A Game of Retribution (Hades Saga #2)(47)

She smirked and bent to taste his flesh, and he lost all sense of his surroundings. He’d hoped to maintain some measure of control but found himself twisting his fingers into her hair, urging her to take him deeper. She didn’t seem to mind, rising to the challenge of his need.

“Fuck,” he groaned as he hit the back of her throat, and she released him, breathing hard only to continue using her hands and mouth to pleasure him.

He did not last long after that, coming hard into her mouth. After a few moments, she climbed his body and kissed him, and he rolled so that she was beneath him.

“Such a gift,” he whispered, stroking her face. “How shall I repay you?”

“Gifts don’t require payment, Hades.”

“Another gift, then,” he said and returned his mouth to hers. She drew her legs up and her hands moved between them, guiding him into her heat.

“This is what I want,” she said, her legs tightening around his waist.

“Who am I to deny a queen?” he said and lost himself in the feel of her, in the way her body moved with his as they lay in her meadow surrounded by their magic.





Chapter XIII

At the Island of Euboea

Hades was almost asleep. His mind focused only on the continuous circles he drew on Persephone’s skin, whose weight made his body heavy. They had stopped speaking when their responses had grown languid and short, and now they rested in a content silence.

“I’ll mentor Leuce.”

Hades opened his eyes and peered at her. She stared back, almost sheepishly, probably unsure of what he would say. Hades had to admit, he didn’t really know what to think. How long had she been considering this, and what exactly had brought it on?

“I’m not sure how I feel about this,” he admitted.

“Me either,” she said but did not elaborate. Instead, she added, “And I need you to give her a place to stay and her job back. Please.”

Of course he would agree. Still, he wanted to know why she’d offered to help his former lover.

“Why do you wish to mentor her?”

It took her a moment to respond, and she averted her eyes as she searched for her answer, her chin resting on her hands.

Finally, she said, “Because I think I know how she feels.”

His mood darkened a little. “Explain.”

She shrugged and the movement caused a lock of her hair to fall over her shoulder. “She’s been a tree for thousands of years. Suddenly, she’s normal again and the whole world has changed. It’s…scary…and I know how that feels.”

He could see how she might believe they had something in common.

Persephone’s mother had kept her hidden away from the world until she was eighteen, only letting her explore beyond the borders of her glass greenhouse on a short leash. She was just now learning what she wanted to believe and who she wanted to be as a woman and a goddess.

Still, while they might have this in common, Hades could not imagine two more different people than Persephone and Leuce.

“You want to mentor my former lover?”

She groaned. “Don’t make me regret this, Hades.”

“I don’t want you to, but are you sure?”

Hades liked the way her lips pouted as she frowned. Still, she didn’t look at him as she spoke. “It’s weird, I admit, but…she’s a victim. I want to help her.”

He might have winced at her words, but he knew she was right, and even when Leuce had returned, he had failed to help her the way she deserved.

Yet Persephone was willing.

Hades drew her gaze back to his. “You amaze me.”

She smiled and shook her head. “I am not amazing. I wanted to punish her at first.”

“But you didn’t,” he said, letting his hand fall to her jaw. “There are no other gods like you.”

“I haven’t lived long enough to be jaded like the rest of you,” she said and laughed. “Perhaps I’ll end up like the others before long.”

“Or perhaps you will change the rest of us,” Hades replied.

They were still for a few seconds, then Persephone sat up, her hands planted on his chest, which made her breasts bounce. She rocked back so that her soft, wet center slid over his full, hard cock. Hades gritted his teeth, suppressing the urge to groan, to grip her hips and help her move.

“Eager for more, my lady?” he asked.

When she smiled, he smiled too.

“Actually, I’m afraid I must make a few demands,” she said, lifting herself and guiding him into her body with a pleasurable sigh.

Hades could no longer stand not touching her. His hands dug into her thighs. He’d give her anything if she just kept moving.

“Yes?” he hissed.

“I don’t want to be placed in a suite on the other side of the palace, ever.”

Never, Hades thought as she slammed down on him.

“Not to get ready for balls. Not when you are angry with me. Not ever.”

He closed his eyes for a few seconds, gathering thoughts that were so scattered, he could barely string a sentence together.

“I thought you would want privacy,” he managed to grit out.

She paused, and Hades opened his eyes to find her bent over, lips hovering just over his. He took the opportunity to lift his knees, settling into her just a little more.