Even though his words had sounded with sincerity, his eyes had told a different story. There was something that he did not want me to remember, but what that was I had no idea.
“So, I’m engaged to him, and you’re what, my father?” I hazarded a guess, but I knew that I had been wrong when my apparent fiancé flinched with horror, even as he tried to hide his repulsed reaction.
“Oh, my no, I am your lord. I am Hades, ruler of the underworld. You were damaged protecting me from an infiltrator, someone who acted as a loyal subject only to stab me in the back.
It was an act that was unjustified. You were on hand to take him down, it couldn’t have been easy for you, he had been masquerading as a friend to you for so long.
It must have been a hard blow to your self-esteem. But do not worry, I too failed to see him for the snake he was, I do not blame you Unya dear.”
I slid my arms free from the covers, as I intended to sit up, when my eyes got drawn to words scrawled across my arms. The one that caught my eye the most was ‘do not trust Hades.’ I could tell by his casual glance that these words did not perturb him, but from the slight gasp that had left my fiancé’s lips, he was shocked to see it.
This whole situation had just been raising more and more questions and no answer seemed in sight.
“I will take my leave child, but I hope to see you this evening, there is a ball being thrown in your honour. I’m sure Malachi will help you with whatever you may need.”
With that said, he gave a quick nod towards the man I know now as Malachi and then strolled out of my room. This left me alone with Malachi, the guy I was supposed to be marrying.
Nothing had been said for at least ten minutes, I did not know.how patient I had been before my brain malfunctioned, but since I had woken up my patience was non-existent.
“So, tell me lover boy, why such a strong reaction to my arms, you must have seen them before,” I stated, more curious than I ought to have been.
“When I first saw them, they were nothing like that. They had appeared to be nothing more than a tattoo, but they look different to me now.
I’m guessing the same can’t be said for his lordship or he would have acted differently,” he replied, looking around the room, as though he was on edge.
“Why are you being so weird?”
He stood up and then leaned over me, placing his lips just against my ear. It sent a shiver down my spine and I rather enjoyed the feeling and decided I could do a lot worse than marry a guy like this.
I realised it disappointed me when it was made clear that he only chose that position, so he could whisper in my ear.
“The walls have ears love, be careful what you say and to whom. And trust in your tattoos.”
With that said, he placed a chaste kiss to the point just below my ear, turned around and left my room.
There wasn’t a great deal for me to do, so instead I just perused my room and wondered just how long I had lived here.
3
Unya
I went back to bed, when my headache returned, but sleep eluded me.
I can’t tell you how annoying that was, but it was made worse when a young girl entered my room, yet again without bloody knocking.
Swearing to myself right then, that the next person who just walked on through would get their fingers snapped off. There was a part inside of me, that seemed thrilled by that prospect, which had been quite startling, if I’m being honest.
“Who the hell are you?”
“Tut tut ebony child, is that any way to act towards someone who is offering you aid?” Asked the little girl, who seemed older beyond her obvious young years.
This whole bloody situation was aggravating, and I wasn’t sure how to navigate it.
I remained quiet, which only earned me a stony look in reply. The little girl was quite terrifying, which should be embarrassing. I would guess, but there had been something about her that seemed off right from the start.
“I am Yana, I hoped that you wouldn’t have forgotten me, but it’s to be expected, I guess.. Especially if you could have forgotten Malachi, I doubt many girls would claim such a thing.”
Her statement rubbed me the wrong way, and I growled in response which made her giggle.