“This is where you live?” she gasped. She had expected it to be glorious, like all castles were, but not this glorious. The receiving hall had a domed ceiling, and from the topmost balcony an orchestra serenaded them with classical music.
Seeing where she was looking at, he told her, “Most of mankind’s greatest composers are in that group.”
“What?”
“They seem to prefer working for me over living in the Isle of the Blessed.” He paused. “Your kind calls it heaven, I believe.”
She couldn’t stop gawking at the live orchestra, and now that she was squinting hard at them, she could actually make out a few familiar faces like Bach, Beethoven, and Pachelbel.
She let her gaze roam around the castle, and when she saw the artwork framed on the walls as well as the mosaics painted on the ceiling, she said slowly, “Those artworks...”
He grinned.
She gaped. “Seriously?” She glanced at the artworks surrounding her again and this time, she could make out those made by Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh.
“What can I say? I’m the perfect master to serve.”
His complete lack of modesty made her laugh, and she shook her head at him, murmuring, “I can’t get over how different you are from how you are in books. I mean, have you even watched how they drew you in Disney’s Hercules—-” The grimace on Hades’ handsome face made her giggle.
“It is not funny,” he said, disgruntled.
“But it is.” She couldn’t stop giggling. “I can just imagine what you must have been feeling—-” She started to laugh, but the sound of it was lost in Hades’ sudden kiss.
Oh!
His hands cupped her face as he deepened the kiss, his tongue stroking hers until she found herself clutching his shoulders.
When Hades lifted his head, he smiled in satisfaction at the way her clouded gaze seemed to beg him for more of his kisses.
“Tease me all you want, milady,” he purred. “I look forward to retaliating this way.”
Ever’s face flamed, and she muttered under her breath, “The books never mentioned you were a sadist.”
Hades laughed. “I am the god of the Underworld, and it is my duty to punish those who have sinned. What else can I be but a sadist?”
Footsteps reached them and Hades reluctantly pulled away from her, seeing Hecate and Thanatos heading his way. “I must leave you for a while. I have business to attend to with Thanatos.” He gestured for the goddess of necromancy to come forward. “Hecate, I would like to introduce you to my future queen.”
Ever stiffened at the mention of the goddess’ name, recognizing it instantly. A sense of foreboding filled her as she recalled what she knew of the deity whose powers lay in the art of necromancy.
When she came face to face with Hecate, Ever was prepared to see a furious-looking entity, but instead she found a middle-aged brunette dressed in a plain black gown.
Oh.
Hecate’s lips curved in a smile. “You are surprised at my appearance, milady?”
“Uh...”
Seeing the torn expression on Ever’s face, Hades said dryly, “She probably recognizes your name from Macbeth.”
“Hecate also appears in a Disney series,” Thanatos interjected with a sly note in his voice. “You had blue hair in that one, didn’t you? And if I recall correctly, you also wanted to usurp Hades’ throne and—-”
“Shut up.” Fury caused a momentary lapse in Hecate’s concentration, and her disguise disappeared, revealing her true appearance, with hair and eyes that changed from black to red every second and nails that were almost three inches long.
Ever jumped back. “Bloody—-”
Hecate’s red-black eyes swung to her.
“—-beautiful goddess, I am at your service,” she finished quickly.
There was a moment of silence before Hades, Thanatos, and Hecate laughed.
“I told you,” Thanatos said with a smirk. “She will take you by surprise.”
Hecate sighed. “It is uncanny that she could do so. She really is our prophesied queen.” When Ever appeared startled and discomfited at her words, Hecate’s darkly painted lips curved in another smile, and her voice was soft and gentle as she said, “It is my honor to be of service to you, milady.”
She hesitated for a moment before asking uncertainly, “Are you sure?” She cleared her throat. “I know you also served—-”
“You must be exhausted,” Hecate interrupted the young mortal smoothly. Looking at Hades, whose face had turned stoic, she asked politely, “May I take her to her chambers, milord?”
Hades glanced at Ever. “Will you be alright without my company?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not a child.”
“I know.” He wrinkled his nose back at her, murmuring wickedly, “I guess I’m asking because I’m the one who’ll be missing you.” And with complete disregard of the fact that they had company, the god of the Underworld drew her back to his arms to give her a thoroughly deep kiss.
When his mouth finally left hers, she could only stare up at Hades, whispering, “That’s three.”