A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone, #1)

by Scarlett St. Clair

“If you report to my mother anything but what I tell you, I will kill you.”

He smirked, and she could feel it deep in her gut. “Darling, I win either way.”

“For your benefit. Next time, the door will open for you. I’d rather you not piss Duncan off. If he hurts you again, I will have to kill him, and it’s hard to find a good ogre.”

“They say Hades is protective of his realm, and while that is true, it isn’t about power. He cares for his people, protects them, and he takes it personally if anyone is harmed. If you belong to him, he will tear the world apart to save you.”

“Hmm. I think you are the Goddess of Sexual Frustration.” Persephone barked laughter. “I think that’s Aphrodite.” “Did I say sexual frustration? I meant Hades’s sexual frustration.”

“Thank you,” she said curtly. “But I don’t think I want to wear something one of your lovers has also worn.” She wished he would have told her there were no lovers, but instead he frowned and said, “It’s either this or nothing at all, Persephone.” “You wouldn’t.” “What? Undress you? Happily, and with far more enthusiasm than you realize, my lady.”

When she finally pulled away, it was to nibble at his ear. “You will worship me,” she said and rolled her hips against him. His hands dug into her skin, and she moved in, her cheek brushing his as she whispered. “And I won’t even have to order you.”

“Why am I naked?” Persephone asked. “Because you insisted on it,” he answered in a voice void of the barely restrained desire he’d exhibited in the limo. She didn’t have many memories from last night, but she was sure she’d never forget the press of Hades’s fingers into her thighs or the delicious friction that sent shock waves through her body. “You were very determined to seduce me.” Persephone blushed fiercely and averted her gaze. “Did we—” Hades laughed darkly, and Persephone clenched her teeth so hard, her jaw hurt. Why was he laughing? “No, Lady Persephone. Trust me, when we fuck, you’ll remember.” When? “Your arrogance is alarming.” His eyes flashed. “Is that a challenge?”

“Drop your glamour.” He looked at her curiously. She shrugged a shoulder. “You want to fuck me with this crown. I want to fuck a god.” His smirk was devilish, and he answered, “As you wish.”

“Tell me you lied,” he said. “I thought words meant nothing.” He gave her a bruising kiss, and his touch lifted heat from her skin, searing a path everywhere he went. “Your words matter,” he said. “Only yours.”

“I’m not interested in romanticizing Hades for doing something all men should be doing.”

Respect could build an empire. Trust could make it unbreakable. Love could make it last forever.

Persephone had no difficulty convincing Lexa to have Hades over for an evening of food, baking, and movies. In fact, she screamed when Persephone brought it up, which summoned Jaison from her room armed with a lamp, his blue-gray eyes wide and his dark brown curls wild. He looked ready for a fight, and when the girls saw him, they laughed. Jaison lowered the lamp. “I heard someone scream.” “And you were going to save me with a lamp?” Lexa asked. “It was the heaviest thing I could find,” he said defensively.

She turned to face him and found he was leaning against the counter, arms crossed over his chest. He was absolutely breathtaking, and she wanted to laugh because he was standing in her ugly kitchen making cookies. “Well, get over here. You can’t learn from there.” Hades raised a brow, smirking, and approached. She hadn’t expected him to stand so close, but he came up behind her, cradling her body with his, hands braced on either side of her. His mouth touched her ear, warm and honeyed. “Please, instruct.”

When the icing was made, they divided it into separate bowls and mixed food coloring into them. Persephone was not the cleanest baker, and by the time they finished incorporating all the colors, her fingers were covered in icing. Hades reached for her hand. “How does it taste?” he asked and drew her fingers deep into his mouth, sucking them clean. He groaned. “Delicious.”

“Do you know what a corpse lily is, Adonis?” He glared at her and didn’t speak. “Don’t make me repeat myself, mortal.” She dropped her glamour and took a threatening step forward. “Yes or no?” Adonis’s eyes widened, and he wiggled away, whimpering, “No.” “Pity. It is a parasitic flower that smells like decaying flesh. I’m sure you’re wondering what this has to do with you. Well, it’s a wager. If you touch any woman without consent, I will turn you into one.” Adonis went pale but managed to glare at her. “A wager usually implies I get something in return.” She shook her head at his stupidity. “You do.” She leaned close. “Your life.” For emphasis, she held Minthe—the newly transformed mint plant—aloft, examining its green leaves. “She’ll make a fine addition to my garden.”

Demeter glared. “So this is it? You have come to tell me you’ve chosen Hades over me?” “No, I came to tell you that I forgive you…for everything.” Demeter’s expression was one of contempt. “You forgive me? It is you who should be begging for my forgiveness. I did everything for you!” “I don’t need your forgiveness to live an unburdened life, and I most certainly will not beg for it.”

“You’re saying that”—Hades pointed to the mint plant—“is my assistant?” “Yes.” He didn’t look at the plant but at her. “And why is my assistant a plant, Persephone?” “Because”—She averted her eyes and admitted—“She upset me.”

“I have waited lifetimes for you,” he said as if it was an oath he was swearing upon every star in the sky, every drop of water in the ocean, every soul in the entire universe. “I know it.”