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“As much as you find disfavor with the title of queen, you are quick to act as one.”
He was frowning. “You doubt my love?”
“If there were no Fates, would you still want me?”
“Do you know how I knew the Fates made you for me?” His voice was a hoarse whisper,
“I could taste it on your skin, and the only thing I regret is that I have lived so long without you.”
His lips trailed along her jaw and across her cheek. She held her breath, leaning into his touch, seeking his mouth, but instead of kissing her, he stepped away. His sudden distance left her unsteady, and she leaned against the bookshelf for support. “What was that?” she demanded, glaring at him. He offered a dark chuckle, the corners of his mouth lifting. “Foreplay.”
“A moment, my darling.” “You won’t hurt him, will you?” “Not too terribly.”
I want to fuck you so hard your screams reach the ears of the living.
“Saw the news,” he said, grinning. “You and your boy toy are official.” Persephone glared. “Man toy?” he offered. She still glared.
“It came from the top,” he answered. “It was very clear that you either offer us your story or you don’t have a job here anymore.”
“I’m not a god. I don’t extract a favor for a favor.” He definitely has a history with the Divine, she
“What’s wrong with lover?” “It sounds so fleeting. Like I am nothing but your sex slave.” One corner of his lips curled. “What am I to call you, then? You have forbidden the use of my queen and my lady.” “Titles make me uncomfortable,” she said.
“Nothing is ever insignificant when it comes to you,” he said.
“I’m owed pleasure—hours of it.”
“I don’t make promises, Sybil.” Sybil frowned. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
He pulled away completely, no longer touching her. “Tell me why the name of my nephew is upon your lips?”
“Are you saying you wouldn’t fight for me?” Hades sighed and brushed his finger along her cheek. “Darling, I would burn this world for you.” He kissed her fiercely, violently, leaving her lips raw.
“You have a phone?” “For work, yes,” he said. “Why didn’t I know that?” He shrugged. “If I want you, I will find you.” “And what if I want you?” “Then you have only to say my name,” he said.
“It did not occur to me to tell you. I have existed so long alone, made every decision alone. I am not used to sharing anything with anyone.”
“Now, what else do you own?”
“Lots of morgues,”
“You’re serious?” “I am the God of the Dead,”
“Careful, mortal. I’m not above turning you into a goat for my own enjoyment.” “Your enjoyment?” Lexa cackled. “That would be the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“Just keep a lookout for pedestrians,” Persephone said. “I’ll give you ten points if you hit someone,” Hermes offered. “Is that supposed to entice me?” Lexa asked.
Zeus the sky, Poseidon the sea, and Hades the dead—they shared power over the earthly realm, which meant there was the potential that she and Hades had similar powers.
“I caught her fucking someone else. I was blind with anger. I turned her into a poplar tree.”
“You are my weakness, losing you is my greatest fear, and your love is my most treasured possession.”
Her anger boiled over, and it felt like she had fire in her veins as black thorns burst from the tile floor, moving for Hades like venomous snakes. But the God of the Underworld just waved his hand and the thorns turned to ash. He’d done it so easily, so quickly. Which meant all those times she’d used her magic against him, he’d just…let her.
“That was some walk,” Hermes scoffed. “Hades freaked the fuck out. He couldn’t find you or sense you anywhere. I’ve never seen him so…” “Angry?” Hermes looked at her like she was crazy. “No, distraught. This is the Underworld. His territory. He thought something bad had happened. He summoned every deity in the Underworld—and me—to look for you.”
“How can you say you wish for me to be your queen when, given the opportunity to treat me as your equal, you fuck it up completely? Does your word mean nothing?”
She would take him into her mouth until he bucked against her and then lick the come from his cock. When he kissed her, he would taste himself.
I know you want to save Lexa, but what will you destroy to get there?”
Hades materialized out of the darkness, surprising Persephone. She hadn’t felt him at all. His voice sounded calm and collected, but she felt his rage. “Are you threatening me, Kal?” he asked. “No…never!” The pitch of Kal’s voice changed, rising with his fear.
“This is sacred to me. You are sacred to me.
“If anyone can help Apollo become more compassionate, it’s you, Persephone.”
She led Apollo outside where the maypole was raised and the dead danced. It took her a moment, but she finally found him standing with a crowd of souls: Hyacinth, the young man Apollo loved. He was well-muscled and beautiful, with a swath of golden hair. When he smiled, his teeth gleamed; when he laughed, it was like music. She knew when Apollo saw him, because he stiffened beside her. “Go to him, Apollo,” she said. He hesitated and paled. “Does he remember…?” “He still loves you,” she said. “And he has forgiven you.”
I will love you forever. That’s what Fate is, Persephone. Fuck threads and colors…and fuck your uncertainty.”
“I’m not asking you to be a queen. I’m asking you to be yourself. I’m asking you to marry me. The title comes with our marriage. It changes nothing.” Persephone swallowed. “Are you asking me to marry you again?” “Will you?”
Hades and Leuce tangled together just as tightly as the branches overhead, the nymphs’ light illuminating their lovemaking.
skin. She saw nothing but red. She would destroy him. She would destroy her. She would destroy this world. Persephone screamed her rage, and everything around her began to wilt. The trees rotted before her eyes, the leaves withered and fell, the grass yellowed and faded until all the earth around her was barren. She would strip Hades’s world of life like he had stripped her of happiness.
“You would burn the world for me?”
Power gathered in her hands. “I will destroy it for you.”
“You halted Hades’s magic. You used his magic against him, Persephone. He is an ancient god, well-practiced.
“I suppose anything could happen. They might want you to become an Olympian, or…” “Or?” “They might perceive you as a threat.”
The knocking became excessive. Persephone approached; her heart stuttered in her chest. She peeked out the window and screamed. “Apollo!” she yelled. The god’s face was pressed against the glass. She threw open the door. “Why are you knocking?” “I am practicing respecting boundaries,” Apollo said. “Is this not a mortal custom?”
