A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone #1)(35)

For a moment, she felt panicked, like she was intruding or seeing something she wasn’t meant to see—this moment of abandon where he was engaged in something so...mortal.

It ignited something low in her stomach, a fluttering that spread to her chest.

Hades threw the ball, his strength and power evident in how impossibly far it went.

The hounds bolted and Hades laughed, deep and loud. She froze. It was warm like his skin and echoed in her chest.

Then the god turned and his eyes found Persephone immediately, as if he were drawn to her. Her eyes widened as she took him in. His skin was sun-kissed and her eyes trailed from his broad shoulders to the deep v of his abs. He was beautiful—a work of art, carefully sculpted. When she managed to look at his face again, she found Hades smirking, and she quickly averted her eyes, blushing.

Hecate marched forward, like she wasn’t even fazed by Hades’ physique.

“You know they never behave for me after you spoil them,” Hecate said.

Hades grinned. “They grow lazy under your care, Hecate.”

Then his eyes slid to Persephone. “I see you have met the Goddess of Spring.”

“Yes, and she is quite lucky I did. How dare you not warn her to stay away from the Lethe!”

Hades eyes widened, and Persephone tried not to smile at Hecate’s tone. When the Goddess of Witchcraft was finished lecturing the Hades, his eyes fell on Persephone. She felt flushed under his gaze.

“It seems I owe you an apology, Lady Persephone.”

Persephone wanted to tell him he owed her far more—but she couldn’t make her mouth worked. The way Hades looked at her took her breath away. She swallowed hard, and was relieved when a horn sounded in the distance. Persephone watched both Hecate and Hades turn in its direction. “I am being summoned,” she said.

“Summoned?”

Hecate smiled. “The judges are in need of my advice.”

Persephone didn’t understand, and Hecate didn’t explain. “My dear, call the next time you are in the Underworld. We’ll return to Asphodel.”

“I would love that,” Persephone said.

With that, Hecate vanished, leaving her alone with Hades.

“Why would the Judges need Hecate’s advice?”

Hades cocked his head to the side, as if he were trying to decide whether he should tell her the truth.

“Hecate is the Lady of Tartarus,” Hades explained, “And particularly good at deciding punishments for the wicked.”

Persephone shivered. “Where is Tartarus?”

“I would tell you if I thought you would use the knowledge to avoid it.”

“You think I want to visit your torture chamber?”

He leveled his dark gaze upon her.

“I think you are curious,” he said. “And eager to prove I am as the world assumes, a deity to be feared.”

“You are afraid I will write about what I see.”

He chuckled. “Fear is not the word, darling.”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course, you fear nothing.”

Hades responded by reaching to pluck a flower from her hair. “Did you enjoy Asphodel?”

“I did,” she said smiling. She couldn’t help it. Everyone had been so kind. “Your souls...they seem so happy.”

“You are surprised?”

“Well you aren’t exactly known for your kindness,” Persephone said, and then regretted the harshness of her words.

Hades’ jaw tightened, and then he said, “I’m not known for my kindness to mortals. There is a difference.”

“Is that why you play games with their lives?” she asked.

Hades’ eyes narrowed, and she could feel the tension rise between them, like the restless waters of the Styx.

“I seem to recall advising that I would answer no more of your questions.”

Persephone’s mouth fell open. “You cannot be serious.”

“As the dead,” he said.

“But...how will I get to know you?”

He tilted his head to the side, that stupid smirk on his face. “You want to get to know me?”

She averted her gaze, and her cheeks flushed. “I’m being forced to spend time here, right? Shouldn’t I get to know my jailer better?”

“So dramatic,” he said, but he was quiet for a moment, considering.

“Oh no,” Persephone said.

Hades looked surprised. “What?”

“I know that look.”

He raised a curious brow. “What look?”

“You get this...look. When you know what you want.”

She felt ridiculous saying that out loud.

His eyes darkened and his voice lowered. “Do I?” he paused. “Can you guess what I want?”

“I’m not a mind reader!”

“Pity,” he said and then, “if you would like to ask questions, then I propose a game.”

“No. I’m not falling for that again.”

“No contract,” he said. “No favors owed, just questions answered—like you want.”

She lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. “Fine. But I get to pick the game.”

He hadn’t expected that—and the surprise showed on his face. Then he grinned. “Very well, Goddess.”