And it felt wrong to be here, wrong to feel so happy when such chaos reigned.
“Why do you frown?” Hades asked.
His voice startled her, and she turned to find him in the doorway, his naked body wreathed in light from the bedroom. Heat blossomed low in her belly as her eyes fell to his erect flesh and she thought of how he had looked at her in the grotto, the erotic words he’d spoken, the restraint he’d broken.
She swallowed and shook the thoughts from her head.
“You know we cannot stay here,” Persephone said. “Not with what we left behind.”
“One more night,” Hades said—pleaded.
“What if that’s too late?”
Hades did not speak. He left his place in the doorway and came to her, cupping her face, eyes searching.
“Can I not convince you to stay here?” he asked. “You would be safe, and I would return to you every free moment.”
Her hands closed over his forearms.
“Hades,” she whispered. “You know I won’t. What kind of queen would I be if I abandoned my people?”
His lips tilted upward, but his gaze was sad. “You are Queen of the Dead, not Queen of the Living.”
“The living eventually become ours, Hades. What good are we if we desert them in life?”
Hades sighed and rested his forehead against hers.
“I wish that you were as selfish as me,” he said.
“You are not selfish,” she said. “You would leave me here to help them, remember?”
His gaze fell to her lips and he kissed her, his hands slid to her waist, dipping beneath her robe, reaching to cup her hot center.
Persephone gasped, his name on her lips.
“Hades,” she breathed against his lips.
“If not another night, then at least another hour,” he said.
How could she say no?
Her arms closed around his neck as he lifted her onto the edge of the balcony, fingers dipping into her slick flesh long enough for elicit a moan. When he withdrew, her nails bit into his skin and Hades chuckled.
“You were wrong,” he said, bringing his fingers to his mouth. “I am selfish.”
She watched him, a carnal hunger erupting inside her. As he sucked on his flesh, she spread her legs wider, inviting him to return.
“Only an hour,” she reminded Hades.
His smile was barely-there and just as he moved to join them once again, he growled, pulling Persephone from the balcony’s ledge onto the ground.
“Fuck,” he spat. “Hermes.”
“I’d love to join you,” said the god, appearing on the balcony only a few steps away. “Another time, perhaps.”
Persephone turned away to fasten her robe, and when she looked back, she saw that the god’s chiseled face was marred with a large gash that ran from the bottom of his eye to his lip.
Her eyes widened.
“Hermes, what happened to your face?”
He smiled, his eyes gentle despite his answer. “I broke an oath.”
Persephone’s lips parted, and her gaze returned to Hades’ who did not look at her, too angry and focused upon the God of Mischief.
“What do you want, Hermes? We were about to return.”
“How long is ‘about to’?” he asked, but the smirk he offered was humorless and Persephone found that she did not like the melancholy clinging to him. Was this his grief at losing Tyche or something else?
“Hermes—” Hades began.
“Zeus has summoned both of you to Olympus,” Hermes interrupted. “He has called Council. They wish to discuss your separation.”
CHAPTER XX – A COUNCIL OF OLYMPIANS
“Our separation?” Persephone repeated, looking to Hades. “Are there not more pressing issues? Like Triad murdering a goddess and attacking another?”
“I only gave you one reason Zeus called Council,” Hermes said. “That does not mean we will not discuss other concerns.”
“I will be along shortly, Hermes,” Hades said, who had made no attempt to cover himself.
Hermes nodded and then he looked at Persephone.
“See you later, Sephy,” he said, winking. He vanished, and she thought that perhaps he was trying to soften the guilt she felt at seeing his face scarred.
Persephone turned to Hades. “Did you do that to Hermes face?”
His jaw tightened. “You ask and yet you know.”
“You didn’t have—”
“I did,” he cut her off. “His punishment could have been worse. Some of our laws are sacred, Persephone, and before you feel guilt for what happened to Hermes’ face, remember that he knew the consequences even if you did not.”
His words felt like a reprimand. She averted her eyes and said quietly, “I didn’t know.”
Hades sighed, sounding frustrated, but he took her hand, tugging her to him.
“I’m sorry,” he said, pressing a palm against her cheek. “I meant to comfort you.”
“I know,” she said. “It must be trying…to constantly have to teach me.”
“I never tire of teaching,” he said, his voice quiet. “My frustration comes from another place.”
“Perhaps I can help…if you told me more,” she offered.
Hades held her gaze, considering before he spoke.
“I worry my words will come out wrong and that you will find my motives barbaric.”
She frowned. She was not surprised he felt this way. She’d called him the worst sort of god. She’d assumed his bargains with mortals were merely for his amusement, not real attempts at saving souls.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I think I gave you this fear when we met.”
“No,” he said. “It was there before you, but it only mattered when I met you.”
“I understand Hermes’ punishment,” she said. “I am comforted.”
Despite her words, she felt his expression remained uncertain, guarded. Still, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead. She closed her eyes against his kiss, feeling the warmth of it through her body. She met his gaze as he pulled away.
“Would you like to accompany me to Council?” he asked.
Her eyes widened. “You are serious?”
He offered a small smile. “I have conditions,” he said. “But if the Olympians are to discuss us, it is only fair you are present.”
She grinned.
“Come, we must prepare,” he said, and she felt the brush of his magic as they teleported.
She’d expected to appear in their bedroom so they could dress, but instead, Hades had brought them to a room full of weapons.
“Is this…”
“An arsenal,” Hades said.
The room was round, the floor black marble like the rest of the castle. Most of the walls were fixed with what looked like bookcases, only they held a variety of weapons—blades and spears, javelins and slings, bows and arrows. There were modern weapons, too—guns and grenades and other artillery. There were also shields, helmets, chainmail and leather breastplates on display, but what drew her attention was the piece at the center of the room—a display of Hades’ armor. It looked both threatening and deadly. Sharp metal spikes covered the shoulders, arms, and legs. A black cape hung over the left shoulder, and a dark helm rested at its feet.