A Game of Retribution (Hades Saga, #2)

by Scarlett St. Clair

But Persephone was more than that—she was an addiction. A craving he could not sate.

engorged flesh,

horrible words btw

“Trust, my darling, that leaving you is the hardest decision I make each day.”

“Do not be upset with me when it is you who could not perform.”

lmao

“Are you saying you would forgo the chance to punish a false oracle who sacrifices cats for divine favor?” Hecate cringed noticeably. “How criminal. I’ll be ready in ten minutes.”

Hecate had transformed many of Acacius’s men into topiaries. “I think they look better this way,” she said. “I trimmed them after.” Hades raised a brow. “I’m assuming they did something to deserve this?” She shrugged. “They didn’t like cats.”

my best friend

“Boo!” Hades whirled and punched Hermes in the face. The God of Mischief stumbled back and clamped his hands over his nose. “Motherfucker! Why did you do that?” he demanded. “You scared me,” Hades said simply, lips curling at the sight of the god’s pain. “I did not,” Hermes said, dropping his hands. Any evidence of the strike to the face was already healed. “You wanted to punch me.”

best friends

“Dionysus’s club?” Hermes asked. “Why would I go there?” Hades raised a brow. “Orgies.” Hermes’s mouth opened and then closed before crossing his arms over his chest. “I was there last week. Why?”

lmao

“Tell Dionysus I’d be happy to chat about his recent acquisition at a time that is most convenient for him.” “No one talks like that anymore, Hades.” “I just did,” he replied. “And look how long it took you to get a girlfriend.”

LMAO

“Besides, would Apollo really mess with what’s yours?” She really had no idea.

well yes!

The next mortal was a man, desperate for money, who offered Hades the pick of the hetairai employed within his brothel. Hades raised a brow. “I have no interest.” The man’s face fell. “But, my lord, no singular woman can meet a man’s needs.”

like why would you think insulting his girl is the way to go

I didn’t see you jumping to help us save that girl’s life, God of the Dead.” “I highly doubt you wanted my intervention, Detective. It’s in the name.”

“Hiding anything else under that dress?” “Wouldn’t you like to know?” “By the gods, I think I’m going to vomit,” Hades said. “Now you know how the rest of us feel about you and your lover,” Dionysus said, finally looking at Hades.

lmao

Dionysus left the bathroom first, and Hades gestured for Ariadne to follow. “Ladies first,” he said. “What a gentleman,” she replied dryly.

i think he’s supposed to be hot but all i can pictured is mr. d from pjo

“I cannot find her,” he said, his voice shaking, his heart racing. “I cannot feel her.”

“I’m talking to you, aren’t I?” Hades pointed out. “Hardly, and I’m your best friend.” It was Hades’s turn to raise a brow. “Don’t deny it. Do you ask Hecate for fashion advice?”

hehe

crowned with dark curls and dark eyes

apollo is the most blond hair blue eyed bitch i’ve ever met bffr

“Speak further, Nephew, and you will have no reason to fear her threat, because I will tear you to pieces.”

“Imagine all that warmth in your hands. Imagine it glowing. Imagine it so bright you can barely look at it.” It was how he saw her—a moon, a star, a sun, a sky at the center of his universe.

I am young and rash. How could you want me?”

:(

“I will forever regret my anger. How could I ever question your love? Your trust? Your word? When you have my heart.”

“Fuck privacy. I needed you, needed to know you still wanted me despite…everything.”

taking a few straight shots of whiskey.

nasty

The goddess looked triumphant, a smile curving her cold face. “Well done, Hades,” she said. “Your next trial will not have the luxury of time.”

hera is a bitch in every universe.

“See what my brother is up to,” Hades instructed. “Which one?” “The wet one.”

ew

This was a situation of choice on Lexa’s behalf. To interfere, to bring her back when she was not ready, or worse, did not want to come, would mean a harrowing return to the world of the living. The consequences were endless.

you have to TELL HER THIS.

“Hmm…so much for being best friends.” Hermes’s eyes and mouth opened, and Hades did not know if it was from the shock of him using those words or the thought of actually losing his friendship, but after a moment, his gaze narrowed, and his lips pressed thin.

oh don’t be mean to my pookie

Hermes seemed more on edge, and with good reason, because in the next second, Hades had him pressed against the wall by his neck. The god’s hand clamped down on Hades’s arm and he laughed nervously. “This was far less scary in my dreams.”

he’s so funny

“You’re being a little dramatic, don’t you think?” Hades asked. Hermes straightened and glared. “You just pinned me against a wall and not in a good way!”

“Get wet, Daddy Death,” Hermes said.

crazy

Hades looked down, noting he was almost covered in the gold dust. Hermes, who was bent eye level with his abs, looked up and grinned. Whatever he saw in Hades’s gaze made him hesitate. “I think I’m done,” he said, clearing his throat and straightening.

he’s just a little twink

“If you continue to project your doubt on her, then you do not deserve a future with her.”

get em

“Will his face scar?” she asked. Hades did not know why she asked, but he answered nevertheless. “It will if you wish it.” “I wish it.”

“Shh,” Persephone soothed, mocking. “It could be worse. I am tempted to send you to Tartarus.” There was a strange pride associated with those words, and Hades found them welling in his chest.

“Rosie here will do,” Helios said, patting her back. “With her, I can breed a new herd.” Hades curled his lip in disgust.

dawg

It wasn’t that the Amazons hated men; they found them unnecessary for anything outside of sustaining their society, so to seek one out beyond necessity was considered shameful.

are they all girl kissers?

“I could hardly deny her request when she had razor-sharp thorns pointed at my nether regions.” Hades’s mood lightened at that comment, and he almost smiled at the image of Apollo being castrated by Persephone’s magic.

lmao

Then he remembered that he had probably been naked during this entire encounter and frowned.

LMAO

“You should know that your actions have condemned Lexa to a fate worse than death,” he said, then left Persephone behind in Nevernight.

get ur ass back there right now.

with the same god who had fucked his former lover,

not that she knows that, bc you didn’t tell her.

“She should trust me.” “Fuck you, Hades.”

HIT HIM AGAIN FOR MEEEEEE

“You think her darkness cannot love yours? She was made for you.”

“This was a mistake,” he said. “I… Sorry.” He started to leave when Aphrodite’s presence flashed as she teleported closer to prevent him from going. “Did you just apologize, Hades?” she asked. He did not speak, and a smile curved her lips. “Something must be wrong,” she said. “Come.”

lol

“I am not broody,” Hades replied, crossing his arms over his chest. “You are, and sometimes it’s hot, but right now, it’s just pathetic.”

lmao

“I thought you didn’t take sides,” Hades replied. “Yeah, well, fuck anyone who sides with Hera,” Dionysus said.

amen

More importantly, I love you—deeply, endlessly. If you walked away from me today, I would love you still. I will love you forever. That’s what Fate is, Persephone. Fuck threads and colors…and fuck your uncertainty.”

“I wasn’t sure I would hear those words again,” he admitted, unprepared for the shock those words would have on Persephone, who immediately began to cry. “I never stopped,” she whispered.

sick

“You missed an opportunity, Lord Hades.” He quirked a brow in question. “I could have sat on your lap.”

hehehe

It was difficult for Hades to remain stoic when he had never watched anything more entertaining in his entire life than this—Demeter on her knees in his realm, seething.

The God of the Sky was in his backyard, a golf club clasped between his enormous hands as he attempted to hit a small white ball by twisting his entire body around.

bro ew