A Touch of Ruin (Hades x Persephone #2)(36)

“I haven’t seen him,” the ogre admitted. “But I can imagine he won’t be happy.”

She knew that, which was why there was no way she was going to the Underworld tonight. She was thankful that the ogre didn’t elaborate or berate her for writing about Apollo. Most of the drive was spent in silence, except for when she asked Antoni to stop so she could grab takeout before heading home.

By the time she made it to the apartment, all she wanted to do was take a hot bath and go to sleep. She bid Antoni goodnight, and headed inside. Lexa had texted her to let her know she would be out with Jaison. Sybil was sitting at the bar working on a resume, but when Persephone walked through the door, left her seat and folded her into her arms.

Persephone dropped her purse and the takeout to the floor and hugged the oracle back.

“I’m sorry,” Persephone said. “I didn’t listen to you.”

“It’s okay,” Sybil said. “I don’t blame you for wanting to tell their stories, I just hate that no one believes you.”

“I know that’s why you told me not to do it,” Persephone said, and she smiled a little as she pulled away to look at Sybil. “Apollo might have taken away your powers, but your instincts are on point.”

She shrugged. “I know how history treats women.”

Sybil picked up Persephone’s purse and the food she’d brought, sitting it on the counter.

“It’s moussaka, if you want some,” Persephone said, nodding to the bag of food. “I also got baklava because…you know…it’s been a hard day.”

Sybil laughed softly. “Of course.”

“I think I’m going to take a bath.”

Sybil nodded. “I’ll be here if you wanna talk.”

“Thanks, Syl.”

Persephone navigated to her bedside table in the dark, familiar with the layout of her room, and turned on the lamp. She stepped into the bathroom, removed her jewelry, and started the bathwater. As it was running, she moved back into her room and began to undress when she noticed something shifting in the corner of her eye. She turned, startled by Hades’ presence in her room.

How had she not felt him?

Because he didn’t want you to, she thought immediately.

“Please continue,” he said, leaning casually against the wall in partial darkness. He looked at home, born of the shadow. His hands were in the pockets of his slacks, and he’d removed his jacket. The sleeves of his black shirt were rolled up, and the top two buttons undone, exposing his well-muscled forearms and chest.

Her breath caught in her throat. Would she always think of how beautiful he looked every time she saw him?

His burning eyes ran the length of her, and she suddenly remembered she was angry with him for so many things. She pulled her dress back up, and Hades’ offered an unamused laugh.

“Come now, darling. We are beyond that, are we not? I have seen every inch of you—touched every part of you.”

She shivered because no matter how angry she was with him, she couldn’t help the thoughts that surfaced in her mind at his words.

“That doesn’t mean you will tonight,” she said, and Hades scowled. “What are you doing here?”

“You are avoiding me,” he said.

“I’m avoiding you?” she scoffed. “It’s a two-way street, Hades. You’ve been just as absent.”

“I gave you space,” he said, and she rolled her eyes. “Clearly that was a bad idea.”

“You know what you should have given me?” she said. “An apology.”

She headed into the bathroom. Hades wasn’t going to keep her from her bath. Stripping down, she stepped into the water. It was almost too hot, stinging as she submerged herself. Normally, she would stretch out, but she felt oddly subconscious, and drew her knees to her chest.

Hades followed, leaning against the counter, arms crossed over his chest, mouth tight.

“I told you I loved you.”

“That’s not an apology.”

“Are you telling me those words mean nothing to you?”

She glared. “Actions, Hades. You weren’t going to tell me about Leuce.”

“If we are going to speak of actions, then let us speak of yours.”

Despite the heat of the water, Persephone suddenly felt chilled.

“Did you not promise me you wouldn’t write about Apollo?”

There was more to her actions—they’d been fueled by Sybil and Leuce and wine—but she couldn’t say that because the results were the same. She had broken her promise.

“I had to do it—”

“Had to?” He interrupted. “Were you offered an ultimatum?”

Yes, I was offered an ultimatum, you idiot!

She didn’t respond and averted her eyes, glaring at the water. If she looked at Hades for too long, she would burst into tears. There was too much emotion building inside her.

“Where you threatened?”

Again, she was silent.

“Did any of it have anything to do with you?”

She hated the way his voice grated against her ears. She stood from her bath, water sloshing everywhere and snatched a towel from the bar, holding it to her chest.

“Sybil is my friend and her life was ruined by Apollo. His behavior had to be exposed.”