Hades' Cursed Luna novel Chapter 108

Eve

For the first time, I wondered why I always did this, but I knew it was because no one had protected me. I refused to become the monster they painted me as. I refused to become like those who hurt me and left me to rot. I wanted to be loyal to those who showed me kindness, to those who made me feel human in a world that sought to strip me of everything. Loyalty wasn’t a weakness. It was my strength because it was all I had left.

"Jules is important to me," I said firmly, meeting his piercing gaze. "And I will not apologize for protecting her."

Hades exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing as if he were scrutinizing every word, every flicker of emotion across my face.

"Important to you," he repeated, his voice a low rumble. "And where does that leave you, Red? Broken? Vulnerable? Dead?"

A lump formed in my throat as he hit the mark with an accuracy that stole the breath from my lungs.

He took a step toward me and brought his hand to my face, stroking my cheek with his knuckles. For a moment, Hades said nothing. His eyes searched mine, and I saw a flicker of something there—pity. His brows drew together, and I caught a glimpse of guilt.

"You can be loyal without being a martyr," he said quietly, his voice losing some of its edge. "If you fall, who will protect her then?"

The question struck a nerve, and I looked away, unable to hold his gaze any longer.

"I’ll talk to Jules," he added after a pause. "She won’t face punishment this time. But don’t make a habit of this, Red."

I nodded stiffly, my throat tight with unspoken words. He stepped back, giving me space to breathe, but the tension in the room lingered like a shadow.

---

Not long after he left, the door creaked open.

"Good mor—" Her words died on her lips when her gaze fell on me, propped up in bed with a sling supporting my arm. Her smile faltered, her expression shifting to one of horror.

I managed a shaky smile for her. "Good morning, Jules."

For what felt like an entire minute, she simply stood there, her mouth agape.

"Ellen..." Her eyes glistened with tears.

I was so stunned that I could form no words.

In a split second, she was by my side. "What have I done?" Her voice was thick with emotion, and she reached tentatively for me. "What... have I done?" Her voice cracked as her tears fell, and she sank to her knees.

I reached out with my good arm, my hand trembling as I placed it gently on her shoulder. Her body shook with sobs, and the sight of her tears made the lump in my throat swell.

"Jules," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "This isn’t your fault."

She shook her head fiercely, her hands gripping the edge of the bed like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

"How can you say that? Look at you, Ellen!" Her voice broke, raw with anguish. "I was reckless, foolish—"

"No." My voice was firmer this time, though it wavered under the weight of my emotions. "You made a mistake. That doesn’t mean you’re to blame for everything."

Her tear-filled gaze finally met mine, searching for any trace of anger, of blame. She wouldn’t find it because there was none.

"The king will punish me," she sobbed. "I deserve it, but please beg him not to hurt Aunt Agnes. She is innocent. She would have never let this happen." She rambled on, panicked. "Please, don’t let him—"

"He won’t punish you, and he definitely won’t punish Agnes," I assured her, rubbing her back. "I promise that."

She blinked up at me, uncertainty etched on her face.

"But I—"

"It was a mistake. I made sure that the King understood that," I told her.

To my surprise, I did not see relief on her face. Instead, her pupils dilated, her expression twisting into something I couldn’t decipher.

"He promised you, Ellen?" she asked again.

Despite my confusion and mild uneasiness, I nodded.

"Yes, Jules. He promised that you won’t be punished."

"What did he ask for in return?"

I was taken aback by her question, but I answered honestly.

"Nothing."

It seemed that Hades had a reputation.

"He listened to you?" she asked.

I guessed that it did go against who Hades was as a person. He was as stubborn as a mule.

"Yes," I said.