Selene scoffed and turned her attention back to me. “Are you okay Violet?” she sincerely asked me. “Come, let’s go sit.” She pulled herself up on her knees, helping me up.
“Would you look at that, a Goddess on her knees! One of my favorite sights!” he chuckled and I tensed. “I’m just jesting of course- no offense Selene. But truly ironic, it’s usually the other way around…” he mused, cocking his head with a teasing, million-dollar smile.
Selene rolled her eyes as she held me up and walked over to the seat. “Pluto- stop! You’re being unnecessary. In fact, your presence is superfluous.” Selene patted my head gently as she pulled back to make sure I was okay.
The man, or Pluto, looked at her bewildered. “Pluto?” he scoffed, “Why are you speaking of my Roma-”
Selene quickly cut him off, “Did Mercury let you in? He knew you weren’t supposed to be in here!” she accused.
“Mercury? Pray tell the reason for the Roman appellations?” he raised one of his eyebrows like it was completely ridiculous. She’s said Mercury before…
“If you have a problem with it, you’re more than welcomed to leave!” Selene snapped back. “You’re ruining what I have to do.”
He widened his eyes, cunningly amused, and raised his hand in mock surrender. She sighed and turned back to me. She went to talk but I had one concern prodding my mind.
“Is my baby okay?” I asked, my voice so quiet and filled with apprehension.
… Please…
She gave a sad smile. I frowned. “Yes child, it’s okay.”
I breathed out of relief and rubbed my stomach, the man cocked his head at the action, a small smile forming on his lips. “Am I back in the um,” I thought for a second, the term slipping my mind, “inbetween?”
I saw the man scrunch his brows but he stayed silent.
“Not exactly. You’re not in a coma and you didn’t buffer in between the two dimensions-”
“Selene, why must you lie?” My head whipped over to him with dreadful eyes. He shot me a quick smile, “Don’t worry, sweets, I’m not saying you stumbled in them- just saying there are more than two dimensions in certain texts. Trust me I wo-”
“Anyways!” Selene shot the man a glare and he glared back. Where have I seen him before? I kept my eyes locked on him as I searched my mind. He was attractive, I remember something about that. I was so lost in trying to figure it out. Selene stopped talking and studied me, the man did the same.
His lips quirked up. “Do you recognize me Violet?” he asked. He was slightly amused. He knew my name, then again so did Selene when she first met me.
I furrowed my brows. His smile grew wider, eyes twinkling with a slightly mischievous glint.
“Plut-” Selene started but Pluto raised his hand to stop her. “I thought you didn’t want people to know!” Selene spoke out.
He smirked at her and turned his attention back to me. “I’ll give a hint, sweets. I’ve met with Derek, or Benlyam, many times. You and I have talked before…” he trailed.
My lips parted as I blinked at him. Then it all hit me.
“King?” I asked and he beamed at me.
“Smart,” he praised and I looked at him confused.
“You’re- you’re a God?” I whispered, shocked.
He shrugged. “Yes. An immortal, slightly lonely King. A Deity,” he nodded.
“Remember when I said another God talked to Derek?” I nodded and she smiled.
“‘Twas I,” the King waved his hand.
I nodded. “I- I mean no disrespect Sire, but what are you the God of? I, um, I don’t know what Pluto matches to…” He mentioned I wasn’t dead but what role did he play in all this.
“I have many names, but my Greek epithet would be Hades,” my mouth dropped open. I felt my face pale. “You have nothing to fear, sweets. I’m not here to hurt you or ruin your life.”
“You’re the Devil?” I whispered and he shrugged, nodding. I swallowed and nodded, subconsciously holding my stomach tighter, he saw that.
“Aw. You’re more protective of your baby than Benlyam. I guess that’s expected though,” he shrugged. I blinked and Selene called my attention back to her.
“As I was saying,” she stood up straighter and a chair appeared out of nowhere and she sat down. “You aren’t in liminality and your baby is fine, however, Sage took quite the beating. She was getting most of the harm and although some got caught up to you, she tried to make sure you didn’t get hurt.” I frowned and bit my lip, “Instinctively, she knew to protect you and your kin, and that’s what she did…”
Tears stung at my eyes.
“What…” I took a breath, “what are you saying?” I dreadfully asked.
“Well, Sage is in a coma-like state.” I grimaced as a so built up in my throat. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. “She might not fully recover, but the problem is, a medical condition that I can’t explain to you is being trumped with Sage’s presence, so without her…” she frowned and I copied her look.
“What medical condition? Nothing is wrong…” I denied. Why didn’t she ever tell me anything?
“The Moriai advised not- forbidden me, in fact.”
I heard the King scoff. “What is your deal, Selene? You call me and Hermes our Roman cognomens, but ‘the Moriai’? Just say the fucking Fates- or the Parcae- pick one!” he breathed out, agitated.
Selene glared at him, just then did I notice a crown on her head it had rocks encrusted in the band. Moon rocks…
“You’re more than welcomed to leave!” she said as she turned back to me. “Sorry, but Benlyam and Reseda will explain it, I’m not allowed.”
I widened my eyes in disbelief and rage. “You’re a Goddess! You can do anything! I don’t want to see Derek!”
Pluto chuckled, “I like her!”
Selene sighed out, she really didn’t like him.
“Vi-”
“Uh- no. He’s hurt me repeatedly and when we finally tried to move on he tried to get rid of me, sent me to Chris like he said, and dug into me while he screwed me!” I retaliated.
“My child, Benlyam never sent you to Christopher, he never hurt you while you were with Christopher. He’ll explain.” She nodded her head.
“Don’t mean to intervene because- fantastic job Selene!” Pluto muttered sarcastically, “But Violet, he didn’t send Chris to you, I promise you that,” he nodded at me.