to eat pomegranate seeds were legendary. Aside from a nymph, she was the one Hades always loved and desired. She could relate. “Tell me, Clara, if someone tried to take something from Drakonis, something that could become his downfall would you be so merciful in punishment?”
Clara always thought herself a logical person, even when the ones she loved were involved. You could never made sound decisions when overwhelmed. Of course that had been tested lately. But now? Her heart ached to be with Drakonis. All she could dream about was being in his arms once again. Could she truly say she would not want such revenge?
Phaedrus appeared in her mind’s eye. He was doing that exact thing now; trying to keep her away from her beloved, yet she felt saddened.
“I would like to say I wouldn’t, but I truly do not know,” Clara answered. Hades’s eyes widened. His lips thinned; his brow arched. “Is that what happened so long ago? Phaedrus was tricked into stealing something relating to your wife?”
Hades answered her question with another question.
“The records remaining for dragons were drafted by Phaedrus. Surely, you do not think he would write something that would put him in a bad light?”
Phaedrus was a confusing man, demigod or not. But when Clara touched him, she felt an overwhelming grief she had never felt before. Some of his decisions were wrong, in her opinion, but she truly did not think him cruel.
“I think Phaedrus is lost,” Clara answered. “I think his heart was, and always has been, for his people. I think he has an ability for kindness, but how can he show something that he has never been given to him?”
“You say such words for a man who forced you to do that which you did not wish.”
Phaedrus terrified her. He kissed her in the ruins, scared her with his words, made her fall from a tree all to awaken Drakonis. But he did so with a purpose. He said he was teaching Drakonis strength to survive, but was that not a way for him to show he cared?
“I do. Phaedrus has been so isolated his whole life. He had to give those that followed him freedom when he realized he was tricked. He sacrificed his entire being to do so. And I cannot imagine how hard it was to make a pact with you, knowing it was the gods who put him in such a predicament to begin with.” Clara leveled her eyes on Hades. “And I do not know what made you approach him again, but I’m sure you could not be happy approaching one that tried to steal something so sacred from you.”
Hades’s laughed made the smoke in the room vibrate. Clara covered a gasp as he bent over, gripping his staff.
“A human woman who shows such compassion for those she does not know, and for those that have done her wrong.” Hades continued to laugh.
“I don’t think it’s that hard to believe.” A blush tinged her cheeks as she cut her eyes to the side. Her father had taught her to be kind. It was her nature.
“So, I offer you a gift and you are asking me for what? To free Phaedrus and Drakonis from their destiny?”
“If not to free them, at least a compromise. Surely that can be done?” Clara asked.
Hades wiped his eyes.
“I cannot change destiny. My purpose is to ensure balance in this world, a task I take very seriously.” Clara nodded. “However, you have touched my heart, and entertained me in a way that I have not been in such a long time.” After a pause, Hades continued, “I will answer your question. The reason that Phaedrus is in my retinue is because I see him as a companion. You are correct in your assessment in him. His honor is both a strength and a downfall. What he has not told you was that, when he attempted to steal my treasure, I not only changed he and his brethren, but bound him to me as punishment for all eternity. He became stronger than I imagined and utilized what I meant to be a curse, into a legacy that he should be proud of.”
“If your relationship has changed so, why do you keep him?”
“Because he is still paying retribution. Just because he is impressive does not forgive him for his crimes. Many would trade their punishments for service such as his.”
“If he is meant to serve, why create an Heir?” Clara questioned.
“For him to take his place. We made a deal, Phaedrus and me. He argued he has served his time, just as you are saying to me now. He even vowed that he would create one to take his place; one that was just as strong and dedicated.”
“But Drakonis has never done anything wrong!” Clara said.
“Destiny can be a fickle thing,” Hades said.
Clara bit her lip. Tears threatened to leave her eyes again.
“What if I can make a deal with you? What can I give you to let both go?”
“You would be robbing me of my greatest warrior. That would make me weak in the wars to come.” Her vision. The initial reason she came to find the Heir. Would it affect the gods as well? “Besides, I cannot bargain with you when you belong to Phaedrus.”
“I belong to no one.” Clara answered immediately. “I go where my heart desires.”
Hades motioned towards the mirror. The glass did not reflect but showed a deep gray.
“I will take your words in consideration when Drakonis enters the Underworld. You touch me in a way that Orpheus did to my Persephone. In the meantime, you will take this.”
“A mirror?”
“You have been given visions in no color. I bestow upon you a mirror that will show you anything you ask. Time flows differently in the Underworld than in the earthly realm, but it may appease your loneliness. You may take it in your room, use it whenever you wish.”
Hades flicked his hand again and the mirror became small and compact; a beam of light that flowed into Clara’s hand.
“I…I wish to see Drakonis.”
The mirror gleamed silver then showed her her heart’s desire. He was almost a carbon copy of Phaedrus, but with differing features that was uniquely him. He was covered in blood, his mother beside him in tears. Things had happened while she was gone; she could tell in his dead eyes and the shadow that fell over his cheeks. Clara held the mirror to her chest. She wanted to be selfish and run to him.
“You have freedom to go anywhere in the castle. Think about your destiny and what you are willing to sacrifice for it Clara. I admire your unique heart. You are a hidden treasure, and I do not wish you to lose it.”
Hades’s words touched her heart. She shuttered at his cold touch when he appeared beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“May the fates bless you,” he said as he left the room, leaving her in a deep gray abyss of sadness.