“Do you think Aphrodite and Hephaestus will ever reconcile?”
“We can all only hope. They are both completely unbearable.”
Persephone rolled her eyes and nudged him with her elbow, but the God of the Dead only chuckled.
Dinner appeared before them—lamb, lemon potatoes, roasted carrots and eliopsomo—a bread baked with black olives. The smells were savory and made Persephone realize just how hungry she was.
Hades reached for a silver pitcher on the table.
“Ambrosia?” He asked.
She raised a brow. “Straight?”
Ambrosia was not like wine. It was stronger than mortal alcohol. Persephone had only had a small amount in the past—and that had been due to Lexa, who had bought a bottle of Dionysus’s famous wine which had been mixed with a drop of the divine liquid.
“Just a little,” he said, and poured a small amount in her goblet.
Hades filled his own to the brim.
“What?” He asked when he noticed Persephone staring.
“You are an alcoholic,” she said.
“Functioning.”
Persephone shook her head and sipped the ambrosia. The taste filled her mouth with a cool, honeyed sensation.
“Do you like it?” Hades asked, his voice was low, almost sensual, and drew her attention.
“Yes,” she breathed.
Callista cleared her throat and Persephone turned to look at her.
“So, how did you two meet?” She asked.
Hermes snorted, appearing beside Persephone holding his plate and silverware. “You sit before gods and that is the question you choose to ask?”
“Hermes, what are you doing?” Persephone asked.
“I missed you,” he said, and shrugged.
As soon as the God of Mischief sat beside her, Apollo left the Olympian table to sit beside Ajax.
“I think you started a movement, Hades,” Persephone said. One Zeus did not seem happy about as his lips twisted into a scowl.
Hades looked at her and smiled.
“I have a question,” Thales said, grinning, his eyes glinting as he looked at Hades. “How will I die?”
“Horribly,” Hades replied.
The young man’s face fell.
“Hades!” Persephone elbowed him.
“Is-is that true?” The man asked.
“He is just kidding,” Persephone said. “Aren’t you Hades?”
“No,” he replied, his tone far too serious.
They ate in silence for a few awkward minutes until Zeus stood, clanking a gold spoon against a goblet of ambrosia so loud, Persephone thought the glass would shatter.
“Oh no,” Hermes muttered.
“What?” Persephone asked.
“Zeus is going to give a speech. They’re always horrible.”
The room went quiet, and all eyes turned to the God of Thunder.
“We are gathered to celebrate my brother, Hades,” he said. “Who has found a beautiful maiden he wishes to marry, Persephone—Goddess of Spring, Daughter of Dread Demeter.”
Dread Demeter was right. Just the sound of her name made Persephone’s stomach twist.
Hermes leaned over. “Did he just say maiden? As in a virgin? He has to know that isn’t true, right?”
“Hermes!” Persephone seethed.
Zeus continued.
“Tonight, we celebrate love and those who have found it—may we all be so lucky and Hades—”
Zeus lifted his glass and stared directly at them.
“May the Oracle bless your union.”
After dinner, they returned to the open porch. Music began again, a sweet sound that swept through the air. As she searched for the source, she found Apollo played upon his lyre, his eyes were closed, his face relaxed, and she realized she had never seen him without tension in his face. She watched him for a long moment, until he opened his violet eyes and saw that they darkened with jealousy. Her gaze shifted to where Ajax stood across the room, signing animatedly with a man she did not recognize. Persephone was sure Ajax was just happy to communicate with someone without having to read their lips, but she was also not aware of how Apollo’s conversation with him—or Hector—had gone, or rather, if he’d had it at all.
“Shall we dance?” Hades asked, offering his hand to Persephone.
“I would like nothing more,” she said as the God of the Dead led her into the crowd. He drew her close, and she felt his need press into her stomach. She met his gaze, heavy with desire, and raised a brow.
“Aroused, my love?”
Hades smirked—and she did not know if he smiled because of her candid question or her term of endearment.
“Always, my darling,” he replied.
Persephone reached between them, grasping his cock, her hands hidden in his robes.
“What are you doing?” He asked, a sultry edge to his voice.
“I don’t think I need to explain myself,” she said.
“Are you trying to provoke me in front of these Olympians?”
“Provoke you?” Persephone’s voice was breathy as she stroked him. She hated the fabric between them and wanted to feel his warmth in her palm. “I would never.”
Hades’ jaw ticked and he grit his teeth. His arms tightened around her; the closeness made it hard for her to move. She stared into his eyes as she spoke.
“I am just trying to please you.”
“You please me,” he said.
Their faces were inches apart, and as Persephone’s eyes dipped to Hades’ lips, he closed his mouth over hers. The kiss was savage and demanding and not appropriate, and when he tore away, he spoke.
“Enough!”
The whole room grew silence, and Persephone’s eyes widened.
But then he was kissing her again, his hands grasping low beneath her ass as he drew her legs around his waist, grinding into her so hard, she gasped.
“Hades! Everyone can see!”
“Smoke and mirrors,” he mumbled as he left her mouth, trailing kisses down her neck and shoulder. In the next second, they had teleported to a dark room, and Hades had her pinned against a wall.
“Not so interested in exhibitionism?” she asked.
“I cannot focus on you the way I wish and maintain the illusion,” he said, as his fingers parted her hot flesh. Persephone moaned.
“So wet.” He hissed. “I could drink from you, but for now, I’ll settle with tasting.”
He pulled his fingers free and placed them into his mouth before planting that hand against the wall and kissing her.
“Hades, I want you inside me,” she said, reaching between them. His robes seemed endless and were far more frustrating to part. “You once told me to dress for sex. Why can’t you?”
Hades chuckled. “Perhaps if you were not so eager, darling, finding my flesh would be much easier,” he said as he easily unclasped his robes, revealing his muscled chest and engorged flesh.
Her fingers closed around him greedily, and then he was inside her. They both groaned, and for a moment, neither moved.
“I love you,” Hades said.
She smiled, brushing pieces of his hair from his face. “I love you, too.”
Then he thrust, his fingers digging deep into her skin.
“You feel so good,” he said.
She could only manage one word as she focused on the feel of him pushing inside her.