The three-year-old twins, Happy and After, let out gasps of shock.
“What happened after, Father?” Happy demanded as she jumped to her feet and began to bounce in excitement, just like her mother.
After only looked at his father patiently.
Hades smiled down at the twins. “Anger began to twist the goddess’ features, and her fingers started to turn into claws. Just as she was about to throw herself at the queen, the goddess realized she was no longer able to move the way she wanted to. Her back had curved and her feet had turned into sharp, rough talons. Horrified at what she saw, she spun away from the queen and tore out of the castle, running as fast as her strange feet could carry her, until she reached a small lake. Its shiny, clear surface gave her a reflection, and the goddess started to scream and scream.”
“Like this, Father?” Happy took a deep breath. After, not to be outdone, inhaled deeply, too. A second later, and both children let out piercing screams.
Hades winced. “Err, yes, just like that, but a demonstration wasn’t needed.”
“A demon station?” Happy was confused. “What’s that, Father?”
After shook his head. “Father, what? The monster action?”
“Never mind,” Hades said. “Let’s continue with the story.”
The twins nodded eagerly.
“Hearing the sound of the goddess’ screams, the queen and her people rushed out to help her, but it was too late. The moment they saw her, they realized that the heavens had punished the woman. She was no longer a goddess. She had turned into a creature that we now know as the banshee.” He paused before adding under his breath, “Also known as people so damn stuck up they don’t even know there’s a foot shoved up in their—-”
Having heard the last few lines of Hades’ bedtime story as Ever entered the nursery, she cried out, “Hades!”
Hades changed tack, saying, “And so that’s how the banshee came to be, wailing happily ever after.”
“Yay!” After and Happy cheered.
When the twins were tucked into bed and they were back in their chamber, Ever shook her head at Hades, saying exasperatedly, “Stop telling them such bloodthirsty stories.”
“They are the children of the king and queen of the Underworld, milady. It’s best to train them early on about these things.”
Ever, seeing Hades about to pull her up in his arms, quickly took a step back. "Wait!"
The god of the Underworld frowned, unused to having his prophesied queen avoid his touch.
Ever, seeing her husband's reaction, didn't hesitate to reach out and place a hand on Hades' arm. She felt him relax immediately, and a surge of tenderness swelled up inside of her. Life just became dreamier each day in her god's company, but while there was nothing she wished more than to shower his handsome face with kisses and show her husband how much she loved him—-
Monarchal duties had to come first, and Ever, being once an ordinary mortal, took her role as lady of the Underworld very seriously. Her greatest fear was doing something that could be a source of shame for both Hades and their subjects, and when she glanced back up at her husband, she could see in the way he was wryly gazing at her that he had finally reminded this side of her as well.
"What is it, milady?" Hades' tone was dry. "I can already tell that you have not sought my presence for personal reasons...as always."
"It's not always!" Ever couldn't help feeling a little defensive.
Hades only looked at her.
"Well, alright, I have been busy of late, but anyway, that's entirely beside the point..." Ever quickly changed the subject, saying, "Someone else is actually seeking your presence..."
Ten minutes later, and Ever was seated beside her husband and watching in silent awe as Hades and their visitor discuss the latter's intention to enter his soulmate's dreams.
The god of the Underworld had briefly introduced the other god to her as Eros, and it was all Ever could do not to freak out and fangirl like crazy.
Since the existence of primordial gods like Eros was largely kept secret from humans, Ever had only learned about them upon becoming immortal...and she had been their most loyal admirer ever since. She was utterly enthralled by how different these older-than-old gods were from Olympians like Hades, and for one of them to actually grace her home—-
Hades could only shake his head when his prophesied queen started bouncing the moment their guest left.
"I can't believe Eros was here! I simply can't believe it!"
The way her eyes were glowing like stars had the god bristling a bit, but he sought to rein in his jealousy, knowing that his prophesied queen's genuine love for the pantheon was also what made him love her in the first place.
"Did I hear him right, though?" Ever was suddenly looking up at him with concern. "His own prophesied soulmate is a mass murderer?"