Drowning in Hades

Chapter 6

Dola POV

Hades looks so happy until he sees something within my eyes. “I am so sorry for how I just portaled out of here. I just couldn’t believe that I would ever be able to get a mate.”

Hearing his words..they sound like he means them but…I don’t know. So, I go ahead, and let him know the truth. “I’m sorry you have to be stuck with a mate like me. I am tainted.” Only his reaction to my words has him pressing his hands more into my face. Not enough to hurt, just enough to let me know that my words have affected him.

I can barely contain the shiver as I try to pry away from Hades. This man who is supposed to be my mate. My body doesn’t want me to pull away from him. My mind is tricking me into wanting to jump right into this, but I don’t want that… Do I? I don’t know anymore. He won’t even want me anymore once he finds out that I can barely handle human touch, have to scrub myself in the shower, and that he will have to live with the fact that the hands of dead men constantly torture me.

“How could you call yourself tainted?” Hades' tortured voice brings me back, I snap my gaze to his to see his eyes filled with worry. I go to speak but no sound comes out. How can I even tell him? Before I have to even figure it out, Hades' voice brings me back to him. Grounding me. “Wait, you don’t have to tell me right now. I can see your tortured soul, and how you are fighting with yourself. I’ll even back off..” His warm hands leave my face as he speaks. “I didn’t mean to be so forward. I should have asked you if it was okay to touch you, for that I am sorry. Mate or not, does not give me the right to your body.” His words bring tears to my eyes. “Please tell me what I can do. I will do anything you command of me. Just utter the words, and I will listen.”

Feeling a tear escape my eye, I try to hold back the sob that wants to escape only to let out a part of it before I quickly reel it back in. I wipe furiously at my face as I steel myself to stop being so weak. I quickly look around to find Ma or Pa but they aren’t in here. I need them. So, I try to give a small smile as I look Hades in the eyes. “I need my Ma and Pa, please. Can you please tell them to come in here?”

I expect for him to question me, but he doesn’t. Hades just nods as he gets up. I stare in shock as I watch him go to the door and call out for my Ma and Pa. I know he said that he would do anything I said but I didn’t actually think… I am so confused. Dropping my head in my hands, I try to will my mind to stop. I need my mind to give me a moment to breathe.

“Dola.” Ma’s soft voice has me looking over to her just as she lays a hand on my back. I can see within her eyes that she understands my inner turmoil. “I know you weren’t expecting this, but I promise you that Hades is a good man.”

“Did you know he was going to be here? That he was my mate?”

Ma’s eyes give her away before she can even answer. “Yes, I did. Something was telling me that Hades was your mate, the one that you need. Let him help you, let him in, and see how much your world changes. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to have someone kill those dreadful thoughts within your mind, and Hades is just the mate for that.”

I know Ma would never steer me in a wrong direction or have me meet Hades if she didn’t think that he was good for me. She would have rather killed the mate bond before we even met, even if she doesn’t have the power to do that. She would try along with Pa. Knowing that they trust him, and that he seems to have a close relationship with Pa then I will give this a chance, but him and I need to speak first.

Looking over at Hades, I can see the worry melting off of him. “Can we go to my room? To talk about some things that you need to know.” My voice is quiet, but to me it sounds like it just echoed through the quiet room.

Hades looks at me with a smile that makes his red eyes shine brighter. “Lead the way, tesoro mio.”

Standing up, Ma grabs my hand to give it a soft squeeze in support. Smiling, I squeeze her hand before letting it go. Walking towards the door, Pa cuts me off. He doesn’t say anything as he gives me a big bear hug. Laughing, I just hug back before he puts me back on my feet. Looking over at Hades, I slowly bring my hand up. I didn’t think his smile could get any better, but I see the tips of his fangs peek through as he lightly grabs my hand.

Without looking back, I lead him to my room.