Claimed By Hades.

They said no Bride had ever run from Zeus. until me. The temple of of Olympus was blinding. Everything was made of white marble and gold.All twelve gods were watching me. my mother sat in the front row, crying because her poor farmer's daughter was going to become Queen of Gods. My dress weighed more than I did. Diamonds sewn into the fabric cut into my skin. The high priest looked at me. "Elena, daughter of maris the mortal, so you take Zeus, king of the heavens, Lord of Thunder, as your eternal husband?" My mouth was dry. Behind Zeus, I could see my village in my mind. I could see the dry farms, the cracked earth. Zeus had promised me: "Marry me, and I will give your people rain for a hundred years" If I said no, they would starve. I forced my self to look at Zeus. He was handsome, but in a cruel way. Golden hair, blue eyes like lightning, and his smile was cruel. Hw had married many women before. Hera his real was not even hear. she refused to come. I heard he had killed his last mortal wife for being jealous. He smiled at me like I was a new horse he had bought. I opened my mouth. " I _" The ground broke. CRACK. A black line split the perfect marble floor from one end of the temple to the other. Every golden candle went out. at once. The priestess screamed. Cold air rushed out of the crack. it smelled like cold earth and smoke. And then he rose from it. He wasn't shinning. He was the opposite of shining. A tall man with a black robe that seemed to be made of living shadows, A crown of bone on his head. His skin was pale, his hair was as black as the night, his eyes like two coals burning in darkness. Every God stood up. Aphrodite gasped. "Hades", Zeus growled,thunder shaking his voice. "you were not invited to my wedding. Return to your hole". The God of the underworld didn't even look at his brother. He was staring at me. And I was staring at him, because for some reason, I couldn't look away. "She is not yours brother", Hades said. his voice was deep and quiet, but the whole temple heard it. "she never was". Zeus laughed. " I chose her she is mine. you only want her because a seer told you that only a mortal Bride who can see spirits would give you a son who could overthrow the fates", Hades replied calmly. " I chose her because she called me". My blood went cold. How did he know Last night, I had run behind the temple and cried. I had knelt in the dirt and prayed. I had whispered "anyone.please anyone but him. save me from a loveless marriage, even if it's death" "was it you ?" I whispered now Hades took a step towards me. The white flowers in my bouquet died the moment he came close. "you prayed to be taken away. I came". said Hades. "she prayed to the gods! Zeus shouted. not to the dead!". "and who do mortals pray to when they have lost all hope? they pray to me", hades said still looking at me.He reached me. He was close. I could see snow falling in his dark eyes. He held out his hand. "come". "I-- I don't know you". I said shaking. "I know" he said softly. "But you can see me.No living soul has looked at me and seen a man I three thousand years. they only see the monster. but you see me." Before I could answer, Zeus threw a bolt of lightning. Hades moved faster than light. He grabbed my waist and pulled me against him. his body was freezing cold, like marble in winter. The lightning hit where I had stood and shattered the altar. "Enough!" Hades roared. the temple walls shook and shadows screamed. He looked down at me." hold on little Bride" . "No! let me--". I said. The floor opened and swallowed us. We fell. I screamed as we fell through darkness. we passed a river of screaming souls, a boat with a hooded man, a three_ headed dog barking at the sky. The air got colder and colder until I couldn't breathe. We landed, not hard, but soft. On a bed. A hug bed big enough for Ten people, covered in black silk sheets, in the middle of a massive palace made of black stone and starlight. They were no windows but the ceiling looked like the night sky. I scrambled of the bed, tripping on my heavy dress. " What did you do! take me back! my mother! my village!. " you are safe", he said, standing at the edge of the bed. He took off his bone crown and set it down , and for the first time, he looked tired like someone who has been alone for too long. " This is the underworld. my home. No one leaves here without my permission". " you kidnapped me! " " I stole you", he corrected. There is a difference. Kidnapping is for ransom. I intend to keep you". Hw walked to the door which was made of swirling shadows. "Rest. your wedding dress is soaked in fear.There is a bath behind that door. I will have clothes brought." " I will never marry you! " I shouted. He paused at the door and turned, and his sad smile stopped my heart. " you already prayed to be mine, Elena. The wedding in three days is just formalise. whether you say the vows or not, you are already 'Hades Stolen Bride'. athe shadow door closed, leaving me alone in the bedroom of the Gods of death, with the sound of Zeus's thunder roaring far, far above me .