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Fuck.He was definitely in the wrong headspace to entertain another bargain. He frowned and went to drink from his glass, but realized it was empty. When he looked at the nymph, her brow was arched.
“Smitten, my lord?” Her voice dripped with judgment.
“Yes,” he said. He saw no reason to lie.“I am.”
Minthe’s shock registered in her eyes as they widened, then her lips flattened.
“Desperation isn’t flattering, Hades.”
“Neither is jealousy,” he replied, shoving the empty glass into her hands.
She scowled.
“Where is the mortal?”
Her eyes flashed as she answered,“The Diamond Suite.”
By the end of the night, Hades had won three contracts. Two men in search of wealth, one young and one old, and a woman in search of love. All now faced the challenge of overcoming what burdened their souls most.
The younger of the two men sought to replace his college funds, which he had drained to support his cocaine addiction. He would have to kick his habit before Hades would grant his wish. The older man was seeking to pay for his wife’s chemotherapy, and the greatest burden on his soul? He had been cheating on her prior to her diagnosis. Hades’ terms were that he had to come clean about the affair.
The woman asked for love, or rather, she asked for a specific man to fall in love with her. A co-worker she had been pining after for years.
It was a request Hades heard often, and one he could never grant.
She sat across from Hades, looking desperate and tired, and as he peered at her soul, he saw that it was so twined with the man she loved, she no longer resembled her true self. She was a tangle of vines, marred with thorns, that had grown sharp from years of rejection.
“Change your terms,” he advised.
Her eyes narrowed, and she gritted her teeth, daring to raise her voice.“But he is who I want!”
It was the second time he had heard that plea tonight, and both times, it had been a lie.
“I cannot make another mortal love you,” Hades said.“You either ask for love or nothing.”
She had glared at him for a while, trying to hold back her tears, before agreeing. He supposed she had decided it was better to be loved by someone in the end. Except that she did not win their game, and upon her loss, Hades met her terrified, watery gaze.
“Cease this pointless desire for your co-worker,” Hades said.
She glared.“I can’t just…stoploving him.”
“You must find a way,” he said.“Perhaps when you do, your eyes will be opened to a new love.”
Hades started to rise to his feet.
“Haven’t you ever been in love?” she asked, and when he paused, her eyes widened with the realization.“You haven’t.”
Hades pressed his lips together.“Careful, mortal. This life is fleeting. Your existence in the Underworld lasts an eternity.”
He started to rise again, and the woman grabbed his hand.“Please! You don’t understand! I cannot help who I love!”
Hades jerked his hand away.“You waste your words and feelings, mortal.”
He could have said more. He could have explained that her love for this indifferent man made her resentful, that the moment she decided to release him from her affections, the better her life would be, but he knew she would not hear him, so he did not speak. Instead, he vanished, retiring to the Underworld.
But not to rest.
He teleported to the Library of the Souls, located in the mirrored palace of the Fates. Hades had gifted the three goddesses a portion of his realm—an island that floated in the ether of the Underworld. It was inaccessible to all but him, and the Fates were unable to leave it.
