His brows slam together. “That’s not what happened.”
Meg’s hand tightens on my shoulder the slightest bit. “Zurielle was contracted with Ursa and had no desire to break that contract until you intervened.”
“Because…” He trails off and his shoulders drop. “She came back to Ursa?”
“The first chance she got.”
He stares at the ground a long moment. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“Hercules,” Meg drawls. “You didn’t think at all.”
He seems to steel himself and meets my gaze. “I’m to be punished.”
“Yes.” I don’t see the point in drawing this out longer than it needs to be. “This is your second strikes, but even if I were inclined to let it go without punishment, it’s not an option.” I lean forward. “If this happens again, you’re out.”
“You’ll kick me out.” He goes pale.
I shake my head slowly. “No, Hercules. You’re ours, and you’ll remain that way, regardless of what happens with the Underworld. However, if you violate the rules again, you will be banned from the club floor, both public and private. Do you understand?”
He doesn’t answer right away. Good. It means he’s actually thinking things through for once. I love this impulsive, over-protective teddy bear of a man, but even I can’t bend these rules for him. When he finally nods and answers, I believe the sincerity in his voice. “I understand.”
“Are you ready to accept your punishment?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good.” I glance at Meg. “Please extend an invitation to Ursa for tonight. Inform her that we’d like to make an official apology.”
Meg squeezes my shoulder and releases me. “Yes, Sir.”
I refocus on Hercules. “I’m going to beat you, little Hercules. When I’m satisfied you’ve suffered enough, you’re going to crawl across the public playroom and beg for Ursa’s forgiveness.”
“Okay,” he whispers.
“Change into the black shorts, and then go kneel in the public playroom and wait for me. Position yourself in front of the St. Andrew’s Cross.”
“Yes, Sir.” He rises on unsteady legs and exits the office.
Meg moves to perch on the edge of my desk. “Not as harsh a punishment as it could have been.”
I slide my hand up her thigh. Not for seduction; simply because I like touching her. “No, not as harsh as it could have been.”
“You don’t bluff, Hades.”
I look up and hold her gaze. “No, I don’t. If he can’t abide by the rules, he won’t be in the Underworld.”
“That will create some challenges.”
I raise my brows. “Are you arguing that he should be given more leniency?”
“No.” Meg huffs out a breath. “Both the Underworld and your neutral territory operate on your being able to enforce the rules. If Hercules keeps flouting them, it will undermine your authority, which makes it dangerous for everyone here.”
It’s exactly the conclusion I came to, but I find it strangely reassuring to hear her voice it. More and more, I’ve started reaching out to Meg to at least verbally walk through larger decisions. More often than not, we’re in agreement, but the communication has only served to strengthen our foundations. “He has one more chance.”
“I know.” She leans down and brushes a light kiss against my lips. “I’ll call Ursa.”
I watch her walk out the door and sigh. Maybe I really am going soft in my old age, love blunting my harsh edges. I don’t mind beating Hercules, or even humiliating him in front of an audience, but I’d rather do it in private.
It won’t work this time, for this situation. Both punishment and apology need to be public.
It takes several hours to get everything into place. I have a monitor up of the public playroom the entire time, keeping an eye on Hercules. He obeys beautifully, kneeling with his head bowed as the room slowly fills up around him. He doesn’t look up once, doesn’t do more than shift a little from time to time as the stiffness sets into his body.
The study door opens and Meg slips in. “Ursa’s here.”
“Good.” I rise and we walk together to the public playroom. It’s late enough to be crowded, but early enough that people are still chatting and only engaged in minor play. Not that it matters. Those here will spread the word once things are wrapped up, and that’s enough to accomplish my goals. Ursa’s here, which means she intends on accepting the apology. It’s enough.
I catch Meg’s wrist upon entering the public playroom and pull her close enough to kiss. She submits beautifully, instantly melting and opening to me until I’ve had my fill. As if that will ever happen. Still, it’s enough to tide me over until the end of the night. “The club is in your hands for the duration.”
She smiles against my lips. “Go do your worst.”
I don’t respond. I simply make my way through the scattering of chairs and couches to where Hercules kneels. The conversation hushes in a wave behind me. It’s been months since I’ve last played in public, and by now everyone knows at least some part of the story that brought us to this place. Hercules stepping out of line again. Hercules letting his shining honor get the best of him. Again.