We pass through a portal rippling open in space and my eyes close in the blinding light of the land it take us through to.

As my eyes adjust I imagine myself as a cartoon character with jaws slacked open to the floor and tongue rolling out like a red carpet as I fall into a trance.

Never once did I imagine I could ever compare a place to the Underworld much less debate which outshined the other.

Lush with refreshing greenery with the air enchanted by the fragrance of millions of flowers and a sky so blue without the covers of clouds, every part was in vibrant details, in this kingdom from fairy tales.

The spell the beauty of the land cast was suddenly broken when I realise how Hades wasn't wearing a hood leaving him exposed to the glaring sun.

My heart race in panic as I shoot up loosening the sleeves of my sweatshirt over my fingers.

Hades turns away from the reins searching for the reason for worry of the one stumbling over to him.

Without a word of warning I grab a handful of the sikly cloak to pull down the startled god and as he attempts to pull back in reflex I tug harder ordering. "Stay still."

In quick succession I retract my hands to move them to his face hesitating only a second before I suffocate him with my sleeves.

I grow flustered as patches of skin still lay uncovered since my sleeves weren't wide enough. And while I panicked he grew quieter not letting me know if he was hurt or in pain.

In a last minute idea, I lay my forhead against his before moving my hands to either side to shield his placcid face which was now shadowed by my own.

I look for signs of distress well aware of his calm predatory gaze and soon let out the breath I held in relief.

His clock would have been of great help, if only I could reach it.

But as if he had finally deciphered the password to my thoughts he laughs but does not move away as his fingers curl around mine finally letting light into my much hardworked quarantine.

His grip is still firm as he straightens to his towering height with a smile still teasing the tips of his crimson lips.

"The source of the light in Olympus isn't the sun. It can not bring me harm." He explains and his face falls blank but his eyes do not lie.

I give a light nod managing to stop myself from jumping off the chariot in embarrassment .

Knowing well enough of my embarrassment he lets go off my left hand to run his fingers through my damp hair fortunately not falling prey to the traps of knots.

I yelp in protest but his grip keeps me from evading his claws till he is thoroughly satisfied with his art.

Grimacing with displeasure for his work I ready myself to pounce the second he lets go, but I remember how we clearly weren't on talking terms and so as my hand slides free of his grasp, I turn to return to my seat.

Within seconds my attention was once again claimed by the unfamiliar surrounding that shone in the brightest of days in sharp contrast to the kingdom I loved of star-lit nights.

Hades never looked as indulged as I am casting only indifferent gazes as he navigated through the rich meadows.

But as I decided whether or not to pry him for some info of Olympus I heard neighs of different temperament that Hades' steads.

Suddenly a group of eight armed men atop winged horses came into clear sight circling around the black chariot in a well synchronised pattern.

"They are our escorts." Hades reassuringly nods even as I tried to keep on a calm facade.

I don't wanna be killed by Zeus' guards, never!.

Their silver armour emitted a faint glow of their own and with it the light reflecting off the polished surfaces mades it hard to see past just bright orbs atop beautiful stallions.

"They are descendants of Pegasus, the divine horse." Hades is bound to inform as I drool over the winged beauties.

"He is Poseidon' son isn't he?" I ask trusting my memory of how Pegasus was the offspring of the Olympian god Poseidon and Medusa, the scary lady having live snakes for hair.

I shudder and almost don't notice Hades nod in approval.

My eyes were drawn away by something shiny in the distance and as we flew closer the bigger it became soon to reveal the mythical adobe of the Grecian gods with stunning mansions, humongous colosseums, wide halls and numerous palaces each unique in style while connected by roads of gold. A very low-key neighbourhood.

At the centre of this golden city was a palace larger than the rest with swirling dark clouds of a storm releasing silver snakes of lightening that marked its owner and warned intruders. The very humble home of Zeus.

The chariot decended slowly to a marbled path and our escorts parted disappearing without a trace when the sound of galloping hooves sounded.

As they departed I felt a pang of disappointment for I was playing with the plan to kidnap of one of the winged horses

I console myself thinking, I still have Hades' horses.

But as if I had said those words out loud to the world, their owner turns back leaving me slightly startled.

Can he read my mind? Can he???

You are a ancient relic with a thick skin, I repeat in my mind to test whether my doubt held truth.

"whew" Seeing how he did not react I wipe the sweat off my forehead.

The chariot comes to a stop and his figure flickers and the next instant appear with his hands politely extended which I rudely ignore.

But karma proves her might, the two-feet high jump brings pain to my now trembling calfs making me look back to analyse the short height.

Why did it hurt so much? I ignore the numbness and put an effort into not revealing my discomfort, but unknowingly keen set of eyes took in even the finest details.

"What are you doing?" I sidestep as he bends arms open as if to swoop me up which leaves me dazed.

He only stares back seeming to be waiting for me answer my own question but my stubbornness persists and I break away from those hazel eyes.

And with a sigh of person with no other choice points down to my feet and I lower my gaze to shoeless feet.

There was clearly a pair of shoes in the bath, is it that I forgot to wear them?

Pushing back the doubts I fist my fingers to a thumps up. "Its fine, the ground here doesn't seem very dirty." I pretend to look around, easily evading the stare that grew colder.

Since he remains silent, I believed that I won this battle and set off in a random direction.

I had gained about twenty meters of ground without the sound of footsteps following and I slow down unintentionally but was reluctant to turn around.

But when I finally decided to search for him my legs were cleanly knocked off from under me and I was swiftly brought upto a broad chest within a persistent pair of arms.

The strong but gentle cage left me no space for movement and I sigh into the crook of his neck resigning to my fate before his steady steps pause.

Sensing something peculiar about the moment I lift my eyes to his in question but in a surprising move his head tilts to the side in a gentle arc, nuzzling down my face by the cheeks.

My body turns stiff with my heart on a roll under the disco lights my brain cast.

It was only as we near the gates of Zeus' palace and the hundreds of efficient soilders standing in wait for our entry that I calm down.

Men and woman in armors similar to our former escorts bowed deeply to express their respect, only few daring to occasionaly steal a glance at the God of the Underworld as he strolled unhindered and uncaring of the respect and admiration in their eyes.

Many were curious of short animal he brought along, some even offering me uncertain smiles while other simply stared with unreserved shock.

To the workers of the palce witnessing the King of the Underworld choosing to walk through the palace corridors holding close to him a intriguing being was a rare sight - once in their immortal life rare.

Under the scrutinizing gaze of staff and guards who seemed close to a complete mental breakdown I try my best to hide my face in embarrassment.

"You seem timid." His breath fans down on my ears and I shift my face away fearing the tips to tint red.

Throughing a light punch on his shoulder I swear. "I will kill you."

His eyes only light up in laughter as he agrees. "You surely will." Finding this King incorrigible I throw another punch and settle my chin over his shoulder cursing my luck.

The only ones around that seemed to be able continue on their daily tasks after a long pause of bewilderment were the beautiful young women in white gowns holding drinks and various delicacies trailing behind.

Add to them some wings and voilà, you have angels.

As we enter the inner court, a palce guard steps forward after paying his respect and offers to carry me as if I was some sort of luggage but Hades waves him off strolling unhurridly to the heart of the palace where the number of people around noticeably lessened with even the maidens pursuing us with mouth watering delicacies taking their leave.

By the time we reached a massive door with the prominent symbol of a three-headed dog, a strange rumour spread to every nook and cramped corner of the palace and beyond.

About how the God of the Underworld adopted a mortal child and had secretly brought her to Olympus to publicly proclaim her as his heir before the council of gods.

When these words reached a certain blue-eyed general of the Underworld' army, he couldn't hold himself back from smiling. " A child you say?"

His colleague who did not immediately break away from the shock of seeing the Captain renowned for his strict ness suddenly display a tender side, blinked thrice before answering.

"Not really, but they say she must have been a little over fifteen, but when she poked her head over his highness' shoulder her small eyes with large pupils of an odd shade of violet gave her the appearance of a small child. She also seem to have short hair falling in waves around a soft looking face and wore clothes larger than her size making her look minuscule in the Lord's arm. I also heard that she looked rather scared and curious of the onlooker. " He nods to himself looking very certain that he relayed the exact same description a nymph with the duty to serve them had discreetly told him behind the kitchen door.

"Sir, don't tell anyone about this though. Its supposed to be a secret. "

William nods at the gossipy friend but silently wonders, scared and curious?

No matter how much he tried he couldn't imagine her in such a manner for he could always see past the facade.

And so what might be an gentle smiling face of an innocent youngster to others, to him seemed like a wolf licking away the blood of its prey dripping down its bloody claws.

"And, and! someone present at the scene told me that she punched the Lord and even threatened to take his highness' life he doesn't let her inherit the throne to his Kingdom. What was most shocking was that his highness did not go berserk in rage and only smiled." The young soldier pauses as if the matter had just hit him hard.

"Do you think this is all true. The Lord smiling must most definitely be a lie."

William smiles tapping the fellow solider on the shoulder. "No she might actually kill him if she comes to know of this."

He did not really understand the meaning of his words but he shudders in sudden dread but was still unable to see the adorable face the descriptions painted perform such a heinous act.

As if seeing through the thoughts his naive thoughts, William sighs. "Zeus help them all."

Was the chapter any good?