Captured into Love

I woke up in a different room, but just as dark. Instead of a bed, I was on the cold obsidian floor. I looked up to see a throne. and a large man sitting in it. He had a crown circling his shoulder length greasy hair, as black as coal. He wore a cape with terrified faces that seemed sowned into it. He radiated pure power. Hades, god of the Underworld.
His dark eyes focused on me, and he started to cackle.
“My son chose wisely, my dear, taste like mine, you’ll make a fine princess.” He turned to a dark corner, and boomed. “Servants, send her away to be properly dressed.” Invisible, cold hands grasped my arms and stood me up, and started to pull me away.
“Oh and my dear.” he said coldly as I was being pulled away. “You serve my son now, do your best to please him.”
I was pulled into a room and let go, making me fall on the ground. The door invisibly opened and shut. Tears fell down my face as I brushed myself off, my hands shaking ridiculously. I turned to see a bed, with black blankets and a closet. A picture frame sat on a dresser, and I walked over to it.
A beautiful young women sat holding a little baby with black hair, and familiar brown eyes. Nico.
I looked around. This was Nico’s room. A dress laid on the bed that I hadn't noticed before. It was a sleeveless, dark purple dress with arm bracelets and a long, golden necklace. I tried to stare into the necklace, see if I could reflect light, but no light came. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I missed the sun. I went into Nico’s bathroom, I didn't really want to take a shower, but it was so cold, I wanted some sort of warmth. I took a hot shower, which warmed me and since the dress was the only other piece of clothing, I put that on. I braided my hair, and wondered when they were going to let me out.
The door opened, and invisible hands grasped my arms once again and forced me out the door. I was thrown at the feet of Hades again, but I didn't want to look at him, so I stared at the floor. Also, even if I did want to stand, my legs were weak, and I felt like throwing up.
I was a prisoner, yet, I felt no resentment toward Nico. I didn't know how to really feel about all of this, I didn’t know how I felt about him. Maybe if things worked out, I could go, This was going to be a long six months.
“Nico, where are you boy?” Hades voice echoed throughout the room. I heard someone's footsteps behind me, and cold, but Nico’s hands grasped my shoulders and pulled me into his chest.
“Dad, what did you do?!” Nico’s alarmed voice sounded behind me.
Hades waved his hand dismissively. “She just needs nourishment son, there is plenty of Underworld food she can have.” Nico glared at Hades, and picked me up, bridal style, and carried me away.
I was taken back into Nico’s room, and was set gently on his bed. It even smelled like Nico.
Nico dug through a black backpack in the corner and pulled out a peanut butter sandwich and handed it to me. “Here, eat this.”
I obliged even though my brain told me not to. “Food from the Underworld boy,” it argued. “He chose you. He’ll want you to stay.” my brain argued
“But I’m ravenous!” my stomach growled
“Nico is trying to get you to eat it.”
“So?”
“It’s food from the Underworld!”
“I hardly think a peanut butter sandwich from a backpack is Underworld food.”
“...still.”
I snarfed down the sandwich anyway.
“Feeling better?” Nico asked.
“Much.” I replied.
I suddenly was aware of Nico of sitting right next to me, I looked up to see his chocolate colored eyes, staring intensely into mine. “Nico?” I asked confused.
He gave me a warm smile, that warmed me to the bone. “You changed.” He said simply.
I suddenly remembered I had changed into the dark purple dress, and my face went red.
He smiled again, and laced my fingers with mine. His handsome face was so close to mine, I hoped my breath didn't smell like peanut butter. “I have somthing to show you.” He said. He pulled me off the bed and out of the room, letting my head fly into the clouds. He pulled me down several dark hallways and up a few flights of stairs. Finally, Nico pushed open two doors, and so much light flooded in it hurt my eyes and they stung. Nico pulled me in, and I was suddenly in a large, brightly lit ballroom. The light made me smile, and I could see Nico more clearly now, he was wearing a nice black collared shirt and he wore jeans. He scratched the back of his head as my favorite music played in the background. “Thought you could use some cheering up.” He stammered, as he gently put his hand out.
I smiled, and gently took his outstretched hand and walked with him onto the dance floor. I rested my head on his chest as we danced. Nico kinda smelled like a fresh pomegranate, bitter, but sweet. I don't know how long we danced, but after a yawn or two, Nico gently led me away and back into the dark. I went blind immediately, since my eyes hadn't adjusted. I could only walk by holding Nico’s hand. Suddenly he dropped it, and panic climbed in my throat. I felt really lost, and I started to get scared and very tired.
“Nico?” I whispered, my voice barely a squeak. Suddenly, someone hoisted me up and lifted me up, bridal style. At first, I panicked, But then I smelled pomegranates, and my eyes made out a silhouette of a boy, Nico. I relaxed and put my head on his chest. The gentle swaying made me drowsy. I must of fallen asleep, because I woke up in Nico’s room. A note sat on the bedside table, and fresh clothes sat on the floor. I opened the note.

Dearest Eliza,
Thanks for dancing with me. You look cute when you sleep. If you would like to get out of the dark again, meet me outside your door around lunchtime.

See you then-
Nico.
My face went red when I read it, and I glanced at the small clock on Nico’s bedside table.
10:30
My stomach grumbled.
I changed and showered, especially since I slept in the purple dress. I walked out as soon as I was done, and looked around. Suddenly, shadows in front of me seemed to mix together and get darker, until they made the shape of a boy. Nico.
“Isn't shadow travel bad for you?” I asked as I wrapped my arms around Nico’s neck.
He smiled and put his hands on my waist, leaning in close to me.
“Not in my territory perhaps.” He whispered. Butterflies flew around in my stomach, but then Nico leaned back and laced his hands with mine. I looked at him and he had a stupid grin on his face, that looked strange on Nico, he never smiled. “What.” I asked. Then I realised we weren't going anywhere, just standing, holding hands. I looked at him and gasped. “Dont you dare- We evaporated into the shadows. My stomach rose to my throat and we appeared at the most beautiful ocean beach I have ever seen. Beautiful pink and blue shells surrounded the bach and glittered in the sunlight, which blinded me from the intense light and warmth. I was speechless. “Nic- Nico?” I squeaked, turning around. I spotted him sitting in front of me, sitting on a picnic blanket with a basket next to him. My face must of looked pretty funny, because when Nico looked at me and laughed.
“Shut up.” I smiled. I sat down next to him.
“Where exactly are we?” I asked as he was pulling out delicious food.
“He looked around. “Somewhere in the Isle of the Blessed.” He stated.
After we ate, Nico just held my hand as we stared out into the ocean, telling me stories. Soon enough the sun was setting, and I was resting my head against Nico’s chest, listening to his heartbeat, which was going pretty fast. He kissed my hair, and I eventually fell asleep, until Nico was quietly saying my name and had his hand in my hair when I woke. Before I could ask, he pointed to the sky, which were filled with stars so bright I lost my voice. I watched the sky as Nico pointed out constellations, and then looked at me, and I looked at him. I didn't know when it happened, or when I had decided to do it, but I kissed him. I don’t think I’ve ever blushed so hard because when I looked at Nico he laughed and he kissed me back again. The night couldn't have been shorter, Nico shadow traveled again and I found myself at Nico’s bedroom door. “Goodnight Eliza.” He whispered, and kissed me on the cheek, lingering for a bit until he evaporated away into the shadows, leaving me dumbfounded.
I grinned like an idiot the whole night.

Notes