"Forgive our intrusion, my lord," Dassy bowed as she fell on one knee. "She has chosen to decline the mission."
"Leave us," he replied, totally ignoring her apology.
Dassy nodded curtly and scurried out of the room, leaving me all alone with Him hovering above me like a predator.
My heart fell as soon as I heard loud bang of the locking door. I broke into nervous sweats and my palms became clammy.
What was he going to do to me? I was definitely going to get punished for my disobedience.
"Dahlia," he purred as he brushed loose locks of hair from my sweat covered face.
"Delicate like a flower yet fierce like a fox," he growled against my neck.
His hot breath fanned my exposed neck, sending shivers up my spine.
"What will you do to those that have wronged you?" he whispered as he gently nibbled on my ear.
"I have nothing," I whimpered as waves of pleasure shot through my entire body.
"Sensitive and delicate," he purred. "Have you never been touched?".
I shook my head and tried to move away but he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. My back was rested on his rock hard chest and I could feel his hard boner pressed against my back.
"Don't ever run from me, Dahlia," he growled. "Remember I claimed your soul after your dear husband rejected you at the altar".
"You belong to me for eternity" he said possessively.
"No, I don't", I murmured under my breath.
He moved a few paces away and stared at me with a mix of confusion and mockery.
"You don't?", he echoed. "I have given you a chance, an opportunity other mortals would kill for".
"I have nothing to return to", I admitted. "Nobody wanted me there anyway, my death did them a favour".
"There's no favour in death, Kitten", He said as he lightly grabbed my chin. "Your body lays abandoned at the altar and you seek no vengeance?"..
"You will return to Velaris. With every one of those traitors you kill, you will be rewarded and part of your mortality shall be returned to you".
"And what if I fail?", I asked. "What if I'm still the same weakling I was?".
"Then you shall return and be stuck here with me for eternity. You'd be mine to use as I please and I will claim every inch of you until you're broken beyond repair"…
I gasped at his words and yet the way he said it made heat flow to my crotch. I felt warm liquid pool in my underwear and the obvious smirk on his face proved that he was aware of how much his words turned me on.
I looked away in embarrassment and kept my eyes focused on the concrete ground.
"Don't be shy, Kitten", he growled. "I know how much you crave my touch".
"Unfortunately, I have to send you now that I can control my urges" he said before planting a soft kiss on my lips. Startled and confused, I tried to pull away but he held me firmly and deepened the kiss. His sleek tongue claimed every part of my mouth and he bit on my lower lip until the taste of blood filled my mouth.
His kiss was needy, rough and passionate and soon, I was out of breath, completely lost in pleasure and gasping for air.
My need for air grew and became completely overwhelming as I struggled to breathe. I slowly opened my eyes to realize I was at the bottom of a large body of water. I was no longer with Hades neither was I in the middle of his torture chamber.
I struggled to free myself from the sea weeds that were tightly wrapped around my ankle and with all the strength I could muster, I swam to the surface.
It took me few minutes to get ashore. My limbs were tired and my chest rose and fell as I struggled to breathe.
I collapsed on the sand and wrapped my arms around my aching belly. From the large lily pads and tall mangrove, I figured I was in the Cyre river- a small river that was in the outskirt of Velaris.
If my body was still at the altar, how then did I end up in the Cyre river?
From the corner of my eye, I spotted a bright flashing light. I cocked my head lightly and as I squinted my eyes, I was able to see clearly as Dassy took form from the light.
"Your mission has begun and for making it through the first stage and surviving the river, my master has chosen to reward you with an Amethyst protection seal. Till your mission is completed, you will be impenetrable to all forms of dark magic", Dassy's soft voice echoed.
"Thank you", I muttered.
"On your neck, you will find a small garnet secured to a gold chain. You are to keep it on you at all times, it allows us monitor your activities", she explained.
"Good luck Dahlia, may the gods be with you", she prayed before disappearing into the light.
I shut my eyes and replayed her words in my mind. The sudden realization of what was going on hit me like a brick.
If I delivered the souls Hades wanted, I would be set free forever- it looked so easy but it was seemingly impossible.
If I failed, I would be back in his chambers probably prodded by hot metal rods. The thought of it sent shivers down my spine and I was overcome with worry.
"Are you alright, love?", a male voice asked, snapping me back to reality.
I slowly opened my eyes to find a dark haired man standing beside me.
The sun made it impossible to see his features but as he leaned over me, I could see his piercing gray eyes and chiseled jaw that was covered in small stubble.
He looked at me with a mix of concern and confusion.
"Are you alright?", he asked again as he waved his hand in front of my face.
"Uhhh…yes..I'm fine", I stammered.
He extended his arm to help me to my feet and I could see the a small tattoo peeking out his sleeves.
"Your hair…you're not from these parts, are you?" he inquired.
"My hair?", I asked with a raised brow.
"I've never seen a woman with such a unique colour", he said as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ears.
I gasped as I grabbed a handful of my hair. It was red. I rushed to the river and stared at my reflection in the water.
I rubbed my eyes severally and washed my face thoroughly with water but it made no difference.
Who the hell was staring back at me?