Hades' Cursed Luna novel Chapter 85

Eve~

Kael blinked, clearly taken aback by my request. For a moment, I worried I’d crossed some line or made a fool of myself. My heart pounded as I rushed to explain, the words tumbling out in a flood.

"I just… I’ve been feeling helpless lately, and I hate it. I can’t keep depending on others to protect me. Jules has been amazing, but—" I paused, searching for the right words, "—I need to be able to stand on my own. For myself. For her. For—"

"For him?" Kael interjected, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Heat rushed to my face, but I didn’t deny it. "Maybe. I just need to learn how to fight. To survive. And I think… I think you could help me."

Kael’s expression softened, his usual humour tempered by something gentler. He studied me for a long moment, and I shifted under his gaze, suddenly unsure of myself.

"You don’t have to justify it to me, Your Highness," he said finally, his voice quiet but steady. "You’re right. You should be able to stand on your own. It’s a strength not many think to seek until it’s too late."

I blinked at him, startled by his understanding. "So… you’ll teach me?"

He nodded once, his easy smile returning. "Of course. But don’t think I’ll go easy on you because you’re royalty."

Relief flooded through me, and I laughed, the sound almost foreign after everything that had happened. "I wouldn’t expect you to."

Kael’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "Good. We need a tight schedule."

He was the beta of course he was going to be busy. We needed a precise time and place. "I have nothing to do all day. I am ready when you are." I told him earnestly.

Kael stroked his chin, his expression contemplative. "The right wing training deck would work. It’s quiet enough in the evenings, especially after the day’s rush. Not many people linger there once the sun starts to set."

I nodded, eager to solidify the plan. "What time are you thinking?"

He glanced toward the skyline, where the city lights were beginning to twinkle. "Right after dusk. I can spare an hour before my evening duties start. Three days a week to start. That should be enough to get you into the rhythm without burning you out."

"Evenings work perfectly," I agreed.

Kael’s lips quirked into a sly grin. "Don’t expect this to be easy. We’ll start with the fundamentals—strength, coordination, and situational awareness. You’ll probably hate me by the second session."

"I’m ready," I said firmly, meeting his gaze. "Whatever it takes."

He nodded approvingly. "We’ll need the right gear—nothing flashy, just practical."

"I will have that arranged."

"Good," Kael said, satisfied. "Tomorrow evening, east wing training deck. Don’t be late."

I hesitated for a moment, then asked cautiously, "What do you think Hades will say about this?"

Kael’s smirk faded slightly, his expression darkening. "Depends. If he’s in a protective mood, he might not take it well. Training yourself implies you feel unprotected, and he might see that as a personal failure."

I frowned, a mix of frustration and worry knotting in my chest. "That’s not fair. I’m not doing this because I doubt him. I just… I don’t want to be a liability." It was not always about him.

Kael leaned back, folding his arms. "Then make that clear to him. Hades is stubborn, but he respects strength and conviction. You’ve got both—just show him."

I sighed, glancing towards Hades’ side of the bed. "I’ll talk to him tonight. He deserves to know."

Kael’s teasing grin returned. "Good luck with that. If he decides to go all brooding and dramatic, don’t say I didn’t warn you."

I couldn’t help but smirk despite the nerves churning in my stomach. "Thanks, Kael. For agreeing to this. It means a lot."

He pushed off the door and started toward the corridor leading to the elevators. "Don’t thank me yet, Your Highness. Save it for when you can actually keep up with me. Tomorrow evening, right wing. Be ready."

As Kael disappeared into the shadows of the hall, I turned toward the right wing. One more conversation stood between me and tomorrow’s training, and I wouldn’t let it stop me.

---

Hades~

"For old times and new alliances, Hades. A gift born of my finest craftsmanship and your greatest enemy. Enjoy responsibly."

Lucinda had always been a manipulative creature, her every action laced with ulterior motives. This gift wasn’t just an olive branch—it was a calculated move. And I hated how well she knew me.

I stood, my chair scraping against the floor as I pushed it back. My steps were deliberate, the distance to the cabinet feeling longer than it should. My hand hesitated on the polished brass handle, my reflection distorted in its gleam.

This was a mistake.

And yet, I opened it.

The interior of the cabinet was immaculate, the shelves lined with bottles from across centuries. Each one told a story, a fragment of history captured in glass. But my eyes were drawn to the lone bottle set apart from the rest. Its dark, slender neck bore no label, only the faint imprint of Montegue family crest etched into the glass.

I reached for it, my fingers brushing against the cool surface. The weight of it was familiar yet unbearable. It felt alive in my hand, as though it carried more than just wine within.

I didn’t bother with a glass this time. Pulling the stopper free, I brought the bottle to my lips and took a tentative sip.

The effect was immediate.

Warmth spread through me, rich and all-consuming. The taste was… divine. A rush of wild sweetness flooded my senses, followed by an intricate dance of flavours I couldn’t fully comprehend. It was her. Every part of her—fierce, vibrant, and utterly unyielding. It was the fiery strength in her eyes, the softness in her voice when she let her guard down, the unspoken defiance that dared me to challenge her.

I closed my eyes, savouring the moment even as guilt coiled in my chest. This wasn’t just indulgence; it was something far darker. Every drop was a betrayal of my better judgement, a concession to the part of me that refused to let her go.

The air shifted, heavy with unspoken truths. The bottle in my hand felt both precious and damning, a symbol of everything I couldn’t have but couldn’t resist.

I set it down, my breaths uneven as I wrestled with the conflict raging within me. She was more than a distraction. More than an obsession. And this—this was a reminder of just how far I’d fallen. I just need to claim her once, have her writhing beneath me and I would be able to think straight. This obsession would fall away like chains.

But even as I tried to pull myself back, I knew I would take another sip.

And another.

Because the taste of her wasn’t something I could give up. Not now. Not until I was satisfied and she meant nothing.