A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone #1)(74)

“Will you allow me to dress you?”

She swallowed hard. She was getting used to these kinds of words coming out of his mouth. Still, it was odd. He was ancient and powerful and gorgeous. He was known for his ruthless assessment of souls and impossible bargains, and yet he was asking to dress her after a night of passionate sex.

Would wonders never cease?

She nodded and Hades set to work, wrapping the fabric around her body. He took his time, using this as an excuse to touch and kiss and tease, and by the time he finished, her body was flush. It took everything in her power to let him pull away. She wanted to demand that he finish what he started, but then they would never leave this room.

He kissed her before they left his chambers and directed her to a beautiful dining room. She almost felt it was a little ridiculous. Several chandeliers cut through the middle of the ceiling, and a gold coat of arms hung on the wall over an ornate throne-like chair at the end of an ebony banquet table crowded with chairs. It was a banquet hall for more than just she and Hades.

“You actually eat in here?” Persephone asked.

Hades seemed amused. “Yes, but not often. I usually take my breakfast to go.”

Hades pulled out a chair and helped Persephone sit. Once he took his seat, a couple of nymphs entered the dining hall with trays of fruit, meat, cheese, and bread. They were followed by Minthe. The nymphs placed the food on the table and Minthe came to stand between she and Hades.

“My lord,” Minthe said. “You have a full schedule today.”

“Clear the morning,” he said without looking at her.

“It’s already eleven, my lord,” Minthe said tightly.

Hades filled his plate and when he was finished, looked at Persephone.

“Are you not hungry, darling?” he asked.

She was well-aware that he had called her darling. Though he had been doing it since they met, he’d never said it in front of anyone. A glance at Minthe told her the nymph had heard and didn’t like it.

“No,” she said. “I…usually only drink coffee for breakfast.”

He stared at her for a moment, and then, with a flick of his wrist, a steaming cup of coffee sat before her.

“Cream? Sugar?” he asked.

“Cream,” she said, smiling, and it was given.

She cupped her hands around the mug. “Thank you.”

“What are your plans today?” Hades asked.

It took Persephone a moment to realize he was talking to her. “Oh, I need to write—”

She stopped talking abruptly.

“Your article?” Hades asked. She could not tell what he was thinking, but she felt it and it wasn’t good.

“I will be along shortly, Minthe,” Hades said at length, and Persephone’s heart fell. “Leave us.”

“As you wish, my lord.” There was amusement to Minthe’s voice that Persephone hated.

When they were alone, Hades asked, “So, you will continue to write about my faults?”

“I don’t know what I am going to write this time,” she said. “I...”

“You what?”

“I hoped I might be able to interview a few of your souls.”

“The ones on your list?”

She explained that she didn’t want to write about the Olympian Gala or The Halcyon Project, knowing that all the other newspapers would jump on that story.

Hades stared at her for a long moment and then wiped his mouth with his napkin. After, he pushed away from the table and stood, striding toward the exit. Persephone followed.

“I thought we agreed we wouldn’t leave each other when we are angry? Didn’t you request that we work through it?”

Hades twisted toward her. “It’s just that I’m not particularly excited that my lover is continuing to write about my life.”

She blushed at hearing him call her lover. She thought about correcting him, but decided against it.

“It’s my assignment,” Persephone argued. “I can’t just stop.”

“It wouldn’t have been your assignment if you had heeded my request.”

Persephone crossed her arms over her chest. “You never request anything, Hades. Everything is an order. You ordered me not to write about you. You said there would be consequences.”

His face changed then, and the look he gave her was more endearing than angry. It made her heart flutter. “And yet you went through with it anyway.”

She opened her mouth to deny it because the reality was that she hadn’t—Adonis had, and despite the fact that she really disliked the creep of a mortal, she didn’t want Hades to know he was responsible. In truth, she’d rather deal with Adonis herself.

“I should have expected it,” he said, drawing his finger along her jaw, tipping her head back. “You are defiant and angry with me.”

“I’m not...” She started to say, but then Hades’ hands cupped her face. “Shall I remind you that I can taste lies, darling?”

He brushed her bottom lip with his thumb.

“I could spend all day kissing you.”

“No one’s stopping you,” she said, surprised by the words that came out of her mouth. Where was this boldness coming from?

But Hades only chuckled and pressed his lips to hers.