Chapter 161: Chapter 161: Jude's Decision
Jude POV
Poor Bram. Eyes like his mother's glittered with anxiety and questions and uncertainty. Mali's eyes shimmered like his own. Ravyn looked a little more composed, her violet eyes steady and strong.
Hades whispered in his mind, "Tell them."
Jude thought, "I have to break it to them gently."
"Be honest," Hades advised. "And yes, that is ironic, coming from me. But it's the best way. Be direct with them."
"I intend to, but this is going to be difficult to accept," Jude thought.
"Then let me speak for you--"
"NO," Jude howled mentally.
"Suit yourself." Hades seemed amused. "This is going to be more fun with you than I ever thought possible."
Gazing at all the assembled faces, he wondered how to tell them his decision. Dane's and Jiro's resolute Alpha faces, and Garnet's empathetic face. Lilia's daughterly expression. Patch's brown eyes that suspected something big. Dirge's wide innocent eyes. Thessi's face full of the wisdom of the elves.
"Hades and I have decided to share consciousness," he announced.
The smells in the room from everyone were a mixed bag of emotions and reactions. Mostly shock. That was the prevailing emotion. Next, worry mingled with fear. More than a hint of anger. And a tiny bit of acceptance--probably from Ravyn and Tulaska and Eirika.
"Are you sure about this?" Mali asked in a trembling voice.
"I have rarely been more sure about anything in my life, strangely enough," Jude replied.
Hades flooded him with warmth.
"He needs a host--a home," Jude continued. "A safe one. And as it turns out, our ancestor, Fionnula 'Fiona' Faolan was a witch--she just didn't advertise her secret."
Everyone's mouth dropped open.
Bram burst out, "I always wondered if we had magical blood! I felt different."
"Oh, you did not," Mali said, giving him a shove.
"Did too," he huffed. "And if you doubt it, let's settle it in the training arena."
"Deal," Mali declared.
Garnet raised her eyebrows. "Let me guess. Fiona kept her true ancestry quiet because of the debacle with Hades' parents."
Jiro grinned at her. "My mate is astute. I wonder just how many secret shifter-witch pairings there have been throughout history?"
Dane had a wry expression. "And here I thought I was the first since the scandal ... turns out Lilia and I aren't so remarkable after all."
Jude walked over and rested his hands on the smooth wooden chair that generations of Faolan Alphas had sat in while presiding over pack business. The patina on the wood felt worn and comfortable and familiar. He pulled out the chair and slowly sat down.
"He doesn't look like he's two people," wide-eyed Dirge said to Patch.
Patch grinned. "He'll have Hades behaving in no time. You watch. Hades will be organizing his files and sweeping out his bedroom, figuratively speaking."
Anneliese agreed, smelling satisfied. She brushed back her pink hair, as it had fallen in her eyes. "Jude is one of the best people to tackle this challenge."
Azandra's father and Jude's cousin Ransome Hemming gripped Jude's arm. "I hope you know what you're doing," he said, his face earnest. "I do a lot of, hum, esoteric research."
"Pixie migrations," Jude commented with a smile.
"Yes. And quite often, when pixies migrate, they need shelter, because long distances are dreadfully hard to cross flying nonstop. They need rest and shelter," Ransome informed him in a scholarly voice. "They often nest in certain plants and bushes. The problem is that sometimes, they get so attached to the plant or bush that they stay there."
"Hades is already staying in this particular plant or bush," Jude said, pointing to himself. "What's your point, Ransome?"
Visibly sweating, with a strong scent of anxiety, Ransome said, "The ... the pixies sometimes destroy the bush. They get mad when their perfect spot is threatened, or when predators come, or even when they're reminded it's time to move on."
"One problem with your analogy, Ransome," Cyran said dryly. "Hades isn't a pixie who's simply too lazy to continue the journey. He's wanted by the Dark Goddess--he has no reason to destroy his safe haven."
Azandra took a swipe at her father with her claws. "Will you stop scaring everyone?"
"Didn't realize I was," Ransome said, with a sheepish look.
His wife Titania patted his arm. "You meant well, dear."
Ravyn linked arms with Jude. "Cyran's right. Hades wouldn't destroy Jude--"
"Father nearly went mad," Bram burst out, visibly annoyed that he didn't think of the objection earlier.
Jude sighed. "Hades apologizes for that. But honestly, I didn't understand what was happening, either. had a memory block just because his jump into my body was so sudden and jarring. Hades, for once in his life, didn't mean to cause me distress." He gazed at his children with love. "He will spend the rest of our lives, until we go to be with the Moon Goddess, earning your trust and paying you respect."
From Mali's and Bram's expressions, Hades would have a long way to go.
* * * * *
Ravyn POV
Odd, to feel the twin currents of emotions in Hades and Jude.
Jude was full of strength, worry, and love.
Hades' emotions were something Ravyn never expected.
Embarrassment. Guilt. Remorse. Gratitude.
She wrapped an arm around Jude and held him comfortingly, conveying her caring and support for Hades simultaneously. Jude raised his head, his now-completely gray hair flowing. He'd stopped trimming it, and it fell down to his shoulders now. She rather liked his hair long. His eyes still glowed wolf gold, and he felt like the same Jude--except different.
"Jude may have an extra ingredient in his body, an extra soul, but he's still the Silverpaw Alpha," Ravyn said clearly.
Dane, Jiro, and Cyran all howled in understanding, flashing their sharp teeth in support of their fellow Alpha. The wise women all smiled. Tulaska nodded with that enigmatic smile that said she knew something, but wasn't ready to share.
Ravyn continued. "I can feel Hades' emotions through the bond. He feels embarrassment ... guilt ... remorse ... gratitude ... and something I think he hasn't experienced in a terribly long time. Shall I tell you what it is?"
Yes. She recognized it now. She could feel it as clearly as th sunshine on a hot day, or a brisk autumn wind, or the kiss of a snowflake on her skin.
She never expected to feel it from Hades, but the sensation uplifted her.
Everyone leaned forward, with Jiro looking the most inquisitive. Lilia burst out, her hands outstretched, "MOTHER! Tell us. Don't keep us in suspense."
Ravyn smiled. "It may surprise you--"
"RAVYN." Kyon smacked his big fist into his palm with a mighty whack. "We're all waiting with bated breath here. We're practically howling at the moon. Tell us."
Thessi looked as if she'd guessed what it was. Leaning forward, she smiled, her elf ears quivering with excitement.
Leaning close to Jude, Ravyn whispered in his ear, "Ask Hades if I can share what I sense from you. ALL of it."
Jude shut his eyes, and Ravyn stroked his hair, reveling in the silkiness of it. It also had an untamed, curly quality in places.
For long moments, he didn't speak, communing with Hades, their interaction buzzing through the bond. Finally, his eyes opened, and glowed brilliantly with wolf flames. He whispered, "Go ahead. He has nothing to hide anymore."
Ravyn turned to the audience, all expectantly waiting. Lilia's eyes had turned a blazing violet. From somewhere in the castle, the children's laughter echoed. The parents in the room seemed impatient to check on their children.
Ravyn smiled, and said in a clear, decisive voice, "Hades feels something he never expected to feel again. It's pure, true, and untainted by the Dark Goddess. Her version of it was just a sick, twisted imitation. This is authentic."
She took a deep breath, and Jude squeezed her hand encouragingly.
"Hades feels hopeful. For the first time in centuries, he feels real hope for the future. His future--and all our futures."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
AmandaMadden
AmandaMadden Hades is experiencing real emotion for the first time in a long time.
Ransome's interest in pixie migrations was mentioned in THE RELUCTANT ALPHA.
And Ravyn gets Most Tolerant Mate Award.
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone