A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone #1)(16)

“And what does that mean?” Her voice was still biting.

“It means I must choose terms,” he said.

“I don’t want to be in a contract with you,” she said between her teeth. “Take it off!”

“I can’t.”

“You put it there, you can remove it.”

His lips twitched.

“You think this is funny?”

“Oh, darling, you have no idea.”

The word darling slid across her skin and she shivered again. He seemed to notice because he smiled a little bit more.

“I am a goddess,” she tried again. “We are equals.”

“You think our blood changes the fact that you willingly entered into a contract with me? These things are law, Persephone.” She glared at him. “The mark will dissolve when the contract has been fulfilled.” He said it like that should make it all better.

“And what are your terms?” Just because she was asking didn’t mean she was going to agree.

Hades jaw was tight. He seemed to be restraining himself. Maybe he wasn’t used to being ordered around. When he lifted his head and stared down at her, she knew she was in trouble.

“Create life in the Underworld,” he said at last.

“What?” She hadn’t been prepared for that, though she probably should have been. Wasn’t her greatest weakness her lack of power? An irony considering her Divinity.

“Create life in the Underworld,” he said again. “You have six months—and if you fail or refuse, then you will become a permanent resident of the Underworld.”

“You want me to grow a garden in your realm?” she asked, shocked.

He shrugged. “I suppose that is one way to create life.”

She glared at him. “If you steal me away to the Underworld, you will face my mother’s wrath.”

“Oh, I am sure,” he mused. “Much like you will feel her wrath when she discovers what you’ve so recklessly done.”

Persephone’s cheeks flushed. He was right. The difference between them was that Hades didn’t seem at all fazed by the threat. Why should he be? He was one of the three—the most powerful gods in existence. A threat from Demeter was a pebble thrown.

She straightened, raising her chin and meeting his gaze head on. “Fine.”

Then she felt the pressure of Hades hand on her wrist like a shackle and tore her hand free.

“When do I start?”

Hades eyes glittered. “Come tomorrow. I’ll show you the way to the Underworld.”

“It will have to be after class,” she said.

“Class?”

“I’m a student New Athens University.”

Hades looked at her curiously and nodded his head. “After...class, then.”

They stared at each other for a long moment. As much as she hated him right now, it was hard not to enjoy the sight of him.

“What about your bouncer?”

“What about him?”

“I’d prefer he not remember me in this form,” she said, indicating to her horns. Then she called up her glamour. It relaxed her a little, to be in her mortal form. Hades watched the transformation as if he were studying the form of an ancient sculpture.

“I’ll erase his memory of you...after he is punished for his treatment of you.”

Persephone shivered. “He did not know I was a goddess.”

“But he knew you were a woman and he let his anger get the best of him,” Hades said. “So he will be punished.”

Hades said it matter-of-fact, and she knew there was no arguing.

“What will it cost me?” she asked because she knew who she was dealing with, and she had just requested a favor from the God of the Dead.

His lips twitch.

“Clever, darling. You know how this works. The punishment? Nothing. His memory? A favor.”

“Don’t call me darling,” she snapped. “What kind of favor?”

“Whatever I want,” he said. “To be used at a future time.”

She considered this for a moment. What would Hades want from her? What could she possibly have to offer him? Maybe it was that thought that made her agree, or the fear that her mother would discover she’d showed her true form. Either way, she said, “Deal.”

Hades smiled.

“I will have my driver take you home,” he said.

“That’s not necessary.”

“It is.”

She pressed her lips together. “Fine,” She gritted out. She didn’t really feel like taking the bus again, but the idea that Hades would know where she lived was unsettling.

Then the god clasped her shoulders, leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead. The move was so sudden, she lost her balance. Her fingers tangled into his shirt to steady herself, nails grazing the skin of his chest. His body was hard and warm and his lips were soft on her skin. When he pulled away, she couldn’t gather herself enough to be angry.

“What was that for?” she asked, her voice a quiet whisper.

Hades maintained that infuriating smirk, like he knew she couldn’t think straight, and brushed a finger across her heated cheek.

“For your benefit. Next time, the door will open for you. I’d rather you not piss Duncan off. If he hurts you again, I will have to kill him, and it’s hard to find a good ogre.”