A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone 1)

She arched a brow. “And what am I thinking?”

“He didn’t do this for me. He did this for his reputation.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Lexa said, grinning. “I think he’s besotted.”

“Besotted? You’ve been reading too many romance novels.”

Lexa walked toward the exhibit with the others at their table. Persephone hung back, afraid to see more of the creation inspired by her. She couldn’t explain her hesitation. Maybe it was because she knew she was in danger of falling for this god who her mother hated and had lured her into a contract she couldn’t win. Maybe it was because he listened to her. Maybe it was because she had never felt more attracted to another person in her short, sheltered life.

She wandered into the exhibit slowly. The space was dimmed so the spotlight showed on the exhibits, which illustrated the plans and mission for Project Halcyon. Persephone took her time and stopped at the center of the room to observe a small, white model of the building. The card beside it stated it was Hades design. It was not a modern building like she had expected. It looked like a country mansion, nestled on ten acres of lush land.

She spent a long time roaming through the exhibit, reading every presentation, learning about the technology that would be incorporated into the facility. It was truly state-of-the-art.

By the time she left, people had already begun dancing. She caught sight of Lexa with Hermes, and Aphrodite with Adonis. She was glad her co-worker hadn’t tried talking to her and had been keeping his distance from her at work. It took her a moment, but she realized she was searching for Hades. He was not among the dancers or those in attendance at the tables. She frowned and turned to find Sybil approaching.

“Persephone,” she smiled, and they hugged. “You look beautiful.”

“So do you.”

“What do you think of the exhibit? Marvelous, isn’t it?”

“It is,” she agreed. She couldn’t deny, it was everything she’d imagined and more.

“I knew great things would come of your union,” she said.

“Our…union?” Persephone asked, confused.

“You and Hades.”

“Oh, we’re not together—”

“Perhaps not yet,” she said. “But your colors, they’re all tangled up. They have been since the night I met you.”

“Colors?”

“Your paths,” Sybil said. “You and Hades—it was destiny, woven by the Fates.”

Persephone wasn’t sure what to say. Sybil was an oracle, so the words that came from her mouth were truth, but could it really be that she was fated to wed the God of the Dead? The man her mother hated?

Sybil frowned. “Are you okay?”

Persephone wasn’t sure what to say.

“I’m sorry. I…should not have told you. I thought you would be happy.”

“I’m not…unhappy,” Persephone assured her. “I just…”

She couldn’t finish her sentence. Tonight, and the last few days were weighing on her, the emotions varying and intense. If she were destined to be with Hades, it explained her insatiable attraction to the god—and yet it complicated so many other things in her life.

“Will you excuse me?” she asked and headed for the bathroom.

She took a few deep breaths, bracing her hands on either side of the sink and looked at herself in the mirror. She turned on the faucet, running cold water over her hands and splashed her heated cheeks lightly, trying not to disturb her makeup. She patted her face dry and prepared to return to the floor when she heard an unfamiliar voice.

“So, you are Hades’ little muse?” The tone was rich, seductive. It was a voice that lured men and bewitched mortals. Persephone saw Aphrodite come into view behind her. She wasn’t sure where the goddess had come from, but once she met her gaze, she found it hard to move.

Aphrodite was beautiful, and Persephone got the feeling that she had met this goddess before, though she knew that was impossible. Her eyes were the color of sea foam and framed by thick lashes. Her skin was like cream and her cheeks lightly flushed. Her lips were of a perfect fullness and pout. Despite her beauty, there was something behind her expression—something that made Persephone think she was lonely and sad.

Maybe what Lexa said was true and Hephaestus didn’t want her.