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(Hazel's POV)
The soft rhythm of his heartbeat was the first thing I heard. Slow, steady, protective. For a moment, I didn't know where I was — only that warmth cocooned me, a sense of safety I hadn't felt in what seemed like forever.
Then the scent hit me — dark cedar and smoke, faintly laced with something sharper, like rain before a storm. It was him. Hades.
My cheek rested against his bare chest, my fingers curled just slightly around him as though afraid he'd vanish if I let go. His body radiated heat, even in his sleep. I felt his breath rise and fall, brushing the top of my head every few seconds.
The events of the night before replayed faintly in my mind — the storm, the lightning, the tension that hung between us like a live wire. And yet somehow, despite it all, we had fallen asleep like this… together. Wrapped in a silence so peaceful it almost felt unreal.
He shifted slightly in his sleep, his arm instinctively tightening around my waist. A low, almost unconscious sound escaped his throat — something between a sigh and a possessive hum.
I smiled softly, feeling my heart bloom with an unfamiliar warmth.
This was dangerous.
This was beautiful.
And gods help me, I didn't want to move.
I pressed myself closer, burying my face against his skin, inhaling the scent that drove me crazy in all the right ways. It was intoxicating — like every hidden craving I didn't want to name.
He stirred again, murmuring something under his breath. For a second, I thought he'd woken, but his eyes remained closed, his features soft — so unlike the cold, distant King everyone else saw.
It was strange seeing him like this. Vulnerable. Human.
I reached out and brushed a strand of dark hair from his forehead. His lashes fluttered but he didn't wake.
"You'd hate to know how adorable you look right now," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Of course, that was when the knock came.
I froze.
Then came the guard's muffled voice through the door. "Your Majesty! Forgive the intrusion, but… there's been damage from the storm. It's urgent."
Hades exhaled deeply, his brows furrowing as he stirred awake. His eyes opened — molten gold meeting my startled gaze. For a moment, he looked confused, as though unsure if I was real. Then he blinked slowly and whispered, voice husky, "Good morning, wife."
The words sent a shiver through me.
"Morning," I murmured back, trying not to sound as flustered as I felt.
He sat up, the sheets sliding down his chest, revealing the faint glow of the ancient markings that traced along his collarbone. I quickly averted my gaze — but not fast enough for him to miss the faint color rising to my cheeks.
He smirked faintly. "You were staring."
"I was not," I lied.
"Hmm." He swung his legs over the side of the bed, his tone lazy but teasing. "You have a terrible poker face, Hazel."
I threw a pillow at him, which he caught effortlessly. His laugh — that rare, rich sound — filled the room.
The knock came again, more urgent this time. "Your Majesty?"
Hades' humor faded. "Come in."
The guard entered, kneeling low. "Sire, the southern quarter took severe damage. A few homes collapsed under the lightning strikes, and the blacksmith's forge was nearly destroyed. We've begun evacuations, but—"
"I'll inspect it myself," Hades said, rising to his full height. He was already in command mode, his tone sharp, clipped, efficient.
"Wait." I swung my legs off the bed. "I'm coming with you."
He turned, eyebrows raised. "Hazel, this isn't—"
"I'm coming," I said more firmly. "Last time something like this happened, people nearly died because no one stepped in fast enough. You might have your generals, but I've seen the Citadel's people — I know their fear. Let me help."
For a long moment, he just looked at me. His gaze softened slightly — pride, worry, affection, all tangled in one expression.
"Fine," he said at last. "But you stay beside me."
I smiled, trying to hide how much that meant. "Deal."
The Citadel's halls were busier than I'd ever seen them. Guards moved quickly through corridors, maids carried supplies, and the sound of hammering echoed faintly from outside. When we reached the council chamber, the familiar heavy doors opened to reveal the underworld's highest commanders already gathered — Amon, Drax, Tiber, and a few demon lords I hadn't met before.
When I stepped inside beside Hades, the entire room went still.
"Your Majesty," they all said, bowing to him — then, for the first time, bowing to me.
The gesture caught me off guard. I wasn't sure whether to return it or stand still, but Hades gave me a subtle nod. I inclined my head gracefully.
The respect in their eyes wasn't forced. It was… genuine.
"Let's begin," Hades said, taking his seat at the head of the long black marble table. He motioned for me to sit beside him — not behind, not at the side — beside.
Maps covered the table, marked with glowing sigils and symbols of each territory.
"The southern quarter was hit hardest," Drax said, pointing to a section near the Citadel's edge. "We're estimating at least thirty damaged homes. But the barrier held. Whatever that storm was, it didn't breach the walls."
Amon frowned. "It wasn't just lightning. The energy readings suggest a magical source — possibly a summoning or curse."
The room grew tense.
I leaned forward, scanning the map. "If the southern quarter's that damaged, it means the storm funneled its power there. Maybe because of the open plains. You could use that to reinforce the next barrier — make it thicker in weaker zones and redirect energy flow around the towers."
Amon blinked, slightly surprised. "That's… actually brilliant."
A few of the generals murmured in agreement.
Hades looked at me with a proud smile tugging at his lips. "You heard her," he said, eyes gleaming. "Reinforce the towers and redistribute energy flow."
They nodded and immediately began scribbling notes.
For the next hour, we went over damages, repairs, and recovery plans. I suggested organizing a temporary food ration for those who'd lost their homes and proposed turning the Citadel's armory into a shelter for the displaced until rebuilding began.
Every idea was met with thoughtful silence — then nods of agreement.
It felt surreal. A few days ago, most of these men didn't even think I belonged in the room. Now, they were listening.
By the time the discussion began to settle, Hades was watching me more than he was the maps. Every time I spoke, his expression softened just slightly — pride glowing in his otherwise stoic face.
When I caught him staring, I mouthed, What?
He leaned closer and whispered, "You're stealing my council."
I bit back a laugh. "Maybe they just like a queen who has ideas."
He chuckled under his breath. "You're dangerous when confident."
"And yet," I said sweetly, "you like it."
He didn't deny it.
Before I could say more, a guard burst through the doors, panting. "Your Majesty — urgent news. Reports just arrived from the outer regions."
Hades straightened. "Speak."
"The damages extend far beyond the Citadel. The Rune Coven was struck hardest — Lady Alyssa's coven suffered massive energy surges, several wards collapsed. The Luna Empire and Shadow Haven Kingdom are in similar states. Entire forests are smoldering."
The room fell silent.
Hades' expression darkened, his jaw tightening. "This isn't natural," he murmured. "Someone orchestrated it."
I thought of Velia. My chest tightened.
"What are your orders, my King?" Amon asked.
"Prepare the carriages," Hades said firmly. "We're leaving for Ares' kingdom first. If the vampires' realm is affected, we need to assess their strength before the others. A chain of weak defenses could crumble the entire underworld."
He turned to me then, his gaze unreadable. "You're coming with me."
"I know," I said quietly, rising from my seat.
There was no hesitation this time. No fear.
Only a shared understanding — that whatever awaited us in Ares' kingdom, this was only the beginning.
He took my hand before we left the room, his grip firm but warm.
For a fleeting second, the mighty Hades — ruler of the underworld, feared by gods and demons alike — smiled like a man who'd found something worth protecting.
And deep in my heart, I realized something terrifyingly beautiful.
I wasn't just falling for him.
I already had.