Chapter Nine

I teleported from Akin's apartment to whoever was calling me, and I prayed to all the gods in existence that it wasn't Callias.

And much to my relief, it wasn't.

It was ten times worse.

The smoke column around me dissipated to reveal that I was standing in Hades's throne room, surrounded by flowers and trees and beautiful plants. The whole room seemed to look quite charming, except Hades, who stood a couple feet from me, his blue eyes snapping more fire than the Phlegethon. Decked out in his ever shiny and ever present sleek black armor hugging a muscular physique, he looked about as friendly as a porcupine in a balloon factory.

"Something's wrong." He greeted me in a dangerous tone. I frowned, hands stuffed into the pockets of my jacket.

"Yeah, there's always something wrong, but in this case, I have no idea what you're talking about." I replied dryly. It didn't help that, anticipating my arrival, Hades had put up a barrier around himself, pushing me out of his head so I couldn't read his thoughts to figure out what he wanted.

And it pissed me off.

Now I knew how Adrian felt when I locked him out.

"The baby, Ambrosius," Hades snapped, making me frown further, "Blaine says he's coming. As in, two days from now." I arched a brow at that, perplexed at the horrible timing and the fact that Blaine was so in tune with the child growing inside him that he knew the time of the baby's birth. But it didn't surprise me anyway. We were creatures of another world, not humans, who needed electronics and toys to show when the baby was coming. We just knew.

"How is that my problem? Your kid, not mine." I responded flatly. Hades glowered.

"It's your problem because he's making a big deal about it. He won't let anyone near him and has barricaded himself in his room and Cerberus won't let me into the house."

"Still wondering where this becomes my problem." I drawled. Hades approached me, completely invading my personal bubble, causing me to bristle, not that it mattered as he met my eyes with a deadly glare.

"I have a deal for you," He sneered, "Get me to my fucking child or I'm going to go to Kateria, and not only will I take that imp back, but I'll sell him into slavery to a not so friendly buyer. Do you hear me?" Anger exploded through my veins and I shoved Hades back, but he barely budged. He only moved because he wanted to. I glared at him hatefully.

"Touch him and I swear to the gods--"

"Then get me my child!" Hades snarled. I twitched angrily.

"How do you expect me to do that?! I'm not going to get involved in anymore of your shenanigans!"

"Then I'm taking the imp back!"

"No!" I roared, sending out a blast of power that rippled the air, blowing our clothes back and causing the trees and plants around us to tremble and shrink back. My breathing was ragged, heart pounding into my throat at the very thought of someone like Hades taking Dorean away. The fact that Hades even had a method to get into Kateria left me horrified. That realm was my realm.

"Then come to the baby shower tomorrow," Hades seethed past clenched teeth, "It's at noon here in the throne room. Persephone and Blaine will be in her room. It's the only time Blaine will leave his room."

"And what do you want me to do? Tell him to hand over the kid? He'll probably kick me in the groin."

"I don't care how you do it," Hades seethed, his eyes flashing angrily, "Just make sure that when that child is born, he is in my hands."

"Blaine's the one who carried him for nine months."

"And I'm the one who helped make him! Without my seed, he'd be nothing!"

"TMI, Hades."

"Just do it! If, by the day after tomorrow, that child isn't in my hands, I'm going to Kateria and I'm going to rip that imp away and I'll destroy everything he's built up until now. Do you fucking understand me?" Hades demanded. I clenched my teeth. I wanted to tell him to shove his threat up his ass, but didn't dare. I wasn't entirely certain of all of Hades's powers. I could gather an army to protect Dorean and Hades would still rip past them to hurt him.

And as much as I liked the potty-mouthed fae, I loved Dorean more.

Without a word, I just nodded. Hades relaxed at that, but just by a bit. He was still raking me with a disgusted sneer as he withdrew to run a hand through his black hair, letting it drape over his shoulder as he pinned me with a merciless glare.

"Don't think you can run away. I think I recall telling you," He said dangerously, "I'm Hades, bitch. I can and will do what I please, especially when it concerns my child. Everyone else may have qualms over whether it's actually Persephone's or Blaine's, but in the end, one thing is certain. Ambrosius is my son. And I will kill the fae if I have to. I'm only sparing Cerberus's feelings for the wretch by not doing so, and by finding an alternative path. If that means breaking that fae's heart again, I'll do it." I said nothing to that. I just curled my lip at him. I wanted to stay and argue with him, though, to curse his very name and his cruelty, but it would be no point.

Hades was a father.

And while some sperm donors didn't get the memo, Hades did. He wanted his son more than anything in the world. He wanted to hold the tiny infant in his arms with the same look of pride and joy I'd seen on his face in the vision I had of him holding the child.

But I couldn't stay here any longer. I could feel the nagging at the back of my mind that told me it was just about sunset in my realm and I needed to leave. So, to avoid further argument, I just vanished in a column of black smoke and teleported back to my realm, heart heavy like a bag of rocks in my chest, dipping low into my stomach that actually cramped with the amount of stress I had weighing down on me right now.

I wasn't even sure if Aria was dead. Well, I guess if she wasn't, Sept would've summoned me to bitch slap the shit out of me by now.

And then Hades's kid.

Damn me for ever thinking it was a mildly good idea to get involved with Hades and his children. They have only ever brought me nothing, but grief.

I walked across the red stones to the front door, pausing to glance at the sun that was dipping down behind the everlasting sea. I frowned, then took a deep breath to calm myself so as not to worry Dorean, then came inside. I was instantly struck by the most amazing smell in the world. It was a combination of scents that could only mean it was a rich Mediterranean dish. I picked up on the warm scent of lamb and rice and fresh vegetables.

My stomach instantly cramped up, hungry to bite into whatever Dorean had decided to make. I passed into the kitchen, pausing to see that he'd cleaned up his mess so it looked like no one had ever cooked in here. The only remainder was the lingering scent that I followed through the living room, into the dining room, and out the sliding glass door to see that Dorean had lit a bonfire and had set up a five-course meal that still steamed freshly.

Dorean was laying out a couple of napkins and adjusting the silverware, wearing a cute pair of bedazzled jeans and his white button up short sleeved shirt with the collar. He looked up as soon as he saw me, his bangs held back by a couple of blue barrettes. He snatched them out, though, when he saw me come out and he stuffed them into his jeans, throwing up his arms, a big smile spreading across his face.

"Ta-da!" He declared proudly. My heart melted as I looked from the food to the fire to Dorean again to see him smiling at me with his head tilted, like he was eagerly waiting for me to say something. I didn't want to scare him into thinking I didn't like it, but it was so hard to find the words to describe how amazing this was... and how touched I was by his consideration to do all of this.

I had never once in my lifetime come home to something like this, even back in Atlantis. I had to make my own food. Come home to a temple where only the birds kept me company, which is why I often found myself visiting a similar temple in the mortal realm because there the humans were a constant and even though they couldn't see me, their presence warmed me.

But now I had someone who was now only waiting for me to come home so eagerly, but there was food and drink and warmth.

"Thank you." I breathed at last, feeling the weight of all my stresses instantly vanish. Dorean beamed, coming over to take my hand and lead me to one of the chairs. He left me to go to his and we both sat down. He popped the cork in the wine bottle carefully and poured our drinks before setting it aside, flashing me another adorable dimpled smile that warmed me to the core.

"I am glad you are so happy. I want to make everything perfect." He said, lifting his glass for a toast. I wasn't sure what we were toasting to, but I couldn't care less as we clinked our glasses together before taking a drink. The wine was rich and flavorful, a warm savory liquid that rushed into my stomach. We started eating, quietly at first, before Dorean spoke while I committed to memory each delicious bite, each warm sip, each breath Dorean took like music to my ears.

"What did you go do? Did you work the whole time?" He asked. I hesitated. Did making an assassination attempt and arguing with Hades count as working? I only nodded and Dorean pouted a little bit. Something that made my heart clench.

God, he was adorable.

"Well," Dorean said after a moment, beaming at me, "Tomorrow we gonna be busy."

"Oh?"

"Yes," Dorean exclaimed, "Baby shower! Hades and Persephone have a baby and they have big party so people bring presents. I still don't have nothing, though." I grimaced. So he wanted to go to that too? While it was convenient for both of us, it still didn't please me to go. Mostly because the sole reason of my attendence was to convince Blaine to give up his child-- again.

Well, admittedly, it wasn't his choice the first time. But still. The chances of Blaine letting the child go were very slim. And he was already fiesty to begin with. Even worse is that this time, his lover was the all-mighty Cerberus. He was just a teensy bit more dangerous than I was because of his unstable temper, especially when it came to Blaine. If Cerberus was standing up to Hades enough to keep him at bay, what would he do if he found out I was interfering as well?

Ugh, I didn't even want to think about that.

I wanted to enjoy the only comforting moment I'd have for maybe the next millenia.

"I don't know what you bring to a baby shower." I told Dorean after a moment when I saw him pouting at me for not replying. He beamed at me.

"Baby shower is where you bring presents for the baby and the mommy. Sorta like a before birthday for them. It gonna be fun, though. We get to see everyone there and I want to see Noe again. So long, cuz he so busy in Tartarus with Zelios." He explained matter-of-factly. I smiled faintly at that.

I found an odd comfort in listening to Dorean talk. Even though his English was a bit broken in some parts, understanding him was pretty easy. He was incredibly smart too. He went on to explain what he'd learned about baby showers in different cultures from a book he borrowed from Persephone. He went on from there to talk about other books he'd read and how much he loved them and which parts he liked best.

He wasn't like a lot of people I'd listened to. Most people complained or ranted, and while I had never noticed the negativity before, I noticed it now with Dorean, who never really complained. He talked enthusiastically about everything. Even the smallest things made his eyes brighten.

Maybe this was what pulled me in.

His kindness, his intelligence, his positive disposition. He was the exact opposite of me. And my father always told me that opposites attracted. I understood now what he had meant by that.

I lost track of how much time I spent talking to Dorean, discussing intellectual things like politics, science, magic. The list went on. Occasionally he'd mention his past, but never went into detail and I respected that. It was a past best forgotten.

And fortunately for him, the alcohol was so strong that I was tipsy by the end of dinner. Or rather, when the night began to wind down since we talked for another two hours after we finished eating.

"Your cheeks are pink," Dorean laughed, delighted as we got stood up, "Did I give you too much?" I laughed, a bit breathlessly as I tried not to stumble as I helped Dorean clean up.

"I've never been able to hold my alcohol well."

"Then why do you drink?"

"It feels good." I admitted. Which it did. It was a floaty feeling. Nothing else really mattered when I was drunk. As long as I was all warm and snuggled in bed, of course. I didn't feel like helping Dorean with the dishes, despite the gentleman in me nagging to do so. We managed to make it to the kitchen without breaking anything, but I just put everything in the sink and started for the room, then stumbled and caught the island counter for balance. A second later, Dorean was by my side, taking my hand and smiling up at me with pretty glittery silver eyes.

"Your hand's soft." I murmured, enchanted by the smooth feel of his skin against mine. He slid his hand up my arm, watching the goosebumps rise on my skin, a smile on his face.

"Your arm is muscular," He commented, then looked up at me, "I never seen you do exercise things, though."

"My job requires... everything. Okay," I sighed heavily, wiping a hand over my face and trying to summon up enough strength to get to my room without faceplanting, "I have to go to bed. I'm wasted." Dorean scrunched up his nose in confusion.

"What that mean?"

"Drunk. Intoxicated. Fuzzy."

"Ohh," Dorean said, understanding and nodding, "Malachi do that too. But only on Saturdays. He says other days is for Adrian. Saturday nights he gets alone."

"And where dos Adrian go during those nights?"

"He visits someone special," Dorean replied briefly, making me look at him curiously before he started to lead me out of the kitchen toward my room, "Anyway, not important. Let's get you to bed, yes?"

"Sure." I murmured, following him and watching my feet to make sure I didn't fall flat on my face. I had no idea where Dorean got that wine, but it was the strongest thing I'd ever ingested. The whole world seemed to tilt and dance. Every so often, an image would flicker across my mind. An unwanted cold memory that I fought back as I finally made it to my bed and fell down across it, sighing in relief at the sheets and blankets and pillows that suddenly seemed softer than usual. I felt a tug on my foot and glanced down to see Dorean sliding the boots off my feet.

"Thanks." I mumbled. Dorean just beamed at me, then set the boots aside and helped pull my jacket off, which he draped over one of the posts on the bed. I rolled onto my back, breathing another sigh, closing my eyes. As soon as I did, another memory slapped me hard across the face. It was a blurry version, but one I recognized nonetheless. The searing hot image of men and women running for higher grounds. Tidal waves crashing onto shore, rushing through the city and snatching people and animals under its mighty grip. Children screaming and wailing while their mothers ran for them, only to be sucked under the strength of the sea.

I remembered feeling their hysteria. It scared me. I remembered vanishing from our land and returning to Kateria, trying to find my family, but they were nowhere to be found. Each temple had been deserted. My brothers and sisters were gone. Aunts and uncles had vanished. I went to find my father, but he too was missing. The only thing that remained in his temple was a large statue of him holding a short sword and hoplon, expression stern and thick hair flowing over his shoulders.

I blinked again to see Dorean moving to leave, but I snatched his arm and pulled him back, making him look at me in surprise.

"Don't go." I managed. I needed a distraction. Something, anything to make those memories stop piling on top of each other to get my attention. I didn't want to remember those things. I didn't want to remember the screams and sobs of dying people, or the sound of my own hysterical cries as I went from temple to temple in search of my family, only to find no one. It had taken me forever to find Anexius to confront him, but he took me away before we could battle it out.

Took me away to stand on Greek soil, watching from a distance as my people were sucked into the oblivion of the ocean.

"Xenon okay?" Dorean asked, his brows furrowing in concern. I didn't know how to answer that. I just laid there, standing him stand over me beside the bed. His wings fluttered a little and tail swayed back and forth, reminding me so much of a cat's. Only lightly feathered with black soft feathers.

I reached up to brush my fingertips over his tail. The feathers ruffled there as Dorean shivered. They felt like velvet beneath my fingers, soft and smooth. I sighed at that and dropped my hand so it dangled off the bed. Dorean's silver eyes seemed hooded now, but still glowed as he leaned down to reach out and brush the hair back from my face.

What an odd gesture.

"Xenon?" He asked softly.

"Hmm?" I returned, my eyelids heavy and steadily drifting shut. I felt Dorean's hand shift through my hair again, long slender fingers with nails that lightly scraped my scalp almost soothingly. I could hear his tail sliding across the floor before it slid along the bed, the sound of the feathers ruffling like grass in the spring. There was a short silence before Dorean spoke, very gently and sweetly.

"You're super special."

"Thanks."

"Really," Dorean insisted, poking me in the forehead so my eyes could flicker open to see that he'd leaned much closer, making me furrow my brow curiously, and the expression on his face was difficult to decipher, especially when the room kept spinning; all I could focus on was the soft lilt of his voice, "You let me make the house look very nice. You taught me new things. You're nice to me... And you don't tell me what to do.... And you're a he." His words sounded vaguely familiar, but it was too difficult to focus and I was too drunk and tired to even try. I just gave him a crooked smile and his cheeks turned pink.

And they looked as soft as a rose petal.

And so did his lips. Soft and gentle, experienced, like his velvet wet tongue that slid expertly against mine like the waves of the ocean lapped the shoreline outside. The roar of it in my ears and the wind ruffling my hair.

Dorean's hands pushed open my button up shirt and ran his hands tentatively over my chest, like he was admiring my muscles. I wasn't sure what to make of it. My lips felt oddly swollen, like someone had kissed me hard enough to steal my breath away, to make me dizzier than the booze did. Even worse, Dorean's fingers danced their way across my chest. His hands squeezed my pecs and then traced their way down over my abs to the hem of my jeans.

He leaned in and brushed his nose against my chest, like he was sniffing me. I didn't know what was making him do that.

I probably stunk like booze. God, what a way to ruin a good night. It was all fine and chatty and fun until I got nervous and drank. Granted, I wouldn't openly admit that I was nervous about socialize. Most people assumed I could do it quite well... mostly. But I couldn't. People naturally made me uneasy. After spending so many years in solitude, after having to fight my way through both mortals and immortals, the ability to speak like a normal person eventually faded away. Nothing remained, but bitter sarcasm and the harsh burn of booze as it sailed down my throat, gulp after gulp.

Nothing purged the misery of a cold past like drinking liquid fire. Oh sure, in the morning I woke up feeling like shit and vomit for maybe an hour before I perk up witha couple coffees and a slice of toast, then went on to survive a miserable existence that I didn't even understand.

What was I living for anymore?

I had no worshippers. No lovers. No friends. No family.

I had nothing.

The bitterness sent a shudder through me. I wanted to keep tormenting myself until I passed out into a dark realm of eternal nightmares, but a sudden burst of pleasure tore through me so powerfully that it momentarily put a pause on the booze levels fogging up my rational thinking. I blinked my eyes open, breath escaping my lips in sharp pants. My vision focused and I found myself staring down at Dorean, whose head was buried between my legs. He'd somehow managed to get my jeans off and crumpled to the floor. His hand was massaging my thigh in a manner that could've made me explode right then and there, if it weren't for his other hand wrapped around the base of my cock, squeezing it every so often when I neared climax. His perfect little mouth was sucking the tip of me, tongue teasing and stroking me in a manner that had to be illegal.

And it hit me like a bucket of ice cold water.

"Get off!" I ordered, shoving him back. Dorean looked startled as he sat back on the bed, looking at me in confusion.

"What's wrong?" He asked. I sputtered, trying to find words in my still foggy mind to explain why this was a bad idea. No, there were a hundred reasons why this shouldn't and couldn't be happening, and yet all of them made my tongue weigh heavy. All I could do was sit there against the headboard, staring at Dorean in disbelief.

He still wore that same innocent expression. Those dewy silver eyes as round as saucers, lips tainted with dribbles of unmentionables, white hair a bit mussed as if I had buried my hand in it and wrenched it hard. Had I? I couldn't remember. I couldn't remember what happened before I went on my pity party mission. How did he get my pants off and when? How long had I laid there letting him torment me with that tongue of his?

And since when did he even want to do this kind of thing?

Oh, I'd gladly admit to wanting to do this with him. I'd had plenty of fantasizes of taking him into my arms and savoring every part of his exposed ivory skin, feeling each dip and curve, the warmth of his little body sitting in my lap as he rode me, arms around my neck and pulling me down for desperate kisses.

But that's just it.

They were fantasizes. They were jokes. Nothing could ever come of such a relationship. Dorean was too sweet and too innocent--

Evidently not. The kid just tried to date rape you.

"Xenon," Dorean's voice sounded like a seductive purr to my ears and a shiver coursed through me as he crawled so he was nearing my lap, but I pushed him away again and now his expression became hurt as he sat back, "I don't understand. You said it was okay." I looked at him, bewildered.

"I most certainly did not." I declared. This time, Dorean's sorrow turned to anger as he pinned me with sharp silver eyes.

"You did! I never touch unless asked to! And when I kissed you, you said you wanted more."

"I did not!"

"Yes, you did! Dore-- I am not a liar! You just have too much of that wine in your system. Is why you being so mean. You was liking it so much. I don't understand. What's wrong? I thought you like me." He added, the hurt swimming in his eyes again. I cringed. Don't cry, I pleaded silently. Anything, but that. Tears were a man's worst enemy. I swallowed hard against the dryness in my throat.

"Dorean, this isn't a good idea," I said slowly, making him frown at me in confusion, "It won't work. This... Look, I can't explain it right now. I'm wasted and exhausted and just want to sleep. I can't do this with just some kid--"

"I am not a child," Dorean snapped, making me blink at his offended tone, "I am adult too. Maybe I can't use big words all the time or get a job or anything like that, but I am adult! I never was a child. Dorean grew up doing adult things forever! Dorean is an adult! And Dorean like Xenon, a lot! Xenon was very nice to Dorean and Dorean was being nice by not being angry because Xenon took him away from Adrian! Dorean was maybe a little happy because it mean Xenon like Dorean as much as Dorean like Xenon, but now Dorean confused because when he try to make Xenon feel good, he push him away and call him a child! Dorean was wrong! You're a jerk!" Without another word, Dorean hopped off the bed and left my room, slamming the door shut hard enough to rattle the antiques on the walls.

I sat there, completely stunned. Dorean was definitely angry. Extremely. Enough so that he hadn't even noticed he'd broken out into third person again. Maybe I hadn't chosen my words right, I thought with a grimace. Then again, I was drunk, so everything sounded okay to me.

Except Dorean sucking my cock.

No, that was okay. No, it felt great, but it wasn't okay. Certainly not.

But Dorean's words rang in my head and made me feel worse. He had a point. Dorean had been born and bred for the sole purpose of being a slave. He never had a childhood. There were no parents to shower him with love and affection and gifts like a normal child. There were no happy Christmases with lights and trees and presents. No birthdays with cake and ice cream and friends. No family photos. No pets. Not even his clothes were his own. They were given to him by a kind and loving master. Dorean was an adult. He'd always been an adult.

Oh sure, he was cute and adorable and dainty. Maybe a little feminine from time to time, and he loved glitter and bright colors and baking and candy.

But there was another side to Dorean that I had tried to ignore. The fact that Dorean was considered an adult, even by imp standards. He was well over a thousand years old. He looked like he could be in his twenties. He was very intelligent. He knew how politics worked and he loved discussing new scientific discoveries, loved the side of magic that connected to it. He could see right through people, no matter how much they tried to hide it.

And he knew just the right places to touch on my body to make me melt. That part terrified me. The way his hands worked, his lips, his tongue. He knew what to do because he was used to it. His masters had always made him do such things to earn food and warmth and basic necessities. He'd probably been having sex since before he reached puberty. It was the sole purpose for an imp's life. They had to know how to please their masters in every way possible. Be it through sex or cooking or baking or cleaning or just remaining as silent as the grave.

Dorean wasn't the innocent child I made him out to be.

There was more to him, and a part of me wanted to know.

But I didn't dare. I couldn't do this anymore. I couldn't keep Dorean here.

It was too dangerous.