A Game of Fate (Hades Saga #1)(74)

“So, you will continue to write about my faults?” he asked, once they were alone.

“I don’t know what I’m going to write this time,” she admitted. “I…”

“You what?” He hadn’t meant to snap, but he could not hide his frustration on this topic, and Persephone narrowed her eyes.

“I hoped I might be able to interview a few of your souls.”

“The ones on your list?” He would never forget that list, would never forget those names, as each one brought a different kind of pain.

“I don’t want to write about the Olympian Gala or The Halcyon Project,” she explained. “All the other newspapers will jump on those stories.”

Of course they would, and she wanted to be unique, wanted to stand out among the crowd. Define herself as she had never been defined before. He knew what she wanted—to be good at something, but not just anything. She wanted to be good at something she chose, because she wasn’t good at the thing she was born to be. He considered saying that aloud, the words were on the tip of his tongue, but he knew they would hurt her so he wiped his mouth and stood to leave, but Persephone followed after him.

“I thought we agreed we wouldn’t leave each other when we’re angry?” Her words halted him. “Didn’t you request that we work through it?”

He faced her, and replied honestly, “It’s just that I’m not particularly excited that my lover is continuing to write about my life.”

“It’s my assignment,” she said defensively. “I can’t just stop.”

“It wouldn’t have been your assignment if you had heeded my request.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, and he couldn’t help letting his gaze fall there, but what she said held his attention more than her breasts. “You never request anything, Hades. Everything is an order. You ordered me not to write about you. You said there would be consequences.”

“And yet,” he said, with as much admiration as possible. “You went through with it anyway.”

She had not been afraid of him. She was a rare breed.

“I should have expected it.” He tipped her head back with a finger. “You are defiant and angry with me.”

“I’m not—”

He cut her off, cupping her face. “Shall I remind you that I can taste lies, darling?” He stared at her lips, brushing them with his thumb, and said in a low voice, “I could spend all day kissing you.”

“No one’s stopping you,” she replied, her lips touching his as she spoke.

He chuckled and did as she wished—kissed her. Drawing his arm around her waist, he lifted her onto the table and stepped between her legs. He worked each nipple through her peplos until they were beaded and hard, while his hands dipped between her thighs to explore her satin flesh. Soon she was calling his name, legs spread wide on the edge of his dining table, her head thrown back, leaving her neck taut and exposed. He kissed her there, sucking the skin until it was purple in color, and when she came, he withdrew his fingers and brought them to his mouth.

Hades groaned. “You taste like you belong to me.”

A smile tipped the corners of her lips, but she lowered her head and looked away.

“Do not be embarrassed,” he said, guiding her chin up so she would meet his gaze. “We will speak as lovers speak.”

Her eyes grew dark. “And how do lovers speak?”

He paused a moment and then answered, “Honestly.”

She gazed at him, her legs still spread as if inviting him. She looked sweet and feverish.

“You want honesty?” she whispered, voice husky, shivering down his spine. “You once said you would erase the memory of Adonis from my skin. You swore it, seared your own name upon my lips. Now I will do the same. I will erase the memory of every woman from your mind.”

Darling, he wanted to say. You are the only woman in my mind. But he kept quiet as she swore her oath, his heart and cock swelling with every single fucking word. She drew her legs around his waist, heels digging into his ass.

“I want you inside me,” she said. “Fuck me, say my name as you come. Dream of me, and only me, for the rest of eternity.”

“Yes,” he hissed, as his hips surged forward. It was everything he’d wanted, a prayer answered by the Fates, and as he gave her exactly what she asked for, he prayed to them and threatened them.

Take her, and I will destroy this world. Take her, and I will destroy you. Take her, and I will end us all.

When they left the dining hall, he did so with a smile on his face, and his thoughts on her article aggravated him less, so he felt like that was some sort of victory. He led Persephone outside, their fingers laced, and called for Thanatos.

The God of Death appeared instantly, his pale features glared against his black robes. When he manifested, his expression was severe, and Hades imagined it was because the god had assumed he was being summoned to discuss Sisyphus. The mortal had weighed heavily on both of their minds.

But then his eyes settled on Persephone and softened.

“My lord, my lady.” He bowed.

“Thanatos, Lady Persephone has a list of souls she’d like to meet. Would you mind escorting her?”

“I would be honored, my lord.”

Hades used their entwined hands to draw her toward him. “I will leave you in Thanatos’ care.”