The Power of Hades (The Hades Trials, #1)

by Eliza Raine

“In my experience, the prettiest men are the best ones to avoid,” I told her.

“No. He swore after his first wife that he would never remarry, but he upset Zeus in a pretty big way recently. And the big man's punishments cut deep.”

“You forget, brother, she has the potential to be dangerous. Your games should not go this far,” said Poseidon, his piercing blue eyes not leaving me as he spoke. “Dangerous?” I echoed. “Dangerous,” he repeated, something in his expression making me want to be someplace else, and fast.

“Let me guess,” I said, feeling an unhinged smile take over my face. If I could have any power in the world what would it be? That was easy. “I can make plants grow?” Hecate looked at me, her brows drawing together. “How'd you know that?” “Because Hades left her love of nature when he sent her to the mortal world,” said Hera, so quietly I barely heard her.

“Hades!” I distantly heard Hecate's voice. “She doesn't have her power, you're going to kill her!”

“Hades is the Lord of the Dead. He's the most fearsome of all the Olympians, although not the strongest, and his rage would cause any human to see death.

“Harm a single hair on her body and we'll find out once and for all which king is strongest,” hissed a voice, at the same time as my skin felt like it was being covered in ice. A smoky form shimmered into existence beside Zeus and tension literally crackled through the air. Then Zeus slowly began to shrink, the tension easing as his size decreased.

I had no idea what I thought was funny, but the longer I held the boring feather, the more amused I felt.

stay here. “I admire your choice. You know, pomegranate seeds can be eaten.” I frowned. “I'd rather plant them.” “Trust me, my Queen. You'd rather eat them.”

“You'll see him soon enough,” Skop said, trotting about in a little circle on the covers, then settling down in a tight ball. “I doubt that. He just told me never to talk to him again.” “Which is angry-man-god-speak for: I'd very much like to have sex with you.”

“People only see smoke,” I said. “He wasn't always like that,” she answered quietly. Something in my stomach tightened. “What happened?” I asked, but deep in my gut, I already knew the answer. “You.”

“Persephone, you can do anything you want to do. You have no idea of your potential.”

“The wrong foot? Explain to me how there could possibly be any other kind of foot? You kidnapped me!” “That was when I thought you were just a useless little mortal human. I can see now, you may have lost your powers, but you kept your spirit.”

“You brought me here to upset Hades, right? Because he doesn't want me here. When you abducted me,” I paused to glare at him, 'what were you hoping to achieve?” “Honestly, I didn't really think it through,” he shrugged, the mischievous gleam back in his eye. “I didn't even expect to find you.”

“I like to see a woman as beautiful as you enjoying using her senses.” His voice was low and husky, and heat flooded my core.

“If what you're saying is true, why don't you want me to be your wife again?” Saying the word wife out loud felt weird and I instantly regretted it. “Persephone, please. I can't answer that.”

“You must remember that gods have enormous egos. Most will try to win you over. There is no satisfaction in taking something they haven't won.”

“I am honored to call you my guest,” I said respectfully. He flicked his eyes around at the folk still crowded close to us, and suddenly the chatter of the room fell away. It was like I was wearing earplugs. “You and I were friends, once. I know you don't remember that, but I won't forget it,” Hermes said,

“You're right, I am broken,” Eris said, her voice almost a purr. “You've no idea how broken I am. And how much I enjoy breaking others.”

“That makes me a fucking mystery,” I smiled at her, and stood up, pushing my chair back. The whole room turned to me and I raised my glass before Eris could say another word.

little, and I needed more. “I hate this place,” I whispered and he flinched. “Please, please make me understand how this was once my home. Because I know it was. I know you were.” “It wasn't always like this. It was before you came, and it was again after you left. But when you were here...” His eyes bore into mine. “You brought light, and life, to a place where I thought none could exist.”

He loved me. I could see it in his face, hear it in his broken voice, feel it in his electrifying touch. All this time, all those years alone in New York, and someone, somewhere, loved me this much. And I never knew.

“You do not have long before Hades' rage kills you, Persephone. There is only one way you may survive.”