Hades freezes, and as Cain stands next to him, he suddenly reaches out and gives him a hug; possibly the most affection I've ever seen him give anyone. It even seems to confuse Cain too as he just stands there in shock.

"I'm not sure whether I want to laugh or cry," Hades confesses.

"Both good options since neither involves yelling at me," I add.

"Or I can yell at both of you," Hades snaps back to it, the moment over and the shouting continues. "What were you thinking? Oh, I know - you weren't."

"The only way it was going to end, as if that happened," I argue.

"There would have been another way!" Hades continues.

"You know it makes sense," Cain answered rather casually. "Even you yourself claimed it to be so."

Hades said nothing, just threw his hands up as if he now wanted to strangle Cain and then went to sit as if on thin air right as another chair appeared. This one was similar to the throne I sat on only the skulls and other little details made it clear where it came from. First unofficial royal business meeting?

"Once they know you are alive," Hades shrugged, looking a sulking teen on his throne. "It will all be for nothing."

"I am content to be a ghost," Cain assured him before turning his attention my way. "You're okay?"

"Sparkle, sparkle." I shrug. He winked before sitting down beside me. "So, anyone has any ideas on what to do now?"

"This is your mess, you clean it up." Hades huffed, suddenly going quiet.

"So much for teamwork." I pouted.

"Think of it as your first royal duty." Apparently the King of the Underworld had a sense of humour. "Though I will admit, I did expect you to be sitting at her side when her time came to wear the crown."

Hades is King of the Underworld. King. The idea comes instantly as both Cain and I seem happy to ignore the last part of what he said.

"Have you ever thought about ruling over both domains Hades?" I ask.

"What?" They both say in unison, neither hiding their surprise at my question; though the death glare, Cain sent his sibling had me wondering if it was for different reasons.

I stood up. "I don't actually want to be Queen and-"

"You should have thought about that before you killed the reigning King. It's a pretty simple outcome when you think about it!" Hades snapped.

"Why wouldn't you want to be Queen?" Cain asked instead.

"I didn't think of the full repercussions because I was trying to save your life, our lives, and get us out of the shit we were in. I mean, in different circumstances, in a different time, a part of me kind of is like, okay, let's do this, but I have to go home. I can't stay here. I have my family, my friends, Penny's wedding, the Treaty. Hades, you're already a King. Just, add this place to your assets and we're all set."

"It doesn't work that way. Plus, in case you missed it, the Others are expecting their God Killer Queen's ass to be sitting on that throne!" He shouted now.

"Take that as a no then," I mumbled.

"He does have a point." Cain mused. "They've always wanted you. I know this isn't how you saw it ending when it started and until we figure everything out, I don't know what choice you have except to stick with it until that time."

"So, not even maybe Artemis?" I threw it out there just in case; it wasn't like he could get even more pissed off than he already was.

"They don't particularly like us at the best of times, we're tolerated because without our presence and leadership, the Others risk to lose everything." Hades sighed. "You're technically one of us, but not. It won't work, and as he said, they always wanted you."

"Yay for being the shiny new toy."

"I heard one rumour you left because of me, that it wasn't your choice to go after Zeus left." Cain unhelpfully adds. "Their saviour is back."

"As far as brainstorming sessions go, this one sucks." I rest back in the chair. "A bit more background information would have been super handy before all of that other stuff happened! Isn't there like a cooling-off period?"

"No." They both answer.

"I'm sure you will figure it out. Now please excuse me, your highness, I need to make another trip home and finally, get some sleep. Glad you're not dead. Maybe." Hades disappears, chair and all.

"Elise is fine!" I called out, not sure if he would have heard or not. "Well, that went well."

"It could have gone worse."

"You're a helpful little ray of sunshine tonight," I sigh, rubbing my eyes and face in an attempt to wake up. "What are we going to do?"

"I honestly have no idea. I've been thinking about it today, I had a feeling you hadn't fully thought this through." a drink appeared in his hand, and when it was offered the way I declined. "If you declined and went home, again, never to return, Art probably will go for the crown, Apollo will back her to a point or consider dual leadership. He won't be able to fully commit."

I never considered them. "They do work well together."

"For a time. It never lasts. Aphrodite will challenge her, Ares will never allow that. By this point, the news would have gotten around and someone new will be on their way. Possibly your blue friend. Everyone would be at war again."

"I may as well leave Alfie in charge." I roll my eyes. "You're not exactly selling this idea."

"It wasn't even on the cards. You would never just leave, despite how much you now claim you don't want this."

"You think you know me that well? I did my part. I could easily just go home."

Now he rolled his eyes.

"I do know you, and you will see this through." He sounds so smug about this, I kind of want to prove him wrong.

"The more you say that the more it seems like leaving is the right thing to do."

Cain stands, extends his hand.

"Let's go then. Get Hermes or your, friend?" The question was obvious.

"Funny story about Aion. Guess who I got his little time travelling stick thing back from way back when?"

"I'm not even going to bite, besides, I already know. As I was saying, call for them. Let them take you anywhere you could imagine, go home. Go somewhere. Anywhere." He offered his hand again and this time I took it.

He pulled me up so I was flat against him, and my eyes closed as I rested my head against his chest. His heart was racing and cautiously I placed my palm over it instead. Cain tensed as I looked up at him, a million thoughts running through my mind that were not helpful to our current predicament in any way. Biting my bottom lip, I watched as his pupils dilated, unable to look away as the memory of our previous kisses took over every thought now. The prospect of it happening again made me shiver, which is what I needed to get some kind of control back over myself.

"You were ah, saying?" I managed to get out, though Cain seemed to have a similar issue needing a second before speaking.

"I know a realm no one will ever find us. We can disappear. Start a whole new life, together." His voice was low and seductive, laced with promise. He wasn't serious though, it was all over his face.

I nodded, yet the words slowly sunk in and I wished they hadn't. Deja vu punched me right in the gut and I pulled back.

"What?" I felt the earlier rush disappear.

"I was joking, kind of. Just a suggestion." He frowned, looking confused. "I know you won't, but imagine for a second. Wouldn't be so bad, would it?"

"I'm sorry, don't take it personally. I just-" I decide to make this more awkward because it's not like things could get worse. "Apollo wanted to do the same thing."

Cain went dark. "He did?"

I nodded.

"And did you go?" He asked slowly.

"Yes." I lied, more annoyed that he even had to ask that.

"See lots of interesting things, different realms, new experiences?" Now he was just being an ass. He knew I didn't.

"Heaps." I cross my arms as he laughs and sits down. "Why do you think I didn't?"

"That would be running, not your style," Cain smirked.

"Well according to him, it should be. According to him, I should've been doing a lot of other things and clearly that all worked out well." I huff, sitting beside him. "Then again, maybe he was on to something with all his opinions on what I should and shouldn't do."

"You really think so?"

"Maybe. No." His smugness only increased. "I think you're enjoying this a little too much."

"Sorry."

"Liar."

Silence takes over the room. The candles don't even flicker as everything goes completely still. I have to look to make sure Cain has stayed, and find him staring blankly ahead at nothing at all. Super helpful, especially after that little discussion. I get back up, unable to sit any longer and stand with my hands on my hips at the top of the stairs, wondering if anyone else would decide to make a surprise appearance or if discussing past relationships would be more entertaining before turning around to face him. Unsurprisingly Cain's face is unreadable as he shifts his position slightly, tilting his head to rest on his hand. Slowly he begins to look a little more thoughtful as he continues to stare at me.

I'm not sure if that's any better.

I thought back to when I made my grand entrance. There had been something fascinating about seeing him up there, so different yet so alike to how I had always known him only I hadn't had the time or ability to appreciate it then. It was more than his abilities, it was all about his presence. He commanded the room with one look, the energy he released was magnetic. In that chair was the most logical for him to be, and it had been his. For a second I considered it to be mine too, that I could just sit there as naturally and easily as he did.

Together.

Cain ruined that possibility. He destroyed everything that could have been, despite whatever existed between us now and I hate him, hate this whole situation. Maybe Cain can read my mind or he doesn't need to as that hate makes me feel hot, a rush of anger that isn't entirely directed towards him, but at myself too. His eyes narrow slightly, and there's something dangerous in the way he looks at me now. The kind of danger that sets my heart racing, and a flurry of goosebumps over my skin. If only I'd realised sooner, or what if he never returned here at all?

"You've never hidden your thoughts very well." Cain mused, slowly standing up. "The past is the past, Elise."

There is no distance between us, and looking up at him the intensity in his gaze now makes me want to run. I knew he'd follow and the prospect of being caught made it a much more interesting idea.

"You always call me Hunter, it's weird hearing you say my name." My anger dissolves. "If I stay here, you can't. This is over before it even begins."

"I know." He admits and I realise he's always known.

"What did Portia say?"

"Short story, we'd destroy each other. Not fated I think she said at one point. It would have been easier if you'd killed me."

"For who? I've hurt enough, that would have destroyed me. I spent a year on myself, putting everything that had been broken back together, while constantly still giving all I had leftover to everyone else. It has been hard, and lonely, with this fear that it was never going to be better. If not for Kara and the Valkyrie, and Eric. I can't even say Alfie as I nearly lost him too and-" I shake my head, stopping everything from coming out as I quickly wipe the tears away. "You don't get to say it would have been easier for me to just kill you!"

"I understand." He says, my face pressed into his chest as his arms surround me. Misery loves company, right. "I'm sorry."

"Me too." I don't want to let go, scared of what will happen once I do. "I wish we could go back."

"To the bar," He says softly, and ever so slowly we begin to sway. "At closing time, when everything is clean, quiet and I'm about to leave and of course you choose then to come in."

"It's the only way I can guarantee you give me the top-shelf stuff, and not the watered-down crap you serve when it's busy."

"I never did that." Cain tenses at the accusation.

"Sure you didn't." I can hear the jukebox, one of those old rock songs he likes plays low in the corner. Only the back bar lights are on the rest of the room in shadows. "You know I only turned up then when I needed to see you."

"I never said I minded." I feel the pressure of a kiss on my forehead and smile. "I'd often stay until dawn, just in case."

He lets me go and steps back, only when I open my eyes, the hall has gone and we are back in the Last Drop. Our version of the place at least, as a few things have changed since he was last there. I don't mention it though, sliding onto the stool as he places two shot glasses between us; a bottle of tequila appearing.

"Every time I come here now, I feel like something is missing. It isn't the home it used to be." I look around, not bothering with questions.

"You have a bear shifter running the place. What do you expect?" He pours us a shot each and raises his glass. "To the words we never said."

I can't disagree with that.

The burn is instant and familiar as it hits my tongue, slides down my throat and settles in my stomach. We slam our glasses down at the same time, the liquid quickly being refilled. I memorise every detail of his face, breath in his smell, and kick myself for never deciding to act on any, possibly very drunken, impulses I had about attempting to take things further with the attractive for a vampire, bartender. I hate myself for being so focused on Logan, that I missed what had been beside me that final Christmas.

Nostalgia wins over the reality of the present. All the should ifs and what-ifs turn, into possibilities that can now be explored and discovered. Tomorrow wasn't here yet; this period of limbo could be the only time that was truly ours.

I sit on the bar in front of him, and ever so subtly he raises his eyebrows as I pass him his next shot. Slowly, I slide down to settle in his lap, and we take another drink. The glasses go, my arms loop around Cain's neck while his hands settle in the curve of my back. I rest my forehead against his, the slightly minty aroma of the tequila fresh on his breath before I rediscover the taste on his tongue. The air feels charged, another rush of goosebumps breaking out all over as his hands dare to roam until I'm left feeling cold as ever so slightly pulls away.

"Elise-" Cain pauses. "Once we. We know it's not-"

"I didn't turn up tonight to talk," Leaning back, I slid my shirt off and dropped it onto the floor. "What are you waiting for?"

I've never been looked at in the way he looks at me now. I feel a blush creeping up my neck, my blood running hot and in that second, I forget how to breathe. Cain is suddenly tense as he looks at the scar on my stomach, and before I can feel any regret or self-conscious about it, his fingertips brush over the silvered skin making me shiver. He hesitates for the briefest of moments before kissing it. I'm back on the bar in one swift movement as he stands, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he journeys upwards, my skin tingling at each point he kisses.

"Never have I wanted anything more than what I want you right now." He mumbled into my neck, his nose tracing my jaw. "Finally."

"Show me how much." It sounds like an order.

His mouth is instantly back on mine.

Skin against skin.

Every inch of my body comes to life. The sensation of his touch lit me up all over and whatever control may have existed, disappeared completely. It became desperate and raw; desire mixed with need. I wanted all of him and more as I gave myself just as willingly, meeting every demand in an equal exchange until those lines blurred into one soul objective.

Nothing else mattered now.

It was just us and I wasn't letting go - literally. Fingertips dug into the flesh, not quite to the point where blood would be drawn, but deep enough to be felt and remembered later. Pleasure mixed with pain. We tested each other in new, previously unexplored ways. A lick, a suck, a bite. There were new buttons to push, faces to see and sounds to earn.

It had to be a dream.

Real-life isn't like this.

"Cain-" The desperate way I'd gasped his name earned a smile as he moved back over me.

I only held him closer, until I saw the chance and with the small addition of a little magical assistance, altered it so I was now the one looking down at him. This created a whole new buffet of opportunity for both of us not yet indulged.

"So damn beautiful," He murmured, hands sliding up to my breasts. "You really will be the death of me, Elise."

Words left me.

The intensity surprised me as we reached a deeper connection than what I'd ever felt before with anyone; a rush of pure bliss that was so addictive and undeniably dangerous. It was all-consuming, with that flicker of a warning lingering in the background, which was so easily pushed aside. I wanted it to destroy me. I was almost willing to beg to keep going, just to see how much of this I could actually take before that would happen. The warning was taken as more of a challenge. and sometime later, curled up in a cloud of bed while gazing hazily at the wall of the ocean before us that is what I found myself thinking about. We survived, but something more than I could hope to understand did occur. Was it simply because we had been warned not to, or had our bond been stronger than we knew?

I let it go, clearing my mind as I savoured the moment. My hair was spread out over his arm behind me, while my hand stayed firmly in place over his heart; the frantic beating now eased to a soft, steady rhythm. Our legs remained entwined, the softness of the bedding welcome against bare skin. This cave of a room was warm and cozy, with an unfamiliar feeling of sheer happiness dominating my mood. We had created another world, and now the offer of disappearing seemed like a much more appealing offer.

Cain was silent, his breathing deep and easy as he drifted in and out of sleep. I could tell when he woke, the pressure of his arm on my back and his hand on my hip would tighten before he relaxed again. A subconscious check to see if I was still there, ironic because I wasn't sure I could move even if I wanted to. For the time being, I was his only I just didn't know for how much longer that would be

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And there it is......