Hades' Cursed Luna Chapter 208: Play

Eve

"This is between the three of us," Alia affird, adjusting the collar of my blouse. Kael stood beside Hades. I nodded and glanced at the clock. The eting would begin at eight, and now it had just struck seven fifty-one.

Hades' expression was intense, with an undercurrent of anxiety. His gaze did not stray from , his lips pressed into a perpetual hard line. "If you don't want to do this, you know I will make sure—"

"I have to do this. I will have to do this at so point, and after this, there will be no more obstacles. It's fate," I murmured. "I promise I will be fine."

"We will be alert," Rhea's voice rippled through my thoughts. "I am with you, and I am not going through this a second ti."

I chuckled in my head. "Of course, you're not. I won't hesitate this ti. I'll fight if we have to."

"Now you choose to fight," she murmured, bemused.

She was trying to tease out of my restlessness.

I exhaled slowly, grounding myself as the weight of the mont settled over . Hades still looked unconvinced, his body rigid with tension as though he were restraining himself from tearing the entire situation apart.

Kael shifted beside him, arms crossed. "You're sure about this?"

I nodded. "I am."

Kael smirked, nudging my shoulder lightly. "Just don't forget to flash that badass smile of yours. Their timbers were shivered last ti. Even I was surprised."

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head.

"Just know you have a friend outside those bastards," he continued, his voice carrying an unexpected warmth. "You have my friendship and loyalty."

Then he sighed loudly, rubbing the back of his neck with exaggerated exasperation. "And, most importantly, my head is still attached."

He turned to Hades, raising an eyebrow. "You've finally grown out of your jealous streak. Never thought I'd see the day. Then again..." He glanced at before giving a lopsided grin. "I see the appeal."

A sharp tension filled the air.

Hades' gaze darkened instantly, his jaw tightening as a muscle ticked in his cheek. "You assu too much," he said, his voice a low, controlled growl.

Kael held up his hands in mock surrender, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Just an observation, my Lord of the Underworld. No need to incinerate where I stand."

Hades' lips curved into sothing that might have been a smirk—if it weren't so laced with nace. "Incineration? That would be too rciful."

Kael snorted. "See, Eve? This is what I deal with." He motioned toward Hades before dropping his voice conspiratorially as he moved toward Lia. "He used to actually glare at for breathing in your direction. I an, who even does that?"

Lia's lips tilted up slightly.

I rolled my eyes but felt so of my tension ease at their exchange. It was Kael's way of keeping grounded, reminding that no matter how dire things beca, I wasn't alone.

"You should be flattered," I murmured, tilting my head at Hades.

His piercing gaze snapped to mine, and in that mont, the smirk was gone. The intensity in his eyes held sothing deeper, sothing unspoken but undeniable.

"I am," he admitted. "But that doesn't an I trust anyone."

Kael sighed dramatically. "See? No progress. The man is a fortress."

"You're still talking," Hades noted dryly.

Kael gave a aningful look. "If I die today, make sure they write sothing poetic on my grave."

I chuckled. "Like what?"

He grinned. "Kael, beloved warrior, loyal friend... snarked his way into the abyss."

Hades exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We're wasting ti."

I straightened, the weight of the mont settling over once more. Kael had done his part, lightening the tension. Now, it was up to to face what lay ahead.

I glanced at the clock again. Seven fifty-four.

"One more thing, about your identity," Lia cut in as we made our way out, Hades on my other side. "You are Eve to us, but to everyone..."

"You are still Ellen," Hades added.

The hairs on my neck rose at the na that had started to sound foreign. Find your next adventure on My Virtual Library Empire

"They believe they hold that card. Let them believe that their deception still stands. No one else will know for the ti being. Complicating things in the Obsidian Court is the last thing you need. You and Rhea have to get stronger first."

I inhaled sharply, letting the na settle in my mind like the ghost of another life. Ellen. It felt foreign, like a dress that no longer fit but still hung in the back of my closet—a reminder of who I used to force myself to be.

Lia's voice was asured, careful. "It's a risk, but it's the best way to keep you in play. For now, you remain Ellen to them."

Hades' expression was unreadable, but his grip on my wrist told enough. He hated this.

Kael, ever perceptive, nudged lightly again. "You okay?"

I swallowed, pushing past the unease curling in my stomach. "I don't have a choice, do I?"

Hades' gaze sharpened. "There is always a choice."

I exhaled, shaking my head. "Not this ti."

We reached the grand hallway leading to the room. The doors lood ahead, and in every corner stood uniford guards.

I could sll the platinum rounds in their weapons.

Lia touched my arm lightly, offering one last word of reassurance. "You are ready for this."

Kael smirked. "Damn right, she is."

I lifted my chin, letting the mask slip over my features. The hesitant girl they thought they knew. The pawn they thought they could manipulate.

They had no idea what was coming.

But neither did I.

I could only hope that the heavy weight of anvils in my gut was just constipation and nothing more.

Rhea's voice thrumd in my mind, steady and resolute. "Let's give them a show."

"Show those bastards, and co back to ," Hades whispered before punctuating his words with a kiss on my forehead. "I will be watching like a fucking hawk."

I nodded and stepped forward, the doors to the room swinging open.

I walked into the room, the doors shutting behind . Staring forward, I kept my face straight as I made my way to my designated seat, opposite my father.

The room was bright, caras positioned everywhere. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

My father cleared his throat. "You are beautiful, my dear."

I felt my stomach turn. "No need for pleasantries. Let's get on with it." My tone was cutting, sharp.

My father's amicable expression fell in an instant. "Of course, I can't waste the ti of the future Luna," he said dryly. "But first, as a refresher..."

Jas placed a tablet on the table. "I doubt you ever got to see that murderous sister of yours die on cara."

My heart lurched, my grip on my skirt tightening.

"Keep your head, Eve. They want to make you emotional." Rhea murmured in my head.

I tipped my chin up. "I was there, wasn't I?" I countered.

"No, no, no, it's nothing like seeing the clear footage yourself. It really puts things into perspective."

"What is the point?" My voice was stable.

"So you rember," his smile was eerie. "Rember what we are fighting for, of course. Just to let it all sink in."

Bile rose in my throat.

Jas tapped "play."