The Son of Hades and A Mermaid

Moon Flowers

Andrea

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I leave my room, and Iris leads me down a long hallway. The underworld is dark and full of pompous furniture and art. There is just too much gold and jewels built into everything. It feels like a museum. Not like home. As if the god that lives here tries too hard to impress his guests with his wealth. It smells slightly of smoke and perfume. This makes me wonder what else goes on here.

I entered the dining room to see the Moon Goddess in the Flesh.

I've seen her in my dreams, but never in person. Her name is Selene, and she is every bit as gracious and wise as I thought that she would be.

But, as much as the werewolf part of me is in awe of being in the same room as my own deity, the human element of me is afraid and nervous about meeting my betrothed.

The Moon Goddess and I start chatting about how my fellow guardians are getting along. Her presence is calming, almost like a mother or maybe a grandmother. The Moon Goddess's hair is white and long, and her eyes are the same golden eyes. She is who we get that one distinct feature from. While her being looks otherworldly, almost cold, her eyes betray her warmth. Her kindness. I heard the door of the dining room open.

In walks this tall, dark figure. He looks about my age, maybe a year or two older, but then he is a god's son. They age even slower than we do. He could be hundreds of years old, and I wouldn't be able to tell. He's about 6'3, with thick dark hair, a strong jawline, and dark blue and silver eyes. His eyes looked like the universe had decided to mix darkness and the color of stars. He looks godlike with broad shoulders and an intimidating stare. I'd bet money, with looks like those, he's broken a few hearts. While everyone here is dressed in gowns or a dark suit, this man is casual in a dark button up and dark jeans. As though he tried, but didn't want to conform completely.

He looks me up and down. I blush a little bit, and he starts walking toward me. Before he reaches me, I smell him. He smells like sandalwood and a fresh breeze.

"MATE!" says my wolf Siren in my mind.

Oh, Goddess, I hope that he is my betrothed, or things will be a bit awkward in hell.

He goes to introduce himself and the Goddess of Mars talks over him. He is my betrothed! He introduces himself as Cole. We go to shake hands, and I can feel my own excitement taking over, and he drops my hand like it's on fire.

The Moon Goddess explains that she has made us mates.

Oh my. This is going to make things even more interesting.....

Hades scowls at us. Like we're taking too long. Even though we just started talking. Hades ushers us to sit down. Dinner is served. We're seated next to each other. We go through drinks and the first course, and he doesn't say anything. Maybe he's shy? I'll try to make the first move.

"Uh, your mother said that you were traveling. Where did you travel to?" I ask.

He swallows what he was chewing and then answers.

"I went to Alaska to see the northern lights again. They fascinate me for some reason." So he says before continuing with his next bite. Again, he's open but distinctly cold. Almost guarded.

"Ooo! I'm jealous. I've always wanted to see the Northern lights.

"Have you traveled much at all?" Asks Coke.

"Somewhat, I have six sisters in five different countries across the globe. So that helps. I've also swum in all of the major oceans. That's a bit of mermaid thing, I guess." I say back.

The main course comes, and of course, it's fish. How do I refuse this? I'm not fond of eating animals that I've swum with.

Cole sees my face, and understanding dawns on his features.

"Oh! It's fish! I'll have them make you something else". Says Cole quickly. He calls a servant over, and they head to the kitchen to fetch me something else.

"Sorry about that, my dear; I didn't even think about that." So says the Goddess of Mars.

"It's okay! It's something most people wouldn't think about." I say back.

The servant rushes back with some sort of roasted chicken, and we continue on.

"What's your favorite place that you've traveled to?" Asks Cole as he takes a large sip of his wine.

"Ahh, that's easy. Spain. My sister Camila and her mate live there. Specifically Barcelona. The culture is so lively and colorful. The food is amazing, and the alcohol is great. Plus, it's on a coast, not an ocean, but a large Sea. So any cool city on the coast is a favorite for me." I reply back. Next, some dessert. Some sort of dark chocolate cake.

"Ah, Now it's my turn to be jealous; I've never been to Spain."

"Well, we'll have to fix that. I have a portal for my sister. She has a room set up for me. So we'll have to go together sometime." I say with a smile.

"Yeah, I think that I'd like that." Replies Cole.

Hades takes this moment to make a toast.

"To the happy couple."

That's all he says before returning to whatever conversation he and the goddesses were having. We finished dinner, and the servants came and removed the plates. Hades looks toward Cole. Cole sighs and gets up from his chair. As if he can't wait to get done with whatever Hades had in store for him. He gives me a small smile before leaving with Hades.

I nodded at the Goddess as they continued with more wine and conversation. I got up from my seat. Assuming that I was excused. I headed to the door.

I decided to find Maya and see if she'll give me a guided tour. So I asked her if there was any outside area, and she took me to this large garden.

It's strange for sure. There is a waterfall into a lake, torches to give it light, and various exotic-looking plants. Iris explains to me that it's always night here. I have no idea how these plants grow then. Maybe by magic.

I look up in the sky and see the moon and stars. I'm a bit confused about that too.

The underworld is beautiful, dark, but mostly strange.

We continue to walk around the garden when I see these stunning blue flowers. They also look like roses, but they're blue and glowing.

"Those are Moon Flowers." So says Cole coming up behind us and dismissing Maya.

"The Moon Goddess brought them here. They can grow in the dark as long as they can see the moon." Explains Cole.

"So is that the real sky then?" I ask.

"Yes, it is. One of my mother's conditions for marrying my father is that she would still be able to see the cosmos whenever she pleases. So my father split open the underworld and put a large portal here. Only my mother and the Moon Goddess can go through it, though."

Says Cole with a slightly sad expression.

"Are these waters safe to swim in?" I ask.

"Yes, I'll swim laps out here sometimes. I suggest in the daytime, though. It does warm up here during the 'day' even if it's only every night here".

"This place is fascinating and strange." I muse out loud.

"You don't even know the half of it." So says Cole with a smirk.

"Would you give me a tour?" I ask hopefully.

"Yes, but you won't want to marry me then." Says Cole.

"Why would that change my mind? I can't change my mind, I've made a deal with your parents to protect that one that I love, and I intend to keep it," I say back, raising my chin a bit.

"This is true. I forgot that you weren't here just for me. You're here to save your sisters".

"Exactly," I say back. At this time, I yawn before I can stifle it.

"I'll take you back to your room ." So says Cole, half smiling at my second yawn.

I get to my feet and we start walking back down the garden path. Both of us completely quiet and a nervous tension between us. I feel like I should talk more here. Explain more about the mate bond as Cole isn't a werewolf, but for once I'm at a lose for words and so is Cole. So we continue inside and Cole drops me off at my room. Before he goes, he takes my hand and kisses the top of my fingers.

"Good Night, Sunshine," he says before turning and walking away.

I watch him walk away for a second because my head my thoughts are a bit jumbled. His gait is confident and his posture ridged. I rush inside my room and shut the door quickly, leaning against it. My heart is beating so quickly. The events of the day flashing before me. Hade's son is my mate. I don't know how to feel about it. Part of me is hopeful, but then again, part of me is terified. I never expected to find a mate. It's rare for hybrids and even rarer for the mate to accept them. Not that Cole has much choice in this matter. Does that make it better or worse. So many thoughts and feelings are hitting me at once. I pace in my room. I've never had a boyfriend. I never tried. Outside for the past year of being with my sisters, my life was too chaotic. I just turned nineteen and I know that most werewolves would have dated by now. Even if it wasn't serious, but I didn't want that. My loved each other deeply. Enough to fight the status quoe. They believe that they were each other's second chance mates, but no one believed them. As finding a second chance mate is rare and a mate in another shape shifter is even rarer. I guess I've always hoped for a love like theirs. They fought for each other and they won.