As the morning light filtered through the heavy drapes of Hades' chambers, Aurelia stirred awake, feeling the warmth of someone beside her. She blinked a few times and turned her head to see Hades already watching her.
"Good morning," he said.
"Morning," she replied with a yawn before sitting up, rubbing her eyes. After a beat, she grinned. "I feel like I should be nervous about meeting your father today."
Hades arched a brow. "You? Nervous?"
"How can I not be?" she said dramatically, throwing her arms up. "He's Cronus. The great titan who swallowed his kids. What if he gets annoyed with me and decides I'm wasting his time? What if he…swallows me, Hades?"
At that, Hades let out a laugh, He pulled her into a tight hug, resting his chin on her head. "You're ridiculous," he murmured.
She gave him a look of mock horror. "I'm serious! What if he looks at me and thinks, 'This is the mortal who dared to waste my time'? And poof, I'm gone."
