Preparations for the Night.
Nina led Lyra through the dusty palace halls to a chamber filled with light.
A hot bath steamed in the center, frangipani flowers floating on the surface.
Nina smiled.
"For you, my lady, a kind gesture from Hades himself, for you to relax before dinner and tomorrow's heavy decision."
Lyra sank into the bath, feeling tension ease from her muscles, the warm water on her skin made her feel relaxed and aware.
Nina began washing her hair with gentle fingers.
"What's dinner like with Hades?" Lyra asked. "Does he talk much or less"
Nina chuckled softly.
" He talks moderately, my lady. Tonight, he will surely ask about you, he will be curious about who you are and why he feels drawn to you."
Lyra's eyes widened slightly.
"What should I tell him or avoid saying to him" lyra asked.
Nina leaned in closer.
"Be honest about yourself, my lady but avoid mentioning his brother Zeus, that topic irritates him greatly."
Lyra got dressed after a hot shower, Nina dressed Lyra in a black gown, hair styled in loose waves.
Nina smiled approvingly.
"Hades will be distracted and pleased tonight, my lady."
Lyra blushed slightly, following Nina to a grand dining hall with a long table.
Candles flickered, casting golden light.
Hades stood at the head of the table, eyes locking onto Lyra.
He wore a black formal attire, hair slicked back revealing sharp features.
Lyra felt her heart race as he approached.
"Lyra, you look stunning," he said. " Nina chose well for tonight's attire."
He offered his arm, leading her to the table.
Wine and food already laid out – roasted meats, steaming vegetables and fruits.
Hades sat at the head, Lyra sitting to his right.
Hades filling her wine glass, then his own.
"To new acquaintances and potential partnerships, Lyra." He said.
Lyra raised her glass, clinking it against his.
"To new acquaintances indeed, Hades and wise decisions tomorrow."
She sipped her wine, feeling its rich flavor and subtle kick.
Hades watched her, then turned to his food, saying, "Tell me about yourself, Lyra, what drove you to the cliff edge?"
Lyra set her glass down, collecting thoughts before speaking.
"I'm from a small village on the coast, I lived with my parents, I helped with their bakery but after they died in a fire, I felt lost, alone, the cliff was a reckless moment of grief."
Hades nodded slowly, eyes never leaving hers.
"Grief that I understand, my own mother, Rhea was torn from me at birth by my father's hand."
Lyra's eyes widened slightly.
"Your father did that to your mother, why?" She asked.
Hades' expression darkened, voice low and even.
"Cronus sought power alone, nobody to influence his decision. He swallowed my brothers and me but Rhea saved Zeus first by giving Cronus a stone to swallow instead."
Lyra leaned forward slightly, intrigued by this glimpse of Hades' past.
"You were swallowed, how did you survive?"she asked.
Hades poured more wine into his glass.
"Zeus saved us after he was able to defeat our father , Cronus later spat us out, then we waged war against our father's allies and we won." He said voice low
" Me and my brothers drew realms from a hat – I got the Underworld, much to my dismay initially."
Lyra's eyes sparkled with fascination.
"You waged war against your father's allies with your brothers, Zeus and "
Hades' expression turned guarded, voice low and cautious.
"Yes. Zeus, Poseidon, and myself. Together we defeated the Titans then drew lots for our domains, Zeus got the skies, Poseidon the seas and I got this place – the Underworld, realm of the dead."
Lyra sensed tension whenever he mentioned Zeus.
She decided to shift topics slightly.
"What's it like ruling the dead, watching souls come and go constantly?"
Hades leaned back in his chair, eyes glinting with surprise at her question.
"Honesty — it's lonely, Souls fear me, even hate me but you, Lyra – you intrigue me, Your heart still beats strong in my realm."
He leaned forward again, voice taking on a flirtatious tone.
"Perhaps that's why I offered you my queenhood, a living heart beside my eternal darkness."
Lyra felt his words wrap around her like a spell.
"could she be falling for his charm?" She thought to herself
Lyra's heart raced as Hades' words caressed her soul.
She leaned forward, voice barely above whisper.
" Me becoming your queen beside your eternal darkness, What would that life entail for me, Hades." She asked
"Ruling dead souls, attending godly events and sharing your bed, is that all I am good for."
Hades' eyes blazed with intensity, his voice low and husky.
"Exactly that, Lyra, ruling beside me, attending Olympus gatherings and fulfilling my desires in bed and out of it, You'd be mine completely."
Lyra felt her cheeks burn, but curiosity lingered.
"Yours completely, What if I have desires of my own, Hades, Would they matter to you"
Hades leaned closer, his face inches from hers.
"Your desires would intrigue me, Lyra, I will fulfill them – if they align with mine but make no mistake, I am Lord of this realm. My word is law."
Lyra's breath caught in her throat.
Was she ready to surrender freedom for passion?
Suddenly, Hades stood up, offering his hand to her.
"Dance with me, Lyra, Let us imagine what could be between us.
Lyra placed her hand in Hades, feeling sparks as he pulled her close.
He led her to a grand ballroom, candles flickering around a polished floor.
Music swirled from invisible instruments – Lyres, flutes, and soft drums.
Hades drew Lyra into a gentle dance, his movements graceful despite his dark nature.
Lyra felt enchanted, her feet moving in perfect harmony with his.
His hand on her waist sent shivers down her spine.
She looked up into his eyes, seeing intensity there, but also something more — vulnerability.
Hades leaned in closer, whispering in her ear.
"Imagine this, Lyra, every night, dancing together, ruling together, forever together."
His breath on her skin made her heart race.
Suddenly, he spun her around, pulling her back into his chest.
Her head tilted up, lips inches from his.
Was he going to kiss her?
Hades lips hovered above hers, warm breath dancing across her skin.
Lyra's heart pounded wildly, anticipating his kiss but fearing its consequences.
Just as his lips touched hers softly, Lyra turned her head slightly, breaking the connection.
His lips grazed her cheek instead.
She stepped back, creating distance between them.
Hades' eyes narrowed slightly, expression unreadable.
Lyra took another step back, voice firm but barely above whisper.
"I've made my decision, Hades, my answer is no."
The room fell silent, except for soft music still playing.
Hades' expression darkened, eyes blazing with intensity.
"Why refuse immortality and me, Lyra, Is death truly preferable"
Lyra stood tall, heart still racing from their almost-kiss.
"Immortality with you would be death itself, to my freedom, my soul, I will return to my world, even if it means mortality awaits me soon."
Hades' jaw clenched, anger evident but controlled.
"Very well, Lyra,You will return home but know this:
our paths will cross again and next time, you might not refuse me so easily."
He snapped his fingers, and the room plunged into darkness.
Lyra felt herself lifted off the ground and then she was back on the cliff edge, gasping in moonlight.
"It was all a dream." She whispered to herself, trying to catch her breath.