Hades' Cursed Luna novel Chapter 122

Before I could retort, his gaze flickered, something unreadable passing over his features as I steadied myself. The inhibitor was working—I could see it in the faint strain around his eyes, the subtle lag in his reflexes.

But I was not foolish enough to believe that he was not extremely dangerous.

I shifted my weight, readying myself for his next move, when he blurred forward—still too fast. His hand snapped out, knuckles brushing the side of my neck in a swift, calculated strike.

I barely registered the impact before my legs buckled beneath me.

The world tilted, shadows bleeding into my vision. My breath hitched as numbness spread like ice through my veins, muscles refusing to cooperate.

"Wha…" The word caught in my throat, slurred and sluggish.

Before I could hit the ground, Hades caught me, one arm curling around my back while the other swept beneath my knees.

"Easy," he murmured, holding me effortlessly against his chest. His voice was a low vibration, distant and heavy, as though filtering through water. What had he done to me?

I blinked, struggling to focus, but his face blurred and shifted in the haze.

"You needed rest," he said, quieter now, as if he was the reasonable one. "You won’t learn anything if you collapse halfway through training."

I tried to summon a glare, to shove him away, but even lifting my arm felt impossible.

"You cheated," I managed, the accusation breathless against his collarbone.

Hades’ smirk ghosted across my skin, lips brushing my temple as he adjusted his grip. "I call it giving you fighting chance. There was no way you were going to ever win with how exhausted you were. You were on adrenaline." _{freeweɓnovel.cѳm}

I tried to open my mouth to disagree but my lips felt like lead.

The steps were soft as he carried my out of the ring, the darkness slowly laying claim to me.

---

My eyes fluttered open to the soft light of the morning filtering through the curtains

The smell of food drifted through the air—something warm and savory, like roasted meat and herbs. My stomach growled in response, and I groaned softly, shifting beneath the thick blanket someone had thrown over me.

I pushed myself upright, wincing as stiffness protested in my limbs. My memory was still hazy but one thing was sure... Hades. I could still feel his arms around me and his scent still lingered.

Movement near the far corner caught my attention.

Jules stood by the dresser, folding laundry with a look of deep concentration, her brow furrowed as if the fate of the world depended on perfectly creased towels.

"You know, you fold those any tighter, they might start bleeding," I rasped, voice hoarse from sleep.

Jules startled, spinning around so fast.

I bit my lip realizing what I had done. We had had a falling out and me joking with her was no longer expected or appropriate. She had returned after Kael’s interception asking what I wanted to say but when I had told her that I was not ready to spill, thing had changed.

If we were still friends in mind, we did not act like it. She did what she was hired for and nothing more. It was awkward and painful.

Jules’ hands tightened around the towel she was folding, her knuckles whitening before she quickly smoothed the fabric out, regaining her composure.

For a second, the room felt too quiet, the air thick with the weight of unspoken things.

I forced a faint smile, even though it felt out of place now. "I didn’t mean to—"

"You should eat," she interrupted gently, turning back to the dresser. "It’s still warm."

And just like that, the conversation was over.

The distance between us wasn’t something I could fix with a few careless jokes. Not anymore.

I sighed softly and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, the cool floor grounding me as I padded over to the table. The plate of food was simple—roasted meat, bread, and fruit—but it smelled like heaven, and I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until now.

Jules continued folding clothes, her movements brisk and precise, as if pretending I wasn’t there made things easier.

It probably did.

I took a bite of the bread, chewing slowly as my gaze drifted to the window. The sun was already high, and I wondered how much of the day I’d lost.

"How long has Hades been gone?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Jules hesitated just long enough for me to notice.

"He left as soon as I came."

I nodded, pushing a piece of fruit around my plate with my fork. "And Kael?"

"Out with him." But her voice strained with the reply.

I wondered why.

The silence stretched again, filling the room like thick fog.

I hated it.

"How are you feeling, your highness?" She asked.

Your highness

"I am well," I lied. I was spiralling and afraid. The early training sessions would be the only thing that kept me on check. Something that I could pour all my negative emotions into. Hades threats resonated in the forefront of my mind, heavy and deadly. I knew he meant every word. I would doom Silverpine and it would be all my fault.

Despite that, I had speak to Jules about what happened.

"Jules," I began carefully, glancing over my shoulder at her. "About the other day… I didn’t mean to shut you out."

She didn’t stop folding, but I saw the slight tension in her shoulders.

"I get it," she said after a moment. "You weren’t ready to talk. I shouldn’t have pushed."

"You didn’t push," I countered, but she did. I don’t know why I couldn’t admit it to myself. I was afraid of what it meant. Maybe I was being paranoid. "You were just… there. And I appreciate that. I just—"