A Touch of Ruin (Hades x Persephone #2)(15)

Their relationship was too intense, too passionate, too ancient for her to merely be his girlfriend.

But maybe that was just how she felt.

The tension eased from Hades’ features, and he drew his finger under her chin.

“Nothing is ever insignificant when it comes to you,” he said.

They stared at each other, and the air was heavy. Persephone itched to reach for him—to bring his lips to hers, to taste him. All she had to do was close the gap between them and they would ignite—fall so deep in their passion, nothing would exist beyond their skin.

A knock at her door tore her from her thoughts and sent her heart into a frenzy.

“Persephone! I’m ordering pizza. Any requests?” Lexa called.

She cleared her throat. “N-no. Whatever you order is fine,” she replied through the door.

“So, pineapple and anchovies. Got it.”

Her heart was still hammering in her chest. There was a long pause on the other side of the door, and for a moment, Persephone thought Lexa had left, until she asked, “Are you okay?”

Hades’ chuckled and leaned in, pressing his lips against her skin. Persephone exhaled, her head rolling back. “Yes.”

Another long pause. “Did you even hear what I’m going to order?”

“Just get cheese, Lexa!”

“Okay, okay, I’m on it.” Persephone could tell by the tone of her voice, she was smiling.

Persephone pushed against Hades’ chest and met his gaze.

“You shouldn’t laugh.”

“Why not? I can hear your heart beating. Are you afraid to be caught with your boyfriend?”

Persephone rolled her eyes. “I think I preferred lover.”

His laugh was a deep rumble. “You are not easy to please.”

It was her turn to smile. “I would give you the chance, but I’m afraid I don’t have time.”

Hades eyes darkened, and his hold on her tightened.

“I don’t need a lot,” he said, hands twinning in her dress as if he wished to rip it from her body. “I could make you come in seconds. You won’t even have to get undressed.”

She almost took the bait and challenged him to prove it, but then she remembered how he’d left her in the dining room the day before, and despite returning and making up for it, she wanted to punish him.

“I’m afraid seconds will not due,” she said. “I’m owed pleasure—hours of it.”

“Allow me to give you a preview, then.” He held her close, his arousal pressing into her softness, but she kept him at a distance, palms pressed against his hard chest.

“Perhaps later,” she offered.

He smiled. “I’ll take that as a promise.”

With that, he vanished.

Persephone showered and changed. When she left the room, Lexa was curled up on the couch. Persephone sat beside her, sharing Lexa’s blanket and the popcorn.

“What movie are we watching?”

“Pyramus and Thisbe,” she answered.

It was a movie the pair had watched over and over, an ancient tale about forbidden love retold in modern times.

“I’m just glad you didn’t say Titans After Dark.”

“Hey! I like that show.”

“The way they portray the gods is totally inaccurate.”

“We know,” Lexa said. “They don’t do Hades justice, but if he has a problem with it, tell him it’s his own fault. He’s the one who’s refused to be photographed ...well, until recently.”

They started the movie, and it opened by introducing the feuding families, locked in a war for territory. Pyramus and Thisbe were young and eager for fun. They met at a club, and under those fierce and hypnotic lights, they fell in love, later learning they were sworn enemies. They were in the middle of a tense scene between the families, the one where Thisbe’s brother dies, shot and killed by Pyramus, when the doorbell rang, surprising Persephone and Lexa. They exchanged a look.

“It’s probably the pizza guy,” Lexa said.

“I’ll get it,” Persephone was already throwing off the blanket. “Pause the movie!”

“You’ve seen this a hundred times!”

“Pause it!” then she threatened playfully. “Or I’ll turn you into basil.”

Lexa cackled but paused the movie. “That actually might be cool.”

Persephone opened the door.

"Sybil!" She smiled wide, but excitement quickly gave way to suspicion.

Something was wrong.

Even dressed in pajamas and sporting a top knot, the blonde was a beauty. She stood under the pallid porch light, looking exhausted and like she'd been crying, mascara streaked down her face.

“Can I come in?” It sounded like she had something stuck in her throat.

“Yeah, of course.”

"Is it the pizza?" Lexa called, walking into view. “Sybil!”

That was when the girl burst into tears.

Lexa and Persephone exchanged a look and quickly wrapped their arms around her as she sobbed.

“It’s okay,” Persephone whispered, attempting to soothe her.

She thought she could sense Sybil’s pain and confusion, something she had never perceived in another person before. The emotions were like shadows grazing her skin, flutters of sadness, strikes of jealousy, and an endless cold.