Chapter 39: Chapter 39

/Lukas POV/

Lord Yama wanted to talk. It was never pleasant to hear that. He can be very persuasive, so I have to be cautious. In the party, he asked me to meet his gang, which was mainly the women he bedded. As much as I wanted to get rid of them, it was nearly impossible, and I lost the trail of Talia on that night. She did seem jealous by the attention I was getting.

Shaking my head, I walked down the stairs only to notice Dean and Leo sitting with Yama. By the look on their faces, it was something important.

"Hello" I greeted as I sat on the opposite couch. Yama was drinking his smoothie. It was always funny how we don't need anything to sustain, yet the food items are still lying around.

Yama sat up and motioned towards green who was holding a scroll in his hand. The outstanding invitations or news from the other world are written on the scroll and safeguarded in case someone tries to break them. A scroll can't be opened by anyone else except for the person it is addressed to.

I took it from Dean's hand, "When did you get this?"

Dean cleared his throat, "A few minutes ago. Lord Yama got his sent here as well."

My eyes went towards the scrolling on Lord Yama's lap. I flicked my attention back to the one in my hand and noticed the seal on the top. It was from Mount Olympus. My mouth twitched at that. Earlier today, I was just thinking about paying a visit there.

Yama groaned, "Open it already."

I gave him a look, "Didn't you read yours already?"

He made a face and took a large sip of his creamy smoothie. I almost forgot how much he loves to consume sugar. Trying to suppress my disgust at the drink, I broke the seal.

It was from Underworld. Hades specifically. A grin stretched across my lips when I read the content. This year's annual Ball was going to be organised in the Underworld.

"This is interesting" I mused, closing the scroll. It completely slipped my mind that it was that time of the year. Annual Balls are like meetup, where everyone has to attend and stay at the host place for atleast a week. Various games and fun activities are organised at night along with heated debates in the day. Most of them have only one motive, to get their problems solved with the advice of others.

Yama hummed, "I almost forgot about it."

"Me too."

"When should we leave?" Yama asked wiping the corner of his mouth, the tissue landing precisely in the bin. He patted himself at the aim.

I stared back at the scroll because I had almost forgotten to glance at the date and timing. My eyes flew wide as I noticed that we have to be there by the next day. Most of the times the invites are sent at least a week early.

"It's tomorrow" I mumbled, dumbfounded.

"I think he forgot about it as well."

I nodded my head when it occurred to me that Talia would be all alone for a week. There was no way I was going to let her be all alone again. She always gets in trouble somehow, and I cannot always rush back from the underworld. A sigh escaped my lips.

"I don't think I can attend this one."

Yama raised his eyebrows, "Huh? What are you saying?"

"My mate is pregnant. I can't leave her here all alone. It's too dangerous, and I'm not willing to risk it."

Even though the fan was better now, I could not trust him to guard Talia all on his own. Most of the staff are busy with their work so they won't be able to look after her as well.

Yama shrugged, "Then let's take Talia along with us. You don't have to worry about it."

My teeth grind together at his suggestion. It was the most stupid thing I had ever heard. Underworld is dangerous, and there someone from Mount Olympus who wants to hurt her. How can I knowingly put her in danger?

I scoffed, "Are you even listening to yourself? She is a mortal."

Yama kept a straight face, not even blinking when he met my eyes, "So? You don't know that I have the power to carry mortals across portals, right?"

His face broke out in a grin, "Ha that rhymed!"

I narrowed my eyes at him, my voice dangerously low. If he was trying to make me angry, somehow, it was working. That was not the problem but taking her along and letting her stay in the same place was. Someone can use this as an opportunity to attack her again, and I don't want her to go through something like that back.

I took a deep breath, my hands balled into a fist, "Yama that is not the reason I'm worried. It is an unknown place, and someone tried to kill her before."

"So you want to leave her here all alone?"

I gaped at him. Did he even hear a word I said?

Yama motioned towards Dean, "No one was able to save her in your absence. Not even this guy!"

"That's why I'm staying."

"But this is an important event. You know you cannot miss it."

I huffed, "And so is my mates life. I cannot risk by taking her along with me."

Yama was quiet. I felt relieved that I was able to convince him with proper reasoning. Dean politely excused himself, and I felt guilty for not defending him. He was still upset about not finding Talia in my absence. Then again, it was not his fault for her tendency to wander off without thinking. Even though he did not have to apologise for it, he did and promised to get better. Both of those things were unnecessary because he was the best demon in hell.

Yama cleared his throat, "Well done think of it in this way. If you go to Underworld and someone does try to attack your mate you can catch them red-handed. How does that sound?"

"But-"

"Just give it a thought" Yama waved his arm.

I pondered over it for a moment. He did have a point. Using this excuse, I can trap the person who was trying to harm Talia and my unborn child. Without a valid reason, it is challenging to get into Mount Olympus, but now I was getting a great opportunity handed over to me.

Before I could answer him, footsteps echoed around the living room. It was Talia.

I pulled her towards me after she was done greeting Yama and Leo.

"I know I'm asking too much, but I want you to accompany me to the Ball," I said

"The Ball?" She scrunched her nose.

"Yes. Hades of the Underworld organising it this year. We have to leave tomorrow."

She rolled her lips between her teeth, "For how long?"

Even though I found out the information about her attacker, I did not indulge her. She would be easily scared to know someone was actively trying to go after her. That's the last thing I needed.

"One week"

She parted her lips, "A week?!"

I nodded my head, "It will be fun, I promise. You will get to experience whatever you read in those books."

Her face broke out in a smile. I knew that she was reading up on mythology so that she kept up to date with everything. Even though most of the facts written in the books are in the past, she did understand a thing or two.

She blushed, inching closer to me. I raised my head at her sudden shift in behaviour.

"There is one problem, though."

"What is it?" I questioned

She ducked her head down, her eyes staring at the floor. It was so unusual for her to be embarrassed. Most of the time, she is actively trying not to be embarrassing.

"Icsntdabxe"

"Huh?"

She raised her head, "I can't dance in heels."

"Oh," I breathed. I thought it was going to be terrible. But how can she say that when she danced in that club as she owned it? I was truly blown away by her confidence. Besides, she was fine with me at the party as well.

"Then don't wear them" I shrugged.

She shook her head, twisting her lips, sheepishly smiling, "I read in that book during the Ball the females have to twirl around in the middle. And I can't do that."

Lord Yama cackled, shaking his head, "Where do you get these books?"

"From the library?" She mumbled in confusion. It was cute that she did not understand he was teasing her.

I took her hand in mine, which made her eyes widen. She sucked in a sharp breath. Every time I touch her, she has this kind of reaction.

"You don't have to dance if you don't want to. Trust me; it'll be fine."

She looked unsure for few seconds before bobbing her head, "Umm...then okay. I'll go with you."

***