A Game of Fate (Hades Saga #1)(91)

Hades slapped the god, who looked shocked.

“This isn’t a dream, Hermes.”

They stared at one another, and in the silence, Hades raised a brow. “Top five, huh?”

Hermes lifted his chin and cleared his throat. “What did you need?

“First, I think we can agree that neither one of us will disclose what goes on here tonight?”

The god’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. “Oh my gods, I really am dreaming.”

“Hermes!” Hades snapped. “I need…fashion advice!”

“Oh.” He blinked and then broke into a grin. “Why didn’t you say so?”

Hades glared at the god. He should have downed a bottle before summoning the god. After a moment, he explained. “Persephone is teaching me to bake. What do I wear?”

“She’s teaching you to bake?” Surprised colored Hermes’ voice. “And you’re participating? Willingly?”

Hades glared.

“You must really love her.”

“Hermes,” Hades warned. If he had to say the god’s name one more time, he’d send him to Tartarus for the night.

He seemed to get the hint and straightened. “Right. Casual, baking date.”

He dashed to Hades’ closet.

“Why do you only wear suits?” Hermes complained. “What do you sleep in?”

“Nothing,” Hades answered. “What’s the point?”

Clothing was hot, and it meant more layers to get to what he wanted, even when Persephone was not sleeping beside him.

Hermes sighed. “You are impossible. Hold on.”

He vanished for a moment and returned with a black shirt and a pair of grey sweatpants.

“What are those?” Hades asked, voice dripping with judgement.

“Clothes,” Hermes said. “Casual clothes. Not that I expect you to know the definition of casual, Mr. Suit and Tie.”

He shoved them at Hades’ chest. “Change.”

He glowered at Hermes as he made his way to the bathroom. When he returned, Hermes clapped his hands.

“Perfect! You’re ready to bake!” Then the god shook his head. “I never thought those words would come out of my mouth.”

Hades pulled at the shirt, and Hermes swatted his hands away. “Stop! You don’t want Sephy to know I dressed you, do you?”

“Sephy?”

“What? It’s her nickname.”

Hades wasn’t sure how he felt about the fact that Hermes had a nickname for his lover.

“Go before Persephone thinks you changed your mind!” Hermes said. “Oh, and I’ll take payment in cookies!”

He sung the last word before vanishing, and Hades had never been so glad to be rid of a god in his life.

***

Hades appeared outside Persephone’s apartment door and knocked. It opened immediately, and he wondered if she had been standing on the other side, waiting for his arrival.

She offered him an appraising look, but her eyes quickly narrowed.

“Did you own those before today?” She pointed to the sweatpants.

She knew him well, and he grinned, admitting, “No.”

She stepped aside, and he squeezed through the door. It reminded him of how he was not made for mortal dwellings. The doors were too short, the walkways too narrow, but he didn’t mind the closeness with Persephone so near. She stared up at him, almost like she couldn’t believe he had shown up.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

She gave a quick smile and stepped around him, taking his hand in hers and dragging him into the living room, where her best friend, Lexa, sat on a couch with a man Hades did not know.

“Um, Hades this is Lexa, my best friend, and Jaison, her boyfriend.”

Jaison waved. Hades could sense his unease and awkwardness, but he was a good enough man, gentle and unassuming—the opposite of Lexa, who was bold and energetic. She approached him fearlessly and threw her arms around his waist in a hug.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.

Hades wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“Very few have ever spoken those words.”

But he appreciated them.

“So long as you treat my best friend right, I’ll continue to be happy to see you,” she said with a grin.

“Noted, Lexa Sideris.” He grinned and bowed. “May I say, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

Lexa blushed and cleared her throat, glancing at Persephone before exclaiming, “So! Are you all going to make cookies? That’s not code for something, is it?”

Hades hoped it was code for something.

Like sex.

But Persephone was quick to dash that hope by rolling her eyes. “No, Lexa, it’s not code from something.” She took Hades’ hand and pulled him toward the kitchen. “We better get started!”

It occurred to him that she had gotten more comfortable touching him, and he wasn’t sure at what point that had begun, but he liked it.

Persephone’s kitchen was small and bathed in fluorescent light. She had already prepared a few things—bowls, a set of mismatched measuring cups, and a cookbook. Hades glanced at the page.

“We will be making sugar cookies?” he asked.

“My favorite,” she said, pulling her bottom lip into her mouth. He really wished she wouldn’t do that. It made him hard, and that kept him distracted.