"Kore? The king has requested for your presence" Helius entered my room.

"So soon?" I pout playfully. He and his men pulled me from my chair and escorted me into the King's room. They pushed me in and locked the door behind me.

I rolled my eyes as I notice the two naked women lounging in his bed. One of them was they annoying mistress from earlier.

"What kind of whore room is this? " I scoff, disgusted at the scene. The king retreated from the bathroom, fuming with anger.

"What is this I hear about you refusing to put on the dress?" he frowned, demanding for an explanation.

"You have misheard" I smile pridefully.

"Put on the dress" he snaps as two servants lay it across my chest.

"No" I fume, pushing them away. I see his frustration as he seethed at my defiance. "Will you turn into a demon if you do not get your way?" I ask sarcastically, taking a seat in one of his chairs.

He walks towards me and pulled my arm, yanking me from my comfort. "What do I have to do in order for you to listen!?" He roared.

"Release me to earth!" I whispered into his lips. Although I had formed a gusto over the course of an hour, I still feared him. Scared of what he would turn into or do to me.

He chuckled silently and pulled my chin against his palm.

"And why would I do a foolish thing like that Kore?" he grumbled against my lips. His face looked more handsome than ever, "If I release you to earth, you will die. Once you breath it's air,you will be nothing more than a walking corpse. Don't you understand you are dead?"

"No I am not!" I yell defiantly. Each girl gasped as they heard my outburst. No one dared backtalk the king. He pinched the bridge of his nose and smoothed his hair back.

"You are my contract and your payment to live was life in the underworld, forever with me." He growled, annoyed at my stubbornness.

He finally released my arm and sat in a loungechair in front of his bed , watching me hungrily. The two girls climbed behind him and started attacking his neck.

"What an insult to you my mighty king. Any woman would be blessed to marry you" Minthe glared hatefully. How she wished it was her being measured for the wedding dress.

"I can tell by your cheap robes and desperate aura that you are not a goddess. How dare you talk to me as if we share the same title? You are a mere nymphe who likes attention from a deity. He said it himself; he will never marry a mortal. He has been sleeping with you with no promise of a future" I read her to filth.

Her mouth flew agape as she heard my words .

"It is out of selfish desire that I pray he marry you instead of I"

The King's eyes creased with intrigue at my outburst. I knew he was surprised at my witty retort and waited patiently for her response.

She pulled away from his neck and walked over to me. "How dare you... you ignsignificant, pompous girl"

"*Goddess" I corrected her.

"My king! She has disrespected you long enough! Take her away!" she whispered into his ear, loud enough for me to hear.

He tilted his head as he listened to her speak. "You dare order me to do your bidding?" He snapped.

"No my king! Never" she began to unravel.

"Your heart is so full of jealousy. You knew to send me to Tartarus to die. I accepted your kindness but was blinded by your jealousy" I finally call her out, "To stand here and defend yourself as if you had no plan to my demise is a sin in itself"

He pushed her off his neck and glared as he realized my confession. Anger cloaked his body as he turned red. He now understood that she was the one responsible for the broken barrier.

"Is what she says true?" he stood to tower over her. She fumed but looked away " I did no such thing!" She defended her actions. He shot up and seized her neck. "You sent her there? To die!"

"I did nothing my king!" she gasped, desperate for air. She knew her life was in the line.

I crossed my arms as I saw her cheeks flush red. She was the one who told me of the cursed River. She was the one who gave me a shrunken skull to assure my demise.

"My king do not listen to her! Can't you see she is jealous of me?" she begged, trying to push his hands away.

He let her go and dropped her to the floor. "You almost killed the future queen of this realm!" He snapped, grabbing her arm with gusto. I knew his anger was deadlier than the fiery pits of hell. He would snap her neck in two if he could.

Although I was tired of her presence and wanted nothing more than to see her perish, my spirit wouldn't Allow it.

I had mercy.
Something she lacked.
It was the very thing that differed between the two of us.

I grabbed his wrist to snap him from his rage. I wanted no murder on my conscience. Instantly he stopped and met my gaze.

"Leave" he demanded,releasing her like a plague.

"My king?" She gasped surprised at his actions; no had ever challenged her staus.

"Leave! All of you!" He yelled, angry he had to repeat himself again. She was nothing more to him now.

Minthe pouted and glared as she was escorted out the room with the rest of the girls and servants.

Once the door was closed and locked, he refocused onto me.

"So it was Minthe? "

"I never said it was"

"You never denied it." He fumed. "She will be dealt with accordingly" he promised but I pick at my nails indifferently; I couldn't care less what he did to her, as long as she remained alive.

"I see the hesitation in your demeanor. Fear rests in your eyes." he bragged, taking pride in his ability to read my thoughts.

I said nothing as I back away from him.

"Are you are scared of me? Scared I will turn into the monster I once was?"

"I do not fear you nor anything on earth nor in the underworld." I lied but I knew my unconfident tone revealed my truth. The king smiled softly, satisfied at the power he had over me.

"Strip" he tilted his head back, rubbing the stubble on his chin. Silence filled the cold air in the chilly room.

I finally found my voice and spoke "No"

He turned to grab the dress and lifted me from behind, placing my body in front of his full length mirror. He rested his chin against my shoulder and pulled my waist against his torso.

The lace of the black dress caressed my body as he put it in front of my physique. "Beautiful" he whispered against me ear. I turn my head away, refusing to look at the mirror but he grabbed my jaw and made me face our reflection.

"Let them alter it for you or else" he squeezed my shoulders.

"Or else what? I am not marrying you. I refuse to wed a monster like you"

"Suit yourself" he smiled and snapped his fingers. The zipper of my lace bodice unzipped to the end.

"Stop it" I demanded , desperately trying to pull it up again. He snapped again and my thin strap unlaced.

"I do not mind seeing your beautiful body. To be able to memorize each curve before the ceremony is a present itself" He chuckled as he kissed the top of my ear. I attempted to retie the straps on one side but another one slipped off.

He separated from my body and sat in his chair to observe me.

"Isn't it bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding day?" I seethe.

He snapped again and the back of my shirt tore open, revealing my mark.

"There's no such thing as bad luck innocent soul; not in the underworld" he sighed and rested his scepter against the edge of his bed. He leaned forward in the chair,  eager to inspect my almost naked body.

"Either you let them measure you in private or I will do it for you here" he threatened. A soft tear rested beneath my chin as another button popped open.

"Okay! okay! Stop it!" I cried, desperate to  maintain what was left of my innocence.

He rose from his seat and walked over to tower over me, patting me gently on my tear stained cheeks. "Good goddess" he smiled and turned to leave.

I collapse to my knees in tears, holding my body for control.

He was a monster.
A devil incarnate.
I would never love him.

"My mother always taught me to look for the good in everyone... even the ugliest of people. She promised that even the most evil beings would have a hint of good but of course it was another one of her lies. I see your true intent. Your heat is as black as coal. You are nothing but a monster in silk robes" I whisper softly.

He paused his departure but refused to meet my eyes.

"I hate you!" I yelled before he had the chance to close the door. He turned around to face me and gently bent to caress my cheek.

"Do not forget whom you speak to goddess" he threatened.

"I never forget my king" I whispered, glaring into his crystal blue orbs. He only stared at me indifferently then stood to leave once more.