Persephone was looking forward to a date with Hades.
It had been a few weeks since the Ascension Ball, and she had spent a lot of time with him. He’d started seeking her out while she was in the Underworld, asking her to go for walks or play a game of her choosing. She’d begun making requests of him, too; he’d played with the children in the Underworld, added a new play area for them, and hosted a few dinners for the souls and his staff.
It was during these moments that her connection to him grew, and she found she felt far more passion for him than she ever had before. It manifested when they came together late at night, making love as if they’d never see one another again. Everything felt so desperate, and Persephone realized it was because neither of them were using words to communicate how they felt.
And she felt like she was falling.
One evening, after a particularly intense game of strip poker, they lay in bed, Persephone’s head on Hades’ chest while he brushed his fingers absently through her hair. “Allow me to take you to dinner.”
Her gaze snapped to his. “Dinner? Like…out in public?”
Her stomach clenched at the thought, worried about the media attention. Since Hades had announced The Halcyon Project, more articles about her were appearing in magazines across New Greece—the Corinth Chronicle, The Ithaca Inquirer. The ones that made her the most anxious were those that tried to research her background. Right now, they’d found enough to satisfy them, writing things like she’d been homeschooled until eighteen, at which point she came to New Athens University from Olympia. Majoring in journalism, she found an internship with New Athens News and began her relationship with Hades after an interview.
It was just a matter of time before they wanted more. She should know, she was a journalist.
“Not in public exactly,” he said. “But I do want to take you to a public restaurant.”
She hesitated, and Hades gave her a meaningful look.
“I would keep you safe.”
She knew that was true, and this god had managed to avoid the media for a very long time—though she knew that was due in part to his power of invisibility and the fear he struck in mortals.
“Okay,” she smiled. Despite her reservations, it was terribly romantic that Hades wanted to do something so…simple. Like take her to dinner.
Since that night, everything had been hectic. School was busy, work was stressful, and she had been accosted by strangers in person and via email. People stopped and questioned her about her relationship with Hades on the bus, during walks, and while writing at The Coffee House. Some journalists emailed to ask if they could interview her for their newspapers—others offered jobs. She had gotten into a habit of checking her inbox once a day and mass deleting the majority of the emails she received without reading them, but this time when she logged in, she noticed a disturbing subject line: I know you’re fucking him.
Journalists were a little more professional than that.
Dread pooled in her stomach as she clicked on the email and found a string of photos. They were images of her with Hades, all taken in the Underworld while they were on the balcony during the Ascension Ball. The email concluded with: I want my job back or I’ll release these to the media.
The email was from Adonis. She pulled out her phone to call him—she hadn’t deleted his number yet, and she figured this was the best way to reach him.
She could tell he picked up the phone, but he didn’t offer a greeting, just waited for her to speak.
“What the hell, Adonis?” she demanded. “Where did you get the photos?”
“I’m sure you’d like to know.”
“Hades will crush you.”
“He can try, but then he probably doesn’t want to face Aphrodite’s wrath.”
“You’re a bastard.”
“You have three weeks,” he said.
“How am I supposed to get your job back for you?” she snapped.
“You’ll think of something. You did get me fired.”
“You got yourself fired, Adonis,” she hissed. “You shouldn’t have stolen my article.”
“I made you famous,” he argued.
“You didn’t make me anything but a victim, and I’m not interested in continuing that trend.”
There was a long pause on the other side before Adonis spoke again. “Time is running out, Persephone.”
He hung up, and she put the phone down, thoughts racing. The easiest thing to do was to ask Demetri if he’d consider hiring Adonis back, so she rose from her seat and knocked on his door. “Do you have a moment?”
Her boss looked up from his computer, glasses reflecting his blue shirt and yellow tie—making eye contact almost impossible. “Yes, come in.”
Persephone only took a few steps into the room. “What are the chances Adonis could…come back?”
“He was dishonest, Persephone. I have no interest in employing him again.” When she nodded, he asked, “Why?”
“Just feeling…a little bad for him is all,” she managed, though the words tasted like blood in her mouth.
Demetri took his glasses off. She could now see his eyes, full of concern and a little suspicious. “Is everything alright?”
She nodded. “Yes. Yeah. Excuse me.”
She exited Demetri’s office, packed her things, and left. The images in her email were damning, and if released to the public, they would prove everything in the gossip magazines true.
Well, not everything.
Persephone really couldn’t say that she and Hades were dating. As before, she was hesitant to assign any label to their current status given their contract. Not to mention the fact that if those photos were released, her mother would see them, and that would mean the end of her time in New Athens—she wouldn’t even have to worry about the media storm that would ensue as a result, because she wouldn’t be here for it. Demeter would lock her back up forever.
Even while Persephone got ready for her date—something that should’ve been enjoyable—her mind was on Adonis’s threat. She considered how she should handle the situation; she could tell Hades, and everything would be over as quickly as it began, but she didn’t want the God of the Dead fighting her battles for her. She wanted to solve this problem herself.
She decided Hades would be the last resort, a card she would pull if she couldn’t find a solution.
She must have looked troubled when Hades arrived to pick her up, because the God of the Underworld asked as she approached his limo, “Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” she managed in her cheeriest voice possible. He had been asking that a lot, and she wondered if he was paranoid. “It was just a busy day.”
He smiled. “Then let’s get you off your feet.”
He helped her into the limo and followed close behind. Antoni was in the driver’s seat.
“My lady.” He bowed his head.
“It is good to see you, Antoni.”
The cyclops smiled. “Just press the com if you need anything.” Then he rolled up a tinted window that kept his cabin separate from theirs.
She and Hades sat side-by-side, close enough that their arms and legs touched. The friction ignited a fever beneath her skin. Suddenly, she couldn’t get comfortable, and shifted, crossing and uncrossing her legs. It drew Hades’ attention, and after a moment, he placed a hand on her thigh.
She wasn’t sure what possessed her to say it—maybe it was the stress of the day or the tension in the cabin, but right now, all she wanted was to lose herself in him. “I want to worship you.”
The words were quiet and casual. As if she had just asked him how his day went or commented on the weather. She felt his eyes on her, and slowly peeked up at him. His gaze had darkened.
“And how would you worship me, Goddess?” His voice was deep and controlled.
She tried to repress a smile, and kneeled to the floorboard in front of him, wedging herself between his legs. “Shall I show you?”
His throat worked, and he managed in a husky tone, “A demonstration would be appreciated.”
Her hands moved to the button of his trousers where she freed his sex and clasped it in her hand—it was soft but hard, and she met Hades’ gaze as she stroked him once. His hands became fists on his thighs, and when she tasted him, he groaned and rolled his head back.
Then the car came to a stop.
“Fuck,” he said, and reached for the intercom button. Persephone continued to take him deep into the back of her throat, licking and sucking him. When Hades spoke, he was breathless. “Antoni. Drive until I say otherwise.”
“Yes, sir.”
He hissed, inhaling breath between his teeth. His fingers dug into her scalp, loosening her braid as she worked him with her hand and moved her tongue and teeth over the head of his cock. He tasted like salt and darkness, and he grew harder and heavier in her mouth.
She knew when she had driven him into mindlessness because he ground out her name and started thrusting into her mouth. She braced herself against the seat of the limo, unable to breathe, only able to take. He hit the back of her throat over and over until he came with her name on his lips.
Persephone took all of him, licking him clean. When she finished, Hades reached for her, dragging her up for a hard kiss before tearing away to growl, “I want you.”
She tilted her head, questioning. “How do you want me?”
He answered without so much as a second thought. “To start, I’ll take you from behind on your hands and knees.”
“And then?”
“I’ll pull you on top and teach you how to ride me until you come apart.”
“Hmm, I like that one.”
She lifted herself, and Hades helped her sit on his shaft. She groaned as he filled her, and Hades’ hands spanned her waist, helping her establish a rhythm until she moved of her own accord, using him for her pleasure. Her arms went around his neck, and she held him close. She bit his ear, and when he groaned, she whispered, “Tell me how I feel.”
“Like life,” he answered.
His hands moved between them, and he worked her, building the tension, until she could no longer stand it—her labored breathing gave way to a cry of ecstasy, and she collapsed against him, her face burrowed into the crook of his neck.
She didn’t know how long he held her like that, but at some point, Persephone slid from his lap, and Hades restored his appearance before letting Antoni know they were ready to arrive at their destination. Antoni entered a garage and parked near an elevator where Hades helped Persephone out of the limo. Once inside, he took out a keycard and scanned it, punching the button for floor fourteen.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“The Grove,” Hades replied. “My restaurant.”
“You own The Grove?” It was a favorite among the mortals of New Athens because of its unique decor and cozy, garden-inspired dining. “How does no one know?”
“I let Ilias run it,” he said. “And prefer that people think he owns it.”
The elevator opened to the roof, and Persephone gasped at what she saw. The rooftop of The Grove looked like a forest in the Underworld; a stone path wound through beds of flowers and trees strung with lights. Hades led her down the path, which opened onto an open space with a table and two plush chairs. The lights in the trees crisscrossed overhead.
“This is beautiful, Hades.”
He smiled and led her to the table where a collection of breads and a bottle of wine waited. Hades poured them each a glass and toasted their evening.
She found herself laughing more than she ever remembered, the burden of her day long forgotten as Hades told her stories of Ancient Greece. When they finished eating, they walked through the forest on the roof and Persephone asked, “What do you do for fun?”
It seemed like a silly question, but she was curious. Over the months, she gathered that Hades liked cards, walks, and playing with his animals, but she wondered what else.
“What do you mean?”
She laughed. “The fact that you just asked that says everything. What are your hobbies?”
“Cards. Riding.” He swirled his hand in the air, thinking. “Drinking.”
“What about things not related to being the God of the Dead?”
“Drinking is not related to being God of the Dead.”
“It also isn’t a hobby. Unless you’re an alcoholic.”
Hades raised a brow. “Then what are your hobbies?”
Persephone smiled, and though she knew he was avoiding talking about himself, she answered, “Baking.”
“Baking? I feel like I should have known about this sooner.”
“Well, you never asked.”
Silence fell between them, and they walked a little further before Hades came to a stop. Persephone turned to look at him when he said, “Teach me.”
She stared at him for a moment, stunned. “What?”
“Teach me,” he said. “To bake something.”
She couldn’t help but laugh, and he raised a brow, clearly not amused. “I’m sorry—I’m just imagining you in my kitchen.”
“And that’s difficult?”
“Well…yeah. You’re the God of the Underworld.”
“And you’re the Goddess of Spring,” he said. “You stand in your kitchen and make cookies. Why can’t I?”
She couldn’t take her eyes off him. It wasn’t until now that she realized something had changed between them. It had been happening gradually, but today, it hit her hard.
She was in love with him.
She hadn’t realized she was frowning until he touched her face, brushing her cheek with his finger. “Are you well?”
She smiled. “Very well.” She stood on the tips of her toes and pressed a kiss to his mouth, pulling away. “I’ll teach you.”
Hades smiled, too. “Well, then. Let’s get started.”
“Wait. You want to learn now?”
“Now is as good a time as any,” he said.
She opened her mouth to argue that she didn’t have the right supplies to do this in the Underworld, when Hades said, “I thought maybe…we could spend time at your apartment.”
She stared at him, and he shrugged. “You’re always in the Underworld.”
“You…want to spend time in the Upperworld? In my apartment?”
He just stared at her—he’d already told her exactly what he wanted to do.
“I…have to prepare Lexa for your arrival.”
He nodded. “Fair enough. I’ll have Antoni drop you off.” He looked down at his suit. “I need to change.”
***
Persephone had no difficulty convincing Lexa to have Hades over for an evening of food, baking, and movies. In fact, she screamed when Persephone brought it up, which summoned Jaison from her room armed with a lamp, his blue-grey eyes wide and his dark brown curls wild. He looked ready for a fight, and when the girls saw him, they laughed.
Jaison lowered the lamp. “I heard someone scream.”
“And you were going to save me with a lamp?” Lexa asked.
“It was the heaviest thing I could find,” he said defensively.
They laughed again, and Persephone explained why Lexa was screaming.
Jaison rubbed the back of his neck. “Wow, Hades, huh?”
“Yes, Hades!” Lexa reached for Jaison’s hand. “Come on! We have to clean the living room. He’s going to think we’re peasants.”
Persephone smiled as the two disappeared into the adjoining room, Jaison still in possession of the lamp.
They cleaned, and just as she finished putting on her pajamas, the doorbell rang. Despite all the time she’d spent with Hades, her heart still hammered in her chest as she went to answer the door.
Hades stood on their porch in a black shirt that fit his muscles like a dream, and loose sweatpants. Persephone was shocked by his appearance; the manicured god could dress down and he was still magnificent.
“Did you own those before today?” she asked, pointing to the pants.
Hades looked down at them, grinning. “No.”
She let him in, feeling slightly embarrassed. This apartment was way too small for him—he was nearly as wide as the doorway, and he had to duck to enter. Persephone frowned.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she said quickly, and moved around him. She brought him into the living room where Lexa and Jaison had finished cleaning and now lounged on the couch. “Um, Hades this is Lexa, my best friend, and Jaison, her boyfriend.”
Jaison waved from the couch, but Lexa got to her feet and hugged Hades around the middle.
Persephone’s brows rose. She was impressed with Lexa’s fearlessness, and by Hades’ reaction; he didn’t seem surprised at all, and returned Lexa’s hug.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.
“Very few have ever spoken those words,” he told her.
Lexa pulled away and grinned. “So long as you treat my best friend right, I’ll continue to be happy to see you.”
Hades’ lips curled. “Noted, Lexa Sideris,” he said, and gave a little bow. “May I say, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
Lexa blushed.
Damn, the Lord of the Underworld was charming.
Persephone took Hades into her kitchen. It was small for her and Lexa, even tinier with him. His head practically touched the ceiling, but his height came in handy, as much of what Persephone needed was on the top shelf in her cabinets.
“Why do you put everything up so high?” he asked as he helped retrieve her supplies.
“It’s the only place it will fit. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t live in a palace.”
He gave her a look as if to say, I could change that.
When everything was on the counter, Hades turned to look at her. “What would you do without me?”
“Get it myself,” she said simply.
Hades snorted. She turned to face him, and found he was leaning against the counter, arms crossed over his chest. He was absolutely breathtaking, and she wanted to laugh because he was standing in her ugly kitchen making cookies. “Well, get over here. You can’t learn from there.”
Hades raised a brow, smirking, and approached. She hadn’t expected him to stand so close, but he came up behind her, cradling her body with his, hands braced on either side of her.
His mouth touched her ear, warm and honeyed. “Please, instruct.”
She took a breath and cleared her throat. “The most important thing to remember when baking is that the ingredients have to be measured and mixed right or it could mean disaster.”
His lips brushed along her neck and then her shoulder. Her breath caught, and she added, “Scratch that. The most important thing to remember is to pay attention.”
She glared at him over her shoulder while he tried to look innocent, and handed him the measuring cup.
“First, flour,” she said.
Hades took the cup and measured out the required amount of flour. He kept his arms around her, working almost as if she weren’t there—except she knew he was aware of her because she could feel his body hardening against hers.
“Next?”
Concentrate, she commanded herself. “Baking soda.”
He continued like that until all the ingredients were in the bowl and mixed. Persephone took that opportunity to duck under his arm, reaching for a cookie sheet and a spoon. She instructed Hades to form the dough into balls no more than an inch in diameter and place them on the sheet.
Once the cookies were in the oven, Hades turned to her expectantly, but she was already prepared for him.
“We make icing.” She rubbed her hands together. This was the best part. Hades raised a brow, clearly amused.
Persephone began to instruct again, handing Hades a whisk.
“What am I supposed to do with this?”
“You’ll beat the ingredients together,” she said, pouring powdered sugar, vanilla, and corn syrup into a bowl. She pushed it toward him.
“Beat.”
He smirked. “Happily.”
When the icing was made, they divided it into separate bowls and mixed food coloring into it. Persephone was not the cleanest baker, and by the time they finished incorporating all the colors, her fingers were covered in icing.
Hades reached for her hand. “How does it taste?” he asked, and drew her fingers deep into his mouth, sucking them clean. He groaned, “Delicious.”
She flushed and drew her hand away.
There was a long pause, and Hades asked, “Now what?”
Their eyes met.
Hades took two steps, planted his hands on her waist and lifted her onto the counter. She yelped and then laughed, drawing him close as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He kissed her hungrily, tilting her head back so he could reach deep into her mouth—but it was short-lived because Lexa came into the kitchen and cleared her throat.
Persephone broke the kiss while Hades’ head fell into the crook of her neck.
“Lexa,” Persephone cleared her throat. “What’s up?”
“I was wondering if you guys wanted to watch a movie?”
“Say no,” Hades whispered against her ear.
Persephone laughed and asked, “What movie?”
“Clash of the Titans?”
Hades snorted and drew away from her, looking at Lexa. “Old or new?”
“Old.”
He considered, tilting his head. “Fine,” and then he kissed Persephone on the cheek. “Going to need a minute.”
He left the kitchen, and Persephone stayed seated on the counter, kicking her legs back and forth. When Hades was out of sight, Lexa started. “Okay, first. Not in the kitchen! Second, he’s completely in love with you.”
Persephone’s cheeks heated. “Stop, Lexa.”
“Girl, he worships you.”
Persephone ignored Lexa and started cleaning up.
Once the cookies were done, she left them to cool and the four settled in to watch the movie. Persephone cuddled next to Hades, and it was there, nestled against him, that she realized how weird her life had become since she met the God of the Underworld; and yet she had some of her happiest times with him. This was one. He was willing to try mortal things with her. He had wanted to do the things that made her happy and learn them.
She giggled at the thought of him in the kitchen, mittens on, trying to retrieve the hot pan of cookies from the oven.
Hades’ armed tightened around her, and he whispered against her ear. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“You can’t possibly know.”
“After what I put myself through this evening, I’m sure there are several things you are laughing at.”
It wasn’t long before she fell asleep. At some point, Hades lifted her and carried her to her bedroom. “Don’t leave,” she said sleepily when he lowered her onto the bed.
“I’m not.” He kissed her forehead. “Sleep.”
She woke to Hades’ hot mouth on her skin and she groaned, reaching for him. He kissed her urgently, like he hadn’t tasted her in weeks, before trailing his lips along her jaw, her throat, her chest. Then his fingers found the hem of her shirt. She arched her back and helped him pull it over her head. Tossing it aside, he descended, caressing her breasts with his hands and his tongue. It wasn’t long before she wiggled out of her pants and he parted her center, tasting her with his mouth. His thumb worked that sensitive bundle of nerves, sending her into delirious bliss.
When he finished, he climbed up her body and kissed her before divesting himself of his clothes and fitting himself between her thighs. She spread her legs wide to accommodate him as his cock pressed against her entrance. He sank into her easily, and she arched with the pleasure of him filling her so full. She had never felt more complete.
He leaned down to press his forehead against hers, breathing hard.
“You are beautiful,” he said.
“You feel good,” she said, hissing as she took in breath between her teeth, fighting the pressure building behind her eyes. The longer she experienced this euphoria, the less control she had. “You feel…like power.”
He moved slowly at first and she savored every bit of him, but this god was starved, and his thoughtfulness soon gave way to something far more mindless and carnal.
A fierce growl came from deep in his throat, and he leaned into her, kissing and biting her lips, her neck, pumping harder and harder, moving her entire body.
Persephone clung to him, her heels dug into him, her nails raked his skin, her fingers twined into his hair—she reached for anything that would ground her to him, to this moment.
Hades braced his hands against the top of her head to keep her from hitting the headboard as he drove into her—the whole bed shook, and the only sounds were their ragged breathing, their soft moans, their desperate attempts to feel more of each other. Her body was electric, fueled by his intoxicating heat and he pushed her further and further until she could hold on no longer. Her final cry of ecstasy gave way to his, and she reveled in the sensation of him pulsing inside her. She would take all of him, drain him.
In the aftermath, they were quiet. Hades’ slick body rested against hers, and he slowly came off his high, as if his consciousness was returning to his body. It was then he seemed to realize he had lost his mind, that he had pumped into her so hard they were crammed against the headboard.
He studied her and under his scrutiny, she realized she was crying.
“Persephone.” A note of panic colored his voice. “Did I hurt you?”
“No,” she whispered, covering her eyes. He hadn’t hurt her, and she didn’t know why she was crying. She took in a shaky breath. “No, you didn’t hurt me.”
After a moment, Hades pried her hand away from her eyes. She met his gaze as he brushed tears from her face, and she was relieved when he didn’t ask any more questions.
He moved to his side and tucked her against him, covering them both with the blankets. He kissed her hair and whispered, “You are too perfect for me.”
She felt like she had just fallen asleep when Hades sat up suddenly beside her. She felt cold immediately and rolled over, half asleep, to reach for him.
“Come back to bed,” she said.
“Get away from my daughter.” Demeter’s voice thundered throughout the room.
That roused her immediately. She sat up, clutching her blanket to her chest. “Mother! Get out!”
Demeter’s chilling gaze fell on Persephone and she saw the promise of pain—of destruction—in her eyes. She could see the headline now: Olympian Gods Battle, Destroy New Athens.
“How dare you.” Demeter’s voice shook, and Persephone wasn’t sure if she was talking to her or Hades—maybe both.
Persephone threw off the blankets and pulled on her nightshirt. Hades remained sitting in the bed.
“How long?” Demeter asked.
“It’s really none of your business, Mother,” Persephone snapped.
Her mother’s eyes darkened. “You forget your place, Daughter.”
“And you forget my age. I am not a child!”
“You are my child, and you have betrayed my trust.”
Persephone knew what was about to happen. She could feel her mother’s magic building in the air.
“No, Mother!” Persephone looked frantically to Hades, and he looked back, tense but calm—it did nothing to ease her fear.
“You will no longer live this disgraceful, mortal life!”
Persephone closed her eyes, cringing as Demeter snapped her fingers, but instead of teleporting to the glass prison like she expected, nothing happened.
Slowly, she opened her eyes and straightened, looking at her mother whose eyes went wide, then they narrowed on Persephone’s gold cuff.
The goddess struck, snatching her forearm. Gripping too hard, she pulled the bracelet from her wrist and revealed the darkness marking her creamy skin.
“What did you do?” This time, Demeter looked at Hades.
“Don’t touch me!” Persephone tried to wrench away, but Demeter’s hold tightened, and Persephone cried out.
“Release her, Demeter.” Hades’ voice was calm, but there was something deadly in his eyes. Persephone had seen that look before—rage was building inside him.
“Don’t you dare tell me what to do with my daughter!”
Hades snapped his fingers and suddenly he was dressed in the same clothes from last night. He rose to his full height, and as he approached, Demeter released Persephone. She put distance between herself and her mother at once.
“Your daughter and I have a contract,” Hades explained. “She will stay until she fulfills it.”
“No.” Demeter’s gaze focused on Persephone’s wrist, and she got the sense her mother would do just about anything to take her from this place, including cutting her hand off. “You will remove your mark. Remove it, Hades!”
The god clearly wasn’t fazed by Demeter’s growing anger. “The contract must be fulfilled, Demeter. The Fates command it.”
The Goddess of Harvest paled when she looked at Persephone. “How could you?”
“How could I?” Persephone echoed sharply. “It’s not like I wanted this to happen, mother!”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Hades flinch.
“Didn’t you? I warned you about him!” Demeter pointed to Hades. “I warned you to stay away from the Gods!”
“And in doing so you left me to this fate.”
Demeter lifted her chin. “So, you blame me? When all I did was try to protect you? Well, you will see the truth very soon, Daughter.”
The goddess extended her hand and stripped Persephone of the magic she had given.
It felt like a thousand tiny needles were pricking her skin at once as the glamour she had crafted to hide her Divine appearance was stripped away. The pain knocked the breath out of her, and she fell to the floor, gasping.
“When the contract is fulfilled, you will come home with me,” Demeter said, and Persephone glared up at her. “You will never return to this mortal life and you will never see Hades again.”
Then Demeter was gone.
Hades scooped Persephone up from the floor and held her close when she burst into tears. All she could manage to say was, “I don’t regret you. I didn’t mean that I regretted you.”
“I know.” Hades kissed her tears away.
There was a knock on the door and they both looked up to find Lexa standing just inside the room, eyes wide. “What the fuck?”
Persephone pulled away from Hades.
“Lexa,” she said. “I have something to tell you.”
