A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone #1)(79)

Instead of answering the girl, Persephone asked, “You do know the Divine is a gossip magazine?”

“Yes but...he created The Halcyon Project just for you.”

“It isn’t for me,” she said starting past the girl. “It’s for mortals in need.”

“Still, don’t you think that’s romantic?”

Persephone paused and turned to face the girl.

“He listened. There’s nothing romantic about that.”

The girl looked confused, but Persephone wasn’t interested in romanticizing Hades for doing something all men should be doing and she told the girl as much.

“So you don’t think he likes you?” she asked.

“I’d much rather he respect me,” she answered.

Respect could build an empire. Trust could make it unbreakable. Love could make it last forever.

And she would know Hades respected her when he removed this stupid mark on her skin.

“Excuse me,” she said, and left. It was close to lunch and she had a date with Lexa and Sybil. After La Rose, she and Lexa had kept their distance from Adonis, but they’d grown attached to Sybil and the twins, Aro and Xeres.

Persephone left Hestia Hall and crossed campus, cutting through the Garden of the Gods. The scent of Hades’ magic was the only warning she had before she was teleported. She appeared in a different part of the garden where narcissus bloomed, standing face-to-face with Hades. He reached forward, gripped the back of her neck, and brought his lips to hers. She kissed him eagerly, but she was distracted by the article and her thoughts around the contract.

When he pulled away, he stared at her a moment, and then asked, “Are you well?”

Her stomach flipped. She wasn’t used to that question, or the way he asked it—in a voice echoing with sincerity and concern.

“Yes,” she answered breathlessly. Tell him—ask him about the contract, she commanded herself. Demand he free you if he wishes to continuing being with you. Instead, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

The corners of his lips turned up, and he brushed his thumb over the bottom of her lip. “I came to say goodbye.”

“What?”

The question came out more demanding than she wanted. What did he mean he was saying goodbye? He chuckled under his breath, and answered, “I must go to Olympia for Council.”

Council for the gods occurred quarterly unless there was a war. If Hades was going, that meant Demeter would be going, too.

“Oh.” She blushed. “How long?”

He shrugged. “If I have anything to say about it, a day and no more.”

“Why wouldn’t you have a say?” she asked.

“It depends on how much Zeus and Poseidon argue.”

She wanted to laugh but, after seeing them at the gala, she got the feeling their arguing wasn’t cute but brutal. Even worse than Zeus or Poseidon, Persephone wondered how her mother would treat the God of the Dead.

She shivered and then met Hades’ gaze, but his eyes had fallen to the magazine. He plucked it from the top of her things and frowned—he frowned deeper after she asked, “Is this why you announced The Halcyon Project at the gala? So people would focus on something other than my assessment of your character?”

“You think I created The Halcyon Project for my reputation?”

She shrugged. “You didn’t want me to continue writing about you. You said so yesterday.”

He stared at her for a moment, clearly frustrated. “I didn’t start The Halcyon Project in hopes that the world would admire me. I started it because of you.”

“Why?”

“Because I saw truth in what you said. Is that really so hard to believe?”

She couldn’t really answer, and Hades brows drew together tightly.

“My absence will not affect your ability to enter the Underworld. You may come and go as you please.”

She didn’t like how distant he suddenly felt and he wasn’t even gone yet. She stepped closer to him, and tilted her head back so she could look into his eyes.

“Before you go, I was thinking,” she said, and reached for the lapels of his jacket. “I’d like to throw a party in the Underworld...for the souls.”

Hades hands closed over her wrists. His eyes were searching. She wasn’t sure if he would push her away or pull her closer.

“What kind of party?”

“Thanatos tells me souls will reincarnate at the end of the week and that Asphodel is already planning a celebration. I think we should move it to the palace.”

“We?” he asked.

Persephone bit her lip and blushed. “I’m asking you if I can plan a party in the Underworld.”

He just stared at her, so she kept talking.

“Hecate has already agreed to help.”

His brows rose. “Has she?”

“Yes,” her eyes fell to where her palms now rested, flat on his chest. “She’s thinking we should have a ball.”

He was quiet so long, she thought he must be angry, so she looked up to meet his gaze.

“Are you trying to seduce me so I’ll agree to your ball?” he asked.

“Is it working?”

He chuckled and drew her closer. His arousal was hard against her stomach and she gasped. It was the only answer she required, and still he said against her ear, “It’s working.”