A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone #1)(100)

“How do you know?” she asked.

“Don’t you think if he wanted me, he would have come for me?”

“Perhaps he was just giving you time,” she said.

Hecate looked away, down the pedestrian street, and Persephone followed her gaze. Her breath caught, and her heart pounded in her chest. Hades stood a few feet away. Dressed from head to toe in black, he had never looked more handsome. His gaze, dark and piercing, settled upon her, and it was the most vulnerable she’d ever seen him—he was hopeful but afraid.

Persephone rose from her chair. It took her a moment to get her legs moving. She stumbled forward, and then broke into a run. He caught her as she jumped into his arms, legs twining around his waist. He held her close, burying his face into the crook of her neck.

“I missed you,” he whispered.

“I missed you, too,” she said and then pulled back. She studied his face, brushing the curve of his cheek and the bow of his lips. “I'm sorry.”

“Me, too,” he said, and she realized he was studying her just as intently, like he was trying to memorize ever part of her. “I love you. I should have told you sooner. I should have told you that night in the bathes. I knew then.”

She smiled, her fingers coiling into his hair. “I love you, too.”

Their lips crashed together, and it was like the whole world melted away—though they were surrounded by a legion of people taking photos and filming. Hades broke the kiss, and Persephone looked both frustrated and slightly dazed.

“I wish to claim my favor, Goddess,” he said, his eyes darkened. Persephone’s heart hammered in her chest. “Come to the Underworld with me.”

She started to protest, but he silenced her with a kiss.

“Live between worlds,” he said. “But do not leave us forever—my people, your people, me.”

She blinked back tears—he understood. She would have the best of both worlds. She would have him.

Her smiled turned mischievous, and she smoothed his shirt. “I'm eager for a game of cards.”

The corners of his mouth twitched and his eyes darkened. “Poker?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“The stakes?”

“Your clothes,” she answered.

Then they vanished.





AUTHOR’S NOTE



I never thought I would write romance, but sometime in the last year, I became brave enough to do just that and it is fitting that I started with a retelling of Hades and Persephone.

I have always loved Greek Mythology. It’s creepy and violent and vicious, and when it came to the tale of Hades and Persephone, I was always intrigued by Persephone, who was the Goddess of Spring but also the Queen of the Underworld. She, like so many, straddled the light and the dark.

When I started writing about Hades and Persephone, I wrote short snippets—pieces of dialogue between the two that kept popping into my head so I started posting pieces on Tumblr. This was my first:

The garden is my solace.

It’s the only life in this horrid place—this dark desert.

The roses smell sweet. The wild flowers smell bitter. The stars shine bright.

In the back of my mind, I marvel at how he crafts such an illusion. How he can blend scents and texture—a master with his brush, stippling and smoothing.

As quick as awe descends, I scoff.

Of course he can stir the air and prick holes in the dark above so light shines through—he is a god.


And my jailer.

I could do better, I think bitterly. I could turn this death-scape into an oasis—the air would smell of spring, and this black canvas would be painted in vibrant, vivacious color.

But that would be a gift.

And I’m not in a giving mood.

The air changes. He is near. I have learned the feel of him. The ruler of the dead is not cold. He blazes, like a hearth in the dead of winter. I shiver as he casts me in his shadow and scent. He smells of pine—of home.

I curl my fingers into my gown.

He is everything I hate and everything I want.

The tone of this is very different from what I ended up writing, but the dynamics are still the same—an ancient god who takes pleasure in crafting his world and an envious goddess who both marvels and despises his work.

From this first scene, I started to ask questions and formulate my world and characters. I ended up with a Persephone who wants adventure and passion more than anything in the world. She wants desperately to be good at something and is very quick to judge Hades who she believes is abusing his power as a god by agreeing to bargain with mortals. I ended up with a Hades who was just as desperate for passion, and was very tired of being alone. When Persephone came along to challenge him, he does the opposite of what she expects and listens.

A Touch of Darkness is Hades and Persephone’s first book, but I plan to explore their story more. Persephone must embrace her power, both as the Goddess of Spring and eventually as the Queen of the Underworld, and Hades has secrets that will challenge the new life he wishes to lead with Persephone.

I’m so happy to finally share my version of the Hades and Persephone story with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Love,

Scarlett





About The Author

Scarlett St. Clair lives in Oklahoma with her husband. She has a Master’s degree in Library Science and Information Studies. She is obsessed with Greek Mythology, murder mysteries, love, and the afterlife. If you are obsessed with these things, then you’ll like her books.