Persephone was in her closet, searching for something to wear. She groaned. “What am I supposed to wear to The Seven Muses?”
“Let me help,” Hermes said, taking Persephone’s place in the closet, he assessed her wardrobe.
“You know Apollo will be pissed when I show up with you,” Hermes said.
Persephone had summoned him as soon as she got home. When she called his name, he appeared immediately and asked, “Who do I need to kill, Sephy?”
“Your brother,” she’d responded.
“Ohh. Can I get a rain check?”
She’d given him another option—accompanying her tonight.
“He never said I had to be alone.”
Apollo was quick to point out where Persephone had failed when agreeing to their bargain, so she would do the same. She had no interest in being alone with the God of Music.
Hermes poked his head out of Persephone’s closet.
“Does Hades know you’re going out?”
“Why does everyone ask that?” Persephone complained. “He doesn’t have to know every move I make.”
Hermes raised his brows. “Triggered, much? I’m only asking in case there’s a possibility you run into him tonight.”
“What does that have to do with what I wear?”
“It has everything to do with what you wear,” Hermes said, disappearing into her closet again. After a moment, he reappeared. “I think you should wear this.”
He held a dress that looked like a patchwork of strategically placed gold-leaf appliqués held together with air.
“Where did you get that?” she asked, because she knew she didn’t own anything like it.
Hermes grinned. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
She narrowed her gaze. “Did you steal it?”
He probably teleported while he was in the closet.
“Just put it on,” he said, laying it on the bed.
“I can’t wear that, Hermes.”
“Why not?”
“Because it will look like I’m wearing…nothing!”
“No, it won’t. It will look like you’re wearing strategically placed gold leaves.”
She glared at him. “Did you miss the part where I have to go out with Apollo?”
“Did you miss the part when I asked about Hades?”
“You’re just going to piss him off.”
“You want Hades pissed off. Don’t lie to me, Sephy. You’re looking forward to hot makeup sex when you two reconcile.” Hermes shoved the dress into Persephone’s hands. “Now, go.”
She headed for the bathroom.
There was a part of her that wanted to make Hades jealous, especially after the whole Leuce situation.
She slipped into the dress. She was a little surprised by how perfect it fit, and stepped out of the bathroom to show Hermes, who whistled.
“That’s the dress!”
“Let me get this straight. You want me to wear this in the event that I run into Hades tonight?”
Hermes shrugged. “There’s always the possibility, but if you don’t see him, you know there’ll be pictures.”
“I can’t wear this,” Persephone said. She started toward the bathroom again to change, but when she turned, Hermes was blocking the door.
“Look, you need to show Hades what he’s missing.”
“What if Apollo thinks I’m dressing up for him?”
Hermes snorted, and Persephone glared.
“Okay, okay. Look, Apollo’s a lot of things, but he knows you belong to Hades. He might flirt with you, but he won’t try anything. Despite what you think, he knows when he’s in danger of losing his balls.”
“If that were the case, he wouldn’t have struck a bargain with me at all.”
“Sephy, I have known Apollo for a long time. He’s a lot of things—selfish and self-centered and rude…but he is also lonely.”
“Well, maybe if he wasn’t so selfish and self-centered and rude, he wouldn’t be lonely.”
“My point is, he wants a friend. And yeah, it’s a little pathetic that he had to make bargains just to have friends, but in case you haven’t noticed, Apollo doesn’t know anything about genuine relationships. It’s why he fucks up all his lovers.”
“He doesn’t even try to get better.”
“Because he doesn’t have to. He’s a god.”
“That isn’t an excuse.”
“And yet it is still an excuse.”
“You aren’t like him.”
“No, but have you ever considered that I am in the minority? Most of the Divine are just like Apollo. He was just unlucky to catch your wrath.”
“You make it sound like I did something wrong.”
“Feeling guilty?”
“No. Of course not. Apollo needed to answer for his behavior.”
“And how did that work out for you?”
It hadn’t.
“I’m not saying what you did was right or wrong. What I am saying is it isn’t the way to get Apollo to listen to you.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
He shrugged. “Just…be his friend.”
Persephone wanted to laugh. She didn’t like Apollo. He had hurt people—her friend, specifically. He had deceived her, healing Lexa while knowing her soul was still broken. How was she supposed to be friends with someone like that?
As if Hermes guessed her thoughts, he added, “People like Apollo are broken, Sephy.”
“Apollo’s not a person.”
“And yet he, like all of us, suffers human flaws.”
Switching gears, Hermes clapped his hands together. “Now, what shall I wear?”
Hermes decided on all-white attire—a silky shirt, jeans, and shiny shoes. Just as they were about to leave, Zofie burst into the room.
“Where do you think you’re going?” she demanded.
“How did you know we were going anywhere?” Persephone asked. She’d told Zofie she was going to bed when she’d gotten home.
“I was listening at the door,” the Amazon said.
“Okay, we’re going to have to make a rule about that,” Persephone said.
“And we’re going to be late.” Hermes took Persephone’s hand. “So, if you don’t mind…”
Zofie drew her blade. “Release her or feel my wrath!”
Hermes laughed. “Where did you get her?”
Persephone sighed. “Zofie, put that away.”
“Wherever you go, I must go to, Lady Persephone,” she glared at Hermes. “To protect you.”
Hermes was still laughing. “She knows I’m a god, right?”
Persephone elbowed him. “Help Zofie find something to wear. She’s coming with us.”
***
When they appeared outside The Seven Muses, people screamed their names.
Persephone glared at Hermes as they were ushered inside by two centaurs.
“You just had to let the world know we were here, didn’t you?”
He grinned. “How else is Hades supposed to know about the dress?”
She elbowed the god again.
“Ouch! You’re violent tonight, Sephy. I’m only trying to help.”
They barely made it inside the club, when their way was blocked by Apollo. The god glared at Hermes. “What are you doing here?”
“I was invited,” the God of Trickery said.
Apollo’s gaze moved to Zofie. “An Amazon?”
Zofie glared at him, and Persephone had a feeling the Amazon hadn’t forgiven him for abducting Persephone.
“She’s my Aegis,” Persephone said. “Her name is Zofie.” He frowned, and Persephone smirked as she said, “You never said I couldn’t bring a friend.”
He rolled his eyes and sighed.
“Come, I have a booth.”
Apollo twisted and the three followed. Persephone noted that the God of Music had chosen black leather pants and a mesh shirt as his club attire. Beneath the mesh, the contours of his muscles were visible. He was chiseled and athletic. She found herself comparing him to Hades again. Hades, whose body seemed to be built to destroy with broad shoulders and large muscles.
Apollo’s table was more like a lounge. White couches faced each other, and sheer, white curtains provided a small amount of privacy.
The God of Music collapsed dramatically on one of the couches, his arms draping over the back, one leg resting on a cushion.
Persephone, Hermes, and Zofie all sat beside each other. The goddess felt uncomfortable in her revealing dress, and sat with her back straight, hands on her knees.
“So, how long have you known each other?” Apollo raised a pale brow, looking between her and his brother. He sounded frustrated.
“Oh, we’ve been friends forever,” said Hermes, then he downed a shot of whatever was on the table. “Yum, you should try this.”
He tried giving Zofie one of the drinks, but the Amazon’s glare caused him to reconsider.
“Never mind,” he said, and took another shot.
“He means six months,” Persephone said. “Hermes and I have known each other for six months.”
“Seven,” the God of Trickery corrected. “I pulled her out of a river and got thrown across the Underworld for my trouble.” He looked at Persephone. “That’s when I knew Hades was in love with you, by the way.”
Persephone looked away, and an awkward silence descended between them, or maybe Persephone was just feeling out of place because Hermes began to chuckle beside her.
“Remember when you served mortals, Apollo?” he asked.
Apollo did not look amused. “Well who taught Pandora to be curious, Hermes?”
The God of Trickery glared. “Why does everyone always bring that up?”
“One could argue you are responsible for all the world’s evil.” A smile pulled at Apollo’s lips. It was actually…charming.
“Who put evil in a box, anyway?” Persephone asked. “That seems stupid.”
The brothers exchange a look. “Our father.”
Persephone rolled her eyes.
Power wasn’t a replacement for intelligence.
After a couple shots, Hermes dragged Persephone and Zofie to the dance floor. The music had an electronic beat and vibrated through her. For a while, they all danced together—even Zofie who had been on edge, loosened up, letting herself get swept into the fold of bodies.
Persephone continued to move. She shook and shimmied, matching Hermes movements until his attention was taken by a handsome man who sidled up behind him.
Persephone cheered him on but found herself face to face with Apollo. He wasn’t dancing, just standing in the center of the crowd, staring at her.
“So, you were afraid to be alone with me?” Apollo asked.
“I am not afraid to be alone with you, I just didn’t want to be alone with you.”
“Why?”
“Why?” she asked, dumbfounded by the question. “Do you not understand what you put me through the other night? You almost killed a kid!”
“He spoke slander—”
“This isn’t the ancient world, Apollo. People are going to disagree with you and you’re going to have to deal with it. For fucks sake, I don’t even like your music.”
Persephone’s eyes widened. Had she just said that out loud?
Apollo pressed his lips together tightly, and after a moment, he said, “Wanna shot?”
“Are you going to poison it?”
Again, he offered that crooked smile.
They left the dance floor and headed for the bar, ordering a round.
Apollo downed his shot, slamming his glass on the counter and looked at Persephone.
“So, how did your lover take the news of our bargain?”
Persephone stared at the empty glass. “Not well. I guess I can’t blame him.”
She’d promised Hades a lot and had let him down.
“I think he hates me,” she said, so quietly she didn’t think Apollo could hear.
“Hades doesn’t hate you,” Apollo almost scoffed. “He doesn’t have it in him.”
“You didn’t see the way he looked at me.”
“You mean all broken?” Apollo asked. “I think I get it, Persephone.”
She blinked at him.
“He’s just hurt and frustrated. We all have things that are important to us—things we value above others. Hades values trust. He values the process of earning trust. He feels like he failed.”
Persephone frowned. “How do you know that?”
“The Olympians have had a long history. We know each other in ways that would make you cringe—inside and out.”
Persephone shivered.
“Hades doesn’t feel worthy without trust. He needs you to believe in him, to find strength in him.”
Persephone frowned. She knew Hades had a difficult time feeling worthy of his people’s worship, but she never thought he would have the same difficult feeling worthy of her love.
What had happened to him over his many lifetimes?
“What happened to you?” Persephone asked Apollo. “No one does what you do without…some sort of trauma.”
It took Apollo a long time to speak, but he finally answered.
“He was a Spartan Prince. Hyacinth. He was beautiful. Admired and pursued by many gods, but he chose me,” he swallowed. “He chose me.”
Apollo paused and then began again.
“We hunted and climbed mountains. I taught him to use a bow and the lyre. One day, I was teaching him quoit.” Quoit was one of the games played during the Panhellenic Games. It involved throwing a heavy metal disc. “Hyacinth liked to challenge me and wanted to compete. He knew I wouldn’t deny him—or a chance to win. I threw first. I didn’t think about the strength behind the toss. He went to catch the disc, but there was too much power behind my throw, and it bounced off the ground and hit him in the head.”
Apollo’s chest rose with a deep inhale. “I tried to save him. I’m the fucking God of Healing. I should have been able to heal him, but each time my magic worked to close his wound, it opened again. I held him until he died.”
His voice trembled now.
“I hated Hades for a long time after that. I blamed him for what the Fates had taken from me. I blamed him for refusing to let me see him. I…I did some unforgivable things in the aftermath of Hyacinth’s death. It’s why Hades hates me, and honestly, I don’t blame him.”
“Apollo,” Persephone whispered. Hesitantly, she placed a hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “It was a long time ago.”
“That doesn’t make it any less painful.”
While this didn’t excuse Apollo’s actions, she understood him a little better. He’d been broken a long, long time ago and since then, he’d been searching for ways to feel whole.
“Another round!” He called to the bartender, who was quick to comply. Apollo handed Persephone a shot.
“Cheers,” he said.
Things were a blur after the last shot. Persephone’s head swam, her words slurred, and everything was funny. She danced with Apollo until her feet hurt, until the lights stung her eyes, until sweat beaded off her skin. When the perspiration turned cold, she suddenly didn’t feel well, and stumbled off the floor, running into something hard.
“Oh, hi Hermes.”
He frowned. “Are you okay?”
She responded by vomiting on the floor.
Her next lucid moment was when she found herself lying on the couch in Apollo’s booth, a blurry Hades cast a shadow over her.
He looked impassive, and that hurt more than she anticipated.
“Why did you call him?” She asked Hermes. “He hates me.”
“Blame Zofie,” Hermes said.
Hades knelt beside her. “Can you stand? I’d rather not carry you out of this place.”
Another blow. She sat up. Hades tried to hand her water, but she pushed it away.
“If you don’t want to be seen with me, why don’t you teleport?”
“If I teleport, you might throw up. I’ve been told you’ve already done that once tonight.”
He didn’t sound pleased.
She got to her feet. It took a moment for the world to stop spinning, and she swayed into Hades, who was quick to embrace her.
The feel of him against her skin was like a sexual experience. It made her quake to her very core. It made her hot all over. It made her want to moan his name.
She was being ridiculous.
She pushed away from him.
“Let’s go.”
She led the way outside where Hades’ black Lexus waited, Antoni offered his crooked smile when he saw her.
“My Lady.”
“Antoni,” she said, and breezed past him, climbing into the back of Hades’ car on her hands and knees. Hades followed close behind. She knew because she could smell him—spice and ash and sin.
She’d never considered the smell of sin before, but now she knew it for what it was—sultry and sexual. It filled her lungs, ignited her blood.
They sat in silence on the way home, the air thick with warring emotions. Persephone was busy building a wall against whatever Hades was feeling—it was dark. She could feel it twisting toward her, like the tendrils of his magic.
She was so relieved when they arrived at Nevernight, she opened the door before Antoni was out of his seat, but as she exited, she missed the curb and fell, her knee striking the concrete hard.
“My lady!” Antoni cried. He reached for her arm, but she pushed it away. “I’m fine.”
She rolled over and sat. Her knee was a mess, and pieces of dirt stuck to the blood. Hades stood beside Antoni and they stared down at her.
“It’s okay. I don’t even feel it.”
She tried to stand but her head was pretty fuzzy, and she was aware she was slurring some of her words. She hated that she was in this state.
She blew out a long breath. “You know, I think I’ll just sit here for a little while.”
Hades said nothing, but this time he scooped her up into his arms and carried her into Nevernight.
When he sat her down, it was behind the bar. He didn’t let her feet touch the ground long before he lifted her and sat her down on the edge of the tabletop. He turned and started to work.
“What are you doing?”
Hades handed her a glass of water. “Drink.”
She did—this time she was thirsty.
While she drank, Hades shed his jacket and filled another glass of water. He cleaned her wounded knee, washing the dirt and blood away. After, he covered it with his hand, and his warmth healed.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Hades stepped back, leaning against the counter opposite her. She had to admit, she didn’t like the distance. It was like he still had a hold of her heart and was stretching it as he moved.
“Are you punishing me?” Hades asked.
“What?”
“This,” he said, pointing to her. “The clothes, Apollo, the drinking?”
She frowned and looked down at her dress.
“You don’t like my clothes?”
He glared at her, and for some reason that made her angry. She pushed off the counter and shimmied the dress up over her hips.
“What are you doing?” Hades asked. His eyes glinted, but she couldn’t tell if he was amused or aroused.
“Taking off the dress.”
“I can see that. Why?”
“Because you don’t like it.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t like it,” he replied.
Still, he didn’t stop her.
The dress was off. She stood naked in front of him.
Hades eyes raked her frame.
Gods.
Her whole body tingled, like her skin was a collection of exposed nerves. Her fingers itched to touch, to pleasure—either herself or him, she really didn’t care.
“Why weren’t you wearing anything under that dress?”
“I couldn’t,” she said. “Didn’t you see it?”
Hades jaw ticked.
“I’m going to murder Apollo,” he said, mostly under his breath.
“Why?”
“For fun.” His voice was gruff, and Persephone giggled.
“You’re jealous.”
“Don’t push me, Persephone.”
“It wasn’t like Apollo knew,” she said, watching Hades drink straight from a whiskey bottle he’d retrieved from the wall. “Hermes was the one who suggested it.”
The bottle shattered. One moment, it was whole in Hades’ hands and the next moment, glass and alcohol covered the floor at Hades’ feet.
“Motherfucker.”
Persephone wasn’t sure if the curse was from what she’d said about Hermes or the whiskey he’d just wasted.
“Are you okay?” she asked quietly.
“Forgive me if I am a little on edge. I have been forced into celibacy.”
Persephone rolled her eyes. “No one ever said you couldn’t fuck me.”
“Careful, Goddess,” his voice rumbled, deep and terrifying. It was the voice he used when he punished. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”
“I think I know what I’m asking for, Hades. It’s not like we’ve never had sex.”
He didn’t move, but he tilted his head a little, and her body tightened, knowing whatever he was about to ask would make her body quiver.
“Are you wet for me?”
She was, he knew it and his restraint was pissing her off. She tilted her head and challenged, “Why don’t you come and find out?”
She waited, and Hades’ chest rose and fell quickly, his knuckles turned white as he grasped the counter behind him. When he didn’t move, she decided she’d just bring up Apollo—it was what he deserved.
“Why didn’t you let Apollo see Hyacinth after his death?”
“You really know how to kill a boner, darling, I’ll give you that.”
The god turned back to the array of liquor and found another bottle. Persephone crossed her arms over her chest, the buzz from the alcohol wearing off, she suddenly no longer felt like being naked. She reached for Hades’ jacket. As she slipped it on, it swallowed her.
“He said he blamed you for his death.”
“He did,” Hades response was short. “Much like you blamed me for Lexa’s accident.”
“I never said I blamed you,” she argued.
“You blamed me because I couldn’t help. Apollo did the same.”
Persephone pressed her lips together and took a breath. “I’m not…trying to fight with you. I just want to know your side.”
Hades considered this as he took a drink from the bottle he’d taken from the shelf. She couldn’t tell what it was—but it wasn’t whiskey.
Finally, he spoke. “Apollo didn’t ask to see his lover. He asked to die.”
Persephone’s eyes widened. That’s not what she expected Hades to say.
“Of course it was a request I could not—would not—grant.”
“I don’t understand. Apollo knows he cannot die. He is immortal. Even if you were to wound him…”
“He wished to be thrown into Tartarus. To be torn to pieces by the Titians. It is the only way to kill a god.”
Persephone shivered.
“He was outraged, of course, and took his revenge in the only way he knows how—he slept with Leuce.”
Things were falling into place.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Persephone demanded.
“I tend to want to forget that part of my life, Persephone.”
“But I—I wouldn’t have—”
“You already broke a promise you made. I doubt my story of betrayal would have prevented you from seeking Apollo’s help.”
She didn’t know what to say to that—his words were harsh but warranted. She flinched and hugged herself a little tighter. She wasn’t sure if Hades noticed her reaction, or decided he was finished with this conversation, but he pushed away from the bar and said, “You are probably tired. I can take you to the Underworld or Antoni will see you home.”
She studied him for a long moment and then asked, “What do you want?”
What she was really asking was do you want me?
“It is not my decision to make.”
She looked away, swallowing a lump in her throat, but Hades’ voice drew her back.
“But since you asked…I always want you with me. Even when I’m angry.”
“Then I’ll come with you.”
He drew her close, his arm a hook around her waist. She braced herself against his biceps as their middles touched and their eyes held. She wanted to kiss him—it wouldn’t take much. They were already so close, but she was hesitant—she had vomited earlier and still felt disgusting. On top of that, Hades didn’t move closer, and the pain that pulled at his features kept her frozen and hardened her own heart.
She still had a whole night to go, sleeping beside him.
This was going to be rough.
