An Audience With the King of Hades

CASTYR'S POV

Strong arms wrap around me from behind. Instantly filled by my love's presence, I turn around and bury myself into Kilo's chest. A slender hand finds the back of my head and begins stroking its fingers through my hair. I hum happily as I breathe in that honey scent.

"Is this a dream?" I ask into Kilo.

"Mm hmmm. But it's really me."

I pull away and look up at those intoxicating purple eyes. "Really? You're really here? I'm not imagining you?"

Kilo smiles down softly and nods.

"Because of the link?" I inquire.

He nods.

"Sooo, we can meet each other through the link in our dreams?"

"Yes."

"Wow," I whisper. Tears touch my eyes as I look up at the man holding me. "You're really here." I rest my hand on the angel's cheek making sure it is really him. A tear rolls down Kilo's face as he turns into my touch.

He takes my hand and tenderly kisses it. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you, too." I am on the edge of breaking down, but I have to stay strong for Kilo.

"How are you? Are you alright?" Kilo holds me at arm's length as he looks me up and down, checking for any wounds.

"I'm fine. They haven't touched me," I assure the angel.

Kilo heaves a sigh before pulling me into his arms. I wrap my arms around his back as he holds me tightly. A strange sensation like I am being shaken runs through my body interrupting my time with Kilo.

"I think somebody is trying to wake me up."

"What? Are you with someone?"

"Mm hmm. A guy with silver-ish hair. I think he's an angel. I'm currently healing him. He was hurt really badly."

"Oh? Is his hair a kind of silver-blue?"

"How do you know?"

"He's probably the angel who got me out of Hades."

"Oh! Well, in that case, I will make certain to heal him beautifully. He saved my Kilo." I smile and snuggle into my angel even more.

I feel Kilo's hold tighten as he does not want to let me go. I grasp onto his broad shoulders as I feel my body starting to wake up.

"I don't want to go," I protest quietly. "I don't want to leave you."

"I know, I know." Kilo brings me to look up at him. "Promise me you'll be careful. I can't lose you."

"Okay. I'll try. I l-"

And just like that, my eyes snap open. The strong arms around me vanish. Instead, I am looking into a pair of honey-golden eyes.

"Are you okay?" The man asks as he stares down at me with worry. His voice is deep and soothing.

"You woke up faster than I thought you would," I greet as I sit up. He must really be something. I study the man checking on me like I am his duckling or something. He is very mothering. His body is healing nicely; the swelling in his eye is nearly gone, revealing big, almond shaped eyes.

"U-u-uh uh," the man stutters as I lift his shirt and check his wounds.

I nod my head as I see they are mostly healed. His naturally muscular arms really show through his sleeve-less shirt.

"Who are you?" He asks with big eyes.

"Oh. I'm Castyr of Ithyos," I introduce myself.

"Orion," the man greets before looking down at his almost-healed body. "How-how? Are you an angel? You don't smell like one."

"I'm a star," I say quietly with a small grin.

Orion's eyes widen. "What are you doing here? You need to get out. The blood sun is coming soon."

"Blood sun?" I crinkle my brows in confusion.

Before Orion has the chance to reply, the door at the beginning of the stairs opens, and Aklys enters followed by two demons. Orion immediately stands and places me behind him. I gently pull him backwards a few steps so the chain around his neck does not choke him.

Aklys' face fills with relief as he sees Orion standing. He shoots me a short expression of gratitude before Orion addresses him. "Aklys, I thought we talked about this. I am not trading my freedom for the star."

Aklys nods his head toward me, signaling his guards. The two demons open the cell and walk toward us. One grapples with Orion while the second grabs me. I do not struggle remembering my deal with Aklys, and I do not want to get Orion in trouble.

"Don't hurt him!" I growl at the guard struggling with the angel. "It's okay, Orion. It's probably just going to be a talk with the king. I'll be back before you know it," I tell Orion, hoping to calm him down so he will not get even more hurt.

The angel is fuming. He glares at Aklys as if the demon had betrayed him. "If the star gets hurt, you will never see me again," Orion says in a low voice.

Aklys swallows dryly as the angel threatens him. Damn. Is the demon general being dominated by an angel? I mean, I guess I can see it. Orion is very strong and has a dominating presence even though he is not the tallest angel in the universe.

The demon general stares down his angel before commanding, "Bring him."

The two guards stand behind me as I fall in line behind their commander. I give Orion an assuring smile as I follow Aklys out of the hold. The demon general leads me through many long corridors and up several, elaborate stairs until we reach a long hallway.

Aklys' fists clench as we near the two, big iron doors. The demon general bows his head as we are announced and ushered through the doors. I gawk at the size of the throne room. Rough, stone walls come up to make a peak at the climax of the hall just above the massive throne. Barrels of fire light the floor while troughs of flames are carved into the walls, forming several rings of fire which line the entire hall.

Aklys keeps his head bowed, but I am too curious to adhere to Hades' rules and customs. In this moment, I am taking in the vast size of the throne, not realizing I am basically staring straight at the king of Hades. A low snarl resonates throughout the hall, warning me to bow my head, which I do when I realize where I was staring.

"Aklys," the king growls in greeting.

"Sire."

"It seems you do cherish that pathetic angel. Is this the star?"

"Yes, my liege. This is Star Castyr."

A knot forms in my throat as I am introduced to the king.

"Good. Very good. You even brought him to me sooner than expected; however..." the last word is spit out with disdain, "you should have been swifter. That angel got another one out while you were gone. I lost another to that pathetic angel. It makes me wonder if he deserves to live."

This makes Aklys look up in horror, earning him a loud snarl. The demon general quickly lowers his head. "Sire, please, we had a deal."

"Yes, we did, but last time I checked, I am the king of Hades. And I just can't stand that angel."

Yes! Power to the angels!!

What Aklys does next shocks me. The demon general, one of the most feared demons in the entire universe, falls to his knees. Wow...he must really love Orion. I have never seen anyone fight so hard for their love...except Kilo. I instantly fill with respect for Aklys. It is not easy to fall to your knees in front of the soldiers you have trained and who look up to you.

"General!" One of the young demons behind me warns quietly.

Aklys ignores the warning and addresses his king. "Please have mercy. I have done as you asked."

"Yes, you have." The king brings his hand to his chin in thought. "Let's make another deal."

Ooooh. I really hate this man.

"There is one angel who I cannot stand more than your pathetic actaeon. Bring him to me, and I shall spare the actaeon."

"Of course. Just say the name." Aklys' voice fills with hope.

"The one who stole the tower from me. The one called Ilios."