The Fugitive - Chapter 179

{ Good to read just needs grammar edits}

Gabriel and Nyx stopped before the ten steps leading up to the thrones that loomed over them. Nyx respectfully bowed her head thought it was not necessary, she wanted to make amends with any grudges Hades may hold towards her. Although she didn’t think anything in the past between them would indicate the god had an issue with her. Her father was ‘friends’ with him after all, although she never really thought of the god having true friends.

Similar to how marriages were for the gods, friendships also seemed to be built on power and alliances. This was why so many god and goddess’ cheated on one another and caused more drama than really necessary, and one of the reasons why she steered clear of everyone. At least her past lovers were mortals or ‘lower’ gods that no other gods had made a claim to. Her past lovers had also been looked after once she was through with them, making sure that none returned in revenge or went to another god or goddess after again so she would not have to deal with the jealous dramas the gods loved so much.

It was pathetic, and now she didn’t have to worry about any of that. Nyx knew that Gabriel had not had many lovers, and like her it was something to pass the time. But Gabriel made sure to keep himself more busy than wanting to relieve his frustrations. Unlike the goddess who was used to the dark and finding the idea of love a weakness as taught to her by Khaos, Gabriel was waiting for his soulmate. He’d told her that from being around the dead he could only look forward to the living and he believed after being around so many souls that he did have a soulmate.

Now after meeting Gabriel, the goddess of night started to look towards the light that Gabriel was showing her. Now that she had a glimpse of it, and felt this raw passion, and the honeyed warmth of love in her chest, she could not let him go.

“My lady,” Hades greeted her, his baritone voice heavy with disapproval but he bowed his head at her respectfully. Nyx didn’t like the tone of of his voice already but she kept her face neutral. “Gabriel.” He nodded at his son before looking back at the goddess. “This is quite a surprise, Nyx. Forgive me for being so blunt. But what business do you have in the underworld? I would assume you would want to be by your fiancé’s side.”

Nyx parted her lips but Gabriel spoke before her. “She IS by her fiancés side.”

Hades’ sharp eyes flicked to his son, and he laughed mockingly. “That is not what Khaos announced at the banquet.” He turned to look at Nyx once more. “Now tell me why you are really here, goddess of night.”

Hades wasn’t even at the banquet and yet the news had already spread back to him. It was a reminder that not all of his powers were well known. The god was secretive and barely left his realm, it was only by coincidence on the other occasions she met him and last time she presumed he wanted to marry one of his sons off to her.

“Gabriel speaks the truth. My father and Erebus never mentioned to me about this engagement that had been announced. Gabriel proposed to me this morning and I accepted.” She raised her hand with the ruby ring on that shone brilliantly in the darkened throne room.

Persephone stood from her throne along with Hades, their eyes were wide upon staring at the ring. The goddess of spring clapped her hands and descended the steps towards the pair, she raised her hands to Gabriel’s face, clasping his cheeks and smiled. “I told you the ruby would suit her.” She then turned and pulled Nyx into a tight embrace. “Nyx you really are as stunning as they say, I am so glad that Gabriel has found someone. It was about time one of my boys was wedded.” She pulled back and clasped her hands on Nyx’s cheeks also, her eyes wandered across her features then looked back at Gabriel and giggled. “Oh the grandchildren will be so beautiful-”

“Seph, did you give Gabriel your engagement ring!?” Hades stepped down slowly, his eyes burned in anger but it was not directed at his wife but towards Nyx.

“Oh, Hades come now that was the ring you gave me when I didn’t like you. The ring suits our dear Nyx. The ruby deserves a new love story and one that can be proudly worn,” Persephone replied with a gentle smile. Nyx raised a brow at the goddess, her lips twitching in amusement to see the Queen of the underworld scolding the King while still holding her face and treating her like a daughter. If it was anyone else, she would back away from their touch but there was something about Gabriel’s mother that made her relax, her smile was genuine brightening up the room and making her features even more beautiful.

With her golden hair though, Nyx wondered just where Gabriel and Cassius got their white hair and bright blue eyes from.

“That is besides the point-”

“Father,” Gabriel interrupted Hades, the seriousness and urgency in his voice made the King pause and look at his son. “Marry us.”

Hades scowled and he parted his lips but Gabriel spoke before he could. “Please marry us tonight. I read Khaos’ and Erebus’ thoughts, they won’t rest until they have Nyx back and Erebus will marry her as soon as possible-”

“Must it be a rushed wedding?” Persephone asked, her eyes flicked to Nyx as she grasped her hand, squeezing it between hers. She could see how worried the goddess was for her and it made her heart tighten. She only ever had her dad and was not used to such kindness and from a woman. Most women disliked her but they never made a fuss for fear of her wrath or her fathers, they darted the other way if they saw her. “It should be a grand celebration showing their love for one another.”

Wait, wait, hold on. Gabriel said he could read Erebus and Khaos’ thoughts. So, could he read hers? Were these his powers? Nyx glanced at Gabriel and he nodded as though he was answering the questions in her mind. She shouldn’t be too surprised with his strange powers, he already needed blood to survive. What was that all about? Zagreus didn’t need blood and from what she knew of their sister, she also did not require blood.

“I would like to speak to Nyx alone,” Hades said quietly interrupting any further discussion about the wedding Gabriel suggested.

“Father-”

“She is a big girl and one that can certainly look after herself,” Hades added, looking at his son sternly.

Gabriel looked at Nyx, his eyes flickered between hers in question and she nodded in response. He clasped her free hand and pulled her into him, not caring for the King and Queen who stood before them as his lips descended upon hers and his other hand went into her hair, deepening the kiss. He pulled back, their breathing laboured, and she could feel herself leaning into him still, not wanting to part as his eyes captured hers again. But Hades cleared his throat and the spell was broken. Nyx looked at Hades a growing blush on her cheeks then she looked at Persephone and she was beaming at them before she patted Gabriel on the back.

“Come on, he’s not going to eat her up,” Persephone said as she linked her arm with Gabriel’s and started to lead him away. The Prince watched her as his mother led him back down the aisle and towards the large double doors. “I want to hear more about how you proposed to her, did you do it on the boat like you wanted? Was it magical?”

Nyx tilted her head to the side with a small smile when she heard his mother’s questions. But Gabriel was yet to reply and mouthed to Nyx instead. ‘I love you’.

“Nyx, I will get to the point. There will be repercussions if I married you two. I know Khaos would not wage war over this, but Erebus.. his powers are deadly. I have my family, the underworld and my own goals to think about. What you and Gabriel have.. it is nothing more than a summer romance, it dies with the change of season. Leave him with the fond memories between you,” Hades clasped his hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently in what she imagined was meant to be a comforting gesture.

“What if you are wrong? What if this happened to you when you were pursuing Persephone? You didn’t care for the other god’s wraths then..” Nyx shrugged out of his hold, slapping his hand away causing the god’s eyes to darken. “So, why care now? If you married us it would be resolved.”

Hades scoffed. “Maybe my son does take after me, he must surely know that saying a few vows will not change anything yet he will stay by your side. Will you allow him to stay by your side if it meant his ultimate death?” He narrowed his eyes at her and his words struck a chord in her heart, turning her body cold. “Because Erebus may not have access to the underworld but his power is limitless. If he can control dreams and others mind’s no matter where he is. What will stop him from making Gabriel kill himself?

“You asked me the wrong question, Nyx. When I wanted Persephone, I had nothing else to lose but my life. I now have a family and I won’t lose Gabriel because he wants to marry a goddess who is untouchable.”

“So, your answer is no?” Nyx questioned while she wracked her brain in ways to win the King of the dead over. But even though she was still reaching for the impossible, she thought about how Erebus easily controlled Gabriel.

Erebus could really kill Gabriel.

Tears sprung from her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. She looked away from the other god, wiping her cheeks swiftly as her chest felt like it was being crushed. “I can’t be with him can I?” She whispered not expecting Hades to answer.

“If you truly love him.. You will let him go,” Hades replied gravelly.