She makes a happy sound and climbs up to cuddle against my side. This is as important as the rest, the opportunity to bring us both down. I stroke her hair idly, letting her warmth sink into me. I don’t want to open my eyes yet. I truly don’t. The second I do, the next stage begins, and I don’t know if I’m ready for it. I don’t know if I can survive whatever Hades has planned, tonight or in the future.
There once was a time when I didn’t even question it, when I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was first in Hades’s world. First before the Underworld, before all who patronized the place, first even before his ambition. I would walk into a room and it didn’t matter what he was doing; he would level that intense focus on me and smile. We’d talk for hours, and fuck, and talk again. He built up the trust that had been fractured with Declan, the asshole who convinced me to bargain myself away.
Some people looked at us and assumed that Hades built me into the woman I am. It’s not the truth. He simply gave me the platform and freedom to figure out who I was meant to be. To explore the dominant nature I dimmed for past partners, for the world itself. To lose myself in the freedom of submission.
We plotted and planned and together we boosted the Underworld into the hub of power in the center of Carver City that it is today. No one fucked with us, and that was partly because of my role, my plans, my help.
Until it all changed. Not at once. I didn’t even notice at first. Our conversations shortened and eventually stopped almost completely. Hades started shutting me out, and I didn’t know what to do but shut him out in return.
I know this man better than any other person in this world, but right now he feels like a stranger to me.
“Meg.”
I obey the command and look at him. So cold, those dark eyes behind his black frames. As cold as they were when I first came to the Underworld, before he let me in. It takes everything I have not to tense. “Yes, Sir?”
“It’s time.” His expression thaws as he looks at Aurora. “You did well.”
I can actually feel her blooming under his regard. I don’t blame her for it. Impossible not to feel like the sun has turned in your direction when his smile is warm and genuine. She sits up a little. “Thank you, Hades.”
“Would you like to watch what comes next?”
Aurora nods quickly. “Yes, please!”
“Meg.” A snap of command in his voice in response to my reluctance. I bite down a sigh and slide out from my spot. I round to the cedar chest on the other side of the chair and pull out a blanket. I take my time wrapping it around Aurora, partly to spite Hades, partly because I don’t want her to feel anything but warm and fuzzy about our scene.
I press a kiss to her forehead. “You good?”
She cuddles the blanket more firmly around her shoulders and beams at me. “I’m good.”
I take a deep breath and turn to face Hades. I don’t allow myself to look at Hercules, though I can feel his eyes on me. Hades raises an eyebrow, and I sink to my knees, my body obeying before my mind has a chance to catch up. I press my palms to my thighs and spread my legs the way he likes, keeping my gaze down.
He shifts out from behind Hercules and stands. Anyone else would struggle to their feet after sitting like that so long, but Hades is perpetually graceful. One of the many things that used to fill me with awe, but now is simply part of Hades. He circles me slowly, building anticipation. Building the smallest bit of fear. I know he’ll never harm me, not on purpose, and I have absolutely no doubts that he’ll respect my safe word. Hades might bend and manipulate and make deals with the worst people in existence, but he won’t cross this line. Not with me. Not with anyone.
He finally stops in front of me. “I think the cane.”
Even though I know better, shock has me raising my gaze. “What?”
“The cane, love.” He takes my chin in a gentle grip, his expression contemplative. “I think we both know you’ve earned it.”
I suck in a harsh breath. He means I’ve earned my punishment, though I honestly don’t know if he’s punishing me or Hercules. Canes are no joke. “Hades—”
He lifts a single brow, and I swallow my words back. I hate this. I hate that he’s using me as a way to bring Hercules down…
But a part of me unfurls in sheer joy at what comes next. I’m not a true masochist, but pain brings something extra to fucking that’s always delighted me. Canes are different, yes, but in my heart, I don’t think for a second that Hades will simply beat me and leave it at that, no matter what else he has going on in that wicked brain of his. First the pain, then the pleasure. Sometimes the two intermingle, but maybe this is as much test as punishment. How far can he push me while we’re both dancing on the edge of something truly devastating?
Only one way to find out.
I lick my lips. “I would love the cane, Sir.”
“Good girl.” His soft touch urges me to my feet. I already know our destination. There’s a stylized St. Andrew’s Cross tucked in the corner, the dark wood shiny and smooth. Hades waits for me to step up to it and then cuffs my wrists so my arms are extended on either side of my head. He gives my ankles the same treatment. I don’t have to look over my shoulder to know that both Aurora and Hercules have an excellent view. The room was arranged this way on purpose, after all.
Hades moves away, and I have to fight the urge to try and twist to follow his movement. It won’t work, and it will only drive my fear and anticipation higher. I press my lips together and focus on breathing.
Hades moves to the same chest I got the paddle from and takes his time going through the options. Drawing out the moment. “There are a thousand ways to beat a submissive, little Hercules. You saw one with Meg and our lovely Aurora. A paddle gives that nice meaty smack, that delightful shock of pain. Floggers are a personal favorite of mine as you’ll find out soon.” His voice drifts behind me, and I know he’s pacing, probably fondling that fucking cane while he does. “Canes are something special. I’m going to stripe our Meg’s ass, and you’re going to sit there without moving, no matter how lovely her cries are. Do you understand?”
“But—” Hercules sounds hoarse and worried.
“Do you understand?”
Silence for a beat, two. Finally, Hercules grinds out, “I understand.”
“Good.”
I jump as he smooths a hand down my spine. “Your safe word, love.”
“Cerberus.” Always, always reminding me that this is my choice, that I have an emergency exit if I need it. Some days I relish that power, of knowing I can put a stop to our play whenever I damn well want to. Some days, today, I wish he wouldn’t remind me that this is as much my choice as it is his. I choose this. I choose him. I helped damn Hercules to a lifetime deal, whether I meant to or not. It doesn’t matter. I didn’t ask questions. I was too intent on playing the game, of taking my pleasure out of it, to worry about consequences.
Maybe Hades is right. Maybe I do deserve the cane tonight.
I resent him more than a little in that moment, for knowing what I need even before I do.
The only warning I have is the whistle of the cane before he lands his first strike. The impact shocks my breath from my lungs and for one weightless moment, there’s no pain at all. That’s how I know it will hurt. I inhale and then the pain comes, washing my vision in red.