Chapter 4

Rose POV  

Hades brought us to the top of a mountain.

‘’Oh fuck’’ I cursed as I looked down at the expanse of land before me.

 ‘’You have such a dirty mouth. I like it’’ He said with a grin and I blushed to the root of my hair and he chuckled.

I looked around at everything. It looked almost quite normal and not what you’d expect the underworld to look like. There was a valley below the mountain with lush grass that was different shades of purple instead of the green of the earth with blue, pink, red, and black wildflowers spread across the entire valley. The river water was bright orange, almost like lava, instead of blue, which I think is a result of the sky reflecting in the water. In the sky, there was no sun or moon but it was bright orange with yellow and gray clouds. It was truly beautiful.

Hades pointed at something in the sky and that was when I noticed the…… Birds? If we could even call them that, flying in the sky. They looked a whole lot bigger than normal birds with an almost human figure, but not quite, but regardless of how unusual they appeared, they were very beautiful with brightly colored feathers all over them. 

‘’ Oh my god. I’m really in the underworld’’ I whispered as I took in the view. It wasn't at all what I expected. It would take some getting used to, but I couldn’t but appreciate the unique beauty of it.

‘’I can make it look however I wish’’ He said and raised his hand. He said something under his breath and instantly the view of the valley changed to that of the earth with green fields and blue sky with fluffy-looking white clouds and normal birds flying happily in the sun-filled sky, almost as if I was really looking down a valley back on earth. 

‘’But this is Hades, not Earth.’’ He said and, with the same motion, returned the scenery to that of the underworld.

I was awestruck at this and was finally convinced that I was indeed no longer on earth. With this acceptance came the consciousness that I was standing side by side. Alone. With the god of the underworld, I was surprisingly relaxed, which scared me to some extent. I think he noticed this on my face because he suddenly chuckled and, with his grin still in place, he turned to me and said

“You are worth more to me than you could ever even fathom. I would sooner die than let any harm come to you’’ He assured me and deep within me I knew he wasn’t bluffing. I didn’t know how to respond so I simply nodded and he smiled even wider, his whole face lighting up in glee.

  ‘’is this where we got all dressed up to go?’’ I asked and he shook his head then whistled loudly, so loudly that I had to cover my ears. The sound echoed into the distance and then silence followed for a while until I heard a roar from the distance.

‘’What was that?’’ I asked as I gripped his arm, moving closer to him.

‘’You’ll see’’ he replied.  

I squinted my eyes into the distance the roar came from and, at first, I saw nothing, but soon I saw something, but it was too far for me to make out what it was, but I soon got close and I realized whatever it was it was headed directly towards us.

It got bigger the closer it was and so I hid behind Hades, who chuckled at this. I was grateful for his wide tall frame, since he completely hid me from view.

The creature flying towards us soon landed right in front of us. My curiosity winning over my fear made me peep out from behind Hades and my jaw dropped because right before my eyes was the legendary Griffin.

‘’Incredible’’ I said as I unconsciously slid out from behind Hades ‘’I can’t believe they exist’’ I could hear Hades’ soft chuckle, but I was too consumed by the majestic creature standing proudly before me. Turning to Hades, I asked ‘’Can I touch it?’’ and with a simple nod from him, I stepped towards the beautiful griffin and stroked the soft feathers of its neck that led to the soft fur on its body.

The Griffin was black with touches of silver that seemed to shine in the light. It had the head and front paws of an eagle, the body of a lion, and two sets of black wings that seemed to be ablaze with blue flames along with the tip of its two tails.  

Hades spoke to the Griffin in a strange language that I couldn’t comprehend but seemed familiar, so I just continued petting the griffin that seemed to purr with every stroke.

Hades POV

I watched as she stroked Nile in awe. He is a Raven griffin, a breed of griffin only found here in the underworld and even after eons of seeing him, I had to admit that he was truly a majestic creature.

‘’Hello, old friend. It's been some time, hasn’t it?’’ I said, the tongue of the ancient Greeks.

‘’My lord, it's been quite a while, about five centuries, or so’’ He replied in the same language.

‘’Forgive me, my friend. It's not all that easy to rule a kingdom.’’ I smiled and he nodded.

I understand we all do, but it doesn’t change our wish to see you more often, My lord.’’  He said and so, I promised to go visit by the next lunar solstice.

‘’Yes, my lord. Thank you. We await your visit''  He said with a slight bow ‘’I don’t mean to pry, My lord, but who might this be?’’ he asked now, staring at the beauty beside him who, with a smile, reached out to touch his beak to which he obliged he leaned down so she could easily touch him and purred lowly as she stroked him. 

‘’She's the reason I called for you. I need to visit Lachesis’’ I replied and he burst into laughter.

‘’She won't be so happy to see you, my lord’’  He said, even as he still laughed.

‘’I suppose so’’ I replied with a frown she would probably throw a pot at my head.

‘’That is very likely to happen. Well, in that case, let’s be on our way, my lord. The earlier you get there the earlier you can get this out of the way’’ he said, the laughter still present in his voice.

I grabbed my mate, whose name I was yet to learn, by the hand and reached for his reins that materialized out of thin air. The rein was a large and strong-looking black rope that was enchanted and every griffin had one, but it would only materialize for the griffin-bound rider. 

A griffin binds with only one rider per lifetime and in the event of the rider’s death it will be another three centuries before he can bind with another, though it is usually harder a second time. I am the only rider Nile has ever had. The griffins were a huge part of our victory in the century-long war against the Titans. 

‘’We are going to mount him but I need you to hold on to his leash tight and don’t let go’’ I said, preparing her for the ride and she nodded with a huge grin on her face. She liked the idea.

Rose POV. 

I sat in front of Hades, who sat behind me holding on to me as well as the reins.

‘’Where did the reins come from? Did you make them?’’ I asked curiously. 

In a way I did make them appear?’’ he replied.

What does that mean?’’

‘’I was just getting to that. Let me explain, it's no ordinary rein as it only materializes for the griffin’s rider. This particular leash is centuries old but, as you can see, it hasn’t aged. It doesn't change in texture or strength since it was weaved with a series of ancient magic that even most of the gods are unaware of’’ he explained.

‘’Most gods? Does that mean some are aware of it?’’ I asked.

‘’Yes. Some can even use it’’ he replied.

‘’Can you?’’

‘’Yes. I am one of the few privileged enough to know about it and even use it.’’ he answered and then continued saying ‘’I can teach you, If you want’’ My eyes widened ‘’You can teach me magic?’’ I asked, shocked at the possibility, and he nodded. I shrieked and was about to reply when I heard Nile say in English.

‘’We are here, my lord my lady’’, startling me. I didn’t realize he could speak

He landed on another field that was different from the one Hades showed me. It had grass and flowers like earth but the sky was still red and there was a cozy cottage right across the field.

‘’I hope to see you soon, my lord, my lady’’ he said as he took off once we were off him.

Once he was out of sight, I smacked Hades, who looked shocked at this. “What was that for?’’ he asked, rubbing where he was hit as though it hurt, even though I was almost certain he didn’t even feel it.

‘’ Why didn’t you tell me he could talk’’ I asked "I was asking all those questions about his reins and he could understand everything’’

‘’Sorry, I thought you guessed earlier and, besides, I think he’ll be honored to have you enquire about him’’ he said, rubbing my shoulder ‘’Don’t worry about it. Let's go in, she’s waiting for us’’ he said, staring me towards the cottage.

‘’Who is?’’ I asked.

‘’Lachesis’’ he said simply.

‘Lachesis? Was I supposed to know who……. wait…he doesn’t mean that Lachesis, right?’ I thought to myself, but before I was able to ask him, we were right in front of the cottage. The door swung open and a frying pan came swinging towards us. Hades and I quickly ducked and watched as it flew right over us.

‘’You have some nerve showing your face here after all these centuries’’ a female voice called from inside the cottage. We stepped in and before us stood a beautiful woman who looked around my age, if not, then just a bit older. She stood tall and strong with brown hair and sharp gray eyes that almost seemed to glow in the dimly lit room.  She had a beautiful body and a wreath on her head to hold her perfectly packed hair in place. In one word, stunning. She had a regal and elegant aura about her that made her look majestic.

She had a scrawl on her face that was directed at Hades.  

“What makes you think you can just show up here after 5 centuries without a word?’’ she asked, her scrawl firmly in place 

‘’Okay, I understand you're angry, but that is a matter for another time. I came here because of her’’ He said and pulled me out from behind him where he had pushed me earlier as we stepped into the cottage.

Lachesis eyes widened while I smiled sheepishly and waved at her awkwardly ‘’Hi’’ I said and she then smiled sweetly at me.

‘’Oh! What a precious gem Hades has found’’ she said, then stretched her hand out to me ‘’Come here, sweet one’’ she called and Hades pushed me over to her.

She placed her palms against my face and instantly snapped them back as though she were burnt. This startled me and Hades, who pulled me back towards him. She turned to Hades confused, then looked back at me with newfound respect shining in her eyes. 

‘’Come, come quickly. The walls have ears’’ She said and ushered us quickly to another room and shut the door behind us. The cottage looked small on the outside and was rather big on the inside.  It had an interesting rich decoration of gold and wine.

‘’I can see you've had time to decorate over the years’’ Hades said. 

‘’And who is to blame for all our free time’’  She responded, raising an eyebrow at him and he simply chuckled.

‘’We are not here to reminisce but to know how we will build a better future’’ She said and brought a tray of cookies and milk which she placed on the coffee table at the center of the room. ‘’Please help yourselves’’  She offered and Hades reached out to take one from the chair where he sat but she smacked his hand away saying ‘’No. not you,  ladies first'' she said and turned to look at me with a warm loving smile gesturing towards the treats while Hades’ mouth dropped open in disbelief.

‘’Oh, thank you for your hospitality’’ I said with a smile and took a cookie.

‘’Anything for my lady's comfort,’’ she said with a slight bow.

‘’Unbelievable’’  Hades mumbled as he then took a cookie, looking directly at Lachesis, who was looking at me as I ate.

After I had my fill of the cookies and milk, Lachesis, with a snap of her finger, cleared the table and spoke up.

‘’Now down to business’’ She said and snapped a finger and a giant book that covered the whole table. “What’s your name?’’ she asked.

‘’Rose’’ I answered and Hades interjected ‘’ Rose as in as in Rosemary, Rosabelle……?’’

‘’Seriously, You don’t even know her/my name and you want her/me as your bride’’ Lachesis and I said at the same time, shocked, while Hades sheepishly shrugged with an awkward smile on his face. Lachesis shook her head as though finding Hades insufferable, while I simply smiled at how cute he was.

‘’Its Roseline’’ I said

‘’Rosaline. I like it.’’ He said, my name rolling off his tongue like butter.

It sounded so sweet and, for the first time in all my 25 years of living, my name sounded so erotic to my ears that I shivered as I heard him chuckle. I knew he caught me and blushed, which caused him to burst into laughter and I huffed.

Lachesis watched this with a smile on her face, then began to chant some words much like the ones Hades used earlier. She flipped through the book, then she stopped on a page. She read through it for a while, then she looked at me and said

 ‘’My lady's legacy is a prophecy that has been avoided for many centuries as many gods, especially the gods of Olympus, don't want to believe it. A good number of Underworlders, mostly the older ones, try to avoid the subject, hence why they never mentioned it to you, Hades’’  she stated,

‘’What prophecy?’’  Hades asked.

‘’A Prophecy that the gods fear one that might cause another celestial war, since that prophecy says ‘’Hades shall arise more powerful than Olympus’’