Her voice was a whisper now, husky and thick with pleasure. Each time he thrust, she stopped speaking, reveling in the pleasure wracking her body.
“And instead of fucking, you asked for a game, why?”
“I like foreplay,” she said, nibbling his ear.
Hades’ chuckle turned into a growl and he kissed her hard, slamming into her for a few uncontrolled moments. Persephone’s cries filled the throne room but softened when his momentum slowed. It was sweet torture—he was dragging her to the edge of a cliff, holding her over by a thread.
Hades was the ultimate addiction. He was a glorious high, an intoxicating bliss she wanted all the time.
“I hate waiting for you,” she said.
“Then find me,” Hades said, kissing down her neck.
“You are busy.”
“Dreaming about being inside of you,” he said.
She managed a breathy laugh.
“I love that laugh,” he said, kissing her.
“I love you,” she said.
Something changed when she uttered those words. Hades met her gaze and held it as he seated himself on the edge of his throne. Persephone kept her legs wrapped around his waist.
“Say it again,” he said.
She studied him for a moment and twisted his hair around her fingers. It would be her lifeline because she knew by Hades’ voice and the way he looked at her, she was about to be consumed.
“I love you, Hades,” she said softly.
His smile was breathtaking, and he kissed her, helping her move up and down his shaft.
“I love you. You are perfection,” he said, squeezing her bottom where he still held her. “You are my lover. You are my queen.”
He leaned back and slipped his hand between them. A new sensation accosted her as he stroked her cleft. She groaned and took control, riding him harder, faster, feeling him deeper than ever before.
Hades responded, meeting her thrusts. The pounding of their bodies was vicious, and they came brutally. Persephone collapsed against him, their bodies slick and hot, as they struggled to catch their breath.
After a few moments, she felt Hades kiss her hair.
“Why is this the first time I am hearing about your fantasies?” she asked.
When he did not immediately respond, she looked at him.
“How do I verbalize such a thing?” He asked.
She shrugged. “I suppose you just…tell me what you want,” she said. “Is that not what you would want from me?”
A smile pulled at his lips. “Yes,” he answered. “So tell me, what is your fantasy?”
Persephone did not expect that question, and despite the fact that she lay in her lover’s arms, naked and covered in sweat from lovemaking, she blushed.
“I…do not think I have one,” she said.
“You’ll forgive me if I do not believe you,” he said.
“No,” she said. “I won’t—it is in your nature to detect lies.”
Hades offered a small laugh and then, “But what will it take? To learn of your fantasies?”
Persephone did not respond immediately as she traced her finger along his well-muscled chest.
“One day…I want you….to restrain me,” she said.
She noted how hard Hades swallowed, but he did not laugh and for that, she was grateful.
“I will always do as you ask,” he said.
They were silent for a long moment, then Persephone spoke.
“And you?” Her voice was quiet. “What other fantasies live in that head of yours?”
Hades chuckled, his arms tightening around her slick body.
“Darling, every time I fuck you it’s a fantasy.”
CHAPTER XVII – A TOUCH OF SHADOW
Persephone headed to work early Monday morning. She had received an email from Helen late last night asking for a meeting first thing. She had an update on Triad and their leadership and Persephone was eager to find out what she’d learned. On the way, she opened her tablet to catch up on the news. The first headline that drew her attention was the largest and it was located under a banner that read breaking news.
An individual identifying themselves as a member of The Rebirth Movement, a sect of impious mortals, claim they have successfully dehorned a goddess.
Dread pooled in Persephone’s stomach but also hope. Hades had suspected this news would come out eventually. This was their chance to track the culprits who had hurt and mutilated Harmonia and possibly murdered Adonis.
Upon reading the article, she was a little surprised to find there wasn’t much information, and even the author sounded skeptical of the report. It seemed they had received a call from an individual who told them of the incident—but without any details. They’d stated the group had managed to “subdue a goddess” and “cut off her horns.”
When asked for proof of the incident, the caller stated, “the world will have proof when we wear the horns of the gods to the battlefield.”
Whether this report is factual remains to be seen—but one thing is clear, the Rebirth is a violent entity—the worst kind because they believe they are actually fighting for the great good.
“We are shield for those who no longer wish to be ruled by the gods. We will cut the threads that bind us to fate, free those under the spell of their Divinity. We are freedom.”
It was a promise and a declaration of war.
“My lady?” Antoni’s voice was a soft rumble. She looked up, meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror. “Are you alright?”
“Yes,” she answered. “I was just reading something…disturbing.”
Antoni’s brow dipped. “Is there anything I can do?”
“No, Antoni, but thank you,” Persephone said. As she started to store her tablet, Antoni moved to exit the vehicle. “Don’t Antoni. It’s too cold.”
“Allow me to help you to the door. The sidewalk and steps are slick.’’
“Even more reason for you to stay,” she answered.
“If you insist,” he finally relented. “I will see you this evening.”
“Of course. Have a good day, Antoni.”
“And you, my lady.”
Persephone did not know what sort of errands or tasks Antoni had outside of taking her to work. Once, when the giant had come to get her, he had come from picking up dry cleaning, though, when asked if it was for Hades, he’d said no. Another time, he’d had a case of red wines which, he had explained, was an order for Milan. Whatever it was, though, he always seemed perfectly happy to execute.
She left the warm comfort of the backseat of the Lexus and entered the frigid daytime air. The sidewalk was slick, but a layer of salt and sand made it easier to stabilize. Once inside, she greeted Ivy, accepted her coffee with a grateful nod, and entered the elevator. On the way up, she held the cup to her cheeks and nose until they were warm and kept her jacket on even after she entered her office. Was she imagining things? It definitely felt colder in here. Persephone knew this weather could lead to energy and power failures and she had no doubt Demeter would continue to that point. In fact, she wouldn’t be surprised if that was her mother’s next method of killing—freezing people to death.