It's strange. Surely he should be used to rejection by now. He's had his share of loves and losses over the centuries, but somehow it never hurts any less.

He glances at her, trying to read her expression, her posture. What is he looking for? Reluctance? Indifference? Hades catches himself wishing they truly were Azem because that would make this all the simpler.

"Hythlodaeus is aware of where my heart lies. He knows I love you and Felih, but more importantly, he knows that what I share with him is not easily cast aside for another," he mutters. "He-- in fact, he was concerned that I wasn't being kind enough to either of you. And so..."

Surely trying to grow closer to her is taking steps towards addressing that?