A Touch of Ruin (Hades x Persephone #2)(5)

“No!” Her eyes widened at the conclusion he’d come to, then her shoulders fell. “But...I suppose we cannot avoid what others may perceive about our relationship.”

“And what do others say, exactly?” He stood so close she could smell spice and smoke and a touch of winter air. It was the scent of his magic.

A shoulder rose and fell as she said, “That we are only together because of the Fates. That you have only chosen me because I am a goddess.”

“Have I given you reason to think such things?”

She stared, unable to answer. She didn’t want to say that Yuri had planted the idea in her head. The thought had been there before—a seed planted early on. Yuri had merely watered it and now it was growing, as wild as the black vines that sprouted from her magic.

Hades spoke faster, demanding. “Who has given you doubts?”

“I have only just started to consider—”

“My motives?”

“No—”

He narrowed his eyes. “It seems that way.”

Persephone took a step away, the bookcase pressing into her back. “I am sorry I said anything.”

“It is too late for that.”

Persephone glared. “Will you punish me for speaking my mind?”

“Punish?” Hades tilted his head to the side, and he moved closer, hips leaning into hips, leaving no space between them. “I am interested to hear how you think I might punish you.”

Those words wound her tight, and despite the heat they inspired, she managed to glare at him.

“I am interested in having my questions answered.”

Hades jaw tightened. “Remind me again of your question.”

She blinked. Was she asking him if he had only chosen her because she was a goddess? Was she asking him if he loved her?

She took a deep breath and peered up at him through her lashes. “If there were no Fates, would you still want me?”

She couldn’t place the look on Hades’ face. His eyes were a laser, melting her chest and her heart and her lungs. She couldn’t breath as she waited for him to speak—and he didn’t. Instead, he reached for her with one hand and clasped her jaw. His body vibrated—she could feel the violence beneath, and for a moment she wondered what the King of the Underworld intended to unleash.

Then his grip softened, and his fingers splayed across her cheek, eyes lowering to her lips.

“Do you know how I knew the Fates made you for me?” His voice was a hoarse whisper, a tone he used in the darkness of their room after they made love. Persephone shook her head slowly, ensnared by his gaze. “I could taste it on your skin and the only thing I regret is that I have lived so long without you.”

His lips trailing along her jaw and across her cheek. She held her breath, leaning into his touch, seeking his mouth, but instead of kissing her, he stepped away.

His sudden distance left her unsteady, and she leaned against the bookshelf for support.

“What was that?” she demanded, glaring at him.

He offered a dark chuckle, the corners of his mouth lifting. “Foreplay.”

The he reached forward, swept her into his arms and over his shoulder. Persephone gave a small yelp of surprise, and demanded, “What are you doing?”

“Proving that I want you.”

He strolled out of the library and into the hall.

“Put me down, Hades!”

“No.”

She had a feeling he was grinning. His hand crept up between her thighs, parting her flesh, and diving inside of her. She gripped the fabric of his jacket so she wouldn’t fall off his shoulder.

“Hades!” she moaned.

He chuckled, and she hated him for it. She released his long locks and yanked on the strands, pulling his head back, seeking his lips. Hades’ was obliging and braced her against the nearest wall offering a vicious kiss before pulling away to growl in her ear.

“I will punish you until you scream, until you come so hard around my cock, you are left in no doubt of my affection.”

His words stole her breath and her magic awakened, warming her skin.

“Make good on your promises, Lord Hades,” she said against his mouth.

Then the wall beneath Persephone gave way and she yelped as Hades stumbled forward. He managed to prevent them both from landing on the floor, and once they were steady, he guided her to her feet. She recognized the way he held her—protectively, an arm wrapped high on her shoulders. She craned her neck and discovered they were in the dining room. The banquet table was crowded with Hades’ staff, including Thanatos, Hecate, and Charon.

The wall they’d been pressed against was a door.

Hades cleared his throat, and Persephone buried her head into Hades’ chest.

“Good evening,” Hades said, she was surprised by how calm he sounded when he spoke. He wasn’t even breathless, though she could feel his heart beating hard against her ear. She thought Hades would excuse himself and vanish, but instead he said, “The Lady Persephone and I are famished, and we wish to be alone.”

She froze and jabbed him in the side.

What was he doing?

All at once, people started to move, clearing away plates, silverware, and huge platters of untouched food.

“Good evening, my lady—my lord.”

They filed out of the dining room with glittering eyes and wide smiles. Persephone kept her gaze lowered, a perpetual blush on her cheeks as Hades’ residents paraded into the hall to dine elsewhere in the palace.